Man, it took a while for me to get around to this one. As with the previous stories, this installment will take place during the latter chapters of Ember's End. As such, it will naturally contain SPOILERS for that book and the series as a whole. I expect most folks who frequent New Seddleton are all caught up, but Sam was pretty big on making sure we make sure new fans are aware of possible spoilers during the most recent Q&A session. Consider yourselves warned.

It seemed to Heyna that this day brought one marvel after another. First, she, Jo, and their companions had succeeded in saving Kylen from Tameth Seer's assassins. Then the Terralain army had turned to their side and had charged into battle against the army of King Farlock in the wake of his slaying by Picket Longtreader. Then the Six, those most terrible of Preylords, had fallen in stunning victories by the beleaguered rabbits. Last of all, Morbin Blackhawk himself had fallen, his descent into the floodwaters marking the conclusion of the hours long battle.

Now a new wonder, perhaps the greatest of all, was before her. As she stood atop the palace roof with the remnants of Emma's court and some newly arrived allies, another of the strange ships that had followed the wolf fleet into the city made its way towards them. It turned to come alongside the palace, and the hands threw mooring lines to some of their comrades atop the roof. A ramp was lowered until its end rested on the roof...and then she saw him.

Prince Smalden Joveson, whom her father and Captain Wilfred had reported dead, surveyed the small crowd awaiting him atop his ancestral home. There were gasps of wonder and shock, and Heyna felt tears in her eyes at the sight of her old friend and honored prince. Before any words could be uttered, Smalls took hold of his sword hilt and drew it from his scabbard. His blade was broken, and Heyna gasped as she realized that the jagged stump that remained was not metal...but stone.

"My dear friends...brave defenders of First Warren...I cannot express my gratitude to, and for, you. While I was lost, nearly killed as a result of my own foolishness, you fought for the Cause and led the retaking and defense of this, our ancient capital. You brave souls, with those who came down from Akolan, have done deeds worthy of my father King Jupiter, of Whitson Mariner, of Flint Firstking himself. My heart is filled by the thought of what you have done and endured and grieved that I could not have been here sooner to stand with you.

"Yet a wiser will than ours is at work and has turned my folly and the cruelty of our enemies to our good. By their malice I was brought to the resting place of Flint's legendary blade, which enabled me to end a long growing threat. The slaves the Preylords kept in their pride became an army that helped bring about their end, not least because they helped me to reach this city so that I might face Morbin Blackhawk. And, by long spoken words, his end and the breaking of the starsword signals what we hardly dared hope: the long-awaited coming of the Mending!"

Smalls' words sparked no outbursts; instead, a holy silence reigned over the rabbits on ship and roof. For a moment no one moved, all unwilling to break the reverent quiet. At last, however, Emma stepped forward, tears shining in her eyes as she faced her brother. Seeing her, Smalls smiled, though his eyes were sad, and walked down the ramp to meet her.

Reaching up to her neck, Emma drew off the ruby medallion on its gold chain that she had so recently received from Kylen. The Whitson Stone, known also as the Ruling Stone, glimmered in the sun as Emma offered it to her brother. "I, Princess Emma Joveson, hereby surrender the Whitson Stone and my place as heir to my brother, Smalden, who was chosen by our father King Jupiter Goodson. I must apologize, brother, for I cannot return the Green Ember to you...for I too have been guilty of folly."

With a gentle shake of his head, Smalls reached out and took the medallion, hanging it about his neck. Then, in a movement that caught Emma by surprise, he drew her into a hug, a clang sounding as her silver breastplate met his gold-plated one. For a moment Emma, who stood somewhat taller than her brother*, seemed frozen in surprise. Then her tears began flowing, and she returned her brother's embrace.

After a moment, Smalls pulled back slightly to look into Emma's face. "It is I who should be apologizing to you, Emma. I kept your true identity a secret from you for so many years, seeking to spare you the pain that I bore. However, such a secret has brought you other pains, and I think I have some share in any folly for which you may blame yourself.

