Author’s Note: Well, well, well. I’m the first! WHOOOHOOOOOO!....Ahem. Hi there. I’m your lovely adorable authoress, Sabrina, High Empress of Insanity. And this is my first foray into a happy romance story!...insofar as a story can be where both the main characters die at the end. But it’s happy, and fluffy, and angsty at times, and I’m proud to be the author first actual Exiles-related story here! I’m surprised there aren’t more...ahem. I get to be two in one, the first Exiles STORY AND the first Val/Alin fic ^_^. It’ll be very long, it spans the fill ten years of their knowing each other, from the first meeting to their deaths. *Sobs* Why? WHY?...ahem. So, here goes nothing! Enjoy, and let me know if you do by reviewing ^_^.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Ostins, Maurgens, Alvassays, or any of Lenfell, even if I do have Val, Alin, Aidan, Collan, and Josselin tied up in my closet.



Chapter One


“I think we knew each other before we were born.”
-Alin Ostin to Sarra Liwellan


The ten year old boy gaped, pale blue eyes wide. “You didn’t, Tevis!”

His older brother nodded. “I did so, Alin. Ask her if you don’t believe me.”

“You’re lying,” Alin accused, but weakly. He looked at Tevis doubtfully. “Mai wouldn’t never let you....would she?”

“Mai would never let him, and no, she wouldn't,” Miram answered, glaring at Tevis. “He’s showing off. And you need to work on your grammar more, Alin. You’ll be in a larger school soon.”

“My grammar’s fine,” Alin sulked. “Better than yours was.”

“And I’m not lying!” Tevis protested. “It’s not like I tried to get in her skirts or anything. She just let me kiss her. Even ask!”

Miram tossed her hair, sniffed, and walked off. Tevis made a face at her back. “She acts so grown up. She’s only a few years older than you.”

“You do the same thing,” Alin pointed out bluntly. Then he went back to playing the curious younger brother. “So you really kissed Mai Alvassay?”

Tevis nodded. “Really. I promise.”

Alin’s eyes widened, and his mouth twisted. “And you liked it?”

Tevis blinked. “Of course. Mai’s very pretty.”

Alin shook his head in disbelief. “That’s so disgusting! How could you stand it?”

Tevis burst out laughing. “Saints, Alin, half the time you act like an adult, and then you go and say something like that. You’ll understand in a few more years.”

“What do you mean?” Alin shook his head. “It’ll always be disgusting. No doubt about it.”

“Taig was just the same at your age.”

“You were half my age when Taig was my age!”

The two brothers continued to argue good-naturedly as they entered the grand hall of Ostinhold. Alin sighed. “Geria’s going to make me flirt with all the girls. I should just get used to the disgusting fact that I’m going to be kissing a lot of disgusting girls in no time.”

Tevis made his eyes large and tragic. “You make it sound so awful.”

“It is. You must be into pain.”

“But that’s the best part f it!” Tevis grinned ferally. “Ask anyone!”

Alin put on a mask of solemnity. “All right, I will.”

He was so involved in teasing his brother than he called over to a boy about his age without even thinking. “Excuse me! May we ask you something?”

Tevis glared at Alin. “That’s cheating. He’s too young, he won’t know.”

“You said to ask anyone.”

Tevis frowned. “Fine, then. But just for that, you have to talk to him.”

Alin paled, his usual shyness around strangers returning now that the moment had passed. However, he nodded. “Fair enough.”

The boy reached them, and bowed. “You must be some of the Ostins. You look enough like Lady Lilen to be. What did you want to ask me?”

Alin had vowed to try and be less nervy at this party-Geria’s endless moaning about his reticence and shyness was annoying, but the most sensible thing she even complained about to him. He hoped his nerves weren’t showing too much. “W-we were just talking about how awful girls are.”

“You were,” Tevis corrected. “I was just saying he doesn’t understand yet, and what he thinks is disgusting is really the best part.”

Alin shot his brother a look of gratitude. “Exactly. So, d-do you agree?”

The boy blinked. “With which one of you?”

Tevis laughed. “We’ll say me, for now. I’m Tevis Ostin, by the way. This is my brother Alin.”

