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, just need to get some things cleared up that I've been having difficultly with: the main one being the time and distances from K'Valdemar Vale to Haven. Because there aren't any maps in the Owlknight series, it's impossible to tell exactly where K'Valdemar and Errold's Grove are in relation to Valdemar and Haven. And also, because I don't have any of the Mage Storm's books, I'm having to work off maps from the Winds of Fate trilogy – which are probably out of date. It's made even more difficult by the fact that the Vales keep moving around – as do the borders of the countries … so to cut a long story short, I hope the distances and times are acceptable in this story and if not, I apologise profusely and blame the lack of maps in ML's books : )
Whew, now that's out of the way – on with the story (and the thankyou's)
- Updated 23/5 – Darkwind and Elspeth are NOT married
Konitsu: Wow! Good to see your still following this story considering how long it's been between updates! Nooo!!!!! Keep that dreaded shoe away from me!!! Here's your update : )
Rythania: Here you go – a superfast update! Hope I satisfied your patience!
Queen's Own: don't worry – I'm not going to make you sit through nine months in the life of a pregnant Elspeth! This next chapter, as you will see, takes place after four months have passed – hope you enjoy : )
Skyler K. Daemon: Poor Darkwind? Hahahaaaaa… things just get worse and worse for our poor little Hawkbrother : ) I'm so evil …
Eri Fairechild: thanks SO much for the review – and for pointing out where I had mucked up with the ages and the distances etc. it was because of you that I went back and rethought how long it was going to take them to get from K'Valdemar to Haven – I hope things make more sense now! (oh and I sorted out Elspeth's age as well!) thanks for pointing that stuff out – it was really useful and I hope you'll be as critical in the future : )
Okay, this chapter is set about four months in Elspeth's pregnancy (as you will see) and it is dedicated to Eri Fairechild who gave me some excellent advice : ) : ) : )
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After the Storm
By: JoeyStar
Timeframe: Set a year or so after Owlknight
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(Haven – Darkwind/Elspeth's rooms)Darkwind ducked again as the crockery hit the wall over his left shoulder with a resounding smash. Thinking quickly, he erected a shield around himself, which protected him from flying plates and glasses. Feeling slightly more confident he straightened up and faced his adversary.
Unfortunately he hadn't betted on his opponent throwing the contents of the bookshelf at him. He managed to dodge the first volume, but the second – 'A History of Valdemar by Bard Stefen' – caught him in the stomach and he collapsed back against the wall with an audible 'oof'.
'Um… Elspeth?' A nervous voice called from the door. The Herald glared across at the open door where Heralds Skif, Teren, Keren, Sherrill and Jeri were staring at her in a kind of horrified amazement. Behind them were an array of other figures, including An'desha – recently returned from the Shin'a'in and the Karsite Ambassador Karal. Even Karal, who was blind, was somehow managing to watch her with shock on his face.
'What?!' Elspeth snarled, thumping a book threateningly in her hand. Keren and Sherill took one look at the book and fled – followed quickly by Jeri. Teren tried again. 'Elspeth…?'
'Did you want something?' her voice was icy calm, which made the situation even worse. Teren swallowed hard and slowly shook his head, following his twin out of sight of the doorway. Skif remained by the doorframe, watching with concern as Darkwind finally stood up and moved cautiously around the outside of the room.
'And you can all stop staring!' she yelled at the group of non-Heralds outside the door. 'I know I look like a freak! There's no need to rub it in.'
:She's out of control!: Skif told his Companion Cymry, who agreed wholeheartedly. :I'll speak to Rolan. Talin should be able to deal with this.:
:If anyone can.: Skif returned, moving away from the door and slightly further into the room, his whole body tense. :I don't think I'd take Darkwind's place for all the wealth in Valdemar.:
:Turning down free money Chosen?: Cymry snickered. :Are you ill?:
:Just not insane.:
'Elspeth, calm down.' He said levelly, holding his hand out in front of him as he approached her, almost as a kind of shield. He caught sight of Darkwind shaking his head vigorously, but Skif was feeling courageous so he ignored the warning and touched Elspeth's shoulder.
