A/N Going back to the page years for this one.

Jonathan decided to leave his bed for the first time since he learned he had the sweating sickness. The healers wouldn't like it, but he was feeling fine, if a little weak. And his questions were much more pressing than his weakness.

He slipped out of his bed chamber and down the corridors until he stood in front of Myles's rooms.

Myles answered his knock with a smile and bow. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see you well. You gave us quite a scare."

"You're not going to lecture me about how I shouldn't be up from bed yet?"

Myles smiled knowingly. "I probably should, but I've been expecting you."

He led Jonathan into his sitting room and closed the door.

"Alan hasn't woken up yet?" Jonathan inquired.

"Still out cold. He has been ever since… Duke Baird says it could be another day or two, but he'll be just fine."

"Good."

They sat in silence for a moment until Jonathan finally asked, "What happened? Duke Baird told me the general story, and I remember some things, but it's mostly very fuzzy. But he saved my life. That's the only thing I'm sure of."

"You were calling for him. You were completely out of your senses, but you kept calling for Alan, so they brought him. Do you remember that?"

Jonathan shook his head.

"Maybe it was the gods or maybe somehow you knew," Myles continued. "I don't know, but he saw what was going on – they had priests and mourners, and it was a madhouse. He called for me and asked for my help getting everyone out."

"Right, I think I do remember Alan telling me something about you chasing them all away. I wish I had seen that."

"This old man can be fierce when he needs to be," Myles said with a grin. "Apparently, Alan's village healing woman taught him a few things – and his gift is clearly very powerful. I wouldn't have known."

"He cared for you that whole day," Myles continued, "he tried some natural remedies, but by the evening – we were about to lose you, so he started the real magic. He did something with the fire that I don't fully understand, then he came to your side and called you back. I'll never forget the sight. Do you remember any of that?"

Jonathan nodded slowly. "I do. It's like remembering a dream, but I remember being in place between life and death, and Alan argued with the Black God. Argued! Can you imagine? And he let me go back with him. I was awake for just a moment, back in my room. When I woke up again, Alan was gone, and the fever had broken."

They sat in silence for a long moment, as Jonathan formed his next question.

"What should I do? I owe Alan my life. I should reward him or something, right?"

"If we all do as we have pledged, you'll owe many men your life before yours is over. It's part of being the heir and being a king."

"I know, but I want to do something when I can." Jon got up and began to pace. "None of the usual rewards seem right. Alan hates attention, and I don't think a purse full of gold nobles is right either. What is it that he wants?"

Myles looked thoughtfully at the prince. Jonathan noticed what he thought was a hint of pride in that look. "Alan wants to be a great knight and serve you well. I suggest you let him."

Jonathan just looked at him.

"That young man is deeply loyal to you, and he has impressive potential. Perhaps more than anything, your job right now is to find men like that to surround yourself with. Honor him by keeping him close. You'll need a squire someday and a whole list of advisors and men to serve under you when you ascend the throne. Don't forget who your true friends are."

Jonathan nodded slowly.

Myles continued, "And as you mentioned, he's going to want as little attention from this as possible. Shielding him from questions when he wakes up would go a long way. Maybe you'll find some other suitable way to thank him in the future, but either way, be a good friend to him. That's what he wants from you."

Jonathan sat thoughtfully for a moment before standing up. "Thank you for your sage advice as always, and your role in my recovery. I'm eternally grateful that Alan had you to call on." They gripped forearms. "If there is ever anything I can do for you, you know you have only to ask."

Myles gave Jonathan's arm an extra squeeze. "No more getting deathly ill, how about that?"

Jonathan laughed. "I'll do my best. And now I know who to call if I ever need a room cleared."

Myles just smiled resignedly. "Rest now. I'll send Alan to you when he wakes."