A/N: Another rapid chapter because...deadlines.
TheRanger'sDaughter: Sorry. I just don't have the time for one shots right now. They are a lot of fun and I do like doing them...I just have too many things happening at once right now. All your other questions...you'll find out soon :)
AER: We're in an emotional part of the story. I feel that if I cry writing it, a reader had better cry reading it.
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.
Elizabet walked down towards the dining hall with Tammy on one side of her and Noah on the other. Liam returned with the real Mara in tow along with Caitlyn and Little Lina, who had tagged along to check in with Gabby and Robin. Elizabet had been visiting Maggie when Tammy summoned her with Noah at her side. Maggie was more like an empty shell than a child, constantly watching the hourglass and shadowing her grandfather like a puppy. Playing with Jasmine and Anne didn't pull her out of her trance. Neither did Mara's return. Mara opted to spend the night with her parents, putting off moving back into her own room a few days. Hopefully in those few days Maggie would recover enough to be thrilled at the idea of a sleepover. Maggie slept so often she never changed from her sleeping gown and Alyss and Julia had to bathe her as though she were still a toddler like Little Lina. Elizabet had hoped she could coax Maggie into reading a story but had no luck.
"Elizabet," Sean cut her off, meeting her outside the door. It was slightly ajar and Elizabet could see most of the family eating at the long table inside.
"Yes?" Elizabet asked, noticing her mother was just behind him.
"We need to speak with you," Kineta told her. Elizabet frowned. The tone wasn't a pleasant one. She glanced back to the dining hall.
"Where's Gabe?" she asked.
"With Lorelei," Sean answered, taking her arm and pulling her aside. "Noah, Tammy, you two come as well."
"What's happened?"
Elizabet allowed herself to be led down the hall and around the corner to a secluded nook many a kiss had been stolen from young lovers. The nook was almost infamous as such a meeting point. Elizabet wasn't sure if her parents knew that, as it was more of a place for the younger crowd. Elizabet only knew because of her close relationship with maids over the years.
"Elizabet it's about Neil," Sean began slowly. He held her arms as he spoke, cueing her to the seriousness of their conversation. Elizabet immediately frowned.
"Have you found him?" she asked.
"Yes," Sean answered. "Elizabet, sweetheart…"
"He's hurt?" Elizabet guessed. "Is he hurt? Is he in the medical wing?"
"Elizabet," Kineta said slowly, coming next to Sean. She touched Elizabet's shoulder and then went to Noah. "Noah…we received word that Neil has been found just a half hour ago. We weren't sure where you were but…we knew you'd be coming here to dinner, so…we waited."
"Where is he?" Noah asked. Elizabet looked down to her young brother-in-law, of whom she had custody.
"Where…is he?" Elizabet repeated when no one answered.
"He was found in the ravine," Sean finally answered. "The one near the bridge everyone likes to bow fish from."
"Alright," Elizabet said. "Where is he now?"
"Elizabet," Kineta sighed. "Noah…Neil is gone."
Elizabet stared at her father, who still held her by the arms. Sean stared at her with a grave expression.
"He's gone," Sean repeated when she gave no reaction.
"You're lying," Noah muttered.
"Noah…" Kineta began, but Noah wouldn't hear of it.
"You're lying!" he shouted.
Sean pulled Elizabet into a hug. "Sweetheart, be strong for him," he whispered to her. Elizabet barely heard him, but she did hear him. She stepped away and went to Noah, who had begun fighting with Kineta. He wanted to run, but Kineta wouldn't let him. Elizabet caught his hand and held it tight. She began walking back up the stairs she'd come, only she turned towards her own apartment instead of Scout's. She wasn't aware Tammy had followed her until she was inside. Tammy let herself in and stood quietly by the door, waiting to see how she could be of use.
"Noah," Elizabet said gently, taking him by the hand to his room. "I'm going to leave you with Aunt Tammy. She'll take care of you until I get back."