The next thing he knew, he was flying through the air, back towards the door. The other's outside scrambled out of the door as Skif flew through it elegantly and hit the wall with a soft thud. It was lucky that An'desha had had the presence of mind to slow him with magic, otherwise the collision would have been a lot more painful. As it was, his whole body ached and he narrowly missed the door as it was slammed shut in his face.
'Well… that wasn't very successful.' An'desha murmured, helping Skif back onto his feet again. The other non–Herald's had fled with the slamming of the door, now only An'desha, Karal and Skif remained, staring blankly at the closed door.
There were disturbing crashed coming from inside again and Skif winced. They were followed by a particularly loud bang, and then silence.
'Do you think she's killed him?' Karal ventured after a moment, sightless eyes blinking in amazement at the notion.
:Not yet.: Altra told him. Skif jumped a little at the sudden appearance of the Firecat – Karal's other pair of eyes. He still hadn't got used to the cat, although he had known Karal since they had both returned to Haven after the Mage Storms. :She is a bit out of control though isn't she?:
'And it's only been four months. He's got five more to go!' An'desha pointed out, his short-cropped white hair swinging into his eyes as he shook his head. 'Poor Darkwind.'
'What on earth is going on?' A female voice called from down the corridor. The three looked up to see two more Heralds coming towards them. The woman was slender with dark curly hair, while the man was taller, broader and more homely looking with straw coloured hair and intense blue eyes.
Skif was relieved to see them both. 'Talia,' he ran forward and dragged the Queen's Own over to Elspeth's door, 'it's Elspeth.'
'What's the little kitten done now?' Talia's partner Dirk glanced at the closed door and then back at Skif. 'And why did we just bump into what looked liked half the Collegium running away from this door?'
'She scared them away.' An'desha told them. 'She's inside now – with Darkwind. You've got to help him!'
'What…?' Talia stared at them as if they were mad and then pulled open the door of Elspeth's door with a firm hand. Skif and An'desha shared a dubious glance, but followed the two Heralds back into the room. Back into the middle of what looked like another Mage War.
'Do you have any idea what this is like?!' Elspeth was shouting at her partner, who was now backed against the opposite wall. 'What you've done to me!' She brandished another book and was about to throw it when Talia plucked it out of her hand.
'Elspeth stop.' It was amazing how this slight, soft-spoken women could succeed where all others had failed. But Elspeth obeyed her and turned away from her lover to face the intruders. Her hands were clasped over her swollen belly – a silent accusation that she was using against Darkwind. 'Talk to me Kitten,' Talia continued. 'What's wrong?'
Her kind words somehow managed to crack Elspeth's hard exterior, because her arms fell to her sides and she collapsed into Talia's arms crying quietly. Talia stroked her silver streaked dark hair and nodded at her husband. 'Dirk, could you and the others see to Darkwind? I think Elspeth needs to talk right now.'
Dirk inclined his head in agreement and crossed the room to where Darkwind was straightening up after the onslaught. Darkwind's bondbird Vree hopped onto the Hawkbrother's shoulder and nuzzled against his cheek – a small comfort – as Dirk helped him out of the room. Karal, Altra and Skif hurried after them, An'desha carefully shutting the door behind them and the turning back to Darkwind.
The handsome Tayledras Adept was pushing his long white hair out of his blue eyes wearily. When Skif reached out to help him, he pushed the hands away. 'I'm okay, really Skif, you don't need to help.'
'What…' Karal broke off shaking his head. 'What was that?'
Darkwind looked confused and then shrugged wearily. 'It's one of Elspeth's bad days today. I've gotten used to them by now.'
'Used to them?' Skif stared at him incredulously. 'This isn't the first?'
'Oh no, it's being going on since about the second month.' Darkwind told them, stroking Vree's breast feathers distractedly. 'No one's noticed before we've always kept the door shut. And Elspeth shut Gwena out. I guess she forgot this time.'
An'desha watched the young man with a new respect, but it was Dirk who put words to his thoughts. 'You're a very brave man Darkwind. Even Talia wasn't that bad. She never actually attacked me.'
Something in his words made Darkwind pause. 'Oh? So Talia went through something similar?' At Dirk's nod he smiled a little grimly. 'I must admit I'm relieved… I was beginning to think it was just Elspeth…'
Slowly they all began to move away down the corridor.
