share them with you before, but mother and I both agree that the time is now right. You need to be careful with your wives."
Varhog briefly related the story of his wedding night and how his unintentional injury of Willow had led to such sorrow and pain, almost resulting in the end of the twins' lives before
they even began. He concluded by saying, "That outcome—as close as it was to becoming reality—still haunts me. I can't imagine what our lives would be like without you boys. I
am grateful every day that Arya had the knowledge to help mother. You have no idea how it felt to know I was fully responsible for almost killing my beloved wife and unborn
children. You boys aren't as strong as I am, but you're plenty strong enough. Both Lena and Zadí are tall girls, but not as tall as mother, and they're both very slender. Be aware of
that and don't let your passion get out of control before you know what to expect. I can promise you that you will never forget nor stop regretting if you accidentally hurt your wife
while making love to her. Will you be careful?"
The wideeyed expression on the twins' faces was exactly identical. Var spoke first. "Yes, father," he fervently promised. "I'll be careful."
"I promise, father," Will echoed. "I will too."
Varhog nodded. "Good. I'm excited for you. Being a husband, and eventually a father, is the greatest adventure you will ever experience. And you two are more prepared than any
young men I know, along with Brom."
Will grinned. "Thanks to you, father. There's definitely not a better husband or father alive."
Varhog smiled. "It means more than I can express to hear you say that. Thank you, son. Now let's get back to the others."
:I need to go visit Brin, Willow replied. I just didn't want you to wake up and worry.
Varhog curiously creased his brow but made no objection.
Willow reached over and laid a hand on his cheek. Go back to sleep, sweetheart. I won't be gone long. She brushed her fingers over Oliver's dark hair as she moved her hand away
from Varhog. Then she slipped out of bed and quickly dressed, retrieving the needed item from her wardrobe and heading off in search of Brin.
Brin was already awake, as were all of the young Dragon Riders. Sleeping in wasn't allowed for those still in their training years, and Brin was meditating on the eastern cliffs
overlooking the ocean. Sunburst informed her, Sunset and Willow are approaching, Brin.
Brin startled out of her reverie. That's odd. I wonder why.
We will soon find out, Sunburst replied.
And they soon did. Willow and Sunset landed but a few moments later. Willow swiftly dismounted and approached Brin.
"Good morning, Brin. Sorry to interrupt you."
"Hi, Aunt Willow. Not at all. Is everything all right?"
"I'm not sure," Willow honestly said. "I woke up this morning with the firm impression that I need to give this to you." She held out a bundle. "Consider it an early birthday present."
Brin immediately recognized the pale pinkorange color and gasped. "Your steelsilk armor. But why?"
"I don't know, Brin. But take it. And take good care of it. Not many people know about it, but it is very valuable to me."
Brin stared at her with wide eyes. Then she reverently accepted the folded shirt. "I will," she vowed. "Thank you. In Ellesméra, Rhunön mentioned that she thought I would need
this. She seemed sure it would somehow work out that you would lend it to me. I'll return it to you when . . . I don't know when. I . . . I hope nothing bad happens, but . . ."
"But it certainly feels like it will," Willow gravely finished. "I know, Brin. But you're ready. All of you are ready. I will let you get back to your meditation. I need to return and finish
packing. Take care of yourself and each other."
Brin nodded solemnly and watched her aunt fly away on Sunset.
Later that morning, while the children were playing after breakfast, Willow entered her bedroom to find Varhog packing. She handed him a book and said, "Pack this too."
Varhog looked at the wellworn, familiar book. "The twins' book? Their favorite book on ship building?"
Willow nodded.
"Why, Willow?"
Willow shrugged. "I don't know. But pack it."
"Are you having doubts about this vacation?" Varhog gently asked.
"I don't know if that's it," Willow carefully answered. "I haven't been this excited for something in a long, long while." She stepped to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"We never got a real honeymoon, after all."
Varhog smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "No, we didn't."
"And now, nine children later, I think I will appreciate it far more than I possibly could have twenty years ago. Though I'm softer and rounder in some places."
"Perfect," Varhog insisted. "You're still perfect in my eyes."
"As are you, Yelloweyes," Willow agreed, raising her hands to his beloved face where fine wrinkles were beginning to crease the corners of his eyes. "Not yet as grizzled as
Kulkarvek, but getting there. Fiftytwo now. We're not as young as we once were."
"But not old," Varhog said, smiling faintly at her teasing. "At least, you're not. After fifty, I think anyone starts feeling old."
"But at least your horns haven't started wearing away with age," Willow joked. "You once warned me that might happen. But they do seem to have stopped growing."
"Aye," Varhog agreed. "Our horns grow fastest in our twenties and thirties. After that, the growth slows considerably, though it never completely stops, and most of the gains in size
occur in width, not length. I never did have a chance to ask my grandfather his secret for preserving his horns before you put him out of his misery."
Willow smiled. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. I never want them to go away." She slipped her arms around his neck and stretched onto her toes, kissing him once before softly
saying, "No, I'm not having second thoughts about the trip. I just feel like we're on the verge of something big. Something lifechanging. It's a strange impression of calm
foreboding, if that makes any sense. Like it's going to happen regardless."
