Home Again

[Igraine]

Cadeyrn looked up at Thorin as he loomed over him. He grunted as he stood slowly and gestured toward Kahlan's home as he started walking in that direction. The forge was on the opposite side of her house.

"She's been summoned to have a fitting for her wedding gown. The rings we can have done today. The sword will be finished later tonight and you can be wed on the morrow if you so desire it." Cadeyrn wrinkled his brow as he pocketed the figurine and sheathed his knife.

Once they were in the forge, and he was in his element, Cadeyrn gestured to the stock of steel nearby. "Get to it, boy. I have to finish a few other things and prepare for your sword to be ready later. If you screw up, fix it. You know how, you just have to remember to stay focused and don't let your emotions get the better of you." Cadeyrn handed him a few tools and gestured gruffly for him to get going with it. He turned and stuck his hand in the green fire and shifted the sword around and buried it under some of the coals. He then went to another area of the forge within sight and hearing of Thorin. It looked like he was beating out sheet metal into armor. A light weight, superior armor that those in the army in this realm wore. In fact, Kahlan had a set of her own from Cadeyrn.

"Do you have stuffing for brains, boy? I said get to work." He spoke without looking up. He didn't have to, he knew what Thorin was doing. Standing there looking like a stupified kid.

[Thorin]

Thorin was too busy to pay attention to what Caderyn was doing. He sweat from the fire and delicate process in forging the rings. He didn't have a design in mind, only that he wanted it to be delicate and exotic for Igraine. Thorin wanted her to be impressed with his work, but to also appreciate the process. Hours had passed since that morning and it was now mid-afternoon. He had since taken off his shirt, not able to withstand the heat in the forge.

His muscles were slowly forming from the work in the forge. Thorin had arrived without training the sword, or learning how to control his own strength. Thinking more on this, he realized that this place had saved him in a physical and spiritual sense. He could be gentle and strong enough when battle grounds called for his strength.

Maybe he wouldn't be like his father after all- Vylrath had never learned to control his rage, or his strength. He had won people over with fear and destroyed those who didn't cater to his demands. Having his blood didn't help Thorin's reputation, but he could build something new from his life in the Fae Realm.

Finishing the rings texture, he carved feathered wings around the band. One was dark and the other was light, symbolizing himself and Igraine. Between the two wings, he set an emerald stone in the center. His band would be plain, but it would have the blessing of Fae language, etched on the inner band work.

“I'm done old man...Caderyn.” Thorin said, quickly correcting himself. He laid the two rings, still hot from their creation, on a table near Caderyn. He waited for the man to inspect. If anyone knew what Igraine would like, it would be Caderyn. The two didn't speak when they were in the forge, they could work side by side at ease. “I used one of your emeralds...I hope you don't mind.” Thorin sat near him, pleased with himself and crossed his arms over his bare chest. People didn't gather that day, which meant that they must have also accepted him.

[Igraine]

Cadeyrn leaned down and inspected the rings, soot lining his aged face from the all day effort of forging a breastplate and other pieces of armor. It was a long process, but it was something the old man enjoyed. He frowned when he looked at the rings, looking for imperfection and finding several areas that needed improvement but overall, for what they were, the rings were a sign of Thorin's love and a gift to himself and Igraine.

"I like the design. Your execution could use a little work but rings are a difficult medium to forge because they're so small. I like the detail. The emerald matches Igraine's eyes so you chose well, little demon. She will like the wings, it matches you both very well." Cadeyrn glanced up at Thorin's sweat stained face and soot smeared chest. He straightened up and handed him a skin of water before motioning in the direction of Kahlan's house.

"You could wash up but something tells me that Igraine will like you the way you are. She's a quiet woman, but you bring out a fire in her that we're all glad to see." Cadeyrn chuckled and shook his head as he headed back to where he was forging the armor. "Go on then, don't stand there all smug. Praise will go to your head. You have a lot left to learn. Quit being daft, boy, go get your woman and propose properly. She deserves that much if she's going to be saddled with the likes of you." Cadeyrn said the last with a grin and shooed Thorin with the promise that he wouldn't finish the Sword without Thorin being there.

Igraine was settled in a chair watching Isabella and Kahlan talk to a few women. She had been fitted for a gown and was now boredly watching the women talk about fabrics and details and all of the things she really didn't care much about. She covered a yawn and sighed, glancing out a nearby window without really seeing anything. She missed Thorin and she wondered if it was the bond making her miss him or if she just really missed his company.

