Elwing: I don't have ninety Animorph books. I meant to put 90 percent, but the site seems to have deleted the percent sign; I have no idea why. Thanks for your review! By the way, I couldn't have 90 Animorph books, there are only about 65 as far as I know.

Anonymous- cat: Alloran's family were running with him (until he bolted off!) and saw it; he in fact agreed it with them.

This chapter deals mainly with the Alloran- Jahar relationship, including flashbacks. I hope you like this, but if romance isn't quite to your taste, keep reading, I don't plan to include lots of it; I'm aiming for quite a balanced fic here including most of the genres. If you do like it, there will be more, but not loads!

Enjoy, and REMEMBER TO REVIEW!

I will say little more about the tour, as it was all mostly similar, although in different places. It will suffice to explain that Illim and the others would have missed more than half of the tour were it not for Elsa's idea of taping it. Lirem's guards even refused them entry to the Elepura, where early Andalites had made many tail- blade carvings; for what reason, I do not know.

I said farewell to my human, Yeerk and Hork- Bajir friends, several of whom promised that they would come back to visit, to which I replied that they were always welcome at my scoop. I felt lonely, despite finally being back with my own people; my family and friends. Somehow, I no longer understood my own world, my own people. A large part of my life had been spent among aliens, and only aliens. Aximili was having slight trouble fitting back in, but he had only been away from the homeworld for three years. My twenty- four years of isolation, plus the dents to my sanity form years of torture, put me in a very difficult position. But, I realised, my people had changed very little. It was I who had, I who now held different morals and had a different perception on life than twenty- four years before.

It frightened Jahar, I realised. She was unsure, now, what to expect of me, wondering why I had changed, and what other changes to expect.

Our marriage had been arranged, like the marriages of almost all Andalites. For once, however, this was not a political match or a way for one family to pay off a debt or restore their honour. We were chosen for one another because my parents thought we would get along.

It took my parents almost two years to find me a good bride. Jahar's father, unlike mine, cared little for the future of the marriage; he just wanted status. But as my father was quite an influential and wealthy Andalite, and I a Warrior on his way to becoming a Prince, her father accepted.

My father checked with me before he made the final arrangement, which was unusual. Most young Andalites know almost nothing about their new spouse before their first meeting, which takes place a week before the ceremony. It is a special celebration with all the members of both families (who are able to attend) present. It is considered a great dishonour to miss one of these celebrations, called an Ecelta, if you are invited; unless you are occupied with war or other business away from the home world, or are seriously injured or diseased, or perhaps are taking an essential examination which you cannot miss.

At an Ecelta, it is expected that each guest will bring a present for the bride and another for the groom. The idea of these presents is that they will help them in their future marriage. Every guest will wish the bride and groom well, also.

The other idea of the ceremony is for the bride and groom to learn a little about one another, and informally for the bride to try and impress the groom with her beauty and grace.

I remember my Ecelta extremely well. I think that to truly understand the relationship between Jahar and I, you will need to be shown that evening.

Flashback

It was a beautiful winter evening; clear and crisp. I was looking forward to meeting my bride, and was buisily trying to make myself look at my best. My father entered the scoop; my mother having gone to help Jahar's mother put up decorations, and my brother Arbat having gone straight to the Ecelta from his university.

He came to stand beside me. (It's not what you look like that will matter, son. It's what you'll act like.)

Perhaps I should explain that my father had very strong morals about the way a male should behave towards a female. In fact, he had not been all that popular with some males, because he had often been angry with them about the way they treated their wives, which they did not consider his business. He said that cruelty was everybody's business, a phrase which had been hammered into me in my early childhood.

(What do you mean, father?) I asked.

My father sighed. (Come, son.)

I followed him to the waterfall in the corner of our scoop. He looked in the pool for a while before turning to me.

(Listen, son. Jahar is being forced by her parents into this marriage, like most Andalite females are when they wed. All he cares about is money and influence, which is something jahar will know well.)

(What are you saying, father?) I interrupted him, a little confused.

(Let me speak and I will tell you,) my father said, a little annoyed. (Jahar knows her father couldn't care less about the way in which her husband will treat her. She will judge you on the way you act tonight; she knows nothing about you. She may be paranoid, may assume that you are the sort of male who will beat her; an assumption by females which is proved correct in far too many cases. If you do anything that might suggest to her that you are only interested in her for her body, or that you are completely uninterested in her, or that you expect her to behave in a ceratin way, it could take you a long time to win her trust back. However, treat her with kindness, which she will not be expecting, and you may well find it easy to win her trust. Do you understand?)

(Not really; why would she think I would ever hit her?) I asked, upset. (I don't beat..)

