The shrieking brought Councilor Berrybottom in. He'd been on his way to join the Gummadoon council for returning Sir Blastus to his normal state... er, age... when the great shrieking started. Upon entering, the cub was white as a sheet, upright in bed, and staring at nothing. Her face frozen in a mask of fear. "Er... Tavi?" he approached cautiously.
The gummi girl threw off the covers and ran to him, wrapping her arms around him and clinging for dear life.
"No! No, it's not true!! You have to help me!!"
"Calm yourself, child. I'm supposed to be asking for your help. What seems to be the trouble?"
"A... a n-nightmare. It's... nothing!" She started shaking, despite her words. "I'm... I'm awake now." Her eyes darted about, not certain for a moment whether that was true. "I am awake, right?"
"Why, yes. Er... Are you well enough to help us change Sir Blastus back? It's why I'm here."
"Uh... Yeah. Just a minute. I'll change."
Councilor Berrybottom waited outside for her to do so.
Okay, Tavi, get a grip... She went to her window and looked outside. It was almost the afternoon? Well, she hadn't really slept last night. Quickly she dressed, avoiding the dream at all costs. She pushed it far, far back, and away. She could not have it buggin' her while she helped the Council. Even though it's exactly what Destini told her not to do... Destini! Yes, that was the gummi's name! She remembered!
Bolstered by the knowledge of the fallen sorceress's name, it steeled her to the reality that if Destini had talked to her, then... that really could have been Emi. She shivered, glad whatever it was couldn't touch her when she was awake. Right?

Gummadoon Castle interior

The puddles Toni splashed through to reach the palace left a muddy trail in quite a ways. It faded as he plodded on, leaving no further trace of his dash. He just wanted to be alone. Just erase himself from everyone's lives for one day. Couldn't he do that? Not worthy to be a knight, why bother going to training? Mother didn't want him to come back, he'd bet. But... where else could he go?...He found a back room little used. Cobwebs littered the place but it had one time been a meeting room of some type. A cot even lay in the back. It was musty and dusty but had a blanket. He curled up there and endeavored to forget about his life. Perhaps in the castle, closer to Sir Gumlittle, he could forget about his mother's loathing, his own failings, the terrible ache in his body, how thirsty he was, and warm up and forget any nightmares. Just... curl up and forget and... and disappear. That's what he wanted.
Toni tossed and turned on the cot for several minutes. The dream memory plagued him. Not his mother. No... It was the image of Gumlittle being killed, eaten, by the thing in the woods. Had he forgotten? Was he really so selfish not to check up on his knight? Stupid! He felt horrible, in body now as well as mind, but he had to see his Sir Gummie.
Toni got up, dusting absently at his now dusty clothing, and limped a bit out. No, he couldn't be seen looking weak and limping. Just suck up the pain... He could at least do that. And ignore his battered, stinging hands. Just... Just find out if Gumlittle was okay and then he could crawl in his newfound hole again.

Gummadoon Infirmary

Sarrika smiled at the results in the fading magical glow. Sir Blastus, now at his normal age, sagged slightly, but his brothers were there to catch
him, both Sir Plucki and Sir Gumlittle.
"Mon dieu... Ques quesei.." muttered the wobbly, shorter knight.

"Easy there, Blastus. Sit down." Gumlittle helped the other knight to the bed. "There's a lot to tell and you still aren't very steady on your feet."
Gumlittle chuckled, passing a look Plucki's way.
Plucki started to chuckle, then laugh whole-heartedly in his enormous relief.
"I... uh... am a bit parched, mon frer..." Blastus cocked his head up at Sir Gumlittle.
"I'll get him something." Plucki offered.
"You sure had us worried there, Blastus." Gumlittle said as the Knight Captain headed out. He nearly ran into Sir Ramsei.
"Oh, Ramsus. You found Sir Cubbi, I assume?"
"Oh, I found him alright. The cub's to stay at the guest cottage with Healer Huckleberri and has Timothi fawning over him almost as much as he's mooning over that girl, Sarrani." Sir Ramsei shook his head.
"Oh, come now, you were young once, too, Ramsus, even though you choose to forget that." He nudged his fellow's shoulder in a kidding fashion.
"Hmph. I assume by your good nature that Sir Blastus is doing well?"
Here, Plucki grinned and clapped his fellow on each shoulder. "Yes! The fever has broken. All will soon be back to normal. If you could, please let Cubbi know he can return tomorrow, when we are certain there are no more outbreaks and no one lingering or contagious to any degree. The Council will do a complete sweep of the place with Sarrika to make certain, and put up certain safeguards to prevent a future attack. Sir Ramsus, this was sickness aided by magic." Here, Plucki turned serious.
"Magic? Who would dare... You don't think--?"
"No, we believe it is Lady Bane this time." He could not allow himself to think about the OTHER who'd started it all last time. Not right now. "So... Yes. Go and inform Cubbi that his confines are not indefinite, and that Blastus will be back on his feet soon! Off you go!"
Not usually so jovial, Ramsei gave him quite a look back but Plucki ignored it. He needn't another reminder from his brother-in-law of what happened the last time magic had brought in a bout of illness...