Igraine was swarmed again as the seamstress measured her neckline and along her arms and legs. She chattered to Kahlan who cast a sympathizing glance over her daughter.

"I think I have everything I need. The dress will make her man very excited!" The older seamstress wiggled her eyebrows knowingly and Igraine's cheeks colored a pretty shade of pink as all the women laughed.

"Is it safe to leave the house or should I beware more seamstresses coming in?" Igraine stood and smoothed her skirts over her hips and glanced over at Isabella and Kahlan.

"Come now, Igraine. There were only seven. We have to find the best dress for you and get it made on short notice. Don't deny your mother her only daughter's wedding plans. Even if you are getting married tomorrow at dusk." Kahlan smiled and kissed Igraine's brow and continued chattering with Isabella about the wedding.

"It was twelve." Igraine muttered as she drew her shawl about her shoulders and wandered outside to take in the mid afternoon sunshine and let her frazzled nerves relax. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't even feel Thorin nearby, or that he was intending to come to her.

[Thorin]

Thorin left the forge pleased with his work. He didn't have anything to put the rings in, so he wrapped them in a soft cloth for safe keeping. The fae were no longer shocked to see him wandering around their pathways. Most of the men nodded at him respectfully, while very few scorned his presence. He knew that he would have to accept that some would always damn him. Ulster would always be beautiful to him and a place he would always return to. Igraine brought him here to meet his mother, but he hadn't planned on the venture turning into something more.

The afternoon sun caught the silhouette of a woman and immediately grabbed his attention. It was Igraine, buts he didn't even seem to notice him. He would be covered in soot and his skin would be darker from days spent in her realm and in the forge. Catching her off guard, he approached her and kneeled. Letting her take in the fact he was proposing, he unwrapped the rings and presented her with her wedding band.

“I forged these with my hands and I hope you accept my proposal.” He paused, but not for dramatics. Thorin was beginning to feel dazed from the event himself. In a short period of time, he had claimed a new home and found himself someone to be by his side.

“Will you be my wife and carry the Xanathi name?”

Thorin asked her with genuine worry and excitement. She could refuse him and consider someone of more pure blood. She was tied to him, but she could still choose someone else, who would be much more worthy of her attention.

He could sense his mother and future mother-in-law nearby. Embarrassment heated across his face, but he quickly hid it with his pride.

"I know I am not the man you counted on having, but I will always be here for you."

[Igraine]

Igraine was startled. There was a soot covered man, kneeling before her, offering up marriage. She almost said that she was already engaged, when she recognized the man's eyes, and she smiled brilliantly enough to almost outshine the sun. She reached out with soft pale fingers and brushed some of the soot away from Thorin's cheeks and eyes. She let her fingertips linger along his strong jawline and a softer more thoughtful smile graced her lips.

"You're right. You were not the man I expected to marry. In fact, I hadn't planned to marry at all. My mother was successful without a man in her life though she did try to keep hold of at least one." Igraine tilted her head and reached out for the ring with the emerald. It was the smaller of the two and it was beautiful. Emeralds were one of her favorite gems because they mimicked her eyes so well. She picked the ring up, still warm from the forge and Thorin's hot nervous hands. Igraine made a show of looking at all of the details and leaving Thorin's question unanswered for a full minute as she inspected his work -- as if sizing him up to see if he would make the cut.

"Oh you silly fool, of course I'll marry you. I doubt anyone else could put up with your temper anyway." She slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly, as if Thorin knew every contour of her body by heart, and with a blush she realized he probably did. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his mouth. He tasted like home -- the soot, the forge, the sweat, blood, and tears. They were him and he was hers. Igraine paid no heed to the fact that her pale blue dress was being ruined by Thorin's soot stained body, but she really didn't care -- she was far too interested in him.

"I think this bond makes us...a little more into each other's bodies than we normally would be..." Igraine breathed into his ear and laughed. "We will have to see my mother about breaking it after we're wed. I can't have you running off without marrying me after taking my innocence." She laughed again and winked at Thorin as she pulled away from him. Her dress was sooty and smelled like him and she didn't seem to care -- everyone that passed them thought they were crazy in love anyway.

"The dress that is being made is a surprise for you. The seamstress that has been picked is from the oldest line of seamstresses in this realm. From her drawings and the materials she'll be using, I know you will be impressed -- and dare I say it we might have to have some men holding you back from ravaging me at the altar." Igraine winked and kissed Thorin one more time, looking at her ring sparkle in the afternoon sunlight.

