Embers from ashes[open]

[daina]

Luin walked through the wood, aware of where she was going. There was no expression on her face, but her heart was rejoicing. The fae passed by the stream which she had walked in the last time she had come here a week ago. It was the valiant death of her love Coldfire on the shoreline of Twilight Lake. It had no doubt been a horrible night, but after that day Luin had felt different about herself, in more ways than just emocionally.

Then Twilight Lake appeared, and Luin could see how the half moon reflected off the water. She crossed the snowy clearing and sat down by the spot where the pool of blood had been, now only a small stain on the snow. Luin looked across the lake, watching the ripples move in the lit night. She would want Coldfire to know the news, and this waas the place she thought he would reside.

Coldfire, love, the fae thought, trying to speak to him, if he could hear her anyway. I hold the most wonderful news. She gazed up into the moon and grinned. You're a father.

[Ärï]

Sleep entranced Luin, drawing her to the dream realm of the Twilight wolves. There, in a small clearing resided Coldfire. He stood tall, proud and noble. A beast of pride and frightening beauty. Powerful muscles resided under his thick ebony and silver coat. Twin pools of vivid topaz glowed from his visage. Coldfire's eyes rested upon Luin, silent as a statue, calm and resolute. His time with the wolves of Twilight had brought him peace and a calm of a wolf that had live centuries. "Speak for your words may be heard only during your resting times" he said, his voice calm and deep. "The pups are not mine but yours alone Luin though I will guard and protect them as best I can from my death."

[daina]

Luin felt herself being pulled from her body and into the dream realm. And there stood Coldfire before her, handsome and strong. At his statement, she simply smiled and said, "I will give them your love as well as mine, Coldfire."But then asked without expression, "But when they ask of their father, what should I tell them?"

[Ärï]

Coldfire met Luin's gaze. "Speak nothing but the truth to them for lies will twist their minds. Tell them I rest in peace, my killer shall soon find her own punishment." Coldfire's eyes were glazed and fogged now, seeing through the blankness of what the living saw. Coldfire saw fragments of things, flitting through his mind. "Your love alone for them Luin, would be enough to raise many pups." Coldfire rose to his paws. Newly dead, Coldfire could not sustain a dream-state for long. "I must go, bear your coming times with strength for I will be watching."

[daina]

Luin was about to protest, wanting to be with him a little longer, but Coldfire and the realm soon disappeared from her sight. She was pulled through utter darkness, but felt at peace. Having the sinere notion that Coldfire was watching over her was a great weight lifted from her heart.

The fae found herself in a sleeping postion on the shoreline of the lake. The moon had not risen that far, and time had not truly passed much. She stood and looked at the moon, then thought, Either the pups or I will avenge you, Coldfire. I cannot survive knowing that Lithium still lives and breathes to mock you.

Then Luin turned from the lake and began to walk back the way she came. Her walks through the Loner Territories were still in motion, and most likely would not cease until the pups arrived. She had faith in Coldfire's protection.

And I will be strong
even if it all goes wrong
when I'm standing in the dark I still beleive
someone's watching over me