Episode VII - Kantare turns SIXTEEN!!!!  YAY!!!

 Joshuel peered out the window, hidden by curtains. It was nearly impossible to surprise a Trinitian Master, but they were going to try anyway. After all, it was the gesture that counted. Jordaan was in the kitchen, grumbling. Justyne had put him to work scrubbing the counters and tables. Justyne herself was up to her elbows in dishwater, and Isilwen was drying the dishes as fast as Justyne could wash them.
"He's coming," Josh hissed.
"How long do we have?" Theynore demanded.
"Half-an-hour or less," Josh replied. "Probably less; he's moving at a swift pace."
Justyne and Isilwen finished the dishes and drained the water. Grabbing the dishtowel, Justyne dried out the sink. "Where should we put it?" she asked, holding up the sopping piece of cloth. They all whirled about frantically and at last Justyne just sighed and wrapped it around her head. Then everyone scattered to their hiding places: Josh and Maddock in the apple barrel, Theynore in the rafters, and Jordaan in an unused cabinet. Isilwen nervouly hid under the couch cushions, hoping fervently that she wouldn't be sat upon. Justyne made certain that everything was tidy, then hid in the TV cabinet. Jonathan was the last to vanish. He made certain that there was no trace of anyone, sniffed the air to make sure that the scented candles had driven away the smell of the cake, wrapped himself in his weatherstained cloak, and faded into the corner where the Christmas tree and other evergreen decorations sat, drawing his hood deeply over his face. Few would have seen him if they were looking for him, and only a handful of those would notice him without looking.
At last the door creaked open. The door was the only thing in the house that creaked; surprisingly, Justyne allowed no one to oil the hinges. No one could sneak through that door while it creaked like it did.
Isilwen held her breath as she listened for the door to close. Once it had she counted to three, quietly, to herself, and then sprang out from her hiding place, yelling with the others, "Surprise!
 Kantare did looked rather surprised, but the look was quickly replaced with his normal calm look. He smiled at his siblings and said, "Thank you guys!"
 They then lead him into the kitchen where the cake was sitting on the table. Ninwaii and Justyne had made it, Isilwen helping when she thought it was safe, the last thing she wanted to do was ruin her brother's cake. 

 They all sat down at the long table and Theynore lit the candles. Justyne turned out the lights as it gave the candles more of an effect, and Kantare blew them out. Then Justyne served up the cake.
  They ate it slowly, enjoying it. They talked about their past adventures as they ate and Justyne, Theynore, Ninwaii, and Isilwen kept smiling at each other as they talked.
 Once they had finished the cake and the others cleaned up, insisting Kantare sit and relax. Once the plates were washed everyone sat back down and Kantare said with a contented sigh, "Thanks, that was a great birthday!"
 "But it isn't over yet!" Ninwaii said with a smile.
Kantare looked at her. "What do you mean?"
 "We have another surprise for you!" Isilwen said with a grin.
 Kantare looked warily at her and said, "Remember, it is my birthday!"
 "I wouldn't do anything mean to you on your birthday!" she said as she shook her head.
 "No," Justyne said with a laugh. "We are taking you to Middle Earth for a vacation of sorts!"
 Kantare returned their smiles and they all stood up and got ready to leave. 

It was a good thing that they were authors, or else the entire transition would have given them shock attacks.  One minute they were in the living room, the next they were high in the air with Middle Earth several thousand feet below them.  The ground rushed upwards towards them at a terrifying rate, but they landed quite gently on their feet.  They were on the bank of the River Loudwater, standing as if they had just crossed the bridge.
They proceeded down the road into Rivendell.  They had all visited Middle Earth before and were known to the folk there.  Exchanging greetings with those they passed they came in sight of the Elf haven.  The sound of falling water and the clear voice of lighthearted singing came towards them.
Rivendell had been built as a millitary base against Saron, but it was amazingly beautiful: more beautiful than many great cities of Men, and now that Saron had been defeated the the King Elessar had established his rule it was a peaceful place, though the Elves were fading. The siblings felt more safe and peaceful than they had in a long time as they walked towards the Elf city.

 They were met by several elves who greeted them cheerfully and led them inside the house where the king was awaiting them. He smiled widely at them and asked them how their travels had gone.
 "Well as always," Theynore said as they all returned the formal greeting.
 The king smiled and then led them into the main hall where the celebration was to be held. There was food laid out on the tables and, once everyone had eaten their fill of the delicious things, they sat down and listened as the elves wove stories and sang songs. 

 They felt that they were no longer in the house but witnessing battles of long ago, seeing heros long since dead, and even watching love stories being replayed.
 The time passed all too quickly for them and they were sorry when they had to leave. However, they bade the elves good  bye knowing they had to get to their next destination: Lothlorien.

It was snowy, but they traveled swiftly through Eregion toward the pass of Caradhras.  In their planning for the trip, they had built some light, sturdy sleds which they dragged behind them on when the country was flat or uphill and rode when there was a slope.  The climb up Caradhras was not easy, but they made it without injury.  Then they recklessly sledded down the opposite side, whooping and barely controlling their speed.
They landed in one big heap at the bottom of the pass, laughing hysterically and shaking snow off their hair and clothing.  Packing the sleds into Justyne's seemingly bottomless magic bag, they entered Lothlorien.
The winter there was mild, and when they crossed Nimrodel a light, warm rain was falling.  Their laughter alerted the guards, who swiftly recognized them and allowed them to pass.

The lodged in a high flet in Caras Galadon.  Time faded as the blissful days slid by.  They traveled about in Lorien, dancing in the elanor and climbing the mallorn trees as deftly as the Galadrim themselves.
Later they traveled about in Middle Earth for a long time, seeing too many wonders to record properly.  As was appropriate to interworld travel, they returned to Poverty Flatts the second they had left and spent the rest of the day playing in the snow, watching Kantare's favorite movies, and remembering all the devious places that they had hid his various presents, causing the unwrapping of the presents to be spread out over several hours.  The snow made the night very bright and so they stayed up very late having a glorious time.