Homecoming

[Gilliadson]

Mirthan watches as his twin daughters play in Willanaome's garden. The annual Shadowbane Homecoming is just a few days away. All of the family members have arrived except for one. Though she has been separated from him, she is still considered a family member. The young girls run up to their father.

"Will Mother be coming home soon?" The girls ask in unison.

Mirthan ponders the question for a few moments.

"I am not sure..." The Maestro replies slowly. "We know that she has been recovering from her Illness and we know that she wants to be well before being around us all. We will just have to see."

Young Trestir comes out into the garden. The young girls run up to him and invite him to play.

Meanwhile Bards are running around Norrath seeking friends of the Shadowbane family to give them their invitations to the Homecoming.

[Crikkit Hixx]

"Beloved? Girls?" Crikkit called in a trembling voice from the edge of the garden. In unison the children and their father turned to see her standing there.

Crikkit smiled with nervous anticipation. The girls ran to her, laughing and crying, and Crikkit held them to her so closely and tightly! And her green eyes filled with tears, and the vision of her Beloved husband approaching, a grin on his handsome face...

[Gilliadson]

"It is so good to see you, Mia Silina!" Mirthan exclaimed joyfully. "This will be a happy Homecoming indeed!"

Mirthan stood back and let the children have time with their mother knowing that he would have his time with her when they went to bed this evening.

[Crikkit Hixx]

It was the third night since Crikkit had come home to Gill Alani. She lay in the big luxurious bed of the room she shared with Mirthan. The sheets were silk, the pillows the finest downs. One thing Shadowbanes tended to splurge on were beds...the arenas of marital passion.

At least, they were in theory. In the dark Crikkit lay in bed alone with her thoughts. Nearby in his study, behind closed doors, she heard Mirthan moving restlessly about as he composed some secret masterpiece he'd been working on since she'd arrived.

*I shouldn't be lonely...* Crikkit thought sadly. The days were full of light and love in Gill-Alani. Her girls were safe and sound, and adored her, and they played and did lessons and prayed the days away so sweetly all together. During the days Mirthan would hover nearby, with a bright smile of contentment on his face, and always a kind word for her.

*Is he punishing me for leaving before?* the darkness asked in her voice. Crikkit pulled the sheets tight to her and shivered at the thought. Mirthan seemed overjoyed she was back, yet he had not loved her...taken her...since she had returned. Doubts plagued Crikkit's heart, she tried to defy them, to laugh in their faces, but her illness made her vulnerable.

*Does he even want me back? Did he take me back just for the girls and the house?* the evil shadows whispered again. Crikkit started to weep silently, tormented by her need for her husband and her insecurities...

It would be a long night...

[Gilliadson]

Mirthan finally completed the work his muse had set him upon and left his music room. Tomorrow he would perform this piece for his wife first in honor of her return. The Bard made his way to the Bedroom where his wife lay waiting for him and entered. Quickly Mirthan got out of his clothes and climbed into the bed next to his beloved. Putting his arm over her, he pulled her close to him and whispered into her ear.

"It is completed, Leofa. Vi Khess Dos."