A new update, but fairly short responses—It's like five minutes from when I have to get to class, so I only have that long… yeah. Had a problem with the html upload last chapter, so I'm trying it again slightly different to see if the points of ellipses will show up this way this time. If so, I'll go back. (In other words, thanks for the head's up unnamed—I hadn't noticed it didn't work, but I know it should have been there.) Yes, Alyeni is fading, and yes, Leaf is there to help. She didn't eat because she didn't care… and anything more specific will have to come in the next chapter. Bye!

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"Are you sure you won't accept some help?" It was Tara, sounding worried like the mother hen she was.

"If you will take this—" I didn't open my eyes to see what 'this' Leaf was talking about "—to my father and tell him I shall be taking care of a friend for a while, it will be of help."

"But… But what about the cleaning? The cooking? She can be rather curt and snappish."

A small snort accompanied that statement. "Believe me, I know. As for the cleaning—do not think I rely on the hall servants for everything… though I am a fairly poor cook. However, I am sure I can manage. You may bring us supplies from time to time, but I do not want you hovering. If I know Wind at all, it will not help."

My eyes slit open to see Tara wringing her hands. "Oh… Well, you're probably right… it's just, I've known her longer than you—"

"Only by a few years. Of course, knowing the truth you had a slight advantage."

"No," she shook her head. "I know her as a mother would. Your knowledge is different."

Leaf looked at her for a moment, and then nodded. "If you would please inform my father soon? He was not anticipating my absence, and will be worrying."

Tara left soon after, casting disparaging glances around my messy flet.

"Feeling any stronger?" Leaf asked without turning.

"It must be nice," I murmured softly as he came over with another steaming cup. Again he supported me and held the cup so I had no choice but to drink.

"What must be nice?" he asked when the cup was empty. He set it aside and brought one hand up to my hair, stroking through it.

"Having a father who worries."

He bowed his head slightly and sighed, the warm breath stirring the hairs on my neck. "You've missed out on a lot, haven't you?"

"As which elf? Alyeni, the she-elf who only existed for a few years and then mere moments? Who never learned everything a she-elf is supposed to? Lost her mother too young? Tyran, the smith who is no longer allowed a shop? Whose acquaintances from the past centuries through work and leisure now cross the village path to avoid his eyes? Wind, who only knows of three people now to call true friends, one who is as a mother, one who feels betrayed, and one who is busy? Or me—having nothing to care about any longer?"

He sighed heavily. "I did feel betrayed," he admitted, "and I was furious. But now I'm not."

"Why not?"

"You need me more than I need to be angry and upset."

"I don't—"

He shook his head with another sigh. "You've nearly faded away, my friend. Or had you managed to convince yourself that such weakness is normal?"

"It doesn't matter. I've no reason to—"

"Don't even say it!" He snapped, turning me so he could look at me while shifting so I was resting against his knee and his arm. "You have a reason to live."

"What?" I asked, not seeing anything.

"It's right in front of you," he murmured softly, his eyes dark and sad as the fingers of his free hand trailed down my cheek.

"I can't be fading so quick as all that," I protested, some spark of fight flaring within me again.

"Why not?" he asked, managing a small smile which quickly faded away.

"Because you seemed to truly care about Alyeni, and you didn't fade away in three times the time I've had."

"Your day tally is erroneous. But you're correct—you are closer to death than I was. Of course, I had Father, and Joy, and Wind, and a few other fairly friendly acquaintances at the halls, along with a somewhat important duty to the people of this Wood… while you have Tara and Joy, both of whom are busy with other things, and you have nothing to do."

"I know."

He sighed. "You have to live, Wind."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not going to watch you die like I did my mother."

That got through the rather pleasant fuzz that had permeated my thoughts. "What?"

He snorted with a bit of bitter laughter. "Not every bit of the royal lives is known to the public, after all. My mother desperately wanted a little girl, especially when I was nearly of age. Because of difficulties in birthing before, my father was hesitant… but his love for her was so great he could not see her suffering so for lacking something she so desired. She was soon pregnant… but lost the child, and was told she could never conceive again. Every day we came back from the wood she was a bit farther gone… and I could do nothing." A muscle in his jaw twitched, his eyes darker when he looked at me. "I'm not going to lose you the same way."

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