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Earendil nodded. "He told us to come whenever it works for us, no rush. He's pretty flexible."

They arrived at the dining hall, where most of the family was already eating, and Andarien headed for a seat right away so that he could also eat. Atalya and Reave were at the head of the table, eating their own breakfast, and both of them looked slightly anxious.

"Good morning, Miyuki!" Aranxia returned the greeting cheerfully. Her eyes were bright with excitement. "Hey, I have something for you, why don't you stop by my room after breakfast? Is that a good time for you? Otherwise I can drop it off in your room, or take it to lunch or something ..."

Earendil led Lin over to his great-grandparents, and after a quick respectful half-bow to them he asked, "Is it a good time to ask you some questions?"

Atalya motioned for him and Lin to sit next to her. "By all means," she replied warmly, the anxiety easing slightly in her eyes. "How can I help you?"

Aranxia beamed at Miyuki. "Good. Then we can get it before I go for my lessons. although, if Sir Valdemar is as tired as he was yesterday, then perhaps it would be better if I let him rest up another day."

She giggled softly.

Atalya and Reave exchanged a thoughtful glance, and then both of them looked back at Earendil and Lin.

"A few questions of our own, before we can give a good answer," Reave replied, folding his hands on the table. "How big is it?"

Earendil held his hand about to his knee. "About this big ... perhaps slightly bigger."

Reave nodded. "Does it have any special needs?" he asked.

Earendil fidgeted uncomfortably. "That, I don't know," he admitted. "We haven't yet had a chance to talk to Shiro to figure out what it eats or what needs it might have."

He paused, suddenly remembering something. "It ... is similar to an elemental unicorn in that it has fire for a mane and tail. But Andarien was petting it, so I'm not sure how dangerous the fire is."

Atalya laughed softly. "Well, I don't know if he forgot or not, but he hasn't shown up yet. He's probably trying to wake Kaito. Or perhaps he worked all night and simply hasn't woken yet. It's impossible to tell with him."

"At any rate," Reave spoke up again, "I would suggest having it stay with Andarien in his room until this storm passes. We don't know when it will come, but I strongly advise against having anyone outside more than necessary until it is past."

Earendil blinked. "Storm?"

Both rulers looked towards the window, which faced south. It was Reave who explained.

"Daeron spotted a cloud yesterday, and we've had someone keep an eye on it since then. Instead of dissipating, it's been growing ... we haven't had rain here in over one hundred years, and we have no idea what the impact will be on the city. Going from one place to another is one thing, but to stay outside overnight ... I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Especially one so young," Atalya added as an afterthought.


Aranxia's eyes were sparkling brightly. "I don't think tired covers it. I was correcting him most of the morning! And he was late, which has never happened before. And he kept slipping into other languages, which was just plain amusing. If he's like that today I may send him back to bed."

Atalya nodded. "The way the city is built, if the river floods, it could wash out half the city. There's not much we can do to prepare for it, other than putting people on the alert, which we've already done."

"Anyways, don't worry about where to keep the creature for now," Reave concluded. "For one night, I'm sure staying in Andarien's room with him will be fine. Just make sure it doesn't run around the halls."

"We also had another question," Earendil said quickly.

"Ah, yes," Atalya nodded. "Go ahead."

Atalya nodded. "I see no reason why not. Speak with Tinuviel, she would know better than I how to go about finding the proper tutor. I'm afraid I haven't been in charge of anyone's education since Earendil's uncles were finished their education."

Earendil glanced down the table and saw that Tinuviel had just sat down to eat. At the same time, he saw Shiro entering the dining hall, dragging a very sleepy-looking Kaito by the shirt-sleeve.


Aranxia looked both amused and thoughtful at Miyuki's comment. "Hadn't slept," she murmured. "I wonder what could have kept him awake ... I know he's been working with Lancaeriel, but ..."

Earendil leaned over to Lin and murmured, "Shall we speak with Tinuviel now? We haven't gotten our food yet, nor she hers. She's got duties after breakfast so if we wait we may not have time to talk to her."


Aranxia looked at Miyuki sidewise. "What are they researching, that they both seem so desperate?" she asked her curiously. "I've been trying to think but I just can't ..."