Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil smiled down at Miyuki, playing absently with Lin's hair as he replied softly, "There are two celebrations, the Old Year, and the New Year. The Old Year celebrations are a reflection on the year that has passed. Giving thanks for what we have received, remembering those who have passed on ... The New Year celebrations are a day of looking forward - forward to crops, the growing season, people we hope to meet, looking forward to new arrivals, new family members, and so on. If we were in the city, there would be huge celebrations with parades and the like, but here it's far simpler."

He looked over at Lin, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Everyone dresses up," he said in a teasing sort of voice, since he knew that Lin rarely dressed up, that she wasn't fond of it (though he liked it when she did). "Everyone from the area will gather together - probably here, since there's far more space than in the valley. There will be music and dancing and games and competitions ... and at the end of both nights, Haradhel likes to give a display of lights in the sky."

Earendil chuckled softly. "Indeed we do. And we play games and take part in everything as well."

It wasn't as big a celebration as the Enderi was, but it was a celebration nonetheless.

"It's only two days away," he realized suddenly. "And then we'll be leaving ..."

Earendil's smile widened, his eyes growing soft, and he brushed his fingertips ever so lightly across Lin's cheek.

"And nearly two weeks since we've been married," he murmured back just as softly as she had spoken.

Thankfully it seemed Miyuki was getting used to having a room of her own, though when they were traveling they would all be sleeping together for warmth.

The snow from the storm the day after Lin and Miyuki had arrived had melted by now, and Elberon had continued with his task of teaching Miyuki to ride, and Earendil had joined her for lessons so that he could get used to it again as well. It seemed to be going well, and he foresaw no problems for when they started traveling.

"Elros thinks we should head south first, to the Human Southland," he said thoughtfully. "It's warmer there. Then we can swing up to the Westland, and by the time we get to the Northland, it will be high summer, which is the only time it's warm, I'm told. Then when we go around to the Eastland, the weather will be cooling down and that will help make it easier."

Earendil chuckled softly, unable to help himself. "He's been dealing with the changing of the seasons since there were seasons to change," he quipped with a grin.

He wondered if Miyuki knew about the world before it was the way it was now, back when it had been the land of the Trees, without either sun or moon or stars for light.

Earendil smiled at Miyuki. "Very old," he assured her. "I'm sure if you wanted to know about some of the things your mother's been telling you from someone who was actually there and saw them happen, he would be glad to tell you about it. He likes to tell about how things once were."

He didn't bother giving her an estimate of years for how old Elros was, he wasn't sure she understood the concept of age for herself yet let alone thousands of years.

"Oh, yes, a very, very long time ago," Earendil agreed. "Has your mother told you about the Ages, yet?"

He wasn't entirely sure what Lin had and hadn't covered yet with Miyuki, since there were so many topics and until a few weeks ago they'd been in Gaia for a while.

A slow smile spread over Earendil's face as he considered what Lin had said.

"It might just be interesting," he murmured, quite softly, "if you got Alena to explain that to Miyuki while we're traveling. About the creation of the world and of the elves, I mean."