So, I made a map of the re-united world as portrayed in this fic, including the new borders of the duchies and provinces. Unfortunatly, the web address keeps getting stripped out of this author's note, so I'm gonna go stick the address in my otherwise barren profile. Thanks for continuing to review, guys; I'm glad to know I'm not the only one enjoying this!

The meeting with the king the next day was shorter, and would be the last for several days, much to Lloyd's relief. People would be breaking into groups to discuss the most pressing issues. Lloyd would be on the committee to deal with laws involving half-elves, something he understood a lot better than the intricacies of Tethe'allian politics. Meanwhile, the dukes and a representative from each Sylvarant town would be dividing up the land into Provinces and Duchies- Provinces headed by Sylvarant towns, and Duchies under the control of the dukes of Tethe'alla. Zelos and Regal had rather heavily lobbied for this plan; their influence had convinced the king rather quickly.

"Hey, Lloyd, bud!"

Lloyd turned around. "Hey Zelos."

Zelos and another man- Arin Couglier, Lloyd remembered- walked up to him. They were still in the castle, but a little ways away from the crowd of people leaving the meeting. "Lloyd, this is Lord Arin Couglier, the Baron of Ardra. I introduced you to his wife a couple days ago, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember. Uh, pleased to meet you," he said, addressing Arin.

"Likewise," said Arin.

"Yeah, anyway, I've got so many people who want to talk to me right now, it's crazy. I'm just so loved! Catch you later, guys!" With that, Zelos walked off.

They watched the red-haired Chosen saunter off.

"Ah, Lloyd. I asked Zelos to introduce me to you for a reason."

"Oh?"

"You're from Iselia, correct?"

"Yeah, that's right. Why?"

"My land- well, when the worlds united, my land wound up on the continent of Sylvarant. Having looked at maps of the current lay of the land, it seems likely I will either fall under the jurisdiction of Iselia, or of the Duke of Toize."

"Uh, okay..." Lloyd said, confused.

"I... would prefer to be under the jurisdiction of Iselia. And I believe that Iselia would benefit from my presence."

"Why's that?" Lloyd asked. "I mean, if you don't mind my asking."

"I have... well, that is, some craftsmen in the village of Ardra have been experimenting with magitechnology. I desire to expand their operations, but the laws of Tethe'alla allow the dukes to control such development in their duchies. The Duke of Toize... would probably not be open to such things."

"Oh," said Lloyd. "Um, I still don't quite get why you're telling me about this, though."

Arin raised his eyebrows. "Well, you know Eleanor Green, correct?" Eleanor was Iselia's representative.

"Well, yeah, of course. I mean, Iselia's pretty small, we all know each other."

"Could you introduce me to her?"

"Uh, well, I don't know where she is or anything..."

"That's fine. Excuse me?" he asked a nearby palace guard.

"Yes, sir?"

"Do you know where I might find the representative of Iselia?"

"Certainly, sir," said the guard, "She's in her quarters in the guest wing, in the Violet Room."

"Thank you," Arin said. "You see, Lloyd?"

"Uh, so why didn't you just go talk to her yourself?"

Arin shrugged. "These things always seem to go better when you're introduced by somebody."

"Huh. Well, okay, I guess. I mean, since you're a friend of Zelos and all."

"Thank you."

"So how long have you known Zelos?" asked Lloyd as they walked towards the guest wing.

"Mmm, about eight years now, I think. I met him when I spent a few years living in Meltokio."

"Oh, so you've been friends awhile then."

"Yes, I suppose we have."

"I was just wondering because Zelos doesn't seem to have a lot of male friends."

Arin smirked. "He has always been rather a ladies' man, hasn't he."

"Yeah. You should have seen him when we first met him, he was practically fawning over Colette and Raine and Presea and he wouldn't even talk to Genis or me for days."

Arin laughed. "That sounds like Zelos, all right."

"He talks to you, though."

"Yes, well, he talks to you, too. He seems to think very highly of you, actually. Mmm, I think the Violet Room is somewhere around here. Right, here we are."

Lloyd knocked. "Come in," he heard Eleanor say. He pushed open the door.

"Lloyd! How are you, dear?" said Eleanor, who was sitting alone at a table covered in maps. Her slightly greying hair was pulled back into a loose bun.

"I'm fine, how are you?" Lloyd said automatically.

"Well enough."

"Oh yeah, uh, this is Arin Couglier. He's the Baron of Ardra." Lloyd said, hoping that he'd done that right. Was he supposed to have stuck a 'Lord' in there somewhere?

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," said Eleanor.

