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"Aravah," Amalirahc replied. "Mama says it's the name of some exotic plant or a tree or something. But it's a pretty name, whatever it means."

He led the two up to where his parents were talking with Daeron and Iorlas.

"Well, look who grew," Leyenda grinned when she saw Miyuki and Andarien. "Both of you. And how have you been?"

Leyenda smiled and held up the child for them to see. "We've all been doing very well. She's a little over half a year old now, so we felt it would be safe to do some heavy traveling with her."

Aravah stared at the two. Like Amalirahc, she had dark skin and white hair, but instead of eyes of gold, like Amalirahc and Kelirahc, she had brown eyes like her mother, which made her whole face appear darker. Her hair was still very short and stuck up in small tufts going in every which direction. She had her fist to her mouth and was sucking on it quietly.

Andarien beamed at her. "Awww, you're so cute," he cooed. He looked up at Leyenda. "And you're not sick anymore?"

Leyenda laughed softly. "Not at all," she assured the boy. "Thanks for asking. I didn't get to spend much time with you at all."

"Nope!" Andarien smiled. "But now you can, right?"

"Right."

"Mama, can I hold Aravah?" Amalirahc asked her quietly.

Leyenda nodded. "Carefully." She turned the child around and set her in Amalirahc's waiting arms. Amalirahc took her carefully, and his entire demeanor changed. He was usually so excited and energetic, but the moment he had permission to hold his sister, he was calm and quiet.

Leyenda laughed softly. "Yes, well, we do have two more families coming along this time," she reminded Miyuki. "Plus Alassëa and Iorlas and Daeron ... okay, make that three more families ... and of course Lancaeriel and Emile ... and River is bringing Jess. So there are lots of new people coming with us this time."

"And Aunt Feng and Uncle Ryu and Naida are coming this time," Andarien added. After a pause, he murmured, "Are they extra from last time?"

Leyenda nodded. "They are indeed. And I think this is going to be a lovely trip."

Aethos and Alassëa were talking with Tinuviel and Aranel. Both of the travelers look in excellent health, and Alassëa looked particularly nice. Her hair had been trimmed neatly and was nicely done up, she had gained a bit of weight and looked much healthier than she had before, and she was wearing new clothes that were more than their natural colours. Her falcon was on her shoulder, but rather than sitting free, a leather jess reached from one of its feet to Alassëa's wrist - a precaution Aethos insisted upon when they were around people, due to the bird's attack on Earendil the first time they'd run into Alassëa. She had her staff held loosely in one hand, and her other arm was tucked into Aethos's.

Aethos himself looked younger than he had previously. He had clearly been enjoying his time in the Four Lands, and the lines of care and worry were gone from his face. His green eyes sparkled with laughter as Tinuviel fed the pair stories of the exploits of their children, and the sunlight that filtered in through the open window reflected brightly on his fiery orange hair.

Alassëa's sightless eyes turned towards Miyuki when the girl called out to her, and in a rather amused voice she said, "Hello, Miyuki. You really don't need to shout."

She laughed softly and took her arm from Aethos' and gripped her staff more tightly. "But I admit, I was looking forward to meeting you again," she grinned, tapping her way towards Miyuki. "You sound different ... have you grown?"

Alassëa smiled and held up one hand. "Very nice. Come, let me see how tall you are now - and then you can show me your pet."

She waited for Miyuki to put her hand on her head so that she could feel how tall Miyuki had grown. That was one thing that was not so easy to judge based on sound, especially if the height different was only slight.

"You have indeed grown," Alassëa murmured with a smile. Her hand slid down the side of Miyuki's head, and she felt the girl's face with her fingertips. "And yet you have not otherwise changed. Or rather ... not much ... though I expect you must be quite the young woman now, rather than a child."

She pursed her lips thoughtfully, her fingertips resting lightly on Miyuki's cheekbone, but then she pulled her hand back.

"Now, tell me about your pet," she smiled. "Is it with you? I ... smell something ... new."