Sequel to Wishing Only Wounds the Heart
Notes: I own nothing. Nope, not even a red scarf.
Acknowledgements: This could not have been done without the great help from mrstater on livejournal that was my beta for this chapter.
Dedication: To all my readers of the first story, you have all been so kind. I hope this meets both our expectations.
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When Tumnus reached his room, he closed the door, and leaned against the wood in frustration. He was going to lose her; he could feel it. But this was the way it was to be. He had to do what he had planned and that was the point, after all: to test their true feelings for each other. Looking to his packed bag on the nearby table, he felt a twinge of guilt as he moved it to the floor. He couldn't leave without an explanation; although he was supposed to…Closing his eyes as he realized how little time he had left, and found himself feeling thwarted for the first time in his life with the traditions of Fauns.
The next morning Lucy woke more tired than she had been when she had gone to bed. Thinking to herself that it was becoming a habit not to have a good full night's rest, she readied herself for the day. After getting dressed, she discovered a vase with a single white rose in it, beside was a piece of folded parchment, which bore her name in a small, neat script. She unfolded the page and found a letter written to her:
Dear Lucy:
I believe that what we had last night was a 'lover's quarrel' and according to my research, the one at fault is to present the other with a gift. Perhaps it is to make the recipient forget? I must look into it further.
I am sorry for the way I have acted towards you and hope you will forgive me.
Yours,
Tumnus
Rereading the letter, she was amazed at his handwriting, it was small yet not so small that one had to squint to read it, and had fancy air to it that made you think it was an official invitation to a party. Keeping the letter in her hand, she went to look for him. After looking for what felt like hours she found him in the gardens, laying against a tree reading aloud from a book he held in front of him, "Two years…and both should be secure…" shaking his head, "time is running out."
Curious as to what he was talking about, Lucy eased forward for a better look at the book – only to step on a twig… The book was put away, much to her disappointment. Tumnus stowed away the book into a satchel by his side. Realizing that he was not going to mention it, she seated herself in front of him.
Clasping her hands in her lap, she straightened her shoulders, looked him over, and said with an airy tone, "Someone sneaked into my room last night."
"Do you not keep your door locked?" He looked mildly interested and leaned forward as if hearing a story.
A smile threatened to grace her features, but she forced it down, continuing, "They left the most beautiful flower. I think it was to make me forget my being so cross with them."
"No letter of explanation?"
"Yes, but the handwriting was very poor."
A slight smile tugged at his lips at the quip behind her words, "Did the attempt work?"
The Queen faltered, stopping the game to be serious. "Well, I am no longer cross, just hurt that you won't let me know what is bothering you."
He motioned for her to sit beside him and drew her closer by putting an arm around her waist.
"If I put your mind at ease can we continue our usual…"
"Quiet discussions?"
"Yes, those."
At her nod, Tumnus internally sighed. He was breaking tradition, but he didn't think this tiny adjustment would make it fall apart completely – at least, he hoped not. "I am leaving when the daylight falls." Seeing her confused look, he explained, "Evening."
She moved away from him in a quick moment, "Leaving?"
He nodded solemnly, "I have business."
"Is this because I was-"
"No, I promise it isn't." He looked to find her extremely distraught. Pulling her close again, he laid his head against hers, "I'll return soon."
"Can you not tell me when you will be back?" Hopeful eyes searched his face.
Opening his mouth, he almost said something but looked away at the last minute. This was the hardest thing to do, and he cursed being a Faun with every fiber of his nature, "N-No."
Lucy said nothing but took his hand in hers and wish that the daylight would last forever.
The sun had set and Lucy, certain that Tumnus had left since he had mentioned that he could not say goodbye, went to his room. Pressing a hand to her mouth to stop a sob from escaping, she looked around his room. Everything was dark and clear of items that had once littered the tops of the tables and fire mantle. Turning to leave, her eyes fell upon a book that was lying on the floor. How she had missed it when coming in, she didn't know. Picking it up, she found herself smiling; this was the book he was reading from earlier that morning! Delicately she opened the worn maroon cover to find that it was a calendar. The days were named differently but the numbers were the same. Black lines were drawn through the days that had passed and in a few of the boxes she could see that notes had been written inside. Turning a page, she saw that one day had its border outlined in deep brown ink but there was no note to tell her why. She didn't need one anyway; it was his mother's date of death. Knowing the tradition of a parent's death and how the days before, during, and after were spent, she felt a deep pain in realizing that this year, she had not been invited to take a part in it. A few more pages over and she realized it was the current month due to the fact that the current day was the fifth. The first date had its border in deep purple ink: his father's date of death. The rest of the days were blank except for one three weeks into the month. It held one word in its small frame: Lucy. Uncertain as to why her name was on that day she leaned closer to it only to have the book taken from her hands.
Tumnus closed the book quickly, as if its secrets would escape if it was held open any longer; and passed his hand reverently along its cover. With what seemed to be great difficulty he looked to her and motioned that she should leave. Taking his lead and not saying anything, feeling rather ashamed at her sudden impulse to peak into his personal life, she turned and quietly left the room.
A few hours later, she walked past his door to find it closed and locked, knowing that he had left without saying goodbye, just as he said he would.
Finding herself alone, she turned the situation around in her head and came to the same conclusion every time: she deserved this, she had made him leave even when he declined that his 'business' had anything to do with her. With a heavy heart and soul, she returned to her room, tears falling faster than ever before.