Van was sat across from me, playing a few absent notes on the ukulele that was his constant companion. I'd actually taken the day off from the inn, and we had had a wonderful day of catching up. I was in the middle of laughing at something Van had said, when the clatter of hooves and the din of loud voices broke the quiet. I looked over, and leapt to my feet as I spotted Mess leading Tem and Itri into the inn. 

All three of them looked worse for wear, and had leaves and twigs tangled in their manes. I rushed over to Mess, and pulled her into the biggest hug I could manage. Mess let out a strangled sound and I heard Van chuckle behind me. 

"Mess!! Thank goodness, I've been so worried!!"

"You didn't need to! But if youre going to worry, we really do need to figure out a way to communicate over long distances." 

I pulled back, nodding, and gave Itri and Tem a smile. I heard Van's hoofbeats behing me, and smiled. 

"Guys, this is my son, Van. Van, this is Tem, Itri, and Mess." 

They all strode towards each other to say hello. Vans easy grin came out as it always did and I could see the two other stallions visibly relax - not many people could dislike Van. Mess looked at Van with interest.

"You're Rocco's son? How have I heard nothing about you??" 

Van chuckled. "Moms best kept secret." 

I couldn't hold myself back any longer. "What happened to you? What's with the twigs and leaves? Are you okay?" 

The three of them groaned in unison. 

Tem was the one that answered. "Damn shadow creatures, they were hiding amongst the vines and the moment we walked past them they were on us. We managed to fight them off - we're fine, I promise - but we lost most of our rations and figured it was about time we regroup up on the surface. Obviously the information we got about the location of the vaults was faulty, and we could all do with a few nights of good sleep. If you have room, that is?" He swayed as he asked me the question.

I smiled warmly at him as I looked at all of them, bedraggled and exhausted and clearly desperate for a good rest. Even Mess's pet snake was draped tiredly around her neck rather than scanning for danger as usual. "For you guys, there will always be room."