Vanyel tries and fails to think of an answer and say it. Reading that out loud was surprisingly hard and he's barely managing not to cry. 

"Yes, that is a good idea. Thank you, Promise." Leareth reaches to take it from Woodlark's limp hands. 

He allows this. 

"Sorry for - upsetting your Companion - I wasn't even trying to talk to her, she didn't say anything to me, I was talking to Moondance."

He doesn't look at her. "S'not your fault." 

She shrugs. Steps out of the room.

It somehow still takes another day of back and forth for the Heralds to send a letter with a proposed arrangement to Leareth, who replies with his comments and has to wait for their reply...

...and the next letter after that shows up in person with a messenger who says it's VERY URGENT and the letter is for Woodlark. 

Leareth gives the letter a worried look, but he takes it down to Woodlark's room. 

Wow he doesn't want to open it! At all! 

Eventually Woodlark grits his teeth and tears the seal and reads it. 

And then he is very suddenly crying. 

Leareth spends a while looking at him blankly. 

"...Is your Companion back?" he guesses. 

Eventually he manages a nod. 

"We can arrange to transport you back to Haven. Should I see if Promise is willing to go with you so she can heal you after the Gate?" 

Going back to Haven is extremely terrifying! 

After another very long hesitation, Vanyel nods. 

Leareth sighs and yet again troops up to the surface to look for Promise at her tree. 

She's inside but comes out when he knocks.

"Woodlark received a letter from the Heralds. His Companion is back in Haven. We should return him there as well - he is willing to go, though he seemed to find it hard to make a decision about. I was wondering if you were up for accompanying him so that you can heal him after the Gate. - Both Gates, since he will need to wait at the northern border Guard-post for someone to bring him to Haven." 

"Sure, no problem." She grabs a bagful of food.

It takes Woodlark a while to drag himself out of bed, put proper clothes on, and join Promise, but he manages it eventually. He looks exhausted and his face is still puffy and tearstained; he's staring resolutely at the ground and avoiding her eyes. 

"Are you ready, Woodlark?" 

He's never ever ready for Gates but he nods anyway. 

Gate!

Aaaaaaah. 

Woodlark makes it across on his own feet and doesn't make a sound, but his face goes white and he staggers a bit before finding his balance. 

Heal.

"Thank you." He's still grimacing, but not because of pain.