Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Brothers Reunited.

Kir felt at peace. Truly, wholly, at peace. He felt like he was finally home, could feel the sun on his face, tears poured out of his eyes. He cried not just for the peace he felt. But also with the knowledge that he would not be able to stay here.  Keeping his eye close he stood waiting to be cast out, knowing that if he opened his eyes, he would not be able to do what he must.

“Welcome my child.” The Voice said.

“I have a vow I have yet to complete and before I am to be judged I must ask that I be allowed to complete this.” Kir’s voice cracked with so many emotions. “I ask to meet the Herald Kris.” Everything seem to be still and Kir felt like he was being judged. Keeping his eyes closed he waited. Kir was not sure how long he waited the voice finally responded.

“The one you seek is not here. Will you accept what must be done so that you can bring justice to the one that hurt your brother?”  Without hesitation, Kir agreed. A warm hand was placed on his brow and Kir suddenly felt like everything was different.

With eyes still closed Kir took stock of himself. It took an exceptionally long time as he did not believe what he was feeling. 

<em>:I can tell you all the people that have the best snacks. And Hansa knows who give the best scratches if Elder Jocelyn’s hands are hurting too much.: </em> Kari’s mind voice offered a bit of normalcy for Kir. As his eyes finally snapped open and he turned his head and both ears to point at Kari. Kari sat behind a Priestess, on the back of a bay-colored horse. Kir realized he was similarly riding behind a Priest.

<em>:Altra and I have popped in a few times. This is the new Envoy to Valdemar so they would not be surprised when you showed up. Altra is going to stay with the Envoys as usual. But you have been given leave to explore our allies’ home area. And as needed to provide any information that the Son of the Son or Altra that may help keep the alliance strong. Or pass on to me if it is Wichta and need more Firestarters to burn it.:</em> Kari blink his eyes slowly. Then with amusement in his voice said, <em>:make sure you scratch the baster once for me!: </em> with that Kari vanished in a flare of fire.

Kir finally looked around and realized they were in a large city, not in Karse. They came upon a large gate and after some checking of papers and much exchange of words they were let in.  It finally dawned on Kir that Kris must be a companion! Kir was going to punch a Companion!  Then a second issue came rushing on the heels of the first, how was he going to punch with cat paws?! Before the two thoughts could spiral out of control a voice cut through his growing panic.

<em>:KIR!!!!: </em> Anur’s voice all but cackled with glee and promised mayhem. Kir was off the Priest’s horse and running full speed for the glowing white horse that he knew, from a lifetime of being mentally bonded, was Anur.   They butted heads and were oblivious to the stillness that overcame the courtyard as everyone watched as the two acted quite different than what was expected from a Companion and Firecat.

<em>:I need to find Kris: </em>  Kir finally told Anur when their greeting was winding down.  

<em>:He came in right before you did:</em> Anur’s voice was cold as he broadcast, <em> :Kris: </em>  one companion whose rider was just dismounting jostle his head and looked at Anur. Kir was over to him in a flash and bated the sensitive nose twice with his claws out and was back to Anur before Kris realized what had happened. As Kris whinnied in pain.

<em>:My brother has been avenged: </em> Kir broadcast, ignoring the commotion that was going on in the courtyard.

<em>:Take that Kris! Kir hop on, Aurelius hold on tight!:</em> Anur cackled manically and broadcast so that everyone in the courtyard could hear. Kir leap onto the pad that was covering Anur’s rump. Anur then leaped into a full run. Not that he needed to ride, he was pretty sure he could just appear where he wanted to. And now that he could feel his brother’s mind again he knew he could always jump straight to him.  and one last memory filter into his mind from The Voice before he had been transported. ‘You must find your brother again in this lifetime to feel his mind like you did before. That is the rule.’ He was so very grateful that it had not been a long journey. He had vague memories of stories where it had taken the heart sibling years and a lot of heartaches to be rejoined. Of course, those stories were about people reborn as people and not a firecat and a companion, so maybe that part of it?

“what the, ANUR STOP!” Aurelius shouted but keep himself low and tight to his companion. Kir flexed his claw, he checked with Anur that he was not hurting him.

<em>:Anur is this really the best first meeting between your herald and myself?: </em> He asked archly. Knowing the humor and happiness was still coming through his voice.

