Author's Note: Ancient tongue is now brackets, I felt that would be better to look at.

Review Time:

Guest(1) - Yes I am aware of that.

Guest(2) - Yep!

Guest(3) - I knew from the start I could not include *everyone*, but that doesn't mean they can't be referenced or seen in flashbacks, or maybe a side-story? It was difficult to narrow the picks down, some from my own preference, some included due to little involvement in RD as a whole, like Tormod and Largo. But either way, I do have plotthreads in mind for many characters.

Idea - Nope. For me, the Tellius world stands on its own and I don't really see the point of connecting it to Awakening or Fates. That would only make things more complicated than they need to be. Plus I'm Fates'd out from writing ABA for two years, it's Tellius's time to shine. Maybe some easter eggs? We'll see.

Chapter 4 - A Home Away From Home

As he did every day, Rafiel walked alongside Nailah through the beautiful gardens of the palace. It was perhaps the only sight that could get close to his beloved Serenes, with its colorful flowers and floating butterflies throughout.

And of course, Nailah knew how much he valued it, so she made sure it was well kept. She watched him gently allow a ladybug to crawl onto his finger.

"Even the smallest creatures are filled with wonder, aren't they?"

"Why yes," the heron smiled, "some days I would just sit and observe all the insects crawling around. They have their own lives and have their own part to play in nature."

Nailah nodded. "If your heart desires, we shall let it grow until there's a whole forest surrounding us."

"That's far too much for you, my Queen."

"Nonsense."

Rafiel let the ladybug crawl back onto the dirt, gave it a passing nod, and the two continued on. After some time, they reached the edge of the perimeter. As they did every day, the guards stepped aside and opened the gate for them. The one on the left was Niko, a wolf laguz, and the one on the right was Taga, a beorc.

"Ah, thank you, gentlemen. Are you enjoying the beautiful weather today?"

As they did every day, they were caught off guard by Rafiel's amicable nature, and turned to their Queen for assurance they would not offend him.

"Answer the question."

"Today is beautiful, Your Highness."

"Yes, the flowers smell so sweet."

"You can just call me Rafiel….." he said, trying to make things a little easier for them…..every day. But he passed through regardless. Nailah, on the other hand, looked visibly irritated at their insistence on being so formal - and less engaging. But it was in their nature, so she stopped their apologies.

"I will be expecting some guests later. Do make sure you try with them."

XXXXX

The capital of Hatari was a bustling hub named Nike. It was morning, but not too early in the day, so plenty of citizens were out and about. Children were playing with their friends. It always warmed Rafiel's heart to see the contrast in race, with big, bright smiles.

"Oooh look! It's Rafiel! Look everyone! Hey, can you play with us today?" asked one of the kids, his wolf ears twitching. "We can play hide and seek!"

"That sounds like fun, but children, you shouldn't go too far where your parents can't see!" Rafiel chided. "I do apologize, but I cannot play now. Perhaps later?"

"Okay!" And the kids were off, laughing and giggling all the same.

The innocence of a child was something so marvelous to the heron. They were pure souls, filled with nothing more than the thoughts of play and merriment, before they would have to grow up and throw those things away.
But even he didn't mind indulging their whims.

"Come Rafiel, we have many things to do."

Nailah's voice led him onward. It was highly unorthodox, someone of her stature walking alone with someone else of that stature, but that was how she engaged. A queen doesn't sit in a palace all day, she would often say.

"I do hope you haven't hired them for something….dangerous," he whispered.

"You'll see," she whispered back. In a louder voice: "Pardon me."

"Oh, Queen Nailah! M-Make some room, now!" The city guards shuffled back, as did the citizenry, and Nailah made her way to the center of the crowd. She was there to resolve a….dispute.

By the custom of Hatari, only the strongest was allowed to rule, be they male, female, beorc, or laguz. And as per the custom, the leader always had to accept any duel for the title. Of course, many knew that challenging Nailah was a bad idea, for a myriad of reasons.
"I'm here, as you asked. Shall I have the honor of knowing your name?"

"Yes, Queen Nailah. My name is Nevnad."

Rafiel had to make sure he wasn't seeing things; the man looked remarkably like an old ally named Danved, but then again, he always said he wasn't Devdan, someone else entirely. Or so he claimed.

"And you wish to challenge me?"

"Yes. Don't worry, I am no stranger to combat."

