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: Heyla people! Hey – only a little over a week since my last update … success : ) As usual, a huge general thanks to everyone who has reviewed – I hope you continue to enjoy the story and also continue to review!!

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

Aeriel Ravenna: Oops! I think you've picked out another flaw in my story! I completely forgot that Kris is supposed to be King's Own after Talia and therefore would be chosen by Rolan – and in my story, both he and Lyra have already been chosen. I don't think I mention it directly, but they talk to their Companions at one point (I think. I really should know the story better than I do!) anyway, damn, can't believe I forgot! Oh well, call it artistic license and all that … maybe Rolan would have chosen him … er cough cough later : )

etcetera-cat: Hey! Another reader returned from the dark mists of time in which I actually started this story … hehe : ) ahhh, you figured out my Eldan/dreams trick – and I thought I was being really clever! I LOVE waterstones – it's like the backbone to my life – but I still can't find certain ML books that I lack … oh well, internet shopping here I come! Hey, just looked back and realised you were my first ever reviewer – so double thanks : ) : ) : )

Lizai: Heh – you guessed it! Dream surfing … now wouldn't that be a cool power?

Hildi-chan: yeah, the shortness did suck … I'm normally better at chapter lengths. Saying that, I hope this ones a bit longer : )

PrettyKittyOreo: it's my pleasure : ) : ) : )

moonwing: whatever's effecting Darkwind … and I'm not saying : ) … isn't effecting Elspeth. She's just so tramuatised by what happened to Kris/Lyra etc that she can't cope with it. Darkwind's problem is magical (damn, given it away. Oh well, I guess you had worked that out already!), so it also effects Vree. Elspeth's is a natural reaction to a tragedy and therefore Gwena isn't effected because she didn't witness it. Hope that makes sense!

Damn, long thankyous again – always a good sign because it means that people are still interested in this fanfic : ) but without anymore procrastinating (isn't that just the best word?) here is the next chapter. Oh and it's dedicated to etcetera-cat for being my longest returning reviewer – thanks for remembering me!

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After the Storm

By: JoeyStar

Timeframe: Set a year or so after Owlknight

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(Unknown)

:Elspeth? Elspeth can you hear me?: Eldan looked around the recesses of the girl's mind with a certain detached interest. He was sitting in the middle of a grassy knoll, facing a wall which was  undulating slowly like a gentle ocean.

Rising to his feet, the black haired Herald froze, ears straining.

Somewhere, just beyond the border in front of him, he could hear a faint voice murmuring in an almost constant patter.

:Elspeth?: Eldan called again, pacing across the knoll towards the sound of the voice. Reaching the shiny grey wall he paused, squinting up at it. Hesitantly, a little unsure of his situation, Eldan reached out and touched the wall. It was smooth, yet strangely sticky and when he pulled his hand back again the wall followed his movement.

Gritting his teeth, Eldan reached out again and pushed his hand slowly through the wall. Fighting against the pressure against his skin, he pushed the remainder of his arm through and followed it by the rest of his body.

Blinking to clear his gaze after passing through the oozing wall, he suddenly noticed that the repetitive murmurings had grown increasingly louder and the sound was drawing him closer.

Since passing through the grey wall he was now standing in a long corridor, bordered on either side by more of the slimy grey walls. It was only the fact that the sound was drifting down towards him that made Eldan walk forward, further into the depths of Elspeth's mind.

The corridor was long and winding, the voice getting louder and more distinct the further he travelled. By now he had recognised the voice as female and young at that. As he neared he could almost work out the words.

When Eldan finally emerged from the dim grey corridor he found himself standing in an exact replica of the Twins' main suite room – the room of the attack.

It was a perfect parallel to the real room – from the discarded cups on the table, down to the wide blood- stains across the cream coloured carpet and up the walls. The only thing missing were the bodies.

And finally he saw Elspeth.

She was sitting in the same chair as she had been on the day of the attack and she was talking to herself, mumbling – the timbres of her voice rising and failing.

:Elspeth?: He slowly crossed the room towards her, taking care to avoid treading in the bloodstains that littered the carpet.

:… oh God I can't move but I can see and he knows that and he's going to- oh please no! Please don't, not again! NO!…'

:Elspeth?:

:… there's so much blood… it's so red, like a river… why doesn't the river stop flowing… there's so much blood…'

:Elspeth!: By now Eldan had reached the former-Heir's side. He reached out to touch the girl's shoulder and when his fingers grazed her skin, her words dried up and she flinched away from him.

:… so much blood…: She whispered, head still bowed into her lap, over her swollen stomach. :… there's so much blood…:

:Elspeth, look at me!: Eldan demanded, gripping both of her shoulder's tightly and forcing her to raise her head. Elspeth held up her palms towards him, stormy eyes set within a pale and terror stricken face.

:… can you tell me why there is so much blood?: Looking down at her outstretched hands, Eldan blanched. They were dripping with blood, so heavily covered that it dripped down onto her whites, pooling in her lap.

