Summary: In the spring of 2012, four American children find themselves thrust into an unfamiliar world and part of an unexpected adventure.  This story is AU, and blends Lord of the Rings book-verse and movie-verse.  This story also contains a lot of spiritual and religious content as a part of the AU elements.

Disclaimer: The world of Middle-earth and all its peoples belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien; the three films of The Lord of the Rings​ belong to New Line Cinema and to Peter Jackson.  This story is not for profit, but is a gift for the enjoyment of those who read it.

Citations: In most chapters, there will be some quotations directly from both the books and/or the movies.  Quotations from Tolkien's books are in italics, and quotations from the movies are underlined.  Occasional quotations from other sources as well as silent dialogue, words spoken in emphasis, and passages from the Bible will also be in italics, and those citations will be footnoted at the end of each chapter in which they occur. We will also footnote research sources and credit the ideas of other people.

Thanks: We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help of our beta, Linda Hoyland, another well-known and prolific LotR fanwriter, whose many wonderful stories also grace this site.

Chapter 94: You're Welcome

Joey was once more riding with Lord Boromir.  This time, there was only room for two riders abreast, for the cobbled streets, while not real narrow, were still narrower than riding across the Pelennor, and plus the road was packed along the sides with people cheering.  But now the newly crowned King Aragorn—no, that was wrong; now his name, as king, was Elessar!—was riding in front, with Frodo as Ring-bearer, and as the King's companion.  Lord Halbarad was next, with the King's standard, and with Jennifer riding pillion with him, only he was a tiny bit behind the King.  

And Joey, who was riding with Boromir, and Pippin, who was riding with Gandalf, were next.  Joey wished he could turn around, but that wouldn't be proper.  Still, Joey knew that Kevin was right behind him, along with Prince Imrahil and Sam.  And then there was Eomer King with Merry, and Legolas with Gimli.  Whoever was behind that, he wasn't sure about.

But he also heard another sound, like waggon wheels on the cobble street. So, maybe that would be some of the important people who didn't have horses, that were in the city.  Probably the Steward at least, because it was hard for him to ride a horse and stuff ever since the fire.  Joey sure hoped Lord Denethor's cough would be better now.  It had still been pretty bad when he’d left to go to Cormallen.

"Sire?" he asked his liege just barely loudly enough to be heard over the hoofbeats.

"Yes, Joey?" Lord Boromir replied.

"How do you think your father’s doing now?  He was still coughing pretty bad when we left."  Joey hoped that his friend wouldn't mind the question.

"I thank you for your concern, Joey.  My letters from him said he is doing much better."  He paused, and then continued, "But my letters from my brother said he is still not as well as he should be, and our father tires much more easily than before the fire."

"Oh."  Joey sighed.  "That’s a bummer!  I’ll pray for him to get better, then."

"Thank you, my young friend.  Perhaps your prayers will bear fruit."  Boromir had grown used to the McCloud children's frequent prayers and how casually they approached the One, but it still rather amazed him.

The crowds had grown larger, and the further up the City they’d gone, louder the cheers had grown.  For a while, there was too much sound for conversation.  But as they passed from the Fourth to the Fifth Circle, it was suddenly less.  Most of the population in that part of the City had been down near the barricades and had yet to return, for they were behind all of those who had returned or were arriving with the new King.

Joey began to fidget.  Soon, very soon, he'd see Dad and Mom and his little sisters and maybe Lucy…he couldn’t wait!

"Joey," Boromir spoke softly, "are you excited about seeing the rest of your family?"

Joey nodded.  "Yes, sir!  I sure am.  I've missed them a lot!"

"Well, I am certain that they have missed you, for they journeyed far to find you, and they shall also be pleased to see you once again.  And they will be very proud of you!"

“I can’t wait for you to meet my mom and dad!  And my youngest sister, Megan. And you remember Kaylee, too, you and Aragorn, but we were thinking she would stay in Rivendell, and we'd have to go all the way back there to see her.  We never thought the rest of the family would come here!"  Boromir laughed.

