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: Wow! What can I say? I seriously didn't mean to leave this story alone for so long and then I looked at the update date and it's been almost a year!!!! And people are still reviewing : ) : ) : )
I just want to apologise for going so long without an update. The next few chapters are written and I'm definitely going to post them quickly – as long as real life doesn't get in the way!
Anyway, HUGE thanks as always to everyone who has reviewed so far and has been waiting for an update for so long! I hope I haven't chased you all away!
- Updated 23/5 – Darkwind and Elspeth are NOT married
Queen's Own: I think it was really your review that made me realise just how long it had been between updates!! Anyway, thanks for the advice about the lifebonds – I've gone back and corrected them. And about An'desha? Well you'll have to wait and see how and when he appears in the story : ) Hope you enjoy the next chapter
Skyler K.Daemon: You said you want Karal? (Wracking brains) I can't quite remember if he's in this chapter or the next, but I definitely mention him somewhere and we'll hear more from him later on : )
Hildi-chan: don't worry – the big meeting is coming! I know what you mean about people writing Darkwind and Elspeth … I can't find anyone else who has!
Athena: Well, it's not exactly soon, but here's an update!
MoonLessWind: I will, I will! Promise!
AB4: Yep, I can promise lots of Darian/Keisha goodness : )
ElveNDestiNy: I know what you mean about the lack of Darkwind/Elspeth fics! I think that's what inspired me to write one … I just felt their stories were unfinished
Jane Silver: Thanks for the compliment – dunno about the Snowfire/Darian thing. I'm kind of a one-woman story at the mo : )
Angharad Gwyn: Here is the long awaited update – enjoy!
naughtylittlemunchkin: Hey Nadia! Once again you win the award for longest review – yay! Look out for more Talia/Dirk goodness – I promise they're in here somewhere : )
Lia Ex Machina: Glad you like the story – sorry about the grammatical mistakes! I don't have a proof-reader (beta reader, whatever they're called) so it's left to me to check my work, hence the mistakes.
Darkwind: Aww… thanks for the compliments! About the 'kitten' thing, I'm not really sure – have to go check!
no name: Here you go! Another chappy! You can get up off your knees now!
ola: heh – I can spot a fellow eng lang student a mile off : ) hope you enjoy the chappy
LeopardDance: a new character you say? Hmm … just wait and see …
Konitsu: Sorry it's been so long between updates but the wait is over – enjoy : ) : )
Whew, that was a lot of thankyou's (my own fault for being away so long) anyway, on with the actual story of the chapter!!
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After the Storm
By: JoeyStar
Timeframe: Set a year or so after Owlknight
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(Haven – Royal Suite)'I can't believe I'm finally going to be a grandmother!' Selenay, Queen of Valdemar, beamed at her daughter and son-in-law, as if they had just told her the news. In actual fact, she had learnt from her Companion a candlemark or so before, but that didn't matter to the elated queen. 'Oh Daren! I'm going to be a grandmother!'
Prince Daren, Consort to the Queen, smiled at his wife's enthusiasm. 'Congratulations, both of you.' He told Elspeth and Darkwind. 'Though I'm assuming it wasn't planned?'
The couple shared wiry glances. 'Well, we've always planned to have children but this still came as a bit of a shock!' Elspeth responded with a small smile, her hand gripping Darkwind's rather tightly, showing her tension.
Selenay turned to other occupants of the room, her teenage children Kris and Lyra who had been watching the scene quietly. 'Kids? What do you think?'
'I think it's really great for you Sis…' Kris began.
'… but we think you're mad. I mean a baby? Please!' Lyra finished for him. Elspeth wasn't offended. The twins were going through the typical teenage stage where everything unconnected with them wasn't important and any small children of any age were disgusting. She often wondered how Darkwind managed to put up with teaching them.
'Well I know where to come when I need someone to look after my baby then!' She ignored her sibling's groans and turned back to her mother. 'We wanted you to be the first to know officially – although all the Herald's already do, thanks to Gwena.'
:I said I was sorry! It just slipped out! Besides, it easier than you having to tell everyone…:
:I forgive you dearheart. You know I love you really.:
Gwena sent her a picture of a big smile and Elspeth had to fight from laughing out-loud, even though all but Darkwind were Heralds and all would treat it as normal.
'Right,' Selenay said, slapping her hands down onto her knees decisively. 'There's so much to organise we're going to have to get started right away. First of all we need to sort out a proper room for the baby and there's the midwife to worry about…'
'Mother.' Elspeth interjected quietly, to no avail.
'Which Healer would you like to use? It's a shame Healer Fela isn't still alive – she's the one who delivered you – and she's the best midwife I've ever known but-'
'Mother!' Elspeth raised her voice slightly and Selenay paused in mid-flow, blinking at her eldest child.
'Mother, I've already started making plans myself. Within a few days I should know whether my chosen midwife will be available And if so he will be travelling here directly-'
'Wait a minute! He?' Selenay protested, certain that she must have misheard. 'What do you mean: he?'
