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"Maybe we could ask Arwen and Roydon," Earendil suggested as they started back through the city. "They're staying on the ship, they might have an idea where to look. And if it's lunch time, Kelirahc and Leyenda might very well be at the ship themselves for a meal."

It was better than doing nothing, at any rate.

It was quite a long walk to the harbour - it was on the far opposite side of the city, after all - and as they drew close, they could see a large group of people on the beach together. There was Arwen, Roydon, Kelirahc, Leyenda, Amalirahc and Aravah; and with them, Wren, Lancaeriel, Daeron and Iorlas.

Amalirahc was in the water with some younger children from the city, while Aravah toddled around amongst the adults, who were sitting on blankets and enjoying a picnic lunch.

Earendil laughed at that. "No, we won't," he agreed, returning Lin's grin. "I wonder if they found a place. or if they're just taking a break from looking."

Iorlas was the first to spot Lin and Earendil, and she smiled widely and waved at them, then beckoned for them to come join the rest of the group.

"It's about time you joined us here for once!" Daeron teased his brother and sister-in-law when they came close enough. "You two are always so busy!"

"And you didn't bring your children," Wren chided them with a grin. "Pity. Amalirahc's been hoping they would come."

"They work too much," Wren said flatly. "Andarien I can understand, he's an apprentice; but Miyuki should let herself relax a bit more."

"Well, she wants to be ready for our trip," Earendil smiled. "And to be honest, maybe the rest of us should be preparing a bit more. We still need all kinds of winter clothes ... Kyrie says fur-lined boots, cloak, clothes ..."

"It's going to be more than half a year before we go," Wren reminded him.

Earendil shrugged. "True ..."

"Come on and sit down," Leyenda invited them, patting an empty space on the blanket. She was smiling widely. "It's too nice a day to do anything but enjoy it. Relax! Forget about preparations."

"She's a very bright girl," Lancaeriel smiled warmly. "I honestly believe that she has the ability to do almost anything she desires if she is willing to work hard enough."

Earendil moved to sit, but he felt a crunch in his pocket and remembered the thick letter that Aennan had given him. He pulled the letter from his pocket and looked at it. "Ah ... this may not be the right time ... but ..."

The others looked at him expectantly. "Yes?" Leyenda pressed.

Kelirahc blinked and looked over at his wife. "Back to Tor Karad ... and return ..." His brow furrowed slightly. There would also be the trip to return Aranxia's parents to their home afterwards, and each trip would be a few weeks ...

"That's got to be six or seven days flight, each direction," Leyenda said slowly. "No chance of rest ... you'll need at least five days to rest in between ..."

That meant three weeks to get Tinuviel and Aranel, and another three weeks to return them home. A total of six weeks. Yes, it was an important occasion, but ...

"You haven't even found a house yet, either," Lancaeriel said softly, looking from Kelirahc to Leyenda and back.

The two of them shook their heads. "And that," Kelirahc murmured, "is something that we do need to accomplish before winter returns."

Earendil cleared his throat and looked down at the letter. "That ..."

"Perhaps I can be of help," Lancaeriel spoke up, causing the others to look at her in surprise.

Lancaeriel hesitated a moment and then spoke softly. "I ... normally would not bring this up ... but Aranxia has become quite dear to me. I know it would mean a lot to her to have her parents here for her wedding, to know that they were in support of her actions."

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "There is a way ... to send the letter, to bring her parents here, and to return them home afterwards if they do not wish to stay and sail home with the others ... to do all of this without leaving this place at all."

"Portal, door, passage ... yes," Lancaeriel nodded. "It takes some preparation and an immense amount of magic, but for Aranxia, I would be willing to do it."

She looked at Lin and Earendil. "I don't know if you would be interested, but it is easier create a connection to see and hear each other than to actually transport matter. If you would like to explain in person the situation ..."

Earendil looked at Lin. "What do you think?" he asked her.