Always And Forever

By: Midnight Maiden

(Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns all characters and the song is "Screaming Infidelities" by Dashboard Confessionals. )

Numair Salmalin sat in the conference room with the king. It was rather dull without Daine by his side. Bunches of nobles jabbering about everything he wasn't interested. She had chosen not to come. Lucky her she could do that. Coming to all conferences was her choice. Today she had decided a ride with Cloud would be more interesting.

"What do you think, Numair?" Jonathan asked him.

He snapped back to reality. "What?"

"It's good to no you were listening so intently," the king commented sarcastically. "This meeting is over."

~Oh good~ Numair thought. ~Finally~. He walked as quickly as he could back to the rooms. He was tired and was looking for a good night's sleep. And seeing Daine, of course.

When he opened the door there was no welcoming chirp from Kit. She hardly ever went with Daine and Cloud. He looked around more closely and saw that all of Daine's things were gone. The drawers were empty and the shelves bare of everything that was hers.

He ran as fast as he could to the stables. She would never leave without Cloud. Stephan was petting that God-awful horse Peachblossom. "Where is she?" he demanded of the hostler.

"Sorry Numair, she's gone."

"No." Numair ran his hands through his hair. It was impossible. "She can't be gone. She would never leave."

"She did. Let her go. She'll come back."

Days passed and hi love did not return. He couldn't sleep at night. He missed the company he always had had in her. She had been his before she had even known he loved her and now she was gone. At night he hugged the sheets around him, imagining their warmth as hers. She had left him alone.

***I'm missing you bad

I never sleep

Avoiding the spots

Where we'd have to speak

And this bottle of beast

Is taking me home***

***I'm cuddling close

To blankets and sheets

But you're not alone

And you're not discreet

Make sure I know

Who's taking you home***

One day a bird flew through his window and landed on his knee. For a moment he wished it was her, but it had a letter around its foot. He peeled it off and read it. What it said crushed his heart. It confirmed exactly what he had feared. She had left and wasn't coming back.

All he could do all day was sit and read the note over and over. What had he been thinking anyway? He was an old man next to her. He could be her father. He could never be her lover like he'd hoped.

***I'm reading your note

Over again

And there's not a word

That I comprehend

Except when you signed it

'I will love you

Always and forever'***

Some one knocked on his door, but he didn't answer it. He didn't want company. Unfortunately the red head that had been waiting behind the door let herself in.

"Go away, Alanna." He didn't even bother to look at her. He wanted to be alone.

"Numair, you have to come out and you have to eat. We're worried about you." She sat beside him and put an arm around his shoulder. "We all miss Daine, but she's gone Numair. No one can force her to come home."

"I know, but I thought she didn't care. I thought she was in love with me. I asked her to marry me!" He got up and started to pace.
"When the most powerful mage in Tortall is ready to grow up, the king is waiting for him." With that Alanna left.

***Well as for now

I'm gonna hear the saddest songs

And sit alone and wonder

How you're making out

And as for me

I wish that I was anywhere

With any one

Making out***

***I'm missing your laugh

How did it break

And when did your eyes

Begin to look fake

I hope you're as happy

As you're pretending***

Numair received another letter from Daine saying that she was fine and not to worry about her. He wished he could grow up, but he missed her too badly. How could he not have seen this coming? What had he missed? Or had she just hidden it well? Had it been planned or sporadic?

Alanna had visited him again, but nothing could make him feel better; except her. She always made him better. Until she came home there would be nothing good in his life. He would just sit by himself, worrying about her. The thought that she was somewhere with someone terrified him. Was she really okay? Was she safe where she was? How could he be sure of he wasn't there?

***I'm cuddling close

To blankets and sheets

And I am alone

In my defeat

Wish I knew

You were safely at home***

*** I'm missing your bed

I never sleep

Avoiding the spots

Where we'd have to speak

And this bottle of beast

Is taking me home***

Finally he decided to attend dinner with other people. He was quickly tiring of solitude. As he walked into the dining hall all eyes came to him. He knew he had been amongst the missing for days, but he didn't know so many had noticed. He chose to ignore it and sat down. People talked to him, but he didn't talk to them. He didn't feel like it. Someone placed meat on his plate, but he pushed it aside. He couldn't eat it.

He sulked back to his room after eating. He couldn't stand the fact that Daine was moving on and he was stuck in the past. No one would ever interest him again. What was she doing wherever she was?

***Well as for now

I'm gonna hear the saddest songs

And sit alone and wonder

How you're making out

And as for me

I wish that I was anywhere

With anyone

Making out***

*** Your hair, it's everywhere

Screaming infidelities

And taking it's wear*** x4

That's my Daine/Numair fic. Never fear it will all work out. I love Numair *Hint**Hint*. Besides I do believe another chapter is in order. And if Daine/Numair isn't your cup of tea, I have a Kel/Cleon, A Kel/Roald, A Kel/Neal, a Briar/Sandry, a Will/Lyra(HDM), and an Amalthea/Lir(Last Unicorn). Plus I have a Sakura/Yue(Cardcaptors) on the way. Please review. I am dying to know what you think! Thanx ^_^Midnight Maiden^_^