"Let us both forgive ourselves, and let past grief drown with our foes. But as to the matter of the Green Ember," he said, smiling and drawing a second medallion from beneath his breastplate, "that has been well taken care of. Indeed, I should have spoken further, for your error too has served a greater purpose. For had it not been for your actions, and the spite of Garten Longtreader, I might well have perished without ever laying eyes upon the starsword. Instead, someone whose life he tried to take saved my life...as she saved yours...and has saved many."

As if summoned by these words, a second white-furred rabbit appeared atop the ramp. Seeing her, Emma gave a cry of astonished joy and broke away from Smalls, running and meeting the other doe halfway up the ramp. Heyna blinked, hardly able to believe her eyes. But sure enough, Heather Longtreader-another rabbit returning seemingly from the dead-stood clasping Emma warmly, both of them laughing and crying.

The moment was broken as a group of rabbits appeared at the top of the ramp, bearing with them a litter. Seeing them, Emma led Heather down the plank, and then gasped as they descended, and she caught sight of their burden. Next to Heyna, her brother Cole went rigid, and others on the roof reacted similarly. The soaked and badly injured form of Picket Longtreader lay motionless on the stretcher, his body swathed in hastily wrapped bandages that could not conceal his missing right arm.

Knowing of the bond that her brother shared with Picket, Heyna laid a comforting hand on Cole's arm. She wanted to go to Emma and offer similar support, but the princess' face had set in the determined look she wore when her duties as a healer fell upon her. As such, Heyna decided to stay back, knowing that Heather would be of more assistance to Emma in that area. Smalls raised his hands, calling the attention of all rabbits back to him.

"More words remain to be spoken, friends, and not least in praise of Heather and her brother. However, we must act quickly, for I do not wish our praise of Picket Longtreader to be part of a eulogy. Sist...Emma, I entrust him to your and Heather's care, and charge any rabbits who may to assist you in your efforts. As for the rest of us, I believe we have more than enough work to occupy us: we have won the battle-indeed, the war-but now other tasks lie ahead."

One year later, Heyna sat in the midst of a very different gathering, though with a number of the same faces. At the invitation of Prince Smalls, she sat at the table of honor set aside for the Longtreader family and their dearest friends. These included Picket's wife Louise, aglow with the day's joy and her well-advanced pregnancy; her mother Airen, newly married to Wilfred Longtreader; and Maggie Weaver and her husband Edward, happily reunited in the wake of the final battle in the War for All Natalia.

Heather sat happily between her parents and her younger brother Jacks, the two siblings discussing the wonderful fare on the table. If there could be anything missing from Heather's happiness, Heyna guessed, it was that Smalls was not sitting beside her. However, the prince, having announced their imminent wedding and his coronation, had joined the host of rabbits who had volunteered to be the first shift of servers at the grand meal. Victor Blackstar, Heyna's own father, was among them, as were the other lords who had survived or been newly appointed in the wake of the final battle.

Most of Smalls' siblings were also involved in this service, and even Lady Glen wore an apron over her spotless white dress. However, Emma had been excused from the first round, due to her close connection to Heather and Picket and her own heroic role in the last days of the war. Watching her very distant cousin chatting animatedly with Jo, Heyna let a small smile creep onto her face. She turned to remark on the sight to Cole, who sat next to her, but saw that he was already engaged in a conversation of his own.

Harmony, the doe whom Heather, her parents, and Jacks had befriended in Akolan, was clearly overwhelmed by the experience of the feast. It was hardly surprising, given that she had grown up a slave in the very heart of the High Bleaks. Though Harmony's life had improved drastically since coming to First Warren with her fellow escapees, it was clear that this new situation was on a level utterly foreign to her. Cole, with kindness that went beyond his well-practiced courtliness, gently answered her myriad of questions and helped her to fill her plate.

Warmth filled Heyna at the sight of her brother, acting with purpose despite the fact that his years of training and service as a soldier had come to an end. Though he remained Lead Captain of Kingston under their father, it was still unclear what that meant in a world where the last foe had been defeated. For all that, Cole seemed content; to Heyna's surprise, it was a feeling she did not share. Happy as she was to be sitting in the Mended Wood, surrounded by thousands of joyful rabbits, she felt a sense of disquiet.