As they neared the Sixth Circle, the crowds petered out altogether—the next level had the Houses of Healing, and it was traditional to be silent there for the most part, for the sake of those who were among the sick or injured and might be disturbed.  As they passed the buildings of the Healers, many of them, along with their apprentices and helpers, and a few of those who were only lightly injured, had gathered in front and waved vigorously, and some of them threw flowers or waved their kerchiefs in the air—but silently, without shouting.  There were also a few residents who had not gone down to the barricades and had gathered at the intersections of the side streets.  They also threw flowers and waved.  Joey waved back and smiled.  Once, a mother had her little girl by the hand and they stepped closer into the street next to where Joey and Lord Boromir were riding, and the little girl, (who looked about Kaylee’s age) handed Joey one of her flowers.  He took it and said, "Thank you."  His cheeks felt warm with embarrassment.

"Nay," said the mother. "Thank you!"  She and her child stepped back and melted into the other onlookers.

“What’s she thanking me for?” Joey asked Boromir, puzzled.  “I haven’t done anything special!” 

"Of course, you have, Master Joey," his liege said, his eyes twinkling.  "Or do you not count my life as of no special significance?"  Boromir's voice had a teasing note to it, so Joey knew he was not offended.

"Oh!  Wow, I…I didn't think of that!  But how does that mother know about that?  I didn’t think we told anyone!”

"You are not a hobbit, Joey; you do not need to be modest.  And no, we did not tell anyone save my father and brother and Uncle Imrahil, and so she would not know of your feat, but she does know you would not be riding with me had you not been part of the War."  

"Well, I guess so.  But it sure seems weird to think of me as a hero, not like you or Frodo or the others."  Joey shook his head and furrowed his brow in bewilderment as he stared at the flower in his hand.

"Then let me assure you, you have a place among all the heroes of the Fellowship—you, your brother, and your sister, as well."  Boromir paused.  "Here, we approach the last gate.  We shall need to dismount again, so that the horses can be led to the stable."  As one of the grooms approached them, Boromir dismounted and lifted Joey off the horse.  The groom led the horse away, and Joey flexed his knees up and down to get used to being on the ground once more.

Soon, he thought, with a smile, very soon…

-oo000oo-

The noisy coach rattled along up from level to level.  Steve had Megan in his lap, and in spite of all the racket, she had fallen asleep.  Her thumb had fallen out of her mouth, and he gave a rueful smile as she drooled a little on the sleeve of his fancy robe.  He turned to see Gail, with Kaylee leaning against her, and glanced out the window at the cheering crowds, all of whom were waving, or throwing flowers, or calling out names.  He caught many of them yelling out, "Elfstone!  Elfstone!" or "Lord Denethor!" or "Lord Boromir!" or "Lord Faramir!"  

Facing across from him, Mairen was sitting serenely, her gaze distant.  Radagast, who was next to her, smiled at him.  "Soon, Master McCloud, you will have all of your flock together again.  Will you then finally be able to feel at ease, as I have not seen you completely tranquil since I met you?"

Steve heaved a large sigh and thought for a moment before answering.  "I don't know.  I didn't know until you spoke up just now how wound-up I've been since we left home."

"We both have been," Gail added.  "We are not used to having our children so far away or exposed to so much danger."   Steve nodded in agreement.  Glancing at her daughter, who was still leaning against her, Gail added, “Thank goodness Kaylee’s been safe since she’s been here!  I shudder to think how she would have fared if she’d gone with the others.”  Kaylee glanced up briefly when her mother said that, but did not say anything.

"That is why Master Elrond did not allow it.  She and Lucy would have been in great peril, and they would have slowed the others down greatly.  She was not big enough for such a journey, however valiant her small heart," the wizard agreed.

There was a brief second of darkness as they passed through the short tunnel underneath the fifth gate, and the noise level outside had died down.  "We are almost there," said Mairen, speaking for the first time since she had entered the coach.

"Indeed," added Radagast.

The silence of the sixth level was a welcome change, and the inhabitants of the coach looked at the quieter, and yet no less celebratory, reactions of the few onlookers.  As they passed the Houses of Healing, Gail passed one hand out the window and waved back.

Just before they reached the gate leading to the seventh level and the Citadel, the coach turned aside, and entered a separate short tunnel that also led directly to the coach houses that were located near the stables.  Their vehicle came to a halt, and the coachman dismounted and came to open the wide door and hand them out of the coach.  All of them were stiff, and Steve's arms appreciated the brief respite as the coachman carefully took the sleeping Megan.  She roused sleepily and murmured, "'r we there yet?" when the coachman set her down on her feet.  He held onto her until Steve took his youngest by the hand.

