Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tinuviel smiled at Lin reassuringly. "You'll be find," she assured her. "Just remember ... she's probably at least two or three feet taller than you, but you're the bigger person here. Stand tall ... keep your back straight ... and I don't care what you were taught when you were growing up, I want you to look proud. Proud to be my friend ... proud to be Earendil's friend. Proud to be who and what you are, no matter what this girl thinks of you."

Tinuviel smiled at Lin and sat at her desk once more to wait and to watch.

It was still a few minutes before there was another knock, and the door opened once more to reveal the same guard that had appeared a few minutes before. He bowed deeply to Lin and Tinuviel, and announced, "Halaleel," in a very solemn tone.

Then he was gone, and Halaleel, looking considerably calmer than the day before, was in his place. It seemed she had determined to do what she had to in this case, because the first thing she did when she entered the room was bow low in respect. Whether it was to Lin or to Tinuviel was questionable.

Halaleel's eyes took in the condition of the study as well as the expression on Tinuviel's face before she finally straightened and faced Lin head-on.

"Lin," she replied coolly, though respectfully. "I came to apologize for yesterday. I acted unreasonably and said things that I ought not to have said."

Tinuviel watched the girl closely, looking for any signs of insincerity or glances that might reveal that she was looking for someone other than Lin, or that she was in any way showing disrespect to her.

Halaleel seemed surprised that Lin accepted the apology so quickly and so easily, but she hid it well. Still, there was something that seemed a little off about it ... that strange tone of voice, for one.

But before she could say anything, Tinuviel spoke up. "Lin ... are you all right?" she asked worriedly, rising from her chair and moving to stand next to Lin. She put one hand carefully on her shoulder. "You don't sound like yourself ..."

Tinuviel was smiling brightly at Lin, so much that it almost hurt, and her eyes were shining proudly. She nodded and hugged Lin tightly.

"You grew," she affirmed cheerfully. "Oh, we're going to have to find you some new clothes again ... and Earendil ... Earendil is going to be so happy ..."

Halaleel was staring, slack-jawed, at Lin, her eyes wide with shock. At last she found her voice, and she uttered a string of words in elvish that no one would dare to teach Lin.

"Hold your tongue!" Tinuviel ordered the girl harshly. "You will not use such language in this place!"

Halaleel clamped her mouth shut, her temper beginning to show.

Tinuviel smiled at Lin and reached to take her necklace from her. "You know we would all like that," she reminded her. "Here, let me take your necklace ... we'll take it to Aranhil to adjust it for you this afternoon, if you like."

Halaleel didn't reply to Lin. She was still somewhat shocked at having witnessed the sudden growth, and she hadn't yet found her voice. For the moment she was simply waiting - waiting to be dismissed, or waiting to be able to speak again.

Tinuviel nodded at Halaleel, and with one final quick half-bow, the girl was gone.

Tinuviel laughed at Lin, amused by her final comment - in more ways than one.

"You know," she grinned, "that's what everyone's been telling Earendil about you. Stop waiting around and do something with your life ... though it appears that his waiting might finally have paid off?"

She laughed again and squeezed Lin around the shoulders. "Come, let's find you something to wear that might fit you better, and then we should go for lunch. Earendil is probably there already."