Once again, I come to you with words of my mind; originating from my deepest most treasured thoughts and fantasies... I-

Rtas: "Put a plasma in it; I've very nearly had enough of your 'Fantasies'."

Your just upset cause you know what i'm planning. Go ahead and keep fretting dude I'm preparing for chaos whether you like it ir not.

ANYWAYS! I want to thank you all for viewing and reviewing. I appreciate any critisism and/or praise for "Return to Sangheilios", and would like to thank the below members for dropping in and leaving a few words.

Trusne's review for "Return to Sangheilios" - Chapter 3:

"Pretty cool, can't wait to see the next chapter. I wonder how these councilors will react to the whole truth of what has transpired away from Sanghelios.
Oh, and about female Sangheili, from what I could gather from Halopedia, they apparently hold a lot of political power on Sanghelios."

~ Answer: "I certianly have some ideas for the Coucilors as far as reactions go. :3 You can probably imagine what a room full of angry Sangheilis looks like...

I have read around as well, and from what I've heard some females are trained for combat as a precautionary defense should the planet ever be attacked. (Seeing as the majority of the male populace was participating in the war.) Then I had read that while they can have high political standings, females are generally forbidden from acheiving any 'actual' military role.

At least that is what I've read. :) Thank you for your words Trusne!"

Mortgaged Free-men's review for "Return to Sangheilios" - Chapter 3:

"This interpretation of the immediate events after Halo 3 is pleasantly accurate. I am literally itching to see the next chapter uploaded (I'll be patient though, no rush). Anyways, in my opinion you're on the right track in making the story a good mix of action and romance with halo themed characters.

Keep going with this story!"

~ Answer: "Thank you as well for the encouraging words Free-men! :) I am glad you are enjoying the story thus far and hope you enjoy the updates to come; which I will be pumping out every few days as long as life circumstances don't put me MIA.

I was hoping my approach with the Action/Romance mix would turn out to be more of a focus on the chaos and plot of the Civil War, with a little bit of romance sprinkled in between for sweetening things up.

(It would make the overall plot a little more rounded. And for those that aren't looking for JUST a love story; a little more enjoyable. But it still gives me my pairing. lol)"

So, on with the show! Good luck in the wild world of writing!

BOOKS OUT!

"Return to Sangheilios"

CHAPTER 4

"Reunion Long Delayed"

"How did it happen?..."

Rethea's voice broke the silence as their transport Phantom flew over the heart of Vadimri; causing Thel to look up from the floor.

The female stood leaning against the ship wall with arms crossed and mandibles clenched. Her voice was heavy as she tried to keep herself from staring at the short stubs where her brother's right mandibles should have been.

Rtas lifted his green eyes to see what she was speaking of and stiffened, which Thel grimaced and leaned back into the wall. He had heard the story...when Rtas and his squad of Special Operations soldiers were sent on the Infinnete Succor mission. The details were quite disconcerting.

From what he remembered, Rtas' ship had been boarded by the Parasite; one of it's first few appearances to the Covenant. Him and his squad had tried their best to complete their mission and escape...but the commander was the only one to make it out alive. After all being infected, Rtas was forced to send his men into the nearby sun with the 'rest' of the infected.

Rtas interrupted Thel's thoughts with a low growl, "Assuming you have heard of the 'Flood'...I was on a Spec Ops mission with my men when our ship was attacked."

Rethea's mandibles clicked in agitation at the mention of the Flood, but she leaned foreword to more intently listen to her brother.

With a low sigh he gestured with a wave of his hand to his face, "I was lucky enough to escape with my life in tact, but not without a price."

R'tas had always cared deeply for his soldiers' safety. In his explanation of his wounds he made sure to never mention the deaths of his men, and he certainly didn't mention that the one to inflict the wounds upon him was his closest comrade "Kusovai"; whom had been infected by the Flood.
At that point of time Thel was still a Supreme Commander, and upon his soldier's debriefing he could hardly believe the male was still alive.

