Welcome to Gaia! ::

The important looking man frowned and removed his own helm, holding it in the crook of his arm and glaring at the two women. He also had fiery hair, as well as bright green eyes and freckles that sprinkled his nose and cheeks.

"More intruders?" he said harshly. "Why have you brought them here?"

The soldier was just about trembling. "My lord, I ... I had to ... they ... they are ..."

Rhea was beginning to feel as though she wasn't very fond of the man in charge. He was quite presumptuous, and very rude.

"We are travelers in search of two of our companions who went missing yestermorn," she said, stepping forward and lowering her cowl. "We had hoped to find some hospitality, but clearly that is something that lacks in this kingdom. Now tell me, whom have I the fortune of addressing?"

The man glared at Rhea, seemingly enraged by her words. "I am Aethos, First Sola of Amon Darthir. And now tell me, brash one, who it is who dares address me so?"

Rhea wasn't about to back down. "I am Rhea, of the line of Aldrich," she told him proudly, "and in my veins flows the blood of Yavanna, Bringer of Fruits." She cast off her cloak, revealing her enormous wings.

Aethos seemed startled, but only for an instant. "I know of your kind," he scowled at her. "The Dark Elves and their dark magic. Illusions. Projections. Tricks of the mind."

The man glared at Lin. "Against Dark Elves, I have nothing," he snapped. "But against liars! A fool who believes the lies he is told, deserves to be told nothing but lies. A Dark Elf with the blood of a Valië running through her ... and one who claims that the Light Elves not only speak with the Dark Ones, not only interact with them - but also intermarry! Impossible!"

Rhea stared. "That's why you arrested them?" she asked in disbelief. "Because you don't believe that the Light Elves would marry with the Dark Elves?"

He scowled at her. "The little one is right, we were once of their number. But their stubbornness, their closed-mindedness ... they could not tolerate anyone who was different, anyone! How could we stay with them? And how could they change? War or no war, the Light Elves would never allow their blood to be mingled with that of the Dark Elves. They would consider it beneath themselves."

Aethos's eyes narrowed as he looked at Lin. "Remember who you are talking to, little girl," he said in a threatening voice. "I am First Sola, and while the king is away, I am the authority in this place. If you do not wish to find yourself in a cell as well, it would do you well to learn to hold your tongue."

"Lin," Rhea murmured to her, hoping that the fire-haired elves would not understand her, "please ... be careful. He is royalty, and most royalty is not like Earendil's family." She turned back to Aethos. "My lord, whether or not you choose to believe us is your own decision. But what ruler punishes those who have not been proven guilty of a crime? And if indeed Prince Earendil has been telling you the truth - which I can prove - then you are guilty of wrongfully imprisoning someone who is your equal."

Aethos glared at Rhea. "You say that you can prove his honesty," he nodded. "Then prove it."

Rhea reached into her cloak, and from a pocket inside it she pulled a picture. She held the small canvas out to the man. "My family."

He took the canvas and looked at it. He brushed his thumb over the image, shook it a few times, and then looked back up at Rhea. "Relations?"

She stepped forward to show him. "My parents. My grandparents - who you can clearly see are one Light Elf, one Dark Elf. My father's sister and her family."

He looked at the image a bit longer, then looked at her. "And your story of having the blood of Yavanna within you ..."

Rhea spread her wings. "How do you think we came to the island?" she asked him.

He frowned at her. "Both of you?" He looked over at Lin. "Don't tell me you also have the blood of the Valar within you."

"Angel," Aethos murmured thoughtfully. He glanced back at Rhea. "Well, we will find out in time if that is the truth or not. I will take you to your prince. I hope that satisfies you."

Rhea arched one eyebrow as if to say, are you kidding? But she simply nodded. "For now. Thank you."

Aethos spoke sharply to the man who had brought them there, and then he motioned for Lin and Rhea to follow him out into the hall again. "Tell me," he said to them as he led them, "what brought you to our land?"

Aethos looked at Lin, his eyes narrowing. "You seem as if you have something else you are thinking of," he said suspiciously. "Please tell me."

Living constantly at war with the gnomes had made him a very suspicious man - but that was what had kept him alive for so long.

Aethos looked confused, and Rhea laughed. "The place she is talking about is where I live," she explained to the first sola. "Basically what she is saying is that one of our fighters looks as though she might come from here."

Aethos nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "And ... she fights dragons, you say?" he asked cautiously.