"Come, let's go change our clothes. Cadeyrn will be ready for our appearance at dusk for finishing your sword." Igraine smiled up at Thorin as she turned to walk to their home. "Don't act so surprised, you mumbled about the sword in your sleep all night long. If I had known you would be so excited I would have brought you to see Cadeyrn first before you met our respective mothers."

Igraine hurried inside and swiped a dress from the closet they shared and hurried into what served as the bathroom. She stripped off her dress and filled the wash basin with water and started scrubbing herself clean with a cloth. She made a shrill noise when the water touched her body for the first time because it was freezing cold, and she noted she would have to warm it on the fire instead of letting someone else get it for her.

The dress she pulled on over her head was a simple one. It was a soft shade of spring green and had cloth covered buttons lining her spine -- those would have to be pulled together by Thorin but she managed to get the bottom few by herself. When she moved in the deep afternoon sunlight, looking for Thorin, the dress glistened in places like the web of a spider. In fact, upon closer inspection, one might be able to discern the dress being made of some cloth and spiders webs.

"Thorin, we have to hurry. You need to wash off before we go to the ceremony. All of you." Igraine looked pointedly at his pants and then back up at him. The back of her dress was still most of the way open because she needed him to close it, but she wasn't about to let him touch her with those dirty sooty hands.

"Come on then, lets get you cleaned up." Igraine tugged him into the bathroom without waiting for his approval, or even if he wanted a bath at all, he needed one badly. She began to sponge off his face and neck, followed by his chest. She felt a deep sense of need in her core as she worked her way along his chest. Finally she pushed the sponge into his hands and took a deep rattling breath.

"Good god I can't do it. I'll be all over you in the next minute if I keep doing this. This bond is extremely distracting..." Igraine cracked a smile and kissed Thorin's wet face and hurried out of the bathroom. She was certain Thorin understood, and she sat at her dresser before her mirror and clasped a simple silver chain with a rather large emerald dangling from it around her neck. Her dress was still open in the back, but Thorin would hopefully manage to get her dressed so they could go to the sword ceremony. Otherwise their clothes would be in a heap on the floor and they would be late.

Part of Igraine hoped desperately that they would be late, while the more prudent side of her knew that Thorin wanted to be part of the process and surely he wouldn't want to be late.

Surely.

[Thorin]

She was beautiful, the gossamer gown enticing him, but only momentarily. Stepping into the basin, he could focus, which is what she wanted him to do. Thorin let the water soak into his skin, which had been practically blackened by the forge. The bath helped him calm down, even though he knew his heart would start pounding again. Thorin wanted to step into the ceremony with a cleared mind.

This realm had changed him for the better, but it had only been luck that they had found each other. The fact they were both from Vylrath, disgusted him and he worried for their future children. If they carried any trait of their grandfather, he wondered how he would handle that situation. Having taken so much abuse from Vylrath, he knew that he wouldn't turn on his own family.

He dressed in his new outfit, the earth tones complimenting his dark skin. Thorin knew that he would be making a life change- not just as a man, but as a demon. Thorin walked out into their living area and glanced at a mirror: he saw his father. Interestingly enough, days before on the ship, he would have had this single object destroyed without a moments hestitation.

Studying himself further, the image reminded him that he would never be able to run away from his family. Thorin knew that he looked like his father...the long black hair and sharp features in his face, were simple reminders. He smiled, but to an outsider, it would appear as if he were admiring himself. The fact that he won a woman over with affection, was proof that he would never be like Vylrath. Igraine had admitted her love for him and they would soon be husband and wife- he was already becoming something more than his father could ever dream.

If his father had been with them in spirit, he would have gladly let him feel his ego and arrogance that moment. Thorin finished dressing himself, running his hand through his shoulder length hair. He couldn't stand the thought of even having a trait of Vylrath. Taking a simple blade nearby, he grabbed hold of the ends of his hair and sliced through the thickness. He watched the hair fall to the ground with his negative thoughts. Looking to the mirror, he still had Vylrath's features, but at least he could control some of it. He wondered what Igraine would think of the change- he knew it would be for the better.

Returning to Igraine, he watched her fidget with her dress. He could feel her nervousness, but he surprisingly felt calm. Even if she carried the Xanathi name, they would be nothing like their father...they could change the taint that had been smeared on their family name.