"We'll be fine, Willow," Varhog reassured. "As long as I'm with you, I can endure whatever might be expected of me."
"Yes," she agreed. "We have each other. And always will."
The day finally dawned for the seven couples leaving on the anniversary getaway and reunion to depart. The saddlebags were packed and ready, and the couples had already said many farewells to their adoring children. They repeated them yet again before mounting their dragons and taking to the skies. And all of the mated dragons were also going, of
course. Thorn alone flew without his mate, and he was more anxious than any of them to land on the volcanic island where his lovely mate Snowfire awaited him.
After their parents left, the oldest children spent the hours until lunchtime playing as a large group with the youngsters so they wouldn't miss their mothers too much.
The day passed joyfully for all of the inhabitants remaining on the Isle, and once the littlest children were all asleep that evening, Keeta left her family's quarters—where her
brother Kent was staying with their youngest siblings—and went to fly with Lightning. Though Brin had remembered Keeta's birthday, the big departure in the morning and the
busyness of the remainder of the day caused everyone else to forget.
Keeta wasn't resentful, of course, but she did want to be with her dragon. She had seen Angela in yet another dream, and Keeta was more sure than ever that something big was
about to happen. Maybe within days. For her dream had finally been as Brin's the previous year. All Angela first said was, Be ready, Keeta. The time is very near at hand.
apparently debating over adding anything more, Angela then said, I am proud of you, Keeta. You will see that your careful preparation was abs
olutely essential.
Keeta and Lightning left her family's quarters by walking out the huge doors, rather than flying, so the loud thundering of his wings wouldn't disturb the sleeping children. Keeta
thought they might spot someone on their way out to the courtyard, but they didn't. The others must have been settling down with their families for the evening. All of the oldest
youth wanted to be sure that their youngest siblings wouldn't miss their parents too greatly while they were gone, so they were being especially attentive and caring.
By the time they reached the courtyard, Lightning was already comforting her again. Everything will be all right, Keeta, he reassured. You have all prepared to the very best of your
abilities.
Yes, Keeta replied as she strapped her legs into his saddle. But what if something happens to you, Lightning?
Dear one, Lightning gently interjected, I do not know what to expect, but worrying about it even more will not help. Where would you like to fly?
I don't know. I just know I won't be able to sleep for a while. But we don't need to go far. Maybe to the eastern cliffs so I can watch the moon rise.
So Lightning flew the short distance to the cliffs, and Keeta climbed down, sitting in front of him on the ground with her back resting against the front of his chest.
It's so beautiful, Keeta commented on the view.
Yes, dear one, Lightning agreed. I do not see the twins' ship anchored down there on the beach.
No. Angela told them to move it from its usual location in their most recent birthday dream. But the Talíta is still right down there, same as it always has been for over thirty years.
Sensing that Keeta was about to start obsessing again, Lightning interrupted, Let us try to enjoy this time and the ocean.
So they quieted their mental dialogue and did as Lightning suggested. After about fifteen minutes, a soft rustling behind Lightning made Keeta's heart rate speed. She couldn't see
anything around her dragon, but he had also heard, and he craned his neck to peer around behind himself. It is Nefin, Lightning informed Keeta. He wants to know if he can come
around.
Keeta's pulse raced faster as she jumped up in surprise, smoothing her hands over her windswept hair. Yes! she exclaimed, immediately guessing that Nefin had deliberately made
an audible noise to alert them to his presence. He could be as quiet as a shadow when he wanted to be.
Nefin skirted Lightning, stopping in front of Keeta. It was hard for her to make him out by the dim light of the moon, but she knew Nefin could see her perfectly well. She gazed the
long distance up into his face, trying to discover any clue as to why he had shown up here.
Nefin surprised Keeta when he dropped to his knees in front of her and pulled her into a tight embrace. He didn't say anything, but Keeta guessed from the way his breathing
sounded strained that he was experiencing some type of powerful emotion.
After an indefinite time, during which Keeta was trying not to let the reassurance of Nefin's familiar smell make her head swim, Nefin whispered, "Sorry, Keeta. Until we all got
back from the Ceremony, I hadn't seen you in months. And there has never been a chance to talk before now. I was so worried about you when you were by yourself all that time."
He didn't pull back, and Keeta didn't know how to respond, so she said nothing. Nefin didn't let her go, though Keeta had never raised her arms to return his embrace. She wasn't
sure how to act. What Nefin said was true. She had been away—mostly by herself—all of the spring and the first part of the summer. And while she had almost immediately
forgiven him for what had happened in Ellesméra with Alanna—and had even almost been able to pretend she had forgotten about it with how busy and occupied she had been—now
that they were alone and he was so close, the memory rushed back to her.
Nefin had been on his knees then too. His chest, which was right under Keeta's face, had been bare. But Keeta hadn't been in his arms. Oh no. But it was magic, Keeta
reminded herself. He wasn't himself. He didn't want any of that, no matter how convincing the evidence to the contrary. And feel how he's holding you now. He wants this,
there's no magic at work here.
So she finally managed to mutter, "Thank you, Nefin. That means a lot to me."