"Hmm." Nailah looked her foe over - just a spear, shield, and some armor. "Then let the battle begin." She just crossed her arms and glanced at Rafiel. She could transform but she already knew it wasn't going to be needed.

Just your legs, Nailah….?

Nevnad ran fast, closing the distance in only three seconds but Nailah's left sandal soon blocked the swing of his spear. He was strained, she was not. Them came the shield, to which she jumped over it, flipped once, and landed right behind her opponent. Her right sandal smashed into Nevnad's side, throwing him back quite a distance.

"Urgh….you're quite strong, my queen. But I'm not finished yet."

"Come, then," she replied. "Give your brothers and sisters a show to behold!"

He ran ahead again, but it was clear that he would be no match for her. Nailah effortlessly dodged every stab and strike, spending each second she could to playfully look at Rafiel. He of all people already knew this outcome.

Finally, her heel smashed into Nevnad at just the right angle to crack his armor. "Ah…."

"Do you yield?"

"…..no, my queen, it's one thing to voluntarily flee from a battle, but it is another to stand down when the enemy tells you to."

"Very well put. Well then, go on."

Nevnad nodded and sprinted ahead. He aimed for her neck, but Nailah just sighed. She jumped and quickly used her legs to put her opponent in a headlock.

"Y-You're….going to…."

"Choke you? Hardly."

With one movement she brought down Nevdan's body smack dab into the dirt, shattering the armor to pieces. Upon releasing him…..the crowd knew the battle was hers.

But even so….

"What….are you doing?"

Nailah had extended her hand to help him get up.

"This battle is over. You're one of my subjects, why wouldn't I help you?"

"Haha…" Nevdan's face twisted into a smile. "You're not fair, Queen Nailah. I was going to try a sneak attack but now I just feel like laughing. You win."

"Thank you. I admire your courage."

Rafiel was no stranger to battle, but he detested it. He didn't like to see people get hurt, lives being cut off before they had a chance to live…..but only with Nailah did he ever see challengers laugh and smile at being shoved into the ground. She was Queen before he even came into the picture, and her strength was first demonstrated some 20 years prior….

XXXXXX

"Ah…"

"Are you awake?" someone asked in the old tongue.

Rafiel's eyes fluttered open in a haze. He couldn't feel the dry air or the intense heat any longer, but rather….he was in a pool. His body felt so heavy, and his wings? He couldn't even feel them. "Where….am I….?"

Nailah sat up from her position, on the edge of the opposite side of the pool. "You're safe now. What were you thinking, traversing the Desert of Death?"

"I….." Rafiel strained his eyes to get a better look at this new face. The pointed ears and white tail suggested she was a laguz, and that was assuring in its own right. "I….don't know….."

"Tell me, what is your name?"

"Ra….Rafiel, my good lady. May…..I have the privilege of knowing yours?"

Nailah was impressed. "Even in such a state, you manage some manners? You must come from a far place."

"What….is this place….?"

"Why, this is Hatari." She got up and walked alongside the pool, allowing both to analyze each other a little more. Nailah had already seen the heron before - when she stumbled upon his body - but now she could see his features in detail. The blonde hair, the bright eyes, white wings, and the white robes….she hadn't seen such a person before.

Rafiel, on the other hand, focused as hard as he could to study this new face. One eye was covered by red and black, her body adorned with tattoos, and there was something….regal about this woman.

"My lady….may I….have your name?"

Nailah chuckled. "Where are my manners? I am Nailah, Queen of Hatari. That wolf over there is my loyal servant, Volug."

The heron turned his head and saw that indeed, another wolf was there, watching….but not saying anything. He hadn't seen a wolf laguz before, surely King Caineghis would've mentioned that kind in Gallia?

"Are you alright? If you wish to sleep, I will give you privacy."

Privacy?

Then he realized he was bare in the pool, which made him turn a shade of red and avert his gaze. "T-That's quite alright, my lady…"

"Are you embarrassed?" she asked with a hint of amusement. "I thought this would help you recover from the desert heat. I've never seen someone like you before."

"Like me?" Rafiel echoed. "My lady, I should be saying that. Does your family hail from the land of Gallia?"

Confused, Nailah looked to Volug…..who didn't have an answer either. "Ga-lee-a? That's a curious name. Is that where you're from, Rafiel?"

"Oh, no….I'm from…Se…." the heron couldn't finish the sentence. All the painful memories he had to face all came flooding back. He wasn't home. He was far, far away from home. He buried his face in his hands and began to sob quietly.