“Let's go, my Queen...we don't want to be late for our own ceremony.” Thorin said, standing behind her. He zipped up her dress, listening to her talk about a much more beautiful gown. It didn't matter- he would ravage her either way after the ceremony. When she caressed him, he felt a hint of lust return, but it quickly died from the calm settling in his nerves.

“Do not tempt me....you have not had me in my form. I could make you regret teasing me with temptation.” Thorin smiled, wondering if she could handle him in that form. Most women couldn't, but they had been mere human females- fragile to the touch. “If you make us late, I don't think they'll ever see our ceremony.” He teased her with a single caress and pulled his touch away.

Thorin began to walk toward the door, wondering if she would follow.

[Igraine]

Igraine reached out and ran her fingers through Thorin's newly shorn hair and smiled. Her eyes were sparkling and she kissed him quickly before following him through the door.

"I like what you've done with your hair." She knew why he had done it, and she realized how attracted she was to a man that looked similar to her father. It had never dawned on her how similar they appeared until he cut his hair.

The closer they got to the forge the more they had to push through a crowd that had gathered. Finally, Igraine took Thorin by the hand and pulled him through the last few rings of tightly packed people. She kissed her mother's cheek and gestured toward Cadeyrn, letting go of Thorin's hand.

Cadeyrn winked at Igraine and gestured to the green fire with the handle of the sword.

"We're all gathered here today for a purpose. Not to watch a half demon struggle, not to gawk at the love shared between one of our own and an outsider, we're gathered here to see how true love can create protection. With this sword, this half-demon, this outsider, becomes one of us. He will use his sword in protection of our own. He will fight with honor to protect the love of his life." Cadeyrn's voice was loud, but it looked as if he barely put forth the effort to amplify his voice. He looked calm, collected, and proud. Everyone gathered knew him and he knew everyone gathered, this was a moment that didn't happen very often at all within this realm of Faeries.

Cadeyrn took Thorin's hand and raised it high above his head. They were of similar height, though Cadeyrn's years had him stooped a little. He squeezed Thorin's hand lightly, briefly, before letting their hands fall to their sides. The crowd cheered for Thorin, their eyes on him, looking at his easy grace and knowing that he was the son of Isabella, whom stood at the forefront of the crowd with Igraine and Kahlan.

Isabella looked over her son and she smiled a soft beautiful smile. He was her first child, the one she was able to raise. He hadn't turned out as bad as Vylrath thought he had. He'd made some bad choices as a teenager but who didn't? He wanted to be nothing like his father and she could respect that. Her turquoise eyes took him in from his tanned skin to his sharply refined features. She was proud of her son and she hoped that she could hold onto her sanity to watch his family grow. Technically she was already a grandmother with Trydian and Sebilla, but to be with the children when they were young...that would be something she knew she could enjoy.

Igraine smiled brilliantly at Thorin as he stood proudly next to Cadeyrn. He had everything to be proud for. He had been taught the basics by the one man that hadn't chosen an apprentice. Rumors were flying and Igraine hoped that Cadeyrn would choose Thorin. Just being with the blacksmith for a few days had helped him become a calmer, more aware man. For a half-demon that was a huge accomplishment in itself.

Cadeyrn motioned for Thorin to turn to the fire and stand on the opposite side of the basin it was in.

"Follow my lead, kid. Just do what I do. No one here has seen anything like this in a long time so they won't know if we mess up." The last ceremony like this had happened with Kahlan, and only because she had been reborn to Fae parents, and had been adopted into their clan before her angelic powers had been reawakened by some unfortunate events.

Cadeyrn plunged his hand into the fire, looking to see if Thorin would understand that he was to do the same, and that it wouldn't hurt him. He should know that much, at least, considering he'd seen Cadeyrn do it a number of times while he was in the forge.

"Place your hand on the sword with mine." Cadeyrn whispered, waiting for Thorin's hand to close on his. When it did he would bring the sword out of the fire and watch the green flame lick along the red hot steel until they went out shortly thereafter. All along the blade, now carrying a brilliant green iridescent sheen, were whirls and beautiful details. Cadeyrn would then make a show of handing the sword completely over to Thorin and gesturing Igraine forward.

When Igraine was standing before Thorin with Cadeyrn at her side, he spoke.

"With this sword I charge you to protect the Fae in your life. With this sword, bound to you by blood most freely given, I charge you to protect your future wife and the family you have with her. No harm from your hands will befall the family of your wife or the Faery while you use this sword. You remember our conversation, Thorin. You know what will happen if someone else tries to use this sword beyond you and the blood behind it's creation. You also know what will happen if you try to use it in any way that will cause harm to the one that gave the blood, and anyone of her blood." Cadeyrn placed Igraine's hand over Thorin's and stepped back and smiled.

