Welcome to Gaia! ::

Alassëa had to laugh at that. "True enough," she agreed cheerfully. "Until later, then."

"Later," Amalirahc waved at her and turned and headed back to the castle.

Poor Andarien's lessons had been going miserably. Language and defense were what Lin and Earendil had been focusing on for the most part, and it seemed that the only thing Andarien was worse at than languages was defense. It was only when he had the chance to build things with his blocks, or learned how things worked (he was absolutely fascinated by the cogs that pumped the water into the palace, for example) that he was happy.

Amalirahc on the other hand was pleased as punch with how his lessons had been going - as well as the fact that they now knew what had been ailing his mother: she was expecting a child, which had come as a surprise to the few who had been aware that she and Kelirahc had been trying for a second child since soon after Amalirahc had been a year old.

River had joined in with some of the lessons with Amalirahc and Miyuki, but she had spent more time with Maeglin. It wasn't overly difficult for her to leave, however: at least, it was easier than it had been to leave Chansond'eau.

"We're going to head to the Southland," Earendil answered as he helped to rearrange the things in the wagon so that they would take up the least amount of space. "Not directly to Tor Karad, that would be too far in the desert. We're going to head to my uncle's plantation first. Rest, resupply, visit ... and then to Tor Karad."

He grinned at her. "Looking forward to going back?"

Earendil smiled. "It's a bit like the Borderlands, in that it's an area that was settled for its resources and isolation. Queen Lothiriel's father, my uncle Gion, owns it now, with his wife, Nadya. She's the first one in their line to have the gift of Sight, and it seems that everyone born in that family after that has been born with it as well."

He was aware that Lalwen's gift had not yet manifested, but he had no doubt that it would eventually, despite the fact that it was late.

"They have a plantation there," he went on, stacking more supplies. "They grow their own food, they have their own water source, and they have acres and acres of vineyard. They grow grapes there to make wine, and they supply most of the wine for all of the Four Lands."

"It's quite possible," Earendil admitted. "It's been a very long time since we've been there. I don't think since before you fledged."

Many long years previous, before their first voyage overseas.

"I have to admit, that's one place I've never been," came Lancaeriel's voice from behind them, startling even Earendil. The woman moved like a ghost, even for an elf! And she was so pale, it wouldn't really surprise Earendil if she was one.

"You're coming with us right away?" he asked, turning to face the woman they still knew so little about.

She smiled at him. "Yes."

Lancaeriel turned her smile towards Miyuki.

"I have made a promise to Iorlas," she said softly. "I will remain with her until my promise is fulfilled. If that means remaining with all of you, then that is what I shall do."

Her misty eyes were bright, as if she was excited to be going along with them - and who knew? Maybe she really was. Iorlas was the only one who knew anything at all about her.

"Yes," Lancaeriel nodded. "A promise." She tilted her head the other way, and her smile widened slightly. "Besides, if I travel with all of you, my chances of finding my husband again will be increased quite a bit. There is a great deal I would willingly do to find him back again."

Just about anything, in fact.

Earendil finished stowing the last of their supplies and hopped down to the ground. "All right," he grinned. "Everyone climb up."

The royal family had come out to see them off, and now Lalwen, who had been talking with Amalirahc, stepped forward to bid farewell to Miyuki as well.

"Miyuki, you'll come visit again sometime, right?" the young girl asked anxiously.

Lalwen smiled wistfully. "That's good enough for me," she agreed. She threw her arms around Miyuki and hugged her tightly. "Be careful, okay? It's not safe everywhere."

She didn't need Sight to know that: she had stories from her parents and grandparents, as well as her history lessons to know that exploration was far from a safe thing.

Lalwen smiled at Miyuki as she stepped back. "Have fun!" she beamed, waving at her friend.

Amalirahc had already scrambled up onto the wagon with his parents, and very soon Miyuki and Earendil were the last ones to either climb up onto a wagon or mount up on a horse.

Earendil smiled at Miyuki. "Wagon or horse?" he asked her. He would take whichever she didn't.