Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Not that we know of," Ulani shrugged, "though it's been a few years since we've heard from them. Who knows what could have changed?"

"Considering their duties," Ulrich nodded thoughtfully, "it could still just be the two children. Amora and Pengolodh." Or Little Pen, as he was jokingly referred to here in the valley.

Ulani nodded. "That's where Serenity and Beren are right now," she told Lin, "so yes ... probably. And actually, I think it would be a good idea for me and Ulrich to head out that way as well. To see them, yes, and also to see how Elros is settled into his new position."

She had to admit, even though she hadn't spent a lot of time with the man, she sort of missed him. Everyone did, she thought.

"All of them," Ulani smiled.

Throughout the entire conversation, Ruran had looked mildly interested, but there was one question now that was rattling around in his brain, one question to which he wanted to know the answer.

"What duties would keep them from having more kids?" he asked curiously.

Celebor looked thoughtfull, trying to decide just how much to tell Ruran. On the one hand, it wasn't as if Pen and Lothirel's position there had any bearing on them here, not in the same way that Atalya's queenship did in the Southland. And maybe if he did tell the boy, then Ruran would actually begin to behave, at least somewhat.

"Our cousins, Estel and Lothiriel," he said finally, "are King and Queen of the Eastland. You will not be visiting them, however, until you know how to behave yourself ... at all times." He raised one eyebrow and looked at Ruran to make his point.

Ruran's eyes grew wide, and he nodded thoughtfully. Maybe this would be something worth working towards ...

"Mostly," Ulani nodded, "though New Kaliningrad is built on an oasis ... I've never been there, so I don't know what it looks like, but I imagine it must be quite beautiful."

"They have flowers that don't grow here," Ulrich added, "since our soil is too rich, if you can believe that." He chuckled softly. "It's amazing, that there are plants that can grow in sand ..."

For a moment, Ulrich just grinned, and then he laughed heartily. "Lin," he chuckled, "we wouldn't expect anything less from you."

Ulani laughed softly. Indeed, it would be more surprising if Lin said she was going to visit somewhere and didn't stay more than a week.

"You are," Ulani agreed. "To be fair, you talk a lot about your travels - past and future. If you ever settle into one place, I'll be amazed. That's all I can say about it."

She couldn't help but wonder just how much time Lin spent at home, even when she was in her own world for days or even weeks at a time.