I disliked the ending to Mercedes Lackey's Brightly Burning well not as much disliked as it left me wondering. What if Lan hadn't burned him and Kalira up in his firestorm. What if Kalira had only been injured instead of killed and that kept Lan grounded enough to protect himself and his beloved Companion. What kind of Herald would the Firestarter have been. What job do you assign someone that dangerous? Would Lan ever get over the fact that he could kill someone in an instant and had before and would have to again. These questions buzzed in my head till I started this.

Disclaimer: The characters, creatures, and places in this story are not of my own invention but of Mercedes Lackey, a wonderful author of continued excellent (70 books at the last count). This is just a "what if" fan fiction based off her book Brightly Burning and the character Lavan Firestorm.

Lan Comes Home

A tired smile spread across Lavan Firestorm's face as he caught site of Haven ahead spread out in all her lovely winter whiteness. He glanced at the clouds and judged it would start snowing again before he reached the gates and decided to not bother hurrying. Kalira beneath him agreed, Besides how will they know it's you until they see the snow melting off of you, she said ruefully.

I'm kind of hoping no one will recognize me period thank you very much. Havens, it's been years since that war you'd think the tales would have at least calmed down a bit.

Lavan thought with a sigh.

No such luck my love. At least with the non-Heralds, at the Collegia they'll just welcome you home and go on. They might want to hear a few stories of what you've been doing but other than that, she gave the mental equivalent of a shrug.

Well at least no one likely to recognize me beside the whole not affected by the cold thing. Kalira agreed with her Chosen on that point. The Herald's had sent out a boy on his first circuit, since he'd been thrown into Whites too soon and now they we're going to get a man coming back too battle worn to be called a boy anymore by anyone.

Lavan had ridden out of Havens almost a year ago on Kalira in Autumn. He'd been loaded with typical supplies of a nice normal circuit for a first timer; a couple of uniforms, some trail rations, his weapons, etc. He'd been scheduled to meet up with a seasoned Herald and learn the ropes for the next 3 months before heading back to report. At least that had been the plan. He'd met up with Herald Tatra and they had started on his circuit. They just didn't expect so many instants that required someone with Lan's skill. So many bandit uprisings and border breaches that had been ended with the flames that sparked from Lan. Tetra had eventually left him to take care of things in one town while she rode on to another. Lan saw her only occasionally after that as they chanced upon the same town to save. But even those stopped when she went home and he stayed to strike fear into the hearts of anyone who so much as thought of attacking his range of protection. Finally he'd gotten the call to come home as soon as he was relieved.

He chuckled now to remember how he'd slung his pack on his back and leaped into Kalira's saddle when the troops accompanied by three Heralds, two of them just in Whites trotted into the town as he was checking the lines that day. He'd stopped long enough to give a short run through of the situation and then grabbed the saddle for balance as they set off for home at a brisk pace, Kalira just as eager to leave the constant hassle of maintaining a border behind as he was. Now as he approached the gates he sighed at that the feeling of home coming washed over him in a place he thought he'd never be able to think of as home.

He absently wondered if anyone besides Tetra would recognize him when he rode in. He'd rode out a pale, lanky boy of seventeen, with short red brown wavy hair, a brand new herald uniform and cloak on his back, a somewhat shaky hold on his power and slightly haunted eyes. He was returning a lean man of eighteen, with long red-gold hair that swayed with Kalira's gait against his lower back, one once white uniform with no sleeves, scorch marks, the odd patch and no whole uniforms in his pack or a cloak.

Lan's power usage right now was reflex with hair triggers from the battle field but his hold on it was astounding considering how he started out. He'd never felt so accomplished as the day he lit a candle without melting it.

One thing that hadn't changed however was Lavan's eyes. They still held the haunted look they had the day he'd rode down from that peak on which he'd burned the Karsite's army to no more than ashes, only now his eyes had seen even more but slowly he was learning how to deal with it. Living among the people threatened and seeing their faces lift up to him in fear and hope and had took some of the sting of murder away but not as much as Lavan or Kalira would have liked. She still stubbornly maintained his innocence and constantly pointed out why he wasn't guilty of anything but protecting people from those that would hurt them. One young girl who had lost her parents to raiders rose up in his mind followed by what he'd done to said raiders afterwards. He shook his head and again and concentrated on the little girl who he had seen to have been adopted by a nice family.

