gates Alaois came running jumping in excitement to see his father had returned from the capitol city. Ethan kneeled down next Alaois and handed him a bow he had crafted on his journey to Tir na nOg. Alaois looked to him with bright eyes and embraced his father.

His wife Alexis was the next to greet him. In her arms was his second son Banning, who while he was away took his first steps. Ethan leaned over and smiled at his son Banning and then kissed him on his forehead. Alexis glowed with an aura of pure delight. Her hair was as red as the sunsets over the Silvermine Mountains and skin as fair as beaches of Connla. He held her tightly as he knew it would only be a day before he must depart.

Alexis had cooked a fine meal for him and they discussed his orders over dinner. Alaois looked at his father with pride hearing as he was ordered by the King of Hibernia to seek out one of the most famed Midgard's to ever touch

Hibernian soil. Alexis on the other hand wore a rather saddened face and was disturbed by this news. The time came for kids to go to bed and Alexis and Ethan tucked them in and told them stories of the Gods and Goddesses.

Alexis and Ethan returned to their room where Alexis wrapped her arms around Ethan tightly. She gave to him a necklace of badger teeth she had made for him and in return Ethan gave her his old bow he had used for years. He said he never threw it away because it brought him luck.

That night Alexis and Ethan did not sleep. Instead, they embraced each other as they gazed up at the stars. Ethan took Alexis' hand and told her that no matter what, the Gods would protect her and be looking over them while he was away. He assured her that he would be all right as he had his bindstone firmly fastened around his neck. He knew if by chance he fell he could saved by the mages in Tir na