Disclaimer: Please see previous chapter.

A/N: Wow. Thanks for the reviews! I really didn't expect so much positive feedback on just the introductory chapter, but it was really encouraging. As for those of you who left reviews: thanks a lot! We appreciate it and have taken in account all of your advice, requests, suggestions, and questions. Please continue to read and review.

The Secret of Faris

Chapter 2: Small Talk, Big Problem

There they sat, at a table decorated with flowers from the forest and food piled high on plates they all passed around. They drank deeply from goblets filled from a large pitcher in the center of the wooden table. Daggeron, Liambow, Claire, Udonna, and Nick were finally having a family dinner. It felt just like one too.

As was tradition at a family dinner table, there was awkward silence between to two who had been fighting earlier. Laimbow and Daggeron ate first and passed the food on. Udonna told Bowen he needed to eat more. The food and drink was a bit unusual, but very much delicious.

It would have completely pleasant and very close to normal, is Claire hadn't slipped up with the worst word in the worst possible moment.

It happened like this.

Everyone was eating and Daggeron was tossing out compliments on Nick's progress in training. Udonna and Liambow were giving him proud glances and Nick almost blushed from the attention.

As the conversation turned to old times, Nick and Claire made a joke under their breath about the two men being "middle-aged" and they demanded to hear it upon noticing their sniggering. They two were hesitant to share, much as you might be if your teacher caught you whispering in class and requested you to share too. Once Nick let out the joke, the older men frowned for a moment, then burst out in laughter. Thank goodness they could have a sense of humor about themselves outside of serious battle and training.

Udonna, looking fondly at her family and friend feasting together, voiced her opinion.

"Isn't it wonderful," she said "that we can now gather together in safety and feast. We can all enjoy each others company and though it has taken years to get here, the moment is all that much sweeter."

"I agree." said Liambow, raising his glass.

"As do I." added Daggeron, whole-heartedly. They all raised their cups and toasted to the health of the group. Nick was enjoying himself immensely and knew he had made his mom happy by coming. She gently rubbed his hand that resting on the table gently.

"Do you think you may sleep here tonight, in your room? It may be safer than traveling through the forest once darkness has fallen."

She was trying to convince him to stay closer to them, but there was no need as he had already made that decision earlier.

"Yes."

"Good." she said, clearly pleasantly surprised.

Claire brought in her pudding for dessert. It was delicious. Apparently, Fireheart had helped make it. He wasn't entirely sure how that was possible, but it was certainly a cute idea. Nick grinned from ear to ear and complimented his cousin's (and dragon's) cooking, making a mental note to remember to tell the guys about this, although they would never believe him.

Stuffed, he began to feel drowsy and wondered when they normally went to bed. They all got up and, instead of moving towards their bedrooms, went into a sitting area for tea. They was more small talk. Nick grew sleepier and sleepier until his eye lids refused to hold up their weight anymore. He began to doze off. Unbeknown to him, his mother was smiling at his sleeping figure on the couch. The others followed her adoring gaze.

"I'll wake him." Liambow offered. He shook his son's shoulder, and he started.

"Yeah. I think so too." he said automatically. At that, just about everyone present was in stitches.

"It was nice to have everyone together again for dinner. It felt almost like older, happier moments." Udonna reiterated.

"I enjoyed it too." yawned Nick. He got up and began to walk towards the bed, wishing everyone goodnight.

That's when Claire said it. "Yes, almost. Of course nothing is the same without Faris." She hadn't meant to cause trouble. She never does. She had no way of knowing that Udonna had not explained to Nick that he was not an only child.

"Who's Faris?" he asked.

A/N: Cliff-hanger, anyone? Please leave a review so I know you thought!