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Earendil smiled softly, listening to Lin's explanation. He felt a sense of relief, knowing that she at least understood where he was coming from. He was well aware of the fact that she had taken his hand, and he squeezed hers tightly to let her know that he understood what she was saying.

"I wish I could help you to understand about the dwarfs," he said softly, gazing down at her warmly, "but I just don't know how to communicate my thoughts well enough. I am sure that Aragost would know, though. Would be able to explain it to you."

He chuckled sheepishly and ran his other hand through his hair. "And you're probably right, I probably am trying too hard. I just like people to understand my reasoning, I guess."

He was tempted to add that he wanted her to understand more than anyone else, but he didn't. It wouldn't help the situation any, and it would just make things awkward. He wasn't even sure if he should tell her that he had once thought much like his father, or that it had been her - a very long time ago, when they had both been very young - who had changed his mind.

Earendil was about to speak, but he hesitated. She was right in every aspect: he didn't want misunderstandings between them especially, and it was quite easy to forget that she was from a different world. He would add only one thing: that it was also easy to forget that she was even of a different race. Wings and height notwithstanding, she was as elvish as they came. Smart, active, intellectual, linguistic, and she had an excellent set of morals. There were times when he felt he had more in common with her than with most of the people of his own world.

Without realizing it, he felt his face warming up. He tried to stop it, but the more he tried, the hotter it got. He had to say something, but what to say?

"So ... would Celeborn be in this area?" he asked finally, looking around. They were surrounded by trees, and the birds were singing cheerfully in the branches. The sun was bright, but the canopy shaded them, and so it wasn't quite hot, despite it being summer.

"And of course, I'm useless in that regard," Earendil chuckled, calming somewhat. He smiled at Miyuki and poked her nose gently. "I've only been in forests to map them, I don't really know much about tracking in them."

But there was no need for them to track: not that they knew it. For they were the ones being followed, followed by someone who was both intrigued and amused by the three of them. Lin, with a baby, and an elf with whom she seemed quite cozy, walking like that, hand in hand with him ...

Earendil laughed heartily, his embarrassment fading away finally. "Why don't you let me take Miyuki, and then you don't have to worry so much about her and the butterflies," he chuckled, holding her hands out to her. "It's better than her eating them."

Which, as he recalled, someone had brought up at one point or another.

"Perhaps someday," Earendil soothed her, taking Miyuki and holding her so that she couldn't reach the butterflies. "But they go away if you listen to them, right? Maybe if you listen to them, then ..."

Though if they hadn't been able to find Celeborn before, they certainly would make no progress now. Lin was the only one who knew her way around here, so Earendil would be no help.

Or perhaps things would be made a bit easier.

"Looking for me?" Celeborn asked, stepping out from behind a tree. His white-blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, his violet eyes shimmering with amusement. He grinned, and the black rose tattoo on his neck stretched a bit.

Earendil stared at him. "If you're Celeborn," he replied.

Celeborn chuckled. "Indeed. I was wondering when you were going to get to me. I know there are a lot of people here for you to visit, Lin, but really." He huffed, teasing her. "As leader of the guards, I ought to have some special consideration, oughtn't I?"

Earendil laughed softly. "It seems Lin is loved wherever she goes," he quipped.

Celeborn grinned. "I should say so, she's been a part of this ranch since it began! I tell you, I shall never forget the day that she, half as tall as my arm is long, looked up at Elros and started asking questions as if she owned the place." He laughed heartily.

Earendil chuckled. "That sounds about right," he grinned. "Goes along with stalking my father, and staring contests with the guards."

Celeborn tilted his head at Earendil. "You wouldn't happen to be Daeron's brother, would you?" he asked curiously.

Earendil was delighted. "You know my brother?"

"Good man," the fighter grinned. "Good fighter. And it's a bit of a personal fight for him. He's a bit of a legend around here, you should ask Haradhel to show you the children's book collection when you have a chance."