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The fourth month of pregnancy had struck Elspeth particularly hard – hence the scene with Darkwind. As a result she was avoided by most people, even her own mother on certain occasions. And the only male who would go near her was Darkwind – and look what she did to him!
Talking with Talia did make her feel better. The Queen's Own helped her to remember the joys of motherhood rather than the sorrows. Elspeth began spending more time with her and Dirk – and their son Jemmie.
Since the 'incident with Darkwind' as it became known, the Hawkbrother was giving his lover a wide berth. He spent time with his friends and often sought the solitude of the forests surrounding Companion's Field – with Vree for company of course. Talia had spoken to him for a long time after the incident and although he understood to a greater extent what Elspeth was going through, he felt it was better to stay out of her way. To his surprise Talia had agreed. 'She's angry and frustrated and sick of being pregnant,' she had told him seriously. 'She's needs to place the blame and you're the easiest person to take it. It's not that she doesn't love you; she's just going through a bad patch. Give her some space.'
So Darkwind had complied and he actually found that it was helping. He was getting to know people like An'desha better – the man behind the face rather than the monster Darkwind had become used to. There really was no trace of Falconsbane now – and An'desha was blossoming into a delightful young man with a very interesting outlook on life. Darkwind found him enlightening to talk to and often found himself spending evenings debating topics with him and Karal.
Now there was another unknown. He had met Karal briefly when he had been a young, quiet secretary for Sun Priest Ulrich, the Karsite ambassador. Then Ulrich had been murdered and Karal forced to take his ambassadorial seat. With the authority of Solaris, the Sun Lord's chosen mouthpiece who, with Selenay, had finally achieved peace, Karal had grown as a man and now bore the weight of his position with confidence. Looking at the quite, dark-haired young man, you would never think he had helped to save the world – but it was true. Karal had been instrumental in stopping a second Cataclysm. He had worked as a Channel, alongside An'desha, Firesong and the Imperial Mage Sejanes and the price he had paid was his sight. It never failed to amaze Darkwind how well the youngster managed to cope with his disability. Often, when you were talking to Karal, you forgot he even had a problem.
:Darkwind?: The mindvoice interrupted his musing and made Vree squawk with alarm.
:It's me, Elspeth.: Darkwind had already known this; he had instantly recognised the flavour of her mind voice… but he didn't bother letting her know that.
:Is something wrong ke'chara?:
:Oh… how can you be so nice to me?: She sounded annoyed again, but at herself this time. :I've been so unreasonable over the last month or so. You should be shouting and railing at me, not being pleasant and nice.:
:Elspeth I never shout.: he pointed out.
:I suppose you're right…anyway, I've been talking to Talia and Gwena since the… erm… incident… a few weeks ago… and they think I should apologise. And I agree. I want you to come home Darkwind.:
:I wasn't aware that I had left.:
:You know what I mean! You sleep there yes, but you're never around in the day and I… I miss you.:
:Are you ready to stop blaming me for the child yet?:
:Um… yes.: Elspeth agreed unconvincingly. Darkwind waited patiently for her to continue. :Oh alright…: she said finally, :maybe not completely , but I promise it won't be as bad as before. Please ashke…:
:How can I resist you?: Darkwind laughed. :I love you, you silly Herald. I was just giving you some much needed space… but I'm always here for you, you know.:
:So you'll come back?:
:Of course! You only had to ask.:
He sensed her smile along the link. :That's all I wanted to know. Oh and… I love you too.:
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(Somewhere on the outskirts of the Pelagiris Forests, near Lake Evendim)
The light was fading behind the trees as the six figures moved steadily along the dirt track. Well, they moved steadily until Sayvel planted her feet firmly on the dusty road, snorting. Despite Kerowyn's urgings, she refused to move any further. :I'm not a mule – don't treat me like one.: was the tart comment she shot at her Chosen.
:Keep your hair on, horse.: Kero replied, just as tartly, :and give me a minute.:
Before she could say anything, Eldan's Companion Ratha joined Sayvel in the silent protest, fixing himself in position on the road and nearly unseating Eldan at the same time.
