"I name him Eranor," Maev said, and for the first time in many years, there was softness to her eyes and voice, a deep love and compassion she let emerge through the brick walls that had always guarded her soul. "Eranor Eleison, a noble prince of Requiem."

The baby slept in her arms, his hair dark like his father's. Dorvin gazed at his son with pride.

"A future warrior," he said.

Maev shook her head. "May he never know war. May Eranor become a man of peace and wisdom, and may he never swing a sword, and may he never blow fire in rage or fear." She kissed her son. "May he know nothing but the song of wind in birches and the light of our halls."

The carpet of dry leaves was thicker, and the branches of trees almost bare, when Laira too entered the palace, holding her own babe. The little girl gurgled, her hair black like her mother’s, but her eyes were large and brown like her father's.

Laira placed the newborn in Jeid's arms. "Your daughter. Issari Aeternum, Princess of Requiem. May she forever be blessed." Laira raised her eyes and gazed up at the stars that emerged in the sunset. "May those we lost forever protect her. May they look down upon us now from our celestial halls, and may they feel blessed."

Jeid rose from his throne and held his newborn daughter to his chest. The King of Requiem beamed with pride, and a smile rose on his lips, but sadness filled his eyes too. Laira stepped closer and placed her hand upon his chest.

"I see grief in you," she whispered.

King Aeternum nodded. "As new life rises, I think about those we lost. As the laughter of babes rings through our halls, I remember my tears for those who fell. But I know they're up there. That they watch over us." Holding his daughter with one arm, he wrapped his other arm around Laira. "We lost families, but we found new life, and we build new homes. Together, Laira. Always."

That evening, all the people of Requiem stepped into the hall of their king. They wore white tunics, and many held scarves of silver and green, the new colors of their kingdom. Above the hall fluttered a great standard of cloth, green like spring leaves, and silver stars were sewn in the shape of the Draco constellation. The largest among them was the dragon's eye, which they called Issari's Star. The true constellation shone above, its light falling upon King's Column and the children of Requiem.

A girl named Tilai played a harp, and men and women lit many clay lanterns. With light and song, Jeid and Laira, King and queen of Requiem, presented their daughter to their people.