“I knew you were Ostins! I heard Taig and the girls weren’t going to be the only ones here tonight.” The boy beamed. “I’m Biron Maurgen. One of your endless amounts of cousins.”

Tevis and Alin bowed. Biron smiled again. “And I don’t agree either way. I haven’t had any experience yet. You should ask Val.”

“Who?” Alin blurted, before immediately flushing red at his outburst. He tried again. “I mean...I’m sorry, that was rude. Who is Val?”

Biron pretended not to notice Alin’s discomfort. “My twin brother. He seems to think he’s only got a few years to live and has to get as many girls as he can while there’s still time, or something like that.”

Alin felt completely idiotic. “What do you mean?”

“That his brother has more amorous experience than Geria,” Tevis answered tacitly. “I think Mother mentioned something about a Maurgen boy that breeds trouble. That must be him?” he asked Biron.

“That’s Val.” Biron cracked a smile. “School will be more than a bit interesting this year. We’re being fostered here, by the way.”

“You’ll be in class with Alin, then. You’re around ten, right?”

“Eleven. Val says that’s the best time for catching girls. They’re more fragile, or at least he says so.”

Alin’s voice rose in frustration. “We’re not even old enough to get out of being fostered yet! Why do you keep talking about girls?”

“What else is there to talk about?”

The three boys turned at the new voice. Alin’s resolve to be less shy broke, and he completely froze. Biron laughed. “Hey Val.”

The new boy bowed, with much more flair and style than Biron. “Good day, friends of my kin. As you may have heard, I am Valirion Maurgen. So very please to make your acquaintance.”

Tevis grinned wryly. “Impressive. Likewise, Valirion. I’m Tevis Ostin. Your brother was just telling us about you.”

Alin dimly heard his voice saying, “Alin Ostin,” but he felt very far away from himself. One thought ran through his head.

It’s you.

“Oh, the younger Ostin boys.” Valirion straightened up. “That explains the conversation. You never did tell me, though...what is there to talk about besides girls?”

Tevis looked at Alin. “Good question. Alin?”

Alin could barely speak. He’d never felt so shy in his life. “I...well, that is, there are a lot of things...like...like p-politics and the Purge and the stories of the Mages and Wraithenbeast and...and parties and how little we enjoy b-being forced to talk about what we don’t want to just...just to be polite...”

Valirion laughed, and Alin thought he’d give anything to disappear into the ground right then-that is, until he spoke. “Subtle! I like it, Alin, I like it! Not bad for a kid!”

Alin usually didn't mind being called a child-he was one, after all-but he objected this time without thinking. He didn’t want Valirion thinking of him as a child. “I’m only a year younger than you! Probably not even that!”

“OH, he doesn’t always whisper and stammer?” Val teased. “Good. He’s salvageable.”

Alin frowned. “Oh yes. It’s my dream to be molded completely by the time I’m eleven.”

“Sarcastic, too! Bir, where’s you find this gem?” Valirion put an arm around Alin’s shoulder. “I like you. Can I stick with you tonight? You’re more interesting than the adults here, and you’re fun.”

Alin was blushing all over, and yet he made no move to slip out from Valirion’s arm. He didn’t even wish he were somewhere else, like he normally did around strangers. He managed to smile weakly and shyly at the older boy instead, and muttered a low affirmative. the older boy clapped. “Great! Let’s go have fun, then!”

Tevis grinned maliciously at his little brother. "And since all we know about are girls, you get to talk, Alin.”


*


“He was a bit eerie.”

Valirion looked over the edge of the bed, barely making of Biron in the moonlight. “Who?”

“Alin Ostin. He’s so intense, and he didn’t even seem to be here half the time.”

“He’s just shy. He spent a lot of time getting up the guts to talk, that’s all. And intensity is good. I’m a very intense person.”

“If you’re intense, I’m avoiding Alin at all costs.”

Val threw his pillow. “Oh, ha ha.”

He heard his twin laugh, and the pillow flew back at him. Valirion settled back again, and waited for sleep, assuming Biron would do the same.

he was wrong. After a long silence, Biron’s voice floated out of the dark again. “So you liked them?”

“The Ostins? Of course. They’re absolutely insane. It’s wonderful. I’m so glad Mother sent us here.”