But Rethea shook her head, and Thel again looked to her. He could see the regret in her blue eyes; how the anger mixed with distress and caused them to 'darken', so to speak.

The female muttered as the Phantom made a sharp left then began to descend, "I wish I had been fighting by your side Rtas."

There was nothing more said between them, until the ship's comm speakers crackled and the pilot's voice came through, "We have arrived at the Vadum estate."

Stepping away from the wall Rtas nodded and glanced over his shoulder at the others. At his feet in the middle of the ship's floor was the large circular gravity well used for the unloading of passengers.

"Well then...are you two ready?"

Thel moved foreword as did Rethea, and the two watched the white armored male as he stepped foreword and entered the gravity lift. He dropped down out of the belly of the ship abruptly, then the lift's effects took hold and he slowed before his hooves finally touched ground.

There was a moment of silence, and Thel was about to step foreword himself, but a voice interrupted him, "The war must have been hell..."
Turning he found Rethea looking up at him. Her mandibles clicked every now and then, and she crossed her arms, "I've never seen that look in my brother's eyes before..."

Tilting his head the Arbiter blinked down at her, then sighed and nodded, "We have been through many trials. The tragedies throughout all these years have clung to many of us."

The female growled angrily and scoffed, "Somehow it is hard to believe such things were worth it. Whenever the Prophets contacted us they spoke as if it was all an...acquirement...of the Great Journey. Some Journey, if we are to tread through the blood of our brothers to achieve it."

Thel could only go blank and stare at Rethea with awe in his amber eyes. Was he truly hearing these words?
Although quiet, he could sense the distaste in her tone. She had spoken like a Heretic...like a separatist.

Looking away he nodded; voice low, "Some Journey indeed."

Stepping into the gravity well Thel felt the air turn warm and it's scent smell sharp from the plasma influenced device. He dropped momentarily, then slowed and the next moment he found his hooves resting in tall green grass. A breeze flowing overhead smelled of flowers and the distant ocean, and water could be heard trickling at the edge of his senses.

Eyes lifting Thel turned to see the city of Vadimri in the distance. Its towers were bathed in light from the two suns now located near the horizon.
Just behind one of the buildings, he could see the Shadow of Intent as it stalled over what he knew was the military base where they had first arrived.
Between them there was the occasional farm house made from stone and thatch, as well as modern villages located closer to the city. It was all a beautiful sight.

Smiling softly Thel turned back just as Rethea lowered down from the Phantom. Staff in hand she nodded ahead with mandibles flared in a grin despite her intense words a few moments before, "What do you think, Rtas? Has it changed since you left?"

Before them he stood with head raised and arms limp at his sides. Thel saw what seemed to be an expression of joy and relief over his features.
The male nodded softly; voice tinged with the slightest of chuckles, "Not a single brick seems to have been moved, Rethea..."

Beyond their position, spread out on a large hill just outside the great forests were multiple buildings. Each was made with alabaster stone, and surrounded with lush green grass as was most of the field they stood in. Gardens of a vast array of flowers could be seen from even their distance.
In the middle of the settlement was the largest of the buildings; the Keep. Inside its walls were decades of family history and honor.

This was the Estate of Vadum.

As their Phantom flew back towards the city, R'tas strode foreword and chuckled, "The gardens could not be blooming at a more perfect time."

They followed him up to a stone walkway which led up towards the Keep. Hooves clicking against the hard surface, Thel watched his friend's expression constantly change between that of awe, excitement, and utter joy.

Part of him was saddened however. Would his arrival at his own keep be so joyful? He couldn't help but wonder if the consequences of his shaming were more costly than he realized.
Despite the worry in his gut he told himself to have faith, and straightened his stance as he walked along on the pathway. They were entering the perimeter of the homes now.

