In times of peace, Ghor usually called Congress meetings once every few months. With what was very nearly civil war erupting in Undelwalt, there had been meant meetings every few weeks this year. David was usually required to attend every one nevertheless--Ghor, now crippled by joint aches, had come to rely on his judgement and strength more and more. This time, however, David had returned earlier than expected. The persistent rumours of a Remnant in Fornstrand had finally pushed Ghor into ordering that David investigate in person.

Irina was startled to realise how concerned David was about this, and how much of his concern was related to her well-being. Until that point she'd been rather hoping that there was some truth in the rumours. People had relied on Remnants for a very long time; the absence was keenly felt. It hadn't really occurred to her that the return of any Remnants might put her at risk again from those wishing to abuse her power. If Aethan manifested any signs of Marion's blessing, he'd be even more at risk.

If Remnants were returning. It was still only a rumour, she reassured herself.

"Irina. Are you certain that you can't sense anything?"

"Nothing." She concentrated as she had before, concentrating her attention on Fornstrand. Patterns of light blossomed across her skin, to Aethan's obvious fascination. "I don't sense any Remnants at all, anywhere. If only we had that tracker.."

David frowned as Irina relinquished her power. "I don't like to doubt your ability, but Ghor is right. We shall have to investigate. Torgal, Irina--I shall leave Athlum in your capable hands. Blocter, Emmy, Pagus, begin preparations. We travel to Fornstrand as soon as possible."

"Yes, my Lord."

Irina exchanged a quick glance with Torgal. "David, I'm coming too."

"Are you serious? What about Aethan?"

"He'll have to come along--no, don't argue, David, you yourself said how worried you were about kidnapping. I'm not leaving him behind. He and I are safer with you than without you."

"Lady Irina is correct, Lord David. Marion's blessing may be of use to you if the rumours are true, and I am content to protect Athlum alone."

"If you're both certain, then I suppose I had better not argue. Very well then."

---

Fornstrand's furthest reaches proved to hold shards of a glowing, twisted stone. The Marshall tablet remained dull and lifeless, not evincing even a flicker of a response. Irina exerted her power as far as she dared, but still felt not the slightest hint of Remnant. David, clearly frustrated, extended his hand and closed his eyes, clearly attempting to bind the nonresponsive rock. Irina barely had time to be annoyed at him--he'd been bound to a Remnant which drained his soul with each use, he should know better than to be so reckless--before he lowered his hand and shook his head.

"Nothing."

Aethan, in Emmy's arms, reached out a hand, clearly emulating the gestures both his parents had made. Emmy gathered the child closer to her, pulling his arm back down. He struggled to be let down, and Emmy carefully lowered him onto the sandy floor, making an apologetic face.

"It's fine, Emmy. This thing is--well, it's not a Remnant. I'm not certain what it is." David leaned in and inspected the streaks of pulsing luminescence, so reminiscent of a Remnant's, that scored the surface of the largest shard. "It does have a feeling of power to it, though."

"Magick, perhaps?" Pagus ventured.

"Perhaps. Well, we can't transport it with us. I daren't touch it without further study. I suppose we shall have to leave it here."

Pagus looked thoughtful. "Lady Irina, do you suppose your parents might consent to study this?"

"I'm sure they'd be delighted."

"Then that's settled. We shall--"

Around them, everything rippled. Irina heard Aethan giggle delightedly. She turned towards her son, readying herself to leap in front of him.

And then there was a familiar voice, behind her--

"Irina? Dave?"

--and the world steadied. The stone fragments pulsed gently.

"Damn, it worked!"

She span around. Her cry echoed David's.

"Rush!"

It was Rush. She felt Marion's Blessing ripple gently through her, the gentle rustling of awareness that had alerted her to Rush's true nature in the first place. He still looked so young; younger than her now. Was that because he was a Remnant? Or had time not passed for him?