"Your dad lied," Noah told her through wet sobs. Elizabet pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. The tears were coming too fast to do much but it seemed like a decent thing to do. She wanted to yell at her parents too, maybe fling herself on her bed and weep until morning. Her father's simple words broke her inside, but somehow his next words built enough back she could maintain composure a little while longer. She had to be strong for Noah.
"Stay here," Elizabet ordered. "Stay with Tammy. Try…try to eat something before you go to bed."
Noah nodded. Elizabet took a deep breath, hoping she could keep herself together just a little while longer. She stood and walked out of his room, closing the door gently behind her. The moment the door clicked shut, something glass on the other side shattered against the floor followed by a heavy piece of furniture. Elizabet squeezed her eyes shut, a stray tear rolling down her cheek as she listened to the fit behind the door. She only opened her eyes when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Lizzie?" Tammy whispered. Elizabet took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Alicia was standing in the middle of the rug holding a trunk.
"As usual I've come at a bad time," Alicia said smoothly.
Elizabet wiped the tear away. "What is it?"
"I've come to give my notice," Alicia went on. Clearly she had no idea what had just happened.
"Effective immediately?" Elizabet asked, eyeing the trunk.
"If you'll allow it, Your Grace."
Elizabet felt she couldn't fight the tears much longer. She took another deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut. Alicia, as usual, misinterpreted Elizabet's body language as a cue to continue.
"It's just…it's clear we don't get on. Nothing I do seems right. I know you aren't happy with my service."
All true. All at the wrong time.
"Your Grace?" Alicia prompted her. "May I be dismissed?"
Elizabet took another deep breath. She opened her eyes. Her vision was so blurred she could barely make out Alicia's features. "Yes," she whispered. "You may be dismissed. Aunt Tammy, would you write her a good reference on my behalf? My seal is in…"
Elizabet found herself unable to say 'my desk'. The desk also had Neil's seal. It was where he plotted out so many of his plans for the agricultural pursuits of Roscrea and its neighboring villages. Their bedroom was smaller than other master bedrooms within the castle and they had room for just one desk while everyone else had two or even offices. He'd even left a cloak draped over its chair. Elizabet hadn't moved it. Unless a maid came through, no one had.
"I'll take care of it," Tammy assured her. "And Noah."
"Thank you," Elizabet told her gratefully. She stepped away from the door. Inside, Noah let out a scream so gut-wrenching Alicia actually took a step back. Elizabet barely heard it. She went to the small box on a table she and Neil always kept extra money in. They didn't keep a close count of how much, as it was mainly used as a central place they could send trusted servants for quick payment. Inside there was a small fortune. It wasn't much by royal standards, but it would get Alicia by until she found a new post. She held it out to her now former lady-in-waiting. "I wish you well, Alicia."
Alicia accepted the box with a curtsy. "And I you, Your Grace."
That did it. Elizabet couldn't keep herself together any longer. "If you'll excuse me," she said politely, heading for the door. She fled her apartment the moment she shut the door behind her in a fit of tears. She wasn't entire sure where she was running, but the castle was large enough she had plenty of options. She ran until someone caught her. A set of strong arms circled around and pulled her off balance. Elizabet crumbled in them, her tears growing more intense.
"Elizabet?" a voice asked. "What's happened?"
The voice felt familiar but her sense was too far away to recognize anything with certainty. She erupted in a coughing fit as the sobs became stuck in her throat.
"What are you doing with her?" another voice demanded, coming closer. "Release her! Now!"
"What has this family done to her?" the man holding her demanded.
The sobs turned to nausea. Elizabet tried to escape the arms but they only tightened. Elizabet couldn't see clearly enough to find a private corner, but the arms clearly wouldn't let her go even if she could. Her stomach emptied onto the floor. The arms dropped her. She hadn't realized she let them take her weight until she felt herself fall onto the stone floor. New hands found her shoulders, quickly pulling her hair back.
"Don't you dare touch her!" the first man shouted.
"Back away," the second growled. "Elizabet…"
The first man was back now, shoving the second. "Who hurt her? You?"
The sound of fist to face echoed through the stone structure. Elizabet wasn't sure what happened next. She blacked out.