"The ceremony is complete. Behold Igraine's Champion and future husband."

Igraine smiled up at Thorin and slowly removed her hand from his as everyone headed to the feast that had been prepared hastily for the ceremony.

"I hope you're ready for a party, Thorin. Tonight is the feast for the Sword and tomorrow is the feast for our wedding. Then we can leave and return to Ulster if you desire it."

[Vylrath]

Something stirred in the old demons soul. Vylrath Xanathi felt Isabella and Kahlan near by, but it was more of the spirit world warning him. Since his death, he had become numb for most emotional attachments- save for Kahlan.

Kahlan had been a sort of savior to him- the first woman to really capture his heart. With Igraine on her own, he had tried to keep watch over her, but often failed due to his lack of power in the spirit realm. Vylrath could sense his son and other family members starting to gather together. From what he could understand, his son had won the heart of Igraine- his little girl.

Vylrath would easily kill Thorin, but he would need a body in order to do that. The Fae realm had been kind to him, sometimes giving him free reign in the physical realm. Before he had been killed, he had promised himself to watch over Igraine. The thought of his first born son with her, enraged him like no other.

The celebration continued, while his ethereal form possessed a guard nearby. He could only use the man for his eyesight, while actual movement took most of his strength. The guard was near Isabella...she might sense something familiar nearby, but not grasp its full depth of importance.

He was no longer a demon, having lost those abilities when he became Vuri. The power of Vuri provided much more useful traits. When a Vuri died, they had more strength than a regular spirit. He had often intruded on the living- mostly as a guardian for Igraine.

Having a child with Kahlan had softened his blackened soul. Igraine was the cause for his change. While Vylrath had had other children, they were only there to pass his bloodline and to keep the power in the family. Igraine was pure- like her mother, but one day she might be just as deadly.

Vylrath could see her beauty, his innocent daughter caressing Thorin in a loving fashion. The sight caused him to force the guard to grip his weapon. He quickly made the guard pull his hand back to his side. Using most of his strength, he forced the guard to walk near Kahlan.

Kahlan looked serene, but he knew her strength well. Even though she looked as fragile as a flower petal, she could easily defend herself. Vylrath had been attracted to that strength and he was still feeling that attraction- even when he was struggling with the spirit world.

Turning his attention to Isabella, he watched her smile at their son, he considered her a traitor just for that action. However, he couldn't blame her- she had always had a soft spot for Thorin. Thorin had been weak when he was young, having too much conscious to be considered a true demon.

There would be no cause for a guard to be near her side. His eyes might flash a different shade, providing proof that something was unnatural about the man.

Vylrath whispered in Vuri to Kahlan, but only momentarily. “Kahlan, my love....” The guard would mutter words he would not remember- possibly embarrassing himself for a lifetime. Vylrath ignored Isabella, watching her smile at their son- the one who had ruined Igraine. For a moment, he found it amusing that they had kept it in the family, but the anger was brought back by the thought of Thorin with Igraine.

“Why do you pity the bastard son?” The thought of Thorin with Igraine, had created such a rage, that it motivated the desire to intrude on the living. If Isabella knew his presence, he wondered what her reaction would be.

He could feel his power slowly fading, hoping to hear the voice of Kahlan make reason of the situation.

[Igraine]

Kahlan tilted her head, catching the whispered words as they brushed her cheek. The guard was leaning above her, looking truely possessed and somewhat scared -- though as he looked over where Thorin and Igraine were dancing together jovially...he looked beyond pissed off.

Kahlan's hair was pulled back in a pretty updo that spilled like molten gold down her back and over her shoulders. Her brilliant sea blue eyes burned with curiosity until she recognized the dialect.

"Vylrath..." She breathed, her eyes searching the possessed man's soul and finding something darker...more condemned than any soul of the Seelie Court might ever be.

"What are you doing here?" Then he was gone. The man standing over her stumbled, staggered, and fell on Kahlan. Everyone around her shrieked, including much to her amusement Igraine. She was fine, the man had just passed out and Isabella was already helping her pull the man off. Several men came over and finished helping pull the dead weight off of her.