He beamed at her, at David, at the generals, and then spread his arms wide. "It really worked!" He laughed exultantly, and then pounced forward, clasping Irina into a bear-hug.

"Sis, you look all grown-up. Man, how long was I gone?"

"Y-years--" she managed. He released her and turned to David, gripping him by both shoulders.

"Dave! Man, you too. How many years?"

David lifted one hand, shakily, and clasped Rush's arm. "Nine years. Is that really you, Rush?"

"Of course it's me, Dave! Nine YEARS?" Rush stood back, and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I guess I shouldn't have taken the scenic route back, huh?"

David stared for a moment, and then snapped. "Where the hell have you been, Rush?"

Rush opened his eyes wide, as Blocter stumbled forward from behind Irina, grabbing Rush into a bear-hug. "Rush!"

"Blocter! Awesome to see you!" Rush grinned goofily as he managed to free himself from the Yama's arms. "Where are--Pagus! Emmy! What, did you leave Torgal in Athlum?"

Pagus nodded cheerfully, as Rush clasped his hand. "He's keeping an eye on the city defenses."

"Rush--the scenic route back from where?" asked Emmy, curiously, extending her arm over Aethan's head.

"The Sacred Lands. Sort of, anyway. Wait, Emmy, is this--did you have a child?" said Rush, blinking down at Aethan in shock. Emmy shook her head, and gestured towards Irina.

"He's mine, Rush," she said, and Rush gaped at her.

"You were gone quite a while," said Pagus, blinking up at Rush.

"You're kidding me? So this guy's my nephew? Awesome!" Rush picked up Aethan, and said, "Hey, little 'un! I'm your uncle Rush!"

Aethan giggled.

"He's gorgeous, sis. So who's the lucky guy?"

"I am," said David, quietly. Rush's jaw dropped again, and David stepped forward and took his son from Rush's unresisting arms. "He's my son, Rush. Mine and Irina's."

"You were gone quite a while."

"You guys had a kid? You guys are married?" Rush asked, staring at David's hand, and the wedding bands he wore. "Whoa. That's.. insane!"

"We've been married for several years, Rush."

"That's--you guys aren't kidding, are you?" Rush shook his head, looking dazed. "Sorry, this is a bit much to take in."

David stroked Aethan's hair, and gave Irina a pleading look she couldn't quite decipher. "I imagine so."

"Anything else you wanna tell me, let me get all my heart attacks out of the way at once?"

"You're accusing us of surprising you?"

The stones behind Rush flared brightly for a second, startling everyone.

"Clearly, this is not the place for this conversation. Let us all return to Athlum, immediately."

"Yes, my lord."

---

Rush, Irina noticed, didn't answer any questions about what exactly he'd been doing for the past nine years, or how he'd returned. Pagus wanted to know how the Sacred Lands had survived the destruction of the Remnant Elysion, but Rush claimed he had no idea, and diverted the conversation to everything he'd missed. He seemed fascinated by the events in Royotia, and by the news of the dissolution of the Academy.

He didn't appear to want to talk about Irina and David's marriage either. Irina briefly attempted to discuss the situation between her and David, but Rush had swiftly interrupted her explanation to ask about their parents. It was remarkably frustrating. Rush had taken the first opportunity he could to cut that conversation short, too. In her tent that evening, David admitted that Rush had completely avoided him all day, and so he hadn't had the chance to explain things either.

"I fear he's unwilling to talk to either of us right now," David said plaintively.

Irina closed the tent flap that separated Aethan's crib from her bed, and sighed.

"I can understand his shock."

"Well, so can I. Of course I can. But to not even discuss it?"

"He's hurt, David. I don't think he's actually been away as long as he has from our side, if you know what I mean. Did you notice how young he looks? He wasn't expecting either of us to be married, or to have had children. Let alone with each other."

David bowed his head.

"Give him time. He'll come to terms with it once he understands the reasoning." She put her hand on his shoulder, and he raised his head in surprise. "It's not like we rushed headlong into a wedding the week after the Remnants vanished."