Nearby a small stream flowed at the backside of the hill; through a cluster of bushes and flowers. Their petals were colored an array of shades between gold, pink, and blue, and their scent was certainly a pleasure. The small trees scattered across the open areas were blooming as well; occasionally shedding a pink petal into the wind. The entire moment was rather serene.

Eventually they saw a Sangheili, whom exited a small hut at the sight of them and watched from the doorway. It was a middle aged female in a casual green dress; her head tilted curiously at the warriors coming into the estate. Glancing to Rethea she gave a confused look as if to ask whom their guests were. Her eyes rested for quite some time on the Arbiter.

Rethea chuckled, "Seems our family is having as much trouble recognizing you as I, Rtas."

Still striding foreword Rtas smiled, "Years of battle can change one's appearance."
He seemed intent on arriving at the Keep...almost desperate the way his legs moved stiffly along.

"There is but one person I wish to meet."

Thel remembered quite quickly that he was speaking of their mother.

Coming up to the entry of the Keep, he looked up to see two large faded doors made of a purple metal similar; to that of a ship. They passed many more Sangheili on the way, and for a moment Thel thought he saw the figure of a youngling run past in the distance.
But, he pulled his gaze foreword as Rtas strode past a rather confused male and shoved the doors aside. Walking in his mandibles worked into a wider grin than ever before.

As Rethea and Thel walked in behind him the doors swung closed, and the interior of the Vadum Keep was revealed.

The walls were yet again a creamy alabaster white; occasionally decorated with a large tapestry depicting a family scene, the metal swords of their ancestors, and surprisingly a bladed staff which rested upon two small hooks.
Over the open doorways hung brightly colored drapes and on the floor were woven rugs that dulled the sound of their hooves on the stone. Above, sunlight flooded in like a wave from a large dome like skylight in the ceiling. It brightened up the room greatly.

Amber eyes rising and falling to each feature of the home, Thel took in the sight with a sigh. It wasn't all that different to his own Keep...

But once again, his thoughts were interrupted when Rethea walked ahead, "You two wait here. I will go search for mother." she patted her brother on the shoulder as she passed.

As she entered one of the doorways to the left, Rtas exhaled, "All of the memories return...as if I have never left..."

He turned to Thel and nodded, "I cannot believe that when I was a child, I wanted so much to escape the walls of this place...to see more..."
A sharp chuckle ripped from his mandibles and he shook his head, "Now I find that I wish nothing more than to remain in my home for the rest of my years."

This made Thel chuckle. He could understand the feeling.
As a child he remembered what it was like to be confined to training inside the Keep. While he had enjoyed it, and it benefitted him, as a young child he couldn't help but resent the constant work. Of course that way of thinking was changed with age; as he came to realize just how important the Sangheili honor and way of life was to him.

Suddenly, gazing around at the room he found something that interested him greatly upon the walls. At the sight of it he blinked and turned.

There standing on a small stand, was the large black shoulder plate of a Labrak; one of Sangheilios' dangerous desert dwelling omnivores. The plate was a shiny charcoal color, with purple paint applied over the surface to resemble the blood that could be flushed into it; should the animal have still been alive of course. It was often used as a dominance display or threat to other predators when chasing them off of their kill.

It was odd however...how did the Vadum Keep obtain such an item? The hunting of a Labrak was not often attempted...since more often then not the Sangheili attacking the beast would perish.

Stepping foreword Thel got a closer view of the decoration. The paint on it created a rather hazy glow to it's otherwise rough texture, and he noted it stood nearly 4 feet in length. The animal was surely larger than average; a greater feat for its hunter.

But still, the light bouncing off the plate drew his attention. Something wanted to make him touch it...
So, raising a hand he reached out to just quickly brush his fingertips over the hard material.

"Take great caution, Arbiter. The Labrak plate is a family treasure."

The voice made him stiffen and he shot his gaze to the middle of the room. There walking towards them was Rethea, and a second female Sangheili; the one that had spoken.

