A/N: I know this is really short, but I felt the proper ending is right where it is. Here comes another plot twist, and…duh-duh-duh!! My first cliffie!!! ::GASP::

Under the Weather

Alaerec was certain that Debegri would act.

"He's vengeful, and he doesn't seem the type to plan," he told me. I agreed with him, but inside I was wracked with guilt so terrible that I thought I couldn't think.

Ermliana, who had never been versed in political ways, did not quite understand until Alaerec and I explained it at a concert one night.

We were, however, surprised when a month went by and nothing happened. I was certain that he would do something to Ermliana or Alaerec.

Of course, then he did something totally unexpected.

My family had traveled to Savona that fall, so Father could look over his lands and the rest of us would have a holiday. Jhussav and I raced horses, fought, both hand-to-hand combat and with swords, and read. My mother entertained some of the vassals and stopped in Tanliff-Savona, the closest village, to talk with the elders. We always joined her for breakfast after harp practice.

That is, until the day Jhussav and I walked into Mama's sitting and her maid told us, "M'lady is feeling a bit under th'weather t'day, children, and won't be joinin' ye for breakfast."

"What's wrong?" I demanded. Jhussav nodded firmly next to me.

The maid, Ilsana, shook her head. "We're not quite sure."

"Can I see her?" Jhussav and I asked at the same time.

"No," Ilsana said, and turned around, going back into the room.

We left for Athanarel the next day, and were there by sundown, where Mama was immediately taken to a healer.

"I don't know what's wrong with her," he said. "Keep her in bed, and here's a kinthus potion to ease any pain."

Mama nodded, and said quickly, "Let's go, Lessie."

Mama was in bed, not really any weaker than she has been before. "Lessie, would you play your harp for me?"

I played for her often, hardly ever leaving her room. Alaerec and Ermliana often stayed in there with me, simply sitting.

I talked with my mother for the first time ever, truly talked to her. We had always been fairly close, but we hardly ever saw each other. She was a wonderful woman, my mother. I began to actually get to know her as a friend, not just as my mama.

And after about two weeks, she began to get better. She got up and walked around, she took visitors in her sitting room, she played her harp, she even went out for a ride once. She talked with me, treating me as an adult friend of hers, not just her daughter. I began to love her, to love her in the way I loved Alaerec and Ermliana, as a dear friend, not just as a distant mother.

I also began to join her for luncheon every midday, in a small dining room off her sitting room that was open to anyone on our side of the Residence wing to use.

I was heading to that dining hall from my rooms after sword practice when I ran into Marscopa and Debegri.

They were never in the Residence wing. However, although I was surprised, I said quickly, "Hello your majesty, Nenthar," as I passed them. Marscopa said cheerily as she passed, "Good day, Elestra," and Debegri smirked at me.

I hurried into the dining room, murmuring, "Sorry I'm late, Mother—"

My mother was lying on the floor.

Dead.

Reviews:

Thank you to my two reviewers. See my review notice at the bottom

Wake-Robin: Thanks. I'm glad you like it, especially without the fluff. But it's coming! In ::thinks:: no more than two chapters. ::gives out three cyber-cookies::

Thea: You like the title I have now? Wow. You have strange taste. No offense or anything. I'm very glad I made your day. ::Gives out three cyber-cookies::

OK. Here's the update on THE UBER-GRAND TITLE COMPETITION AND POLL:

I haveno new titles, and two votes: one for SOTSD, and one for the title I have now...whatever (you have strange taste, Thea!).

Here are the suggestions:

-Life of an Elder, from Moonsong

-Sign of the Second Derivative, from aussiegirl of sunshine.

Don't understand what the hell the above phrase means? Aussiegirl says: "I don't know how good you are in maths but to find the second derivative you have to differentiate an equation twice and by doing that it allows you to find out a whole lot of different things that you didn't realise at first just by looking at the original thing. But if you hate maths dont worry."

--Times Past from FelSong

--Legend in the Making

--Budding Sovereign

--Presage to Righteousness, all from StarGirl98

Feel free to offer more suggestions--there's still two more chapters before I close the suggestion box.

I hope to have this all sorted out by chapter 10.

Also, I have recently decided to come out into the open, as those of you who read the last chapter discovered...here is the exact post.... ::deep breath, bursts into tears:: I admit it!!! I am a review whore!!! ::sobs:: Please review and tell me what you think...I'll give you not one, not two, but three whole cyber-cookies!!!! Now that's an offer you can't resist!

Now, for all who review, you get not three, but four whole cyber-cookies!!!!! Please, please, if you read this, review it. Even if it's just a flame, review it because I want to know what everyone thinks about my writing. If you think there's a characterization error, or a grammar mistake, tell me. I want to hone my writing skills. Please review...I'd like to give the whole world cyber-cookies if I could.

nebulia