"I'm fine. Truely, he just had..." Kahlan paused and looked at all of the gathered faces and then to Isabella whom had noticed something was amiss with the guard but hadn't said anything -- in fact probably hadn't recognized the soul as Vylrath's. "I do believe he was feeling unwell and was trying to tell me. It's okay, it's fine..." Kahlan put her hands up and smiled, looking none the worse for wear.

"Continue with the festivities, I think I'll see that this young man is feeling better." Kahlan gathered her pale pink skirts and walked after the cloth stretcher the man was on. When they made it to the healer's home, she excused herself and walked a ways before finding a bench and sitting down.

"Vylrath. I know you're watching. I know how much energy that took. I thought you had passed on, why did you stay?" She realized, suddenly, that the anger upon looking at Igraine and Thorin was all Vylrath. She had a moment of anger herself when she thought that he desired her daughter, their daughter, but she remembered how full of awe he was when she was born -- that she had none of his taint.

"She loves him, Vylrath. Don't screw that up. He's saved her life and is pledged to do so or forfeit his life. They are to be wed tomorrow. If you behave yourself I can see that you get a body...permanently." Kahlan was speaking out loud to herself, or so it appeared, but there was no one around to notice or question her sanity -- everyone was at the feast.

[Vylrath]

Vylrath scoffed to himself at Kahlan's bluff. She didn't know of his presence until now- she had always been good at bluffing. When she mentioned a permanent body, he grew curious. The guard fainted, falling to the floor in a confused heap. He saw Isabella help the guard, sending him out. Kahlan spoke of Thorin's undying love for Igraine and he merely smiled in his ethereal form.

"He is a half demon- my son, born and bred. I wouldn't trust him with his own mother- still don't! You were always easy to charm, Kahlan. Did his hapless appearance, remind you of me? You took to my charm as well and now we have Igraine from it...".

Vylrath sighed, completely speaking through some innocent servant, who had been caught off-guard. Since the defiance in Thorin emerged when he was young, he had always known that he would be his bane.

"I wanted to keep Igraine away from the demon world...not push her in it further. You are damning her. A demons goal can always change, once the price is higher." He paused, thinking about his thoughts for a moment. It had been eons since his mind had been put to work. Vylrath had just been a wandering spirit, until he felt the pull of his family. "You also endanger our daughter. Others will see what he is and challenge him for her. I know that past well..."His mind slowly went to Isabella- someone he had fought for half of his life. Kahlan had been an easy woman to win over...in his view anyway.

"Will I be by your side in a new body, or isolated from you and Igraine?" Vylrath asked, hoping being brought back into the living would have benefits. He would be damned again, rather than wander the Earth until he had a new death.

"I have been watching her grow since my death. My only desire was to protect her." Vylrath said, understanding that Kahlan may not grasp his intentions. He had a bad history and this sudden change might appear as a trick in her view.

[Igraine]

"You will be with me. I stay in this realm for now. In a new body that will show more of your Vuri talents than your old demon body." Kahlan looked at the hapless servant and smiled.

"You speak so freely about being damned. You're talking to an Angel, Vylrath. A Fallen Angel. I know more about being damned than anyone, Vyl. You know that, you're just trying to get a rise out of me." Kahlan stood and walked a short distance to look over the rope bridge at the ground far below, slowly being eaten by the dark of night, though once it was full dark a bright silver gleam would light everything.

"Vylrath, my dear dear man..." Kahlan turned to the servant, a nice young fae man that she had seen often. She pressed her lips to the servant's and smiled, knowing the boy wouldn't remember it but Vylrath would feel it. Yes, he would definitely feel it. "Don't speak to me as if I were a child. I know the dangers that Igraine faces and I am capable of cleansing her. In fact their bond will be broken after the marriage ceremony tomorrow."

Kahlan placed her hands on her hips and shook her head, the ringlets falling down her back shaking a little. "You are NOT to intervene with this Vylrath. They are happy together. They are aware of the dangers that exist between them. Just let them be. If they fall apart later in life, then allow them to go through that. You ruined enough lives while you were living -- I won't pave the way for your return if that's all you're hell bent on doing now."

Kahlan kissed the servant again and winked before walking back toward the celebration. She didn't turn around, but simply waved back to the servant over her shoulder. She was a minx when she wanted to be, and Vyl knew that better than anyone. He was lying to himself if he thought that she had fallen for him like some love sick puppy. It was he that had been drawn to her. He had fallen in love with her power and her fighting spirit, among other...attributes.

