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Earendil nodded his agreement. "I know what you mean. For as long as we've known Iorlas, she hasn't seen Ioreth face to face, and from the way Iorlas talked that's how it always is. And it seemed to me as if Ioreth did that on purpose. So why show up now of all times?"

"Perhaps," Jacinthe spoke up slowly, thoughtfully, "because this is perhaps the biggest occasion which she could have disrupted on your visit here? From what you say, it sounds like that may be the case ..."

Earendil nodded slowly. It was true, it was very difficult for Ioreth to cause the same trouble now that they knew the truth about her, and now that Daeron was spending so much time with Iorlas. And thanks to Amalirahc and Lady Kirahn, they knew when Ioreth was trying to cause trouble. He was certain that must have left her frustrated - more so than usual - because why else would she actually show up in the same place as Iorlas?

He blinked, roused from his thoughts, as the musicians began to play their music again, and when he looked around he saw that the queen had motioned for them to do so. But now no one moved to the dance floor, instead huddled in small groups and talking about what had happened.

"I guess we won't know anything until we get the chance to talk to Iorlas or Uncle Eregon," he said quietly.

Jacinthe blinked. "Uncle?" she asked curiously. "You are ... of Queen Amalthea's family, then?"

Earendil chuckled and hugged Miyuki. "We haven't spent much time with my family, so Miyuki doesn't yet know how everyone is related," he grinned at Jacinthe. "The queen is my great-grandmother, Queen Amalthea's mother, so Queen Amalthea is my great-aunt. Neko-thel, I should say: my grandfather's sister."

Which was of course the literal translation of the term.

Jacinthe smiled at him. "I see. I understand the Aldrich family is a large one. That is rare nowadays. Even in the entire Elessedil family, there are only four people, and that spans three generations."

"And River's great-grandparents gave that side of the family another try," Earendil added. "For a long time it was just the two of them, but their branch had grown a lot in the last century."

Jacinthe laughed softly. "Well, if they're anything like River, I can understand why. She's such a sweet and funny girl. She's really made herself part of our home already, too."

Jacinthe's smile widened, and she turned to look for the two, who were now sitting near River's grandparents. River was leaning on the table with one elbow and talking to Jess, who seemed to be listening quite raptly to her.

"You know," she said softly, "River, Miyuki, and Amalirahc are the only children - other than Jasta - who ever treated Jess like an equal. The prejudice in this city is strong, so strong."

She turned back to Earendil, Lin and Miyuki, and looked at them thoughtfully, her eyes soft. She almost looked as though she pitied them - almost.

"And you have also experienced this," she murmured. "I know you must have. But you are so strong, all of you. You have the ability to fight the prejudice and keep yourselves strong as people, and as a family."

She leaned back in her chair and put one hand on her large abdomen. "There are times when I wish we could leave as easily as you will," she smiled.

"As my family has been, to have had the honour of meeting you and your party," Jacinthe replied sincerely. "I truly hope that we meet again in the future."

Earendil smiled at the woman, pleased and honoured by her comments. Then he chuckled. "If River has her way," he grinned, "I'm sure we will."

As they spoke, the door to the hall opened once more, and the king returned, alone. Daeron and Iorlas were had not come back with him. Earendil wondered where they were.

Earendil nodded at Lin's question. "If it were just Iorlas, I would assume she was with her sister," he said quietly, "but my brother is still gone, too, and I'd like to know for certain."

He slid Miyuki off his lap and stood carefully. "Do you want to stay with Jacinthe or come with us?" he asked her, still holding her hand.