'Firesong K'Treva, Mother. Our friend the Healing Adept. We've sent him a message and should know in a few days if he's able to come for the birth.'
'Firesong?' Daren exclaimed in surprise. 'That popinjay?'
'Oh, Father, he's changed since then – changed a lot. And despite his personality he is still the most powerful Healer I know and a very close friend. I want him here for the birth.'
'But… he's Firesong!' Selenay protested, unable to articulate her protests. Elspeth understood what she meant though. Firesong probably didn't know one end of a baby from the other, but he was still a compassionate Healing Adept.
'Selenay, Firesong has been changed since the last Mage Storm.' Darkwind told the queen diplomatically. 'I think you will be pleasantly surprised.'
'Well, that remains to be seen.' Selenay muttered and Elspeth kept having to remind herself that Selenay was a mother as well as being a Queen and was going to act as such.
'Talking about friends and family, what about K'Sheyna?' Elspeth asked suddenly, turning to her husband. 'And your father? We haven't told them yet.'
Darkwind looked thoughtful, one hand fiddling with one of the feathers he had braided into his hair. 'I would rather tell my father and Kethra face-to-face, but travelling to K'Sheyna will take months and I don't want to leave you for that long. I suppose I shall send them a message like the one we sent to find Firesong. Though I would like it if we could take our child to see them when he is born.'
'He? Your making certain assumptions there aren't you ashke?' Elspeth smiled gently.
'It was just a word-'
'Well I think it's going to be a girl? Wouldn't you agree Mother?'
Selenay inclined her head gracefully. 'My line has always been very good at producing strong willed women, let's hope it continues.'
Darkwind looked to the twins for support, but they were talking quietly and not listening to their parent's conversation. Daren noticed his beseeching look and shook his head. 'Sorry Darkwind, I've learnt not to argue with the women in this family a long time ago, unless you want to be scarred for life.'
Elspeth laughed and patted the Hawkbrother's shoulder fondly. 'Don't worry dear, I'll be gentle.'
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(K'Valdemar Vale)'How can you ask this of me? You already know where my responsibilities lie!' Healer Keisha Alder stared down her partner, hands on hips, eyes flashing dangerously. 'I've worked so hard at this post and I've finally got the balance just right. And now you come and tell me about your great plans to go gallivanting off to the capital! That's great Darian, just great.'
'Its not gallivanting,' Darian protested, his bondbird Kuari flapping winds slightly in agitation at the raised voices. 'Silverfox will be coming as well, and Firesong-'
'Oh Firesong! Oh course. He's so mature – how could I expect anything else from him?' The sarcasm was difficult to miss in Keisha's tone and Darian winced back slightly.
'Look,' he drew her over to the seating area of their ekele. 'I wouldn't be asking you this if I didn't have a choice. Firesong and Silverfox want to go. But they can't leave unless I go with them. You know as well as I do that my training is incomplete. I have to go with Firesong. And,' he took a deep breath and leant forward, taking her hand in his, 'he knows that I won't leave the Vale without you. So… hence my asking you to come with us.'
'Oh Darian.' Keisha stroked his hand gently, her expression resigned. 'I would love to get out and see the rest of Valdemar – you know that. But I truly don't think I can just up and leave Errold's Grove or the Vale. There are Elder's who could replace you if they had no other choice, but the only other Healers who have ever been here were from Kero's Skybolts and they returned to Haven almost a year ago now.' She looked earnestly at her lover, willing him to understand her. 'Darian, I love you, and you know that – but I can't just abandon my post here. Please say you understand?'
Darian flicked his head back, making his brown curls bounce. 'Of course I understand,' he said with a slight sigh in his voice, 'and I told Firesong this is what you would say. And your commitment is one of the things I admire about you ke'chara.' Kuari hooted his assent and Keisha smiled slightly. Darian held his free hand up to forestall any further comment from her. 'But, what if we were to find someone willing to take over you duties?'
Keisha looked at him in confusion. 'But there's no one in or around the Vale who could do that! Who are you going to ask? Nightwind?'
'Forget about the Vale; just think about the question. Would you come with me if you were free of your responsibilities?'
Keisha stared into Darian's brown eyes, thinking. While she had no real ambitions outside of the Vale, she knew that Darian had been chaffing recently under the strain of the same routine day in day out. She also knew that, like his parents, he liked to explore and this possible trip to Haven would have made his day. Not that she was a shy, stay at home girl either. She would enjoy a trip to Haven as much as the next man – it would get her away from her pushy parents and the ever-present villagers so…
'Yes, if I had no responsibilities Darian, then of course I would want to go. But it's a redundant question because the fact is I do have responsibilities and I can't leave them.'
At that moment, Kuari interrupted both of them. :Mages coming.: he informed his bondmate succinctly.
:Who?:
:Firesong. Starfall. Snowfire.: Kuari sent pictures to accompany the names and Darian smiled at his bondmate's intelligence – it never ceased to amaze him.