David smiled wryly. "I hope you're right."

She drew him into a hug, and felt him stiffen in surprise at the unaccustomed contact. "He loves you," she murmured into his ear. "He'll forgive you."

He briefly squeezed his arms around her. "Thank you, Irina."

She let him draw away, and smiled softly. "Go find him. He's had time to brood now, and he'll talk to you before he'll talk to me."

"I... thank you."

David left the tent, and Irina found herself suddenly wistful. Surprised, she prodded gently at her own reaction. Was she jealous?

Rush's return, despite all the complications it caused, had rejuvenated David. He'd always been charismatic and vibrant, but haunted by all the grief he'd experienced. This evening, he'd looked.. more alive, somehow. She'd rarely seen him so unshadowed, barring a few moments around Aethan.

Irina shook her head, firmly. She was happy for him--for both of them. It was understandable that she'd long for that kind of connection for herself, wasn't it? This wasn't jealousy, it was envy. It must be wonderful to have someone care so deeply about you.

She peered through the tent flap at her sleeping son. At least she had one person who needed her around no matter what.

---

Rush, meanwhile, was pacing furiously around the camp edge. The tents were set up in a series of clearings within a forest, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the trees were moving at the edge of his vision.

So Dave and Irina were married.

Ok, so it had been a very long time, or at least apparently it had been for everyone except him, and there'd been no reason to expect him to return. But to marry, and have a child, and be so obviously a family together?

He couldn't tell if he was angrier at Dave or Irina. Dave, probably. Irina'd had a crush of some sort on David way back when anyway. Whereas he wouldn't have thought Dave would have even noticed Irina that way. Most of the time he didn't notice girls at all. So why the hell would he have gotten married?

He nodded absently at a soldier on patrol as they passed.

And they had a child. A son.

Why would they have married? It wasn't like either of them were the type to do something that important without good reason. But the only reasons Rush could think of were stupid, elaborate ones involving them being forced into it against their wills. Maybe he should let them explain to him; both of them had clearly wanted to try to talk to him about it. But what if the answer was as simple as just falling in love? He didn't think he could handle that. If Dave was in love with Irina now...

Stupid, stupid, stupid. He'd struggled to return, fought so hard to come home. And home couldn't really be home without a pair of bright amused eyes that held his gaze a little too long, or soft blond hair that felt silky to his touch, or hungry parting kisses that haunted him for days. All those things belonged to Irina now, and that stung.

"Rush?" David asked softly, emerging from the shadows ahead of Rush.

Damn, David did have impeccable timing. Rush tried to keep his expression casual as David approached to within an arm's length. Closer than Rush now felt comfortable with, all things considered. Play it cool. Don't let him know you're hurt. David tilted his head inquisitively, as if to say something, and Rush felt his stomach twist in anticipation.

David didn't speak, however. Instead, he placed both his hands on Rush's shoulders and pulled him firmly into an embrace. Rush felt his resistance crumple--who was he fooling here? He wrapped his arms around David and buried his head in Dave's shoulder, taking comfort in his scent, his presence. David rested his head gently against Rush's. The two men stood for a while, arms encircling one another, barely moving.

"I missed you," said David eventually.

"I missed you too, Dave." Rush lifted his head, and reluctantly unclasped his arms from around David's waist, conscious that he had no right to be holding Dave that closely. "I mean, I missed all of you guys."

David stepped back, very deliberately, and looked thoughtfully at Rush.

"Rush, I must tell you that I did not marry Irina for love."

Rush felt a surge of conflicting emotions. He swallowed, and said carefully, "uh, tell me there's a good reason, then, or I'm going to have to be mad at you for taking advantage of my sister."

"Please, don't think ill of me. Or of Irina. Athlum must have an heir."

What?

"And you married Irina for that? She's my sister."

David closed his eyes briefly. "We both took some convincing, Rush. But it's a good match."

Rush snorted.

