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It was nearly an hour later once more when Haradhel and Kara and the children finally arrived back at the ranch, and they made their way directly towards the barracks, where Haradhel knew Elros would still be asleep. However, she knew that the letter was probably important, and therefore would need immediate attention - not to mention, if she didn't go out of her way to see him, she would never run into him by accident.

When Elros opened his door a few short moments after she knocked, she held the letter out to him. "For you."

The fighter's normally expressionless face registered surprise, and then he nodded and took the letter, glancing over his shoulder at Lin, who was still asleep (or at least she looked asleep) in the cot.

"Would you prefer to know what it says, my Lady?" he asked Haradhel quietly, not knowing whether or not Lin was awake or asleep.

Haradhel looked down at Kara and the children. "What do you think?"

Elros chuckled softly. "It is quite all right," he assured Kara. "I do not mind if you all wish to know what it says. Letters are rare, official ones even more so. Besides, if it is indeed official, it is only a matter of time before I would have to tell everyone anyways."

He motioned for them all to come in if they wished and headed over to the window to open the shutters and let in more light.

Haradhel moved in after the others and sat down at the table, folding her hands in her lap to keep them from fidgeting. In all their years there, no one had ever tried to communicate with Elros ... no one. Why all of a sudden, and in such an official manner? Lothiriel and Pen had never even talked to him that she knew of ...

Once the room was bright, Elros moved to sit on the bed. He stared at the seal for a moment, and a brief smile flickered across his face. He had always respected the unicorns, and he loved seeing their image used as a symbol of representation.

Suddenly conscious of the people in the room around him, he slipped one finger beneath the seal and pried it open. His eyes skimmed the letter briefly, and his eyes grew wide in shock.

"What is it?" Haradhel asked eagerly. "Is something wrong?"

Elros cleared his throat and began to read aloud, translating as he read.

My dear sir,

I hope this letter finds you well. Neko and Nako arrived here safely ...

He skipped over the main body of the letter until he got to the main point towards the end.

At last, dear Elros, I come to the real reason of this letter ... I know that it must be strange for you to be receiving a letter at all, and especially one from myself. But the fact of the matter is this: our palace is nearing the point where it will be complete enough for Pen and Amora and myself to move in. In a matter of weeks we will be living there. But this also means that the time has come for us to do what we probably should have done long ago - choosing those who will become our knights, our guards and our champions, to protect us and our country, to protect the weak, and to help us to uphold justice and truth. There are many here who have already offered their lives to our service, and while we have been grateful to accept, there is one thing that we lack: someone that we know and trust to be our Captain, the man who we will turn to for our greatest needs, and in whom we will place our greatest trust.

I know, sir, that you have never served a single nation, and I know that it holds no interest to you. Your cares are greater than helping a single nation in their goals, and for that you have our highest respect. And yet I must confess, that in the question of who we will trust with our very safety, I can think of none but you. You are wise in many ways that even I cannot see. I have seen firsthand your skill in combat, your desire to unite the elves and make us all see that we are equal, no matter what we look like. If you do not wish to take up the duty that we are asking of you, then I understand, and you have only to say the word. But please, I ask that you at least think on the matter before giving an answer. I give you no time limit, though I await your answer with an anxious heart.

I remain your humble servant,

Lothiriel Aldrich

Queen of the Eastland

Elros cleared his throat and reread the letter silently, then lowered it to his lap and stared into space. He had not been expecting anything of that sort either ... and he could think of many reasons both to take it, and not to take it. In all honesty he didn't know what to do ... which was a first for him.

Haradhel rose and moved to Kara and the children. "Perhaps we had better head for the house," she murmured softly. "I think he might need some time ..."

And she ushered them all towards the door, leaving Elros alone with Lin.

After a few moments, Elros blinked, almost as if he had just remembered where he was, and that he was not alone.

"I apologize," he murmured softly, passing one hand over his brow as if to wipe away non-existent sweat. "I was ... lost in thought ... would you like to return to your sleep? I can close the shutter again ... or I could fix you some breakfast, if you prefer ..."

Elros smiled faintly and nodded. "As you wish," he murmured. "You may stay with me if you wish ... but I am afraid that I may not be the best of company for a while ..."

He hesitated. On the one hand, he knew that Lin would probably be best off if she went up to the house for her meal, and to spend time with others. On the other hand, he wasn't sure he wanted to be alone when he was thinking about this. Of course, he could always find someone else to talk to ... Aragost, for instance ...

Elros chuckled in true amusement at Lin's comment, and it helped him to feel better.

"Ah, Lin," he sighed with a warm smile, leaning against the wall. "If it were any other nation I would have no hesitation in telling them no ... but even I have to admit that there are things about the Eastland, and about King Estel and Queen Lothiriel that make this offer very ... tempting."