Arin looked at Lloyd expectantly for a moment, then shook his head almost imperceptibly and said, "Good morning, Madam Green. I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time."

"Of course," said Eleanor. She gestured at a chair. "Won't you sit down? Oh, you too, Lloyd."

They sat. "Thank you," said Arin.

"Hmm," said Eleanor as she looked at the map. "Ardra... Ah, there you are. I suppose this is about the province borders, then?"

"As you say," Arin said. "It seems that Ardra could become part of the future Province of Iselia, or part of the Duchy of Toize."

"Mmm, indeed. So, are you here to beg me to take you in, or to secure your position if you're thrust under our command?"

"I wouldn't say beg, madam. I believe that including Ardra within Iselia's borders would be of mutual assistance."

"Mmmhmm, and how's that?"

"The craftsmen in my village have been developing new magitechnology lately. Until lately, we lacked the resources to do much, but with the recent, mmm, improvement in the availability of mana," he nodded at Lloyd, "I predict we make quite a lot of progress. Unfortunately, His Grace the Duke of Toize," Arin said with a tone of venomous contempt, "is unlikely to allow such research if it is not under his direct control."

"Hmmm, I see," Eleanor said. "So, if I do manage to gain your land for Iselia..."

"Then, if you will permit me free control over my own industry, I believe I will be a great asset in the growth of the Province of Iselia. To be frank, Sylvarant is at a great disadvantage in relation to Tethe'alla, technologically speaking. Having a new center of magitechnology research within your province could do wonders to change this. "

Eleanor raised her eyebrows. "Hmm. You make a good point, but it does seem awfully speculative. Lloyd, how well do you know this young man? Do you think he is capable of doing what he says?"

Lloyd started in surprise. "Uh... actually, I only just met him. He's a friend of Zelos though. Maybe you should ask him?"

"Hmmm. Well, Lord Couglier, thank you for stopping by. I'll take what you said under advisement. Perhaps, if you would like to submit more details of your little operation..."

"I'll do that," Arin said as he rose. "Thank you for your time, madam."

"So good to see you again, Lloyd, do stop by again," Eleanor said.

"Thank you," Arin said to Lloyd after they left.

"Uh, your welcome, I guess. Sorry I wasn't more useful."

"That's fine. It seems just seeing you put her in a good mood, actually."

"Heh, yeah, I guess so. I used to drive her nuts when I was a kid but lately she's liked me a lot more. Probably because I started actually being helpful around the village instead of everyone thinking I was a nuisance. She used to teach at the school, actually, before Raine came when I was ten, but lately she's mostly been helping the Mayor run the village."

"I see."

"So where are you headed now?" Lloyd asked.

Arin sighed. "I suppose I should go see what research records I have here. And yourself?"

"Uh, I promised some kids I'd tell them about our journey..." Lloyd said, a little embarrassed.

Arin laughed. "Well, then, I suppose you had better go fulfill your promise!"

"Uh, yeah. See you later!"

"Until we meet again."

oOoOoOo

Somehow, Lloyd managed to entirely finish his tale with the children by sunset. This was partially because he had more time, and partially because he spent far less time describing minor battles. This did mean that he himself figured far less heavily in the story, but since he wouldn't be able to return the next day, he felt the sacrifice was necessary. There were quite a few half-elf children in his audience, clumped together but not entirely separate from the human children. And there were no anti-half-elf outbursts this time.

When he got back to the house, he discovered Zelos in the living room with Arin and Lianna. "Hey, Lloyd, welcome back!" Zelos said.

"Oh, hi everyone," Lloyd said. "Where are Genis and Raine?"

"Out with some other half-elves," said Zelos.

"I'm glad to see you again, Lloyd," Lianna said, giving him a radiant smile.

"Yeah, glad to see you too," Lloyd said as he sat down.

"But you're leaving us so soon!" Zelos said to Lianna. "It's not fair, depriving Meltokio of your beauty!"

"It's not fair to deprive Ardra of her brains, either," Arin said.

Lloyd's confusion must have shown on his face, because Lianna turned to him and said, "I'm returning to Ardra tomorrow morning to manage things there. With, well, things being how they are, I don't dare stay here long, but Arin needs to stay to manage the political side of things."

Zelos sighed dramatically. "It's unfair, I'm telling you. Why can't Arin leave and you stay?"

Lianna laughed. "Zelos, you know perfectly well..."

"Yeah, yeah, you have your reasons," Zelos said. "I don't have to be happy about it though."

At that moment, Sebastian entered the room. "Dinner is served," he said in his ever-dignified not-quite-monotone.

