It took another two days for Sil to find a more suitable path out of the canyon. A more walk-able trail. Once he and his babies were out of it, he looked down into it and saw it was one long canyon.

But for now, he began his journey back to the cave. He would at least have a meal or few before he left the Gelflings. He hadn't eaten in the past few days and just made sure Ka and Lil were fed. But he was losing his own reserves and needed some back before he left. Now that he was out of the canyon, he might be able to catch something.

He would continue on his way back to the lair, but he would keep an eye out for something to catch and eat.

He soon saw a small creature. He eyed it hungrily, but the hard part was finding a safe place to put his babies to catch it. This was too hard a decision. He went instead to find some plant materials to eat this time.

Another day passed and Sil finally made it to the cave again. He was wore out from walking all this way back. He needed rest. It hadn't been easy trying to sleep at night when there were so many other creatures out there.

He didn't see Byron or Wyneth in there, so he figured they were out doing their chores. He had to go find them. But the twins were getting fussy again and he settled down to feed them, then, carrying the twins with him, he went to find his friends. Sil knew he could have left them in the cave, but he wasn't taking any chances on something finding them there.

Sil found Wyneth collecting food for the evening meal in the field. He didn't see Byron.

"Wyneth!" Sil called out.

Wyneth jumped. It was from a voice she didn't think she'd hear again. She turned to see the big Skeksis carrying his two little bundles of joy.

"Chamberlain! Where have you been?" She asked.

"That one Gelfling that was here some time ago, had a baby, and moved on, she was at the cave again while you and Byron were gone and she stole my babies. I went after her. Didn't find her, but found babies before they died in a canyon. Took me awhile to find way out." Sil explained.

"We had thought you left. But it was strange you didn't say goodbye. But it was understandable. I never thought she would have been back or sunk that low to attacking innocents. You had to go after them before the trail got cold."

"Wyneth, after what happened, maybe it is time I left. Too many Gelfling see me and not trust me. My babies were target this time. Not happening again. I need to go." Sil said.

Wyneth knew he had a point. "Okay. But won't you stay for a few more days anyway? You look like you could use some food."

"Hmm, yes. Not eaten much in last few days. Food hard to find."

"You go back to the lair and just relax. Byron and I will be back soon. He's out with the Mounders." Wyneth said.

"Thanks." He said and took Ka and Lil back to the cave.

Chamberlain just fell asleep, exhausted when he got into his own sleeping blankets. Ka and Lil fell asleep too. The bedding had never felt so good.

When Byron and Wyneth returned in the evening, they found Sil and his offspring sound asleep.

"He must have been exhausted." Byron said.

"He had to hurriedly save his children. He couldn't wait for us." Wyneth said.

"Should we wake him?"

"Maybe not tonight. He might be hungry, but he seemed exhausted. If he wakes up for dinner, then we'll feed him, but just let him sleep. He needs it." Wyneth advised.

"It's good he's back." Byron said.

"Well, when he came back, he said that he needs to leave, and about how all Gelflings see him, other than us. It might be for the better, Byron. Milena had come back and taken the babies from him just to punish him for being what he is. That's why he was gone those days." Wyneth explained.

"I don't want him to leave."

"It's his choice."

"If it wasn't for those stupid Garthim attacks, this wouldn't be happening." Byron growled.

"Then we might be back in our home village. But chances are, the clan would have still saw Sil as threatening and we might have still had to run off just in case." Wyneth said.

"I wouldn't have cared. I was willing to run off with him because he's my friend. More than any of the clan ever was."

"I know. Well, he's back now and just enjoy his company while he's here. I'll get dinner started."

Wyneth began preparing the food.

"I'll be back." Byron said. He got a net and went hunting.

Wyneth knew what he was doing. Going out to catch something for Chamberlain. It would take a little bit for the food to be done anyway.

…..

The smell of the cooking woke him up. Sil was still tired, but he did need to eat. His friends were eating their dinner right now.

"What's for dinner?" Sil asked.

Wyneth and Byron were glad he was at last awake. Wyneth gave him some cooked veggies along with the animal that Byron had caught for him.

Chamberlain couldn't have been happier to finally get some good food in his stomach again. He had to keep his resources on to be able to feed his babies.

Byron asked what Sil had told Wyneth.

Sil explained it that it was for his and his babies' own good. Any other Gelfling visitor would not tolerate him around. They all saw him as the enemy. And he was ready to go home. He had a mate back home that needed to know of the babies too.

"But what if they do something else to you since they forced you out?" Byron asked.

"I can be persuasive." Sil said.

After she was done eating, Wyneth said, "Chamberlain, I have something for you that will make the journey easier for you and your babies."

"How so?"

Wyneth got up and got the thing she had been making. "I made this. It's a sling that will let you carry the little ones in and your arms can be free to do anything else."

Sil took it and looked at it. He tried it on too. He smiled. "Thanks, Wyneth. Will need it."

He gave it a chance the next day. He was doing the chores with them out in the fields. He kept the twins with him. If it wasn't for this, one of them would always have to stay back in the lair with them.

After three days of meals and rest, Sil was ready to leave. Byron had really hoped he would change his mind.

Wyneth packed him some food and water for his trip back to the castle.

"Take care of yourself and the babies." Wyneth said.

"I will. You two take care too. You were only ones to be called truly my friends of all Gelflings out here." Sil said.

"Wish you could stay." Byron said.

"I need to go. Need to be with my mate. But you good friend, Byron." Sil said.

"Goodbye." Wyneth said.

"Goodbye." Chamberlain said and turned to leave. "Thanks for all you done for me."

"You're welcome. Be careful."

Sil now was on his way back to the castle. He remembered the ways he and the others had gone on their trip here. He just had to go backwards. But he was also more than wary and always looked about for big, wild animals.

Byron hated seeing his special friend go. If only more time had been on their side.

….

On his way home, he did go back to the Gelfling village where his friends had lived and he saw nothing but ruins. Even Queen Athya's home was destroyed. He still greatly remembered serving here.

Byron had said he had burned the bodies so there were no bodies in sight, but Sil checked the houses anyway, just for memories anyway. He even came upon Wyneth and Byron's old homes. They too were ruined. Some others must have tried to hide in there.

There was nothing there. Cradling his twins, Sil continued on the way home.

There was no way he was going to get home in one day. He settled down to camp for the night. Using all he had learned from Byron and Wyneth, he cooked himself a meal. He hoped his fire would keep wild animals away. The last thing he needed was being hurt again as bad as he was so long ago.

Sil managed to get some sleep that night, but he was woken some times just to make sure it was safe. He kept the twins close.

The next day, he made sure the fire was out and he and Ka and Lil were fed before he broke camp and moved on.

It was another day before Sil came to the top of the hill that just below, was the land where the castle was. He had thought he would never see it again.

"That's my original home, children." He said. "Your other parent lives there too. I know she'll want to meet you."

His babies just cooed and smiled at him. Their sounds couldn't help but soften him. Then he looked again. It might be wiser to sneak in under the cover of darkness.

Chamberlain went down the hill and made camp again by a big rock. But this time, didn't light a fire. He would stay there till nightfall. He didn't want to be seen as he would make his way into the castle. He hoped SkekLa was still there and alright.

Beta read by SkekLa.