Looking around the table, she noted that there were fifteen rabbits seated around it, divided into talking pairs or groups of four. She was the sole exception, and her roving eyes came to rest on the empty chair standing between Louise and her mother, Airen. That place had been set in honor of Helmer, who had been brother, uncle, friend, or mentor to many of those seated at the table. As she considered the absent Lord Captain, Heyna wondered whether he would have felt just as uncertain about his future as she was about hers. Looking around the table again, Heyna also wondered whether he might have felt something else that she felt suddenly, seeing everyone else talking with spouses, siblings, or friends:

Lonely.

Time passed, but it was not long before Newcity hosted another festive occasion, though on a smaller scale than the Feast of the Mending. On this day, Heyna sat near to King Smalden and Queen Heather, having served as the latter's lady-in-waiting for some time. Emma also sat nearby with the other members of the royal family, while Jo and Cole sat farther back in the large crowd. It was a wedding, the latest of many to be held in Newcity, but exceeded in grandeur only by that of the king and queen themselves.

Heyna maintained a reverent silence with the other onlookers as they looked up to where Prince Naylen of Terralain stood beside Rowan, daughter of the late Lord Ronan of Blackstone. She was only barely acquainted with either of them, but such a union merited the presence of the royal family and, thus, their attendants. For one thing, this marriage marked a strengthening of the once severed ties between Terralain and the rest of Natalia. It was also a union of King Smalden's cousin with the daughter of a much-respected hero of the war.

For her part, Heyna marveled somewhat at the sight of Prince Naylen, dressed in finery and with a smile that radiated joy. He looked so different from the grim young buck who had met the Pilgrim's band in the Great Wood, looking for help to save his deluded and dangerously ill brother. She had watched him battle against Tameth Seer's assassins, and later confront the seer himself before the gates of First Warren. Yet now the hands that had wielded a sword with such skill and ferocity gently held the hands of Rowan, whose adoring expression matched Naylen's as Prester Kell pronounced them husband and wife.

As the newly married couple kissed, cheers and applause burst from the crowd, with Heyna politely joining in with the latter.The audience soon shifted, moving from their ordered rows of seats to tables for food. Eventually, a band began to play, and many couples moved out into a clear space to dance. Naylen and Rowan were the first, but soon the king and queen, Naylen's mother and stepfather, and others were moving to the music.

Heyna observed the dancing from a distance, sipping a drink as she watched friends, acquaintances, and strangers in their merriment. Though many of her friends and her brother were joining in, she didn't feel such an inclination herself. Glancing around, she spotted a number of other rabbits who, for one reason or another, preferred to watch the dancers rather than joining in. One in particular caught her eye and, feeling curious, she moved around to join him.

Prince Kylen noticed her approach and nodded cordially, his eyes quickly returning to the dancers. Like Heyna he held a drink in one hand that he occasionally sipped from. Heyna took up position alongside him, following the direction of his gaze. Unsurprisingly, his eyes seemed to rest on the dancing pair of Naylen and Rowan. Heyna noticed, however, that Kylen’s expression seemed wistful.

“Good day, Miss Blackstar.”

“Good day, Prince Kylen.”

“Just Kylen is fine.”

“Then just Heyna is fine too. The only rabbits our age who call me ‘Miss Blackstar’ are my brother and Jo when they’re being annoying.”

Kylen actually chuckled at that, his eyes warming. “I can believe that of Jo. Your brother never struck me as a teaser. Then again, most of our encounters haven’t afforded much opportunity for…pleasant conversation.”

Heyna’s mind flashed back to the first time she had seen the Terralain prince. It had been in the final moments of the attack on Halfwind that had been halted by the arrival of the Terralain army. She vividly remembered lying limp on a bed in the hospital, the recently bandaged wound on her face still burning. Having barely recovered consciousness, she had managed to turn her head in Emma’s direction.