[Thorin]

Thorin felt proud for the first time in his life. He knew he was slowly turning away from his demonic heritage and becoming something more. With the sword in hand, he looked to Igraine and bowed to her, before returning to the celebration. He felt moved by the speech Caderyn gave and even more-so with the sword in his hand. Thorin could feel it connect with him- the confidence overwhelming.

Sheathing his newly acquired sword, he drank and ate with the other men. When the guard began to speak, he felt something unnatural, but his mind couldn't grasp the source. After the guard fell in an exhausted heap, he saw the look on Kahlan's face- something was definitely wrong. Her worried expression had alarmed his own mother and that was very difficult to do. Excusing himself, he followed Kahlan, keeping himself in the shadows.

When he saw another servant act strangely, he was more shocked to find that the voice belonged to his father. He kept quiet in the other room, waiting for Kahlan to round the corner. Thorin didn't understand why she was even considering giving Vylrath life again. The thought of his father being alive, created a drunken rage.

Unsheathing his weapon, he emerged from the room, with the blades tip aimed at Kahlan's throat. “If you help him, then you are my enemy. I can always marry your daughter somewhere else. When she finds out that you want to help my father, I'm sure she'll agree to leave with me.” Thorin said in a slurred speech, obviously drunk and not in a state of mind to be reasoned with.

Daring her to move, he kept enough control to keep the blade still. If Kahlan worked with his father, they were all better off dead anyway.

[Igraine]

Kahlan stepped back just out of range of the weaving weapon. She noticed he was having a hard time controlling it. If he persisted he would be sorry. When he advanced on her, she stopped and dipped her right shoulder forward and heaved her arm up -- knocking the blade back from her throat. What an idiot, to challenge the one person in the whole realm that would be sure to thwart him.

She spun to the left around Thorin and turned to face him. In his drunken stupor he wouldn't be nearly as fast as she was. Kahlan rarely took in alcohol for reasons such as this. This twit had less luck at trying to force his point than a court assassin. She realized that her arm was bleeding where she'd cut herself on the blade. Kahlan laughed as the blade started to get heavier.

Hurting Kahlan would hurt Igraine. Hurting Igraine was something that the man had pledged not to do. Kahlan wrapped her arm around Thorin's neck and pulled him back against her chest. Her blood would burn him if he didn't get away. He'd be able to smell the angelic blood, see the strange almost silvery sheen on the bright red blood. It was the one type of blood that Thorin wouldn't crave. He might crave her daughter's because she was part Fae...but not hers. Her's was poisonous.

"You're wrong. Igraine loved Vylrath even if she wasn't able to see him often. He treated her like a human being. He loved her. He was wrong for what he did to your sister, but your mother died giving birth to her because of you. Do not judge me for considering giving your father a body. He's easier to keep track of that way. Do YOU want him being able to spy through almost any set of eyes that looks on you? Do you want HIM floating through your bedroom with you're with my daughter?" Kahlan shoved him away from her, her blood trickling down the long gash in her arm. It would heal, but not before tomorrow. She was good at hiding things like this.

She leaned against the doorframe of the house where Thorin had been standing in the shadows. She felt a little light headed but she was completely aware that her back was to Thorin, and she could feel every move that he made. He would be lucky if her blood didn't sear the flesh straight off his bones. She was shaking she was so angry.

"Kahlan? Oh god, Kahlan, are you okay? What happened?" Isabella rushed to Kahlan's side and looked over her shoulder to where Thorin was. The sword was useless, the weight entirely too heavy for him to move even if he went into his demon form. She looked at the gash on Kahlan's arm and growled and began to turn to her son. She was beyond pissed off. She was almost glowing Vuri power, but she felt Kahlan's hand on her arm.

"Don't. Vylrath is coming. I can feel him. Your powers, so close together, being the first two Vuri -- that would turn Thorin. Hell I'm not entirely sure his spirit can't turn Thorin." She searched Isabella's face as she struggled for control over the anger exploding in her head. She watched as Bella grabbed her head and growled into her abdomen, clutching at Kahlan's skirt which had once been pink but was now blood red on one side.

"Don't bring yourself to that level. I will be fine."

[Vylrath]

Vylrath watched in horror. Thorin was making an advance on Kahlan, the sword's tip aimed at her throat. He knew she could defend herself. His son hadn't even been in the wake of war- he had no experience with sword play.

