Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil pointed ahead. "Last door on the right," he replied. "Next to my room."

He smiled and Lin as they started walking down the hall. "They've had a much easier time getting used to the castle than Haldia has. But to be honest, I think a part of Haldia is still remembering the gnomes. I've shown her around the entire castle, labyrinth and all, but still, the memory of it, and the fact that she isn't fond of buildings or being underground ..."

He shrugged.

Earendil smiled and nodded. "I hope so," he murmured as they reached the door of the room where Leyenda and Kelirahc were staying. There, he raised his fist and knocked gently.

"I hope we're not waking them from a nap," he murmured softly as they waited for an answer.

It was Kelirahc who opened the door. He looked just the same as ever, though his hair was neatly trimmed. His hair was also wet, and water droplets dripped down his neck and face.

"Hello," he smiled warmly, opening the door to invite them in. "Welcome back, Lin. It is good to see you again." He looked down at Miyuki. "And who is this?"

Earendil ushered Lin into the room, nodding for her to sit on the couch near the window.

Earendil chuckled softly as he sat next to Lin, setting Senka in his lap. "You're going to have to give a bit more information than that, Lin," he grinned at her. He turned to Kelirahc. "Miyuki is Lin's daughter, Lin adopted her while she was at home."

"Ah, I see," Kelirahc smiled warmly, taking a seat on a chair across from them. He reached over towards the bed and grabbed a towel that had obviously been slung there in haste, and wiped the water from his face and neck. "Forgive me, I just finished my bath," he apologized, slinging the towel around his neck. "Leyenda is just finishing up, so I am sure she will be with us shortly."

He leaned back in his chair and relaxed, then turned to Lin and smiled. "So how was your trip home, Lin? Full of excitement, I would imagine."

"That is understandable," Kelirahc nodded sympathetically. "Six years is a long time to be from your family. And how much time did you have at home before you had to return here? Earendil has explained to me that it would not have been nearly as long for you as for us ..."

He glanced at Earendil, who nodded at him.

Kelirahc blinked. "Three days?" he repeated in amazement. "Only? But for us it has been three moons ..."

Earendil laughed again. "Well, I did tell you there was a time difference," he grinned at the Night Elf.

Kelirahc chuckled. "Indeed you did. I did not realize that it was such a great difference." He smiled at Lin. "So does this mean that we will be continuing our journey together soon?"

"Day after tomorrow," Earendil corrected Lin. "Captain Striate and Rhea won't be back until at least dinner, and I'm sure they will each need a day to prepare."

Kelirahc smiled. "Those two are inseparable. I hope that they can find the happiness together that they desire."

He looked over towards the cradle next to the bed as he heard his son begin to stir. "It sounds like Amalirahc may be finished his nap soon," he commented with a smile.

"He has been good," Kelirahc smiled. "He eats well, he is always full of energy - except when he sleeps, of course - and he is learning to speak a little. Not much, I suppose, but Leyenda and I can usually understand what he is trying to say. And with so many people around, it is difficult for him to get into things."

Suddenly the door to the bath chamber opened, and Leyenda appeared: dressed, but drying her long hair with a towel.

"Oh," she smiled. "Visitors. Welcome back, Lin. And who is the baby?"