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Without hesitating, Beren headed to the cupboard where he knew the water was kept to keep it cool and pulled out the pitcher.

"You say that as if you know someone so strong that anyone can sense them," he said, half amused and half curious. "Is that the case?"

He took some glasses from another cupboard and poured water into both of them, filling them. He was thirsty, and all he'd done was sit and hold on: his wife had been doing all the work. He would bring her water as well. She tended to get excited when she saw certain people and forget about taking care of herself.

Beren put the pitcher away again, his expression thoughtful. "Lancaeriel, you say?" he repeated softly. He picked up the glasses of water. "I wonder ..."

Death was an interesting thing, he thought. While he wouldn't prefer it to living, he had to admit it wasn't as bad as he had always feared. The dead could see and hear and speak just as well as the living, even if they were in a different plane, and there were rumours in the land of the dead just as much as in the land of the living.

"I ... may have heard of her," Beren replied slowly, starting towards the door. "I would first have to talk to her to make sure it truly is her. If she's as powerful as you say she is, then it might be the same person."

He glanced down at Miyuki. "Would you mind opening the doors for me?" he asked her, his smile returning, warm again.

Beren smiled warmly at Miyuki. "Thank you."

When they stepped outside, they saw that Serenity and Laer were no longer standing in the yard, but had retired to a bench on the porch. They were still talking excitedly, and to get Serenity's attention, Beren put his hand, still holding the glass of water, on her shoulder.

"Oh," she smiled up at him. "Thank you." As she reached up to take the glass, she glanced past him and Miyuki. She spotted Lin and Earendil returning with Andarien, bright blond hair and massive black goggles and all, trotting along beside them. With her free hand, she waved at them.

Andarien looked up at Lin and Earendil. "Who's that?" he asked his parents curiously. He had been telling them all about what Sylvar had been teaching him about the water mill (he never seemed to be able to learn enough about it), but he'd interrupted his own narrative when he'd spotted the new elves at the house.

Andarien stared at the two as they approached. Beren's hands were the only part of him that glowed at all, and that very faintly; but Serenity glowed from head to toe.

"Shiny," he murmured, reaching for Lin's hand shyly.

"No need to be shy," Earendil grinned down at the boy. "They're very friendly. And you can talk to them yourself, they speak Common Elvish, too."

Andarien perked up, hearing that. "Really?"

Serenity grinned back at her, her eyes sparkling. "He's adorable," she cooed, setting her drink aside and coming to see them.

Beren just smiled and shook his head. She was who she was after all.

Earendil looked down at Andarien. The boy seemed pleased enough to see that his great-grandparents could speak his language, and that helped to take away from some of his shyness.

"Say hello," he encouraged the boy.

Andarien raised one hand and gave a small wave. "Hi ..."

Serenity stopped just in front of the three of them so that she wouldn't frighten Andarien, and knelt in front of him.

"And just how old are you, Andarien?" she asked him warmly.

That was a question Andarien had never encountered before. He had no idea. He blinked at Serenity, then looked up at his parents again.

Earendil grinned. "Nearly-"

He was interrupted by the sound of a horn blowing from somewhere nearby, and he looked around to see what was going on.

"A war-horn ...?"

But there didn't seem to be time for him - or anyone - to be confused.

"Inside, quick," Serenity said, entirely serious now, pointing towards the house. "Fast as you can, go!"

Beren already had the house door open for everyone.