I'm sorry it took so long before I could post this next chapter. I do my very best, but it's hard when you no longer have the internet at home -_- I hope you enjoy this part also! Always let me know what you think, I check in on a daily basis with other computers that are available to me throughout the day ^_^

Friends of Fire 5
 by: River

Thinking it must be her husband coming back from his search, she ran to the door and swung it open. She was struck-speechless at the sight of William running his way in her house.

"Get out of my house, thief!" She screamed.

Will quickly raised his hands in defence. "No, please, I am not a thief--"

"Who are you?" she held out her broom as weapon of defence.

"My name is William. I met a man who said a woman was here. A woman named Kate, is this true?"

Calming herself, she lowered her broom and nodded. "I believe you have met my husband, Christopher."

"Yes, I have." He looked around, his eyes raising to the second floor. "Is she up there?"

Elena shook her head. "No, she is right here. Follow me." She led him to the room where Kate was resting. She opened the door and let William walk in.

"What's happened to her?" He gasped and knelt beside her bedside. Elena worriedly stood in the doorway, watching as the man tried in vain to wake the woman. She tried that already, but it was no use. As if Kate was sleeping the deepest sleep and could not wake up. She was pale, almost grey, and was resting in a pool of sweat.

"Is she dead?" Will whispered, his trembling hand resting on her forehead.

"She is still breathing."

"Kate, can you hear me?" He spoke softly. "It is me, William. Say something."

Kate didn't wake.

"Elena?"

The woman turned around and saw her husband, followed by the others, enter the house. Christopher showed the others where Kate and William were and Elena stepped aside to let them join their friends.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Not well, I'm afraid."

"We need medical assistance, Elena."

"Perhaps..."

"Quiet!"

Elena glanced up in shock at her husband. "I beg your pardon, Christopher?"

"Your mother will not be involved in this," he hissed quietly so the others couldn't hear them.

"And why not? She is the only person right now that can help this poor child from hurting!"

"Who is it?"

Christopher and Elena looked away from each other and at Chaucer standing in the entrance.

"Pardon me, boy?"

"Do not play fool with me," he warned. "I've heard the two of you speaking of someone, a woman, who might be able to help Kate. Now let us know her name!"

"I don't think--"

"Neva."

Christopher exhaled loudly and looked at his wife. "Look at what you've done!"

"I did not do anything, Christopher. It is not forbidden to say her name."

"Who is Neva?" William joined them. "How can she help?"

"You have given them false hope, woman."

"Who is she?!" William cried louder, ending the dispute between the married couple.

Elena lowered her head, ashamed. "My apologies, young man."

"I think it is wise for everyone if you'd let us know who she is and where we can find her," Roland appeared in the doorway and walked passed his friends. "There is a woman dying in there and we shall do anything in our power to help!"

"For her sake and yours, I do not think it is such a good idea--"

"Do not bother us with your personal worry, sir," William retorted, glaring at the older man.

"She likes to live alone. She sleeps in the barn behind the house. Follow me, I shall take you to her," Elena said and walked out the house. William glanced at Roland and Chaucer, then ran off after her.

"Where has William go?" Jocelyn stepped away from Kate's bedside to look around.

"There might be someone who will be able to cure Kate," Roland explained, his eyes wandering passed her to the actually sick woman lying in bed.

"Oh."

"Please, do not feed your worries with false hope. Neva knows nothing medical."

"Here's an idea," Wat breathed, still half lost in his thoughts. "Perhaps one of us should continue the ride to the village, bring back someone who truly has medical knowledge. In case Sir Christopher is right."

"Are you crazy, mate?" Chaucer gasped. "The village is at least a day from here, perhaps a little less. We shall never make it in time."

"You speak as if Kate will die by the end of the day," he pointed out accusingly.

"She is gravely sick!"

"It gives you no right to abandon hope so easily."

"Please, please," Christopher stepped in, calming the two men. Bored, Jocelyn rolled her eyes and sat down.

"Let's not fight, it is not a good time for a battle. Your friend is sick and I believe she needs all the support she can receive."

Chaucer snorted and crossed his arms against his chest, looking away from Wat. Annoyed, the other man grabbed his bag and exited the house.

"Now you've done it!" Roland cried and followed his friend out of the house.

