Author's Note: Just a little thought: This chapter was inspired by a pic of Dregan that came into my mind while writing the previous chapter. Wish I could draw halfway decent... sigh...

Chapter 38: Wishing on a Star

Vivi and his sons lay on their backs outside the palace, on a little patch of grass near the moat, watching the stars. All was silent and still, the sound of the rippling water a peaceful backdrop. Vivi was re-telling part of his adventure with Zidane, Garnet, and the rest, Val snuggled close to his side and the others nearby. Even though they knew the story nearly by heart, it didn't matter. This wasn't about the story itself; rather it was about togetherness, about the bond that connected them.

When the story was done, they took turns making up constellations, some silly, some meaningful. And then a shooting star shot overhead, they all gasped in surprised delight.

"Quick! Make a wish!" Vivi encouraged. They were all silent as their wishes winged their way heavenward. Vivi couldn't resist giving Val a hug, as he wished himself. I wish to live long enough to see my sons grow up strong, like I know they will. That thought was always a shadow on his mind, his unknown mortality.

"Can wishes come true?" Val asked softly.

"They can," Vivi answered. "If you believe they can, and work to help them along, wishes can always come true." The little mage closed his glowing eyes and rested his head against his father's shoulder. Nic suddenly pointed to one side.

"Who's that?" Vivi sat up a bit, propping himself up on his elbows, and looked at the figure that was strolling towards the moat a bit away. At first glance it was hard to tell, but then he caught the moonlight gleam off of a crystal staff.

"It's Dregan." They all sat up.

"I wonder what he's doing," mused Sola curiously. Turo hopped to his feet.

"Lets go see."

"Hold on Turo," Vivi said. He was watching the elf's stride intently. "I think there's more to this that a simple late night stroll."

"What do you mean, father?" asked Ollan.

"Dregan is under another curse, of sorts, one that I doubt can be broken. On his world, there are gods and goddesses that have a heavy influence in everyday life. Some are good, some not. Dregan's people, the kind of elf he is, were created by an evil goddess, but he, his sister, and his consort - I guess that means his wife - all rebelled and now follow the goddesses worst enemies. And of all of them, he's the only one not fully guarded against her powers, still open to torment. She sends him horrible nightmares, visions so bad that he cries out in his sleep. I've only seen it once, but it as terrifying to watch."

"So you think he's had one of those dreams," concluded the studious son.

"There's just something about his posture..." Vivi shrugged. "It's just not usual."

"Then he might need a friend?" suggested Val softly. It was looking at his youngest that Vivi realized what might have triggered a nightmare.

"Savander..." he muttered, causing his sons to look at each other.

"Huh?"

"Dregan has a son, named Savander. The first time he had a nightmare, Savander was involved." Vivi watched his friend thoughtfully. "Through this whole adventure, he's been protective of me, because he says I remind him of his son." Dregan by now had settled under a tree by the moat. "Maybe you're right, Val. Lets go see if he's feeling okay." None of them made any noise as they crossed the soft grass, as they were very lightweight of course, so Dregan didn't hear their approach despite his elven ears. He sat with his back against a tree, looking out over the water and the moon and start reflected within. Tears were drying on his cheeks, and shimmering fresh in his gold-flecked ruby eyes, and his left hand absently rubbed the amethyst that hung from his right wrist. Vivi cleared his throat, and Dregan jumped a bit as he looked over.

"Oh! Hi Vivi, boys."

"Hi, Dregan." Vivi sat next to him. "Another nightmare?" Dregan nodded and sighed.

"I never mentioned it, but Savander doesn't speak, despite the fact that he's nearly three. Yet I thought I heard him, in my dream, calling for me for help. He sounded so frightened, but it was so dark, and I couldn't find him." A tear tracked down his cheek, which he wiped away. "And I heard Lily. She said she saw a monster, and was crying for me, but I couldn't find her either. They sounded like they were so close -" He couldn't continue, having to take a few breaths to steady himself, thought his hands and shoulders shook visibly with the effort. "By Tavannes, Sovellyn, and Lokeru, I miss them all!" Valian slipped between the older mages to lean against the elf's shoulder comfortingly, getting a kind smile in return. The rest of Vivi's sons sprawled in the grass, Turo and Sola playfully wrestling for a spot near their father, which Ollan quickly dropped onto. It got a small laugh from Dregan, which Vivi knew was the pair's goal. Cal went to break it up, but was instead quickly drawn into it, which Nic calmly laid down, giving the two fathers a look as if to say 'What're you to do with them?'

"It's peaceful out here," Vivi commented quickly. Dregan nodded, then looked at Val, who had dozed off.

"Heh, Savander usually does that too. Seems he prefers my left shoulder." Then Dregan looked over at Vivi. "You've got a great bunch of sons."

"Thanks. I bet Savander and Lily are great too."

"Yeah. Lily can be a handful - takes after her mother - but she's an angel. And Savander... " Dregan chuckled. "He's like your Valian, sweet and gentle, a lot like you. Savander seems to want to do things like I do. He even dresses like me, made me size down some of my outfits for him. I see him sometimes at play with his cousins and sister, picking up sticks and the like and pretending their wands of staves."

"I'm eager to meet him. And maybe, when you next visit me, you can bring him."

"Yeah!" agreed Turo from where he played with his brothers, although the stronger Cal was easily overpowering him.

"I'll remember to," promised Dregan.

The two fathers sat in silence for some time, and eventually Nic dozed off, then Ollan leaning against his father. The three roughhousers wore themselves out, falling asleep at almost the same instant. Vivi looked at his sons fondly, watching them sleep.

"Thank you Vivi" Dregan whispered softly.

"For what"

"Coming over here to keep me company. I needed it." Vivi smiled.

"What are mage brothers for? Oh, and here." He handed over the emerald, which Dregan carefully tucked away without disturbing Val.

"You comfortable?"

"Yeah. Why?" Dregan leaned back against the tree, tucking his hands behind his head.

"Me too. And we probably shouldn't wake the boys. They need their sleep." Vivi nodded, agreeing completely as he got settled. A second shooting star streaked overhead.

"Make a wish." Dregan let his eyes close, and a single tear, shimmering in the moonlight, trickled down his cheek.

They stayed there all night, and caught a beautiful sunrise.