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"And from the comment you made, you seemed to be comparing us to them," Cael mused. "What's that about?"

"I must say, you've made me curious as well," Lancaeriel admitted with a giggle. "I heard a bit about the Borderlands when we had River and her family traveling with us, but unfortunately not a lot. I would like to know more about it."

Cael grinned and put his chin on Lancaeriel's shoulder. "Well in our defense, we've been separated for quite a long time," he pointed out, winking. "So for all intents and purposes, we are indeed newlyweds."

"Though we do have some ability to keep our private affairs private," Lancaeriel added, though she was struggling on the spot to try to avoid Cael's fingers tickling her ribs. She giggled as he succeeded in finding a ticklish spot. "Cael, behave!" she chided him, laughing.

"Come now, it's not often I have the opportunity to prove you wrong about something!" Cael chuckled.

Suddenly he froze completely, expression and all.

"That's better," Lancaeriel giggled, effortlessly pushing his arms aside and freeing herself of his grasp. "Next time behave and I won't have to do that again."

She slid off her husband's lap and smoothed out her dress, then leaned against the rock and smiled at Miyuki. "What kind of people live in the Borderlands?" she asked, finally going back to Miyuki's question. "I know there's the valley where River's grandparents live - the ones I didn't meet - and there's the ranch, where the rest of them live, and that it was founded to save children from slavery, but aside from that, very little. Would I know anyone there, do you think?"

"Aragost," Lancaeriel murmured thoughtfully, her eyes unfocusing as she considered the question. "I ... the name isn't familiar ... but he's really old, you say? How old?"

She looked back at Miyuki. "Might someone else in your group know more about him?"

It was rare that they found someone from their first lives, and she was always on the lookout - now that she wasn't spending all of her time looking for her husband again.

"Perhaps I'll ask your mother then," Lancaeriel mused. "I have to say, you've made me rather curious."

Cael whimpered ever so slightly, and Lancaeriel turned to look at him. "You brought this on yourself, you know," she told him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "If I let you go, will you behave?"

Cael was too frozen to reply, and Lancaeriel laughed and flicked her hand. Cael flopped down on the rock and tumbled to the ground before he could catch himself; but he was quickly back on his feet. He brushed his clothes off and sighed. "Lan ..."

She smiled at him innocently. "Yes?"

"I told you Lancaeriel was a bad influence," Cael chuckled, winking at Miyuki. He put one arm around his wife's shoulders and pulled her close so that he could press a kiss to her temple. Lancaeriel smiled at this and slid one arm around his waist, taking her lyre back from Miyuki at the same time.

"Thank you," she murmured, holding it against her side for safety. "But really, it doesn't surprise me. Acting like this can only happen when two people are completely comfortable with each other, which usually means that they share a deep love for one another."

She smiled at Cael, her eyes shining brightly. "At least, for us that is the reason for our actions."

Cael smiled warmly and pulled her a bit closer, putting his cheek against her hair and looking at Miyuki. "I couldn't have said it any better," he agreed.

"So I have both heard and seen," Lancaeriel smiled. "Then I shall do that. Did you want us for anything else, then?"

Suddenly realizing what time it was, she asked, "Do you know if Wren is preparing dinner tonight, or should I get it started?"

"I say you get it started," Cael beamed. "Then it's Wren's turn to clean up and we can retire to our tent early!"

"Well, there's only one way to find out," Cael grinned. "We'll come back with you, Miyuki."

He waved his hand forward, and an illusion of a deer glowing white appeared and ran off into the forest ahead of them, towards the camp.

"In pursuit of a pure hart!" he said cheerfully, ignoring Lancaeriel's rolling of her eyes.