Disclaimer: This is Tamora Pierce's story with a few twists from me.

Ethalas Tuath'an: Thanks so much. I don't know about sequels. I'll be working on my book next. Maybe when I'm done with that.

Silverlake: Only a little more and then I'm done.

Sarramaks: That was really nasty wasn't it? You would not believe how many times I had to rewrite that sentence just to get the meaning clear without it being completely disgusting or obvious. You were right about Hadensra btw. I had both spellings in that chapter and went back and corrected.

Bitterosemary: As always you picked the one line I liked the most and thank you for the kind compliments.

Sunfish Sailor: There might be two more yet, depends on how much I squeeze into tomorrow's. And thanks for the compliments about the fight. I was so nervous about it for ages. I'm glad it came off well.

Nativewildmage: I'm not sure what other stories there will be. After this I'm working on my own book. I might stop in and do a few oneshots and I will keep reading other people's stuff. But I think I needed some time away anyway.

Purple Eyed Cat: Nope, no wedding, but there is plenty of fluff on the way.

JaDeViPeR08: Thanks. That chapter had both, didn't it? This one is short on action, but since I want this to be able to stand alone, I had to explain what happened to Daine.

Hugnisses89xx: Ummm—I'm not sure what that meant.

Celuna Cirus: Thanks

Numair's Lover: Actually, the battle of Legann is a lot faster than you think. It took about 5 hours. During it, Daine sees signs of the magic battle while she's fighting along side Jon and more when she's chasing Ozorne. It was a long fight and in my story I said they had been fighting for hours. Obviously I couldn't put in every spell they would have used on each other or it would have just taken up too much space. It was a while until she found him, but he did doze beneath the tree. I figure it was probably a total of 7 hours, some of which he was looking for Hadensra and some of which he was resting or vomiting or thinking pensively. Since it doesn't actually say, that was my best guess. It could have been longer though. We just can't really know for sure.

Chapter 30 - Togetherness

Numair, Daine, Kitten, Onua, Cloud and Tahoi made their way back to the King and Queen stood with Lord Imrah. Thanks to Kit's "neatening-up-trick", Numair was looking fresh and shaven, though the look on Daine's face told him he must still be gray and he knew he was completely exhausted. They all spoke very briefly. Jon offered to get someone to help Numair to his room, but Daine insisted they were fine as she was headed to her room for some sleep too and they were next door to one another.

Numair promised himself he would talk to Jon later privately. He had witnessed his king weep for those he had sent to their deaths and he wanted to somehow find a way to comfort Jon without revealing that he knew something so private.

But for now he wanted to just be near Daine. Numair was a little afraid to let her go, lest something else should happen. So when they reached his room, he asked her and Kitten to come in and talk with him awhile. But once the door was closed, they spent a good ten minutes kissing hungrily, while Kit trilled in question.

"I heard the animals howling for you," he said at last, forehead leaning against hers. "I didn't know what happened, but I thought you had been killed."

So Daine began to tell him everything. Shortly after she had first seen signs of his battle with Inar Hadensra, a soldier had opened an unknown box and a chaos monster erupted from it. It became an enormous three headed snake. It was attacked by Raoul, the Badger, Goldstreak, a few thousand starlings, and Rikash. Rikash had been killed.

Daine began to cry as she recounted the whole scene, and Numair held her close. They sat on the bed now, his back against the headboard, while Daine snuggled next to him and Kitten lay across both laps.

Daine told him that she had flown after Ozorne to try to stop his escape. Ozorne had sent immortals after her – two stormwings and three winged apes and she had been injured and bled a lot. She had shifted into a mixture of birds to try to have the best air speed. And then Jelly and Leaf tried to help her and Ozorne destroyed them. Again, Daine sobbed heavily into his neck over the loss of friends.

When at last she went to fight Ozorne, she was weak and unable to shift, so she waited until he came to kill her and she cut his neck ear to ear with the badger claw she wore round her neck. She described a horrific fight wherin Ozorne gushed blood, drenching her. She had fallen with him, landing on top of him and when she stood, the necklace they had both seen him wearing stuck to the drying blood on her skin. She threw it and it broke and Uusoae appeared, intending to kill her. She described a pain like she had never imagined at Uusoae's touch. It was probably what made the animals howl.

Numair tightened his hold on Daine, pulling her so close that Kitten had to move. She trilled in protest.

"Then I was in the realms of the gods again," she said. "I saw all of the great gods and Father Universe and Mother Flame. They sent Uusoae to be trapped in her realm until the birth of the next star. And then they told me they needed to 'limit the scope of my influence'."

"What?" he asked incredulously.

