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And so they passed the day away with tales of the rocs, until at last Elros put one hand on Lin's shoulder and murmured, "We should return to the palace."

He smiled at their host politely. "We thank you, sir, for giving us your time."

Astor smiled and bowed his head to his guests. "You are welcome. And please, return at any time if you wish to know more. It is rare that I find someone who is so interested in the history of our great friends."

Elros bowed his head back at the man. "Thank you. We will remember your invitation."

And with that, he turned to the street and began to head out again.

Elros smiled at Lin. "Indeed, it was quite fascinating," he agreed. "It is one thing to actually work with the rocs, but to know how and why it came about is something entirely different. Really, I am filled with a whole new appreciation for the creatures."

As they reached the main street and continued walking, Earendil's voice came from behind them: "Lin!"

He and the others were just starting back to the castle as well, and were only a street behind Lin and Elros.

Earendil chuckled, and once the two groups met up he gave her a light kiss on the forehead. "Where's Miyuki?" he asked, and though he was smiling there was a slightly worried edge to his voice. "Is she all right?"

It was the first time he had seen Lin without Miyuki, other than when Miyuki was in bed.

Earendil just about fell over when Miyuki tackled his leg. "Miyuki," he blinked down at her. "Slow down a bit, you're talking too fast ..."

Obviously Miyuki had had a good day. He bent over and tried to pry her off his leg - if he didn't end up with a bruise, he would be amazed.

Elros tilted his head slightly. "I wonder how she knew when to come back," he murmured. Or which way to go, for that matter.

Earendil grinned and lifted Miyuki in his arms and hugged her tightly. "And it sounds like you had a lot of fun," he replied, kissing her on the cheek. "How did you end up going off with them?"

Elros smiled to himself. "The one we can trust to know when it's dinner time," he murmured back to Lin.

Earendil was amazed that she would go off so quickly on her own, leaving her mother behind, and there was a part of him that wondered ... would she do that if he had been present? Or would she have continued to cling?

"And what did you play with them?" he asked her curiously, wondering what could keep her occupied and not worried about her parents for a whole day.

Elros smiled and nodded at Lin, then turned to the others. "Perhaps we should return to the castle. Dinner will be soon."

Aerin and Caranthir were already on their way with Shea and Mikhail, and Elros took Alena's arm and began to follow after them.

"Fall of the Gnomes?" Earendil repeated with a smile, putting one hand on Miyuki's back. "That sounds fascinating. Who had the bad luck of playing the gnomes that had to fall? And who were the other characters?"

He hadn't been above playing war when he was a child either - though it had mostly been by himself with a few toys, or on paper, rather than running around with other children.