Chapter XVII. The Home of Tomur

The residence of Tomur and V'Mar sat atop a dusty sandy hill near the palisade that surrounded the ancient city of T'Paal. No real evidence of any change to the planet's ecosystem could be seen, yet the air seemed more humid than T'Kon remembered from her childhood. She silently brooded for several minutes as she eyed her former home. Eolus stood near her, close enough to indicate to any prying Vulcan eyes that they were mated but not too close to cause said eyes to be offended due to too much emotional display.

T'Kon quietly sighed and wondered at how well behaved her three children seemed now that they neared their destination. On the private coach they had rented, Talia and Abelia were so excited they could not cease talking. Hadrian just sat quietly and seemed lost in meditation. Eolus had reminded them all to be on best behavior and remember Vulcan manners once they arrived. It appeared to have worked. T'Kon passed her nervousness to her spouse through their bond and he returned calm soothing thoughts. She remembered now the contentment she felt in his presence. Even if this reunion did not go well, it mattered not. Her mate was back, their farm would again flourish and their medical practice would again become much easier to manage. So weighing these facts in her mind, T'Kon felt that it mattered little if she actually did reconcile with her parents.

"T'Kon."

Eolus and T'Kon turned toward the voice and espied Eldest Mother, T'Kel approaching along a walkway. Eolus looked at T'Kon who thought back, "I know nothing of her presence. Logically she perhaps wishes to provide support?"

T'Kel performed the ta'al and stated, "Dif-tor heh smusma, skan of T'Kon."

T'Kon returned the greeting and asked, "It is agreeable to see you Eldest Mother, but I am curious about your presence?"

T'Kel was old, very wrinkled in the face, with gray hair, but her brown eyes held a sparkle of intelligence. She stood a moment, no emotion playing on her face and then said, "Kanlar of T'Kon and her adun Eolus please give your old foremother an embrace."

Talia, Hadrian, and Abelia just stood there momentarily and then looked at their parents. T'Kon looked at Eolus and something passed between them, it was evident. Eolus then replied, "Kanlar, do as Eldest Mother requested."

So the three siblings embraced T'Kel on the walk in front of T'Kon's former home for her parents and all their neighbors to view. She eagerly accepted the embraces and gave a faint hint of a Vulcan smile. Then her eyes returned to T'Kon.

She said, "I am old and care not what others think. Too long this riff between you and your mekh has continued. I wished for them to see that I as the clan leader accept your choice and value your kanlar. I trust this helps set in motion the means to reconcile with your mekh."

"It is logical for you to have this viewpoint, Foremother. I know it is not Vuhlkansu to express thanks, but thank you," answered T'Kon.

"Indeed it is not, but to respect the Latansu way, I reply you are most welcome. I am here to provide support and use my influence if it is required. Let us not tarry but meet with V'Mar and Tomur."

With that said the six entered the courtyard of Tomur's residence and espied him standing in the open doorway of his home. His grey-brown eyes betrayed no emotion and he just waited. It was evident to Eolus as he studied Tomur's eyes that he was wary yet not unpleased that they had arrived.

T'Kon stepped forward upon recognizing her father and greeted him with the ta'al, stating, "Dif-tor heh smusma, Sa'mekh."

"Sochya eh dif, Ko-fu," replied Tomur. "Please enter. Logically it is time for your Ko-mekh and I to become acquainted with the kanlar of our daughter."

With that, T'Kon and her family entered her childhood home and a family began reconciliation.