'Kuari says that we're being descended upon,' he told Keisha, who was watching him expectantly. 'They'll probably want to talk about the trip to Haven.'
Keisha leaned back in her chair as Darian stood up and leaned over the edge of the ekele, beckoning their guest upward. 'Well, I hope they have a solution because I certainly don't.' She murmured as Snowfire appeared in the doorway, smiling a greeting and clapping his younger brother's shoulder in a friendly manner. Nightwind followed him in, taking a seat next to Keisha and looking at her quizzically. The Healer blushed under the older woman's gaze and to her relief Nightwind remained silent.
'I suppose this is about the message Firesong received?' Darian guessed, looking around at the rest of his guests: Firesong, Silverfox and Starfall made themselves comfortable.
Starfall inclined his head. 'Kero and Elden would be here, but they are preparing to leave the Vale. Whether you travel or not will have no bearing on them – they've decided it's high time they returned to Haven where they belong.'
'Well it has been nearly a year since the Skybolt's returned. I'm surprised they've stayed so long.' Nightwind commented.
'So are they.' Snowfire grinned. 'But I think they've had enough of us now. Kero told me that Haven was calling her. She said she's even looking forward to getting back into those 'Oh-shoot-me' whites of hers.'
This comment brought smiles from everyone. They all knew Herald-Captain Kerowyn well and they had all heard her opinion of the typical Herald attire – the dreaded whites.
'So.' Firesong began, looking expectantly at Keisha and Darian. 'What's the verdict?'
Darian held his hands up in a position of surrender. 'Not good Firesong. Keisha said – and rightly I might add – that she has responsibilities that she just can't leave. And if Keisha can't come then…' he trailed off, but they understood what he was saying.
Darian looked up at the faces watching him. Firesong looked disappointed, Silverfox blank and carefully neutral. Starfall looked resigned and Darian couldn't even read Snowfire's face. It was Nightwind however who's expression caught his eye. She was looking very pleased about something – almost smug.
Darian caught her eye and indicated she should speak out. Nightwind cleared her throat delicately, catching everyone's attention and told her news. 'I think I have a solution,' she began, hurrying on to prevent any interruptions. 'It's my sister Nightbird and her friend Summerdance. I think you all know them apart from Keisha,' she nodded to the Healer who was watching with a certain detached interest; unsure of what direction the conversation was taking. 'Well in the last letter I got from Nightbird, she happened to mention that she and Summerdance were thinking of coming here to K'Valdemar Vale to try and find a permanent position. They've been finding K'Vala a little stifling recently – there just aren't enough positions there for the number of people.'
'I don't see how this solves our problem.' Firesong cut in, a little impatiently.
Nightwind held her peace and continued. 'The relevance is that both Nightbird and Summerdance are Healer's in training. I think Nightbird will probably become a trondi'irn eventually – she certainly looks that way inclined. But Summerdance… well Snowfire knows her better than I do.'
'She's got the Healing gift.' Her husband told them succinctly. 'She's partly trained by my aunt and uncle, but she's well on the way to being able to cope on her own.'
'And you suggest…?' Starfall asked and it was Nightwind who answered. 'I suggest that Nightbird and Summerdance come to K'Valdemar and take Keisha's place as the resident Healer. Any problems they have, I can help with – I do have a little healing gift of my own.'
Starfall bit his lip. 'And how quickly could they get here? I don't like the idea of either village or Vale being without a Healer.'
'They're already on their way.' To everyone's surprise this came from Darian, who was leaning back against the wall of the ekele listening quietly. 'I had a letter from them yesterday saying to expect them soon.'
Snowfire looked at him oddly. 'I didn't know they were writing to you.'
'Almost a year now. Since we met again at the wedding.'
'Summerdance has never mentioned it.' He still seemed a little suspicious and Keisha wondered why. Who was this Summerdance anyway?
'There was no reason to was there?' Darian pointed out logically. 'Beside, she is technically my cousin.' He added, almost as an afterthought.
Snowfire shrugged and Nightwind took up the flagging conversation again. 'What do you think Starfall?'
The Elder of K'Valdemar Vale rubbed one side of his face tiredly. 'I think the idea has much merit – if Nightbird and Summerdance will agree.' He smiled wanly. 'If they do, then I don't see any reason why they cannot replace Keisha until she returns from Haven.'
Darian smiled, Firesong gripped Silverfox's hand excitedly and even the implacable Nightwind looked decidedly pleased with herself.
:We're going to Haven!: Darian sent to Kuari.
:Haven? That big Vale?:
:Very big Vale!:
:Mice?:
Darian fought back a chuckle at the feral tone in the eagle owl's mind voice. :Yes, featherhead. They'll be mice.:
:Mice tasty, I like mice. We go.:
Well, at least he had Kuari's approval!
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Hmm… looking back I think this is moving a little slowly. Don't worry! I'm not gonna subject you to read through all nine months of Elspeth's pregnancy : ) I'll try and speed things up a little bit now.