Welcome to Gaia! ::

"If you want, I can take another look at him when he wakes up," Cael offered. "I know we were a bit rushed earlier ..."

"But that is good news," Mari said softly. "And now that the castle is under control, we have to think about our next steps. There's still so much to do. We need to take the city now, as safely as we can. It will take at least the night."

"We should rest and eat first," Cael put in. "We neither of us are any good to anyone if we lose our strength halfway through. The shifts don't change for a few more hours, so the soldiers in the city won't be coming back here until then."

Mari nodded. "And even after that, we need to know what is going to happen with everyone," she said firmly. "Where people are going to stay, what they're going to do."

She hesitated, then added, "I was never trained in running the country. My older brothers were expected to inherit the throne. I'm going to need an adviser, someone who knows what they're doing."

She looked at Maravel pointedly.

The sage blinked in surprise. "Me?" he squeaked, pointing at himself. "You would want me? After all I've done?"

"And you know that I was never allowed to learn anything about ruling the country," Cael pointed out. "I would be useless to Mari, aside from a face."

"And I know you are trustworthy," Mari said calmly. "You knew of my survival and said nothing. You orchestrated a lot of things during the General's reign, but you always did everything for the people, never for yourself or for the General."

"If the people are willing to accept me, I would be honoured to help," Maravel replied humbly, bowing his head low.

Mari looked across at Dae'er and Arphenion. They had lost the most directly due to Maravel's influence, and if they were willing to forgive him, the people of the city likely would as well.

Dae'er was holding tightly to her husband and trying not to look at Maravel, but Arphenion looked directly at him and said firmly, "We believe that what you did was in the best interest of everyone - the city, the country, the people ... even us, though it has been difficult to accept. We can never get back the years we spent without our son, and the years we spent hiding our other children so that we would not lose them as well; but these sufferings are nothing compared to what you saved the country from. Maravel, for the part that you played in what happened to us, we forgive you. From the bottom of our hearts, we forgive you. It was not your choice, and you took no pleasure in it."

Maravel straightened, and he had tears in his eyes. He smiled at Dae'er and Arphenion, and then he turned towards Cael.

"My lord prince," he said quietly, "you know more than any others the part I have played in the General's actions, including his taking you from your parents. If you could also-"

Cael chuckled, interrupting Maravel, and then he put one arm around the Sage's shoulders.

"Maravel," he said warmly, "what have I to complain about? It's thanks to you that I knew about my parents, and thanks to you that they are still alive for me to meet. And it is also thanks to you that I have once again the greatest treasure of my life." He turned his gaze to Lancaeriel. "You have done more for me than against me. Who am I to hold it against you?"

Maravel sniffled and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "Thank you, my lord," he said quietly.

Mari smiled and looked at Lin. "And what are you going to do now?" she asked her. "I would understand if you were anxious to leave, but ... I believe it would be in Earendil's best interest to rest up completely before he does any traveling again, and I would very much appreciate Kyrie's help, at least for a while."

Mari nodded back at Lin thoughtfully. "Then you are all most welcome to remain here in the palace as my most honoured guests," she invited them sincerely. "As soon as the city is safe, we will bring your things here."

She glanced at Cael. "And what are your plans, Prince Cael?" she asked him.

Cael held up one hand. "Your Highness, I am no more a prince than the General was the rightful ruler of this land. I am merely Caelamondorion."

He glanced at Lancaeriel and grinned. "Or Coriander."

Lancaeriel grinned back at him.

"But if there is anything that I can do to help you, then I will do so," Cael went on, turning back to Mari. "At least until such a time arises that you are no longer in need of my help, and then I wish only to live out my life with my wife."

Mari smiled at everyone. "Good. Then before we go and eat ... Arphenion and Dae'er."

She turned to the two, who looked at her curiously.

"You two have become dear friends," the princess told them seriously. "We had our moments, it's true, but you made living in hiding much more bearable. You two have had to sacrifice so much during the General's reign, I don't believe I could ever made it up to you. Your family, your comfort - even your home has not been left intact. I would like to invite you and your family to live here in the palace as well, for as long as you wish."

Arphenion bowed low. "Thank you," he said warmly. "We are very grateful."

Dae'er didn't bother with any formalities. She wiped away a tear and threw her arms around the princess and hugged her tightly.

Mari hugged her back and chuckled softly. "Good. Then let's get something to eat and rest while we have the chance."

"If I may suggest," Lancaeriel spoke up cautiously, "Lin, it has been a very stressful few weeks for them and they are exhausted. I believe that they would benefit more from an uninterrupted sleep right now than from being woken to eat. After we have eaten and you return to your family, you can always bring up a meal that will be waiting for them when they awaken on their own."

"And if you'd like, I can fetch all your things from Tsara's house in the meantime," Kyrie offered. "Perhaps bring the other children here as well. They're terrified and alone right now."

"Oh, please," Dae'er said gratefully, smiling at Kyrie. "I would feel much better."

Kyrie grinned. "Right. Lin? Shall I bring all your things then while I'm there?"