Vylrath became one with a guard again. Using all of his strength, he lifted the guards blade and charged toward Thorin. Thorin would be dumbstruck by Kahlan's brute force and more-than-likely stunned. Vylrath used this opportunity to do the most damage. With Thorin in shock, he thrust the guards blade underneath the rib cage and twisted it upward through the back. The blade would stay in Thorin's body longer than it should, the bloodletting obvious. When Vylrath removed the blade, he watched Thorin's body attempt to heal itself at a rapid pace.

The hate he felt for his son created a new conflict in his mind. He didn't want to upset Igraine, but now he had the chance to finish off Thorin. Thinking of Igraine, was the only reason that he kept Thorin alive. Thorin was sprawled on the floor in a bloodied heap, the scent of his son's blood overwhelming his senses. Looking toward Isabella with dark eyes, he commanded her and decided Thorin's fate:

“Make him drink your blood. He will be free of demonic taint forever, but suffer for his choices tonight. He will be tied to your blood and mine. Let him bleed, until he begs for his life to be saved...”

Vylrath toyed with the blade hilt in his hand, making it rotate casually. He could cause the boy more pain, but he knew that would cause Igraine pain. Turning around, he pondered his next movement. He felt Thorin stir and raised the sword against his chest. Blood poured from the new gash, a scar Thorin would constantly be reminded of- this night would be his Hell.

“You are lucky I don't kill you. Igraine is saving your life.” Vylrath said, wondering if Igraine would also feel the pain- that was a thought he didn't want to think about. His voice was hoarse, the anger apparent. The Vuri taint created an ethereal cocoon around his body. Isabella would be very familiar with that burst of anger.

Smelling the angelic blood, he knew that Kahlan was injured. The fact Thorin thought of attacking her, had given him enough motivation to use his energy again. Vylrath knew he wouldn't be able to come back without a body, but seeing his son bloodied by his own doing, had been rewarding enough.

[Igraine]

Igraine was just about to round the corner, hearing the sounds of swords and yelling, when she felt a sharp pain take her breath away. She let out a surprised shout and fell to her knees. She had been looking for everyone after they scattered, wondering why they had all left, when the pain hit her again and she cried out one more time. She looked at her abdomen and realized she wasn't hurt...

Thorin.

She got to her feet as quickly as she could, stumbling around the corner and crawling in his direction. All she could see was blood and she could hear a distant screaming but she didn't recognize it. She was scrambling toward Thorin when someone caught her around the waist. She could hear a buzzing sound but voices didn't register in the haze her mind created to protect itself from Thorin's pain. She could hear that annoying scream again and wished someone would make it stop, it was hurting her ears.

She realized that it was her making that god awful noise, so quickly, that she almost choked on her own tongue trying to stop. She started shaking, scratching at the arm that held her fast. She could see Isabella hovering over her son with shaking hands. She saw blood all over her but didn't realize some of it was her future mother-in-law's blood.

So much blood. Surely he couldn't be alive still. She kept scratching at the arm that held her ironfast against it's body. It took her two long minutes to realize she was scratching incessantly at her own mother's arm. Kahlan wasn't making a sound but she could feel her mother's arm tense when she scratched at it again and she felt her squeeze tighter around her chest, as if trying to hold her together.

Igraine cast her glance down, seeing a trail of blood leading up to her mother and she frowned, knowing that Kahlan had worn a pink dress to the celebration. It was red now. She didn't understand...how could it be red? She hadn't been gone long enough to change...

Kahlan's hurt arm was hanging limp by her side, sliced open along the soft area between her wrist and elbow. It had stopped bleeding and looked like it was starting the process of knitting closed -- but that would take a few days. She could heal others, but her own healing took time.

Igraine watched Isabella push some of Thorin's guts back inside his body cavity. She was so coated in Thorin's blood that Igraine couldn't see the gash she had in her hand. She didn't realize that Isabella has intentionally pushing his organs around inside the opening created by Vylrath's sword. The more of her blood that got inside him the easier the transition would be.

It was only when she looked closely at the guard standing over Isabella and Thorin that she realized his sword was soaked in blood. She finally managed to break free of Kahlan's grasp and ran at the guard. She was beating on him with her fists, yelling and screaming at him, when she looked up at his face.

His eyes. They didn't seem...right. They looked familiar, but somehow not quite right.

"Father?" Igraine began to sob into the soldier's chest. "Daddy? Fix him. Make him stop bleeding. I can't lose him! Please!" She cried harder into the make-shift Vylrath's chest, not entirely realizing that it was his fault that Thorin was suffering to begin with.