:Why is there so much blood?: She asked again, her tone almost childlike in the still air of the room.

Fighting back his urge to shy away, Eldan reached forward slowly and took her hands in his, ignoring the fluidic feel of her grip. In the back of his mind, he knew that what was happening wasn't real, but his eyes were telling him the opposite.

:There's so much blood… so much blood… so much blood…: Elspeth murmured monotonously, staring up into Eldan's dark eyes with a terrifying kind of desperation. :… so much blood… so much blood…:

:Elspeth STOP!: Eldan shouted at her, forcing her to look at her own hands. :It's not real, you have to understand that. You're just having nightmares as a result of what happened.:

Elspeth stared at him, her expression confused. :Not real? But… the blood… the blood is everywhere! He did this! I saw him do it – I saw him!: She was becoming increasingly agitated.

:I know you did dearheart – but that was not here. This is just within your mind, you have to define between this and reality.:

:Reality? What are you talking about? There's just blood… everywhere and I cannot stop it… blood… oh gods take it away… please,: she moaned, twisting in his grasp, trying to escape.

:Stop trying to avoid this! It is not real! Elspeth you have to see that – you have to wake up!:

:Nooooo!: Elspeth started to weep, tears forming in her eyes and trickling down her cheeks, writhing in some kind of mental agony that Eldan could only wonder at. He simply held her tightly to prevent her escape.

:Fight it Elspeth! It's not real! Remember that… you have to realise that!:

:N-not rea-al.: She stammered, muscles clenching as the room began to flicker and fade around them. Eldan closed his eyes and hung on to her slim shoulders, trying to avoid squashing her extended abdomen. He could hear her crying out and gasping from breath and then… nothing.

Opening his eyes once again, Eldan saw that the room had gone – replaced with the grassy knoll he had awoken on before. Elspeth was sitting on the ground in front of him, her head in her hands. Hands that were clean, Eldan couldn't help noticing.

Unsure of how to continue, he watched her silently for a few seconds. She was breathing hard and didn't move for a moment or so. Then, her head lifted slowly and her eyes were raised to meet his. Her hands fell loosely into her lap, resting over her stomach as her pupils began to focus properly.

Then a look of relief crossed her face and her eyes filled with tears again.

:Eldan.: She whispered, before throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing into his shoulder.

 

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(Healer's Collegium – Elspeth's room)

Kerowyn paced anxiously, unable to keep her gaze from flickering back to where Elspeth and Eldan were sitting, both as still as marble statues. It had been candlemarks since Eldan had delved into Elspeth's dream-world and glancing out the window she realised that the sun was beginning to rise in the east. Haven was beginning to awaken … yet Elspeth and Eldan remained locked in whatever nightmare the girl had been suffering from.

She was beginning to think that it hadn't been such a good idea to suggest Eldan join with Elspeth in the way he had joined with her so many times in the past. It was all very well for her lifebonded to walk through her dreams, but Eldan had never had to face a nightmare before.

'Kero, you're wearing a hole in the carpet with all your pacing. Come and sit down.'

Kero looked over at Talia, who was sitting comfortably in a chair some metres away from Eldan, heart-shaped face as composed as ever. She envied the younger woman her cool. Talia, as Queen's Own, needed to be able to stay calm in the face of danger and uncertainty, and she was certainly managing it now.

Knowing Talia was right, Kero sighed wearily and slumped down next to her, kicking her feet out in front as she prepared to continue their long, lonely vigil.

At first it hadn't just been her and Talia; both Dirk and Skif had been there to keep them company. But Skif had been called away by Teren and then Dirk had left to look after Jemmie, leaving her and Talia alone in the cold room, waiting.

Idly, Kero wondered what the queen was doing. Due to the fact that it was the middle of the night, it was logical that Selenay was sleeping. But considering the state of her remaining children, it was far more likely that the royal couple were spending as much time as possible with Lyra – in the Healer's Collegium. Thinking of the young girl, so weakly hanging onto life, sent a bolt of fear down Kero's spine. If someone could get far enough into the palace to assassinate the heir's to the throne, then none of them were safe.

:Chosen … you wear yourself out with this worrying.: Sayvel told her shortly.

:Everyone else is too concerned with Elspeth, Darkwind and Lyra to think about these things.: Kero protested. :Besides, it's my nature.:

:True, but Selenay and Daren need you to be at your best.:

The comment struck her as strange. :As more than support? What are you saying?:

There was a pause and Kero sensed her Companion's reluctance.

:Sayvel?:

:Someone needs to find out who did this.: Her Companion allowed finally. :The on-going investigation has gotten nowhere. We – the Heralds – need to know who the enemy is and whether there is to be another attack.:

Kero blinked. :And that someone is supposed to be me?: She pulled a face. :Elspeth warned me about you Companions and your grand destinies. Is this mine?:

:It is something that needs to be done.: Sayvel said stubbornly. :Unless you wish it to happen again.:

:Of course not! But I have other responsibilities now -:

:This is more important.: Her Companion said flatly.