:Sayvel is right.: He told both Kero and Eldan. :We can go no further today. It's freezing cold and we're exhausted. And if we are struggling you can bet that the dyheli are too.:
'What?' Firesong demanded, looking back over his shoulder to where Kero and Eldan had stopped. Turning his dyheli mount he headed back towards them. 'Why have you stopped?'
'Sayvel and Ratha have had enough – and I agree with them.' Kero told him bluntly. 'We've got to stop for a rest. It's late.'
'But we're almost out of the Pelagiris!' Firesong protested. 'See? The foliage indicates were approaching the edge of this cursed forest!'
Silverfox moved up along side him. 'You know, maybe we should stop. My dyheli says she's tired – I think they all are, but have just been too polite to say anything. The going has been harder than we expected ke'chara.'
'Still, it should be easier once we leave the forests behind,' Eldan commented. 'Once we get onto Exile's road it leads directly to Haven.'
Firesong looked annoyed rather than comforted by the remark and he turned to the two other members of the group for support. 'Dar'ian? Keisha?'
Keisha shook her head. 'Silverfox and the Companion's are right Firesong. We've been travelling non-stop for candlemarks at a time, for weeks at a time through the worse weather this part of the country has ever seen! It must have been over three months now since we left K'Valdemar Vale!'
'More like four.' Darian added firmly. 'We need to rest.'
'Traitors', he muttered spitefully, then in a louder voice. 'We'll stop here then.'
The others managed not to smile at his blatant attempt to save face.
Over the months that they had been travelling from K'Valdemar Vale they had settled into the easy pattern of friends who have known and worked together for a long time. Every time they camped, Kero secured the perimeter; Silverfox and Darian set up the tents, clearing the snow from the ground; Eldan looked after the Companions and the dyheli; Firesong set their magical protections and Keisha prepared the meal.
Once all the preparations were done and the meal cleared away, Darian settled down inside his tent, wrapping his bedroll around him. Keisha joined him a moment later, snuggling down against him, her arms creeping around to encircle his waist. He held her tightly, letting his breath out with a sigh, revelling in her warmth.
'Darian?' Keisha's voice broke the silence and he tilted his head down to look at her. 'Hmm?'
'There's something I've been meaning to ask you.'
'Oh yes?'
There was a brief silence, then, '…how did you meet Summerdance?'
'What?' Startled, Darian stroked her hair, trying to meet her eyes. 'Where's this coming from?'
'Well… I know she's Snowfire's cousin and therefore technically she's your cousin as well… but I got the feeling when she arrived at K'Valdemar Vale that she knew you as more than that.'
They had been forced to wait for Summerdance and Nightbird to arrive at the Vale in order to put Nightwind's proposal to them. Luckily for everyone involved, Summerdance has jumped at the chance to study under the famous sister that Kelvren and Nightbird were always telling her about. Darian had privately wondered whether it had been purely for that reason, or whether the sight of Wintersky and some of his attractive male friends had swayed her. And of course, if Summerdance stayed then so did Nightbird.
'Darian? Are you going to answer my question?' Realising that he had been wool gathering, Darian re-focused on the conversation. 'What? Oh sorry ke'chara I was miles away.'
'Why do I get the feeling there's something you're not telling me? Some secret?'
Darian sighed again. 'Dear-heart, there's no secret. If you really want to know… I met Summerdance and Nightbird when I first went to K'Vala Vale. Although they didn't tell me, I worked out quite quickly who they were related to. But the strange thing is… it didn't bother me that Summerdance and I were practically related.'
'So you were lovers?' He couldn't read Keisha's tone but he decided to be completely honest with her.
'For a short while. But it all ended even before I came to K'Valdemar Vale and met you.' He caressed her forehead gently. 'Summerdance and I are just good friends – nothing more. You're my partner now.'
'I wasn't worried.' She retorted a little too quickly. 'I just wondered.'
'Well … now you know. Can we go to sleep now?'
She kissed him gently, indicating that she had something very different from sleep in store for him. Darian yielded to her without complaint.
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Well, there you have chapter four in all it's glory : ) Next chapter we're back to Haven again for some more Darkwind/Elspeth interaction – with a bit of the twins!