"Oh, Van - " She closed her eyes against a surge of tears of her own, but these were born of joy. Child - oh, child, you rise above my expectations. That was the very last thing I ever thought I'd hear from your lips right now. "'tan - ke'chara - the Heralds will want you. How can they not want you? You are a Herald already.''
"I - am? I am?" He stared at her, bewildered, clearly unable to believe her.
She reached over to the chair and pulled her white cloak from it, draping it carefully over him. He clutched it, his eyes wide, his face reflecting all of his changing emotions, as he moved from hopelessness through surprise, to a joy that equaled her own.
" - there. There's your Whites to prove it. You have a bit more to learn; we'll be staying here for a few moons yet while Starwind teaches you - but Vanyel, what makes a Herald is the heart. A caring heart, that cares for others before itself. And you are a Herald."
He smiled then, a smile so sweet and so happy that it stopped her breath, and closed his eyes in absolute contentment, falling asleep with one hand still clutching the cloak to him.
- yes, Withen. You would be very proud. I know I am.