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Aragost laughed, a slow, deep chuckle, and he set one hand on Earendil's shoulder. "As I told Haldia," he smiled, "I am very ... very old. In fact ..."

He paused, then put his other hand on Haldia's shoulder, and changed languages so that she would understand just as well as Earendil.

"My name," he said solemnly, "is not Aragost ... but Aldrich."

Earendil's eyes grew wide, and Aragost nodded. "I am indeed your first ... and oldest ancestor," he murmured. "And more than that ... Haldia, this may be of especial interest to you ... I am the first of the elves. Created, not born."

Haldia looked as though she was ready to fall to the ground and worship him, but he squeezed her shoulder, and she simply bowed her head to him instead.

"Omarerd was right," she whispered.

At her words, Aragost froze again. "Omarerd?" he repeated, amazed. "Is he still alive?" He laughed again, a hearty laugh this time, such as no one had ever heard from him before, and it seemed that there were tears squeezing out from the corners of his eyes.

Aragost seemed to have revived a bit at the news of Omarerd's continuing life. He was more animated than he had ever been, in a way, more alive, and definitely happier than usual.

"It seems to me that I am going to have to spend quite a bit of time speaking with you, Haldia," he murmured, looking in her direction. "Not immediately, I am sure that you have other people to meet and other places to see, but ... sometime while you are still here, before you leave again. We will have to speak."

Haldia smiled and bowed her head meekly. "I would be honoured," she replied.



Meanwhile, back in the valley, Aurin was still talking with Aerin in the yard, explaining to her the situation in which their nation currently was while she stroked Skyel affectionately - as it turned out, Aurin had been the one to teach Aerin to fly, and Skyel had been the roc on which she had learned. Rhea had stayed outside to talk to the both of them (from curiosity and from not wanting to leave Aurin alone), and Shael, after a suggestion from Adonai, headed inside the house to find Cindy.

"Cindy?" she called up the stairs, her voice filled with excitement. "Cindy, come down, Rhea's back!"

Vergil squawked as Cindy picked him up, but he had learned in his few years there that there were some times when it just couldn't be avoided - not if he wanted to get somewhere quickly at his size.

"She's the one that has the room I'm not allowed in?" he asked, curious to know just who it was who had gotten his mother so excited.

Shael was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. "Quickly," she urged Cindy, "she's in the yard."

"Cindy!" Rhea squealed. She ran towards Cindy, arms outstretched, and just about tackle-hugged her.

"Hey!" Vergil cried, squished between the two women. "You're gonna squeeze me to death in here!" He struggled between them, trying to get out of there.

Rhea gasped. "Cindy!" she grinned, taking a half step back. "Who's this?"

Vergil lay in Cindy's arms, gasping for air - perhaps a little overdramatically.

Rhea giggled. "Well, Niyana and Celebor's kids weren't much bigger when they first came here," she admitted, "but you're right, they were still older."

She grinned at Vergil. "Hello, Vergil. Nice to meet you! I'm Rhea."

Vergil glared up at her. "Well, I figured that much out," he retorted. "Where you tryin' to kill me or something?"

Rhea giggled. "Awww, poor Vergil. I'm sorry." And with a twinkle in her eye, she leaned forward and kissed him on the top of the head.

"Ew! Yuck!" Vergil squealed, squirming. "Gross!"

Rhea just laughed. "Oh, it's so good to be home again!" she exclaimed. "Really, it is! I mean, we saw so much and met so many people, but there's no place like home."

But despite her excitement, there was a bit of sadness in her eyes, as though she were already preparing herself to leave again.

Rhea smiled and shook her head. "No, I certainly didn't," she agreed. She reached forward and took Cindy's arm. "Come, you have to meet them."

She led Cindy over to Aerin, Aurin, and the roc. She wasn't quite sure where to start. Three introductions, all of which were going to be so very fun ...

"Cindy," she smiled mischievously, deciding to do all three at once, "I would like you to meet Aurin Striate, Captain of the Wing Riders - a part of the army that rides rocs, like Skyel here - from the army of Aerennel, king of Amon Darthir, and Aerin's father."

"Rhea," Aerin said, her voice strained, as if she didn't care for her status to be spread around so easily.

Aurin smiled at Cindy and bowed deeply. "It is an honour to meet you," he said warmly, his English accented.

Skyel simply eyed Cindy and Vergil, but made no other movements.