She had seen Kylen turn to face Emma and the Longtreader siblings, heard their astonishment upon recognizing him, and the introduction offered by one of his guards. His smile had been charming, but tinged with embarrassment. That same embarrassment was plain in his face now, but there was no smile accompanying it. Heyna felt a pang at that, for even caught up in the fog of her own pain she had liked that smile.

“Oh, if he knows you well and likes you there’ll be no shortage of ribbing. I think he feels the need to pass on all that he suffered from me as we were growing up.” Now Kylen did smile, so Heyna went on. “He’d probably have something to say about you being over here watching the dancers instead of taking part. Surely you were the most sought after buck in Terralain, even before your brother got himself betrothed?”

Kylen was still smiling, but it looked pained. “Not exactly, no. My father built up quite the cult of personality, you might remember. Part of that awe fell upon me, and some on Naylen. Made it a bit hard for any does to make our acquaintances, in spite of our charm and good looks.

“Since then things have been better…but not by much. And does from other settlements in Natalia seem almost as reluctant to talk to me. Might be the fact that I’m a prince…or that I tried to usurp the throne. I have to hope it’s not my personality.”

In spite of herself, Heyna laughed, and Kylen’s smile shone with obvious pleasure at the sound. For a moment the two stood in companionable silence as the music played and rabbits danced around the green. A server came by and replaced their empty cups with freshly filled ones. Seeing a vacant table nearby, they sat down.

Still watching the dancers, Heyna picked up the thread of their conversation. “I suppose I can sympathize with you in some respects. Being the daughter of a lord made me a somewhat intimidating prospect for most bucks in Kingston. And that’s without my brother being overprotective.”

“Well, if it weren’t for my overprotective brother, I would have been dead quite some time ago. So I imagine your brother can be forgiven for his zealous attitude. Not that you need much protection,” he added drily. “More than a few of my bucks had stories about a mad fighting doe in our camp the night you, Jo, and your brother came to visit.”

Heyna gave a small, pleased smile. However, she noticed that Kylen’s expression had turned distant. Following his gaze, she saw that his eyes were now on another couple. They wore simple crowns on their heads, in token of the festive occasion.

King Smalls and Queen Heather also wore smiles, the happiness of the day mingling with deep love as they gazed into each other’s eyes. They moved with a seamless grace, as though they were not two separate beings but parts of one whole. Their attire, elegant but not opulent, complimented their white fur and gleamed as they danced. It was a beautiful sight, and yet Kylen seemed sorrowful as he watched them.

“The queen is quite a sight, isn’t she? I understand Jo was quite taken with her when he first saw her on Cloud Mountain. Unfortunately, his interest waned quickly after he learned she was a Longtreader. She helped save his life not long after that…but I don’t think he ever thought of her as a doe he might court again.”

Now Kylen’s smile was sad. “He was wiser than I was, then. I thought she was beautiful…and good…and smart. And she was all those things…is all those things. But me…I wasn’t worthy of her.

“I betrayed Cloud Mountain, and she treated me with the contempt I deserved. In spite of that, I dared to hope that, when I came back from Terralain, things might be different. And my father egged me on, all the while being perfectly willing to have her killed if she refused to submit to him. Then he died, and in blind devotion to him I came to hate her.

“Even then…I don’t think I gave up on her. Some part of me, in spite of Tameth Seer’s potions and poisoned words, cared for her. I think I somehow thought I could ‘save’ her. But all along, I was the one who needed saving.”

For a long moment silence fell between them; then Kylen spoke again. “I had so many plans and hopes for my future. My father was going to be king of Natalia, as I believed was his right. I was going to be his heir, destined to rule as my ancestors did all the way back to Whitson Mariner, and beyond him to Flint Firstking. And Heather…I dared to hope that she might rule alongside me.

“Now my father is dead, killed by his own arrogance and desire for power. I am his heir, but after all I have done I hardly feel fit to rule over Terralain. Heather is a queen…but I am not, and never will be, her king. My whole life I have felt like I knew what lay ahead for me, yet now…now I have absolutely no idea.”

