Disclaimer: Valdemar, Heralds, Companions etc … none of that belongs to me, it's all the property of Mercedes Lackey. I'm just borrowing the characters for a while … apart from Aline who is most definitely mine : )

A/N: Okay, well this is not only my first Mercedes Lackey fanfic, it's my first fanfic altogether. So if you're gonna review … please be gentle!

- Updated 23/5 – Darkwind are Elspeth are NOT married

- Updated 29/5 – Additional story added (bottom section)

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After the Storm

By: JoeyStar

Timeframe: Set a year or so after Owlknight

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(Haven)

The air was still and peaceful, the early morning light creeping over the horizon and heralding a new day. Herald-Mage Elspeth lay in her lover's arms staring up at the ceiling and trying to settle her queasy stomach.

She had been feeling unwell for several days now, but was reluctant to speak of it to her mate – he had enough to worry about on his own. Since the violent Mage Storms of several years ago, the threat of war with the Eastern Empire and the barbarian invasion from the north they had had little time to be alone together, to enjoy each other's company, or just to sit and talk.

Her stomach rebelling once again, Elspeth pulled away from her partner's arms, rolled out of the bed and hurried towards the bathing room, which held the privy for their suites.

Adept Darkwind K'Sheyna awoke to the increasingly recognisable sound of his lover throwing up. Yawning, he sat up in their bed, pushing his silver – white hair out of his face, ice-blue eyes blinking. Trying to hurry, but equally trying not to aggravate his aching muscles, Darkwind pulled a midnight blue silk robe around him and crossed into the bathing room.

Elspeth had felt him the moment he had awaked and she wasn't surprised when an elegant but strong hand began smoothing her silver streaked brown curls back from her forehead. The other arm encompassed her shoulder and she leant against Darkwind, unable to do anything but retch miserably.

When she had finally disposed of what felt like an entire month of meals, she pulled away from the privy, one hand covering her mouth. Darkwind helped her up and lead her back into the main room of their suites. He sat her down in a chair and placed a cup of fresh water in her hands. 'Drink, otherwise you'll become dehydrated.'

Not having the strength to argue, Elspeth sipped at the water, savouring the lightly lemon taste. Within in a fraction of a candlemark she had drained the glass and placed it down on the table with a light chink.

Looking up she saw that Darkwind was watching her seriously from underneath his shock of loose silver hair. Sighing inwardly she held up a hand to stave off what she knew was coming next. 'I know, I know. I should go and see a Healer.'

'I don't know why you haven't already,' Darkwind told her in frustration. 'Seeing a Healer would have sorted this problem weeks ago.' He ran one hand through his hair distractedly. 'Promise me Elspeth that you'll go and see one today – before your first class.'

His ice-blue eyes, so much lighter than when she had first met him – bleached by the nodes – bored into her intently. Rubbing her aching temples she murmured, 'I don't have the time.'

'Then make the time. I'm serious Elspeth, this is ridiculous. I don't understand why you're making yourself suffer like this.' A sudden thought struck him and his eyes widened slightly. 'Is there something you're not telling me?'

That I think I know what's wrong? That I don't know how to tell you? That I don't know how everyone else will react? That I don't know how you will react? That I- 'No,' Elspeth lied smoothly, 'there's nothing. And if it will make you feel better I'll go and see someone today.'

Smiling wanly, Darkwind stroked her free hand gently. 'That's all I can ask ke'chara.'

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A candlemark or so later found Elspeth dressed and walking out across Companion's Field. Darkwind had already left for his first class – since returning to the Collegium after crowing Tremane as Hardorn's king he had taken up his old position as Tayledras ambassador and instructor to the newest Herald Mages. As had she, but her first class wasn't until the afternoon and besides, she wanted to seek some female advice.

She had toyed with the notion of seeking out Talia, the Queen's Own Herald, and had gone so far as to enquire about her whereabouts. All her husband Herald Dirk had been able to tell Elspeth was that Talia was on Queen Selenay's business and would be out of Haven for a couple of days. Leaving Dirk to look after their eight year old son Jemmie, something he had seemed a little nervous about.

