Continue south.

"So why is he a half-elf? Doff didn't look like an elf."

"No, I think he was a half-elf. His ears were short enough the helmet covered them."

"But then wouldn't Doffson be a quarter?"

"Nope. You're a full human, remember?"

"I... Oh. Is that how you...r body works?"

"I don't know, actually. I'm learning along with you."

The three of you have been moving south steadily. Now that she's a 'youth' Mienna can keep pace with you (and the increased endurance plus a pair of shoes help). You're holding Doffson, who has nodded off in your arms much as Mienna had done earlier.

At this point, the sun is setting. You've traveled a long way in just a day; and while you feel like you could keep going indefinitely, Mienna is beginning to stagger. When she almost trips over a root in her path, you decide you should call it a day.

"Alright, hun. Let's find a place to sleep for the night."

"Out here?!" she asks in shock.

"I can't see why not. You need to recover your stamina."

"But there's nothing here! If we go just a little farther, I'm sure we'll make it to Frefington! Please? Pleeeeeease?" she pleads, putting on her best puppy-dog eyes.

You're starting to feel like she's growing younger rather than older as time passes. Where she seemed so much like an adult when she was a child, now she's acting like a little girl begging her mother to let her keep the stray kitten that followed her home.