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Earendil chuckled as he made his way up the stairs. "I would comment on the food, but I know that's not what you're asking about," he grinned. "I think it went very well. Aerin is obviously quite comfortable in her new position. Actually, she reminds me a lot of Ninako - she applies herself in every way to being Queen of her country, but she's still a person. And I still think Aethos is just plain lost in all of it. He doesn't realize that it's all right for a ruler to be a normal person."

"Maybe all he needs is a wife," Earendil quipped, still holding Miyuki to himself. "Like how Uncle Elrohir changed completely when he met Haradhel."

That still amused him, even now that his uncle was a great-grandfather.

"I beg to differ," Earendil grinned. "While I do admit, Aethos is completely socially inept, Uncle Elrohir wasn't much better - and he had a better upbringing, I know for certain."

He opened the door to Lin's bedroom and headed in, still carrying Miyuki. "Either way, someone has to get into Aethos's head and show him what's what. Someone who isn't afraid of him."

"There's got to be someone who isn't afraid of him," Earendil puzzled as he set Miyuki gently on the bed. He kissed her forehead, then stood up and took a step back to give Lin room to tuck her in. "I mean ... of the entire nation, there isn't one person who isn't afraid of him?"

Though maybe this was one thing that taking him to another country would help.

Earendil shrugged and started back towards the door. With Miyuki asleep, he wasn't worried about leaving her alone. "I have no idea," he admitted. "I suppose we could ask Aerin or Alena ... I mean, it's clear that Aerannel wanted Aethos to be like him: not care about the people, not think about what's best for them; just have a system that works for him, and forget about the rest."

Earendil chuckled and squeezed Lin's hand back. "Yes, well. Patience is a virtue, after all."

He wasn't sure where they were going or if they even had a particular destination, so he was just kind of wandering and letting Lin lead.

"Still," he smiled, "I think he eventually got the idea that pleasure is important in life. I'm not going to hold my breath, but I think we may have made a bit of progress with him today."

He hesitated, then added, "There's a part of me that wants to have a talk with the former king, as well. Just to ask him what was wrong with his head when he was reigning."

"He probably justifies everything he ever did," Earendil replied simply. "That's what's so scary. He probably required a reason for everything - Aethos does, after all, and he probably learned that from his father."

He shrugged. "And if he is mad ... well, it's not as if we've got hopes in going to talk to him, do we? In a case like that, then at least we have our answer."

A slow smile spread over Earendil's face, and he nodded at Lin's words.

"Yes," he murmured, "you're right. This place is moving on ... and at a very good pace. It almost feels as if the people were waiting for this to happen ... as if they were waiting for their first opportunity to rise against their king without fear. They're so free now, and so happy ..."