From a fairy cathedral created by lights strung through branches by night, to a tent lined with tables, hung with greenery and flowers in tones of orange and yellow ? the transformation of the Glen appeared almost magical. It was due entirely to a night of hard work by a crew hired for the purpose. They had done a very good job indeed. Outside of the tent there was a maypole ready, along with the setting for various games and eventually dancing once the meal was done. On a small table near the entrance was a large guest book along with a pen so that people could make entries if they wished.

Now the buffet table was set up and sending tantalizing aromas through the air. Eggs and bacon, ham and beef, fresh fruits and vegetables; it was a brunch and there were both breakfast and lunch foods available. Metal trays with heating coils that Johnny had been able to obtain near the spaceport kept the hot foods at the proper temperatures, while cold foods were set out on trays layered over ice.

Johnny and Sianna were ready to mingle with arriving guests and direct them to the tables and the food ? without assigned seating, this was more of an excuse to socialize than anything else. The cake waited on a table by itself in silent splendor, flowers artfully decorating its white surface. Between the body of the meal and the cutting of the cake would come speeches and toasts, glasses to be lifted supplied with orange juice, champagne, or a mixture of the two for those who would prefer it. A few waiters drifted around to provide the drinks.

An early riser by habit, Peredhil's excitement from the previous night had carried over into the morning and he was on his balcony with a cup of coffee as the sun made its first appearance on the eastern horizon. The crisp morning air made his breath fog and the dew glistened on the grassy hill leading down to Rhydin.

After throwing on a pair of slacks and a light-blue dress shirt, Peredhil strolled through his house, passing time. Yet his smile rapidly turned into a grimace, for the bare walls seemed oppressive and confining, the absence of decoration serving as a cold reminder of the decision he had freely made.

He had arranged for a carriage to pick him up in an hour, but the morning was pleasant and he could not bear another minute alone in his house. Desperately holding onto last night's high, he focused his mind instead on the reception.

Johnny and Sianna's gift had been shipped to their home earlier that morning, so Peredhil walked empty-handed down towards the Southern Glen. As he caught sight of the tent, he slowed his pace in order to admire the beautiful layout. Once again, it appeared that Johnny and Sianna had spared no expense to ensure that everything looked perfect. His smile reappeared instantly, his eyes shining with delight as they fell upon the newlyweds.

He had arrived early, so he hesitated at the edge of the glade until he noticed Sylvia and her children step out of their carriage, followed closely by Storm, Ewan, and Ewan's mother. Stepping into the clearing, Peredhil waved to them, then made his way towards Johnny and Sianna.

Seeing to the teams of both rigs, Ewan followed the rest of the family and friends to the area of the reception. Sharp emerald eyes followed the boys and Lina playing in the free spaces of the glen, always wary of what else might be out there beyond the happy meeting. He noticed that he was not the only one. While Gaerwyn laughed and encouraged the children to play, there were those assessing glances about from time to time. Gaerwyn, unlike his cousin, had years of practice showing the children an easy going, fun nature while still keeping aware of dangers that might threaten them. Ewan hoped, in time, he would learn the same.

However, it did ease him some to know he was not the only one aware, and he was rather certain Storm was also in some fashion aware of their surroundings for any danger, and so kissed Storm?s cheek as he went on to the boys, swooping in behind Avery to take him up, lifting him above his head as if he were a trophy which sounded breathy, voiceless laughter from him and wild giggles and laughs from the others. ?I have a boy here, young lord,? he grinned at Cian, ?what will you pay me for him??

Storm watched the male counterparts of the family already begin the festivities, and it was no surprise to see Avery and Ewan in the midst of it. An unknowing small spread across her lips, she simply stood and watched them for several moments before moving over to the rest of her family. Waving to Peredhil as he passed her line of sight, her attention then moved to the newlyweds, before once again going to her husband and son. It warmed her to play and interact together, and soon they would have time to spend away from her to only strengthen that bond. Hiding a chuckle, she watched the game.

Cian laughed with the game, but then puts his hands to his hips, stomped his foot, tried to look stern, Ewan saw the shades of Kieran in the boy, and said, ?You can?t sell me my friend. Give him back or in the tower with you!?

Ewan swung Avery down, but tucked him under his arm where the boy was still laughing. Avery was such a slender boy still, though healthy and lively as he had not been when Storm rescued him a year ago. Ewan slunk close to Cian, who was sputtering between a lip pressed frown the laughter struggling to break free, ?Can?t sell this boy??

A slow shake of his head no, Cian pointed to the ground. ?Let him go.?

Giving his subservience its full due, Ewan bowed and set Avery down on the ground. But just as he made the bow, Cian cried, ?Get him!? And a pile of boys were at his legs and his back.

Storm could no longer hide her laughter as the boys attacked Ewan, before quietly creeping onto the scene. She was so proud of Avery and his ability to play and grow passed the dark events of his previous life. He had accepted his new life with open arms, and Ewan?s family, her family, welcomed him. ?I capture the lad for myself!? While she would have picked up the small boy and ran, her pregnancy made her more cautious. Instead, she nimbly grabbed his hand and pretended to run off with him, wiggling her brows to her husband over her shoulder.

Gaerwyn came to his rescue, ?Now, now, come on. Who is up for a game? Seems there is much to choose from.?

Maeve, who had signed the register with the names of her clan, called over to the ruffians. ?Don?t be disturbing the games just yet, now, come in and have a bite to eat first and pay your respects.?

The smell of the food had been tantalizing from the start, but the boys had been all about the running around since the brief confinement of the carriage ride. However, when food was mentioned, games flew from the little boys? minds. They went to join their mothers and relatives in the line for food, the adults helping the children that needed it with plates of mouth watering delights.

Mirth filled her eyes as she watched the youth. She realized a bit late that Johnny was there and her gaze quickly turned up to him. She was quick to smile which sort of wavered at the question. "It's not important Mister Johnny and not something you should worry about right now. Congratulations to you and Ms. Sianna. I am truly and deeply happy for the both of you."

She didn't want to keep Johnny from his own celebration but she wouldn't be rude when he offered his arm. Her gaze drifted to the others before lifting up to Johnny as he snuck her plate and she attempted to regain it. "Really Mister Johnny you don't have to. You should be fixing you and your bride plates." Instead of taking back the plate she gave a smile and just took up another one. Her nose wrinkles playful as she holds the plate between her hands. "See. I can still use them."

She wouldn't let him argue, shooing him down the line so they didn't hold it up. Sure her hands stung with the pressure but it wasn't something she couldn't take. "Thank you for inviting me and all your kindness Mister Johnny. You always do make me feel like family and I really appricate such kindness."