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"I hope every day that he will see reason," Aerin murmured. "But until then, I dare not allow him to see our father. I know that my brother could be be a great asset to this kingdom. It will just take time for him to see that as well."

But there had been progress since her initial arrival, and she was still hopeful. She was still considering, now and again, a public trial for her father. He would receive the punishment befitting him, and Aethos would hear all at once the charges laid against him. Perhaps that was the eye-opener that he needed.

"At any rate," she went on, shaking her thoughts away, "I am so glad that you have come. It is as if our nation has been reborn, and we are just about starting over from new. We are in need of your help."

She looked at Shea and Mikhail. "My Lords, I hope that I have not presumed too much in asking for your aid. My people at the moment are in a city far too small for them, and I know the layout of the city is far from ideal. Lord Shea, I understand that you are an architect. You have the ability to design buildings and cities that make the most use of their space. Lord Mikhail, you have directed the construction of many buildings and. I ask you, will you help me to rebuild my nation, so that my people may thrive?"

The two brothers did not hesitate, but both of them bowed their heads respectfully. As one, they replied, "We would be honoured, Your Majesty."

Aerin smiled warmly at them, her green eyes bright, and she said, "Thank you."

Then she turned to Earendil and said, "Lord Earendil, you who have spent almost your whole life in the palace of your birth, who knows the ways of the court as well as anyone who lives there. I am new to ruling, despite being queen for now three years. I know little or nothing about running a country in a way that is profitable to all. I ask for your aid in setting up a system of justice, an economy, and a system of court."

Earendil smiled and bowed his head as his uncles had. "Your Majesty gives me too much credit," he said formally, "but I shall strive to do my utmost to help you."

Aerin's smile grew wider. "Thank you." She looked around at everyone. "And now that that business is out of the way, enjoy yourselves. Eat all you like."

It was clear that she was trying to make them feel at ease, trying to keep things from getting too formal. She was still the same Aerin that she had ever been, though admittedly more open and friendly now.

Once everyone had finished eating, servants came and took the dishes and leftovers away, and Aerin and Caranthir turned back towards their guests.

"Well," Aerin said thoughtfully, "I'm sure you would all be eager to get your business done so that you can return home ... but I'm afraid I can't split myself, so it will have to be one task at a time. Perhaps if we start with the city itself, and once the construction has begun, then Earendil, we could begin our work?"

Earendil nodded. "That's fine with me. Shall I just wander for now, then?"

"If you like." Aerin turned to Lin and smiled. "I know how adventurous you always were. Perhaps you and Earendil would like to show your daughter around for now."

Aurin stepped forward. "If I may," he offered, "I am sure that Rhea would like to see them."

Aerin smiled in relief and nodded. "Good. Then why don't you show them their rooms as well, and I will go with Lords Shea and Mikhail to the city to show them around?"

She turned to Lin and Earendil and smiled widely. "I shall see you again later. I hope that you have a wonderful afternoon. And please, if there is anything that you need, just ask. We would be more than happy to help you."

"Rhea," Earendil replied, taking up his bag again and reaching for Lin's so that she could focus on Miyuki. "But first we're going to put our things away, all right? Captain Striate is going to show us to our rooms."

"That's right," Aurin grinned. "Follow me."

He led them towards the stairs at the back of the room that led upwards into the castle. "So how was your trip?" he asked them as he led them upstairs.

Aurin's face lit up brightly in the dark stairwell. "Amalirahc is here as well?" he asked eagerly. "Excellent! Then we will be able to catch up with Leyenda and Kelirahc as well. That makes me glad, they were always fun to be around, too."

At the top of the stairs, he turned down the hall and continued forward. "You'll be very close to our room," he told them, "and if you ever need anything feel free to knock on our door. Rhea really should rest most of the time now, but she still likes to get out and help with things when she can get away with it."

He chuckled softly. Obviously Rhea still amused him, even while pregnant.

"It's her through and through," Aurin laughed. "But by the Valar, she's more beautiful every day with this pregnancy. You wouldn't think to look at her that it's her first. She's doing so well with it ..."

He pointed at a door as they passed it. "That's our room. I'll take you to see Rhea after you're settled into your own."

He stopped at the next door over. "Lin and Miyuki, this one is for you," he told them, opening the door for them. "Earendil, you're right beside them."

The room was a large one, somewhat similar to the rooms in the Southland palace. There was a singular queen-sized bed against the middle of one wall, and then a closet and desk and wardrobe and so on. The decoration was a bit different though: the windows, rather than a single arched window in the middle of the outside wall, were small rectangular windows that covered the entire wall. There were only two large curtains to cover them, though.

"Make yourselves at home," the captain told them with a warm smile. "Let me know if there's anything that you need."

Earendil chuckled as he set Lin's bag down on the bed. "It's good to know that she's the same wherever she goes," he grinned. "I'm just going to drop my bag in my room and I'll be right back then."

He grinned at Lin, then headed to the door to get rid of his bag.

Aurin turned back to Lin and smiled at her. "So when did Earendil finally say something to you?" he asked curiously. "Rhea told me that by the time you came here, you would be together, but beyond that ..."

Aurin chuckled softly. "Not the most intelligent of timing, I would say. But then, he always was sensitive of the subject."

He smiled at Lin. "Though I imagine it came as quite a surprise to you. Perhaps I did not know you long before, but you do seem to wear your emotions on your sleeve, as Rhea's people would say."