Welcome to Gaia! ::

Cael nodded. "I'll do that, then. It would be nice to have life brought back to the palace. The grounds, too - it's so stark and dead. And plants will help with the atmosphere, make it nicer overall. I'm sure Princess Mari would appreciate that."

He pursed his lips. "It may have to wait a few days, though ... Mari's coronation is scheduled for tomorrow, so the servants will be very busy until afterwards."

"Princess Mari would know better," Cael said apologetically. "Unfortunately, there's much I don't know about this place. Maravel taught me what he could, but there were many things that even he didn't know."

There was another knock at the door, this time solid and loud, and even Earendil could hear it without any issue.

He sighed and looked at his daughter. "Miyuki, would you get that, please?"

"Well I don't mind, it keeps things lively," Earendil grinned at Lin.

It was a servant at the door, and when Miyuki opened the door, he bowed slightly and raised the covered tray that he was carrying.

"Dinner is served in the dining hall," he said formally. "I have meals here for Prince Earendil and Princess Lin."

Clearly, someone somewhere knew that Earendil wasn't up for going downstairs quite yet.

"Thank you, my lady," the man smiled. He put the tray carefully into her hands. "I shall inform her Highness that you are on your way."

"And you may tell her that Lancaeriel and I are on our way as well," Cael spoke up from where he was standing with his wife.

The servant bowed again, lower this time. "Very good, my lord."

He turned to leave, and Cael stretched. "Just when I was starting to feel a bit hungry," he grinned. He looked around. "Where is Andarien? I haven't seen him since yesterday."

"Please," Earendil smiled at Miyuki. "I won't be going anywhere for a while."

Cael chuckled. "I'll get Andarien then while you get your parents' food to them," he smiled, heading towards the study door.

Cael was back with Andarien very quickly, and then they, Lancaeriel and Miyuki headed down for dinner.

The others had all already gathered in the dining hall: Mari, Maravel, Chesnet and Mathias; Wren, Tsara, Arphenion, Dae'er and all their children. Cael took a seat next to his parents, and Lancaeriel sat next to him, which left the two seats between Wren and Lancaeriel empty for Miyuki and Andarien.

"Ah, Prince Cael," Maravel smiled when Cael sat down. "We were just discussing how to go about rescuing the rest of the country."

"Cael and Maravel and I will be going to each of the major cities beginning to the north," Mari began to explain. "I thought Cael might like to stay here, all things considered, but he pointed out - quite rightly, I think - that his accompanying me and showing the people that I am who I am and that I am indeed the rightful ruler will make things far easier. Maravel's presence will also facilitate things. Mathias and Chesnet will not be left behind, of course," she added, glancing at the men with whom she had spent the last two centuries.

"You've got that right," Mathias grunted, folding his arms across his chest.

Mari smiled. "So it is only left to be decided who else will come with us in addition. Some soldiers, of course - a hundred or so, I think. Just in case."

"And I will be coming, too," Kyrie's voice came from the doorway. She had been late for dinner, and it seemed she hadn't been expected, as there was no place set for her, but she didn't let it bother her. She simply sat in one of the chairs where there was no plate and made herself comfortable.

Mari smiled warmly at Kyrie. "You are very welcome," she told Kyrie, "but are you certain you wish to come? You have already done so much for me, and this is not your fight ..."

Kyrie held up one hand to stop the princess's protest. "I've been helping you this far, I won't stop now."

Mari laughed softly. "And I ought to have expected it as well," she admitted. "Kyrie has been helping me from the beginning, since before I was even aware. She would be disappointed to leave something before it was finished."

"You've got that right," Kyrie grinned.

"But we did not expect you for dinner," Mari added, leaning forward curiously. "I thought you were going to Shiezin for the night."

"I sent Uruloki." Kyrie smiled. "He'll be back tomorrow. I wanted to make sure I would be here for your coronation."