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"And one thing about him," Leyenda grinned proudly, "he's very protective of those he cares about."

Shiro chuckled. "So you might want to be careful when you go in there."

Leyenda laughed. It was true, there was no telling how Celeb might react to Alena if he thought she were the one who had imprisoned Haldia and Earendil for the night. And he was quick to jump to conclusions: he might not even let them explain first.

"Once he knows the facts," Shiro chuckled. "Anyways, go ahead. The sooner you go in there, the more like she will be awake."

Alena nodded, looking both relieved and uncertain. "Thank you," she murmured softly.

Leyenda smiled and put one hand on her shoulder. "Come. This way," she murmured, leading the woman towards the quarters at the bow of the ship.

But Shiro felt as if it weren't his place to go along. Sure, he had spent a lot of time with Haldia during their time on her island, but she had enough people caring about her now - she didn't need to feel crowded.

He smiled and shook his head at Lin, letting her know that he wouldn't be coming with.

It wasn't far to Haldia's quarters: having taken over the quarters that were once Celeb's, it was on the first deck, and there was no need even to go to the end of the hall.

Leyenda knocked lightly on the door before peering inside. "Haldia?" she called softly.

There were indeed soft whispers coming from inside the room, but they stopped the moment Leyenda poked her head in.

Haldia was lying on her bed, her back against the wall, wrapped tightly in her blanket and with a few extras piled on top, just about hidden now. Only her head was poking out the top, as well as one hand that Celeb, seated on the bed next to her head, was holding tightly.

Celeb looked at Alena as the others filed into the room, and tilted his head at her curiously.

"I've never seen anyone like you before," he said quietly, his eyes filled with curiosity. "But your hair is light ... are you a Light Elf? I've heard of them before ..."

Alena smiled warmly at the boy. "I used to be," she murmured softly in reply.

An interesting way of putting it.

Haldia peered out from under the blankets. It was strange, to see her like this. The first time anyone from the ship had seen her, she had been furious, filled with rage and anger. Over the course of their time together, they had come to know her as someone who was filled with courage, ready to face anything ... but now there she was, hiding beneath a pile of blankets: for warmth, yes; but also so that she could feel secure.

"I will be fine," she murmured barely audibly, her words slightly muffled as she spoke into the blanket.

Celeb squeezed her hand tightly. "Don't you worry, I won't let anyone hurt you again!" he said firmly.

Haldia's eyes flicked up to Alena, whom she had been trying to ignore. She didn't like the look of the woman - admittedly, she was quite beautiful, but she reminded Haldia too much of the people who had imprisoned her so coldly. Still, she wasn't the type of person to back down from anything, and she was calm now, after having been back on the ship for several hours.

She sat up partway, though she kept the blankets around her shoulders. She was used to a tropical climate, and this was far from it.

"Who are you?" she asked quietly, looking at the woman suspiciously.

Alena bowed her head respectfully, and she introduced herself and explained her reason for coming.

"I wanted to make sure that you were all right," she murmured. "I know that my lord mistreated you horribly, and I wanted to make sure that you know ... if there is anything that we can do to make it up to you, anything at all ... just let me know. You have but to speak the word."

Haldia didn't quite know what to say to that. While she hesitated, Celeb spoke up.

"Can we put the guy who put Haldia in there in there for a night?" he asked, perfectly sincere.

Celeb pouted, but Alena was trying not to laugh.

"Why not?" the boy protested. "Mama always says royalty is not above the law, they should be punished just like anyone else - and she even says it's most important so that they don't get c'rrupted!"

"Perhaps we should do that then," Alena grinned, "to teach the first sola a lesson."

"No," Haldia protested, her dark face etched with worry. "Don't - please ..." She shuddered. "I could not wish my worst enemy to spend a night with those - those -"

Alena smiled sadly and clasped her hands together. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I should not joke about such matters. In all seriousness, though, if there is anything that I can do, anything at all, to make it up to you ... name it. It does not have to be now, but any time that you wish for something, just let us know. We are at your disposal."

She bowed her head again, showing respect and true regret for what had happened.

Haldia looked at Lin sharply. She wasn't entirely sure that she would agree with that statement. There were always the dreams ... which really was the only reason she hadn't allowed herself to fall asleep yet. She knew it was just a matter of time, but she figured that if she were exhausted enough, she just might be able to escape the dreams ...

Celeb shifted on the bed, moving closer to Haldia. "I'll stay with you, don't worry," he assured her.

Haldia blinked slowly and nodded, her features softening slightly. "Thank you," she murmured, both to Celeb and to Alena. Then, to Alena, she added, "And I will keep that in mind. Thank you."