Welcome to Gaia! ::

Haradhel giggled and moved to help her son climb onto Lin's back, making sure that his legs were wrapped around her stomach and his arms safely around her shoulders, and not her neck.

"Be careful now," she grinned at the two of them. "Don't go falling down and getting hurt."

Arahad giggled into Lin's hair and nodded. "Up, up!" he squealed, bouncing a bit on Lin's back.

Just then Ulrich returned from the direction of the dining room, arms empty. He grinned at the three who were standing there and half waved.

"Hello, Lin," he said cheerfully. "Long time no see. How are you?"

And he continued on towards the door to outside.

Ulrich blinked at Lin as he headed out to the cart and heaved another large sack over his shoulders.

"Lothiriel? Pen? Beren?" he asked her curiously. "What?"

And he started back towards the house.

"Oh," Ulrich chuckled, heading back into the house, "I see. Well. Lots of new people to pick on - I mean, to meet."

He laughed heartily and headed into the dining room, then through it to the kitchen, his eyes sparkling and his grin mischievous.

Haradhel blinked at Lin when she came in again. "What on Arda did you tell him?" she asked incredulously, full of disbelief at Ulrich's reaction.

Haradhel laughed softly. "From what I understand," she smiled warmly at Lin, "yes. He loves to tease people - especially new people. Lothiriel and Pen went to the valley to visit Aliya and everyone again, why don't you tag along and introduce them as well? Then you can watch the fun, too."

She giggled girlishly, half wishing that she could be there to see as well.

"Uh oh," Ulrich's chuckle could be heard approaching them again, "a laugh like that never bodes well. Am I in trouble?"

"Tease new people?" Ulrich blinked innocently. "Why, who would be cruel enough to do that? They're in the process of meeting new people, getting used to a new place, a new routine ... life is hard enough for them without someone going and teasing them at every opportunity!"

His eyes began to sparkle. "And I wouldn't miss it for the world," he chuckled. He reached out and poked Lin on the shoulder. "Come on, take me to them," he grinned at her like a schoolboy. "It's time for some fun!"

Arahad pouted a bit, but he went down obediently and right away ran over to his mother and put his hands up to her so that she would pick him up instead.

Ulrich chuckled at Lin, then waved to Haradhel and started outside again.

"I'm sure I must have," he grinned, "though it was a while ago that I first met him. Come on, up on the cart. There are supplies and materials to be taken back home."

And he held out one hand to help her up onto the cart.

"Food supplies we are either uncomfortably low on or can't make, grow, or hunt for ourselves," Ulrich replied, flipping the reins and starting the horse off again, "windows for Shael and Adonai's house, some spices, couple of herbs, some books, and medicine."

He turned his head and grinned at her. "Necessities. Hate having to rely on others for them, but there you have it. We're not Valar ourselves after all."

Ulrich nodded. "It's hard to find anything she hasn't read or doesn't already know," he chuckled, though there was a note of pride in his voice as well. "She's quite amazing, really. I don't think she'll be staying around here once she's grown."