In the meanwhile, Elena and William made their way to the barn behind the house in a hurry.

"Mother?" Elena called out for her. "It is an emergency, I require your immediate presence!"

"What is it, child?"

William cleared his throat and straightened his back at the sight of an old lady walking towards them. Neva looked older for her age, but no way did she came close of looking like a witch.

"Who is this fine gentleman?" she asked without a smile.

"My name is William--"

"He is the reason why we require your presence and... your Healing ability."

Neva raised an eyebrow and looked from her daughter to William. "I've been mistreated and judged unfairly because of my gift. Why should I use it for this stranger?"

"Because a woman is very sick, she needs medical care!"

"I do not perform medical care, daughter. I am but an old witch, just as your dear husband named me."

"No, mother! You are not a witch, all my life I have envied you. Do not let my husband's comments disturb you."

"I do not have time for this! I am tired and need sleep. Leave, now."

"But mother--"

"Did you not hear what I just said? Leave--"

"Please, I beg you, come and help my friend. She is too sick for us to resume our travel to the village. We cannot even move her, she hasn't awaken yet! She is in great pain and our only chance at this moment is you. I beg you, come and help us!" William pleaded.

Elena stayed quiet, her eyes resting on her mother, waiting for her reaction. At first she seemed unmoved, then she sighed and stepped closer to William.

"Stranger, what makes you think I am capable of helping your friend?"

"Because your daughter has placed great trust in you and your ability. Please, shall you come?"

Neva looked at her daughter and nodded. "I shall do my best."

Extremely relieved, William let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Neva went to get the items she would need, with the help of Elena, and all three of them quickly marched back to the house.

"Something wrong?" William asked worriedly when he saw Roland and Wat standing outside next to their horses.

"Everything is fine, Will. Go and help Kate."

Nodding, the trio stepped in the house. As soon as he saw Neva, Christopher stood from his chair and nodded curtly. Neva ignored him and walked straight into Kate's room. Annoyed, Christopher shook his head. His wife came to stand beside him and rested a comforting hand on his arm.

William and Chaucer were about to follow the old woman in the room when she turned abruptly and shook her head.

"No one is allowed inside but myself. I shall call you when it's done. Do not disturb me," she ordered and closed the door in their faces.

William sighed and rubbed his tired face with his hand. Jocelyn stepped next to him and encircled her arms around his neck.

"Do not worry yourself, lover. Everything will be just like it used to be."

"I'll worry until I have proof Kate will be fine and out of danger," he replied, softly pushing her arms away and pulled a chair to sit down. Jocelyn stared at him and growled quietly.

"May I speak to you outside?"

Lacking strength, William forced himself off the chair once more and followed Jocelyn outside.

"What is--"

"I cannot believe you are still treating me like this!" She hissed.

"Of what are you talking about?" he frowned.

"What is it do I need to do for you to kiss me these days, William? You have completely forgotten about me in your worries for a woman who is by far romantically related to you. She is but a friend and I am your lover, we can worry together but I cannot do this with you pushing me away every time I come to you!"

"It's not a good time for this, Jocelyn..."

"Is it not? Will every time a friend be sick or in trouble, they will come before me?"

"She might die!" he argued, his voice slowly rising. "Why can't you understand this, Jocelyn?! My friend is close to death. I am in no possible mood to act as the perfect lover."

"What if I said I was with child? Would you ignore me still?"

William stared at her, unsure if what she was telling was the truth.

"You are with child, Jocelyn?"

The raven-haired girl said nothing and lowered her head to the ground. "It is a strong possibility, William."

"Oh, my God," he breathed, then repeated the words louder and louder with the same disbelief.

"I thought you would have been happy."

"I am, Jocelyn, I really am. It is just now I have so many things on my mind. Everything is happening so fast. What will become of us?"

"What do you mean? We shall marry, of course. I cannot live with a man and carry his child without marriage, William."

"Marriage," he mumbled. "A child."

"Is there a problem?"

"I have simply not considered the possibility of us having a child yet."

"You do not like children?"

"No, I love them. I am happy, believe that," he breathed and pulled her in a warm and comforting hug.

t b c

[ Not the kind of ending you were hoping for, eh? G We'll see what happens to everyone in the next chapter! ^_- ]