Smiling at the memory of Dirk's expression, Elspeth continued to move farther into the field, eyes searching through the field of white, incandescent shapes.

:Looking for me dearling?: the words drifted into Elspeth's mind accompanied by the raised head of a Companion, in the corner of the field. She smiled as her Companion broke off from graizing and trotted towards her.

:Of course – why else would I come into the field?: Elspeth returned with a mental smile. :I just can't live without seeing your gorgeous face each morning.:

Gwena snorted, the equivalent of a human's laugh and nudge her Chosen, lipping the sleeve of her whites. :Flatterer. Why are you really here?:

Elspeth hesitated for a second, then decided to be honest. Gwena was pretty intelligent, even for a Companion. She would be able to tell if Elspeth was lying. Beside, you couldn't lie when using mindspeech anyway. :Can I ask your advice about something private?:

Gwena flicked her mane, shooing away a horse-fly before answering. :Oh course Chosen. You know you can talk to me about anything. Even your man…: the Companion added slyly, and Elspeth received a welter of images in ideas that would have made her blush to the roots of her hair in any other situation. Now though, her mind was too focused on her own problems to even reprimand Gwena for her dirty mind.

Sensing her Chosen's seriousness, Gwena nudged her again. :Let's take a ride, then you can tell me what this is all about.:

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Back inside the Collegium, Darkwind stood facing his students, all Herald-Mage trainees, inside his wood-panalled work room. The work-room was a perfectly circular room with heavy magical shields to stop anything which might take place inside from leaking out. His group was small, it consisted of three boys and one girl, all with unusually strong Mage Gifts. All who could one day, with the correct training, become Adepts like himself an Elspeth.

Although he watched them all, he watched the youngest two in particular: Kris and Lyra – his brother and sister in-law. Or to be more exact, his half-brother and sister-in-law. While Elspeth was the daughter of Selenay, her father had been an ignorant fool who had tried to kill his own wife in an attempt to take the Valdemaran throne and had died in the attempt. Selenay had then married again, shortly after the defeat of Ancar on the Iftel border, this time to Prince Daren of Rethwellen – Elspeth's uncle. Unlike most people, Darkwind had found Elspeth's family easy to understand. He was used to complicated family trees, within the Hawkbrother clans it was a common place event for a sister and brother from one family to wed the sister and brother from another. To keep things simple thought, he referred to them as his brother and sister, Herald-Mage trainees, and Heirs to the throne of Valdemar since Elspeth's abdication.

The fifteen year-olds were attempting to learn tandem work, in which the joined their shields together and worked as a unit. It was advanced level magery – somewhere between the levels of Journeyman and Master, but Darkwind had felt they were ready for a challenge.

His other students, the dark haired, slender Reni and the tall, strongly built Tannis, were focusing on developing different magical shields for different purposes, such as fire, mage winds, and weapons.

Still, even though his mind was focused on what his students were doing, he couldn't help worrying about Elspeth. Despite her words he knew there was something she wasn't telling him and he wondered whether this was cause for alarm. He idly wondered what she was doing with her free morning… and whether she had gone to see a Healer yet.

:Vree?: he sent suddenly, keeping one eye firmly on Kris and Lyra as he felt for his bondbird.

:?:

:Do you know where Elspeth is?: he asked the forestgyre, noticing with a slight smile that the golden and silver of the twins magical shields were beginning to meld slightly.

:I look,: the bird replied, then shortly later, :I find.:

:Where?:

:Horse-field. With horse.: Vree's understanding was somewhat limited but Darkwind understood him easily enough. :Thank you Vree. You can go and hunt now.:

:Bring you back some?:

Darkwind smiled again. :No thanks, just have fun.:

:Fun,: the bird agreed, his sense fading from Darkwind's mind. The Hawkbrother's attention returned to his students and while both Reni and Tannis were still working their way steadily through the task he had set them, Lyra and Kris appeared to have stopped.

