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"Well, I guess it depends on a number of factors," Earendil admitted. "How big the country is - since we really don't know even that; how many cities there are, whether or not there's any resistance ... if it all goes as smoothly as it did here then I can't see it taking long. But if there are cities where people resist Mari ... I don't know why they would but maybe there's someone who was left in charge of a city that won't want to relinquish whatever power the General gave them."

He shrugged. "I don't know. Maravel and Cael would probably know that best."

"But we can still do things here while they're all gone," Andarien pointed out. "Mi can work on her runes and stuff, and I can use the forges here, Mari said so, so I can start making things."

He would also have to find somewhere to practice with his sword. He still didn't like it very much, but now he understood the value of knowing how to use it well. Even if he had no intention of starting any fights, he had to be able to protect himself and his family when they went to dangerous places like this had been.

"Ada should write about our travels," Andarien said decisively. "That way when we go back to Tor Karad and Nako asks all about it he doesn't have to spend weeks telling about it."

Sure, he had been young when they'd been there, but they had been there long enough for him to get to know his grandmother quite well. His grandfather, too, to a degree.

Earendil sighed, then smiled faintly and shrugged his shoulders. "Why not?" he murmured. "It isn't as if I'm going to have anything better to do for a good long while. Though to be fair, I'm certain that Shiro is already keeping a record of our travels."

"Yeah, but his will be different than yours," Andarien pointed out logically. "He's not here, after all."

Earendil winced. "I don't know if it would be wise to fill in your grandmother on all that's happened here."

"I can clear off the desk in my and Mi's room," Andarien offered. "I kind of have my gears and stuff all over it but I can work on that in my tent just as easily. Then you can work there, Ada."

Earendil considered the idea. "It would work best," he admitted, "but at the moment ... it's a matter of getting me there. Just getting to the window was hard enough. Getting to the next room ... that's going to be hard."

He wondered if it would be too much trouble having a desk brought in here that he could work on, maybe putting it at the end of the bed so that he didn't have to go far to use it. He was no fool. He knew rest was what he needed, and that overtaxing himself would just delay his healing.

Not that he liked the idea any better by admitting it.

Earendil blinked at Lin. "Like the one Father and Andarien made for Aranxia's sister-in-law?"

Andarien pursed his lips. "Well, I remember how to make it, but ... I don't know if I could do it myself ... besides, even if I could, Ada would probably be better by the time I had it ready."

He shrugged apologetically.

Earendil looked at Lin and sighed. He knew how bad he was at resting and doing nothing. He and boredom did not get along at all.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Andarien offered, running over to the door. He opened it and saw Lancaeriel on the other side.

"Oh! Ada was hoping you would come!" he beamed, opening the door wide. "Come in!"

Lancaeriel smiled as she stepped in. "Hoping I would come?" she asked with a chuckle. "Well. I supposed it's good I didn't stay longer at the parade."

Wren followed Lancaeriel into the room. "Afternoon, all," she greeted them cheerfully.

Wren laughed and put one arm around Miyuki's shoulders. "Well, I've been catching up on sleep, checking out the palace, talking with people ... pretty much making myself at home."

Lancaeriel giggled. "And getting rather fidgety, despite your activity," she teased the princess.

"Well, Mari suggested we not go out quite yet," Wren admitted, "so yes, I've been getting antsy. She'd rather we wait until things are settled a bit just so that there are no problems. No misunderstandings."

She grinned down at her young cousin. "I'd ask about you, but I have to admit I'd like to hear how your father is, first," she said apologetically. She looked over at Earendil. "You had all of us rather worried."

"Ah, that's a good idea," Wren nodded approvingly. "Good for you. It's going to be long, but better that than repeating it dozens of times and forgetting something more each time." She laughed. "Thankfully, I've been talking with my father and letting him know about things using the mirror communication Lancaeriel taught me."

"I hope you've told him about how things turned out here now," Lancaeriel smiled at Wren.

Wren grinned. "Yes. As far as he's concerned, Mari's return took place without a hitch. That, and he promised that not a word of it would go to the Southland."

She winked at Earendil, who chuckled softly.