Of all the rabbits to make such an admission, Kylen was the last Heyna would have expected it from. He had always been so assured, regardless of whatever mood seemed to take him. Confident and assured, during his time at Halfwind; manic and assured, under the influence of Tameth Seer; and penitent and assured, after he had rejected his father’s treasonous ways and pledged himself to the Cause. And it resonated all the more deeply with her because she had a good sense of how he felt.

Ever since her mother had been killed, she had trained so that she might one day serve as a protector. She had been Emma’s bodyguard, and one of the many to help her navigate the world of dealing with nobility. But Emma was no longer queen-to-be, and what Heather lacked in court training she made up for with natural ability as a speaker and storyteller. She was also quite used to doing things herself, and Heyna had little to do as her lady-in-waiting. And of course, in the peace of the Mending, there was no need for a protector.

Or rather, Heyna thought, there was no need for a protector who fought with hand and foot, blade and armor. The enemies that sought to harm rabbits through means that must be countered with fighting were dead. But though the Mending had come, there were still things that could daunt a rabbit’s spirit. Those too must be fought, but in a different way.

Looking up, Heyna noticed that a lull in the dancing had come. A Blackstone band had been playing, and were now moving to accommodate one from Terralain. Musicians and others from both communities had been tapped in honor of the event, and the bands had been alternating throughout the celebration. Struck by a sudden inspiration, Heyna saw how she might help Kylen forget his somber mood, at least for a while.

Seeing that the prince was lost in thought, Heyna spotted a Terralain server and waved her over. The doe, somewhat nervous when she saw Kylen at the table, grinned when she heard Heyna’s request. She hurried off as Naylen and Rowan, glowing with happiness, came and sat down by Kylen. Heyna greeted the other prince and his bride, but was grateful when Naylen turned his attention to his brother.

“Not even one dance yet, Kylen?”

“I didn’t want to show up my own brother on his wedding day,” Kylen replied with a smirk.

“You must be quite the dancer then,” Rowan said with a smile at her new husband. Naylen smiled back, placing a hand atop one of hers on the tabletop. Rowan turned her gaze to Heyna. “I hope my new brother-in-law hasn’t been boring you, Heyna.”

“Not at all,” Heyna replied. Seeing Kylen looking suddenly anxious, as though he feared what she might say, she smiled. “We were just talking over some history. I was about to ask if it was true that he, and your husband, are descendants of Galt. As you might imagine, I have something of an interest in the legendary friend of Fleck Blackstar.”

“The friend who left him on the shore of Ayman Lake?” It was Kylen who spoke, one eyebrow raised.

Heyna raised her own eyebrow as she answered. “Yes…and the friend who came to King Whitson’s aid on Grimble Island. The friend who returned, leading the rabbits of Terralain, to join Fleck in fighting against the dragons. Or at least, so the stories about the Dragon War-which apparently have some truth to them after all-say.

“Come to think of it, that’s pretty much exactly what you and Naylen did in the final battle. I think you should both feel honored to be sons of the line of Galt. A rabbit who lost his way, and the future he no doubt had imagined for himself before that fateful day, so long ago. A rabbit who made his own way, and a good way, in spite of the mistakes he’d made in the past.”

Both brothers and Rowan were silent at these remarks, obviously digesting her observations. The full depth of her words was known only to Kylen, addressed as they were to the concerns and uncertainties he had expressed to her in private. And so, as Naylen and Rowan both considered her with interest, Kylen gave her a grateful smile. Before anyone could say anything, however, music began playing again.

As the princes and Rowan turned towards the sound, Hyena smiled to herself, recognizing the opening notes of the tune. It was the song she had requested, passed along to the Terralain band by the server she had waved down. Kylen suddenly looked at her again, and she wondered if he had noticed the exchange without paying it any real notice until now. She put on an expression of innocent curiosity, even as a number of Terralain bucks made their way onto the dancing green laughing and smiling.

Looking on curiously, Rowan made an observation. “I don’t recognize that tune…and I don’t think I’m the only one. Those are all Terralain bucks taking the floor. And not even all of them are going out. Do you know what’s going on Naylen?”

