Author's note: There is a lot of speculation when it comes to Alex and Mia... What exactly is the nature of their relationship? Does she hate him, by the end of GS:TLA, or does she still care? Is he like a brother, a lover, or simply a traitor? I hope to explore this a bit with this story, which will be several short chapters long. Please enjoy, and review if you have the time. C:

I was only seven years old when he came to live with us. Father said it was sickness that had claimed the boy's parents; that I should treat him kindly, since he was in a great deal of pain. I didn't understand back then, because my mother had passed away during my birth, and I never knew her. But I would never forget the haunted look in those sea-green eyes, as he solemnly took my hand, clasping it silently in the chill winter air. I would never forget the promise my young heart made – that I would be the one to make him smile again. That he would never again feel this pain.

***

As the months went by, Father explained more about who the boy was. Even then, I can remember how tired and worn his face had been, as he wearily told me, "His name is Alex. He's about three years older than you, give or take, and his parents were some of the last Mercury clanners we had left. We were all hoping they would have more children before... well, it's too late for wishes. Treat him like the brother you always wanted, all right? He's some of the only family you've got left..."

I remember my child self smiling and nodding, not ever picking up on the more subtle nuances of my father's speech. Mercury Clan members were physically weak, susceptible to all manners of illness and misfortune. We die easily. Our clan was nearly extinct. Had our families survived, Alex and I would probably have been in an arranged marriage, a last-ditch effort to keep our tribe alive, but... too late. Father dared not tell me that side of the story... I had never even visited the town of Imil, since Father kept me safe and secluded where we lived, in the outskirts closer to the Lighthouse. He didn't want anything to happen to me. I didn't mind, because I was busy with Alex.

***

I can't remember a lot of how we spent our childhood days, but I do remember the first day Alex smiled at me. It was spring by then – the mysterious, introverted, sad little boy had barely spoken for months. He simply followed me around, always at my side, a quiet shadow. And I always took his hand in mine, and smiled cheerfully, and lead him around Father's house, the yard, the beach, the places my seven-year-old self was allowed to go without supervision, trying naively to heal the pain in his broken heart. That day we were at the shore, side by side, bundled up in our heavy cloaks and jackets, hoping the spring squalls would subside enough for us to try swimming. They never did. A gust of rainy wind whipped my favourite white ribbon from my hair, dancing it high into the stormy air. I tried jumping for it, but it was always just out of my reach... and like any child, I began to cry. The ribbon had belonged to my mother, and Father would be so upset if I lost it...

Alex stood still, watching me with a troubled expression. As I sniffled, rubbing my eyes and feeling miserable, Alex held out his hands... My ribbon drifted right down, landing peacefully onto his outstretched palms. To this day, I'm not sure if he had some early control over his Psynergy, or if it really was sheer luck, but it was so magical to me... I ran up to him, giving him a huge hug, and that was when he smiled. "Here you go, Mia," he said softly, tying the ribbon back into my hair, a clumsy attempt to imitate the bow he'd seen me wearing. It was lopsided, but... it was still perfect. I still wear that frayed white ribbon today... although he never tied it for me again.

***

When I turned ten and Alex was thirteen, Father called us both downstairs to have a talk. I remember being nervous, but excited, because I had always known that this would happen. Father was the best, the only, healer that Imil had, and everyone in the Mercury Clan knew how to use the healing techniques of Psynergy. We were a people one with water, the soothing waves of the ocean, the basis of life. I was more astute now, and I could see the streaks of grey running through his thinning blue hair, the deep worry lines in his weathered face. My father was exhausted. He was working himself to death. Alex and I both wanted to take over his work, help him somehow, but we were too young – until now.

"Mia, Alex... Both of you know the blood that flows through your veins. As the last descendants of the Mercury Clan, it is your duty to protect the people of Imil, and to guard our sacred Mercury Lighthouse. The world will fall into chaos if the Lighthouse beacon shines again! The people of Weyard are not ready for the powers of Alchemy – only those four clans devoted to the protection of their arts are allowed to wield the holy power of their element."

Alex looked troubled, and opened his mouth to speak, but I nudged him to be silent. It would not do to disrespect Father by interrupting, when he was about to charge us with such an important task! Alex frowned, but acquiesced to me. I was younger than him, but he always listened to me...

Father paused for a moment, studying the both of us with his piercing blue eyes. He was a very intimidating man, and now that I think back on it, I don't think he ever truly got over my mother's abrupt passing. It was sad, but my childhood would have been cold and miserable without Alex with me.

"You are both of age now, and I would like to train you together. You will become healers, the passive protectors of our Mercury Lighthouse. You will be respected and honored by the village, and in turn, you will mend their aches and ills. You will share all responsibilities equally, is that clear?"

We both nodded gravely, with only a vague idea of what we were actually agreeing to. All we knew was that we'd be together forever, and that was all right with me.