“Me too. Miram was really interesting. Just don’t tell Tevis I said that. he hates her.”

“Can I tell Alin? He doesn’t care.”

Biron sat up to get a better look at him. “Sure, but why would you?”

“I like him. He’s fun. Don’t you think so?”

“Well, yes, but he doesn’t seem like someone you’d spend time with. He’s so quiet.”

val stared at the ceiling. “Yeah, but I do like him. Maybe I want to calm down a bit or something. Or maybe I want to shake him up. I don’t know. But I liked spending time with Alin more than anyone else tonight.”

“He did, too.”

“I hope so! He’s got no choice but to spend time with Alin!”

Biron didn’t laugh. “I’m serious, Val. Alin really likes you.”

Valirion turned on his side, tired of talking. “Good. If we’re in class together, it’ll be nice to have one person not out for my blood. Go to sleep, Bir.”

Biron sighed, and lay down. The moment that silent descended, both boys were fast asleep.


*


“Alin, start acting your age!” Geria sighed dramatically as her brother refused to move any closer to her.

“I am acting my age. I’m still young. And I’ll have Mother give me the school lecture, not you. You don’t even like school.” Alin glared. “You only went there to see the boys.”

“That’s what school is for-”

“I thought,” Alin interrupted, “you wanted me to get married.”

Geria’s artistically arranged expression faded, and real anger began to show. “Don’t interrupt me, Alin. I’m First Daughter.”

“You’re stupid is what you are,” Alin shot back. “If you’d paid attention in school, maybe-”

“You self-righteous, bookish prig! How dare you!” Geria lunged across the room, and Alin darted past her to the door.

“Mother!”

Alin raced past where Taig was watching little Cailet. As Geria followed, screaming, she knocked them aside. Cailet burst into tears as she hit the ground, and Taig hollered after Geria angrily. “Idiot! You could’ve seriously hurt someone! Geria!”

The Ostin First Daughter grabbed a vase from one of the many stands in the hall and hurled it at Alin. “How dare you act like that? Get back here, you little brat! Listen to me, dammit!”

“You deserved it!” Alin yelled back. “And that’s not very ladylike language, First Daughter!”

They shot past Tevis and Margit. Tevis stared after them. “I take him to one ball and he’s already corrupted.”

“What?”

“Never ind.”

Alin rounded a corner and ran smack into Lady Lilen. He darted behind her. “Mother, she’s going to kill me!”

“Alin, what...” Lady Lilen stopped as Geria came into view and stopped before them, eyes dark. “All right. What’s going on, you two?”

“He was being rude to me!” Geria whined. “He should respect me, I’m First Daughter!”

“She won’t let me leave for school!” Alin protested. “I just wanted to go and find you, and she cornered me!”

“You lying-”

“Geria!” Lady Lilen held up a hand, and looked at Alin. She winked at him conspiratorially, then adopted a stern tone. “Alin, you should listen to your sister. She’s all but royalty, you know.”

Alin had to work hard to keep from laughing and spoiling the whole thing. Lady Lilen turned to her daughter. “I’ll take it from here, Geria. You go and rest, now.”

Geria sniffed, whirled indignantly, and flounced off. Once she was out of hearing range, Lady Lilen looked at Alin. “What did you say to her?”

“That being First Daughter didn’t make her smart, and that I wanted you to take me to class, not her.”

His mother’s lips twitched. “Somehow I doubt that, but whatever you said, I’m glad you did. Geria needs to get a rude awakening once in a while, and so far only Taig and Margit are willing to try and keep her in line. Are you ready for school?”

Alin nodded, stomach knotting up. “Y-yes.”

Lady Lilen examined him, and nodded. “You’ll be fine. You’re very smart, you know. And once you get to know your classmates, you won’t even feel shy any more.”

Alin nodded, but more out of habit than actual agreement. His mother took his hand. “Come on. I’ll walk with you to the schoolhouse so Geria won’t try and ambush you again.”

Alin followed obediently, mind whirling with nerves again now that he wasn’t fending off his eldest sister. Once outside, his mother dropped his hand without asking, and he stepped a bit behind her as was appropriate. They walked in silence for a bit before she turned back and spoke. “Have you met any of the fosterlings who will be in class with you?”