Kero knew there was something that Sayvel wasn't telling her, but she was used to obstinacy from her Companion and besides, what she was being told was no less than what she had been planning to do anyway. She simply didn't like being told what to do.

:Fine, I'll do it. I could use some help though … perhaps young Skif – he's fairly shrewd.:

:That is good.: Sayvel remarked, but would say no more.

Kero was about to push for an explanation when a sound outside of her mind-speech conversation clamoured for her attention.

A hand touched her arm. 'Kero, they're waking up!'

Kero returned her attention to the scene before her and watched apprehensively as Eldan sat back with a groan and rubbed his eyes. Talia was over to Elspeth like a shot, crouching down before the Herald-Mage's chair, eyes narrowing as she searched with her Empathy for a change in Elspeth's status.

Kero went to her partner, one eye on Elspeth and attempted not to look as though she was anxious about his disposition. Kero was not someone who believed in outward displays of affection.

Eldan brought his hands away from his eyes and smiled weakly up at her. :Worried about me, hmm?:

:No,: Kero returned shortly, willing herself not to blush. Eldan had always had this annoying ability to read what she was really feeling, even when she hid it from everyone else. It wasn't a real power, like Talia's Empathy, but simply a part of his character. He was amazingly perceptive, even resorting to mind-speech because he knew she appreciated keeping private emotions private. :I was just considering my investment?:

:Investment?: Eldan arched a dark eyebrow, somehow managing to look calm and collected even though by rights, he should have been exhausted. :And here I was thinking you cared …:

:I've spent the last two years with you in the back end of nowhere,: Kero shot back, the slightest hint of humour colouring her mind-voice :Doesn't that count as caring?:

Eldan yawned abruptly, interrupting their intimate conversation and causing Kero to narrow her eyes at him. Now that she really looked, it was clear from his clouded eyes and the black rings underneath them that he was exhausted.

'Eldan?' Talia called for their attention, sounding excited. 'I don't know what you did but it seemed to have worked. I think she's waking!'

'I merely … helped her through her nightmares,' Eldan said softly, looking down at his hands with an unreadable expression on his face.

Kero turned away from her lover and surveyed Elspeth and Talia, the latter who was still kneeling at the foot of the chair, fingers resting against Elspeth's arm and expression showing a certain level of expectancy.

To the Herald-Captain's eager gaze, Elspeth was as inscrutable as ever, her face hidden behind a curtain of silver-shot brown curls and her posture defensive. It broke Kero's heart to see her ex-pupil so defeated and by something that no one either knew, nor understood. She wasn't a religious woman, but for once she found herself praying fiercely that Eldan's work had finally brought Elspeth out of her silent coma.

Whether it was her sudden faith, Eldan's unusual gift, or Talia's own patience, the would never know. But for whatever reason, as Kero watched the Queen's Own and Herald-Mage, Elspeth finally awoke.

She uttered a small, inarticulate cry and her whole body stiffened. Talia, who was still touching her arms, pulled back in an attempt not to frighten her. After all, no one knew what horrors Elspeth had seen. No one knew what had taken place that day in that room – no one that was awake to tell the tale anyway.

'Elspeth?' Talia voice was little above a whisper.

:Gwena says she is awakening fully.: Sayvel reported.

In an excruciatingly slow motion, Elspeth's left hand moved and pushed her tangled hair back from her face. The fingers were trembling and she almost didn't manage it but after a moment, her stormy eyes were looking up at Kero, Eldan and Talia, so full off pain and sorrow that the Empath gasped involuntarily and swayed slightly.

Talia regained her balance as Elspeth's face crumpled and the girl fell forward into the waiting Herald's arms, sobbing hysterically.

Eldan and Kero shared a look: half relief, half concern that the flood barriers had finally opened and Elspeth was showing emotion again.

Talia looked up from where she was cradling Elspeth against her chest. 'You might want to get some rest.' She told them in an undertone. 'This will go on for some time.'

Instead of looking happy that he would finally be able to rest, Eldan looked uncertain as Kero lead him from the room with a promise that she would alert the queen as soon as Selenay awakened.

'Are you alright?' Kero demanded once they were in the deserted outer corridor. Having been together since before the royal twins had been born, Kero knew how to read her partner almost as well as he could read her. And it was clear that something was bothering him.

' … I'm fine. Just tired.'

Evidently, Eldan wasn't going to tell her what that was. Feeling impossibly weary, Kero trailed him down the hall towards their quarters, already mentally planning what she was going to say to Selenay when the rest of the Collegium had awakened.

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Hmm … okay, not as long as I would have liked but you'll be pleased to know that the next six or so chappies have already been written and are just waiting to be posted. So if this is too short (and I think it is) then don't worry because the next chapters on its way : )

As always, please read and review : ) : ) : )