Hi peeps! It's Books and I'm back for another round!

Would have gotten this up sooner, but over the weekend I was unexpectedly called away to enter a local Archery Competition. The days are getting much hotter here, and as I sit at my desk to write I have streams of sweat running from my brow and my legs. (Our air conditioning is out.) O_0

Anyways! I would like to again thank you all for the reviews. :) They are VERY encouraging, and the occasional pointers are both interesting and great for my expanding Halo knowledge.

Trusne's review for "Return to Sangheilios" Chapter 4:

"Nice reunion. Can't wait to see what will ruin it for everyone!

In regard to the word count, I think 3000 like this chapter is perfectly respectable."

~Answer: "I am looking foreword to that point as well Trusne. :3 I hope you like it. Soon... bwhaha!"

Mortgaged Free-men's review for "Return to Sangheilios" Chapter 4:

"Very nice progression so far! Nice to see the main Sangheili characters in Halo 2 and 3 are getting fleshed out a bit more in every chapter.
I would just like to ask a question though: Will humans appear in this Story?
It's because I believe before the Civil War on Sangehilios ONI incited "The sons of the Abiding Truth" to begin the civil war, this infighting would theoretically lessen the Sangheili threat the UNSC (just the history on Halo I found while searching is all).
But this is your story, and I'm not 100% on Halo lore myself (just explanations I found on Halopedia that I didn't find in the Halo game play).
Anyways, concerning your word count/page length question: in my opinion it's fine, consistency is what counts.
Keep writing more brilliant chapters for this Story Books!"

~Answer: "Thank you Free-men. :) It pleases me to know you enjoy my Fanfic so much. Your word choice "Brilliant" is making me blush. :3
 And for your question...let's see if I can find all the words for this. lol

I haven't had a chance to read any of the books, but I have heard about the joint effort between the "Servants of Abiding Truth" and ONI. (Taken place one year after the beginning of the Civil War)

Of course I had learned this after I had started "Return to Sangheilios", so my original plan did NOT involve any humans.

The books, indicate that after ONI's deal with the Servants, the leader Sangheili named "Avu Med 'Telcam" made efforts to kill Thel 'Vadam and overtake his family keep. At this point the UNSC had arrived at Sangheilios for diplomatic reasons with the Arbiter, and assisted in the defeat of Telcam's forces.

After your question and thinking over this topic, I am seriously considering involving this event in "Return to Sangheilios". :) I'm thinking it will create a good Climactic point in the plot.

Man...from all that I've got planned...this is gonna be one long doosey of a tale. lol"

If any of you have any words on this topic, feel free to PM me or Review. I'm open for any ideas and at the moment I'm fighting to choose the best course that will both have the best outcome and provide a good quality story for you all.

And as it seems, 3,000 for the page/word count is the decided update preference. (Thank you for that as well!)

I hope all of this had made sense, and I hope you guys continue to review and give me your thoughts on the story. :)
This will be the last chapter before the fun begins, and I mean it will ALL begin!

BOOKS OUT!

"Return to Sangheilios"

Chapter 5

"While I Was Gone"

For years, never had such delicious food graced Thel's senses. For once it was decently prepared, and he found himself eating far more than what was probably decent. However the more he ate the more pleased San 'Vadum appeared.

Sitting at a small grey table, they were in a room located on the outer edge of the Vadum Keep. It was filled with décor similar to that of the main entrance, and at one end there was a balcony that stretched over a section of garden area. Accompanied with the pleasant scents of the night's meal, the warm breeze flowing in from the balcony, and the flowers below; it was certainly the perfect spot for a family's first meal together in years.
Never had he heard Rtas speak so fondly, or as often.

Sitting at the foot of the table Thel had removed his helm and was currently indulging himself with a large quantity of partially cooked meat. The outer edge was darkened, but inside was bright red and moist; the way Sangheili preferred.

Mandibles working together to flay the meat apart, Thel listened on as one of Rethea's more humorous of childhood memories was mentioned to her brother. Years apart had gathered quite the collection of untold tales.

San sat at one side of the table, while Rethea was opposite from her. Rtas from the head of the table listened intently; chin resting in his palms as he occasionally chuckled and nodded. His helm had also been removed by deactivating the combat harness's magnetic properties. In turn it loosened the armor's individual pieces and provided a relatively easy removal.