"They said wherever the Godborn go that bad things happen. They wanted me to either choose the mortal realm or the Realms of the Gods."

"That's rich," he said angrily. "They never bothered limiting the scope of Ozorne's influence did they? You never caused any bad things to happen – he did! What's more they didn't make Chaos chose between realms and since Father Universe determines the birth of stars, all she has to do is bat her ugly multi-colored eyelashes to him and he'll let her out..." He could have continued his rant, but Daine was giggling at him.

"You're fair adorable when you're all defensive of me this way," she said, staring at him with dancing eyes. She leaned in to kiss him and they got swept away again until when they finally broke apart, he realized they were now lying on the bed, entangled in each others arms.

"Sorry," he said blushing and sitting up. He sat there a minute getting control of himself through meditative breathing. Then, remembering the brief dream he'd had after killing Inar Hadensra, he asked, "Was Kit with you up there?"

"Yes," Daine answered. "Kit, Diamondflame and Wingstar came up to be with me. So did the Badger and Goldstreak. I thought I had to stay because I gave my word to Ma, but she knew I wanted to come back. She said I should and that I had a good man waiting for me. She also said you were strange, but I think she meant it in a nice way."

He laughed. He was strange and he could accept that title. Looking at Daine, Numair realized how much better he felt than would have thought possible a few hours before. And then he really realized what Daine was saying and the laughter halted and he stared at her with awe. "You came back for me?"

"Yes, silly. Kit could have stayed up there with me. I could have looked in on my friends and known they were okay. But I had to come back, elsewise I couldn't have ever held you again." He felt himself smile at the same time as tears flooded his eyes and began to fall and he completely forgot to be bothered by it at all. Numair reached for Daine and kissed her cheeks, her lips, her forehead, her lips, her nose, her lips, her stubborn chin, her lips -- until she began to giggle against him. This was so far beyond any emotion he had ever experienced. They were lying together face to face, completely clothed with Kitten trilling at them from the end of the bed and he could not remember ever being happier. He stared into her blue-gray eyes intently, wishing they could just freeze time right here.

"What are you thinking?" she asked at last.

"That you are the embodiment of joy." He watched her smile. "Magelet, a few hours ago I thought I might never be happy again. Now I can't stop smiling."

She pulled the tie from his hair and began to finger comb it. Kit ventured up the bed again and they made space for her. "Tell me about your fight with Inar Hadensra."

"It might seem boring after your day," he said. "I did not meet gods or fight flying monkeys. I didn't get any wounds or –" he stopped mid-sentence. "Did you see a healer?"

"No, Gainel put his cloak around me so I wouldn't have to stand there naked and it healed me. Then Ma and Da gave me this dress and a new bow too." Then she looked confused and said, "Where's your staff?"

"It is scattered in tiny pieces all over the clearing where you found me."

"Hadensra blew it up?"

"No, I did." So he told her everything about the fight and finding the strength to end it through his love for her. He told her about Hadensra's last words and how much he didn't want to kill again. And he told her that he didn't want to be without her ever again.

For the first time in a long time, they were just silent in one another's company. They lay there, legs curled and knees pressed together with Kit snuggled tightly between them. They just stared into each other's eyes, completely content, until sleep overcame both.

When Numair awoke, Kit was still between them and Daine's hands were locked in his own. A blanket had been spread over all three, but he did not know how it got there and whether it was Daine or Kit who had covered them, or some outside party. His mouth was so dry he felt like he hadn't had anything to drink for days.

He kissed Daine's cheek and pulled his hands from hers gently. He stopped to pet Kit on the head and slipped out to get some food for them all.

It looked to be dawn, but he wasn't absolutely sure of what day. He felt like he had slept around two or three clocks.

He walked down toward the kitchens, finding Lady Marielle talking with the cook. "Master Salmalin!" she said brightly.

He bowed politely. "Good morning – it is morning, right?"

She laughed. "Yes, sir. And a beautiful morning it is too. Most of the magic folk haven't stirred yet, though it's been two days. We have seen the dragonet a couple of times though."

He looked at her guiltily, wondering if she knew where Daine had slept. She grinned at him. "A most curious thing happened. Ms. Sarrasri never made it to her room." He felt his cheeks turn red and tried not to look at the cook. Servants were very often guilty of spreading gossip. As if she read his mind Marielle continued, "Don't worry about Yola or myself, we don't spread rumors."

He blinked heavily. "Forgive me. It was not intentional. We were talking about the battles and I guess we just fell asleep."

"I have seen some strange things in this war, Master Salmalin. Our allies were the strangest crew of critters I've ever encountered. I wasn't sure how I felt about the unusual mixture. But then I saw your little family when I checked on you. Ms. Sarrasri is a very unusual girl and I know the dragon is unconventional. I've mostly heard things about you. We didn't get to know one another well before you disappeared. But I think you're probably all together because one's just as unusual as the other. And, you look very perfect together."

