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Rigel and Soronumë were almost as excited as Luthien to hear that Daeron was coming to visit, and just as excited that he was bringing a lady with him - but they were not quite as stunned, and were quite capable of showing their pleasure.

"You know, we had actually given up on him," she told Earendil and Lin as Starr brought their meal outside on two heavily laden trays. She took one of the trays from the woman, and both of them brought the food over to the table where Andarien and Miyuki were sitting. "We've seen him a bit more than his parents have, over the years, but he never seemed to change. No luck in traveling companions, or people he's met."

Starr helped Soronumë to set out the food, and then she headed back inside. Soronumë motioned for Earendil and Lin to join her, Rigel and the children at the table.

"Doubtless," Soronumë agreed without hesitating. "Until he joined Haven full time, he made a point to visit Rigel and myself regularly."

Earendil blinked. "I had no idea he was in the city more than once or twice ..."

Soronumë laughed. "Oh yes, many more times than that. But letting you know that he was in the area would require letting your parents know, and he did not want Ruel to know."

"He was younger then," Rigel added before Earendil could say too much. "And angry."

Rigel pursed his lips and thought for a moment as Soronumë dealt out the food to everyone.

"Well ... yes," he said finally. "About the family's treatment of her. I understand how he felt; we were just as angry at the beginning. But with her acceptance, things changed. Things got better all around, for everyone."

Andarien was watching Rigel as he spoke. He didn't want to interrupt, but he was hungry and he didn't know if he was allowed to eat yet. He shuffled closer to Lin and asked quietly, "Nana, can we eat?"

"Oh, by all means, go ahead," Soronumë smiled widely at Andarien. "We aren't royalty, we don't stand on ceremony here. And have as much as you like, we can always get more."

Andarien's eyes lit up, and he turned to his plate, his mouth already watering.

Rigel chuckled. "Healthy appetite," he grinned.

Rigel's smile grew softer. "Yes ... young children do seem to need more when they're out for the day. I'm sure he'll sleep well tonight, too."

"Hm-mm!" Andarien shook his head at Rigel. After a moment, he swallowed his mouthful and told him, "I'm going to sleep well right after lunch!"

Earendil laughed. "Yes, you were yawning," he chuckled.

Soronumë giggled. "Is he always this blunt?" she asked Lin curiously.

"Well I was going to sleep before but Miyuki said have lunch first!" Andarien spoke up in his own defense, making Soronumë laugh again.

"Such honesty," she grinned. "Actually it's quite nice. The world is not as honest as it could be, I think."

"That's the truth," Earendil admitted. "But there are a lot of good people out there, even where you might not expect them."

Once they had finished their meal, they continued their visit relaxing in the backyard, and, true to his word, Andarien fell asleep almost immediately after finishing his food. After a while, they had to wake him so that they could return to the castle.

It was nearly two weeks before Daeron, Iorlas and Lancaeriel arrived at the palace, though most people were not aware of their arrival until they suddenly appeared at the table during dinner one evening. Lancaeriel and Daeron were unchanged, but Iorlas had a different air about her - and a cut on one cheek, just below her eye.

"Ada-tol!" Andarien exclaimed when he spotted his uncle as he and his family entered the dining room. He ran and hugged his uncle tightly. "You came!"

Daeron chuckled and put one hand on Andarien's head. "Yes, we made it," he replied with a grin. He looked up at Lin, Miyuki and Earendil. "We made it," he repeated, a bit more softly this time.

Andarien, who had his dark lenses hanging around his neck (a habit formed when he found the city to be pleasantly non-bright but knew he had to be prepared for someone who might be magically powerful), put the lenses over his eyes to protect his vision and then climbed up into his uncle's lap.

"I hope all went well," Earendil offered with a smile.

Daeron shuffled Andarien on his lap and looked over at Iorlas. "As well as could be expected, I suppose," he said hesitantly. "But here we are." He reached over and took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. The action drew a smile from the woman, and then she turned back to Miyuki, who had spoken to her.

"Thank you," she said softly. "Forgive me, I'm ... very tired. It was a difficult journey from the plantation."

"Have you seen Mother yet?" Earendil asked the two curiously.

Daeron shook his head. "We arrived less than an hour ago. We've barely had time to wash. We were talking with Ninako, but she said she had some work to finish before dinner, so we came here."

"Then when she gets here, make sure you both cover your ears," Earendil warned them. "Just in case. We warned her to keep calm, but she's really excited to meet Iorlas."

An anxious look crossed Iorlas's face, and she looked at Daeron, alarmed.