Spock did not really pay any attention as Garth enthusiastically explained the history of every single artifact and the nature of every single painting, though he knew he should. His mind was to clouded with his dreams last night. He had heard of Vulcans having premonitions or sending each other dreams telepathically, but he had never experienced it himself. Were he human, he would admit that he felt frustrated. Angry even, at having to wait for such important information as the life of his T'hy'la.

Jim however was happy to listen to the fascinating history of the planet and its people. He payed rapt attention, as the rest of the party did, as Garth explained about the powers of the elder.

At this, Spock's ears pricked and he finally began to listen, "Our elder is blind, but has the special ability to see into the future. Only the very oldest of us are bless with this ability," he said proudly. His gaze went directly to Spock, "Perhaps you should meet her."

Spock stiffened and raised an eyebrow. Kirk looked in between them, confused at the silent exchange. "We would love to meet her," he said almost cautiously. He suddenly could feel the tension in the air rise. Garth and Spock stared at each other, Spock's eyes dark and untrusting, Garth's eyes were open and kind. Suddenly the contact was broken and Garth turned away, "Come, the elder is this way," he said and began down a hallway.

Kirk fell back next to Spock, "Alright, what was all that about?" He demanded.

Spock raised an eyebrow at his captain, "I do not know what you are talking about Captain," he responded calmly.

Kirk narrowed his eyes, "None of that bull Spock, tell me what just happened," he said in his best captain voice.

Spock was internally debating if he should tell his lover about his latest dream. He decided against it, "It is nothing I can not handle my T'hy'la," he insisted.

Jim paused, actually stopped and grabbed Spock by his shoulders, and forced him to stop and turn around, "Are you sure?"

Spock was surprised at the sudden actions and only nodded.

Kirk sighed, "Alright, but if it starts to get out of hand, I want you to tell me about it. Understand?"

Spock nodded again and Kirk smiled. He ran his fingers through Spock's in a Vulcan kiss that sent shudders up and down Spock's spine. They continued on their way, walking quickly to catch up to the group.

Garth had stopped at a pair of large, ornate, double doors and was gesturing to them enthusiastically. "This is where our elder lives, she will only take one visitor at a time, for she is very old and we do not wish to overwhelm her," he gazed at Spock, "Mr. Spock, would you like to go first," he said opening the door just enough for him to go through.

Spock hesitated and Kirk squeezed his hand with a comforting smile. Spock nodded to his mate and continued on into the doors.

Garth smiled, "Why don't I show you the rest of the halls whilst Mr. Spock is taking his turn," Kirk did not want to refuse and seem rude. Though he hesitated, he finally agreed and followed Garth, who was still talking excitedly.

The room inside was smokey and filled with a greenish mist, Spock had trouble seeing with his keen Vulcan eyes, but he walked forward with caution. Finally he came to a circular bed with garishly colored sheets and pillows. An old woman, lay on the bed.

As Spock got closer he realized that it was the same woman who had visited his dream. He came up beside her and stopped, waiting for her to register his presence.

Her eyes, milky white, opened a fraction, "You are Spock, son of Sarek and mate to James Tiberius Kirk," she said, he voice crackling.

Spock's eyes narrowed but he answered, "I am."

She chuckled, a dry sound, and sat up, with some difficulty, though she refused the help Spock offered, "I knew that you would come. You love your T'hy'la very much," she said wisely.

"I do," he paused and swallowed nervously, "For what purpose did you call me here?"

"Well, let us not be rude, hmmmm. I know your name but surly you do not know mine," she said with some amusement.

If Spock were human he would have sighed with inpatients, "What is your name then?"

"Oh, so eager to know," she chuckled again, " My name is Minerva, I am the eldest seer on Corin and I have seen into yours and the Captain's future." She said suddenly growing serious. She gestured to her bed, "Sit down Mr. Spock," he did so, "Now, you have been having strange dreams, have you not?"

Spock stiffened but did not question how she knew such things, "Yes... I have."

She nodded knowingly, "Yes I have seen some of them, quite terrifying."

Spock swallowed with some difficulty, "Yes, they are."

The blind woman's gaze seemed to see through him, inside him, "They frightened you." It was a statement not a question.

"I am Vulcan I do not-"

She cut him off with a scoff, "Oh Mr. Spock please, I can see through that. Both your human and your Vulcan halves are terrified of what they have seen," she insisted, and Spock knew he could not deny the truth, "Now, do you know why these dreams occur?"

Spock desperately wanted to be wrong but he knew it was the truth, "They are a warning, of the future," he answered, his voice trembling slightly.

Minerva nodded, "Yes they are... Your captain is, inevitably, going to die."

The Vulcan's heart dropped, "All humans die-"

"Do not get technical with me child, you know of what I speak," she said.

Spock took a shaky breath, "Yes but... Whatever future lies ahead, I will not allow my T'hy'la to die."

Minerva patted his hand with sympathy, "I know it is hard to accept dear, but it is inevitable," there was something strange in the way she had said the last word.

Spock rose and began pacing the room, "No, there must be something that can be done, something that can be changed to prevent this future," he insisted.

Minerva sighed sadly, "Spock come here," the Vulcan stopped and went to her. She gently placed her hands on his face and he was painfully reminded of his mother, "Ah yes, you have suffered so much loss in your young life," Spock did not mind that she had read his thoughts, "There are often only two paths you can take, one to avoid the first path and the other to simply take the first path, but they inevitably lead to the same place," Spock felt like his world was ending. There was no way for him to prevent the death of his lover.

"But," Spock raised his head in hope, "Often if, both people are strong enough, a third path can be forged that is all your own," she said with a kind smile. Spock felt his heart lift in hope. Perhaps there was a way to save his Captain.

"But how do I creat this new path," he asked, feeling so much like a child.

"That is not something I can tell you, I have seen only what I can see," she said.

Spock contemplated this for a moment, "Can you show me what you have seen?"

She frowned, "I cannot."

"Then can you tell me of it?" He asked desperately.

"I have seen, your captain die in your arms. I have seen many of your friends in mourning, and I have seen the pain that his death will cause you to break," she said sadly.

"How do I change this then," Spock said slightly frustrated.

The old woman shrugged, "There is only so much I can tell you child, you must forge your own path. Find a way out of destiny," she sighed and lay back down on the bed, "Now leave me, and think on what I have told you," she said and her eyes closed.

Spock stood and promptly exited the room, and went back to his and his lover's room to wait for the return of his T'hy'la. Spock knew that he needed to tell his mate everything. About his dreams, about his visions, and most importantly, about what Minerva had told him. He prayed the he could find that third path.

Spock had never thought himself privy to fear, the cold primal fear of protecting a loved one. He had only felt it when his mother had died. He lay back on the bed suddenly feel exhausted. He would not loose his T'hy'la. He would die before he allowed that.