The visit with Myron proved to be a wonderful one. The gruff old man, or such as he had become over the past several years, was enthralled to hear his son was starting a family of his own. He was particularly happy to find out that his bride would in fact be none other than his childhood friend. Such had been predicted by Fionn�s mother not long before she died, and Myron had only been waiting for the day.
�Have you spoken of when the wedding shall be?� asked Myron.
�Not yet, but we think it will be quite soon, father. I would like to wed her before she needs to return to the Walled Cities,� said Fionn.
�Are you mad, boy? You cannot seriously intend on marrying the poor lass and then sending her off to live by herself again?� asked Myron in disbelief. Fionn just stared at him for a moment, and then turned to Akorsa who shook her head.
�You cannot come with me; it is entirely out of the question. I would not do that to you, and besides, someone needs to care for the flock. I cannot stay here because of my duties. We will have to make do,� she said.
�The flock can be tended to by another, at least for a time,� said Myron sternly. �No son of mine will marry a girl and then send her off to suffer life alone. You go with her or I put a stop to all of this immediately.� Fionn raised his hands defensively before his grizzly old father could make anymore threats, which were justified, but still slightly frightening to the young couple.
�Very well, I shall go with Akorsa to the Walled Cities,� he said, his agreement managing to appease his father. Akorsa opened her mouth to protest but Fionn firmly interrupted her. �It should only need to be for a short time. Soon enough this disaster with the Maseriff will be over and we can both return home.�
�You shall not enjoy it there in the least,� she warned him. �It is a dreadful place being near those politicians. They are vile and evil people who care for nothing but themselves. I cannot wait much longer until this is all over, and I need not deal with this nonsense any more.�
�The truth is, that eventually the Proctorage will dissolve entirely because it is ineffective, it will be overthrown, or we will find another to send in your place,� said Myron. �We simply need to let things run their course for the time being; until we figure out what direction the lot of this is headed in.�
�You are right, father,� agreed Fionn. �But do come, Akorsa, I shall take you home, for it is approaching a late hour, and your mother and father would have you under their care after such a long time away. We shall discuss more of this upon the morrow, I do think.� Akorsa nodded, and, after bidding goodnight to her future father-in-law, Fionn led her home.
- - - -
For the first night in many, Akorsa slept peacefully, feeling blissfully safe in her old cot, in the room she shared with dearest little Keihl. She slept better that night than she had since she had left Arimythia, and had several, of what she would call serene, dreams. Within the verges of her dreamscape, Akorsa saw the happiness of her life to come with Fionn. She saw a home, abundant happiness, and the many children she hoped were to come. She slept the whole night through without interruption or waking, a smile of contentment on her face the whole while.