They moved to the dining room. The topic soon turned to the new Church doctrine.

"So they're letting half-elves into the church now..." Arin said. "That's going to cause an uproar."

"Yeah, well, Colette insisted," Zelos said. "And somehow, they actually listen to her."

"Unlike their own little black sheep of a Chosen?" Arin commented.

"Yeah, Zelos, the church seems to really hate you!" Lloyd said.

"You're both horrible and I hate you."

"Well, I don't hate you, Zelos," Lianna said.

Zelos looked smug. "I knew I could count on your everlasting love."

"Anyway," Lianna said, "about the half-elves in the Church. I wonder if all the priests will accept it?"

"I wonder how many half-elves will actually become part of the Church," Arin said.

"And how many humans will leave it once half-elves start coming in," Lianna said. "That, combined with the rumors about Cruxis..."

"What rumors?" Lloyd asked.

"Well, that they were evil. That they were half-elves. That they were in league with the Desians." Lianna said.

"That Martel is actually a hideous she-beast, part half-elf, part dragon, part wolf, intent on devouring our souls, and that Cruxis was how she manipulated us into worshipping her to increase her demonic powers..." Arin put in. "Though the woman I heard that one from was probably addicted to serack, so I doubt it's a widespread belief."

"Right, so aside from the drug-induced ramblings, it looks like it's mostly the truth that people are telling each other about Cruxis," Zelos said.

"And how many will still trust the church that was deceived by half-elves for so long?" Lianna said. "I think many humans will leave the Church of Martel, and then what will Sylvarant and Tethe'alla have in common?"

"Dammit, I don't know. I know I don't trust the Church at all," Zelos said. "I just hope Colette can.. like.. do her Colette thing."

"Her what?" Lloyd asked.

"Well, you know, she's... she's Colette! How can people not like her?"

Arin smirked. "Well, well, Zelos, it seems you have high regard for your potential bride-to-be."

"What? No! Nothing's decided yet!" Zelos said in a strangled tone.

"Right. Sorry, won't mention it again."

"She does seem to be a sweet girl, not that I've met her yet of course," said Lianna.

"Colette's amazing," Lloyd said. "I just wish she wasn't always so ready to sacrifice herself... I guess that's what happened when you're brought up to be the Chosen though."

"Certainly didn't happen to Zelos," Arin commented mildly. "Unless 'sacrifice himself ' secretly has a second meaning of 'throw himself headfirst into hedonism', of course."

"You see?" Zelos said to Lianna, "he does hate me!"

"I don't hate you, I'm just stating the truth. You're the one that decided that was an insult."

Zelos ignored Arin, eating his risotto with dignity.

"So," Lianna said, "The Duke of Altamira is back in power."

"It's so weird to think of Regal like that," Lloyd said.

"So, what's he like?" Arin said. "I mean, what can we expect from him?"

"Well, he seems pretty set on using the Lezereno company's resources to help people. He's more set on making amends for his mistakes than in increasing his personal power." Zelos said. "Also, he's totally got a stick up his ass."

The conversation soon turned to the personalities of the other dukes of Tethe'alla, and Lloyd was quickly lost.

oOoOoOo

"I'm going outside for a breath of fresh air," Arin announced after they had finished. "Lloyd, won't you join me?"

"Uh, sure," Lloyd said. The two of them stepped out into the back courtyard; Zelos and Lianna stayed indoors.

"By the way, thank you again for introducing me to Eleanor Green this morning," Arin said.

"I still don't see how it helped, but you're welcome," Lloyd said.

There was silence for a moment. "Same stars," Arin said after awhile.

"Huh?"

"The stars. Even though the world's changed so much, the stars are the same."

Lloyd looked up at the sky. "Yeah. The stars were the same on Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, so I guess I'm not surprised."

"Heh. I didn't even know there was such a place as Sylvarant until a few days ago. This has all come as rather a shock."

"Yeah. I guess it would be pretty scary if you didn't know what was happening."

"Mmmm. Well, regardless, it looks like things have taken a turn for the better."

"Yeah, I hope so." Lloyd sighed. "It... there's so many times that I messed up. That we did the wrong thing. I just hope that I did things right in the end."

"You planted the Great Seed, didn't you?"

"Well, yeah..."

"Then we're better off than we were before."

"Hmm."

They stood in silence for a moment.

"Hey, Arin, can I ask you something?"

Arin turned and looked at him. "Sure. Oh, and also, yes, you may address me by my given name."

"Oh gosh, sorry, I just assumed... I mean, Zelos called you... dammit, I didn't even think of that."