"Yes, sweetie, we are."  Steve looked at the coachman who was now lifting Kaylee out.  "Thank you."

The coachman nodded and smiled, and then offered a hand to Gail, and then to Mairen.  Mairen was the only one who did not appear to be stiff and uncomfortable.  Radagast was last, and he was quite appreciative of the hand that was held out to him by the coachman.

"Thank you, young man.  My old bones are quite glad of your help."

The coachman gave a brief bow of his head.  "It is an honour, Master Istar," he replied.  He and a groom led the horses and coach away.

Lord Denethor and Lord Faramir were already free of their coach, and they both turned to see that the McClouds were out of their conveyance.  Faramir handed his father a walking stick, and they approached the McClouds.

They moved forward to meet their hosts, for another coach had rolled up behind them, with what Steve thought of as more "VIPs" to unload.

Faramir led the way.  "Your children will have already arrived, for of course, they were ahead of us."  Steve noticed that now that everyone was out of the coaches, a couple of Guardsmen had fallen into step just behind them.  They walked past the coach house, the stable, and the training field to the gate leading into the Citadel grounds.  There was already a small crowd there, consisting mostly of those who had been on horses ahead of them.  There was a portly man in livery, whom Steve recognized as the court herald, and another man standing next to him with some sort of horn.  The horn was blown, and in a stentorian voice, he cried out:

"The Lord Steward of Gondor, Denethor son of Ecthelion!  Lord Faramir, son of Denethor!  The Istar Radagast!  Master Steven McCloud of Ore Gon, and his wife, Mistress Gail, and their daughters, Miss Kaylee and Megan!  Mistress Mairen of Imladris!"

-oo000oo-

Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey were near the Citadel steps, talking with Boromir and the four hobbits.  At the sound of their parents’ and sisters’ names, their faces whipped around with a snap, and they saw those whom they had long missed, making their way through the crowd, headed in their direction, and followed by Faramir.

With cries of joy, Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey hurtled toward the approaching group.

“Mom!  Dad!” they all cried out.  “Kaylee!  Megan!”  They threw themselves into their parents’ arms, and Steve and Gail hugged them tightly while Kaylee and Megan jumped on their older brother and sister.  Megan was now clinging to Kevin's back, and Kaylee was leaping into Jennifer's arms.  There were tears, and there was laughter.  Joey had claimed his father, who picked him up as if he was much younger.  But Joey was not embarrassed to be held by his daddy after all this time apart.

Joey took one look into his dad's eyes and burst into tears, hugging his father tightly around the neck, until Steve put his hand up to loosen his son's grip.  "I need to breathe, Joey," he gasped.

"Sorry, D—dad," he said, sniffling.  He pulled away slightly and wiped his tear-ravaged face on his sleeve.  Meanwhile, Gail approached Steve and joined in embracing Joey in a three-way hug, but suddenly Lucy interrupted, leaping up and beginning to lick the young boy’s whole face enthusiastically.  Joey slid from his father's arms and grabbed his mother around the waist.

Lucy turned her attentions to Jennifer, who had finally put Kaylee down, and then to Kevin, who had finally dislodged Megan from his back.  Megan still stood close to him, hugging his leg as he bent down and petted Lucy.  “You sure have grown, Lucy!” Kevin told her, as Lucy finished licking his face.  Finally, Steve pointed his finger at Lucy in the way that the Elves had taught her, and she immediately sat down and behaved, though her tail was wagging, and she whimpered a little.

Then Gail turned and beckoned Jennifer, who took two swift steps into her mother's embrace.  "Oh, Mom!  I missed you so much," Jennifer was sobbing on her mother's shoulder.

“I know you did, and I’m here now,” Gail soothed her, as she hugged her eldest daughter.

After Kevin had sent Megan back to their dad, he glanced around.  "What happened?  Tell us all about how you got here from Rivendell!" he said.  Jennifer and Joey looked away from their mother and listened.  "Your letters didn't say a lot!"

"That's a very long story, kids," Steve said, "and I don't think there is time for it right now.  Let's just say we've been looking for you for a good while!”