Nailah was intrigued, but also concerned. Clearly this soul had some unfortunate memories, so perhaps now was not the time to pry. One quick gesture told Volug to leave with her, but before she did, she looked back.

"We will talk again, Rafiel."

Soon the two were outside of the city, looking on.

"Are you ready, Rafiel?"

"Yes."

Nailah quickly transformed into her other state, a while wolf with the right eye still covered. Rafiel transformed as well, and his lighter weight allowed him to go on her back. He couldn't fly, but he had done this before. He trusted her that he wouldn't fall.

And so, the wolf ran forward.

By contrast, the others were steadily getting tired from following Volug around, even after he kept insisting it was close. But finally, he stopped at the apex of a sand dune. The others stopped….and finally saw the first glimpse of Hatari down slope. The desert sand soon made way to some grass, which led into a town.

"That's it, Volug? Amazing….."

"Yay! We finally made it!" Mist got off Titania's horse and stretched. "What should we do first?" She glanced her brother, who had a hand on his sword hilt. "Wha-?"

"Don't relax just yet, Mist…."

A group of soldiers had amassed before them, with their leader being a particularly tall and strong man with a scar covering the eye. Some were beorc, some were laguz, but they all stood at command with the crest of Hatari on their person.

"Halt! You must be travelers!"

"We are. What is this place?" Lucia asked.

"Aye, this is the town of Mosha, and you…..have to….." The commander was horrified when he recognized the shape of Nailah's most trusted servant. "S-Stand down! Brother Volug has returned!" They all stepped back. "Brother, you know these people?"

Volug, who had finally transformed back, nodded once. ["Queen Nailah was expecting them."]

"The QUEEN! Oh boy….f-forgive us, travelers. My name is Menes, and…..well, it's just the guard's job to keep an eye for intruders. Usually they don't survive the Desert of Death, but one can't be too careful."

"You can understand Volug?" Reyson asked. "Doesn't most of your country only speak the old tongues?"

Now the guard was in awe. The person speaking to them looked remarkably like the heron always by Nailah's side. That meant….these travelers were more important than they had realized.

"MY BROTHERS! ESCORT THESE PEOPLE TO THE FINEST TAVERN!"

XXXXXX

One word to the owner had all of the regular customers packing, but unfortunately, the selection was rather limited.

"Um, I suppose water is fine," Oscar said. He sat down in between Boyd and Shinon, neither of which were enjoying the booze they had been served. "Is it really that b-….unusual?"

"Yeah!"

"Guess it'll get me drunk if I down enough of them," Shinon grumbled.

"Show some respect, you two, the guards are practically tripping over each other to make sure we're accommodated for. I wonder how many people Queen Nailah informed about this…." Titania wondered. "Wait, did Volug leave again?"

Ike, who was sitting by the door with Ranulf, looked out the window. "Looks that way. He's always been a weird one."

"So Ike, she really didn't inform you about what the contract is for?"

"Huh? Nope. Better we keep it under wraps for now, but I can't imagine why she would hire us."

"Well, why not? Everyone in Tellius at least has SOME idea of who you are, Mr. Radiant Hero," Ranulf joked. "If I had the money, I'd show you off myself!"

"You'd better be offering a steep price, Ranulf."

"Only the highest, friend."

Then there was some commotion - Menes shouting to be specific - but soon Nailah entered, followed by Rafiel.

["Brother!"]

"My friends, thank you for coming all this way," Nailah said. "I apologize for not being a little faster. I should've greeted you as soon as you stepped into Hatari's bounds."

"Q-Queen Nailah-" Menes trailed behind her, "you should've given us proper notice! A woman of your stature shouldn't have to come all this way."

"They are friends, Menes. You are dismissed."

"Y-Yes!"

The town guard quickly left, and it wouldn't be long before all of Mosha knew of Nailah's prescence…but she paid them no mind. Instead, she looked around the room, surveying the choices each ruler had selected. Her lips curved upward.

"What do you think, Rafiel?"

"I'm overjoyed to see them, but…." He looked at Reyson and Leanne. "…the fact that my dear siblings are here is perhaps the greatest joy of all. I'd like a moment."

"As you were." They adjourned to the other room, just as Volug came in to stand besides his queen. "Well done, Volug. They seem to be high spirits." Of course she had to stop them before all the bows began. "We can talk more when we go to the palace." She glanced at Ike.

"How far is that?" asked Rolf.