Stepping away Thel nodded his head, "Apologies-" but she chuckled, "Do not apologize, Arbiter. I merely advise caution."

She resembled Rethea in physical attributes. Her neck was long and her head rather feminine despite appearances. She wore a simple blue dress that twisted and turned around her waist before tying in a short sash. Her eyes were a hazy blue...not quite as brilliant as Rethea's but still a rare sight within the Sangheili.

Thel nodded, and Rethea stepped foreword with a small smile on her mandibles.
Approaching Rtas, whom had gone quiet and stood patiently before them, she glanced back at the second female, "Mother..."

Her 'mother' looked up, and immediately Thel saw her eyes go wide and fill with surprise. Her mandibles dropped in a few stutters before she gasped, "Rtas!"
She shot her eyes to her daughter momentarily, "Rethea why did you not tell me it was him!"

Rtas chuckled softly from where he stood, "Hello mother." There was a glassed look to his gaze; the happiness at the sight of his mother apparent.

Grinning now the older female stepped quickly foreword and held out her arms. Her eyes glistened and she sighed, "My son, you have grown up..."

Both came to a strong embrace and laughed softly. Rtas held her close, nuzzling his snout into her neck for a moment. Thel could only watch on with a smile.

As he stood there Rethea went to his side; a smile on her face. Her blue eyes shone and he was surprised to hear her chuckle, "He has always been a mother's boy..."

"Has he now?..." Thel's voice was in a quiet chuckle.

The female nodded, "As it is with most children we did not know our father for quite some time...Rtas was always close to mother..."
Looking up she gestured with a nod of her head back at the Labrak plate by the wall, "You seem to take great interest in our decorations."

Thel smirked, "It is certainly a rare and beautiful find. Did your family harvest it from a Labrak skeleton?"

She shook her head, "No...It was a gift from my father to my mother. He-"

"To prove he was worthy of marrying me, my mate traveled into the nearby deserts and hunted down the animal. He killed it, and in giving it to me he convinced my family to allow the marriage...but that was before he was called into the Covenant."

They both turned to see that Rtas and his mother had finished with their greetings, and both walked towards them. The female nodded, "Pardon the interruption, Arbiter. I am San."

Thel nodded his head respectfully, and the female continued, "While in the Covenant my mate was promoted to the status of Swordsman...and in such a situation we were then forbidden to marry. However, with him I gave birth to Rtas and Rethea...not long before he was killed in battle."

It was Sangheili tradition that anyone amongst the ranks of Swordsmen, the Sangheilis honored enough to wield an energy sword, were forbidden to marry any female. Instead, they could chose any number of females to have young with; to spread their noble lines and strengthen the family gene. Such had been the case with both the Arbiter, Rtas...and Rethea now that he thought about it. Assuming she wielded an energy blade.

Thel shook his head and spoke to all three of them, "I am sorry."

"He died an honorable death...it cannot be helped now..."

San's expression turned forlorn, before she forced it to lighten and she looked up from the Labrak plate, "Rethea told me she invited you for dinner; is that true?"

Thel glanced to Rethea, who smirked, and he chuckled, "Yes."

"Good. It is ready and I have had a table set in one of the more..peaceful...of places in the Keep."

All three Sangheili spoke to him freely, and with great kindness. It gave Thel the long forgotten feeling of acceptance as he followed them all towards a doorway at the back of the room.

When the scents of succulent meats came to his senses he smiled, then strode on behind the Vadum family.

So that's a wrap! :D

Leave a review with what you thought of this chapter. Whether you liked it, hated it, or want to leave a tip for my writing/halo knowledge. It is all appreciated far more than you can comprehend! :3

I also wanted to leave with a question for the readers out there. What are your preferences for a word count on a story? Trying to find a good medium in which to leave you guys off with every update. (This chapter was 3,000) :/ Just haven't really made enough stories to have a good experience on this, and figured if their too short than I can always lengthen future updates.

Thanks readers!

BOOKS OUT!