Star Song
By Tiger

                             XXI

All three began the ardous proces of healing. Dreden
bounced back fairly quickly, but Hunter and WyldeFyre
took more time. Hunter blamed himself, WyldeFyre
blamed herself...so it got complicated until both of
them finally spoke with the StarSworn. He guided them
through the complex emotions and got them both re
balanced. Tears spilled down both faces as they faced
the issues together and head on. The Hawk brought good
news which helped all three heal. "The Vasha are no
more... They made the mistake of attacking all of
you... They didn't count on several of us wiping them
out." His face was lit with a feral smile. " There
were NO survivors." he continued, bowing once to the
StarSworn then taking himself out the door. WyldeFyre
collapsed into Hunter's arms, sobbing. Was the
nightmare FINALLY over with? A look at the StarSworn
confirmed the Hawk's message. He left them locked in
his study. "easy beloved... It's over...finally over
with. We're free now!" he whispered, tears of relief
streaming down his face...The intense pain was now
gone and the bonding was fully healed. It had taken
months to get to this point, but both were now free of
the agony. "Do you still accept my suit, WyldeFyre of
The Fire Warriors? he asked worriedly. "Aye Hunter Of
The Night, I still accept your suit" she told him,
Sending him reassurance down the link. He broke into a
war cry and hugged her tight. She laughed for the
first time in a long time. "To hell with the year and
a day business... You become mine tonight.... just as
soon as I can arrange it...to hell with protocol!" He
went out the door and she retired to their room for a
while.. she was exhausted from that healing session.

                             XXII

That night, the wedding took place... Draco reminded
Hunter that the year and a day was now up anyway. Both
stood before the priestess and spoke their vows. She
bound their hands together and spoke. They replied
both in the affirmative. No one argued with their
right to be wed. Their blood also mixed without
clotting, which proved beyond all doubt their fitness
to wed. Hunter placed a ring on WyldeFyre's hand and
she placed one on his. The Priestess declared them
married unto Eternity. The room filled with flowers
and people. All her life WyldeFyre would remember this
moment. The kiss that they shared was sweet and full
of promise. The cheers that followed shook the
rafters. WyldeFyre just blushed as Hunter carried her
off into the bedchamber... Dreden was guarding it with
his life, which surprised both... "My wedding gift to
you both." he said before disappearing down the
hallway. The bedchamber door opened then closed.

                              XXIII

Hunter had a knowing smile on his face as he carried
his bride across the threshold of their
bedchamber...Thankful that there were set spells to
keep their bedchamber soundproof. WyldeFyre smiled at
him with love in her heart and soul at the man she
married. "They won't miss us for a LOONG time" he
chuckled under his breath. She hid a knowing
smile....This time, no one would interupt them.
Carrying her gently to the bed, he slowly divested her
of her gown, as she did the same with his shirt and
breeches. His hands gently tangled in her hair, 
pulling her closer. Warm lips scalded his neck. The 
feel of hair against skin. Deep kisses slow and fevered. 
Hunger raging hot and wild. Both plunged into a wild
thunderstorm of need, hunger and love, in a lovers
dance with absoutely nothing held back. At the moment 
of completion the empathic bond flared with light and 
emotion and both merged into the other in soul deep 
explosions of rejoicing. A faint scream didn't register 
to either one. Neither could move or talk.. the empathic 
connection was too strong to speak. But the feelings were 
strong, steady and solid. As they fell asleep intertwined, 
she felt a solid glow of love heal all the woundings in 
both that had been hidden. Falling asleep.. she smiled....
both wounded hearts were now healed and beat as one.

                               XXIV

Lady Wyldefyre and Hunter were sharing a laugh as they
returned to the Keep after a long time away, when Lady
Raven met both at the Gate....*Tis good to see you
both again... we be having a problem with a student*
*Dreden* both said aloud and looked at one another.
Both entered Draco's study soon after, fully armed and
outfitted, at Draco's request. Draco explained the
problem... Hunter looked thoughtful, WyldeFyre looked
perterbed. All the Warriors were now at the Keep and
had been since Hunter and WyldeFyre had left on a
honeymoon of sorts. Then they brought the little
mischief maker in *Dreden, you have been accused of a
serious crime... Can you think of any reason to escape
punishment* Draco said nodding towards Hunter and
WyldeFyre. Dreden paled a little but said "no, but I
could beat both of them single handedly". "We'll take
you up on that!" WyldeFyre spoke quietly... "This is 
about ShadowDancer, is it not?" Dreden paled even
further... *Dreden.. slandering is a serious crime and
YOU WILL take the punishment for it! Meet us outside
in the ring!* That said, both spun and left the
study... WyldeFyre informed Draco of their plans...and
got a wicked chuckle..Dreden was put in the middle.
Hunter winked across the ring at WyldeFyre. Then they
both drew their swords and became serious. Dreden used
a figure eight manuever that was parried by both. On
and on the contest raged until Hunter disarmed him and
WyldeFyre held the point of her sword at his
chest.*ShadowDancer... Come Forth* She called. She
appeared, her sword drawn and engaged WyldeFyre in a
short contest of wills. She disarmed ShadowDancer, and
all was silent. This had not been witnessed by anyone
else. Both spoke to the bonded couple before them.
*Your punishment will be this... report to Draco and
Draconess THEN you will report to all the other
Warriors! After which time that you have performed
said punishments, then both of you shall return here
and report back to us." *By the by we approve of the
match* Hunter chuckled. Both guilty parties just
blushed. The two guilty parties went on their
way....As Hunter and WyldeFyre went theirs....

                                XXV

Dreden and ShadowDancer returned finally to Hunter and
WyldeFyre after their tasks were performed, and both
apologized. The apology was accepted. After that, both
couples sat down and had a long heart to heart talk
with each other, and cleared the air about some
things. Dreden, who was turning into another copy of
Hunter listened as he and Hunter talked out things
quietly. ShadowDancer and WyldeFyre were discussing
some of the same things. Finally, peace was restored
and both Hunter and WyldeFyre understood the couple's
motivation. "Things will not be easy in a military
situation." Wyldefyre spoke to both. "As you can see
with my situation with Hunter. Everyone did not know
whether or not our love match would survive the war
and all the streses that went along with it. IT did,
and became stronger, but that is not always the case.
War has been known to destroy relationships. WE both
wish to see the two of you happy... after hearing what
we have to say, are you two still willing to go
forwards?" Twin nods made her smile. "Then off to the
Priestess with you twain!" she laughed, shooing them
off. His warm smile made WyldeFyre feel good, as it
always did. "Well Done!" he smiled and reached for
her, setting her down in his lap for a badly needed
hug. She returned the hug. Happy and heart healthy and
whole once again. Their future together was bright.
"Methinks there will be no pranksters near the
bedchamber tonight." he chuckled wickedly. "Methinks
the same beloved. Those two will be busy planning
their own future. Eternal bless, Time flies. I
remember these two as youngsters!" He picked her up
and swept her off her feet, heading towards their
bedchambers. "Beloved, we are not that much older than
they are. Tis just our experience that makes us seem
older." "Aye that tis true. I bless the Eternal every
day for finding you!" She whispered. "As do I!" was
Hunter's warm rejoinder as their bedchamber closed
behind them.