We gave Mother Willow a good fright when we entered the kitchen. She was sitting at the table dicing apples. Raven walked in first and she dropped the knife and let out a squeak. She went pale and leaned back in her chair. I came up behind him smiling, he glanced back at me, then turned and smiled at Mother. Her mouth fell open for a quick second before she jumped from her seat. I watched her eyes shifting fastly between him and I, and then she fell to her knees sobbing and thanking Odin for the return of her children.

Raven went to her and held her, she cried and cried. She cried out of relief, joy, her lost children returned to her. I stood and watched the scene before me. Her and Raven both on their knees,him rocking her, apologizing, they both cried. Ash came in from the back door “Look at this, Look who has come home to us at last” Mother said. She squeezed Raven and then wiped her face on her sleeve and got up. Ash looked at me and I nodded, yes, it was ok.

He walked over to Raven, a grin lit his face as he punched him square on the jaw. With that Mother began yelling at him, and Father came running. “It’s ok Mother, I deserved that and more” Raven said and pulled Ash into a hug. Father just shook his head and said “Well Willow, hope ye made a plenty of stew seems like all the children are home, and just in time to help me with fixing the stable afore winter” and slapped Raven on the back as he sat down at the table.

With that Mother began excitedly finishing preparing sup, yelling at Raven and Ash for stealing her apples she was cutting for the stew. I leaned down and gave Father a hug, and he patted my hand, “Ye’ve done a good thing Lass” he said with a wink. I just smiled and headed to the door to call Balzar and Sage in to eat.

And so we had a delicious dinner, no one cooks like Mother! Then the men headed out side to do whatever it is they do. Mother, Sage, Balzar and I retired to the sitting room. I read aloud while Mother sewed, Balzar was carving something and Sage dozed off and on in front of the fire. I was getting tired when the men entered the room. Raven went and kissed Mother good night, then reached his hand out to me. I took it, rising and bidding everyone good night and headed to bed with him.

We didn’t make love, or speak, he just held me and stroked my hair. I remember thinking, what a perfect day, as I fell asleep.