Strongbow and Maya were mere spectators now, watching with eager anticipation as the changes took place. All around them the roses began to straighten, dropping the old dead buds and blooming anew, and they felt their spirits refreshed. Color slowly returned to Veil’s skin and her cheeks were flushed. Her breathing became deep and regular, and her hair shone; a lustrous burnished silver in the golden light.

Still, the Lady Veil did not awaken.

The light from Nim’Alkar faded and its singing stopped, leaving a palpable silence in its wake. Strongbow and Maya exchanged a worried glance and it was then the Reverend Mother spoke, her words too soft to hear. They quickly moved to her side, but before they could say a word she began to talk again. Veil’s eyes were open and her voice was a very low mumbling. The distant gaze in her eyes made it obvious she was not speaking to them, but rather to someone only she could see.

In Veil’s mind, a warm mist surrounded a garden nestled in a forest clearing. Sunlight streamed through the canopy of leaves, spotlighting each rose bush in a rainbow of reflected light. There were six large blooming bushes placed in pairs around the small temple. Of the six, three were true black; two were a dark red; and the sixth, a beautiful bright rose, bloomed in full health.

“Yes Maiden, I know they do… and I love them too... But…”

A shining form smiled down upon Veil as she sat gazing at the splendor around her. The being spoke, but no words were heard, only in the mind of the recipient were they understood.

“Must I go? I really want to stay... It’s so nice here... May I see the others first?”

The figure nodded and pointed to a narrow white gravel path through the larger garden. The path was not far, and the sound of voices could be heard as Veil walked. An elderly Paladin stepped into her path, bowing low and gently kissing her hand.

“Hail, young Mother.”

Over and over the scene was repeated, as the Brothers and Sisters that and gone before greeted Veil along her path.

Veil struggled under the covers, twisting, turning, and kicking them down around her feet. Before she could hurt herself with the extremely sharp blade, Strongbow removed Nim’Alkar from Veil’s grasp and quickly placed it in the rack.

“Where is Bella? I want to see Bella! She will know what to do... please?” Her voice was adamant and demanding, with a slight touch of a spoiled little girl’s pout. Veil tore herself free of the crowd and ran off down the garden path.

Buildings built of ivory and stone came into view and Veil slowed her pace. In the center was the largest of them all: Sancutary. It was to this simple stone structure that she now walked. Stepping inside the doorway Veil was again greeted, although a bit differently this time. Cries of “Veil!!” resounded, and she received warm hugs from all within. They were all there: the Mothers Belladonna, Rust, Proserpine, Kroane, and Ravenwood, each telling her something urgent.

“Stop!” Veil said, laughing. “I can’t hear you all at once, and we have a long time to talk.”

“Nay Veil. We do not.” Bella stated simply.

“But I... I’m tired Bella... can’t I stay just a bit longer?”

“Nay.” Bella replied, pointing to a rose that was once again brightly blooming on the altar. "The third rose, look at its center. You are needed elsewhere sister, and there is one more thing…” She continued quickly. "The SHINE…Remember the SHINE!” Bella paused, her gaze seemed somehow sad. “Go now…”

Veil sighed, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. She seemed to resign herself to what she had been told.

“Alright… I… I can do that…and Wrath… Yes, I know… I… I have to go now… I need to rest Bella… so tired… need… to sleep…”

Her voice trailed off and her eyes fluttered shut. Veil looked healthier however, but she was still very thin. Strongbow and Maya had no doubt that this was now the sleep of recuperation, and not the parasitic life stealing sleep of before. They pulled the covers back up over Veil and sat together beside her on the bed. Strongbow slipped his arm around Maya and she laid her head on his shoulder. Then they too drifted off into a peaceful slumber...

“Mela…”

“Mela?”

A small hand shook Strongbow’s knee and he slowly came awake.

“Hmmm…? What?” He rubbed his eyes and looked around. As he moved, Maya also stirred next to him, yawning and stretching.

“What time is it?” She asked tiredly.

“I’m not sure, why did you wake me up?”

“Me?” Replied Maya, puzzled. “I didn’t, I was…”

They looked at each other, their eyes widening in sudden realization. Both of them turned and looked down to Veil at the same time. She lay there with her hands behind her head looking up at them, her sparkling blue eyes clear and bright and a soft smile on her face.

“You two are very silly elves, you know that?” She said matter-of-factly.

“MELA!” Cried Strongbow.

“SELER!” Maya shouted at almost the same time.

“You’re awake!!” They both exclaimed together, and pounced on Veil, hugging and kissing her in their mutual jubilation. Veil’s small arms clasped around them both, then feebly tried to push them off when it became apparent it was either that or perish under their loving ministrations. When at last she succeeded in her attempts, they sat there speechless, with beaming smiles on their faces.

“I only have one thing to say to you two…” Veil gave them a mock frown, and a glint of mischief was in her eyes.

“What mela?” Strongbow asked. “Is something wrong?”

“Uma, you bet there is!” She admonished them sternly. Her face broke out into a grin too big to hold back.

“What’s for dinner? I’m starved!”

Peals of laughter long absent echoed off the walls. Veil was well, and a family was together once more.