A celebration was being held that night, a small party to say good luck to those that would be fighting, a final fair well for any one that wouldn't survive. In the center of the clearing a bonfire had been built that blazed, sending smoke up into the air. A band had formed, Greer joining them at some point, they played only upbeat and light music, reels, jigs, any dance that suited a happy festival. Masako and those from her world struggled with the quick foot work and gestures, but Greer seemed the most accustomed to them.

Ceilidh stepped in front of Uncle Warren, paying no attention to the speed of the dance or the difficulties her uncle began to have, she was there to dance, and dance she would. "My," her uncle panted, "You certainly are a gifted dancer."

Ceilidh smiled and turned to face him fully now, "Mother says that our names suite us for reasons, that they're a major part of ourselves. Ceilidh is the old Outlandish word for dance, so you can imagine how I am at dances, especially a lively one like this!" She laughed.

Her uncle stopped his dancing and leaned backwards, popping his spine. "I need to go sit; I didn't know you could go five dances without a rest." He grumbled and walked over to his wife.

"You're out of shape cousin Warren!" Her father shouted from nearby as he danced with Johanna. Warren turned to face him and stuck his index and middle finger in the air as a curse. Alick laughed and stuck his tongue out at him.

"Try that again when I have my sword, lefty!" Warren shouted back. "Next time I'll cut out your tongue!"

Alick laughed and smiled, "I'd like to see you try!" he shouted back. Warren threw up his hands and went to rejoin his giggling wife. After a few more dances, and a few more jeers between the two cousins, a slow song began.

Couples began pairing off and dancing to the slow melody of the pipes. Ceilidh thought this was as good a time as any to take a rest and began to head toward a seat when she smacked into some one. "So sorry, I didn't mean to run into you." She apologized and took a quick step back.

Prince Ezekiel smiled at her, bringing forth a light blush from Ceilidh. "That's no problem, but you can make it up to me." Ceilidh quirked an eyebrow in a clear question of how and what she'd have to do. "You can dance with me." He said and gave her no opportunity to protest before he took her hand and led her into a slow waltz.

Ceilidh had never been one for slow dances, but for some reason, in this moment she didn't care. It felt right to be in his arms, she couldn't say why; she just knew that his touch sang of acceptance and safety. His dark eyes told her nothing but truth and showed his true emotions, not in the same way as her mother and uncle, but in a way that pierced her soul with understanding. She didn't know how, she didn't know why, but she believed she knew the reason she was so enchanted by him. She was in love with Prince Ezekiel.

The song was over much too soon for either of their likings. The prince smoothed back his dark auburn hair and bowed, giving her knuckles a light kiss before turning and walking away, taking her breath too. She was half tempted to call him back, to ask him to stay with her, yes he'd been rude to her, but that didn't matter to her, she wanted him back; but the prince was already too far away.

Another song later everyone was being pushed back to sit for a moment. Her mother and Greer stood with their backs to the fire, singing a sad song about a woman leaving her home lands and missing the sound of the music she had grown with, then the pipes suddenly became lively and they sang about the woman returning and finding bliss in returning home and hearing the music she had missed for many years.

Several young children who were bored of sitting began dancing with each other. Ceilidh felt the urge in her legs again and leapt to her feet to join them, Yestin, and the prince joined her, dancing and twirling to the song and clapping to keep rhythm. The children stood up and linked arms, spinning around and switching partners after a full spin.

Yestin grabbed her hand and the prince's and the three eldest began to do a circle dance, jumping and skipping then pulling away to clap and do an individual spin, then rejoin hands and move the other way. The adults at last stood and began to form a circle as well, several teenagers joined Yestin's circle around the young children.

The song gave a final burst of energy and ended. Every one cheered and clapped in excitement. Maria, Uncle Warren's youngest daughter, looked at Ceilidh with huge eyes. "Can we do that again?" she said as she tugged on her skirt. Ceilidh smiled and smoothed back her blonde curls.

"Maybe again tomorrow, Maria." She said and the girl scampered off to join her parents again. As the sun began to set, Alick, Tarrant, Johanna, and Alice began to go around with pitchers of wine, ail, and water, filling glasses for the final song.

The family gathered around the fire again, this time they all stood as her mother started the song and Greer joined with the resounding song of her violin. The warriors from Selben's tribe and a few of the warriors from Masako's world stood back a few feet to observe. The song was slow and talked about having no regrets and moving on and forgiving and forgetting. It was about leaving with peace in your heart and love guiding your life, about just accepting things as they came, and taking the lot that fate gave you. It whispered of wars and friends, and loves. It spoke of living your life the best you could and enjoying it, even in the hard times.

It was a message they all needed to hear tonight.

At one point the adults lifted their glasses and joined them on the chorus before the pipes took over. Those that were fighting tomorrow kissed their spouse and children, said goodbye to their parents and joined her parents by the fire. Ceilidh and Yestin kissed their sisters' cheeks and left her with Warren's family to join their parents.

When the end at last come, every one lifted their glasses, even the children and said in unison, "Vivimos nosas vidas en paz. Imos aceptar os nosos lotes e seguir adiante. Porque esta é a canción do vidro de separación." Then they tipped their glasses back, and drank.

Ceilidh had known that statement from a very young age. Her father had taught it to her, "We live our lives in peace. We will accept our lots and move on. For this is the song of the Parting Glass."

Peace overwhelmed the village, the song and its message had made the reality of what was to happen easier to accept for all of them.