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Aranxia wasn't sure what to think of that. "But the screen - it's so small," she said slowly. "I think a mirror might be of more help ... but even that would not be very good, since I'd have to have the easel in the way ..."

Earendil leaned closer to Lin. "Don't we live with some artists?" he asked her. "And Lara specializes in portraits of people, does she not?"

"If Aranxia would like her to," Earendil shrugged. "I mean, if Aranxia can't do the portrait she wants on her own, I thought if she were to ask Lara, at least she would have a portrait."

Aranxia looked thoughtful. "I think that would be nice," she smiled. "My point is simply to have a portrait of myself and Aennan to give to my parents. I don't mind not being the one to do it."

She looked over at Aennan. "Do you know the woman they're talking about?"

Aennan shook his head. "I've heard of her - I don't think there's anyone in the city who hasn't - but I've never met her."

"Ah, I see," Aranxia smiled. "Perhaps we could meet her tomorrow after you're done work, Aennan."

Aennan nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

They chatted a bit longer before having dinner, which was simple but scrumptious, and afterwards they spoke a bit more about different countries, and then the travelers returned to their places of stay for the night.


Again, time passed, and Spring came and went, and before they knew it summer had descended upon them. The weather had grown quite warm, though not uncomfortably so, and as the plants had blossomed, so had the city. It was now livelier than ever, and the are was filled with the scent of the plethora of flowers that lined the streets and yards.

The time for Luk and Lily's wedding had also arrived, and the senator's family was escorting Lin, Earendil, and the rest to the shrine where the wedding was to take place. Or, more specifically, Kyrie was leading the way, since of them all only she knew where it was.

It was the perfect day for a wedding. There was a slight breeze that brought in cool, fresh air off the ocean, and birds' songs chorused through the trees. Kyrie had taken them out of the city and was leading them through the forest.

In the few months that had passed, Andarien had changed yet again - though only slightly this time: as a sign that he was indeed growing up, he had noticed one day (much to his surprise, as it was a new concept to him) that his chin was growing fuzzy. This had led to a new purchase for him: a razor.

As they walked, Earendil was catching up with Andarien, asking him how things were going at the gear shop, and many of the others were also deep in their own conversations.

"So Lin, what was your wedding like?" Lara asked as they walked. She had her arm tucked into her husband's and was leaning slightly against him as they walked.

"I see," Lara smiled. "Yes, there are many who choose not to do anything for their wedding. Even Cantor and I didn't do much - my parents were there, and my sister, and Kyrie and her brother ... but we really had no choice but to keep it to ourselves. We were still in Dolerum, the place where I was born, and our people - the people of my former country, I should perhaps say - did not appreciate our marriage. I lost many friends when I chose to marry Cantor, but not once have I regretted it."

"Have you ever been discriminated against for your marriage with Prince Earendil?" Cantor asked Lin curiously. "Forgive me if it's none of my business, but my understanding is that the Four Lands is not a very tolerant place either."

Lara laughed. "Isn't that always the way of it?" she grinned. "While a person is still wondering why they're feeling a certain way when they're around a certain person, those around them are smiling at each other and winking oh-so-knowingly."

"Thankfully, we never had that particular trouble," Cantor chuckled at his wife.

"No," Lara agreed, "but that's because you began flirting with me the moment you laid eyes on me."

That made Cantor laugh. "Guilty as charged."

"Mm, yes, that does make things harder," Cantor agreed. "You already know that you like and respect that person, and so when you begin to question 'is it love?' it is far more difficult to determine the answer. People change as they grow up. The way they see everyone changes, and sometimes they may believe that they feel love when they don't. And how can you tell the difference?" He shrugged. "It's difficult."