<em>:Sure it is! No one is on fire yet, and there was minimal screaming.: </em> Anur slow to a trot as the city fell behind them.

<em>:You do realize Firecat can set things on fire right? And you have so much more hair now.:?: </em> Kir responded smugly as he took in the fertile countryside so very different from his home.

<em>:?!:</em> Anur responded as Aurelius snickered.

Chapter Text

Anur heard the chiming, no it was singing, an almost thrumming in his bones. He shook his head but it did not clear it out. Lifting his head up he watched Kris prance around following one of the mares. Snorting he wanders away. Ignoring a couple of the other companions who called out to him to join him for a run. He was not feeling very talkative. Which was unusual for him and the other companion knew it.

:You know what you need to do: Rolan came up next to him. Anur crow-hopped to the side in surprise.

:Yup need to get some food, and maybe a good brushing: Anur said switching his tail, doing a good job ignoring Rolan’s stare.

:He will never get chosen if you don’t go.: Rolan said then almost under his breath, :and Havens help the rest of us if you don’t.:

:What tired of my chatting your ear off?: Anur voice laughter in his mind voice. Rolan snickers a laugh as he charged off to chase some of the youngsters.

Anur ignored the singing for several more days, he was not sure why he did. Actually, he did, he didn’t want to put anyone else through all the things he had been through.

Rolan came up to him again, though this time he saw the white shadow sneaking across the field towards him. He kept staring at the stars though.

:You’re not happy here. Too many bad memories. Go get your chosen and start to build up new ones.: Rolan said quietly standing next to Anur.

:What if…: Anur didn’t finish that sentence, he did not know how to articulate what he was worried about. Rolan turned and used his head to shove Anur. Who nearly tripped but managed to catch himself at the last moment.

:We are no longer at war with them, you-.:  Rolan shook his head and changed what he was saying, :Also your chosen is more level-headed than you and will be unlikely to make the same missteps as you. Go.:

And before he knew it he was out of Haven letting the song take over. The song tickled a memory, something he heard before. Sighing to himself at the sense of missing that was always there. Most of the companions just said it because he was going to have a chosen someday. But it was more than that, unlike most companions, he had some memories blocked and he knew it. He wonder why he agreed to that to come back. But it had always felt like half his life was blocked and just little things made him feel almost homesick.

As he ran a memory, one from his days as a companion foal, popped into his head. He chuckled at the memory of him as a foal, sneaking into the Karse envoys room on a dare from one of the other companions to put something in their room without them aware and to sneak back out.  As soon as he had stepped into the room, the smell and colors had felt like he was home and he paused for a long moment. The memories tickling the back of his mind that want to come out. But the wall blocking them murmured not yet, not yet. Then he had smelt something that had his mouth watering he follow it to a box. Nosing it open there was delicious cake inside. He had been found out, as he had eaten all the cake, then had been nosing around the room for more. Leaving trails of clothes and cake everywhere. He had gotten in so much trouble. Luckily the fire cat that worked with the Envoys, Altra, had laughingly helped smooth over the issues. And had even bought him some more cake for every gift-giving holiday.

Anur was not sure how long he had run in search but found himself standing in the trees and the song was quiet. The boy was chopping wood.   

Aurelius was his name and Anur felt something want to click home. But he would not allow. Not till Aurelius accepted.

Though Aurelius looked like he spent way too much time working studiously. Anur eyes narrowed in thought Something would have to be done about that.  Looking around he plucked a flower of a plant that look like it was about to lose it petals with his teeth and pranced over to his chosen. When he had turned to get a new log Anur shook the petals and made a small snow shower over the boy.  He spluttered and tuned then froze. His eyes wide in shock at the companion standing there. After an eternity of him staring at Anur he straightened up.

“You’re here for me.” He said. “I need to let…

:Of course of course, but first, you have to catch me!: Anur let out a horsey whiny then pranced back.

“What? That not how the songs go” Aurelius frowned. Setting down the ax and following him.

:psh bards.: Anur pulled some leaves off a near by tree and threw them at him.

“what ack.” Aurelius spluttered and then launch himself at Anur.

An hour later Anur was flopped down on the ground with Aurelius laying on him.

 Aurelius looked at Anur and said, “We will always be together.”

:Always.: Anur let the boy into his heart and felt them click. He frowned mentally as the joy was tempered by something that was still not right.

