*Home Is Where The Heart Is*

It was almost time. 

But for some reason he was stalling. Farr'in knew in his heart, he was
excited about seeing her and the boy, but he could have wished it was for
any other reason then the one that presented itself to him now.

"Where are you headed, handsome?" Farr'in heard a voice call out from behind
him and turned to find Kael standing there with a big grin on her face.

"Going somewhere?" she asked.

"Morning, Kael. I'm headed to another warren. I'm going to visit my family
for the day."  

"I see."  She was surprised by how disappointed she was.  "Well then my
offer will just have to wait until you get back."

"Oh?  And what offer would that be."

She grinned, "We make a good pair.  I need a dragonrider to show me the ropes."

He smiled gently. If it had been another time, he might have taken her up on
her offer... but now his heart just wasn't in it. "I'm sure you can find
someone to help you Kael."

"What?  You don't want to be seen with me?"

"It's not that Kael, it's just that..." Just what... what reason did he
really have for turning her down... 

A beautiful face of a woman flashed in his head. A face he knew all to well
by now. The face of the woman who had become... more then a friend to him
somehow. That was why he was standing here turning down this pretty young
things offer. 

Kael grinned, she knew what was coming.  "Your already spoken for aren't you?"

He laughed, "I'm not sure yet. It depends on what she thinks of the
situation. There are a few... problems."  

Not that he had much hope... she'd let it be known how much she treasured
his friendship, but he knew she wasn't ready for anything more. Besides...
he didn't really know what his own feelings for her were. How could he dare
to ask her.... 

She sighed, "Well can I help you pack?"  

He tossed her a small pack. "Sure, hook that on the 'D' rings on the other
side of the saddle."  

She crossed around to the other side of his dragon.  Tying the straps to the
small metal rings. 

Farr'in called from the other side of his winged companion.  "Kael, Where
did you come up with such an unusual name?"

He listen while they worked, as she told him about her mother and how the
name came about. Then when she mentioned how she was going to change her
name, something triggered a memory in the back of his mind. He took a better
look at her, and the description he had of her seemed to fit with just how
his brother had described her to him. 

Yes... She was the one. He was sure of it. Wouldn't Lonnie be surprised when
he told her that the love of his life had shown up in Norwall of all the
strange places. 

"Do me a favor and hurry back, I have this feeling that some of the people
around here aren't all that fond of me."  Her voice wavered just a little as
she voiced her concern.

"You'll be fine Kae'ri, they'll get used to you."  His compassionate voice
made her regret his leaving even more.

On impulse Kael wrapped her arms around Farr'in in a friendly hug. "I'll be
counting the days Farr'in, so you'd better not stay too long."  

She gave Tergath a quick pat.  With a quick wave she skipped across the
green.  Heading for the dinning hall.

Farr'in chuckled as he watched her flitted away. It was easy for him to see
why Lonnie had become so besotted with her. 

Maybe there was hope for that boy yet. He'd a feeling this young girl would
lead his kid brother on a long chase before finally giving in.

.................

"Are you ready to go?"

Farr'in stood on the far side of Naomi's desk. He'd come to pick her up for
their trip to the Cleft. To see Meena and tell her the news of her
father-in-laws death. 

He knew Meena wouldn't be happy with him over the decision he had made about
not telling her about it when it happened, but he only had her safety in
mind. And that he would not jeopardize for anything.

"You're worried, aren't you?" Naomi asked. "What she'll say when you tell her."

"Does it show?" he grimmest and shrugged his wide shoulders. "I only did
what I felt I had to do. Her safety and Demee's is what matters the most.
The old man would have wanted it this way."

"I know... but it doesn't make it any easier to be the bearer of bad news,"
the woman looked at him sympathetically. "I'll tell her it was my decision
if that'll make it any easier on you."

"No," he grinned his thanks. "But I'm the one who made the decision... So
I'm the one who'll have to face her anger. You have enough on your shoulders
right now."

Naomi nodded then turned away to pick up the bad she was taking with her.
"Did you have time to pack up the rest of their stuff to take with us?"

"It's all attached to Tergath's saddle and ready to go," Farr'in told her
then reached out to take the bag she carried, his hand moved to the small of
her back as he led her out of the office.

................

<<I'm Tergath!!! I'm Tergath!!!> the brown roared to the watchdragons who
came flying in from the south, challenging him as the trio popped into the
humid air above the Cleft. 

<They know me now!> he told his rider when the two other dragons veered off
and let him continue his decent down to the green.

<<What's going on buddy?>> Farr'in asked a bit put out at their welcome. He
knew something had happened here since the last time he'd come home. But What?

