Welcome to Gaia! ::

Aranhil smiled warmly. "Indeed," he agreed. "And what wonderful changes they have been. Miyuki has grown into a lovely young lady, and Andarien is a son that you can be proud of."

"On that note," Earendil added, "we should probably continue on before we keep you from your work for too long."

Andarien pouted. "Already?"

"Aww, okay," Andarien sighed, sounding much like his sister. He waved at Aranhil. "It was good to meet you!" he said brightly. "I'll be back with questions!"

Aranhil chuckled. "I look forward to it," he grinned. "Until then, keep out of trouble! See you later, Miyuki!" he added, smiling at the girl.

Since it was a little later in the morning now after their visit with Aranhil, the streets of the city were a bit busier. While they attracted many looks from the passers by, there were no disrespectful or rude looks, only looks of curiosity and some respectful bows. A few people greeted the family (specifically Earendil, as he was the one they really knew), and all of them were smiling when they did so.

"Sweet shop?" Earendil asked Lin as they made their way down to a lower level of the city.

Andarien looked up at Earendil, confused, and tugged on his hand. "But Ada," he protested, "don't we usually leave the sweet shop for last? For a treat after being out all day?"

Earendil smiled down at his son. "Yes, that's true," he agreed, "but this is a bit different. The man who own the shop, Haldir, is a very good friend of mine, and I would like to introduce all of you to him."

The confusion lifted from Andarien's face, and he smiled brightly. "Oh!" he exclaimed happily. "Okay!"

He liked meeting his ada's friends. They were always such nice people!

Soon enough, they had reached the sweet shop, and Earendil held the door for his family as they headed inside. There were new sweets in the shop, things Earendil had never seen before, and things had been arranged slightly differently. He liked the look of it: it was the same place, but it had a fresh feel to it.

There was a different person behind the counter now - neither Haldir nor Halaleel, but rather a short-haired gentleman who looked quite comfortable behind the counter.

"Hello," the man called back warmly, bowing his head respectfully. He spoke in the Common Tongue because Lin had done so, but it was clear from his heavy accent that it did not come easy to him. Still, his tone was friendly, and he showed no dislike for the language.

"Good morning, Fennel," Earendil greeted the man as he entered the shop. "Long time, no see."

The man blinked at Earendil, then broke into a wide grin. "Your Highness!" he exclaimed, bowing low. "It has indeed been a long time! Welcome!"

Earendil grinned at Lin as the children went to look at the candy.

"A long time ago, even before our first trip around the Southland, Fennel used to help out in his parents' shop," he explained to her. "One day, while I was visiting the shop, there was an accident with another customer - a shelf tipped, there was a mess ... he was panicking because it was the first time his parents had let him look after the shop on his own. I simply helped him clean it up."

"And saved me a good tanning," the man added, his face slightly flushed.

Earendil chuckled. "You're welcome."

"Indeed it was," Earendil chuckled. "I can't even remember how many years."

"A good many, my Lord," Fennel smiled.

"Yes, a good many," Earendil agreed. "Now tell me, Fennel ... where are Halaleel and Haldir? In all my years, this is the first time I've not seen either of them - or Halaleel's mother, before she passed - in the shop. We were hoping to see Haldir, at the very least."

Fennel bowed his head again. "In the back, my Lord. Shall I find them for you?"

Earendil smiled. "If you would. Thank you."

Fennel bowed low once more and headed through the door into the back of the shop.