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Alassëa slipped one of her wrists from Aethos's grip and rubbed her eyes, which were already red. "Of course I have to," she replied, her breath catching in her throat. "What else can I do? It's - it's not like I have anywhere else to go ..."

"You could come with me," Aethos told her tenderly. "I don't just mean here, on this trip we're taking. I mean back to Amon Darthir. Come with me. Leave all this behind."

For a moment, Alassëa's face lit up with hope, but as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone again.

"I can't." She shook her head. "I - I appreciate it, truly I do ... but ... I can't just run away ... and ... I can't just ... go and ... be a tag-along. You've already all done so much for me. I could never repay you for what you've already done, I couldn't ask more."

Aethos's expression was one of frustration. "That's not what I meant," he told her, almost harshly. "I don't want you to come as a charity case, Alassëa. Regardless of what you think, you've done more for me than I did for you. You've made me a changed man. I didn't want to say anything before because I hoped you would find happiness with your father. I still hope that's possible, for your own sake. But if that's not possible, then I beg you - at least consider it - to come with me, away from here."

He reached forward and cupped her chin in his hand, lifting it slightly so that she was facing him, even if she couldn't see him.

"Alassëa, I love you," he told her, his tone tender once again. "I finally understand why my father had to be taken down. I never knew what love was. You taught me that. You are my saving grace. I honestly don't know what I would do without you in my life."

He looked down at the ground, eyes shut tight, and took a deep breath before looking back at Alassëa.

"I'm asking you to come back with me ... as my wife," he said softly, finally getting to the point. "And if things work out with your father and his family, that you want to stay with them, then I would be happy to stay here with you. But I don't know if I could live without you anymore, Alassëa."

Earendil hefted Andarien in his arms. He had the same idea as Lin - leave the couple alone, at least for a while. He caught Lin's attention and mouthed the words, Let's go back to the tailor's.

The tailor had already gone on ahead of them, and Earendil started after him, after making sure that Lin and Miyuki were coming as well.

Earendil had to force himself not to look over his shoulder at the two as he headed off with Lin and the children.

After they had turned a corner, Earendil let out a slow breath.

"Well," he murmured softly, "that could have gone better."

Earendil considered that. He supposed it could have. Kiara could have said aloud what her expression said clearly. That she didn't want Alassëa there. At least Alassëa hadn't had to see that on her stepmother's face, even if she'd managed to glean it from her voice alone. Still, as the wife of the magistrate, she really had no choice but to keep silent.

"I just hope Alassëa comes out of this all right," he said worriedly. "I mean ... even if things go well with her and Aethos, if things don't get better with her father's new family then it could be a stigma to her for the rest of her life. No one should have to live with something like that."

"I suppose so," Earendil murmured softly. "Still ... I can't help but think of Aunt Elnara. It was a long time - decades - before the family accepted her for who she was. It wouldn't have gone over well if she'd stayed here the first time. She was fortunate enough to find happiness without her family, as sad as it was that it was needed."

He hesitated a moment, then added, "I just hope that it doesn't come to that for Alassëa. I hope that whatever happens, wherever she goes or stays, that she can at least be on good terms with her father's family."

"And be there to help her when we can," Earendil added with a sad smile.

They arrived once more at the tailor's, and Earendil held the door open for Lin and Miyuki. Andarien looked up at him and blinked. "Back again?"

Earendil smiled at his son. "We didn't finish getting you measured up for your clothes," he reminded the boy.

Andarien could understand that. He nodded. "Remiel probably wants his clothes back," he agreed.

The tailor was already back at work when they entered the shop, but the fabrics that Andarien had chosen were still sitting out, waiting for them. There were no other customers however, and it took very little time for Andarien to be measured up for his clothes. Once that was done, they headed out again.

"So," Earendil smiled at the others. "Lunch? Or would you kids like to play for a bit?"