<Syren is wanting to know why we are here again so soon?> The brown told his
rider as they set down near the Warren office complex. <She's a fine dragon
isn't she?>

<<Tell her that we, myself and Naomi, The Warrenlady of Norwall, have come
to deliver some news to Vonn's rider and asks that we may be allowed to go
see her before making our respects to the Cleft Warrenlady?>>

As they landed Farr'in jumped down, and then turned to offer his arms up to
help Naomi dismount from the brown. 

She had just settled to the ground when he heard his name being called out
and turned his head around to see two not so little girls running up to
greet them. 

"Teri told us you were here Uncle Farr'in," the first girl said.

"Yea... won't Meena be surprised," the second one added, shooting the girl
beside her Uncle a knowing look. 

"And Demee... he's been asking after you everytime we see him," the first
girl spoke again and looked at Naomi. "Demee is the son of Uncle Farr'in's
special friend." 

Farr'in knew what they were up to. They'd both taken a shine to Meena and
her son since the first moment they'd meet, and now were wondering who the
woman standing beside him was. 

"These must be your nieces," Naomi spoke up, her eyes dancing as she glanced
from one twin to the other. "How do you tell them apart?"

"It's not easy," he frowned a little at the girls obvious reminders, and
then made the introductions before they could say anything more. 

After finding out who she was, but girls were spotting rosy spots on their
cheeks and they tried to make up for their earlier behavior by bowing and
greeting her with a proper greeting. 

"Oh no need for such carrying on, on my behave," Naomi told them and then
laughed. "I can see though why your uncle speaks so highly of you both."

She turned then and looked at Farr'in, reminding him of the reason they were
here.

"Well we need to be getting over to see Meena and Demee," he told his
nieces, and then an idea hit him. "Say... would you two mind doing us a big
favor....?"

.............

"Farr'in?" 

Joy filled his heart at the look in her eyes when she opened the door and
saw him standing there. He had just seconds to brace himself when she threw
herself into his arms and hugged him. 

"Oh it is you!!" she beamed. "I couldn't believe it when Vonn told me
Tergath was here and asking about us."

"That blabbermouth never did learn the meaning of surprise," Farr'in
chuckled as his arms moved to hug her back. His reason for coming forgotten
as her touch took away the emptiness inside of him.

It was then they both heard someone clearing her throat and he remembered
that they were not alone. Arly and Leyean could be heard giggling. 

"Hello Meena," Naomi said and the two hugged. 

"I'm sorry I didn't..." Meena started in but Naomi put her hand up to stop
her from going on. 

"I understand. You've nothing to be sorry for," she assured her. "I might
... no I would have done the same thing if I had been you. I'm just glad the
two of you are safe and well protected."

"Farr'in's family have all been wonderful to Demee and I," she said and
stole a sideways look at the man beside her. 

"Well I would hope so," he grinned, then heard a voice calling out his name
as a little cannon ball came running towards him. 

"Unk Farr'in!!!! You came!! You came!!" Demee cried out as her threw himself
into the tall mans arms. 

"Well I promised I would didn't I?" Farr'in replied hugging the boy close to
his chest. His eyes closed and for a minute he thought of another little boy
he used to hold. 

"Ant' Nomi.... you're here too!" his eyes lit up when he saw who Farr'in had
brought with him. 

"Well I had to come see for myself that you and your mommy were doing okay
in your new home." she smiled warmly at the boy and reached out to tickle
his chin. "I know of a certain dragon who is missing you a lot, but she
couldn't come today."

"Cause she got eggs right?" Demee asked.

"Right, so when Farr'in told me he was coming, I asked if I could come too."
She told him, and then looked at Farr'in. 

A message past between them. 

"Demee... Arly and Leyean are here to take you over to 
Danki's house for a little while so Naomi and I can talk to your mama."

"But I thought..." his little face looked heart broken.

"I'll come see you before we leave and you can tell me all about what you've
been doing here okay?" Farr'in told him, hoping that would help.

"Promise."

"I promise," Farr'in cross his hand over his heart, and then hugged Demee
once again before setting him down to go join his nieces. 

"Farr'in I'm not sure..." Meena started as she watched her son being led away. 

"It's okay Meena. Arly and Leyean will take care of him and the dragons are
looking out for them, so we'll know if anything happens," his hands moved to
her shoulders as he looked into her eyes. "He'll be safe, while we have a
little talk."

He watched her eyes leave his and travel to look at her friend. The smile
she'd been wearing since opening the door to find them standing there,
slowly left her face. 

"Something's wrong," she stated, knowing it to be true. "What is it... my
father...?"

