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"The woodsmith is a person who works with wood," Earendil explained. "The make all sorts of things - furniture, boxes, chests, posts, ornaments, toys, statues, games ... perhaps we'll find something there that you like."

He smiled down at her. He really did want to reward her somehow for behaving so well (so much better than Aethos even), and the wood shop seemed a good place to look for something.

In the end, they visited several more shops, and though Earendil never did end up buying anything for Miyuki (she didn't seem as interested in anything as she was in that ear clasp) or for Lin (since if he did get her anything he wanted it to be a surprise, and in private), he did end up getting Aethos to try a bit of candy.

By the time they headed back to the castle, several hours had passed, and though Aethos was as quiet as he had been before, he seemed much more thoughtful. he was pondering about some of the comments he had overheard while he had browsed wares and Earendil had spoken with shopkeepers, as well as the pleasure that the others had taken in simply looking around at things. He didn't understand it, but it intrigued him.

"Think it's a good time to suggest he come with us to the Southland sometime?" Earendil asked Lin in the common tongue as they headed into the castle with Aethos.

Earendil nodded, then turned back to Aethos.

"Aethos-sola," he began, "we were wondering ... perhaps ... when we return to our land, would you be interested in joining us? You could stay at my family's palace, as our guest. See how things are, how the continent has changed since your people left it."

Aethos looked thoughtful at the idea, but hesitant.

When Aethos still hesitated, Earendil added, "And you could see what the Westland Elves - the Light Elves - are like now. See whether they're the same or different from when you left so long ago."

Aethos looked up at Earendil. "That was thousands of years before I was born," he told him softly. "I wouldn't know what they used to be like ... all I know is what I was told."

"Then compare that," Earendil chuckled. "Find out the truth for yourself, see it with your own eyes. Best way to learn things, I've discovered."

"That is true," Aethos mused. He thought a moment longer, then nodded slowly. "Perhaps it would be a good idea," he murmured. "After all, Aerin spent such a long time there ... it would be good for me to see where she was, to learn what she learned. Yes ... yes, I believe it would be a good idea for me to accompany you." He smiled at Earendil. "Thank you."

Earendil smiled widely. "You are quite welcome," he replied warmly.

Earendil smiled at Miyuki. "Aethos-sola will be coming with us when our work is done and we return home," he told her. "Isn't that going to be fun?"

As they headed towards the dining hall for dinner, they heard voices behind them, and Aerin, Caranthir, Elros, Shea and Mikhail appeared in the hall behind them. It seemed they had arrived back at the castle only a few moments after Lin and Earendil and the others, and were also on their way to the dining hall.

Elros broke into a wide smile when he saw Lin, but he kept his place behind Aerin until they caught up with them.

"Hello, Lin," he said warmly, his icy blue eyes sparkling brightly. "It is wonderful to see you again. Alena told me that you were here."

He looked down at Miyuki, then smiled warmly at her, too. "And Miyuki. Hello. It is lovely to meet you. I have known your mother for a very long time."