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"It is much nicer," Earendil agreed. "Come on, let's go into the city. We should check in at the inn and bring the horses to the livery. Then we can wander however we like."

Aranel led the way. "I was born and raised here," he said. "I can take us." He made sure they were all following as he took them through the city. The streets were wide and busy, and there were many carts being taken here and there. Market booths lined just about every street, and the city was alive with crowds and laughter.

"The inn's near the docks," Aranel explained, "and the livery is right near it. It shouldn't take us too long to get there, depending on the crowds."

Even Kaito's ears perked up a bit at Senka's mention of fish. He loved fish ... there was no end to Elnara's amazement that he had never tried fishing for his little brother at least once.

"Yes, fish," Aranel laughed. "And other commodities. It's easier to trade with the humans by ship than by land. Faster and safer. The humans have most of the gold mines in the Four Lands, and they're pretty decent at mining - but when it comes to using it, refining it ... forget it. They've got much more use for fish, for elvish jewelry and clothing, weapons, armour ... you name it. And as Laer likes to remind us, the best wine in the Four Lands."

"Mostly," Aranel nodded. "Though I was never part of the trading, so I don't know the details. For that you would have to ask someone who lives here."

Suddenly there was a commotion ahead of them in the crowd, and the people parted to let a young girl through. She was about Lin's height, perhaps a bit taller, and she had long black hair. She was dressed rather tomboyishly, and laughing loudly. "Catch me!" she squealed at someone behind her.

As she vanished into the crowd on the other side of the travelers, a boy about the same age burst through the first side, obviously chasing after the girl. "Leyenda Aldrich!" he yelled, his face bright red. "You come back here right this minute!" And then he was gone, too, hidden in the throng of people.

Tinuviel looked at Aranel, her expression shocked. "Did I hear that correctly?" she asked, gaping.

"Well, that explains a bit," Tinuviel shook her head incredulously. "But I think it's quite clear that we have to drop in on Arwen and Royden at some point."

"Or first," Earendil chuckled. "I want to find out more about this girl. Arwen was older when we first met her, I've never seen her like that."

The attention that the children had drawn to the area had not dissipated when they had disappeared: on the contrary, people were now looking at the group and murmuring amongst themselves.

Kaito spread his wings and then folded them against his back. "Wonder what they're talking about," he grinned at Earendil.

The prince just laughed. "A winged cat person, a human, and four of the royal family. What's there to talk about, after all?" he joked.

Aranel chuckled. "Then let's get settled in at the inn and go there first," he grinned. "Roydon's the best shipwright in the city, everyone knows him." And therefore, where he lived.

In less than an hour, the group had stowed their things at the inn and were on their way to the docks - walking, having also brought the horses to the livery.

"It shouldn't be too far," Aranel assured everyone as they headed towards the docks. He took a deep breath. "Ah ... it always smells so good here."

As they headed around the corner, the young elvish girl zipped past them again, with the poor boy still chasing her, though he seemed rather out of breath by this time. They raced up the wooden docks and into one of the buildings.

Kaito raised one eyebrow. "Might we assume that that's our destination?" he asked, looking sidewise at Aranel.

The prince chuckled. "Very astute of you, Kaito."

Leyenda slammed the door behind her as she ran into the house, trying to stop her pursuer, but the boy left it open behind him, allowing Senka to follow him.

At last the boy trapped her in a room with no other doors, and he leaned forward, putting his hands on his knees and trying to catch his breath. "Leyenda," he wheezed, holding one hand out to her, "give it back."

The girl just giggled, the sparkle in her eye exactly as Arwen's had once been. "You haven't got me yet!"

The others were a bit slower in catching up, and, being raised as they were, they wouldn't enter the house without knocking first. Kaito raised his fist and knocked solidly on the door frame. "Hello?" he called out, stepping inside.

Leyenda's eyes grew wide when she saw the little winged cat, and she knelt down and picked her up with one hand, keeping her other hand behind her back. "You're so cute!" she exclaimed with a giggle, cuddling her to her chest. "Where did you come from?"

"Leyenda!" the boy whined. "Give it back!"

She looked at him through narrow eyes. "No! Now go away before I call Mother on you!"

The boy looked simply furious at that, but he didn't move an inch.

Meanwhile, Arwen herself suddenly appeared at the front door. "Kaito!" she exclaimed delightedly. "And Earendil, Lin, Tinuviel - and this must be your family! Come in, all of you, come in!" She moved to the side to let them all in.

Leyenda giggled at the cat, keeping an eye on the boy across the room. "Nope. But I can find you some later, if you want." She eyed the boy suspiciously. "I'll call her," she warned him.

"You wouldn't," he challenged her, though he seemed a bit nervous.

Leyenda took a deep breath. "MO-"

"No!" the boy cried out, trying to cut her off.

"-THER!"

In the other room, Arwen rolled her eyes. "Excuse me," she said coolly. "I'll be right back." And she turned and headed off down the hall, leaving the others to fend for themselves for the moment.