Finn surveyed their guests. This was the first time they’d had a chance to dine together despite best efforts to have a casual meal with Artremaya before they sat down for this formal one. Circumstances–and Marikoth–had made that all impossible. Considering how stiff everyone was–including those who didn’t know what they had to discuss–made Finn toy with the lovely food on his plate instead of eating it. Well, except for Tearlach. He was never stiff.

Serxio had determined that a round table for the dinner would be the best. Finn and Rohan sat next to one another with Hugues on Rohan’s other side and Thalanil on Finn’s. Tearlach had been torn about whether he wished to sit closer to family–Finn and Thalanil–or by his beloved Rohan.