"Dave, you could have married any girl in Athlum. Or in the known world."

"Alas, that's not true. We investigated. Most of the suitable ones would be purely a political match, at best. Irina is a friend, and she offered, and she knows what to expect of our marriage."

Huh?

"What do you mean, what to expect?"

David gave him one of those long, unreadable looks. "Rush, since Aethan--since before he was born, Irina and I haven't even shared rooms."

Rush ducked his head, and rubbed at the back of his neck, flushing a little.

"Oh. Y'know, that's kind of dreadful. You're married."

"Neither of us wanted more than what we have from this marriage." David smiled, suddenly. "Not to imply that Aethan--he's wonderful, Rush. I never knew how wondrous a child would be; I confess I had thought only of an heir in the abstract sense right up until I was presented with him."

"Huh. He is kinda adorable, I gotta admit."

"He's beautiful. He's surprisingly smart too. I think he will grow up to be a fine man."

Rush couldn't help but smile at the obvious pride in David's voice.

"I think he'll be alright. I bet you're a great father, Dave."

David looked pleased, and then tilted his head at Rush. "How long were you gone?"

"Huh? Nine years, you said."

David waved his hand dismissively. "I meant, how long did it feel like to you? Irina said she didn't think it was very long, and you certainly don't look nine years older than you used to."

Rush shrugged. "I dunno. And I don't know where it was either, really--it looked like the Sacred Lands, but that doesn't mean it really was. It didn't feel like years went by. But it didn't feel like no time either, y'know? I knew I'd been there a while."

David pulled a wry face. "I missed you a great deal. I wish--I do wish you'd been here, Rush. If you had been, I would have made some very different choices in my life. I don't regret Aethan.."

Rush nodded, shivering slightly in anticipation as David stepped closer to him.

"I know."

"..but I wanted this."

David slowly pushed Rush back against the nearest tree and kissed him with great deliberation, as though still uncertain that Rush was really there. Rush snaked a hand behind David's neck, and pulled his head around into a slightly less awkward angle as he allowed David to deepen the kiss. David's hands stopped pushing, and grasped Rush's shirt, drawing their bodies closer.

Rush broke the kiss after a few minutes, and lifted his hand to stroke along David's jawline in amusement. "It's gonna take me a while to get used to you having stubble. I guess it really has been a while, huh?"

David laughed, and pulled away regretfully. "We shouldn't continue this, not here."

"Yeah, you're right." Rush coughed a little, and tried to adjust himself to make his arousal a little less obvious. "I should feel terrible about kissing you at all. You're married to my sister. You're my brother-in-law."

David nodded. "That's.. that is not going to change any time soon, Rush."

"I know. You've got Aethan to think of."

"And I won't lie to Irina."

"Good. We shouldn't do anything until you two have talked about it. It's not fair on her."

"Agreed. Good night, Rush."

"Good night, Dave."

---

Irina could tell that something had passed between Rush and David as soon as David entered her tent the next morning. She gently asked her maid to wait outside for a while.

"Irina," David began as soon as they were alone, looking simultaneously joyful and slightly embarrassed.

She held up a hand to forestall him. "I don't want all the details, David. I assume he forgave you, then?"

He blinked, looking slightly affronted. "I admit we kissed, Irina. But nothing more. Neither of us thought it right to do more without consulting your feelings on the matter."

She smiled, suddenly amused. "Are you asking my permission, David?"

He blushed, but didn't drop his gaze from hers.

"You are, aren't you?" She looked down, and bit her lip thoughtfully. "I don't want to prevent either of you being happy--but for Aethan's sake, please be discreet?"

David nodded gravely, and then took one of her hands. "I am glad I married you, Irina."

She pulled her hand back, and cuffed him gently. "You should be. Go. Be happy."

He smiled gratefully at her, and almost sprinted out of her tent. She sighed, and returned to her packing.

---

They reached Athlum that afternoon. Pagus pulled Rush aside as the scouts ahead hailed the gatekeepers.

