Chapter 2: The Reunion

Disclaimer: You know from the first chapter (if you don't, go back and read the first chapter before you read this!!!!!) that I don't own 'em. I wish I did……

Maerad looked around, and then silently urged Imi forward. The gray mare huffed, and then moved onwards at a slow walk. It was almost dawn, and Maerad fiercely hoped that the gates were open. Although, she thought rather proudly, I am Maerad of Pellinor. They have to let me in.

The sun rose higher with every step the old mare took, and Maerad became more hopeful as they drew closer to Innail. She could almost make out the graceful towers through a swathe of mist, and as that began to lift, Maerad felt her heart tremble in excitement and anticipation. She was coming home. After so long hiding out in the wilderness, she was ready to be back in comfortable beds and among books and out chatting with friends. Ever since she had had the baby….

Oh! The baby! She had nearly forgotten her, as the excitement of the day took over. Anxiously turning around, she saw that her worrying was all for nothing. The baby, a girl she had named Adnaë (Cadvan's request, sent by bird. His few letters made her heart melt with joy.), was sleeping soundly in the makeshift saddle bag-basket. Her dark, curly hair fell in waves over her eyes, and Maerad tenderly brushed it away. How she loved her daughter. She had loved her enough to sacrifice everything she loved, her home, her love himself…

But now she was back. She really was home. She turned in the saddle and saw above her loomed the towers of Innail, not 300 feet away. She took a deep breath, and then pushed Imi into a gentle canter. The mare gladly stepped out, and she had the feeling that the old mare knew she was home, too. Soon they were in front of the gates, and Maerad called up in the speech.

"Lirean! Lirean noch Dhillarearë!"

"Lirean? Ke Sammach?" said a voice from the window above.

"Maerad Pellinor na, e Adnaë Murask na!"

"Langrea i," said the voice, and the window banged shut.

Maerad prayed that they would let her in, and it seemed, her plea had been answered. In no time the gates had opened, and a man came out: Cadvan. She nearly sank with relief that he was okay, and she saw the same emotion in his eyes, but she sternly reminded herself that the game they were playing had to continue a little longer. Cadvan came forward and helped her off of Imi, and then embraced her, as a friend would.

"How good it is to see you again, Maerad," he said, holding her back in front of him so as to see her better. For a moment she was lost in his beautiful blue eyes. Then, suddenly, Silvia was behind Cadvan, her long auburn hair done up hastily in a tight bun.

"Maerad!" cried the woman happily, and she all but pushed Cadvan out of the way to embrace her. "Oh, it's been so long, my dearest. I have missed you so," she said fondly, and her eyes were merry and bright.

"I have, too, Silvia." She glanced over her shoulder and looked deeply at Cadvan, then talked to him in mindspeech: "And, Oh, how much I have missed you none can fathom."

She drew away from Silvia, and as the threesome made their way back to the house, she sighed happily. It was good to be home.

What was that infuriating tapping noise? Maerad, after lying in her comfortable bed for what she guessed had been nearly 1 hour, sighed in frustration and went to see what it was. She opened the door-there was no one there. She got down on her hands and knees and searched under the bed-nothing. After another twenty minutes or so, she nearly smacked herself at her stupidity. The window! Someone was at her window. Quietly but hastily pulling on her silken blue robe, she drew up the shades and opened the window. A breeze rushed in, and the faint scent of violets and musk drifted in, caught by the wind. After taking a few moments for her eyes to adjust, she looked around outside and saw that in the tree near her window, Cadvan was sitting, smiling at her.

"Come down," he whispered softly, and then he began to make his way down the tree. Hesitantly, she reached out and grasped at a nearby branch. It barely swayed under her weight, and, deciding it was safe, Maerad began to climb downwards. As soon as she reached the ground, Cadvan took hold of her arm and led her silently through alleys and streets unknown to her. She followed submissively, wondering where he was taking her. She just had to trust him, she supposed. Soon, a light began to grow in the distance. She realized that this must be Cadvan's home. He led her up the steps and motioned her through the door, then closed it softly behind her. In the house, everything was still, but everything was bright and cozy. She turned to Cadvan. He smiled down at her, and then led her onwards into a living room, where a fire was crackling warmly in a big stone hearth, upon which intricate runes were inscribed. She didn't examine it much, however, for she was soon ushered into a seat. Cadvan sat next to her on the chair and examined her intently; she could almost feel his gaze.

"Maerad," he said at last, his voice choked with emotion, "I'm so glad you're home safe and sound, here with me at last." He gathered her into his arms and held her, his hair mingling with hers, his hands soft and tender and warm. She relaxed happily into his embrace, and her blood coursed like a sliver fire through her veins, thrilling her body down to the fingertips. She hadn't felt like this for a year, at least. It felt so wonderful, so…..right.

"You have no idea how grateful I am to be home," she mumbled into his shoulder.

He drew back, his face serious and concerned. "Was it really that bad out there?" he asked.

That was where Maerad broke down. She sobbed to him all the tales of her trial out in the wild, the hardships, the tears, the grief, the pain, the longing, and every other emotion she had ever felt out there. Again he took her into his arms and just held her, relishing the fact that he was at last able to touch her…have his skin meeting hers, have his lips on hers. When she finished, he kissed her. Maerad had to smile.

When he drew back, Maerad sighed, and then looked up at him, suddenly business like. "Well, let's get down to business: Cadvan, what are we going to tell everyone? Mainly, our daughter, when she is older. Should she know about her real father? Or the fake one?"

Cadvan looked thoughtful, and his face was shadowed in the dim light of the room. Then he looked up, his stern eyes sad and grim. "We must stick to the story that your husband died in Murask, on a hunting trip. At least, that is what we must tell the people. Now, for Adnaë, I think it would be best if…..if she never knew. Did I tell you that I am the Ancient Lore teacher here now? That is why I think it would be best if she never knew. I could be her teacher and help her along the way, and yet I would still just be a man on the outskirts of her life, important, but not important like a father."

He sighed bitterly, and Maerad felt compassion and tenderness well up inside her for this man, this man who was forced to leave his daughter behind, in order to save her very life. She reached forward, grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him towards her, kissing him with all of her passion. He accepted the gesture, and when they broke apart, Cadvan was surprised to see tears in her eyes.

"I am filled with anguish, Cadvan. Our daughter will never know that her father is the greatest man in all Edil-Amarandh. I love you so much."

And then their lips were fastened together with their ardent love once more. But then, reluctantly, it seemed, Maerad turned away, and Cadvan saw tears glinting on her long, beautiful eyelashes.

"I guess," she said softly, "the game starts now."

With that, she stood up and left the room, the house, and, in Maerad's opinion, her very heart.

Well, this one...wasn't as great as I imagined it to be. And yet, that is for you to decide! REVIEW!!!!!!!!!