'Problems?' he glided over to them and observed their half-meshed auras critically. 'You're doing well. Why have you stopped?'

'Kris won't relax his own shields enough for it to go any further.' Lyra complained, at the same time as Kris said: 'Lyra's too relaxed, I can't grasp the rest of her aura.'

Darkwind held back his laughter at their identical expression of accusation. Remind me, he thought, never to have twins! Seeing their still stricken faces he relented and smiled slightly. 'Okay, I think that's enough for today everyone. Reni, Tannis, very good work on those shields. I'll be testing them next lesson so make sure you practice some time today.' He turned to the twins who had released their magic, but were still watching him with matching woeful looks. It was strange just how much they looked like Elspeth in certain lights.

Putting a hand on each of their shoulders he lead them towards the door. 'What am I always saying in circumstances like these?' He prompted them as they followed Reni out of the room.

Lyra sighed a little, her shoulder's dropping. 'Don't expect to much of yourself.'

'Exactly. I've told you this before and I will probably tell you again many times in the future but, the work you are attempting is Master level magery. I will not lie to you, it is difficult.' He closed the door behind them and sealed it with his magic. 'But it's also a challenge and that's what you two need. It may even be one of the hardest things you have to do, looking at the way in which the Mage Storms have affected magic I wouldn't be surprised if we are limited to Master level magic for hundreds of years to come.' He watched for their reaction. Kris looked sceptical and Lyra bored. Sighing inwardly he ushered them along the corridor. 'Of with you two, we'll try again tomorrow okay?'

'Okay. Bye Darkwind.'

'Yeah, bye Darkwind.'

Without another word, the golden haired twins hurried off down the corridor leaving Darkwind looking after them thoughtfully.

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'I would hope that this is private and not going to go any further than here?' Elspeth inquired, perching on the edge of the bed and watching the man nervously. On Gwena's advice she had finally decided to see a Healer – actually, her mind had been swayed by another bought of throwing up if she was to be honest – but Gwena had helped to put things in perspective. Then there had been the problem of which Healer to ask to see. Seeing as she used to be the Heir and was still the Queen's daughter she could have seen anyone… but she wanted to be comfortable. So she had chosen Healer Devan, a close friend of Talia's and someone Elspeth had known since she was a child.

'You know the rules as well as I Elspeth,' Devan remarked without turning around. 'Of course this is private. Now if you want to be lie back on the bed we can begin.'

:Relax kitten, I'm with you.: Gwena's warm presence reassured her and she lay back on the bed, hands by her sides.

Devan turned around then, a piece of parchment in his hand, and his eyes twinkling. 'Well, from how you've described your symptoms to me, I think I can take a guess at what the problem is. I'll just do one more test to be sure though.' He leant over her abdomen, his hands resting lightly on her chest and closed his eyes.

Elspeth lay in silence, feeling horribly agitated as she waited for Devan's judgment. :I'm a little nervous,: she confessed to her Companion to fill the silence. She felt Gwena laugh in her mind. :Gods dear, I can't remember the last time you admitted that without a scowl!:

:Don't mock me horse.: Elspeth shot back and would have added more had Devan not opened his eyes and smiled down at her.

'Well, I can certainly tell you what's wrong with you Elspeth,' he helped her into a sitting position, 'though I think you already knew…'

People were watching him. People were definitely watching him. Or to be more accurate, Herald's were watching him – trainees and full Heralds both. And every so often they'd smile and then try to hide it. It was starting to get very worrying.

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Darkwind tried to ignore the knowing looks and strange grins that were being shot at him as he traversed the corridors of the Collegium, heading for his rooms. He didn't have another class that day and was looking forward to meeting Elspeth there for lunch. He wondered whether she had seen a Healer yet.

He rounded the corner onto the hall which held his and Elspeth's suites. As he nearer, he noticed that the door was open and he could hear voices coming from inside.

'… everyone knows?'

'Well, I'm not sure if everyone does…'

'Skif! This is the worst possible thing that could have happened! If anyone has said anything to Darkwind-'

'Don't worry, they won't have. I made them promise not to.'

