To be frank, the lioness kicked ass. She lunged and swiped like liquid metal. Hot, fluid, and dangerous. Within an hour they were all dead. All but Jareck. Who had been locked in the brig with Owen to avenge his best friend.

From the moans that were drifting up through the boards, Owen was having a " jolly" good time. The remaining squires dragged the henchmen out of the room and pitched them overboard while Kel and Alanna put Merric with Cleon.

"They'll be ok Kel." Alanna's voice broke the grim silence. Kel bit her lip to hold back tears.

"I hope so. I really hope so." Kel was glad that it was dark in the room. She had promised herself that they would never see her cry. Never hear her complain. She rubbed her eyes gently.

"I'm going back out to organize the troops, and sail us out the harbor. Come out when you feel that it's appropriate." A small sliver of light between the door and the jam reinforced that statement, and the Lioness's departure.

Another figure slipped in moments later, and wrapped her comfortingly in a big hug. She snuggled into their arms. " It'll all be okay Kel. Father must have something up his sleeve. We'll be home soon." They stood there a long time, rocking in time with the boat that was rolling on gentle waves.

Suddenly they felt the boat spinning, as if in a whirlpool. Kel groaned quietly through silent tears. " I just want to go home. Can we PLEASE just have normal, boring lives for three days? That's all I want!"

Roald grinned at her in the dark. " I know, I know. But I do believe we're home." Kel's head jerked up.

" Home? Serious? You're not just trying to get me to go out there?" Roald laughed outright.

" Serious. Now come on. Let's go." Kel nodded and took his hand. Her other hand fished in her pocket feeling the letters addressed to Neal, Roald, and one for Cleon, even though she knew he couldn't read it, him being… No. She stopped herself. * I will not think about that. Just be glad to be home for the moment.*

Roald pulled her out in the light. " Some on outside." The emerged onto the outer deck. It was the dead of night. The stars shone brightly above them, welcoming them home.

" Can you smell that?" Kel inhaled deeply.

" Smell what?" Neal asked, coming up behind them. Roald shrugged.

" Home. No more overly fragrant flowers. No slaves laboring below deck, sweating to take people where they're going… Its home. Not as much humidity. The cold rushes of mountain breezes…." She trailed off.

" She has a point." Neal pointed out. " No place smells like home. Good Gods that sounds weird." He shook his head, chuckling. " Come on Roald. Let's go get Cleon and Merric so we can take them up to your father."

" Don't bother." Jon's sweet baritone said , coming up the gangplank. " I'm here, as is master Salmalin. We need to go to that room, and be undisturbed for at leas an hour, understood?" The squires nodded solemnly.

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Neal's head began to nod three hours later. He, Kel, and Roald all waited outside the door to the room where Cleon and Merric's bodies were. He glanced over. Kel lay in Roald's arms on a pile of pillows. *gods she's beautiful when she's asleep* Just then, the door to the room opened. Neal jumped to his feet.

" Shhh." Jonathan pointed to Roald and Kel." Let them sleep. Come in." Neal followed him into the room.

Before he could readjust his eyes to the light of the room, he was captured in a giant hug. When he was released, we was looking into Cleon's eyes.

" Cleon?"

" Neal!" They hugged again.

" But you're dead! Aren't you?"

" Do I look dead?"

" Well-" But Neal was cut off by a sharp intake of breath behind him. He spun around.

" Kel." Cleon said " Let me explain…"

Kel's eyes fluttered and she fell back into Roald's arms. He had a most amusing look on his face.

" Not exactly the best way to wake up." He muttered, gently setting Kel on Cleon's empty cot. He turned, stared into his father's matching blue eyes, and said sternly. " Explain. Now".

"Well…"

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A/N: Not as long as I wanted, but Its here. The last'll probably be the longest chapter. Anyway, suggestions are welcome. Put'em in the review or in an e-mail. Either way, please use the little box right down there.

~C