Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil smiled, relieved. "He said he wouldn't be long," he promised Lin. "I know you're anxious to get back." He brushed his hand over hers, then gave it a light squeeze.

Aerin and Caranthir had given Alena and Elros their goodbyes, and now it was Lin and Miyuki's turn.

"Lin?" Aerin said softly to get her attention.

Aerin laughed softly and held one hand out to Lin.

"That may be," she said, her eyes sparkling, her voice warm. "But you know that however long it is before you return, whenever it may be, you will be welcome here. You made my return possible, and you have helped me to save my people. I can never thank you enough for that."

Aerin smiled and nodded. "Yes ... I'm all right," she murmured, her tone filled with wonder as if it was the first time she had thought about herself since returning to her homeland. She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. "Indeed, we all are. Better than all right. We are good."

On the other side of the room, the door opened, and Aethos appeared. He didn't have his bags with him, but he was wearing his armour and weapons.

Aethos stared at Miyuki in confusion, and only when Earendil translated for him did he nod slowly.

"Of course I am," he replied. "Why do you ask?"

He didn't realize that the presence of his armour and weapons would perhaps confuse the child.

Aethos looked down at himself, then looked back at Miyuki and smiled softly. "Ah, I see. Well, I would have to take it with me anyways, and wearing it is much easier than packing it into a bag, and much safer," he explained. "And I would need it for formal occasions, or when introducing myself for the first time to people of high ranking."

It showed his station, after all.

"Probably not," Aethos agreed amiably. "There would be no need, and I would be able to store it safely."

He had to admit, though, it would be strange not to wear it - he always did, always had. Ever since he had been young.

At that moment, Earendil put one hand on Miyuki's shoulder, interrupting the two. "We really should be going," he told them apologetically. "Roydon is eager to catch the tide, it will make things easier."

Aerin bid Aethos farewell with a kiss to both cheeks, and then the group left the castle and stepped outside. Kelirahc was waiting for them there with his dragon. He had already taken the others; Lin, Earendil, Miyuki and Aethos were the last ones who needed to be taken to the ship.

"You have everything?" he called to them when they appeared.

Kelirahc nodded. "You are the last ones," he told her as he helped her up onto the dragon's back. "Sit tight, now."

Earendil helped Lin up, and then Aethos, and once everyone was seated and ready, the dragon rose into the air and headed off towards the ship that was anchored just a short distance from the shore.