'Oh, this is all your Companion's fault-'

'You can't blame Cymry, she just repeated what she heard. No one told her it was a secret.'

'So who told Cymry?'

'She said it was Ahrodie.'

'But how on earth did Dirk know?'

'Oh he didn't. Rolan told her.'

'Well who told the Queen's Own's Companion? The biggest gossip in Companion's Field?'

:Erm… that would have been me…: even Darkwind heard the shame in Gwena's voice clearly.

'Gwena! I told you it was private! How could you?'

:It just slipped out when Rolan and I were…:

'Please, don't go into detail.' Skif interrupted the Companion as Darkwind rounded the edge of the door and entered the rooms. He look in Elspeth sitting in the chair she had vacated several candlemarks earlier and Skif standing with his back to the door. Then he couldn't hold back the question any longer. 'What in the Star- Eyed's name is going on Elspeth?'

They both jumped, Skif whirling around guiltily, then relaxing fractionally as he recognised Darkwind. Elspeth fiddled with the braiding on the sleeves of her whites and asked innocently, 'what do you mean love?'

:You're an awful liar.: He told her bluntly, patience rapidly coming to an end. 'Every Herald from here to the Eastern Empire knows something that I don't and I have a shrewd feeling it's something to do with what we were talking about this morning.' He walked over to his life-bonded and took the seat opposite her. 'Are you going to tell me what it is?'

Elspeth shot Skif a beseeching glance, but Skif was no fool. With a quick smile and a wave he hurried out of the room, closing it gently behind him and leaving Elspeth no escape from the question.

Releasing that she didn't have a choice, even though she had actually wanted to pick the time and place to tell him, Elspeth leant forward and took his hand in hers gently. He watched her intently, almost as if he was looking for the answer in her big blue eyes.

'Darkwind… ke'chara… you know that I love you more than anything don't you?'

Puzzled by the direction her words were going, Darkwind nodded slowly.

Elspeth took a deep breath and plunged. 'How would you feel if you had to share that love with someone else?'

This startled him and he almost jerked his hand away. 'What do you mean? Have you met someone else?'

Elspeth shook her head at his naivety. 'No love,' she finally told him: 'I'm pregnant.'

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(Unknown)

The woman huddled in the corner, her filthy hair half obscuring her vision as she stared blankly ahead of her. Her bruised face was bowed over her knees and the remains of her white clothing hung loosely from her slender frame.

Behind her footsteps could be heard, as if someone was impatiently pacing backwards and forwards.

A strangled gasp escaped the woman's lips and the footsteps stopped.

'What is it?'

The woman began rocking backwards and forwards, her hands plucking nervously at the ragged sleeves of her clothes, her dark eyes fixed on something only she could see

'Well? What do you See?'

Slowly, as if each word cost her more than she could say, the woman began to speak. 'I see … the End … the End is coming …'

In a flurry of movement, the woman was seized by the arm and spun viciously around. Her eyes were dark pools of emotion, projecting an oblique terror that was only partly connected to her immediate situation.

'What did you say?'

'The End …' the woman whispered. 'They will come for you … and they will kill you.'

'Do you mean …?'

'He is coming. He will bring the end.'

'That child? Impossible!'

The woman shook her head slowly. 'No … I have Seen this. It will happen …' she trailed off as a pair of hands closed around her neck, squeezing tighter and tighter.

'This will not happen! See something else!'

'I – I can't …' the woman choked out, clawing at the hands around her neck. 'This is what I See … the End …'

'The End will not come until I say it does!' A backhanded blow caught the woman across the face and she fell against the wall, coughing weakly as the air rushed back into her sore lungs.

'Now … lets see what we can do about this boy …'

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Didn't see that one coming did you? Yeah, I know if was a bit obvious to say the least but I wanted to start this fic off with a mixture of obvious plotlines and intriguing mystery– so I hope the last section provided plenty of the latter!

Remember that more reviews means more chapters … and faster reviews mean faster chapters … isn't it a nice spiral of happiness? xxx