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The wind is restedStargazing Maiden

Disclaimer: Don't own WOF.

A/N: I have fallen in love with this story again. It's brilliant and I know what I'm going to do with it and I love the plot I've got and it's brilliant. And I'm really happy tonight too, but you know, that's what life's about.

Chapter six:

Niomee ripped open the envelope and pulled out the first letter inside. Letters from home, the one thing she had really been looking forward to for the past few weeks. Because whatever she might have thought at first life as a singer was anything but idyllic. Yea, it felt good to be learning the things her aunt had known when she had saved her family from death, but at the same time there was a lot of theory and patience attached to being a singer. And patience was something Niomee, as a teenage girl, was lacking in a lot. It wasn't that she had any problem with waiting, it was just that sometimes she found it a bit too much. Sometimes she missed her home and her friends and longed to go back to them, but her uncle had promised her that when the time came she would travel with him to the Homeland once again. She looked down at the letter she had been holding in her hands and read it aloud, a practice she was finding it hard to break.

Dearest Niomee.

I miss you. I know, I know, you've only been gone for about a month, but I do. The homeland isn't the same without you. You're not here and it feels like there's so much less to do. I suppose I didn't notice before but there's not really anyone else our age around here, is there? Sometimes I think maybe that was why you got out, so you could find some more people of your age, but then I think no, that I'm just being stupid. You left us because you wanted to become a singer, and I respect you for that more than anything else in the world. But I do miss you Kessy, and I don't think I'd feel any different if you had left us for any other reason, because you were, and still are, my best friend. You always will be, because we grew up together and you're a really amazingly wonderful person. Even if a few people around here are mad at you for leaving I'm not. They don't remember why, well, I guess they just don't know. The homeland is good, and so are everyone here, we're all getting along okay, Pinka is pregnant! It came as such a shock to me, and to everyone else, because yea, she's married, but she's very young to be having children. And then I remember that your mother was the same age when she had you, and so was mine. It seems that it seems like everything's very young because they're the same age as us or only a few years younger (Pinka is nearing her nineteenth year). And then I think that that'll be us in a few years but I don't mind because I know that it'll never be us in that way. You'll be a singer and I'll be me working here. It feels strange until you really think about the way things used to be and how people are actually doing all these things a lot older than they used to in the time of Ira.

Did I mention that I have a job? I'm helping old Scoot in his bakery, he says I have talent with pastries and has offered to take me on as a full time apprentice. That would be so great, that I could have a good job and a settled down life. it's been one of my greatest dreams to settle down and have a quiet life and now I have that with the help of one of the original travellers. Scoot is getting a bit senile in his old age but his pastries and cakes are still as well made, I feel proud that I've had a chance to learn from him.

I must go; I was asked not to write a long letter because your mum and dad both want to put something in this envelope too.

Thinking about you always,

Ross.

Niomee smiled, thinking of all the news that had come in such a short letter. It was true, things had been happening later and later in the homeland, but it was still a shock to hear that Pinka was pregnant, and to think that her and Ross were nearing the age where they could by the laws of their people have children. Not that she would ever have children, that just wasn't right for her. She was little Niomee Hath who had always chosen the awkward way even as far as leaving the homeland. Dear Ross though, he'd got his life sorted out for him now. a job in the bakery had always been his dream and he wasn't lying, Scoot was still an amazing pastry chief. She put her hand back into the envelope and pulled out the second letter, reminding herself to read it to herself in her head this time.

Dearest Niomee,

How much we miss you, our big grown up daughter. And how strange it is to think of you so far away when we're still here surrounded by all your things. We would worry, only that we know Bowman and Sissy will mind you like their own daughters. How are the girls? I bet Ira's grown into a big man now, it's been so long since I last saw him. And Lilly the eldest, she must be married now, a big girl and fully adult. I remember that she was only twelve years younger than me, which would make her twenty-three now. a true woman. Has she any children herself? Do you still see her about the palace?

The gossip here is good, everyone is happy though Callie-Rose died last week during childbirth. Do you remember her? Small one with blonde hair. We've adopted her son now ourselves, so you have a new brother. The poor woman had not time with him. She barely had time to give her son his name, David after his father. You remember David, one of the merchants that come and go each year. We're still considering whether or not to tell him that David is his son, but in the past week we've grown so attached to him that we fear that his father will take him away. And while we know that it would be fairer if he grew up with his father we also feel it would be only fair to him to let him grow up in the homeland with his mothers people. We're at a loss of what to do. Maybe you'll be able to help us? You're an adult now, and should be able to help people with this type of thing.

We hope this letter finds you well and healthy, and learning your studies to the best of your abilities. We would ask if Bow and Sissy are treating you well but we know it's a stupid question. Instead we leave you with this one question, has he told you the truth yet? If not he obviously feels your training has not progressed far enough, and that's his decisions.

We must go now, but remember in this letter we send you all the love we have and all the words of comfort and help we would give you were you here with us.

Love as always,

Pinto and Mumpo,

Mum and Dad.

Looking down at the two letters in her hands Niomee felt tears come to her eyes and soak down her cheeks. She didn't know why but for some reason getting these letters from Ross and her parents just brought up so many emotions, both good and bad. She loved them, but she missed them so much too, more than anything else in the world. Oh if only her aunt Kestrel, the first and best Kestrel, was there with her.

Okay, I know. Leaving it at a weird place. But it's my story and that's what I feel like doing. So reviews appreciated.

Love and peace,

Stargazing Maiden.