He didn't know whether to laugh or hide his head. He finally covered his face and chuckled.

"Judging by the things King Jonathan said when that girl insisted on finding you instead of telling him what had taken place, I'm going to guess he doesn't know." Her face was kind and he couldn't help but feel at ease around her.

"It's very new," Numair finally conceded. "Daine didn't want to answer awkward questions before we had a chance to discuss things."

"Well, I suppose I won't try to introduce you to my daughter then," she said with an amused smile. Yola handed her a tray of food with three glasses and then brought another to him. He thanked her graciously.

"The queen knows, doesn't she?" she continued. "She asked me if I thought Daine was behaving like someone looking for her favorite eccentric uncle." Now he laughed outright. When he had confided his feelings to Thayet several months ago he had told her that he thought Daine was fond of him like one would be fond of an eccentric uncle.

"Thayet prides herself on being able to smell budding romance," he answered. "I suspect you two have that in common."

Marielle chuckled, eyes twinkling. "Yes, we do. When Ms. Sarrasri decides to return to her own room, tell her it will be waiting." He nodded and returned with the tray to where he had left Daine sleeping.

It was another day before everybody was really awake and moving. They had rested well, eaten enough to sustain their bodies and all had baths. Numair figured that it was time to resume his persuading. So when he met Daine for breakfast he grabbed three apples and started to juggle. She grinned at him. "You're in a strange mood this morning," she said.

"I'm a strange man – so I've been told," he said. She laughed. "I thought I should practice my juggling." He stopped and set the apples in front of her. "When is someday?" he asked eyes intent upon hers. At that moment Onua came in the room followed by Sarge. He could see she didn't want to discuss this in front of them.

"Someday," she whispered, "is an undecided time. I will – someday."

"Should I keep trying?" he asked quietly, feeling a little rejected. She nodded.

"What are you two plotting over there?" Onua asked with a smile. "Come be sociable."

They picked up their food trays and moved to sit across from Onua and Sarge. Daine immediately started up a conversation with Sarge. "Your spear throwing lessons with Numair paid off, did he tell you?"

Soon they were discussing everything that happened in various battles. Sarge had seen some crazy things too as he organized fighters. He had even seen a slave trader fighting with the Carthaki Rebels that he knew from his past. Before long, Jon, Thayet, Harailt, Tkaa, Evin Larse, and a few other really good friends joined them as they discussed things. That turned into a clean-up planning session and soon they were outside doing what they could to return the country to its former splendor.

Days turned into weeks as they worked to rebuild. Daine and Numair stayed with Jon and Thayet as they traveled back to Corus, cleaning and rebuilding as they went. There were a few scattered enemies to round up, though most seemed to have disappeared or been killed. Often there were remains to bury, though the stormwings and vultures left little for the families to look upon.

For Numair, everyday started by meeting Daine for a swift good morning kiss and ended with a fresh attempt at convincing her to marry him – always with the same answer. This lasted until she told him he didn't have to ask everyday, letting him know effectively that she didn't want to discuss it.

Slowly, close friends found out about them. Kit told Tkaa. Daine asked some advice of Alanna and Onua, then ended up telling them the truth with Numair's help. Thayet spotted them holding hands and confirmed her own suspicions. George and Sarge learned from Alanna and Onua.

When at last Corus seemed to be returned to normal, Jon and Thayet announced a ball to honor the heroes and fallen of the war. Those who were part of the fighting were ordered to attend the affair on the 1st of September at the Royal Palace. Even Raoul could not back out and he was not happy about it. Numair took the bold step of asking Daine if he could escort her and she accepted.

The night was more solemn than joyous. Everyone came dressed in black, charcoal or gray. For some the losses had been more devastating than for others. Duke Baird had lost his two eldest sons. He and his wife grieved them with every breath. Evin Larse announced an engagement to Miri, the girl he had kissed publicly in midwinter. But the engagement was short lived when Miri was killed after happening upon a nest of spidrens just six weeks after the war ended. Everyone knew and loved someone killed in the war or by its after-effects. And still, they tried to smile at one another and move forward, even if it was painful.

So at the beginning of the ball, Jon and Thayet traveled from guest to guest trying to say kind things and even funny things to make the air less tense. When Jon saw Daine, he pulled her aside to tell her how lovely she looked. He didn't seem to know she had an escort, let alone who it was. Numair stood by holding the two glasses of juice he had gone to retrieve and heard Jon say, "My dear, you look very lovely. I had not realized what a beautiful young woman you've become. If you would like, we could present you at court with the other eligible young ladies this fall." Numair felt himself blanch.

