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Earendil chuckled. "Like Uncle Elrohir. He used to be very uptight, but looking at him now you would never imagine it. He used to be just as bad as my father - worse, actually."

He followed Lin up onto Ulani and Ulrich's porch, and stepped forward to knock.

Earendil grinned. "Shall we ask him about it later?" he asked, winking at Lin teasingly.

Before she could answer though, the door opened, and Ulani appeared in the doorway. She smiled at the two, genuinely glad to see them, and opened the door wider so that they could come in.

"Welcome back," she beamed at them. "I'm glad you decided to give us another chance." She chuckled at Earendil. "And today, I have pie to give you, if you would like a slice."

Ulani grinned at her. "It's strawberry, one of my favourites. There was also a peach pie, but I gave it to Aliya last night for her family's dinner."

Earendil followed Lin inside and took a seat in one of the chairs. "It still smells good in here," he grinned, making himself comfortable. "As if the pie is still fresh."

Ulani laughed and closed the door again. "Well, that's probably because there's another one on the go," she affirmed. "Actually, it's already cooling in the window. And as long as Ulrich doesn't touch it, I'll be bringing it over to Adonai and Shael."

"That and he's a terrible snoop," Ulani quipped. "But I warned him this morning, and if he sneaks any of it, he's going to be in trouble."

"Now why would I do that?" Ulrich's voice cut in from the hallway. He appeared in the living room, a pout upon his lips. "Honestly, don't you trust me? We've been married three and a half thousand years!"

"No," Ulani replied dryly, "I don't. Not when it comes to food. And it's for our son and his family, so don't you dare touch it."

Earendil chuckled. It was so different from the day before ... if this was what they were really like, then he would have no worries about them.

"And you, Lin," Ulrich grinned back at Lin, putting aside his act. "And of course you, Earendil," he added, turning to the prince. "I must apologize for yesterday. I overstepped my boundaries. I am very sorry."

Earendil held up one hand. "The past is in the past," he said firmly. "Let us just hope for a better future."

Ulrich grinned at him. "Deal."

"Now just be sure you keep that promise," Ulani told him, smiling faintly. "I'll be keeping an eye on you."

Earendil chuckled. "Sounds like a plan."

He had already settled into one of the chairs by the fireplace, but now Ulrich also took a seat on the chair opposite him. Ulani just smiled.

"Lin, would you like some pie?" she asked. "And go ahead and put Miyuki on the floor, the only thing you have to watch out for is the fireplace, and that's just because of the soot. It won't be hot."

Ulani grinned. "And Earendil already said yes, and Ulrich doesn't need to be asked ... right. I'll be right back then." And she headed off towards the kitchen.

Ulrich smiled at Earendil. "Now tell me, Earendil. How is the queen? We don't often have people here who can give us news of her, and we haven't seen her in a very long time."

Earendil smiled. "She's doing well. Our country is at peace, for the most part, so that helps. She's busy with preparations for the talks with the humans, so ..."

He tilted his head slightly. "I wasn't aware that you knew her."

Ulrich rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well ... Ulani was very close to the previous queen, Atalya's great ... great great grandmother. I think there were eight generations in there or something. Anyways, when Regan was assassinated, Ulani and I returned to help in the ensuing war, and when Atalya was made queen officially, Ulani helped her out for a bit. So we spent a few years with her."