“I...maybe Biron and Valirion Maurgen.” Alin flushed a bit without knowing why. “I met them at the ball, when Tevis took me.”

“Oh, the Maurgen boys.” Lady Lilen sighed, but her eyes were smiling. “I’ve heard Valirion can be quite the troublemaker. Well, I’m sure they’re very fun to be around. And you already know them, so that’s good, isn’t it?”

Alin nodded enthusiastically, but it faded. “I guess...they’re older than me...”

“Most of the children in this class will be. Most fosterlings don’t go out until they’re past ten years old, and many don’t begin attending school until then, either. They’ll all have had private lessons, though, just like you, so you’ll all be at the same level.”

Alin made sounds of agreement, but his stomach knotted. I’m the youngest? Oh, great. They’ll dislike me even more. No one will care be rude to me outright, not with Mother being who she is, but Tevis always says he has a little trouble with people being jealous of him because he’s an Ostin, and if they’re older, too...

“We’re here.”

Alin froze outside the door to the building. His mother gently rubbed his shoulder. “Alinsha, don’t be nervous. You already know two of your classmates. You’ll have at least two friends.”

Alin nodded, and took a deep breath. “All right. I don’t want to be late, Mother.”

He started into the building. Lady Lilen followed, but he turned. Fear was clear in his eyes, but his voice betrayed nothing, save a small stutter. “I’ll g-go in by myself, Mother. I’ll be fine, you’re right.”

Lady Lilen paused, then nodded. “Will you be able to find your way back home, or do you want me to come meet you here?”

“I can find my way.”

“Then, have a good day.”

Alin watched his mother leave, and fought back the temptation to rush after her and beg her to come with him, sit with him in class, do all the talking for him because he was so scared of all the people...

He turned, walked through the doorway, and headed into the nearest room, where he would be taking his lessons.

Alin stepped into the room, looking carefully at the floor. I don’t want to be here. Reading’s fun, and all, but I don’t want to be in here competing with everyone and having no ne even want to talk to me because they’re jealous or they just don’t like me or...

“Alin!”

Alin looked up, startled, and turned bright red as he spotted Valirion Maurgen waving him over to a nearby seat. “Alin, over here! Come on, I’m not used to looking like a fool, save me the effort!”

“Could’ve fooled me!” Biron called from across the room.

Alin hurried over, head down, willing his face to return to its normal color before Val noticed. It didn’t work. “All red again. You should eat more, skinny.”

“Shut up,” Alin mumbled, flustered, and sat heavily in his seat. “Why’s Biron over there?”

“Early punishment. The teacher’s already mad at us because we answered to each other’s names all this morning, no matter who he called on.”

“It’s a twin thing,” Biron called.

Alin ducked his head. “Do you both have to be so loud? I want to start out on the right foot, you realize.”

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re studious!” Valirion sounded horribly disappointed. Alin found himself hurriedly denying it. “No, no! I just...don’t want to get in a lot of trouble right away, that’s all.”

“You’re a bookworm, admit it.”

“I’m not!”

“What do you think about the rule of Anniyas’ Purge?”

“Short-sighted. What happens if the Wraithenbeasts come out again? There won’t be anyone left to stop them, and anyway, history suggests-”

“Bookworm.”

Alin looked down, flushing again, and covered his face. “Stop it!”

A hand landed on the top of his head, and he peered up through his fingers. “Hey, hey, don’t worry. I’m just teasing you. All the more reason to be on your good side.” Val grinned maliciously. “I’m a terrible student. You’ll be lending me notes all the time.”

“Great,” Alin sighed, rolling his eyes.

But inside...

He’s not going to be mad at me for being smart! He doesn’t care! And he wanted me to sit with him and now he wants us to be friends and study together and everything! I made a friend who likes me, not just the idea of being my friend. And Val’s so great, too...

Alin smiled despite himself, and opened up the book that Margit had given him last year for school. I can’t wait for our first test!

Meanwhile, Valirion was staring at his papers and stifling a yawn. Saints, this is going to be the most boring thing ever. Well, I’ll just tease Alin. It’s fun. He’s fun. As long as he doesn’t make me study for the first test, I’ll be fine.

Biron watched them from his solitary seat, and sighed. Val has all the fun.