"That's alright, Sire," she said with a smile. "I'm already taken."

He looked at her surprised, while Numair beamed unrestrainedly behind them. "I had no idea," Jon said, turning to his wife who merely shrugged.

When at last they saw Numair, he had given Daine her glass of juice and was trying not to look too smug. He spoke briefly with the king and queen before turning to talk to Lindhall Reed and Elyra Kelton, both of whom were back from helping in the north.

Jon lead Thayet to the dance floor and couples followed one by one, though Numair and Daine stayed to the side laughing with George and Alanna.

"Jon actually asked me who you were seeing," Alanna told Daine. "When exactly are you going to tell him?"

"That's up to her," Numair said.

"I thought you were going to tell him," Daine said pointedly.

"And I will, when you tell me I can or agree to marry me," he said with a big grin.

"See, he's already takin' orders," George said. Alanna snorted into her drink.

"I admit it. I'd do anything she told me to for one more beautiful smile," Numair flirted. Daine promptly smiled and he turned to George and said, "You see? How could a man look on her and do anything but what she tells him?"

"Daine, you should watch him," Alanna advised, "He may talk all sugar, but I know he's too crafty to mean it, just like mine." The women laughed.

"No, because he wouldn't ride alone through miles of immortal infested forest just to come to you when you need him," Numair sassed sarcastically. "Oh wait – didn't you do that once, George?"

"Yep, proud of it too, though I wasn't all alone. I had a griffin 'fer company."

Alanna rewarded her husband with a simmering kiss. Daine grabbed Numair's hand and pulled him toward the dance floor. "Come dance with me," she said. He set down his glass and followed obediently.

Once on the floor they began to talk while they waltzed. "I will marry you someday, Numair. I mean that. But I don't know why it's so important to you. Is it just because of societal rules?"

He wanted to say no, but it was a hard thing to answer because without societal rules, marriage wouldn't exist at all. Like animals, they would just take a mate and call it good. He told her as much.

"You said that you were afraid I might marry you and then someday see an old man where I wanted a young one. My ma never married and she and Da seem just fine. Why do we have to rush into that part?"

He stared at her for a moment. "You're whole life people have treated you like you were less than proper. I wanted to treat you like a lady, that's all."

She smiled up at him. "Oh. But Numair, you have. You've always treated me with respect even when I didn't know how to speak and when I spent all my days covered in animal dung. You even treated me like a lady when I told you what I had done after Ma died and at the time I smelled like Sea Lions and dead fish."

"I don't want people around us to judge you and spread rumors about you because we're together and not married, which is why I work so hard at keeping my hands to myself. And Magelet, no one can test a man's restraint like you can."

She grinned at him, batting her eyes innocently. He looked down at her and laughed. "You know you do have me complete wrapped around your finger, right?" he asked.

She nodded. "Do you want to tell Jon about us?"

"I should, yes. I'm not sure how though. It's not like I can tell him we're engaged or something."

"Why not?" she asked defiantly. "It's just a long engagement, that's all."

"Really?" he asked, knowing he had a big, stupid grin on his face. "Would you wear a ring?"

"Yes," she answered. Numair began to scramble in his belt purse, producing a ring he had purchased for her in Legann. "You carry it around with you?" she said incredulously.

"Well, I didn't know when I would need it and I didn't want to misplace it," he said apologetically, offering her the ring. It was a very pretty thing – an intricately shaped gold band with a fire opal in between two small diamonds. She didn't put it on her finger. Instead she opened the clasp on the chain that held her badger claw and a small gold charm. She slipped it on there and asked him to spell it so it wouldn't come off. He did so immediately and she laughed at his eagerness.

They resumed dancing at the proper distance until soon Daine asked, "Why did we ever hide this in the first place?"

"Because I decided to let you take the lead in revealing it," he answered. "I didn't want to embarrass you in any way and I didn't know if you might –" he stopped at the exasperated look on her face.

"We were waiting on each other," she said, then laughed at the irony. She looked up into his eyes and said, "Kiss me."

"Here?" he asked, surprised.

"We're both worried about what everybody will think, right? Like they might think we're doing something wrong. 'Cept if we don't want them to think we're doing something wrong, we shouldn't act like we are."

"You're probably right," he said, chuckling.

"So kiss me." He still hesitated, not sure this was the way to let anyone know this secret, let alone everyone. But then she gave him that smile he couldn't resists and said, "Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me," quickly and repeatedly until he did. It was as if they were standing still in time and he forgot the whole rest of the world. There was just himself and Daine.

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You have to wait to find out how everyone reacts.