"We may need to do something about your appearance, Rush. I don't suppose it's occurred to Lord David, but nobody really kept it a secret that you were a Remnant after that day in Elysion. I know it's been a long time, but you were well-known in Athlum and you look much the same as you did then; you'll be recognised."

"You think so?" Rush looked down at himself. "What do you think people will do if they know I'm back?"

"Who knows what the reaction might be? I'd rather not find out until we have to." Pagus thoughtfully tapped the side of his mouth. "Perhaps we can borrow a soldier's helmet for now; that should obscure your face enough. Still, that's only going to be a temporary solution. A lot of people saw you reappear in Fornstrand. We can't really stop the news getting out."

Rush nodded. "We'll think of something. Until we do, I'll try to stay out of the way."

"A wise idea."

Torgal was gratifyingly astonished when Rush casually entered the audience chamber. Rush was treated to that rarest of events; a four-armed Sovani hug. Later, after everyone had dined, Rush cheerfully played dumb in response to the general's discreet queries about what his reappearance would mean for David. After a few deflected queries, Torgal leaned back and glared at Rush.

"I have grown fond of your sister, Rush. I trust you will not do anything to cause her distress."

"Of course I won't. Dave already talked to her about us."

"I expected nothing less. And I also expect she told him she didn't object."

"..Yeah."

"Very well then." Torgal's scowl softened somewhat. "Truly, Rush, I am glad to see you back, even if you do complicate matters."

---

Later yet, David carefully let himself into Rush's new rooms. As Irina's brother, Rush could reasonably--and conveniently--be expected to have rooms in the same area of the palace. Rush was lying on the couch in the outer room, staring up at the painted ceiling, when David entered.

"Hey, Dave," he said distractedly. "These rooms are awesome. This ceiling--is that Melphina? It's beautiful."

David took the hint, and sat next to Rush on the couch, craning his neck to see. "Yes, the Blue Elf. I hadn't realised that was in this particular room; most of the rooms in this wing have murals on the ceilings. I think my grandfather commissioned them."

Rush shifted so his head was resting on David's lap. David hesitated briefly, and then ran a hand through Rush's hair, scratching lightly at his scalp. Rush closed his eyes in contentment at the caress, and after a while sighed and snuggled up closer to David's leg. David chuckled gently.

"What?" asked Rush, not offended in the slightest.

"I'd forgotten how much I missed just this. Just sitting with you."

"Yeah, me too." Rush opened one eye, and squinted up at David apologetically. "Sorry. You were probably expecting me to jump you as soon as you walked in the door, huh?"

David made a dismissive gesture with his free hand. "No matter. You're probably exhausted; Torgal was quizzing you quite thoroughly at dinner." He shifted a little, and winced as tired muscles complained. "I confess, I'm not exactly at my most energetic either."

Rush pulled a rueful face, and with a great show of effort, sat upright. He stretched, luxuriantly, and then stood, holding a hand out to David.

David took it, a little surprised, and let Rush tug him to his feet.

"Dave.. can you stay here with me tonight? I know you spoke to Irina, but.."

David looked cautious. "I did promise her we'd be discreet. For Aethan's sake. She was otherwise pleased for us, I think."

"I guess you spending the first night back here in my bed isn't really that discreet, huh."

"Probably not, alas."

Rush pulled an exaggeratedly disappointed moue, and then laughed as David raised an unconvinced eyebrow at the expression.

"Fine, I won't ask you to stay."

"I wish I could."

Rush yawned, and eyed the door to his bedchamber guiltily. David grinned, and pushed him gently in that direction.

"Go to sleep, lazy one. I will see you in the morning."

"Promise?"

"I promise." David gently kissed Rush on the cheek, and pushed him more forcefully towards his bed. "Pleasant dreams, Rush."



A/N: Enough tweaking, I'm posting this damned chapter. Next chapter will probably be up in a week or so.