<b>Pegawen wrapped her arm around Lotharn and glanced over to Allassiel, who pursed her lips before responding, “They can't drag us back, though they may try to convince us to go with them. If there were a way … I've always wanted to see where we came from. Don't you, Pegawen?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>See it, yes. But I wouldn't want to stay.” She studied her cousin before nodding. “You miss them, don't you?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>They're safe.” She turned away from the group and strode over to a guard standing by the door. <br/>
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As the others turned their questioning gazes on Pegawen, she studied them and lowers her voice. “My cousin has children, two daughters, who went to Valinor with her father on one of the last ships to sail. She insisted they go but I know she misses them and --” She motions towards the door as Allassiel returns to them. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>They wait for us in the courtyard. Allasea's pets are making the guards nervous, we should go down to them.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>No need.” <br/>
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Both Allassiel and Pegawen snapped to attention at the amused voice, the cloaked figure overshadowed by the largest bear anyone had seen. “Jax is very well behaved.” She snapped her fingers and the large animal folded himself up into a ball, waiting. </b><br/>“<b>Hiril Allasea, mae govannen.” Pegawen stepped away from Lotharn and curtsied to the figure. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Have to admit,” Allassiel started, eyeing the sleeping bear, “No one was expecting you. There'd been reports that you were dead.”</b><br/><br/><b>A pair of slender hands appeared from beneath the cloak, drawing the hood back to reveal a pair of dark blue eyes and a mess of reddish hair clipped up, tendrils of curls framing her round face. “As you can see, I'm very much alive. I wonder, though, which tale you heard.” <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>You … you started the rumors!” Pegawen gaped at her in amazement. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>How else is one to live in peace?” Allasea's lip curled into an impish grin, but her gaze went around the room, studying each in turn.</b><br/><br/>“<b>Damnit Allasea, could you at least tell this beast of yours not to block the doorway.” The bear let out a snort, almost as though he were laughing, but moved enough for a tall male to enter, pushing strands of pale hair from his face as he looked around. “Mae govannen,” he said, bowing to the group before his gaze found Allassiel. “My dear! There you are. It's been far too long.” Before Allassiel could respond, Haldir stepped forward and enveloped her in a hug, towering over her. “And little Pegawen. Still haven't grown up, I see.” He released the shocked Allassiel and reached for Pegawen who let out an indignant sound. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>I have too grown up. You're just … just .. tall!” She suffered the hug from him before stepping back to look past him at Allasea. “You have to tell us what you've been doing since we last saw you. It's been almost 100 years.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Soon enough, there's plenty of time for that. But on our way here Haldir and I heard tales of a darkness spreading through this land. Tell me, what is going on?”</b>