The snow started to fall as he passed the gates with a nod at the gaping guardsmen. One more thing about Lavan's power he absently recalled as a snow flake whirled down to land on his knuckle as his hands rested on the saddle pommel and hissed as it quickly melted. His power being so easily accessed had come at a price. His body and the air around him stayed a certain temperature no matter what. He had it gauged at around a hundred degrees or so because it always felt like an extremely hot summer to him. It made things easily he had to admit that. He no longer got the headaches or sickness and this time it wasn't Kalira holding them off, the constant temperature had turned into his way of dealing with power overflow, the air around him became more heated according to his emotions, and his power's access was constant because it was never turned off.

He yawned as he rode through the busy streets of Haven, ignoring the odd looks thrown his way by the bundled up shoppers and merchants as he rode through in naught but his thin torn uniform. Kalira easily dodged through the bustling stalls and hawkers to less inhabited streets; there she broke out into a hurried trot. The Collegia gates were just ahead, she slowed down only a little to be recognized by the Guard before heading straight to the stables.

Lavan slid down the side of Kalira and leaned smiling against her. She bumped his shoulder, Go get a bath, some food, and some sleep, in that order.

But.. He protested. No buts she said I'm in good hands now go put yourself in some good hands. She pushed him towards the dorms. He smiled thankfully before pulling what was left of his pack from her saddle before following orders and ambling towards his room.

He nodded and smiled as he passed the many young Trainees in the hallway almost thankful for seeing no familiar faces. He dumped his gear in the corner his room and looked at his soft bed with its thick coverlet and fine linens. The guilt offering from his family had been easily transferred to his Herald room as it had been to his Trainee room. Not that he'd had even a night to enjoy it before being sent out on circuit. Oh well, he thought, Kalira said bath first then food then bed. I wouldn't want to sleep in that clean bed as dirty as I am anyway.

Lavan found a faded black tunic and some leggings from before he was Chosen and judged they'd be a bit short but would do and gathering some toiletries headed for the bathing room. He finished this task quickly but efficiently and feeling cleaner than he had been in months he followed the smell of food along with the tide of Trainees as the lunch bell called them.

Lavan piled a plate full of his favorites and then ambled over to where he saw Pol sitting. Tuck he assumed was out on circuit somewhere and Elenor was probably at the Healer's somewhere. He slumped down in the sit next to his old mentor and shot him a smile that was returned with a friendly smile but a look of slight confusion. Pol's eyes drifted for a few seconds as Lan assumed he was talking with Satiran then snapped back as the Herald frowned. Lan heard Kalira laugh as he stuffed his mouth full of good food before reaching for his cup of cider to wash it down. My father has refused to tell him who you are and he's grumpy about it. Kalira continued to giggle.

Lan smirked and replied, Can't blame him much after all I've been gone a year and we rode pretty fast to get here. Most probably aren't expecting us back yet. All the better if we're going to lay in for a few days. Lan thought longingly of his bed and shoveled in his food faster before being chided by Kalira, It's not going anywhere beloved. Slow down. You're going to make yourself sick. Lan obeyed and slowed his eating and watched as Pol studied him.

Pol recognized this young man with haunted eyes as someone who'd just came back from circuit and knew better than to interrupt his feeding on the first good food he'd probably had in ages. He thought he recognized the young man's slow smile and haunted eyes but couldn't quite place him. Finally Lan stopped eating enough to turn to Pol.

"Hello Herald Pol. How are your eyes?" Lan questioned. When he'd left Ilea had been slowly healing the Herald.

"Fine, thank you." Pol replied with a still inquisitive look on his face as he stared at Lan. He didn't notice someone had joined them across the table until she spoke.

"I see you're finally back youngling." The robust female voice startled Pol out of his puzzling. A hatchet faced woman said down across from the young man beside him. Pol recognized her as Tetra, chosen of Lynal. She was the Herald who had went out with Lavan nearly a year ago. But she had been out and back again with still no sign of….

"Lan!" His shout nearly made the young man he'd just recognize choke and had startled most of the people around him. A few people had recognized Lavan Firestorm but choose to let him have his reunion with his old mentor in peace. Now focus turned toward him at Pol's shout and the shimmering air surrounding his seatmate.

Lan swallowed and reached for his cup of cider, "Don't do that." He stated before drinking to sooth his throat and to give him time to rein himself in. He had barely stopped the dragon from lashing out in surprise at his old mentor and now the flames raced just under his skin wanting an outlet. Lan wasn't angry at Pol though. This was just a normal part of being him. Soon the heat would subside to his normal temperature and he'd been fine. For right now though the power was there at his fingertips just waiting for a chance to burn.

