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"If you're interested, I would be happy to explain," Shiro agreed warmly, smiling widely at Aranel.

Aranel raised one hand and shook his head slowly. "Thank you, but I myself have no vested interest in magic. I have seen more than my share of magic, and I would be pleased never to see such things again."

His face softened. "I apologize ... it was a ... difficult time for me, and I would prefer to move on."

Aranel smiled at Lin. "Well, if it's information about changes that you're after, perhaps it's best if you ask the queen," he replied softly, rising to his feet. "Come, she will be at the table soon for breakfast. She will be able to answer your question much better than I."

The three nekos also stood and made to follow the prince.

Most of the family was already gathered around the table when the others arrived - Atalya and Reave at the head of the table, Ruel and Luthien to their left, the rest of the seats empty.

Aranel motioned towards the empty seats. "Go on and sit," he smiled at them.

"Shiro, Kaito, Ura," the queen said happily as they all walked into the dining hall. "And Lin ... it's so wonderful to see all of you again. Welcome."

Atalya smiled warmly. "We have been wonderful, as I'm sure you know already," she replied. "Of course, the family is always growing, it has been quite peaceful these last few years ... and the problem that became apparent during your most recent visit" -recent being a relative term- "has been taken care of." She turned to the nekos. "And how are things in your own family?" she asked eagerly.

Shiro smiled and took it upon himself to answer for them. "Mother and Father have their hands full with the twins, who are getting close to two years old and seem to really enjoy getting into trouble. We've all settled nicely into life at the clan grounds. Serenity is getting married soon, she's really looking forward to that ... Skye probably will be, though nothing official has been said yet ..."

He paused. "Storm and Starr ... are still not growing, but they're ... anxious to get out into the world and do things. Mother suggested that perhaps they should visit here ..."

"They would be most welcome," the king spoke up with a wide grin before anyone else could speak. "Most welcome. Elnara should know that any of your family is welcome here at any time."

Kaito chuckled softly. "Thank you, we will be sure to remind her of that."

A soft chuckle rippled around the table. "It has indeed been a busy time for you," Atalya smiled warmly at their guests. "I hope that your time here is relaxing for you. A break from the regular pace, shall we say."

Just then, there was the pitter patter of tiny footsteps, and Regan appeared in the doorway, making a beeline for her father, arms outstretched, braid flying behind her. Tinuviel was following her at a more moderate pace, now fully dressed and presentable, her hair neatly tied back.

"I apologize for being late," she bowed her head to her great grandmother as she took her seat. "Forgive me."

Atalya smiled warmly and nodded. "Please join us, we have not yet begun our meal."

Aranel, who was sitting next to Lin, overheard her question and turned to her, smiling warmly. "Actually," he said softly, getting the attention of all of the visitors, "Earendil doesn't spend much time on the mountain anymore. Of late he has been spending his mornings in his study, he will have eaten with Sir Valdemar, I'm sure."

"He usually does," Luthien agreed from across the table, sitting with Shiro and Ura. "We don't usually see him until the noon hour, unless he seeks us out for something."

Shiro was amused by Lin's response - and especially by Senka's reaction to it.

"It makes sense, though," he admitted. "If Earendil didn't spend much time in his own study, why would you spend time in it? As I recall" - and everyone (other than Aranel) knew about Shiro's photographic memory and recall - "when we were last here, he spent most of his time on the mountain, or training in his arena."

Kaito nodded his agreement. "I can't help but wonder if the arena is still as smooth as it once was," he mused. "Surely the sand would have eroded it away by now, if so much time has passed?"

Luthien looked to Aranel, who shook his head again. "It is smooth as marble," he smiled. "I do not know how he keeps it that way, but ... I admire him for his skill with it. I can hardly keep my balance on there for more than a few minutes."

Everyone looked around at each other, waiting for another to answer, and there was a long silence before the queen finally took it upon herself to reply in a very soft tone, "That is a question that you would have to ask Haradhel or Earendil. Only they two know the secret. Even Sir Valdemar has nothing more than suspicions."

Tinuviel looked down at Lin. "Do not worry," she assured her, "we can find Earendil after breakfast and then you can ask as many questions as you like."

As she spoke, the servants entered the room, bringing everyone their breakfasts, and giving the visitors no less than the royal family, despite having no warning of their arrival.