*Gwanalla stood at the heavy, oaken door and looked towards the portal at the other side of her garden. Figures began appearing, standing together as if unsure what to do. She walked toward them and stopped at the edge of the walk*
"Welcome to the Keep! I hope you will be comfortable here and have a good time looking around the Valley! There is much to see and learn!"
*looking to Babemagnet, she saw a package wrapped and tied*
"The Crest?" she asked.
*Babe nodded and shifted his bulk to hold it in front of him*
"Ya! Da crest ov our fambly. We brung it wid us!"
*Gwan smiled at the group and motioned for them to follow*
"We'll put it up in the Great Room! The story behind your family will continue with us! We've all grown together for these many years. Perhaps you can tell the story to us sometime, as we assemble together."
*entering the Keep, Gwan pointed to a spot at the end of the room, high on the wall between two long windows*
"I think it would go nicely there, don't you?" and seeing Volse walk in from the storeage room, she introduced them all and asked him to find the ladder and help secure the crest to it's new place.
*about 15 minutes later, midst much sideline coaching from the gathering Guardians, the crest hung proudly. The light catching the carvings, as tho to reinforce the pride and magesty it held!
*some stood, heads bowed low. Others stood looking up at the symbol of a great family. Rosiecotten walked over to Babe and, looking up, hugged his knee. The old warrior reached down and lifted her to his shoulder. In the shifting light, Stevyn's voice was heard as it caught a bit and announced...*
"Welcome to our Family, Guardians of Kelethin! May we live together now as one voice!"
*and a voice from the door added, "And may friendships continue thru the ages and the stories be told thru the realm for all time to come!"
*everyone turned to see Filigree, Lesk, Loquen, Jentel and others who were traveling family members, and greeted them with a shout!
Darvan raised his tankard and yelled, "To Family!!!
*Janden, handing out mugs and stiens, looked at Wiilf and smiled broadly* "Two great families now become one. Welcome, brother!"
*and as the sun set that evening and rooms were being given that special, personalized touch by their new occupants, a candle was lit in the South Tower as Tibbarian signified unity and hope for the future. Then she returned to the North Tower, checked the Halas candle and bid Karana to bring those others, still traveling, home once more*