"No Meena...It's not about him, but I'm sure Naomi can fill you in on what's
happening with him a little later. Let's go inside and have a seat."

..................  

"I should have been told!!" she cried as she stood up from the chair she'd
been sitting in. "I had a right to know about this... You both know how much
he meant to me and Demee!"

Farr'in knew she was upset... he'd known she would be with him when he'd
made the decision not to tell her until it was to late for her to come back
to Norwall.

But he still felt his reasons had been the right ones and told her so.

"Meena there wasn't anything you could have done..."

"I could have at least said good-bye to him," she wailed, tears streaming
down her face. "I could have told him one last time what he meant to me.. to
us!!"

"He knew that Meena," Naomi said softly. "He knew how much you both cared
for him. But he didn't want you to know how sick he was. That was why he
didn't come here with you. He knew he didn't have long and didn't want you
to worry bout him with everything else you had to worry about. In the end it
gave him great comfort to know you were safe here away from your father and
out of his reach. He knew he didn't have to worry any longer."

"I still should have been told!" 

Farr'in couldn't stand to see her hurting so he got up and went to her, arms
reaching out to pull her against his chest. 

"I wish it could have been different my friend. I wish I could have told
you, but I had to think of your safety first. Yours and Demee. That's what
he wanted. To see you safe."

He held her through most of her sorrows and then release her when she pushed
slowly back from him. The front of his shirt was damp from her tears but he
didn't care. 

"Look... I think I'm gonna go see Demee like I promised... and let you and
Naomi talk for a little while before we have to head back. Are you going to
be okay?"

[Tag Kris.... ]

He had a feeling he'd find his brother in the dining hall, so he headed that
way first and wasn't disappointed. Lonnie was there holding court with his
friends, laughing and joking about their days and telling lies about things
in the past.

"Hey Bro!!" the younger of the brothers called out and got up from his seat
to move to greet him. "I hadn't heard you were coming back for a visit."

"It wasn't planned," Farr'in told him accepting the hand Lonnie held out.
"It was sort of a spur of the moment kind of thing. You busy or can you spar
your old Bro a few minutes? I think you just might find what I have to say
interesting."

"Oh... do tell," Lonnie grabbed his arm and waving to his friends led
Farr'in off to and empty table across the room. 

"Seen your girl friend lately?" Farr'in asked, knowing already Lonnie was
said to be out of sorts a bit because one of the women he'd been seeing
lately had disappeared on him and all avenues of search had failed to turn
her up.

"Funny..." Lonnie wasn't smiling. "Well you were right... You warned me what
would happen if I got caught seeing the two of them... but you know what the
funny thing is?"

"No why don't you tell me."

"I had already decided not to see Chamois any longer. Everytime I was with
her I kept thinking about Kael... and the more I was with her... the more I
knew I *wanted* to be with her. I was going to ask Kael to come back here
with me... to see how things worked out between us... but when I went to
ask.. she was gone. I waited to long...."

"Well maybe... but this is your lucky day Bro... cause I found your lady
fair," Farr'in was enjoying this.

"What do you mean?" Lonnie asked, all teasing gone from his face as he
silently demanded his Brother get to the point.

"I met this sweet young thing in Norwall recently. A real charmer with a
body that... well I think you already know..."

"Kael? She's in Norwall?"

Farr'in described her and saw Lonnie's eyes light up in hope. "So that's
where she got to...." he mused, already his mind was turning over making
plans to go see her for himself.

"Look... you're going back tonight right?" he asked and saw Farr'in nod his
head. "Do me a favor... don't tell her you know who I am... you haven't have
you? ?No.. good... I got a few things to work out here, then I think I'll
may just come for a visit to see you."

[Back in Norwall later that night]

He hated saying good-bye to the family as he and Naomi settled on Tergath's
back for the rider back to Norwall. 

The loneliness hit him as soon as he entered the room. It was like all the
warmth had left his body leaving only a cold empty space where his heart lived. 

He looked around and the things in his room didn't offer much in the way of
comfort. What were they really? Things... memories of the past... His eyes
spotted the small dragon carving he'd done for Demee and reached down to
pick it up.

A wave of longing hit him hard as he brought it up to his cheek and the
image of the boy's face filled his mind as he thought about the time when
he'd given the carving to the boy. 

Images of the two of them played like a silent film in his mind. Meena
smiling, Demee laughing. The three of them out near the lake during a
picnic. Demee telling him he wanted him to come live with them and be his
daddy.... 

Be his daddy.... By the Gods...He realized that was exactly what he wanted
more then anything in the world. To come home to his family... Meena... and
Demee... Their son... 

The pictures felt so real to him. So... Suddenly he knew what it was he was
feeling. What he needed to chase the lonely empty feelings in his soul away. 