San chuckled, "Not long after you departed for the Covenant, Rtas, your sister began to show her true colors. The most memorable moment I can recall...is when she strode up to one of our family elders. She was only fourteen season cycles old, mind you."

Pausing the female smiled back at the moment, then continued, "She strode up to our family elder, and simply demanded that he train her for combat like the 'rest of the young males'. Never before have I laughed so hard."

Tilting his head Thel smiled. Rethea seemed to be a rather opinionated female, even from childhood.

"And what did the elder have to say?"

This time Rethea spoke with a small laugh, "At the time I had not realized the rudeness of my request, yet I was surprised when the Elder proceeded to laugh right along with my mother. I was very embarrassed, until the old male quieted and agreed to my wishes. From them on I was trained like the rest of the young males...much to some of their disgust."

Turning his amber eyes fell on the young female. Like both him and Rtas her helm had also been removed, and what was underneath was just as fair as the rest of her.
Her head was sleek and small compared to many of the males, her mandibles were in line with the end of her snout, and her skin was the deepest of browns; to where in some lights it appeared to be black.
Now unobstructed by her helm her blue eyes were completely visible. Thel had never seen such bright eyes.

Finished with her food Rethea sat in her seat and occasionally added to her mother's story telling. Her smile was sincere and her laugh was again strong, yet crisp with femininity.

As he chewed on his meat and gazed down at Rethea, Thel's eyes lifted to the nearby doorway and open balcony. Out there he could see one of three of Sangheilios' suns setting in the western skies. The second had already disappeared on the horizon and the third long before; signaling the coming darkness.

If he was to visit his own keep he needed to hurry. His time spent with the Vadum family had gone by faster than expected; there was not much left before he would be needed at the meeting with Vadimri's councilors.

Over the laughter in the room Thel swallowed his mouthful and stood up from the table. Clearing his throat he nodded to San, "The meal was most gratifying, but I am afraid I must leave now if I am to make time for my own family."

All went silent, and the two females turned to him with blank gazes. The looks had become all too familiar at this certain topic.
Thel frowned and tensed, "If I have done something wrong then please; explain. I do not understand." he gestured to their expressions and both exchanged uneasy glances.

Fists clenching, he suppressed a growl, "If something has happened to my family, I have the right to know of it!"

He did not mean to bring forth such an outburst, but at the moment the only thing that resided in his mind was the worry for his people. The two females were hiding something.

Sitting up Rtas became equally tense and hissed at his friend as instincts to protect his own family surfaced, "My mother and sister do not deserve this-" But his mother cut him off with a soft glance and growl.

The male was forced to go silent, and Thel fixed his fiery eyes on the older female.
Eventually, San spoke as she stared at the table before her, "I am afraid much has changed during your absence, Arbiter..."

Her voice was heavy and when she paused Thel's worries heightened. Looking up her eyes locked with his, and she continued slowly as if to choose her words. "There is nothing left of the Vadam estate."

*Nothing left?...That is impossible!*

Body going cold Thel's mandibles clicked furiously and fractions of words managed to escape him. At the sight of his struggle to understand Rethea murmured, "Your family is gone, Arbiter. After your shaming they disappeared; no one knew where they went and sadly, none cared to search for them."

Lies. These females were speaking lies!
The entire Vadam line could not have just been wiped from the face of the planet; they were a strong family with prestige and honor-.

Thel had grown furious, until he fell across that one word. Honor...
His clenched fists released and his mandibles were brought tightly together. The knot in his chest festered until dying away completely along with the sense of denial within him.

His family had been stripped of honor long ago...the moment he was branded with shame. In Sangheili culture Honor was everything, and he had denied them that.
Upon the moment of his placement as Arbiter, Thel meant to restore a fraction of that honor to his line. But again...the Prophets had lied and failed to inform Sangheilios; thus the Vadam name was destroyed.

"I am deeply sorry, Thel Vadam...We intended to inform you..."

A light voice, effected by traces of caution and guilt came to ear.
Still standing Thel raised his head and found Rethea staring up at him. Her expression was tight and she bowed her head, "I apologize for not telling you and I accept any blame that is to befall me. My mother was not at fault."

All went silent, and Thel blinked down at the female. His hearts still burned, but Rethea's move to take any punishment for herself brought him back to the world of proper thinking.
Exhaling heavily he closed his eyes and shook his head. His voice was still broken but calmer than before.