All the while, Boromir and Faramir and the four hobbits were standing nearby, and they were smiling to see the reunion.

Just then, Keven noticed his friends, and turned to them.  "Oh, Dad and Mom!  We need you to meet some folks!"  He turned to his friends.  "Lord Boromir, this is my father, Steve McCloud, and my mother, Gail."  

Boromir placed his right hand on his chest and gave a nod of his head.  "It is very good to finally meet you.  I have heard so very much about you from your children."  He turned to his brother.  "Faramir, I know you will be glad to meet Sir Kevin, Lady Jennifer, and my page, Joey.  Joey it was who saved my life from orcs on the banks of the Anduin at Parth Galen."

Faramir bowed.  "I am most honoured to meet your companions."

Boromir smiled down at Joey.  “Your son saved my life,” he told Steve and Gail.  Putting an arm around Joey’s shoulders, he said, “Master Joey saved me from certain death at the hands of orcs.”

Gail and Steve stared down at Joey in shock.  “And how did he do that?” Gail asked, her voice sounding strained.

Smiling, Joey removed his sling from his pouch and showed it to his parents.  “The hobbits gave this to me,” he said.  “They taught me to use it.  Hobbits use them when they go hunting.”

“And he learned his lessons well,” Boromir added.  “When he saw that an orc archer was going to shoot me, he used his sling to stop the orc with a well-placed stone to the middle of its forehead, which laid the creature out cold.”

Steve and Gail exchanged a look, and then Steve approached his youngest son.  “I’m very proud of you, son,” he told Joey.  “That took courage.”

Joey smiled his thanks, and then held up the sling again.  “See, it’s just like the sling David used to kill Goliath!” He passed it to his father.

Steve took the sling and examined it thoroughly, before handing it back to Joey.  In light of what he had been told back in Lothlórien about Joey’s initial lessons in learning to use a sling, it was clear that his son had learned those lessons well.  However, it wasn't something that Joey could keep back home; it would be much too dangerous for playing with in the suburbs.  Perhaps, though…  Steve thought for a moment.  Yes, that might work.  We can keep it locked in the rifle cabinet.  I've been planning to start bringing Joey along with Kevin when we go hunting, anyway, and I think I'll be doing more bow-hunting.  He could use it then, and I won't have to just take it away from him.

Aloud, he said, "It certainly is just like that!  I'll bet the rabbits and birds take off when they see a hobbit get one of these out."

Joey grinned.  Then he turned to the hobbits, who had been patiently waiting during the introductions.  "Mom, Dad, these hobbits came with us all the way from Rivendell.  This is Master Frodo Baggins, Sir Peregrin Took, Sir Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Master Samwise Gamgee."

All four hobbits bowed, and Frodo spoke.  "On behalf of my kin and friends, we are at your service.  We are very pleased to meet you!"

Suddenly Kaylee came forward, pulling Megan by the hand.  She whispered in her sister's ear.  Megan gave a curtsy.  "Megan McCloud, at…at…"  She paused, and Kaylee whispered again.  Megan repeated loudly, "At your service!"  She turned and whispered back, "Did I do it right?"

Kaylee nodded, grinning.  "Uh-huh!  You did good!"  She looked at Frodo and the others.  "Mr. Bilbo Baggins taught me that!  Megan didn't know, so I helped her."

Frodo smiled at Megan.  “Frodo Baggins at your service and your family’s, Megan.”  He smiled at Kaylee.  “I'm very glad to see you again, and to meet the rest of your family, now that our tasks are finished!"

Kaylee leaned forward and hugged Frodo.  Then she stepped back, still grinning, and opened her mouth.  "Ding…"

She got no further.  Steve's hand landed on her shoulder.  "We talked about this, Kaylee.  Not now."

The hobbits looked puzzled.  "Is Kaylee not allowed to sing?" asked Pippin.

Steve and Gail laughed.  “Kaylee’s been singing that one particular song over and over and over, ever since we first heard that Sauron had been destroyed,” Steve told Frodo.

“Yeah, she probably believes you threw some water over him and melted him,” Joey said with a grin, and Frodo looked curious.

"It's a very long story," Steve answered the unspoken question he saw in the hobbit's eyes.  "Perhaps at a more appropriate time, she can tell you the whole story, songs and all."

