Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or this world that they are in and I am making no money out of this. I just want to write a sequel to a really good book that I wish had one.

Also I am using some words from Brightly Burning I hope nobody minds, this chapter begins at the end of the epilogue, and all rights to the content from other books go to Mercedes Lackey

Chapter 11

Pol and Ilea picked their way along the goat trail, amidst the somber group to the place where Lavan Firestorm and Kalira died.

It was the same procession that had gone up the mountain to be thwarted by the unstable trail, joined by Macy, Lavan's sister.

Macy had moved out of her parents home and into the Palace as a member of the Queens household, as one of Queen Fyllis' personal embroiderers.

When spring came to Valdemar, and Wulaf said the trail was clear there was no question that they would go.

"And thanks to Lan, we will have peace to grow," Tuck said.

Pol nodded, and moved to put his arm around Tuck's shoulders. "Yes we will" he replied. "Just like this little tree. If it hadn't been for Lavan Firestorm, neither we nor the tree would be here."

Wulaf was the first to move collecting a handful of pebbles and ringing the seedling with a protective barrier.

One by one, the others took their turn, leaving something for the seedling. Leaving only Pol and Ilea left Ilea held out her hands, giving the seedling the strength only a healer could.

Then it was Pol's turn.

He slipped over the seedling, a bracelet Macy had made him, he hadn't come with the intention of leaving it - but it seemed right.

He straightened locking at the others in silence. Now he sensed that some deep wound in them had begun to heal. It was not closed yet, but in time, they would be whole.

"Time to go," he said quietly, and they turned their faces home.

As the group was leaving, Pol was pondering the sensation he had felt three days ago. It had felt like Lan and he thought he could sense a firestarting gift active.

But he dismissed the thought. There had been times in the first few weeks after Lavan's death, that Pol had thought he could feel Lan's mind. But that had stopped months before and, as his wife had told him it was a symptom of grief.

But, he had never felt Lavan's presence mixed with a hint of firestarting, and it had been too brief to have been real.

He pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind, it was time to head for home. He needed to be with Tuck, to be with his daughter, to be with Macy, and help them with their grief.

Pol mounted Satiran, pulling his wife up behind him, as Tuck did the same, pulling Macy up behind him onto the double saddle. Elenor mounted her own horse which she had borrowed from the Guard. While Wulaf, Feodor and the others mounted their respective steeds.

Tuck turned to face Pole concern in his eyes. "Herald Pol, I'm going to ride ahead. Macy is needed in the Queens household and besides, her parents weren't all to thrilled about her coming out here in the first place." He looked at Pol with sadness in his eyes, still grieving over his lost friend.

His companion, Dacerie's head hung low. It do them good to get back to Haven. He gave a sigh, he and Ilea would remain behind as to travel with Elenor. "Go on ahed Tuck, and be careful. We'll see you back in Haven".

Tuck gave Pol his old mentor a nod and without a further word, he, Macy and Dacerie set off at a brisk trot pulling aged of the others who were going at a walk, before too long.

Pol glanced back at the others briefly as they continued they all looked lost in thought as they continued on. Until finally Feodor spoke up.

"Have you heard, they're calling it the battle of the burning pines".

"It be an accurate description." Wulaf replied.

"People won't be forgetting what Lan did for some time".

It was Elenor who had spoken up, witch was a surprise to Pol, albeit a good one. Her first crush had died back there. He had not been expecting her to talk about it for a while longer.

Her comment had stirred through the group.

"Aye ter that".

Pol wasn't sure who had said that but was grateful enough with the silence that followed. Even if it was uncomfortable.

After they had resupplied at the Guard post, Pol, Elenor and Ilea continued their journey to Haven. Their brisk ground eating trot covering the distance well. The main roads weren't crowded and the snow had cleared.

They stopped at an inn for dinner and used one of the rooms for the night. No doubt Tuck would be a few towns ahead by now, what with not having to slow down for a regular horse, and the Companions ground eating pace.

They had slept soundly that night and continued on in the morning. After waking up, Pol went to the task of waking his daughter up. After the first shake, she groaned, and started coming back to consciousness.

•

The first morning they had found it harder than usual to wake Elenor up Ilea had taken him aside.

"She isn't sleeping well Pol, none of us are. We should expect her to be groggy in the mornings"

"What", Pol had asked in a teasing tone, trying to lighten the mood, "more groggy than usual".

At Ilea's glare he relented. He understood, grief had been affecting his sleep too. But his Heraldic training had him waking up at the proper time any which way , he felt sorry for his daughter. And was glad too, that she had never been chosen and put through that training. He should let her enjoy sleeping in while she could still afford to.

•

Pol came out of his memory. He didn't rush his daughter, but let her come to at her own pace. Once she had awoken and packed her things, the family went downstairs to saddle Satiran and the borrowed horse.

As Pol was buying some pocket pies for the trip Satiran called to him.

:chosen, I believe Elenor should ride up behind you today. I think it would do her some good to spend some time with her father.:

:and once we get back to Haven I can take up teaching again, and give you a chance to come to terms with Kalira?:

As Pol entered the stable, clutching the pied, Satiran lifted his head to greet him. Ilea and Elenor were busy saddling up the horse. Satiran, already tacked up trotted over, trying to snatch one of the pies.

:I think it's a good idea, I would appreciate that time.:

:now we just have to find a way to get her in the saddle. Ah I have an idea.:

"Oy" Pol said as Satiran's head retreated. "Just for that, you get to carry Elenor today.

Satiran snorted and, he thought he saw slight smile crossed Elenor's face.

When all was ready Ilea mounted first, followed by Pol then Elenor. While Elenor was adjusting herself in the saddle, Pol saw Ilea give him an encouraging look.

Once they were on the road again, Pol handed out the pies, giving one to Satiran. As they continued their journey home.