A/N: Response to Prompt 3: Things left Unsaid, on the Tammy drabbles site.
Alanna sat in the sand, warm after the days heat, and stared at the laughing Bazhir men and women around the fire. They joked about their days, but Alanna did not share their mirth. Her gaze was rather directed to the fire, burning brightly against the night sky and to a memory, lost in time…
She remembered Maude's soft prayer to the gods as she took both Alanna and Thom's hands and shoved them into the fire. She remembered the pain that came with it and winced inwardly as she also remembered seeing a city made of black stone in the flames. Had Thom seen anything? Had he seen his future?
No, she supposed he hadn't.
She also remembered saying her goodbyes to him. Thom's eyes meeting her own …
Alanna remembered hearing her brother's last words, "I love you. Always have always will." Swallowing tears, she turned away from the fire and stood to saddle and tack Moonlight, she needed some time to think.
With the pounding of hooves sounding in her ears, she rode to the oasis and dismounted. Kneeling next to the water, she cupped some in her hands and was going to splash her face when she paused and looked into the water. Her brother's purple eyes and closely-cropped copper hair stared back and Alanna almost gasped when the image disappeared. In frustration she slapped the water and ripples appeared, "Why, Goddess, why…" she whispered, hot tears coming to her eyes. "He was mortal…"
"His lesson has been learnt, lady knight." A distant, soft voice replied.
"I didn't get a chance to say goodbye." Alanna murmured.
"You did," said the voice, "And he understands."
Alanna scowled, and turned to face the stars. "Why couldn't he have had a vision of some kind?" "Couldn't he have at least known that Tortall was in trouble the minute he considered using his magic to bring Roger back?"
No answer.
Alanna sighed, dejectedly. Some things were better left unsaid…