A/N: And thus ends Guide. Keep an eye out for Wander, the 5th story in this series. Also check out 100 Themes Revival, where I will be putting a few chapters taking place in the space between Guide and Wander.

"You know that the ending signals a new beginning, right?" -Anonymous

RedRebel: Thanks :) Keep an eye out for Wander. I'm going to throw up a few Themes before moving to the 5th story.

Aubrey: You know, writing is best when it evokes strong emotion so...glad I made you cry. Sort of ;). When I first started these, I planned for there to just be 3. Because readers are demanding and I'm easily influenced, I wrote 3 more. The focus defaulted to the second generation.

TwiliRupee: Pull a John Flanagan? Hm...this is based on his work, but in my defense, these were all written pre-Royal Ranger. And yes, I did. At work. In front of other people. When I was pretending to check work emails.

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

Scout sat in a chair by her mother's bed. Gabby stood at a medical cabinet mixing some kind of medicine. Lina's fever had spiked during the night, the sign of another infection. For five days Scout had sat and watched her mother suffer. The medicine Gabby mixed would allow her to sleep. Each time they gave Lina the drink, Scout insisted she spend time with her first. Lina's strength wasn't building. There was no recovery to speak of. Too many wounds and too much pain tore at her spirit. The only way Lina could get rest was for them to give her a strong sleeping medicine. In her weakened state, each time she went to sleep there was a chance she wouldn't wake.

Caitlyn distanced herself from the whole ordeal. She couldn't handle it. She visited when Lina was conscious but refused to be there for any procedures or administrations. Scout, however, only left her side when Gabby herself insisted she should.

"Wait," Scout said quickly as Gabby turned with the cup of tea in hand. Gabby paused. Scout leaned over the bed. She took Lina's hand, her skin hot to the touch. Lina looked up weakly at her daughter.

"Scout," she whispered as she closed her eyes. Scout fought tears as she leaned down to hug Lina. It was difficult, as Lina had no strength to sit up, much less return an embrace.

"I love you, Mama."

Scout went through hell every time Gabby or one of the other healers mixed the tea for Lina, but she refused to let her mother go without saying good bye. Just in case.

Gabby stretched out her hand until if found Lina's bed. She stepped closer to it, holding the tea steady. "Is there anything you'd like first, Lina?" she asked.

"No," Lina whispered. She covered the bandaged wound in her side with her hand in anticipation of more pain.

"Scout?" Gabby prompted.

Scout slid her arm behind her mother's shoulders and slowly lifted her up. Lina hissed as the pain shot through her. The infection they'd been trying so hard to battle had spread through her body. Scout guided Gabby's hand that held the tea to Lina's lips. Lina managed to get half of it down before coughing. Gabby pulled it away as the fit passed.

"You need all of it," Gabby told her. With difficulty, Lina reached up for Gabby's wrist and guided the cup back. Once the cup was empty Gabby returned it to the counter. Scout eased her mother back down and gripped her hand tightly.

"Scout," Lina whispered as her eyes closed.

"Yes, Mama?"

Lina's breathing became labored, as though she were fighting the effects of the drug. "Scout…I love you."

Tears fell over Scout's cheeks. "Don't talk like that, Mama."

"Go be with your sister."

Scout swallowed hard. "Mama…"

"Go."

Scout kissed her mother's hand. "I'll be back when you wake up, okay?"

Lina didn't answer. Her chest rose and fell evenly, proving she was still alive. This round of tea worked faster than the others.

"Go be with Caitlyn," Gabby repeated. "I'll stay with her."

Scout kissed Lina's hand again before laying it gently back on the bed. She fled the room to find her sister. Gabby turned back to the counter, minding the medicines, when Lina spoke again.

"Gabby?"

Gabby turned her head towards the bed. "You shouldn't fight the medicine. You're too weak."

"Gabby…"

Gabby went to the bed and felt the sheets until she found Lina's arm. She knelt down so Lina could speak softly. The bitter smell of infection made her want to gag but she kept herself together, as she always did. "I'm here, Lina."

"I don't think I'm going to wake up this time."

Gabby swallowed hard. She found Lina's hand and squeezed it tightly. Honestly, Gabby was impressed she'd made it this far. The blood loss alone was enough to kill her. The return trip to Roscrea put enough stress on her wound to rip it deeper. The fact that she survived long enough to get an infection was a testament to what the will to live could do. Still, Gabby knew sometimes no matter how great the will a body could only take so much. Lina's was spent.

"I won't leave you alone," Gabby promised as she stroked Lina's hand. The familiar panic faded to her familiar calm. "I'll be right here, by your side."

"Thank you Gabby."

Gabby reached with one hand until she found the tray next to Lina's bed. She searched it for the bowl of cool water, now lukewarm, and brought out the sponge in it. She squeezed out excess water and brought it to Lina's brow.

"Gabby?"

"Yes, Lina?"

"Make sure the girls know…this isn't their fault."

"I will."

"And Liam…"

"You don't want him to be alone."

Gabby felt Lina grip her hand, as though the pain were becoming more intense. Gabby thought about giving her more medicine to ease her passing but knew Lina well enough she wouldn't want to be drugged so severely. Better she be aware these last moments. Gabby thought about sending for her family, or at least Scout and Caitlyn, but if Lina sent her stronger daughter away she obviously didn't want them there. Gabby took a deep breath, knowing she'd need several hours alone with Kane when this was over to recover from the sorrow herself.

"Gabby…"

"I'm here."

"You're strong. You're a good healer."

Gabby swallowed. She rinsed the sponge and went back to running it over Lina's forehead.

"Gabby…"

"Shh," Gabby whispered. "It's time to rest, Lina."

Working in the medical wing of Castle Araluen, Gabby had had this job before. It never got easier. Strong warriors, like Lina, would fight until the end. Allowing them to fight made for a fearful passing. Coaxing them to sleep made things so much more peaceful. Gabby put the sponge away and stroked Lina's hair.

Lina's grip relaxed. Still, Gabby held her hand, letting her know she wasn't alone.

"Gab…"

Lina's voice trailed as her hands trembled. The medicine was kicking in.

"I'll be right here," Gabby assured her. "I'll send for Scout and Caitlyn when the time is right."

"And Talia," Lina whispered.

"And Talia," Gabby promised. "I'll send for all of them."

Lina fell silent. Gabby lightly held her fingers to her chest. Her breaths were shallow. She released Lina's hand to check her pulse. It was weak and getting weaker. Gabby continued stroking her hair.

"Just sleep," she whispered. "You get to rest now."

Lina didn't respond. Gabby stroked her hair.

"Sleep."