Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil chuckled at the look on her face. "More questions for the next time we see them?" he asked her.

As he spoke, a large floor-to-ceiling tapestry that hung against the back wall of the reading room began to move as if in a breeze, though it was too thick and heavy for any breeze to move; and a moment later, Aennan appeared from behind it. He was dressed in scholarly robes, a midnight blue that complimented his pale blue skin and blue-green hair.

"Aennan," Amanya said, her tone sounding as if she were on the verge of reprimanding him.

Aennan bowed low. "I apologize for interrupting," he said politely, "but I heard your voices from upstairs ... and I'm afraid I've been looking for an opportunity to speak with Lin and Earendil."

Earendil glanced at Amanya. "You said that Caranthir was the only entry for Amon Darthir, yes?" he asked, just to clarify.

The librarian nodded. "Yes. And those were the only other countries you wanted to ask about?"

Earendil smiled and nodded. "Yes. Thank you very much."

Amanya closed the book and rose from the chair. "Then I will give you some privacy," she murmured. "Aennan, when you are finished, I'd like to see your progress."

"Yes, Amanya," Aennan said respectfully, bowing his head to her as she left.

Once the librarian had left and the curtain to the next room fell still, Earendil turned to Aennan. "You know, I wondered where exactly you worked," he grinned at the young man.

Aennan smiled and seemed to relax now that his employer was no longer in the room. "I translate and transcribe the books here," he explained, "so that the knowledge is readily available to anyone who has the interest."

Faint colour rose in Aennan's pale cheeks, and he chuckled softly. "Amanya keeps the second floor a secret to keep people away from it. The rarer books are there, and the older ones. Besides, it's a nice quiet place to work."

"I can imagine," Earendil nodded. He after all had his own study - or used to, anyways - back at the palace, so that he could work in peace, and he supposed that this was the same idea.

"But you had something you wanted to ask us," he added, looking at the young man curiously.

"Ah, yes," Aennan nodded. "Yes, I do. I ... Aranxia had mentioned that someone among your party has the ability to travel far distances in a relatively fast manner. She didn't give any more detail, and when I asked her, it seemed she wasn't entirely certain herself. Do you know who or what she's referring to?"

"Ah, I see," Aennan murmured thoughtfully. He ran his fingers through his hair. "I ... am not sure how much you're aware of our progress in the preparations for our wedding, but as my house is far too small we're building instead, just outside the city. It's going to take a while to build, obviously, but it is already coming along ... and I was hoping ... wondering ... wondering and hoping ... if it might be possible ..."

Earendil chuckled softly. "Come now, we're not going to bite you," he said bemusedly. "What is it?"

Aennan's pale cheeks flushed again. "If it's possible, I was hoping to have Aranxia's parents brought here so that they could also be present for our wedding. As a surprise, I mean. By ship it would take more than a year; perhaps ... by air ... it might take only a few weeks?"

He looked from Earendil to Lin hopefully.

"And that's the thing," Aennan said hesitantly. "I would really like to keep it a surprise for Aranxia, if possible ... would you mind speaking to Kelirahc on my behalf? I have a letter prepared for Aranxia's parents, if he is willing to take it ..."

Earendil held out his hand. "We can ask him," he agreed. "If he will not go, then we'll return the letter to you."

Aennan reached into his robes and pulled out a sealed letter, addressed very neatly in the writing of the Southland: "To their Royal Highnesses, Prince Aranel and Princess Tinuviel of the Southland Elves, Four Lands."

"Thank you," Aennan said sincerely, smiling warmly at his future aunt and uncle. "And again, please, I'd like it to be a surprise for Aranxia, so if you could keep from mentioning it to her, I'd very much appreciate it."

"Of course," Earendil smiled. "We wouldn't dream of spoiling your surprise. But you'd better go now, Amanya seemed quite serious about seeing your progress in your work. Lin, shall we be off?"

He rose to his feet and held a hand down to Lin to help her up as well.

"We'll see you later, Aennan, and let you know how it goes," Earendil promised the young man. He took Lin's hand and headed out of the reading room with her while Aennan went back towards the tapestry to get his work to show his employer.

As they left the library, Earendil wondered aloud, "How are we going to figure out where to find Kelirahc? We've barely seen him or his family since we first arrived here ... and the city is huge."