:Is it supposed to feel like this? Like something missing?:  Aurelius asked in his head, hugging Anur’s neck tightly. Anur sighed mentally.

:No, but all Rolan says when I ask is give it time. So we will make it work and give it time.:  He pushed Aurelius onto his saddle. :How do you feel about Karse spice-cake? There is several bakers in Haven that make them but the only person that will bring me some is the Firecat.: Anur practically whined as he took them toward the town at Aurelius bequest.

“What did I get myself into?” he sighed way too wearily for a thirteen-year-old. Anur would definitely have to fix that.

*-*-*-

Several Years later:

Anur felt something, a buzzing at the edge of his mind, almost like he was on search again, but the song was different. It made him think of shimmery arrowheads.  He could almost ignore it in all the commotion. Aurelius and he had got their first independent run. They had a bundle of orders to take to the guard posts along the route between Haven and Hardorn.  There was also the new envoy from Karse expected in today plus several other companion pairs coming and going in the courtyard.

Anur felt Aurelius pat him on his neck as Kris came in with his rider. He almost missed it with how loud the song was getting. Aurelius had never asked about the animosity between them but knew they did not get along. Luckily Kris’s rider was several years older and they had been out of the castle for most of Aurelius’ schooling.

:Can you hear that song?: Aurelius asked wistfully. Anur nodded his head it was so loud now.

Then he saw it. On the rump of one of the Karse envoy’s horses was a Firecat, not Altra, but a different one. And suddenly Anur remembered. Everything. He felt a lifetime of memories wash over him. He felt Aurelius mentally shielding him as he got his bearings, he could feel Aurelius worry. He could also feel Kir crackling of warmth was turning into a blaze of wildfire. So he did what he did best.

And he was all out of hands to make tea with.

:KIR!!!!!: He open broadcast to everyone in the courtyard to hear him, letting the glee of finally being whole fill his voice.

Before Anur could blink Kir was at his feet and they butted heads, no words were needed as their mind reconnected and they basked in each other’s warmth.

He felt his ears twitched as he heard Aurelius murmur, “ah, this was what was missing.”

Kir finally back up and said :I need to find Kris.:

:He came in right before you did: Anur said, knowing his mental voice was full of a lot of emotion, but it was his brother, and he knew it all already. He raised his head and said loudly  :Kris:

Kris shook his head then turned his head to glare at Anur with a wordless ‘what’.

With a flash, Kir was at Kris. There was a horse whinny in pain.

Then Kir said in broadcast to everyone present. :My brother has been avenged.:

:Take that Kris! Kir hop on.: Anur cackled :Aurelius hold on tight!: Kir hopped on to his rump.

He had been teased for years that he was always had a cold rump. Because he always demanded his saddle blanket be extra long over his back and rump and that it be double thickness past the saddle. Now he knew why he always demanded it. And why Rolan had helped him get the first one made to his specifications. He felt Kir mentally check with him that he was not clawing his rump. Where he had dug his claws in the blanket. Then he leaped. Using all his power as compaion to move past people and at speed he was gone before anyone in the courtyard could decied what to do.

“What the, ANUR STOP!” Aurelius shouted, but held himself low and tight like they had spent hours upon hours practicing.  To anyone else, he sounded upset, but Anur could hear the sigh of ‘and what is my crazy horse getting me in to now’ humor in the tone.  Then they were past the castle gates and running for Haven’s main gates. Most of the locals wondered what must be up for a companion to be charging full tilt through the town but not worried.

:Anur is this really the best first meeting between your herald and myself?: Kir asked his mind once again a warm campfire against his mind, with Aurelius a steady wall to his back.

:Sure it is! No one is on fire yet and there was minimal screaming.:  Anur slow to a trot as the city fell behind them raising his head and tail high to flag in the wind.

:You do realize Firecats can set things on fire right? And you have so much more hair now.: Kir responded smugly

:?!: Anur responded as Aurelius snickered.

:Finally, someone to help me reign in this troublemaker.:  Aurelius said including the firecat.

Anur knew there would be some kind of punishment for what Kir and he did. He suspects that Rolan and his friendship with Altra would help smooth most things over. And if not he knew which bakery in Haven had the best spice cake. He’d just have Aurelius buy some for Kirs or the Envoys, whoever needed the apologies from them.

The importing thing was that he had his heart brothers back.