It was Alan's last day in the realms of the living when he heard a knock on the door. Surprised he opened it to find Alanna with a child on her hip,
'Can I come in?' She asked, and not waiting for an answer she strode into the room, shutting the door behind her. Alanna set the two year old Thom down and he walked over to Sir Alan.
'But, but..' stammered Sir Alan.
'You came back to see your grandchildren, you didn't think I'd let you go without seeing them did you? This is Thom, he's two and he has the gift. Thom say hello to your Granddad.'
'Alanna, I'm not their Granddad.' He began, but Alanna interrupted him, 'It's never too late to forgive,' she said quietly.
'What's the use, in seven hours I'll be returning to the realms of the dead.'
'But you still have those seven hours, and those seven hours can make all the difference. We've been given a chance to make things right, many people would give everything they owned to have these seven hours with a relative who had passed on.'
'Alanna, I can't, not after what I've done.'
'It doesn't matter, that's all in the past, but if everything is ok between us for the next seven hours then I'll remember you like this, I want to remember you meeting my husband, my children and my friends, I want to remember you happy and enjoying yourself..' She said tearfully.
'Alanna.. I'd love to but..'
'No buts, it doesn't matter what you've done or what you've said, this is your chance, my chance to make amends, please, please don't waste it. We've arranged for a private meal in one of the smaller dining rooms at seven, we would be honoured if you would attend.' She bowed, picked up Thom and left.
-Later that day-
Seven o'clock came and went and there was no sign of Sir Alan, Alanna waited tensely, 'I'm going to go and find him,' she said after ten minutes.
'Lass, are you sure..?' Said George.
Alanna hoisted a twin onto each hip and strode of in the direction of Sir Alan's room.
'We'd better go check everything's ok, eh Thom?' Placing Thom on his shoulders, George set of after his wife.
'Father, father' shouted Alanna as she pounded on Sir Alan's door. Impatiently she blasted the door open with magic, ready to yell at Sir Alan for being late, she looked around and her eyes fell on Sir Alan who was pale and ghostly looking, lying on the bed. Alanna set the twins down on the floor and rushed to her father.
'It's ok, I'm her now.' She soothed.
'He wants me back, I said I wouldn't go, wanted to say goodbye.' Panted Sir Alan.
'Everything's ok, look your Grandchildren..'
'Can't stay much longer, goodbye Alanna, may the Goddess protect you,' he rasped. 'Just wanted to let you know, .. I'm proud of you.' And he died fading away until there was no evidence that he had ever been there.
By the time George arrived, Alanna was sobbing uncontrollably into her hands.
'Shhh,' he comforted Alanna. 'He's at peace now.'
'He was proud,' she whispered, 'He was proud.'
'I know Lass, and so he should be. Why not come and show our wonderful babies off to Jon and Raoul?'
And with that the family set off down the corridor, Lady Knight and Baron hand-in-hand, Thom on the Baron's shoulders and the twins cradled, in their parents free arms.
-a/n-
This fic is finally finished, it took me a bit longer than expected because I got writer's block halfway through this chapter. But anyway I hope you liked it, please review as it is nice to have feedback and it encourages me to write more of my ideas down as a fics. Thanks,
confusedknight
xxx
