Welcome to Gaia! ::

Haldia smiled faintly at Lin. "Thank you, Lin," she murmured softly, laying down again. "Right now, all I want is to rest ... to have some peace and quiet, without hearing those creatures in my mind ..."

She hesitated a moment, and then asked, "Is Earendil back yet?"

Haldia nodded, clearly relieved by the news. "Then I can rest better," she murmured, "knowing that he is safe from that place."

Leyenda bit her lip, opting not to tell Haldia that Shiro was planning on going there, or that Earendil was planning on returning once he was feeling up to it again. She turned to Alena. "I think we should leave her be for now," she said softly.

Alena nodded. Yes, Haldia needed her rest ... and she needed peace of mind. Without a word, she turned towards the door, trying to give Haldia the quiet that she desired.

Back on deck, Shiro had just finished getting the full story from Arwen. As the others returned, he smiled at Alena. "I hope you found her in good health," he said sincerely.

Alena wasn't entirely sure how to answer that. "Physically, yes," she replied hesitantly, "but I fear that we have given her a fright that she may not soon, or even ever, get over."

She paused, looking at Shiro thoughtfully. "You desired a wish to read through my archives ... if you would like, you may return with me, and you are free to stay as long as you wish ... all of you," she added, looking around. "Any who wish to come, as long as you are in our land, you are our welcome guests."

"I will ask my brothers if they want to come," Shiro put in. "Thank you for your offer." He bowed his head at Alena, then turned and headed towards his quarters to pack his things and get his brothers.

Alena nodded at Lin. "I will send someone tomorrow to see if he is ready to come," she replied. "Anyone else who wishes to come along is welcome as well. And if there is any message that you wish to bring to us before then, anyone from here will be welcome at the castle. I promise that no one will receive such a reception again as happened yesterday."

The prince would learn his lesson, if he had not already.

Alena smiled warmly at Lin. "It is an honour for us to have you," she said sincerely. "Especially with the news that you bring to us. Believe me when I say that there is no way we could ever repay you even simply for that. And when King Aerennel returns from the field, we will have a feast in honour of all of you. Then you will see the true hospitality of the Sky Elves."

It was then that Shiro returned, Kaito following after him. Ura had opted to stay on the ship, to convey any messages that Shiro might want to send. The two nekos had their bags with them, and though Shiro had his jacket on, Kaito simply had his wings wrapped around his shoulders. They were thick and warm, and he had no need for a cloak or a jacket.

"We're ready," Shiro smiled at Alena.

Alena nodded. "Then we should return, before Aethos-sola begins to worry," she smiled. "Come. Kelirahc said that he would take us back."

Kelirahc was still standing with his dragon, which he had not un-summoned when they came back to the ship, knowing that they would be returning again shortly. Leyenda was with him, and she had given him a cloak to wear for the flight, since she couldn't start any clothes for him until he was back again.

"Ready to go?" he asked Alena and the two nekos as they approached.

Shiro nodded. "All set."

"See you later, Lin," Kaito grinned and waved back at her. "Make sure you take care of Earendil, all right? He tends to get lost in his work and forget about anything else."

He made Lore look sane, really. Not that Shiro was any better. Then again, Lore did have a family now, and that did make a difference.

The group climbed up onto the dragon's back, and then they were gone.