Kaylee had been looking downcast, but her face brightened after her father's suggestion, and she nodded enthusiastically.  Frodo added, “I would love to hear you tell the story when we have more time!"

Just then all the talking came to a halt as there was a blast from a pair of horns, and a herald's voice called out: "Hear, now!  It is time to enter into the Citadel and into the presence of the King!"

Most people seemed to know who should be allowed to enter first, but there were pages who were by the doors to escort people to where they needed to be.  Lord Boromir and his brother herded the hobbits and the McCloud family—all of them—toward the steps of the Citadel, where they were quickly joined by Lord Glorfindel, Gandalf, Radagast, Legolas, and Gimli, and were guided through the doors by the pages.  There was no time for introductions as they were escorted to stand at the front, a few feet before the high steps to the throne.  As the huge room began to fill up, the members of the Fellowship remained positioned there, along with many of those who had been leaders of the Armies of the West.

Gradually, the sounds of people entering faded, the quiet conversations petered out, and the Court Herald called out, "Hear, now!  Hear, now!  Pay heed!  This is the Court of Lord Elessar Telcontar, High King of the Reunited Kingdoms of Gondor and of Arnor, Defender of the West.”

The herald continued, "We call into the presence of the King:  Frodo, son of Drogo; Samwise, son of Hamfast; Peregrin, son of Paladin; and Meriadoc, son of Saradoc.”

The four hobbits were escorted up the wide white stairs, up to the dais where the White Throne of the King was.  He stood as they arrived before him and started to bow.

One by one, the four hobbits were escorted to the last wide step before the King's white throne.  The four of them started to bow, but Aragorn raised his hand to stop them.  "My friends," he said.  "You bow to no one!"

He gestured to the hobbits to turn around and face the assembled court.  "By the decree of all the Free Peoples of the West, by my word as the High King of Arnor and Gondor, by the word of Eómer, King of Rohan, by the consent of the Elves who dwell in these lands, in Mithlond, in Imladris, in Lothlórien, and in Mirkwood, and by the Dwarves of the North, by the consent of the Ents of Fangorn, and of the Great Eagles of the West, I proclaim that these hobbits are to be honoured first among the lands, most especially Lord Frodo Baggins son of Drogo and Lord Samwise Gamgee son of Hamfast of the Shire, who took the most perilous of journeys into the depths of Mordor to see an end to Sauron the Deceiver!"

The assembled crowd all cheered and clapped loudly, and the four small faces of the hobbits grew bright red with embarrassment.  Among the cheers, Kevin's loud whistles could be heard, and Joey was jumping up and down. Jennifer pumped her fist in the air, shouting, "FRODO!  SAM!  PIPPIN!  MERRY!  GO—OO, HOBBITS!" she repeated four times.

The applause went on for some time.  Kaylee and Megan had taken up Jennifer's cheer, as had a few others in the crowd.  Finally, the herald blew a blast on his trumpet, and the noise died down.  Aragorn bent and had a quiet personal word with each of the four, and then they were free to depart from his presence and return to their places in the court.

One by one, each member of the Fellowship was called to the dais to be specially honoured: first Gandalf, then Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli, in that order. Each was honoured and soundly cheered.  As the others were called, Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey were getting nervous, knowing that they would also be called up soon.  They had known it would happen at some point, but had not realised they might be singled out.

Sir Kevin was called first, and Aragorn praised him for his valour in battle, and his journey with the Eagle to warn the Army of the West.  But instead of being sent back down to the front with the others, he was signalled to stay where he was, only to move a few steps over as Lady Jennifer was called up to be honoured for her part in the War.  There, she was praised for surrendering to orcs in order to stay with her captive brother and Merry and Pippin, for her journey through the Paths of the Dead, and for her courage in saving Halbarad on the field of battle.  And then Master Joey was praised for his quick thought in using his sling to save the life of Lord Boromir, and his courage during the siege of Minas Tirith.  Once all three of them were there, they expected to be dismissed.

Instead, the herald did something completely unexpected.  He called out, "Master Steven McCloud of Ore Gon, his wife Mistress Gail, and his younger daughters, Kaylee and Megan, attend His Grace King Elessar!"  One of the lesser heralds came to bring their flustered parents and little sisters up the steps to the presence of the King.