He needed to be with her.. with them. He needed them to be apart of his
life. She was his good friend, .. his best friend! ... but his mind was
telling him now that somehow she'd come to mean more to him... so much more
and he had to find out if there was any chance she could ever feel the same
way. To do that he needed to go to her. 

<<Tergath will you see if Amethyst rider is still awake?>> he asked as he
raced for the dragon's ledge.

If she wasn't he'd just have to wake her up. Now that he'd come to a
decision, he didn't want to wait even a  minute longer before putting his
plan into action.

Naomi was standing in her open door when he arrived. 

"Is there something wrong Farr'in?" she asked looking a little concerned
until she saw the look on his face. She knew.

"You've come to your senses?" she asked, a half smile tilting up the left
side of her face.

"I've come to ask you for your permission to transfer back to the Cleft...
if she'll have me."

"You know you don't even have to ask," Naomi told him. "I can't stop you if
it's meant to be, and I think it is. Good luck."

"Thanks... I may need it."

"I don't think so."

He was smiling as he turned to go, then stopped and turned back to face her.
"Naomi... don't give up. Keep your heart open to love. It'll find you and
it'll be worth the waiting."

He reached out and drew her into his arms. 

"You're a very special lady, and one day some dumb male is going to realize
that and go out of his way to make you happy. Just don't close yourself off
when he shows up."

[CLEFT WARREN]

It was late by the time they popped back into the skies above the Cleft.
Tergath instantly began calling out his name to the watchdragons so they
wouldn't wake up the rest of the Warren. 

It was a short flight to the apartment Meena and Demee had taken, and the
brown flew straight there. Vonn came out to see who their late night
visitors were and Farr'in guest his dragon had filled her in on the why's
and where-for's of the strange late night visit, because she moved aside and
gave them room to land.

He was sliding off the brown even before his claws hit the ground and was
striding towards the door leading into the humans half as quick as his feet
could take him there. Without hesitating a second, he lifted his hand up and
began rapping on the wood, then stood there and waited for her to answer it.

"Farr'in?" She asked looking at him in confusion, "Is something wrong?" 

"No Meena... something is finally right." he told her his eyes never leaving
her face. Her beautiful face.

"I don't understand .."

His hand came up under her chin and tilted her head up until their eyes met.
"I can't stay away any longer. Everything inside of me is telling me that
this is where my home is. This is where I need to be to be happy. Here in
the Cleft... here with you."

"You .. you're coming  .. here? To stay?" her face took on a hopeful look

His head nodded as he watch for her reaction. "To stay... if you'll have me."

"Me .." she asked, turning her face from his view. "Farr'in,  you aren't
coming back because of me .. are you?"

He nodded his head again. "You, Demee... I find I need you both in my life
to make it complete. I felt so empty and a lone tonight when I got back to
Norwall. I missed the two of you so much. More then I thought I could even
miss any one, and I need to know if you could ever feel the same way about
me." He pulled her head back until their eyes once again met. He wanted to
be sure she understood. "I love you Meena... you and Demee and want to be a
part of your lives."

"Didn't we try that once before and agree that it didn't work?" she asked
softly.

"At the time... but there's no reason we can't try it again... is there?" he
answered her question with one of his own.

"But I thought .. I mean .." she stopped, "Oh what does it matter .." she
wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head toward her, kissing him
deeply.

After the first touch of her lips on his, all other thoughts left his mind.
All except the one that told him he had finally found his way home.

"Gods woman... I can't think of anything but begin with you," he told her
between kisses. "I've missed you and Demee so much in the few days you were
here," he admitted wanting her to know the depths of his feelings. "Every
where I looked I was reminded of you both. I'd get home at night and only
have an empty apartment to face. No laughter. No little one asking me
questions all the time. Inside I was hurting so much... I knew something was
missing. It was the two of you. When I finally admitted that to myself, I
knew then that I loved you."

"Oh Farr'in... are you sure?"

"Lady I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life," he assured
her, looking deep into her eyes so she would know he spoke the truth. "I
want to come home. To Cleft... to you... if you'll have me?"

For an answer she took his hand and led him inside, past the living area on
down the hall to her bedroom.

"Welcome home Farr'in." 


===========================

Nrpg: Well it's been fun writing Farr'in here... but his heart belongs in
the Cleft.... but.... someone else should be arriving in Norwall soon....
and a certain young lady better be prepared to be wooed :)

*****Submitted by: *******

Farr'in & Tergath
Late of Cleft, Late of Norwall...and soon to be of Cleft once again
Lonnie & Meritanth
Arly & Leyean (the twins )