What the Old Forget

by Rarely Written

Tessa hears that Magnus broke up with Alec in 'City of Lost Souls' and decides it time to write to her old friend. Because I think Magnus needs to hear this from someone, before it to late.

My dearest Magnus,

It has been too long since your last letter. I know I saw you in Idris a few months back, but recent events have made this necessary.

We are old Magnus, yet we get older still. I used to wonder what the world would be like in the years from now. How different it would be. How strange I would find it, old fashioned me in the modern world. I know better now. I'm old enough to understand that while the world changes I will change with it. Now I worry about the Tessa I will become. How much will be left of me, by the time I finish changing. The older I get, the more I forget. I don't want to forget.

Do you remember them? The Shadowhunters of my time? Do you remember Will and Jem? My boys, you sometimes call them, and rightly so. They were mine as I am theirs. Did I ever tell you about the time when Will told me of his curse and I of my engagement? He wanted me to break things off with Jem. He said he would understand, if we explained how we felt. He never did it. He never said a word. We were both tempted. It is one of my deepest regrets; that I was never with Will that way. Yet we both never regretted not hurting Jem. We both loved him, I still do. That was how I knew Will was a great man, because no matter how much he thought about it, he never said a word. He always made the right decision.

Do you remember now? Do you understand? Perhaps not, maybe I am wrong. I've never fully understood you. However, I do understand love, and humanity. I'm not saying that you don't, far from it. But Magnus, not matter how young you look, you are old. Not everyone has your years of experience. They are young and they get tempted by their desires. Some give in. Some do not. Alec did not.

Yes, he is what this is all about. I do not claim to be an expert on your relationship or your break-up. That is why I will not tell you what to do. I just thought I'd remind you, in case you've forgotten, the problem with the young. Or perhaps, the problem with immortality.

Alec and Will are more alike than you realise. If I'm right, Alec will never love another. But if you wait too long, you will never see him again.

Don't let yourself regret this. Regret is such a burden to live with.

Forever your friend, Tessa.