“What’s going on, Rowan, is that the band is about to play a traditional Terralain spring festival song. It accompanies a dance that, by long custom, only takes place between unmarried bucks and does. The bucks begin by singing and dancing alone, and inviting the does to join them. That’s why not all the bucks are getting up; any who are married wouldn’t take part. I thus won’t be participating,” he said, before casting a sidelong look at Kylen, “but there’s a buck at this table who has no such justification.”

“Says the rabbit who has commented many times on my lack of coordination and inability to appeal to any doe in full possession of her wits and eyesight,” Kylen shot back, though his offended tone was obviously as insincere as he knew Naylen’s teasing had been.

“Kylen, it’s my wedding day. You are my brother and friend of the bridegroom**. I’m pretty sure those roles mean that you at least have to pretend to enjoy yourself for at least some of today’s festivities. I am therefore asking you to get up and join this dance. I can’t make you go, and wouldn’t even if I could.

“However, if you don’t, I will make you this solemn promise regarding any future nephews you may have. I don’t care if they’re the spitting image of you or are born on your breechday. I will name them after Lord Ronan, or Sam, or Rowan’s brothers. Maybe I’ll even name one after our umpteenth great-grandfather Galt, now that Heyna has made him sound so admirable. But if you don’t get up and get out there, you can say goodbye to any hopes you had of having a little namesake nephew to bounce on your knee.”

Naylen said this with a completely straight face, even as Rowan had to put her free hand over her mouth to stifle a smile. With an exaggerated sigh, Kylen got to his feet, straightening his formal attire. Then, with a look at his brother that proclaimed Naylen’s threat an act of treason and blackmail, he walked out onto the green to join the other bucks. Every one of them, many tall and strong but with a variety of expressions ranging from excited to nervous, moved into a position that put each of them in the center of a wide space.

When it was evident that no more bucks would be joining the group, the band struck up the song in full. Responding to the music, the bucks began to move their hips from side to side, tapping their feet as they swayed. Their movements grew even livelier as the music grew faster, and they leaped and slid on the grass. It was such a picture of energy and grace that some of the onlookers began clapping along, even before the bucks raised their voices in song.

Come, ye fine does

And look upon me!

For I move like a moonbeam

On the swaying trees

Come, ye fine does

And look upon me

My limbs are all nimble

My heart is all free!

Come, ye fine does

And look upon me!

If you like my dancing

Why, then I'll dance with thee!

Heyna’s eyes followed Kylen throughout the display. Maybe it was a benefit of opening up to someone about his regrets and worries, or the kindness she had shown him in return. Or maybe it was Naylen’s teasing, or just his natural personality brought forth by the dance. But he moved with a grace and confidence that was heartening to see.

Eventually, the bucks came to a stop, an obvious invitation to the does. Many from Terralain arose, though Heyna noticed more than a few from other parts of Natalia doing so as well. With a nod to Naylen and Rowan, she stood and strode out onto the green. Kylen, noticing her approach, shifted his face from curious amusement to surprise as she moved into position to dance with him. For a few seconds he seemed dumbfounded; then the music began to speed up again, and remembering himself he offered her his hand.

Together they whirled around with the other bucks and does, occasionally switching partners but always finding their way back to each other. They were not the only pair to do so, though many others seemed happy to have a turn with as many other dancers as possible. Eventually, the song came to an end, with onlookers cheering for the bucks and does on the green and for the sheer happiness of the day. In the midst of it, Kylen and Heyna stood quiet, the Terralain prince regarding the lord’s daughter with renewed curiosity and a touch of admiration.

“You’re quite the dancer, Miss Blackstar.”

“As are you, Prince Kylen.”

“If you don’t mind my asking…you asked for the band to play that song, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. And before you ask, I first heard the song-and saw the dance-back on the night Jo, Cole, and I snuck into the Terralain camp before the final battle. One of your guards was evidently fairly anxious to get back for the festival and take part in it. I would have commented on it, but I was a little busy trying not to get killed at the time.”

