Disclaimer: I own the characters and plot.

Except I only half own the idea for Companion characters. Cause I made the ones in this story up.

And I half-half-own the idea for winged Companions. Senashenta created a winged Companion before I ever did.

Muse responsible: Chaesa

:colons,: as everybody knows, are Mindspeech. [brackets] are Alettea's thoughts.

And Marlon means, "Wild Falcon," so it's fitting that he's a friend of "White Winged One," ne?

For the record, Stian means "swift," Zephyr means, "strong wind," and Oriana means "Golden Dawn." These are the closest friends of Alettea, though she isn't really best friends with any Companion because of the whole wing-thing.

Yes, I borrowed the "perfectly lovely nose" thingy from Yfandes...I couldn't help wondering what she meant...BAD THOUGHTS NOW! *whacks at evil thoughts with usual stick*

Last chappie revamp for a while! Yee! I'm done! For now! Now to go rewrite Hindsight and Clans...when and if I feel like it, though they really need them...

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It was Marlon at the Waystation.

Marlon was a few weeks older than I, and one of my few friends, along with Zephyr, Stian, and Oriana.

And he had a perfectly lovely-[nose, Alettea. Think about his nose.]

He was currently looking at me with a strange expression on his face.

Yes, Companions have faces and expressions to go on them.

:Uh, Alettea?: asked Namyata in my mind, staring at Marlon.

:Yes, Chosen?: I answered.

:Is this bad?: she ventured.

:Weeeeellllllll-yes. But Marlon's one of my best friends-I'll talk him around.:

Namyata slid off my back and ran into the Waystation. Marlon watched her, then turned to me and said, perfectly conversationally, :She's lovely, Alettea. I'm guessing she has a temper, though, with her head of flame.:

There was enough emphasis on "flame" to make me flinch and twitch my hide. [Like you used to when he looked at you, Alettea. Now quit it.]

I managed to stop my hide in its tracks. Marlon was taller than I, so I couldn't exactly look down on him-an advantage which would have been nice to have.

And I was feeling extremely stupid, so I wanted to crawl into a hole as he peered down at me. :Was I hallucinating, or were you actually flying?: asked Marlon.

I swallowed. His Mindvoice was wonderful to listen to-[STOP it, Alettea, no TIME for you to develop your crush further!]

I drew myself up to my full height. Now was revelation time-at least to Marlon. [Sorry, Taver,] I said, mentally, as I began the explanation.

:...so, you know the Wings of White Fire prophecy?: I asked.

Marlon blinked at me. :No.:

I sighed. :It's kind of obscure, so I don't blame you. Most of it tells the story of the original Winged One, but then at the end, her Chosen gave this prophecy.:

Marlon blinked at me for a moment. I shifted. :Actually, Namyata-my Chosen-can probably tell it better than I-she's got Bardic, Marlon.:

Marlon cocked his head. :That's odd, for a Herald.:

I closed my eyes and Sent to Namyata, :Chosen? Would you mind singing the Wings of White Fire prophecy? Do you know it?:

Namyata came out of the Waystation, saying, "Actually, I do. This one Bard who specializes in obscure, old songs came through our town looking for more. While he was there, he taught me a little...now that I think of it, he said something about coming back for me in a few years."

:Sing it for us, please,: I said.

Namyata cleared her throat, and then song poured from her throat, her voice wringing the tale from light and shadow. Her voice rose on the last two verses-the prophecy from the Chosen, long ago.

"Though now we've left, ever march on

For even when hope seems far past gone

We will watch from the Havens high

Kind eyes will guard you from the sky."

"But when arises the need so great

Our spirits from the Havens await

And then in Valdemar's greatest pain-

The Wings of White Fire shall rise again!"

Namyata bowed formally, then said, "I've begun making some soup-type stuff in the fireplace-I need to go see it doesn't burn the Waystation down."

She went back into the Station.

Marlon looked from her to me. :...in Valdemaran, please?:

I bristled. :That WAS in Valdemaran!:

Marlon ducked his head. :I'm just a silly white horsie, as so many little kids call us. Minus the silly. Explain? Please?:

I sighed again. :Basically, it means that Valdemar should keep going, for their-our-spirits will watch from the Havens, and then when Valdemar's doom is close, we'll be reborn. I thought Valdemar's doom had died with Vanyel, Havens rest his soul.:

(Quick note from our dear Van: Hah! Try spending a couple centuries haunting a forest to guard a country! Havens rest me? Finally got around to it 600+ years later...)

Marlon twitched his ears. :And I thought I would have a nice, quiet time this time around...:

I snorted. :Is the life of a Companion EVER quiet?:

Marlon shifted, then sighed. :I guess not.:

I declined comment, instead dipping my head down and munching on the grass.

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Oioioioi...I'm going to camp for a while, so no updaties for a bit.

42!

Bork bork bork.

Fergiaj: Sorry it's taken so long...*wince*

Kierseth: More? You want-more? Ehehe...

Kalyra Shadowdancer: I like ys too...

Kyalia: Ooh! Thankees! (I know I have to do a lot to earn a compliment from you, Beta-Type-Reviewer! ;)

Etcetera-cat: Yup. A Companion on Search. That's what happens when a Companion goes out to look for their Chosen. But you already knew that!

Herald-Mage Brianna: Actually, it's not...

Poll! Should I change my username from "Fireblade" to "Fyreblade?" (I dunno. Probably won't, but what do you think?)

Wind to thy wings!

~Fireblade