"I missed you, Keeta," Nefin gently said. "I'm just glad you're safe. And no one did anything for your birthday, so I had to make sure you knew not everyone had forgotten."
"Brin didn't," Keeta murmured, smiling faintly.
"But she's a female, your best friend, and was born only five days after you. Of course she remembered," Nefin rejoined. "I hoped it would mean something that a foolish male also
had."
"You're not foolish, Nefin," Keeta protested. "And it does mean something. Especially since it was you."
Nefin finally pulled back and smiled at her, now from only a few inches above her since he was kneeling. Keeta tried not to start trembling at how beautiful he was, especially when
he smiled, but to no avail. She briefly closed her eyes, looking straight ahead—at his neck—when she reopened them.
"Is something wrong?" Nefin asked in concern.
"Yes. But I'm not telling you what."
Nefin's brow creased. "Do you want me to leave?"
"No!" Keeta exclaimed. "I'm just embarrassed to tell you what's wrong, but it's nothing bad."
"I'm dreadfully curious, Keeta," Nefin wheedled.
Keeta smiled at the unfamiliar, cajoling tone of his voice. "I'm not telling," she firmly insisted. "Did you follow me here?"
"Yes," Nefin apologetically admitted. "I heard you and Lightning leaving as you passed our tree. I asked Hanna to stay with the little ones. I just ran so it wouldn't be as obvious as
it would have been had I also flown. I wanted to give you your birthday present before it was too late."
Keeta pressed her lips together in an effort to keep the smile from becoming too infatuated and cheesy. Nefin followed me to give me a gift! she joyfully thought. "You didn't have
to, Nefin."
"But I wanted to. I left it back behind Lightning. Let me go get it." He jumped up, darted away, and was back in about three seconds, holding something behind his back. He knelt
down again—a little farther away—and brought the wrapped bundle around in between them. "Happy birthday, Keeta."
Keeta couldn't temper her delight any longer, so she smiled as brightly as she had wanted to all along. "Thank you, Nefin!" she gushed as she accepted the gift from him, letting the
cloth covering the present fall away and gasping when she recognized what she was holding.
"Nefin!" she cried in amazement, running her hands along the smooth, glossy surface of the yew bow in her hands. "It's gorgeous! Thank you!" She held the bow in one hand and
threw both of her arms around his neck, now returning the embrace she never had before.
Nefin slowly brought his arms up and circled them around Keeta's back. "You're welcome, Keeta," he murmured into her hair. "Rhunön helped, but I did most of the singing myself."
"You sang this for me? How lovely! And it's the perfect size, of course. I love it, Nefin. So much! More than any other present I have ever received!" She was so thrilled that she
planted a quick peck on his cheek before stepping away from him to more closely examine her bow . Out of the corner of her eye, Keeta noticed Nefin raise one hand and brush two
fingers over the place on his cheek where her lips had touched him.
"I'm glad, Keeta. There's a quiver of arrows too. And a couple of other things from Rhunön, but this was the . . . main thing from me."
"The main thing?" Keeta repeated, emphasizing the strange catch in his voice on the word main.
"Yes," Nefin said, without elaborating. "Let me grab the other things." He repeated the process of rising, removing himself a short di
stance—less quickly this time—and returning
with new items in his hands. This time he sat on the ground, motioning Keeta to join him, and set everything down.
It was really getting dark by then, so Keeta murmured a spell to illuminate the area right between her and Nefin. Then she inspected what he had laid out. "My axe!" she delightedly
cried. "But I thought Brin was going to make it."
"She was. But I insisted."
"Look at how beautiful it is! Lightning, it has exactly your coloring!" Lightning dipped his head down to carefully study the weapon while Keeta continued, "And my armor! Is this a
helmet?" Keeta then asked, picking it up.
"Yes," Nefin said, his voice taking on a note of worry. "Rhunön thought you—out of all of us—would most need it. Since your head is so much lower, I suppose. Right at the level
where most people would swing their weapons."
"That makes me feel great," Keeta wryly said. "But maybe it really does. I can't help that I'm short, so I will be grateful that Rhunön followed her instinct. When she did with Aunt
Willow's armor, it saved her life. Did you know Willow gave it to Brin? Her steelsilk armor?"
Nefin shook his head. "Interesting. Did you have another dream last night?"
"Yes," Keeta quietly confirmed. "But Nefin, I've already been worrying about it so much. Lightning has heard of almost nothing else since this morning. Can we please not talk about
it?"
"If that's what you want, Keeta," Nefin reluctantly allowed. "But don't you think we others should know? Whatever's going to happen will surely affect us all."
"I'll tell everyone," Keeta promised. "But right now I just want to enjoy myself. This is the only birthday celebration I'll get."
Nefin smiled slightly and nodded. "Very well. Here's the quiver."
Keeta accepted it. "So lovely," she breathed. "Thank you, Nefin. The axe is splendid, but I love the bow so much more." Then she tossed her head to get her long hair behind her
shoulders and stuffed the helmet on her head. "How do I look? Like a warrior?"
"The cutest warrior I've ever seen. With the rosiest cheeks and prettiest sparkling blue eyes."
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