"It's a familiarity, that's all. I'm less... mmm... well, neither Zelos nor I are sticklers for formality, but you should be aware of it when dealing with other nobles of Tethe'alla."

"Oh. Uh, thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

"Your question?"

"Oh, yeah. I was just wondering how you and Zelos came to be friends. I mean, you don't seem... I guess you just seem to be so much more serious than he is."

"Hmm. I could say the same thing about yourself."

"Yeah, well, we spent awhile traveling with each other, so we actually had to talk to each other... I guess he can be serious, when he needs to be, but still..."

"Well, you're meeting me now, not when I was eighteen."

"Huh?"

"I was... rather less serious then. This was back before I was in charge of Ardra, when my father was alive. Zelos was fifteen. I was supposed to be tutoring him in sword-fighting. Well, I did teach him a lot about sword-fighting. I also taught him rather a lot of other things. Like how to sneak out of his house at night- and how to sneak out of the city, and get back in."

"So that's how he knew about that sewer! Wow, it's a good thing you taught him that, we'd have been sunk without that, back when there was that warrant out for his arrest."

"Well, I'm glad that knowledge came in handy for something useful. Anyway, since there I was teaching him how to get away from watchful eyes, and giving him alcohol and worril leaf and even serack, he took rather a liking to me."

"Bet you taught him how to chase girls and stuff too, huh?"

Arin gave a little laugh. "Hardly. No, no, he figured that out all by himself. Anyway, I had to return to Ardra four years ago, after the death of my father, to take up the rule of that little patch of land, you know. Thank Martel that Father had made me marry Lianna not too long beforehand. I'd have been lost without her, those first few months. I had to, well, become serious, as you say, rather quickly after that. That's what happens when you have people depending on you. But Zelos and I stayed friends."

"Huh. So you and Lianna had an arranged marriage?"

"Yes. It's pretty common among the nobility here."

"Oh. Does it ever bother you?"

Arin shrugged. "Not really, but then, I got lucky. I don't know how I'd run Ardra without her help. We've... grown fond enough of each other. Worried about Colette?"

"Yeah. I dunno, it just... she's been through so much. It doesn't seem fair for people to keep controlling her life!"

"Nobody said life was fair. She'll do alright. Even when circumstances aren't ideal, people can be happy anyway."

"Huh. I guess."

"So," Arin said after a moment. "I hear that you fight with two swords."

"What? Uh, yeah."

"I'd love to see your technique. Care for a match?"

"Oh, sure!" Lloyd said. "I haven't had a chance to practice against another person for days."

"Shall we?" Arin said.

"Uh, wait, um, shouldn't we maybe be using practice swords?" Lloyd was wearing the Material Blades at the moment.

"Mmm, I suppose that would be sensible. I think I know where Zelos keeps his, I'm sure he won't mind if I borrow them."

"Yeah, I've still got my old wooden swords in my room. I'll go get them."

They went back into the house. Lloyd went up to his room and quickly found the wooden blades he'd used back in Iselia. He returned downstairs and waited in the empty living room- he wondered a moment where the others had disappeared to- a moment before Arin returned, bearing a wood sword. "Shall we?" Arin said, indicating the lit portion of the courtyard.

Once again, Lloyd avoided drawing on the power of his exsphere, which made the two of them about an even match. Every so often Arin would stop him and ask him to demonstrate some move he'd made. Practice like this was somewhat soothing- the joy of the challenge of an evenly matched opponent, without the desperation that came when this sort of challenge came from a real battle. And it was a lot more satisfying than sitting in meetings listening to arguments he didn't understand.

After awhile, thoroughly tired out by the exercise, they returned inside. Zelos and Lianna were once again in the living room.

"Out playing with your swords?" Lianna said.

"Yes, dear," Arin said. "Here, your hair has come loose a bit. Let me." He leaned over to fuss with her hair.

"So what were you two up to while we were sword-fighting?" Lloyd asked.

"Oh, we had things to catch up on," Zelos said. "I hope you guys had fun."

"I hope you don't mind that I borrowed one of your practice swords," Arin said.

"Hey, you're the one that gave them to me in the first place."

The clock struck ten. "Oh dear," Lianna said. "I suppose we really must be going. I must leave quite early tomorrow morning"

"I'll miss you, gorgeous" Zelos said. "Arin, I'll see you soon, 'kay?"

"Goodbye, Zelos, Goodbye, Lloyd. I'm looking forward to when we may meet again," said Lianna.

"I'd like to cross swords with you again soon, if you'd like," Arin said to him.

"Hey, that'd be great!" Lloyd said.

"Until we meet again, then," said Arin.