"At a leisured pace…we should be there by sunset. I know normally travelers come to the monarch, but Rafiel and I wanted to make sure your journey went well."

"It's interesting the town guard didn't seem to expect us…."

"Soren!"

"You're right to have your questions, but in time, I promise you. ….Oh? Who is this child?" Nailah gestured to Amy. But the girl walked up to the wolf queen and smiled broadly at her.

"My name is Amy, Your Highness! Mommy and Daddy took me here with Miss Lucia as part of our vacation! Thank you for having us!" she bowed. Nailah looked to her parents.

"Cute little thing, ain't she? Oh, uh…" Largo cleared his throat. "I'm Calil's husband, Largo. Pleasure to meet you, milady."

"Please, the privilege is mine. Your child is certainly well-behaved."

"She's rather clever, too!" Calil boasted. This got the room to laugh and be in good cheer, although there was one soul visibly uncomfortable….Vika.

"I see….poor Nealuchi…."

Reyson and Leanne had filled their brother in on the status of their friends back home, but they had stopped short of talking about what Tibarn had brought up….now was not the time.

"Yes, it's rather unfortunate. He's taken care of Naesala since he was a child," Reyson sighed. "But do not feel guilty, brother. He's a very long life and has done so much for all of us."

"…"

["Brother? I would like to share some news with you and Reyson, perhaps it will brighten the mood. After all, this is supposed to be a trip of celebration!"]

"Yes, Leanne?"

She smiled and giggled. ["I…..I'm pregnant with Naesala's child."]

"That's wonderful, sister!" Both herons embraced their sister, their wings fluttering in pure happiness….and for a moment, they all thought about their family. Their mother. Their sister Lillia. And their father, once assumed to meet the same fate as their kin.

For Rafiel, this left him conflicted.

XXXXX

"You're leaving, Rafiel?"

Lorazieh had confronted him in the clearing, one day. The combined song of him and his siblings had restored their father's spirit, although many assumed the tearful joy at seeing another child alive certainly had helped.

"…..yes, Father," he replied, his voice quiet. "My Queen awaits me in Hatari."

"The land blocked by that desert?"

"Yes…..I will be sure to visit you, of course! It's just that…."

"…..you started a new life there, haven't you?" Lorazieh shook his head. "Tibarn has told me many things about this Nailah. Do you value her this much?"

"My heart is hers as hers is mine," Rafiel said poetically. His father nodded, although his eyes suggested he wasn't ready to say goodbye so soon. It had been three months after the war, and Lorazieh had come to crave every second.

"Rafiel….I….I'm so happy you're alive. For all these years, I thought Reyson was all I had left. And then to the prayers above, Leanne appeared before my bedside one day. And then….you."

"I'm happy too, Father. I myself thought I was alone….the last heron, for decades. When I was reunited with my siblings, my heart wept with such joy."

Then they both frowned.

"Lillia…."

"Do not cry for her, Rafiel. She died with a strong friendship to a kind-hearted beorc. Just imagine her in the sky, smiling down at us. Her and your mother."

"Yes…." Rafiel had to look away, or at least he actually would start crying. "They fill my dreams every night."

"…."

"…"

"Goodbye…Father….."

"Goodbye, my son…." But Lorazieh was the one crying. "I look forward to our next…..reunion."

"Yes…."

XXXXXX

"Brother? Are you okay?"

["Do you need a tissue?"]

Rafiel wiped his eyes and smiled. "Oh no, it's just so exciting. I really look forward to spending time with all of you, including our friends. Um….I trust that Micaiah and Sothe are doing well?"

"Last we heard, yes."

"…..good."

"By the way, brother," Reyson said, "Menes was rather fluent in the modern tongue. Is that a standard of the populace?"

"Oh, because of Volug? Well…..yes and no. I've been teaching for a long time now."

"You….teaching?"

"Why yes, mostly the children, but anyone is welcome to learn more about the outside world. But now, Hatari can see it through example. I'd love for some of them to assist me…."

["Sounds like fun! Shall we head to the palace, then?"]

"Yes, a rest sounds good."

Rafiel led the way. "Yes. You may be my siblings, but as travelers to Hatari, I must show you everything this land has to offer! Please, follow me…"

FIN

Ending notes: Herons in heroes pls. Like seriously, I want them.

(also slight edit to the Nailah/Rafiel flashback, she would only know the ancient language. I didn't bother with brackets there since there wasn't a need to distinguish between old and new. Sorry for the mistake.)