"None of you are to blame...I am the one who should apologize for such an outburst."

"It is only expected; when you discover that your family has disappeared."

It was San who spoke, and Thel fell back into his seat with another saddened breath. He was beginning to wonder if these times were going to effect him just as harshly as the war. Despite the small part of him that half expected it...the news of his family's end still hit him hard.

*They are all gone...*

Still there was a dark silence over the room, until small footsteps sounded and a figure entered the doorway behind them.
San looked up and Thel watched as she forced a weak smile onto her mandibles.

"Little one. What is it you need?"

Sighing he turned, and was surprised to find a small Sangheili standing before them. It was a youngling male; only about 4 feet tall and supposedly 10 human year cycles old. He wore a dull red tunic and tan trousers suitable to a Sangheili child.

The youngling smiled with a flash of deep brown eyes and nodded, "Someone has arrived seeking Rtas and the Arbiter...he said it was urgent."

His gaze fell on the Arbiter, and his expression lightened with that of awe. Standing there for a moment, he humored Thel slightly when San chuckled, "You may go on now; the Arbiter and Rtas will be out in a moment."
The child blinked and came to attention, then nodded and ran out of the room with a long yet clumsy stride.

Once he was gone, Rtas groaned, "The messenger from the councilors no doubt...I was hoping we would have more time...considering our current circumstances."

Thel turned to see the other male glaring at the wall, and he shook his head. Despite his pain for his family he still had his duties; Sangheilios had yet to be informed of the Covenant's betrayal.

"I will not let my infortunes hinder my duties to my people. However unlikable this evening will surely be, we must attend the meeting."

His friend nodded with a huff, "And attend we shall; whether or not the outcome result in our beheading."

Both stood, but San frowned and she shot her gaze to her son, "What is this meeting for if it calls for such drastic things as a beheading? What has happened?"
Rethea shared in her expression of worry and Rtas merely snorted, "All will come to light soon enough mother...our priority at the moment is with the Councilors..."

Thel had a feeling if they told the two females now, while in the keep, news of the Schism would spread like wildfire among the family members. The council was the first whom needed to know, if things were to work out relatively smoothly. He hoped.

Grabbing his helm from the table Thel placed it over his head and activated his armor's energy shield and magnetic hold. His HUD came to view and he watched as Rtas did the same. But a noise from behind made him look back.
Rethea had stood and donned her own helm, before nodding and striding foreword. He was about to order her to stay, when she tilted her head, "I am needed at the meeting to guard both you and the Councilors; it is my duty after all."

Rtas chuckled, and Thel let out an exasperated sigh before nodding, "Of course..."

He turned to follow after her, and they excited the room before walking down the hall towards the main entrance. They left San to her own thoughts.

Plaqued with worries and the sadness of his family's fate, Thel gazed at the floor as he walked into the main room with Rtas and Rethea. When a voice rose ahead, he lifted his eyes and saw a red armored figure ahead.

"Arbiter, Rtas. I apologize for disrupting anything but the Councilors sent me to retrieve you."

There, was a Sangheili he was able to recognize after their increasing times of meeting. It was the major from the Phantom when they first unloaded at Vadirmi.
The male bowed his head respectfully as they approached and Rtas gave him a friendly smile, "Have the Councilors decided where we are to hold the meeting?"

Looking up the Major nodded, "They have agreed to hold the meeting within the walls of the Temple of the Abiding Truth; located within the island city Ontom."

The Temple of the Abiding Truth? Why would the Councilors allow for the meeting to be held within such a holy place as a Forerunner structure?
Located not far off the coast of Vadimri, it rested at the heart of the city of Ontom, and was a place built by the ancient Forerunners.

The look on the Arbiter's face made the Major sigh, "I am not sure why the Councilors chose such a place...but I am not one to question their wishes."
He turned and gestured towards the doorway, "There is a Phantom outside for our transport."

The male led them towards the door, but before exciting Rethea strode towards the front of the group and squinted at the young Sangheili as they walked. He frowned at this, and Rtas chuckled, "What is it sister?"

Her blue eyes fixated on the two marks on the Major's chest plates. The Mark of Shame; a symbol worn to signify the Major's allegiance to the Arbiter and the Separatists.

"Why is it you wear the Mark of Shame upon your armor? Are you shamed in any way?"

