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"That, and he really didn't like the fact that Alena and Elros were married," Rhea added.

Aurin nodded. "His Majesty had been trying to entice Lady Alena into some sort of relationship for ... well, since Her Majesty the Queen died. It was a source of constant frustration for him that she would not consent ... and yet he kept her at his side, as his advisor. So when he learned that she was married and had never told him ..."

"He just about killed her on the spot," Rhea finished for him. "Would have, if Elros hadn't intervened."

"And then there was the fact that we were married," Aurin continued. "And that Her Majesty adamantly refused to bow down to him."

"You know what the best part was?" Rhea grinned, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "The moment Aerin had him by the throat, the moment he looked weak, everyone turned on him. If only you could have seen the look on his face ... it was as if he couldn't even believe what was happening! As if it weren't possible that his people might not like him!"

"His son was his only true supporter," Aurin spoke up quietly, seriously, "and still is. Aethos-sola is the greatest danger to our Queen, and to our nation. And I hope more with each passing day that he might see this, and change."

"He needs more than time," Rhea murmured softly, serious as well now. "He needs someone to help him. Nurture him. Really show him that things are indeed better now. He's simply lost without his father. Everything had been so dictated to him before that he never learned the ability to think for himself. Really, it makes me wonder what Aerin would have been like, had she not been taken away from here at such a young age, and for so long."

She blinked suddenly. "Maybe that's what Aethos-sola needs," she mused. "Maybe he needs to see other lands, to see that things are much better when the ruler is not a dictator."

"Call it an exchange program," Rhea smiled. "Where he can visit another country and learn, and return here and apply his new knowledge. I think that, because he's still here, he can see things only as they were, and not as they should be. But if he were to see that this isn't just for Aerin's benefit, but for the entire nation, then perhaps he would be more acceptant of her. He would be able to see it working in a place that is neutral to him."

And maybe he would realize that Aerin wasn't just in it for the power, as his father had been.

"The question is then," Earendil murmured, "who should be the one to suggest it to Aethos? I mean, he's clearly not going to listen to any of you ... no offense, but he clearly doesn't trust you, if he thinks you're all a part of a plot to usurp the throne from his father."

"Do you think he would listen to you?" Rhea asked in a challenging tone.

Rhea shrugged. "Perhaps if you could bring it up in conversation, if you run into him," she suggested. "Which ..." The mischievous look returned to her eyes. "I could give you an idea of where he would be at certain times of day ..."

Earendil chuckled. "Ever the plotter," he grinned. "But it does sound like a plan."

"That is one way of putting it," Rhea giggled. "I think I'm about ready for a rest again, but if you're interested in finding Aethos-sola, he should be ... heading to the dining hall for his own lunch. Just saying. Not as if you have to talk to him or anything."

"It might be better if we do," Earendil murmured, looking down at Lin thoughtfully. "Even if we don't bring up the subject of him going anywhere, we should just say hello and catch up a bit. Feel him out, so to speak - find out his thoughts and such."