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But before they could reach the house, Aragost appeared with Miyu by his side. Elnara led the way into the house with Garrick, holding the door for Lore and Hana.

"Wait a moment," Aragost called out, his voice stronger than usual. "Donovan. Before you go inside, I would like a word with the newcomers."

Corrah and Armus stopped just short of the door and turned to see who was calling out. Armus blinked and looked at Donovan. "Who's that?" she asked out of the corner of her mouth.

Aragost released Miyu's hand so that she wouldn't have to get too much closer to the man she so feared, and stepped forward to meet with him.

Corrah did a double take, seeing the man who so much resembled him, and he pulled his cowl down to get a better look. His blue eyes, so cold and piercing, were filled with wonder.

Aragost responded by pulling down his own cowl. Armus gasped softly with surprise when she saw the blackness of his skin and the scars that sealed his eyes shut, and she took half a step backwards.

"Corrah," Aragost said quietly but firmly, "Your aid here is welcome. But I will tell you one thing, and of everything that you hear today, this is the one thing that you must remember, above all else." He stepped forward threateningly. "These people ... these children ... those whom you have taken it upon yourself to terrify and injure ... they are my family. All of them. You will accord them the respect that they deserve."

Corrah straightened and faced off against Aragost. "I see," he said coldly, "that you have been informed by those who do not understand. My home was being invaded, my peace interrupted, and weapons were first drawn on me. If I am threatened, I will protect myself and my own, but if I am left unharrassed, I will respond in like."

Corrah scowled. "How could I get a word in edgewise," he asked, "when all she did was scream?" He pointed at Miyu. "She grabbed my clothes and yanked me back, and by the goddesses! Her scream could turn anyone deaf!"

"Corrah," Armus said, stepping forward and putting one hand on his arm, "you're not helping anything." She looked at Donovan. "Yes, it was a misunderstanding, and all of the blame cannot be put on Corrah. That said, it's not fair of everyone to keep treating us like we're going to kill everyone. Corrah has never killed unnecessarily, and neither have I. We're here to help, but if we're not welcome we will go back where we came from."

Aragost held up one hand to silence everyone.

"Your aid would be greatly appreciated," he said quietly but firmly. "Go. Meet the overseers." He turned to Donovan. "I will speak to Celeborn about them," he told the man; and then he turned around, put one hand on Miyu's back, and guided her back towards the barracks.

Corrah and Armus exchanged a glance, and then Armus slipped her hand into Corrah's and led him towards the house, following after Donovan and Toshiro. He was silent now. There was nothing for him to say. He just hoped that inside, they would receive a better reception.


Aragost tried to comfort Miyu a bit as they headed back to the barracks, keeping one hand on her back and walking slowly with her. "Miyu," he said quietly, "you must not blame yourself for what happened. It was not your fault." He paused, then added, "On the other hand ... it is not entirely his fault, either ... an adult he may be ... but in many ways, he himself is a frightened child."

He turned his head towards Miyu, his expression worried. "You ... are afraid of those who you do not know. When you are frightened, you become ... vocal." To put it kindly. "He is also afraid of people, and he knows far fewer people than you. He is silent, as I once was ... he cannot show his fear through his voice. The only thing he knows is physical defense."

He stopped them, and knelt down so that he could 'look' into Miyu's face. "Do you understand what I am trying to say, Miyu?"

Miyu thought about it, she never thought of it that way. She certainly wouldn't have pegged Aragost as anyone who could become frightened. She thought about it more and decided she could see what Aragost was getting at.

"I think so.... mi...." Miyu murmured.

The moment Kara stepped into the house, Hope began to fuss in her arms, apparently being held for so long didn't do well for her, and it had been quite cold outside.

"They're getting fussy."

"Elrohir? Haradhel?" Donovan called out trying to keep Faith from grabbing his glasses but that was making her fussy, "Were they fed before we left?"

Lore picked into the play room with Hana, Hana was just please to be in a warm home. She wigged in Lore's arms wanting to get down. Holding a squirming child is hard, so Lore had no choice but to put her down letting her tottle over to her brother.

"It's good to see you again Haradhel," Lore spoke entering into the room fully.

Haradhel just about squealed when Donovan and Kara came in with the twins. "They're so cute!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Oh, I'm so glad you finally brought them here!" She laughed. "Of course, Kara can feed them in here, you can feed them wherever you like."

Elnara laughed and sat down as Garrick headed for the toybox. "It's been too long since any of us have visited," she smiled. "But I suppose that before we get caught up, we should let Donovan do his business."

Haradhel smiled and turned to Donovan. "Of course. Donovan. I suppose you'll be wanting to go out on another hunt?"