(I know that, but she doesn't. Unfortunately, in most cases males do beat their wives, even if not severely or often. Certainly they have far too many expectations of their brides. I am sure that even you will expect something of Jahar; actually, you have already shown me one of your expectations.)

I was completely confused now. (What?)

(You expect Jahar to trust you.)

I was silent; of course, what an idiot I was!

(Now we had better go. Remember, be as courteous and as kind as I know you are capable of being, and you will be fine.)

We galloped to Jahar's scoop, me growing more anxious by the minuite.

End flashback

After we were married, Jahar recounted for me her version of that evening, and to aid the best understanding, I will tell it to you now in her words as I remember them.

Flashback; Jahar's POV

I was in the covered area of the scoop, desperately putting last miniute touches to my appearance when I saw them arrive. My first thought on my new husband was that he looked so strong, so powerful. This made me even more afraid; he would easily be able to overpower me, and although he will not have meant it, he looked aggressive; warriors usually do.

My parents came into the covered area, and I followed them out to meet the male who would be my husband in a week's time. I knew nothing but his name.

He saw me, and gave me a gentle, encouraging smile. I was taken aback for a moment; I hadn't expected a kind look. Disdainful, perhaps. Lustful, probably. An angry, warning look, maybe. But kindness? Why?

We were introduced to one another, and he bowed low to me. I'd never encountered this level of courtesy before, and wondered briefly if he was attempting to make a fool out of me. But when he spoke, his voice was sincere.

(It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Jahar- Enilion- Haral.)

Then I said something which later earned me a beating form my father; I said; (Um.) Collecting myself, I also managed to croak out a (you, too.)

My father looked livid, and I started to tremble.

(We will leave you two alone to converse,) my father said, his tone giving me another message; you'll pay for that, Jahar.

I watched the adults leave, and suddenly felt a hand rest gently on my shoulder. I turned my head to observe Alloran with my main eyes.

(You're trembling,) he whispered gently, true tenderness in his eyes. (Have I frightened you?)

(N...no,) I stuttered nervously.

(Then what troubles you?)

(It does not matter.)

(It does to me.) He sounded like he really meant it. (Is it your father?)

He knows? He understands? In all my hopes and fears, in my wildest dreams, I never expected this.

(Yes.) I said without thinking.

(I am sorry, Jahar. If I could do anything now to help you, I would. But in a week he will no longer be able to touch you, I shall make sure of that.)

I smiled at that, beginning to warm to him. (Thank you.)

(Perhaps we should proceed to your scoop?) He suggested.

The rest of the evening passed swiftly, too swiftly. Alloran was polite and respectful for the entire time, and I began to grow to trust him. We parted far too soon, and I watched him until he was out of sight.

I suddenly felt the flat of a tail blade slam into my side.

(How DARE you!) My father yelled. (You cannot even manage to show respect for your future husband! You are a disgrace.)

(Reylan..) my mother began, and got a slash across her chest in reply. She backed away.

I woke up the next morning bloody and bruised, but by the time a week had passed, there was nothing to be seen of the cuts, thanks to my mother's expertise.

I walked down towards the beautiful tapestry (each wedding reception has one) which served as a screen. It was raised, I stepped forward, said my vows, and my life with Alloran began.

End flashback

At first, I had hated Jahar's father for the way he had treated her; but then I realised that it was probably only the way he had been raised; and had I different parents, I could have gone down similar lines. When I reflected on it, Jahar's father didn't even think he was cruel; he just thought that he was bringing his daughter up in the best way. He knew no other method.

(Alloran?) Jahar's gentle voice cut through my thoughts.

(Yes?)

(What's the matter?) She asked, coming to stand beside me.

(What makes you think that there is anything the matter?)

(Well.. you've been staring into space for almost an hour now.)

(I have? I am sorry, I was thinking.)

(Oh. About the Visser.)

(Actually, no. About you.) I turned so my main eyes met hers.

She ducked her head and pawed gently at the ground; an Andalite blush.

(Do you remember our Ecelta?)

She raised her head. (Of course I do. You were so kind, I don't know how I shall ever repay you..)

(There was never anything to repay, but had there been, you would have paid it a thousand times over,) I said. I reached up with my hands to stroke her cheeks with my palms (an Andalite kiss).

She reaches up to kiss me back and I embrace her gently. Oh, how I have missed her. It's strange how you only really realise how much a person means to you until they are taken away.

Please review! I only got TWO reviews for the last chapter. If I don't get at least six for this chapter I'm not posting the next one! Stop being lazy!

Thanks to Elwing and Anonymous- cat for reviewing!