Disclaimer: I, sadly, don't own any of these characters or Sherwood Smith's stories. tear

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Ok, so I didn't think I would be looking out the window for him. But I never thought that he would never come back. I always thought that he would one day. However, it has been 2 years…

Elestra sat peacefully on her cushions by the window. She sighed a small sigh and rested her head against the glass. As soon has her skin made contact with the window, there was a knock at the door. Elestra wondered who it would be at this time of night. Life! It was nearly midnight! She walked to the door softly and opened it a crack…

And let out the breath that she didn't know she was holding when she saw that it was only her brother, Alaraec. She let out another sigh, this time out of exasperation. Then she began to become suspicious. Why in the world would he be bothering me at this hour! There must be some ghastly older brother prank going on right now… Alaraec looked at her, annoyed, and whispered urgently, "Elestra! I need to talk to you right now. Please, let me in."

Elestra looked him over appraisingly. Satisfied that he seemed like he was telling the truth, she opened the door wide enough to let him in the room. Nonetheless, she looked left and right into the shadows of the corridor before she closed the door, just to ease her mind that Alaraec wasn't pulling her leg. She only saw a couple of servants walking past. She turned around to face him. "So what is so important that it can't wait until morning to speak of? Why is it that you came to my room at midnight to talk to me?"

Alaraec, sitting in a chair at the small table between the window and bed, snorted and said, "It wasn't as if you were sleeping, El," and gestured loosely to the bed at his right; it was still perfectly made. Elestra made a face and snapped, "Just get to the point."

Her brother's face took on more of a serious look as he began to speak. "You remember our favorite Lord Flauvic Merindar, don't you?" He went on without waiting for an answer, "Well, I just found out that Father and Mother received a note from him just the other day." Elestra scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion. Why didn't they tell me? Aloud, she asked, "When?"

"A week ago," came the reply.

"Hmm… I don't suppose you happen to know what it says?" she inquired hesitantly. She was careful not to let this go to her head too much just in case her brother really was playing a trick on her.

Alaraec smiled and said, "I was wondering when you would say that." He pulled something out of his sleeve. It was a piece of paper with elegant script on it. Elestra looked at it skeptically. She said dryly, "And what exactly is that?" Alaraec put on a hurt expression and said innocently, "I went through all that trouble of getting this out of Father's personal study getting past the guards standing outside his and Mother's chambers (A/N: I put his study near their chambers) and this is the thanks I get for bringing you Flauvic's letter?"

"Father has guards outside his chambers? For how long? Why?" Elestra was flustered. Alaraec studied her for a few seconds. "Yes. Two days. Because of this piece of paper. There, does that answer your questions?"

"Oh, just give me the paper!" She grabbed the note from him and read through it once. Twice. Elestra looked up at Alaraec. "This is what you wanted me to read so badly! A note from Flauvic asking for his property back? What are you trying to pull here!" Alaraec merely smiled and pulled another sheet of paper out of his sleeve and said, "Now this one is the reason why Father has increased the number of guards outside the castle and our chambers. ALL of our chambers." Elestra absorbed this information. And as she did, realization dawned on her face.

"WHAT! There are guards outside MY ROOM!" Elestra was shocked by the idea that the guards had eluded her inspection of the corridor when Alaraec walked in… She had only seen those servants…

"Shhh… Keep your voice down otherwise they'll think you're being attacked," he hissed. As if he could read her mind he said, "Those 'servants' out there are really guards and have amazing skills in fighting and they're armed to the teeth, but the weapons are hidden well." He handed her the letter. "Read it."

This note was shorter than the other, but held more meaning in it. It read:

Dearest Vidanric and Meliara,

I hope this gets to you without much trouble. I trust you and your family are well? I am writing to let you know that I will be paying a visit to all of you. I should be here within the next three days to discuss the returning of my lands. Say hello to everybody on my behalf. See you soon,

Flauvic

"When did this come in?" Elestra asked, her hand trembling ever so slightly. Alaraec looked at her grimly and didn't seem to notice her hand shaking as he took the letter from her. "It was received two days ago. That's why so many guards have been posted everywhere." Elestra, realizing what this meant, said quietly, "So he should be here by tomorrow…no, today because it is already past midnight." She looked around and realized that Alaraec had been here for nearly two hours. "Alaraec, you should go get some rest. Maybe you should return those to Father's study while you're at it." Alaraec nodded and left. Elestra desperately wanted him to turn around and yell 'Fooled you!' so they could laugh about this, but he didn't. She had wanted Flauvic to come back… So why was she so nervous about seeing him again?