The Major cast a glance to his superiors, then shook his head, "Well...no...not really..."

"Then why do you insist on wearing it?"

His expression went blank, and Thel let out a sigh before stepping in, "Like many things tonight, it will be explained. We have much to tell you and right now is not the time."

This made Rethea frown at the Arbiter, and he merely shrugged it off as they walked outside to find a Phantom hovering above the Keep's courtyard.
Rtas approached it and a gravity beam lowered for them to load. The Major nodded, "Our flight to Ontom will be short; I shall see that the Pilot makes haste."

Rtas nodded before stepping into the effects of the gravity lift, "I will cherish the time; as it might be our last few peaceful moments."

He disappeared into the ship, and Thel shook his head. His friend was not speaking very encouraging words.

True to the Major's word, the flight to Ontom was relatively quick. While flying over the sea the ship's side bay doors had been lowered to allow cool air to ventilate through the hull; a comfortable temperature on the otherwise hot planet.

The coast of Vadimri long gone behind them, Thel kept his eyes ahead where the small form of an island could be seen. He was full of uncertainty...he prayed that the night would go according to plan...

Hearing footsteps beside him, the Arbiter turned to see the Major. Currently Rtas was being interrogated by a confused Rethea in the corner; the female was set to learn of all their secrets before the meeting itself, yet her brother was not going to break.

Rolling his eyes Thel looked back to the Major, "What is it?"

The male looked at him, then inhaled, "I understand now why you were so worried...I feel as if a great danger approaches..."
His golden eyes looked down over the water, and Thel grimaced. He knew that feeling all too well.

Shaking his head he turned back to the Major, "What is your name?"

At the Arbiter's question he blinked, then nodded slowly, "Kal 'Damul." He shifted on his feet and added, "You probably do not know of the family name; we are not very known."

Thel could agree to this. He had never heard of the Damul name, nor did he recognize the male's name. Tilting his head he clicked his mandibles curiously, "Where does your family live?"

Kal smiled and he took on a distant look, "Far from here...across the ocean."
He then shook his head and shrugged, "My visit to them will have to wait."

Thel looked over at the red armored male, then nodded. A sudden drop from the Phantom drew his eyes upward, and he found that they were now flying over the beach of the island. Ahead was a small city amongst the trees; light shining in the night like beacons in darkness. Unlike Vadimri this place was much smaller and made up of short stone buildings. In the center, Thel could see a large structure.

The temple...

Beside him the Major nodded and the Phantom swooped closer towards the Temple of the Abiding Truth. It was more clearly seen now up close, and Thel marveled at its architecture.

The building was surrounded by a tall stone walled courtyard, and the structure itself was again made of stone. Pale cream in color and seemingly one piece, its walls were smooth and without the seam of a brick. The entrance, a tall golden arch at the front of the building, was currently being guarded by five Sangheili warriors. The Councilors had already arrived and were waiting for them.

Their Phantom now descending towards the courtyard, Thel turned to see that Rethea had given up on questioning her brother and was now stepping over towards the side bay doors. Rtas followed, and he snorted at the sight of the guards in front of the temple, as well as more figures seen entering the building.

"Like always...we have drawn quite a crowd..."

Thel grimaced and shot a glance to the male, then nodded when the Phantom lowered enough that they could jump out onto the stone courtyard, "Let us keep our minds on the task at hand. The Councilors are the ones we should worry about, not those who accompany them."

Rethea sighed and stepped past before leaping free of the Phantom and landing easily on solid ground. Staff in hand she looked up at the males with confidence in her blue eyes, "You worry about the Councilors; it is my job to watch over the others."

"I may not know why this meeting is so important to you, Arbiter. But I will make certain it runs as smoothly as possible."

He nodded and jumped out off the Phantom, then stood up to find the female staring at him. He only hoped that the meeting would run smoothly...and without as much violence as possible. There was a feeling in his gut however that they would not go without it.

Alrighty...this is the last update before the fun begins. :3 Which I will be throwing out by tonight or tomorrow morning.

(I hope the chapters leading up to this point haven't drawn out for too long. I felt as though some character introduction was in order before everything falls apart. hehe)

Anways!

Review and continue to let me know what you think! I look foreword to your words in the coming chapter to see what you have to say of the meeting, and I hope I will do it right. :/ You guys seem to like my stuffs so far.

Thank you all again!