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"Speaking of friends," River spoke up, "Naida, have Ta'neer and Dwr come to terms yet? Or is Dwr still being as dense as ever?"

Jess, Aranxia and Aennan all snickered, though all three of them also tried to hide it.

"We should do something about it," River decided, grinning mischievously. "I mean, really, he's gotta be the densest person I've ever heard of."

Earendil was confused. "What's all this about?" he asked. "I don't believe we've met these people ..."

"They are friends of mine as well," Aennan spoke up, grinning, "and I must add, this has been going on for about three years now. Dwr just does not seem to be able to understand that his idiocy is not helping him."

"I wonder then if perhaps what your friend needs is an ultimatum," Jasmine mused aloud. "If faced with the prospect of losing the one he cares for, he might make up his mind. It has worked for others."

"And others just need a kick," Earendil added ruefully. "Myself included."

"Oh, trust me, there were some pretty solid mental kicks," Earendil assured her with a chuckle. "You weren't here for all of it, after all."

Daeron chuckled. He knew what that was about.

"What have you all been up to?" he asked, directing his question to Arwen, Roydon, Kelirahc and Leyenda. "I don't think I've seen any of you since we got here, until today."

"Well, believe it or not," Leyenda smiled calmly, "we're looking for a place to build a home. We've been traveling for ten years, Amalirahc doesn't even know what a home really is. And now that Aravah is a year old ... well, things are a bit different. And I have to be honest, we can't think of a better place than this to settle."

"This place is a better paradise than Nauros and all its beauty, the peace of Amon Darthir ..." Kelirahc's golden eyes shone brightly. "And there are so many opportunities here for the children. They need stability - especially Amalirahc, as he is growing older."

Amalirahc looked back at Miyuki, and for what was quite possibly the first time in his life, he looked uncertain.

"I don't know," he admitted. "We've never been anywhere longer than a month before. Not without visiting another place at least."

He fidgeted a bit and glanced at his baby sister. "But on the other hand, I think it would be nice to have a house and a room and not worry about where we might be going or how long to be there and stuff like that," he murmured. "And it'll mean I can spend more time with Aravah just having fun ..."

Amalirahc nodded slowly and offered up a brave smile. "Yeah. And I'll see you again sometime, too. When you're done traveling, maybe."

"And who else haven't we heard from yet?" This time it was River who spoke up, her eyes bright. "Lancaeriel, Wren, Emile ..."

"Lady Wren and I have been getting to know the people and the city," Lancaeriel offered, "though admittedly we have also been chaperoning, I suppose."

Aranxia blushed again, and Earendil chuckled. "Well, at least we know my niece is in good hands," he grinned.

Lancaeriel smiled at Miyuki. "Well, we'll be able to pick up more with the lessons when we're traveling again," she assured her. "Don't worry too much about it."

She turned to Emile, who had yet to speak. "What about you? What have you been up to?" she asked him with a smile.

Emile ran his fingers through his hair. "Well," he answered slowly, "I've been thinking of settling down here. I love to travel, sure, but ... this place is everything I could ever hope for. I'd be mad to leave it behind."