Shaking his head, Kylen laughed-and it was the kind of joyful, carefree sound Heyna imagined he must have made before he ever went to Cloud Mountain on his father’s mission of treachery. Before she could reflect on it further, the band started up another number. This one was slower, doubtless as a reprieve for those dancers still on the green after the last rapid performance. Heyna was about to leave in search of the king and queen when Kylen offered his hand to her again.

“Might I have the pleasure of another dance…Heyna?”

For the first time since they’d begun speaking, it was Heyna who was surprised and speechless. However, the smile now on his face-a mixture of hope and uncharacteristic shyness-was so genuine that she found herself smiling back. Nodding, she took his hand once again. And once again, the pair joined the crowd of dancers as they moved around the green. Naylen and Rowan, and even Smalls and Heather, came back out onto the grass as well.

None of the rabbits-except perhaps the queen, with her gifts of perception-sensed that the watching crowd was larger than it seemed to mortal eyes. And even the queen might not have been able to look through the veil between seen and unseen to see the many additional rabbit forms that looked on as rabbits from across Natalia celebrated Naylen and Rowan’s union. Among these many happy observers was a smiling buck with dark brown fur, no longer showing signs of the worry and doubt that had plagued him in the months leading to his heroic death.

But two other bucks, for the moment, had eyes only for Kylen and Heyna. One had black fur, the other gray, but in build they looked much alike. They had both been the sons of coal miners, and had been the best of childhood friends. But growing up, their paths had diverged. One had become a captain, and then a lord. The other had become a lieutenant, and then a leader.

And as each watched their distant descendant dance with the other’s, in the light of a brilliant day in the Mended Wood…both of them smiled.

The Beginning

*Emma's language in the series makes it sound as though she's taller than Smalls, at least by a little. However, I probably wouldn't have thought of it were it not for some artwork shared by @Meadow.

**A little turn of phrase I borrowed from the King James Bible, referring to a Jewish marriage custom. It seemed like it would fit in with the language of the Green Ember, and certainly better than “best buck” or some equally awkward pun.

Author’s note: Originally, I had planned for Heyna’s story-after the Siege of First Warren and first Feast of the Mending bits-to consist of a few little episodes, each involving her interacting with different characters. However, as the chapter developed, it came to me that Kylen-who was among the characters I wanted her to interact with-could really address all the things I really felt like tackling with Heyna. Conveniently, he also-being the ruler of Terralain-provided an excuse for me to incorporate an idea I’d had a while back involving “Come, Ye Fine Does.” My plan at one point was for Heyna to dance with Tunk, but much as I love the big lug I think it worked out well to have Kylen take his place.

Now, I’m hoping that what I’m about to say will head off some objections that I fear may be inbound once people read this chapter and recall that the previous installments have all had something of a romantic turn. I am an unrepentant shipper, and within my own rules I will defend pairings I favor pretty fiercely. Heyna is one character I’ve had a hard time nailing down a pairing for, in no small part because Sam didn’t really indicate she was interested in anyone-or at least, not that I’ve ever noticed. I could pretty much only tell you who I DON’T ship her with, or at least not seriously-Jo could be a decent option for her, but I’m a diehard Jemma fan, so…

At any rate, I know there are Green Ember fans who will probably object to the notion of Kylen and Heyna as a couple for one simple reason: they have a known shared ancestor. As you’ll recall from Ember Rising, the Natalian royal family is descended from Lander Whitson, while Blackstars are descended from Lucianne Blackstar, his sister. Emma, upon learning of this relationship, claims Heyna, Cole, and Victor as cousins. Kylen is, technically speaking, related to the Blackstars in the same fashion.

However, as I’ve said elsewhere-and will say again if I must-I don’t think they’re closely related enough that it’s a problem. Whittle Longtreader said that there were “many kings” between Whitson and Walter, meaning that there were many generations of increasingly distantly related royals and Blackstars. I thus think Kylen and Heyna ending up together would be perfectly acceptable. If you don’t share that opinion, it’s your prerogative, but let’s not turn the comments section into a debate on the topic, shall we?