Alanna looked into Gary's serious brown eyes, and then flicked her gaze away. Those eyes used to be kind, used to dance, used to laugh.

'My friend,' she thought ruefully. 'What has he done to you?'

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said gruffly, burying her sorrow.

"Alan, I know-"

"What I'm going through?" she finished with a dry laugh. "I don't think you do. You know nothing."

"Alan, if you let us-"

Impatiently, she broke in again. He obviously didn't know a thing about her, or he wouldn't have offered Raoul and Alex's help as well. "Will that be all? I've got to visit a sick relative in the city, right away."

His light brown brows rose as he regarded her carefully. She tried not to hold her breath. She hadn't been out of the castle for months. Perhaps it was this that swayed him from persuading her to stay, or perhaps Roger had stolen his argumentative tongue along with his happiness. At last, he sighed. "Fine. Go visit your cousin. Send my regards," he called, as she flew down the stairs towards the stable.

*

"Alanna." The shock in the woman's face was evident. Alanna didn't blame her. She hadn't been near Eleni Cooper, or her son, for ages. Ever since the…

"Can I come in?" she asked timidly. Gary had thought she was going to visit George. She had let him. Some things were easier unexplained.

Eleni stepped back to allow the young squire past. Alanna sat at the table, whilst Eleni fiddled with the catch. A long silence followed, in which Eleni busied herself making cups of tea. Alanna tried to stop the apprehension stirring in her stomach.

"I suppose you're wondering why I haven't visited in so long," Alanna began eventually.

"No. I know why you haven't been here. My son, however, is anxious."

Alanna fingered the cup that had been passed to her during the quiet. "How is George?"

Eleni's sharp hazel eyes pierced Alanna's. "I thought I was a healer, not a messenger carrier. Ask him yourself."

The redhead's gaze dropped. She struggled with her tongue for a few minutes, before words virtually burst out. "I should never have switched with Thom."

Eleni was indifferent to this abrupt change of subject, or kept her surprise a secret, which was more likely. "Oh? Why not?"

Violet eyes welled up. "I couldn't save him! I was too weak. He jumbled some words together… There was an explosion… I should have saved him! If I'd been a boy, I would have been able to!" Alanna slammed her fist down onto the table in frustration, spilling her tea over the white tablecloth.

Eleni's arms were around the sobbing girl. "Now, shush. It's not true. The Prince died because the King up yonder set a trap. Demons are tricky things to play with. Would your Prince have wanted you to blame yourself?"

"Blame is where blame lies," Alanna quoted.

"Exactly," Eleni agreed. "And it doesn't lie with you."

"How do you know that?"

"You were trying to save him. Therefore, you didn't kill him. So, you're not to blame. If you desperately want lay blame, his Majesty takes full responsibility for the murders of his cousin, aunt and uncle."

Alanna sniffed and wiped her eyes. Slowly, she nodded. "They're all so different now. Raoul's not as kind, Gary's so solemn…"

"Deaths change people, Alanna. Things are never the same. You can't expect it to be exactly like it was, but without the Prince. I wager that they're hurting just as much. Don't push them away."

Alanna looked down, feeling guilty.

A yowl came from her bag. Confused, she leant down and pulled it open. Faithful leapt out. Eleni laughed.

"Going to introduce me to this lovely young cat, Alanna?"

Alanna grinned.

*

© Rose Leanton.

*

I know, it's short, it's weird, it's OOC. Got a new complaint?

Anyway, thanks for reviewing. I was bored; it was the teacher strike today. But, I have a flute lesson in 5 mins, which is why this is so short.