Gummadoon Hallways

Tavi walked to the kitchen with her aunt, her stomach growling miserably.
"Magic can be draining, niece. One must remember this. There is much still for you to learn. So very, very much."
"That's what... um... Never mind."
Councilor Wooddale stopped. "What were you going to say, dear?"
"N-nothing, Auntie."
Her aunt sighed and kneeled. "A wise person listens with the ears, and with the heart, Tavi. I hear your heart is troubled, and your mind. It's all over your voice. What's the matter?"
She shouldn't hide it. Destini told her not to! She said to trust herself, and to trust others. And she trusted her aunt. Above all gummies...
"Auntie?... Um, I've got something troubling me, and it's big, and I don't want you to freak, cuz I'm already starting to and I just need someone to tell and Cubbi isn't here and I... I just don't know what to do!"
Councilor Wooddale stood, nodding. "Come with me, Tavi. We'll sit and eat and have our talk in private."

Healer Huckleberri's home

Cubbi was allowed out today, later on, after sitting for another story and jam and toast and tea session. It seemed all Huckleberri did was tell stories and talk on and on. He knew stuff, sure, but Cubbi just couldn't stay in the house anymore! Plus the rain had stopped, even though clouds loomed. Some sun shone through in patches and Cubbi chased those. He'd just been given word that Sir Blastus was fine or getting there and he'd be able to continue on the track of being a knight once more, and be with Sir Plucki. That'd be the best. He missed the other squires and pages but...
Really? It was Sir Plucki he missed the most.
But first, even though he wanted to play, he felt like doing something productive instead, to show that he wasn't just making his seclusion a holiday. Cubbi headed back to the Gummadoon stables to see how the unicorns were fairing in the sullen weather.
Sarrani, from the window, watched him go. She sighed.
"Don't worry. He's a strong one. He'll manage to keep himself entertained and do his duty, I have no doubt. Just wiser this time and not going to overexert himself." Timothi smiled.
"I suppose. Um... Timothi?"
"Er... Y-yes?" Was this the moment? Was she finally going to ask about their emotional standing? He was fluttery, afraid, and hinged on her every action.
"Tim... I have to go away again. My arrival isn't permanent. I... I don't know when I can come back, or if I can come back for good. There are so many distant warrens that need a capable healer, and larger towns trying to come back to former glory. In my travels, I've seen them all. My heart is that of a true healer. I go where there are those who need me. I... I hope you can understand."
He sighed gustily. Well, it wasn't that he didn't expect it. And it wasn't the end of the world. But... "I know, but... Before you leave again, I want to know one thing."
"Yes?" Now it was her turn to await his next words.
"Sarrani?" His voice cracked a bit. He cleared his throat, kneeled, and drew his small dagger. He held it out before her. "Healer Sarrani, I, Sir Timothi do swear to be by your side in your travels, to support you wherever you go, and protect you in times of need. I swear my sword and... and my heart... to you. Er... If you consent." His face had gone red but he did not falter in his pose of seriousness for this was as serious as any true marriage proposal. Just... slightly different.
The poor girl looked a bit shocked, and flustered. "Um... I... What about your work as a knight here?"
Sir Timothi sheathed the dagger and stood. "There are plenty up-and-coming knights. They won't even miss me. But I have missed you. Terribly. Seeing you again after almost two years? I... I don't want to miss you anymore."
Sarrani quirked a brow at him, a bit of smile poking through. "I didn't know you could be so serious."
"We've both grown a bit since last we saw one another."
"So... Was that a... a marriage proposal or a knight's decree?" The love of his life giggled at him.
"Well..." He shuffled his feet. "That's entirely up to you, milady."
Giggling a bit giddily, she threw her arms around him and hugged him soundly.
From the door edge of his room, Healer Huckleberri backed away from his eavesdropping, lest his chuckling give him away.