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Earendil put one hand on Lin's arm to comfort her and smiled faintly at Halaleel.

"Actually," he said warmly, "there is something you could do ... you see, the way you spoke to my dear friend earlier was most rude, and quite uncalled for. You see, you insulted not only her, but me as well - and that is something that I cannot accept. Lin is accompanying me today - and for the next month - as my honoured guest, and you have treated her most inhospitably."

"But my Lord!" she protested. "The way she was speaking of you - showing you no respect-"

Earendil shook his head firmly. "I have known Lin longer than I have known your father," he told her, "and not once have I instructed her to use my title. She is dear to me, as close as a friend can be, and for that reason I do not demand obeisance from her as I do from my subjects. You have done both her and myself a great insult, and I will not let it pass."

Halaleel's face flushed in anger. "You allow this human a familiarity with you that is forbidden even with most elves?" she demanded. "What else could I say? What else could I do? If my Lord has been bewitched-"

She cut herself off, frightened by the sudden furious expression on Earendil's face.

"Lin," he said through clenched teeth, "as I have said, is a dear, dear friend ... nothing more, and nothing less. Why you cannot understand this is beyond me - but you have insulted her for the last time. If you speak so much as a single word against her, I will have your tongue cut out. I have told you many times before, Halaleel, daughter of Hurin, that you are not for me, nor I for you, and yet you continue to act like an adolescent child! Wisen yourself, or you will find yourself in trouble as you have never known."

Halaleel looked as though she wanted to retort yet again, but she bit back her words and simply nodded, her face red, her expression angry.

"Now," Earendil ordered, "find your father and bring him here."

Wordlessly, Halaleel left the counter, vanishing once more through the door that led to the rest of the building.

"I told you," Earendil frowned. "She is a horrible girl ... though I have to admit, I hadn't thought that even she could be quite this bad. The way she speaks of you ... it is beyond insulting, it is a lawful offense. I honestly can't think what Hurin was doing while she was growing up, I can't see how he let her end up like this."

And if she didn't change, and change fast, she was going to meet a rather unpleasant end. Even if she didn't mean it, how hard would it be, after all, just to bow and apologize?

Earendil smiled faintly and put his hand on Lin's shoulder. "Then this was not the place we should have gone," he murmured in an apologetic tone. "I am sorry. I should not have brought you here. I knew what Halaleel was like ... though I did not know that she was quite this bad."

He sighed. "Well, once she apologizes, we will be on our way ... do you still want to visit my greatgrandparents? Or do you just want to go back to the palace?"

Earendil chuckled and ruffled Lin's hair affectionately. Sure, it was something that was usually done to young children, but she had been a child to him for so long that it had just become habit.

"I'm glad," he smiled warmly at her. "They'll be happy to see you."

Earendil's eyes lit up. "Really?" he asked, his voice excited once more. "I think that would be wonderful! - and you're quite right, it's King Estel now," he winked. "Best to be proper and all that."

Just then Hurin appeared in the doorway once more, alone this time - a fact which both annoyed and relieved Earendil at the same time.

"My Lord," Hurin greeted Earendil respectfully. "My daughter tells me you wished to speak with me again."

Earendil nodded, holding back a sigh. "She should have been here as well," he said darkly, and went on to explain the situation.

"As it is," he concluded, "Lin and I must continue on if we're to make it back to the palace in time for dinner, but I have to ask you - as a friend - please keep a rein on your daughter. I know she knows better than to do what she did, but I cannot overlook it. Have her come to the palace tomorrow to apologize ... and if she cannot do even that then I will have to take further steps, which I know both you and I would much prefer not to."

Hurin nodded, his eyes dark with anger. "You can trust me, my Lord," he said formally, bowing low. "It shall be ask you ask."

Earendil nodded. "Then I shall see you, dear friend. Until then, fare you well." And with a final wave, he escorted Lin once more outside.

Earendil could sense Lin relaxing once they were out into the open air once more, and he smiled down at her and put his hand on her arm.

"Are you all right?" he asked her softly.