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to burst and not sure what to say, Kaeleigh embraced the woman before her with more emotion than she had ever exhibited in her life so far. Nearly knocking her over with her sudden burst, she could tell that she had surprised the woman as she was caught off balance. Kaeleigh could feel her strength and solidity as she hugged her... her mother. She never thought she would be able to do that. The woman embraced her back with as much if not more emotion—emotion in its most pure and raw form... love—than Kaeleigh had ever felt. So much had happened and changed in the recent days she was reeling to try to grasp what was happening to her. Now here in this strange and rather unbelievable place, when she never thought she would know where she came from or who her family had been, was not only her grandfather, but now her mother. She felt the urgency emanating off the woman in front of her, but she couldn’t help but be enveloped by her mother’s presence and try to hold onto her energy for as long as she could.
    Obviously not wanting to step back and end the hug, but feeling that time was short, the woman pulled away from Kaeleigh but continued to hold onto her shoulders while she looked into her eyes. “You are truly a beautiful young woman, Kaeleighnna. I have thought of you every moment and have tried to reach out and guide you when I have had the power to do so.” She took a deep breath, her words caught in her throat, but she continued, “I am truly proud of the woman you have become.” She lowered her eyes in guilt. “I am sorry for not being there for you physically. I have regretted not being with you every moment of my continued existence, but you must know that we—your father and I—only wanted to protect you.” She sighed. “I hope you can forgive us... forgive me.”
    Kaeleigh could feel her mother’s hands shaking as she held her shoulders. She had been hurt and angry for so long in her life, but always knew there had to be a reason, that there had to be family out there somewhere wondering about her, and she’d been right. This was what she had wanted: to get answers, to find what she could about who she was and where she came from. This was an opportunity that she was not about to let out of her grasp just because she was furious about having to grow up without her own parents. Looking her mother in the eyes and seeing the hurt and brokenness and longing for her daughter to understand, Kaeleigh burst with love all over again., “I do. I forgive you... Mother.” Then they embraced again and both were crying tears of loss and tears of joy.
    Suddenly Kaeleigh jerked her head up, looking curiously into her mother’s face. “What is your name?” Kaeleigh asked softly with a hint of a giggle.
    The woman smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. Releasing Kaeleigh’s shoulders, she gripped her hand, pulling her over to a large boulder that suddenly appeared so they could sit and talk. She looked at Kaeleigh, “My name is Eva.” She paused, anticipating Kaeleigh’s need to jump in with another question.
    “You, Hunter, and that priestess from the forest all called me ‘Kaeleighnna.’ Is that my real name?”
    Eva nodded with concern in her eyes., “Yes, it is... Kaeleighnna iliathe´yll Sayaelílth. I was not aware that Andreinna spoke to you. That is... interesting,” she said, trying to work something out in her mind. Kaeleigh’s forehead creased with confusion, and. Eva amended, “I am not sure what that means, but it is very rare that she speaks with anyone.”
    “She welcomed me ‘Kaeleighnna of the Orchaedia.’ What does that mean... Mother?” She hesitated as she tested out the word “mother” but then felt right about it. Apparently so did her mother; she practically glowed with the biggest smile back at Kaeleigh.
    Hesitantly approaching the answer, “Kaeleigh, how much has your grandfather explained to you?”
    “Not very much,” she replied, a bit disappointed. “Where am I? Am