Pol was wincing and from his face Lan could guess that Kalira through Satiran was currently scolding him. Lan waited for his glance and smiled at him in forgiveness only to jump and once again grit his teeth to keep from catching aflame at the loud crash behind him. He turned and looked to find a young Trainee looking horrified at the mess in front of him. Broken clay pieces from the large pitcher he had been carrying littered the ground before the fire which was sizzling from its remaining heat. A majority of what was once a pot seemed to be inside the fireplace where there no longer was any fire.

Lan guessed from Pol's shiver that without the fire the persistent cold was now creeping into the hall. The cook had come running out of the kitchen at the crash and was looking distressed at the fire and the boy though he looked to be trying mightily to rein in his temper at the moment as the small child looked about to cry.

Lan winced and arose from his seat to go to the fireplace. He smiled down at the lad and offered him a hand up. When the boy let go of his hand as soon as he was upright he winced again forgetting his heat. He frowned at his hand but smiled at the boy and said in a jokingly reassuring tone, "Thanks I haven't set anything on fire all day." He mock saluted the boy and turned on his heel towards the fireplace as the cook slowed to watch him.

A flame roared up unexpectedly from the soaked ashes and Lan hastily placed some more wood into the fire. He stood up and dust the wood chips from his hands before turning and smiling at the boy and the cook. Having released some energy his temperature had cooled and once again he held out his hand to the boy.

"Hi, my name is Lavan Firestorm as you might have guessed," Lan's mouth twisted sarcastically, "I used to have your job of carrying things. Word of advice don't carry so much it might mean more trips to the kitchen but you're not as likely to drop things and if you do well you weren't carrying a lot. What's your name?" The boy's eyes had bugged out at hearing the hero's name but now he looked at Lan's hand. He rubbed his slightly red hand but slowly reached for Lan's anyway. Lan frowned, "It's ok I've cooled down now."

The boy touched Lan's hand and noticed an large fever like heat but as he was not actually burned he grasp Lan's hand firmly and excited shook it up and down. "My name's Fin, Finjoustet Latterhorn and it's an honor to meet you Mr. Firestorm, Sir. I was just Chosen a few days ago but I've heard all about you and, and thanks for your help. Do ya think cook'll be mad? How do you do that?"

Lan stood with his hand still clasped with both of Fin's he was braced luckily or the energetic boy would have toppled his exhausted form. Hungry he'd been able to resist sleep, with a full belly things weren't so easy and his eyelids refuse to rise about half mast. Yawning he answered the boy, "Nice to meet you Fin. All the way from the Cathar Region, impressive I just came from near there. Just Lan's fine. Congratulations and welcome. Don't believe anything you hear I'm no hero. You're welcome. He's pretty understanding about stuff like that and I have no idea."

Fin's eyes bugged out again and Lan smiled at him and cook behind him before taking back his hand. "Now if you'll excuse I think I'm going to sleep for a week or so wake me when it thaws." He turned towards where he'd left his plate only to be waved off by Pol and Tetra.

"Go to bed youngling you look about to fall asleep on your feet. No matter what anyone says sleeping in the saddle ain't sleep." Tetra gave him a shove towards the door with a smile.

"We'll talk later Lan. It's good to have you home again." Pol smiled gently at the young man.

Lan returned the smiles, "It's good to be home." He yawned and stretched as he walked towards the door. The last Pol saw of him was several inches of skin revealed when he lifted his arms above his head. Shaking his head and making a note to tell the seamstresses to prepare some new uniforms for Lan and to send someone with a message to the king and Lan's family and friends. Lavan Firestorm was back in Haven.

Yeah see I think he'd have been a good Herald had he lived.

Tell me what you think. I had more ideas for this, like him meeting his family for Yule dinner, seeing Tuck and Elenor again, the puzzlement over his strange body heat and the need to never wear anything heavier than summer clothes ever again, his continued feelings of guilt over his (to his mind) persistent habit of murdering those who wrong others (raiders, rapists, pillagers, real murderers, etc. Lan's been busy over the last year), his and Kalira's ahem relationship, and his and Kalira's fortunate immunity to fire and heat (though the clothes on his back be not so lucky).

Given how long it took me to write this (off and on for a year) it is doubtful those will ever be realized though I leave you to wonder if nothing else.

If you want to write one of those scenarios that's fine too, I'll post it off you and give credit where credits due, smirk to Mercedes Lackey for the character of Lan in the first place. Just kidding we'll post your name in bold print at the top no problem.

Review Please