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Earendil laughed and ruffled Miyuki's hair. "Yes, then we'll go," he grinned. "We just have to make sure everyone else is ready to go. We're not going alone, after all: Uncle Shea and Uncle Mikhail and Kaito are coming with us, and someone to take our horses back once we get there."

Earendil laughed at that. "Yes, then we get to go," he grinned at her. There were no more conditions to add that he could think of, for which he was glad: he didn't want to have Miyuki start to distrust him or his word.

They were not the first ones to the dining hall: Shea, Mikhail and Kaito were all already eating, and Aranxia was just entering from another doorway. The young girl waved at them energetically, her face beaming.

Aranxia smiled wider and came over to sit next to Earendil and Lin and Miyuki.

"Good morning," she beamed at them. "You're going to be leaving on your trip today, aren't you?"

"We are," Earendil smiled and nodded as he sat down as well. "As soon as everyone is together and we're ready to go."

"You're going to be gone for a long time again, aren't you?" Aranxia pouted.

"Sure, but it will still be a long time," Aranxia pouted. "Uncle Earendil says that it's very far away, and if you've got to help them build a city that's going to take a long time!"

Earendil reached over to pat his niece gently on the head. "We'll be back when we can be, and you can be sure we'll have lots of stories to tell when we do get back."

"But you've only been back two years!"

"Not even," Kaito muttered as he ate.

Aranxia sighed softly, eyes downcast.

"Uncle Earendil," she murmured quietly, "sometimes I wonder if you're too good a person. You do everything you have to, or for other people, but you don't ever do anything for yourself."

Earendil smiled and ruffled her hair gently. "There are some things I do for myself," he replied softly, though his eyes strayed to Lin. He smiled at her for a moment, then turned back to his niece. "But duty requires many things of those of royal blood. Someday you will know what this means, Aranxia, but I do realize that for now it seems something of a burden."

"Can I come with you, then?" Aranxia asked hopefully.

Earendil chuckled and shook his head. "We don't know how long we're going to be gone, Aranxia. I'm sure your parents couldn't spare you. Besides, you've your education to attend to!"

"I can learn on the ship, or at the castle there!" Aranxia protested. "Really I can!"

Earendil shook his head. "Your place is here," he said firmly. "With your parents."

Aranxia's pout deepened, and Earendil smiled and gave her a gently rap on the skull with his knuckles.

"Now, you're far too old for that," he teased her. "Go on. Eat your breakfast. Perhaps we'll try to send word back the same way Rhea sent us our letters."

Aranxia stuck her tongue out at her uncle.

"I want to travel," Aranxia told Lin as she began to eat her meal. "Uncle Earendil has told me so many stories, and Haldia too when she was here. So I want to see these places!"

"Well, and perhaps someday you can," Earendil told her. "But not now, you're still too young."