Elwing: Thanks for your review, more action is coming and there will be some in this chapter.

Birdie num num; You'll find out Jahar's problem at the end of this chapter. Thanks for the review!

Martson: Glad I could show you another way of viewing Alloran! Thanks for your review.

Edriss: I'd rather you be too lazy to sign in than too lazy to review :) Thanks for reviewing, and keep it up!

This chapter is dedicated for Elwing for being the first reviewer of the last chapter. From now on, in all my fics the first reviewer of a chapter who had not had a previous dedication will get the next chapter dedicated to them! I might also do additional dedications for really helpful reviewers, too.

Several months later, I had completed my training as an Academy professor, although I did not feel very happy in my new job. It was something that had been forced upon me, and I had had very little choice in the matter.

In the winter of the second year back on the homeworld, I went to visit my shorm. You may know his name; he is mentioned several times in the hirac delest of War- Prince Elfangor. For those of you who do not, his name is Feyorn.

Feyorn had been away from the home world on military duty until this year, and was now returning to retire. I was about three Earth years younger than him, and so I felt I could still be in the military; but that wasn't my choice. Anyway, that is beside the point.

Feyorn had invited me, and several friends, over to celebrate the Andalite midwinter festival. Our families were invited too, but Baras was doing escort duty off the home world, and Marili was taking her xeno- biology examinations. So it ended up just being Jahar and myself out of our family.

We arrived at the scoop just as the sun was setting. It was a small gathering of close friends and relatives, some of whom I knew and others I did not. Many a conversation fell silent when Jahar and I entered.

Feyorn ignored the stolen glances cast at me, walking forward and greeting us both warmly. (Come, share some Illsipar root,) he invited.

I was glad to note that my friend had changed little, if at all. He led us to a separate room, and plucked a few stalks from an Illsipar plant and placed them on the ground.

After we had eaten the delicacy, Jahar excused herself, saying she wished to speak to some of her friends. I was a little offended, but I also wished to speak to Feyorn alone.

(How are you?) H asked gently once Jahar had gone.

(Under the circumstances, not bad. You?)

(Nothing awful has happened to me. It has to you. Are you settling back well? That was what I meant, and you know it.)

I sighed. (Not all that well. Everything seems different. No one seems to want me around.) I paused and looked towards the doorway. (Not even Jahar,) I said sadly.

Feyorn gave me a comforting eye-smile. (She does. I've never seen a female look at her husband with the same affection Jahar used to bless you with. She doesn't know what to expect, that is all.)

(I hope you're right.)

I returned to the main area of Feyorn's scoop. Heads turned as I entered, and conversations fell silent. I saw another Andalite walking towards me.

He was large and imposing, a good head higher than me. He was well- muscled, and his tail- blade was about the same size as mine. His blade shimmered under the moonlight; it was a night when all four moons were visible in the Andalite sky, and all were nearly full, so it was almost as bright as day. The Andalites fur was the same shade of blue as the sky of Earth, and, like Earth, was flecked with spots of white; a sign that this Andalite was beginning to age. His hooves also gave this away; not glimmering like his tail but dull and showing a few cracks in the hoof wall. But although this Andalite was perhaps slightly older than I was; although I am sure there cannot have been much in it, he was not at all frail looking. He was intimidating and incredibly strong.

The older Andalite came to a halt before me, and spoke sharply. He said just one word.

(Leave.)

I was taken aback, but cannot have let it show for much more than a second. (I beg your pardon?) I asked politely, deciding it would be unwise to antagonise such a large Andalite.

(You are not wanted here, Abomination. Even so mentally stunted an Andalite as you cannot have failed to see how you anger all present. I order you to leave immediately.)

Now I was just plain angry. (And who are you to order me around?) I said in a low, dangerous tone.

(I am War- prince Rathan- Thetian- Maheen,) he answered.

Something about his name sounded familiar, but I was too angry to consider it further. (We are of equal rank!) I yelled. (Whom do you think you are to believe you can tell me when to leave my shorm's midwinter celebrations?)

(I speak for all present.)

(You do not,) Feyorn interrupted, having appeared from the covered section upon hearing the argument. (This is my scoop and I will dictate who comes and goes here. One more word out of you, War-Prince Thetian, and you'll be the one leaving! Understood?)

(Yes, Captain Feyorn,) Rathan replied, suddenly meek.

We said our farewells very late, when the second moon had dropped below the horizon.

(Jahar?) I asked gently as we cantered side by side through the long grass near the bank of the river Meehain towards our home.

(Yes?) She inquired, turning a stalk eye to me.

(Are you feeling all right?)

She looked at me quizzically. (Of course. What makes you think otherwise?)

(I am worried for you. You seem to have been very miserable recently.)

(It is nothing.)

(Please, love, tell me.)

(You will be angry.)

I sighed. (Jahar, tell me honestly, when have I ever hurt you? What cause have I ever given you to be afraid of me?)

(W..well.. I, when you were away…) she trailed off.

(Yes?) I pressed.

She halted. When I did likewise and walked back towards her, she backed away. I stopped, slightly shocked. She seemed very afraid; she wouldn't come within two lengths of my tail. She'd never been like this before.

I heard her take a deep breath. (I began to develop.. feelings towards another,) she finished, hanging her head slightly and gently pawing at the ground before her in a gesture of apology.

I was startled and slightly angry, though I tried not to show it. I turned away and walked a few paces, standing with all four eyes turned away from her for several seconds to compose myself.

(You do not need to fear me,) I said at long last. I turned to face her. (Your feelings are only natural, when I was away for so long and you were experiencing so much trouble and pain. I am not angry.)

She looked up at me with disbelieving eyes, and took several hesitant steps towards me. I gave her a sad smile with my eyes, and she closed the gap between us a little faster. I reached out for her, and she leaned against me.

(I am sorry,) she told me.

(Shhh,) I said, trying to comfort her as best as possible.

I don't know how long we stood there, under the soft moonlight. The only sounds were the water and Jahar's sobs as she allowed the fear and pain she had been holding off to leave her body through her soft cries.

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