Aragorn spoke out from his throne.  "This family are strangers to here.  They had no reason to help our battle against Sauron, for their home is far from all our lands.  And yet I say that all of them, even unto the youngest of them all, acted to do their part in aiding our struggle, whether within the City walls, within the bounds of Imladris, or during their journey to reach here from Imladris.”  He paused.

“There is one among them who, along with Lady Jennifer, also had a role in saving the life of my kinsman and Standard Bearer, Halbarad,” he announced.  He turned to a wide-eyed Kaylee and gave her a smile.  "This is Lady Kaylee, daughter of Steven, and I and my cousin would honour her with this token of gratitude and esteem."  He nodded to the herald, who proclaimed:

"With this token, Lady Kaylee, daughter of Steven, is proclaimed an honorary Ranger of the North."  He held up something that shone, reflecting silver, and Kaylee, wide-eyed and speechless, was given a tiny push from her mother.  She took a step closer to the Herald who, with a kind smile at the little girl, bent and pinned to the collar of her dress a breastpin in the form of a six-pointed star.

She looked down at it and smiled.  She raised her face to Aragorn.  "Um, is it okay to say, 'thank you'?" she whispered. 

The newly crowned King nodded.  "Your favour, your gift, to my cousin saved his life, Kaylee.  I am the one who should say, 'thank you'."

"Oh.  Well, you're welcome."  The herald made a little gesture, and Gail drew her daughter back to her side.  Proud, fond smiles spread across Gail’s and Steve’s faces, and Gail hugged her little girl.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” Gail whispered.  “We both are.”  Steve nodded in agreement.

The Herald turned and called out (as he had for the other members of the Fellowship), "Huzzah!  Huzzah for the Family McCloud!"

And now it was their turn to be soundly cheered by the crowd.  Joey thought he could understand why the hobbits had been so embarrassed.  He felt his face growing warm, and glanced around at the rest of his family, all of whom looked just as embarrassed as he felt, if their red faces were anything to go by.

When the cheers died down, they were escorted back to their previous places among the crowd, and the business of the court continued.  Honours were given to their allies, to the Rohirrim first of all, as Éomer, King of Rohan, accepted the thanks of Gondor, and renewed the ancient vows of alliance between the two lands.  Prince Imrahil accepted the thanks of the new King and became the first vassal to pledge his loyalty to the King. His action was followed by that of the lords of many other fiefdoms of Gondor.

Kaylee was getting really tired of standing.  But she wasn't allowed to sit down, and there weren't any chairs, anyway.  She looked up enviously at Megan, who was already sound asleep in Mairen's arms, and yawned.  Her mother looked down, and then bent and picked her up.  She held her comfortably with Kaylee's head tucked over her shoulder.  Kaylee listened to the voices up at the top of the stairs, droning on and on about people she didn't know, and soon she was lulled fast asleep. 

But another blast from the herald's trumpet suddenly awakened her.  She raised her head and saw that at some point, she had been handed over to her daddy.  "Daddy?"

"Well, hello, sleepyhead," her father responded, his eyes twinkling.  "All the boring stuff is over.  We can go back to our quarters now, with Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey, and have time to catch up with them before we go to the Coronation Feast."

Steve set Kaylee down, and she took his hand.  Gail was holding onto Megan's hand, and Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey had joined them, along with Mairen and Master Ondahil.

But the crowd was not leaving yet; they had to wait a few minutes later, until Aragorn himself had left.  The new King was leaving through a separate door at the back of the dais behind the throne, followed by Gandalf, Lord Denethor, Boromir, Faramir, and a few other people that Kaylee did not recognize.

Only then did the people in the crowd begin to disperse.  Master Ondahil led the way to one of the side exits that led back to the guest quarters.

Joey grinned.  “Wait till you see the knife they gave me!”  He glanced at Jennifer.  “Jen didn’t really think I should have one, but Aragorn said I was old enough.  And it wasn’t just the knife, either.  They gave me several other presents, too.” 

“It’s true, I didn’t approve,” Jennifer said ruefully.  “They gave him several grown-up presents, and Aragorn said it was time he learned how to use them.”

Gail and Steve looked at each other, and then Steve looked at his reunited kids.  “I think we are going to have to have a long talk…”