Chapter 6

Septimus and Jenna ran through the many corridors of the palace, their footsteps echoing in the silence. When they reached the royal hospital, the first thing they saw was Sarah, on a bed, her face as white as the sheets and her hair all over the pillow.

"Mum," breathed Septimus in shock.

Until now, this had all been surreal to him, as if a dream was taking place. But now…The young boy suddenly realised that the last conversation he had had with his mother had been an argument.

"What happened?" he asked.

It was Silas, sitting on a chair next to the bed and stroking Sarah's blond hair, who answered.

"Poisoning. All those herbs she collects, one released toxic fumes. There's no cure. And because she was upset about something, her blood pressure was already high."

Septimus sat down and took his mother's hand. The contact woke her from her slumber.

"Septimus darling!" she said, just like she used to when he came to visit her on his free days. As if this was a normal situation. Jenna, who was clinging to the other hand as if this may stop Death from tearing Sarah away from them, was crying freely, big tears splattering on the duvet.

"Jenna sweetheart don't cry!" exclaimed the sick woman.

"But Mum you're—"

"It has to happen to everyone someday you know. Besides, this is exactly the way I want things to be. Your four forest-loving brothers and Simon are with me in my heart and the three of you are right here. Now all I need is Nicko.

"Oh Septimus about your apprenticeship—"

"It's fine Mum. I'll do as you say I promise!"

"No Septimus I don't want you to—"

"I know Mum, I know. Don't worry!"

Sarah gave up trying to explain herself. Her voice was becoming hoarse and she wanted to save it for later - if there was a later.

Just then, Nicko burst into the room. One look at its occupants told him that things were going for the worst.

"Mum!"

"Listen to me all of you," began Sarah. "I know things have been wacky lately but I know that the three of you (Nicko, Septimus and Jenna) will always have each other and I hope that you know it too. Your Dad will always love you and I will too – even as a ghost.

"It is my family that has made my life worth living and I thank you all for it. No Septimus! Don't cry! I am with you in you heart and you are with me in mine."

Sarah smiled. It was that smile that had been there forever. Whatever hardships they had been through, they had always know that they could rely on it. It was a smile full of motherly care, of love and kindness, of trust and forgiveness. Now, Sarah was no more yet her smile remained etched on her face.

Marcia was dancing. She was dancing a very slow rhythm and around her waste and shoulder were the hands of her beloved Silas. They were at a ball which had been planned for at least a month and the young woman, who had always thought waltz a waste of time, was having the time of her life.

After a while, they stopped and headed towards the refreshment table. Marcia, who remembered that it was near one of these tables that he had asked her out, had developed quite a fondness for them. Silas observed her for a moment. He took in her dark red, spaghetti-strapped prom dress, her matching leather shoes, and her dark hair, held up in a bun with a few curly strands left out; a hairstyle that revealed her elegant neck and broad shoulders. She really was magnificent. However, his detailed scrutinising made her squirm and when he noticed it, he apologised profusely.

*****

Marcia Overstrand was sitting on her couch. It had been one year and a few months that she had been going out with Silas Heap and she loved him to pieces. He had just been on a hiking trip during the last two days and she missed him terribly. She had read a note this morning promising that he would come and take her out tonight. She could barely wait. Finally there was a knock on the door. She stood up and smoothed the indigo dress she was dressed in – the same one she had worn on their first date.

Marcia opened the door and peered into the darkness of the night. No one was there. She moved forwards a little and inspected the sides of the door, not wanting to have to face the deception and the fact that she would have to wait some more. Suddenly, she felt two hands on her eyes, blinding her.

"Guess who?" asked her favourite voice ever.

"Silas!" she exclaimed.

He spun her around and kissed her full on. She ran a hand through his soft hair and laughed as he pulled her close.

"I missed you!" she said, trying to pout. That last attempt wasn't very successful as she ended up bursting out laughing at Silas's face as he tried to decide on how long she could keep the act.

"Well are you ready?" he demanded taking in her outfit. "Hey is that the dress you were wearing on our first date?"

She nodded, pleased that he had remembered.

They headed off through the stoned corridors of The Ramblings. After about 10 minutes, Marcia was getting curious.

"Where are we going?" she inquired.

"Not telling you!" he replied, squeezing her shoulder playfully.

She decided against faking a pout once again and just smiled.

"Oh what was it you wanted to ask me? You said something on the note?"

"Still not telling you!"

Marcia was hereby condemned to remain curious.

They arrived at a small house with flowers and fluffy blue curtains. Looking more closely, she could see a sign that said I Love You Bar. The 18-year-old was about to tell Silas that he was the sweetest boyfriend ever when he instructed her to close her eyes, grabbed her arm and whisked her off to the door.

"And NO peeking!" he remonstrated sternly.

She could feel herself being dragged through an open door and could then hear the sound of a hushed conversation between Silas and the person who had welcomed them – most probably a servant. After a few minutes which, appeared like an eternity, she was guided up a staircase and sat in a chair.

"Now you can look."

Marcia opened her eyes and gasped. They were on a small white table covered in a white cloth sprinkled with little red and pink paper hearts. It was situated on an open balcony which gave them a clear view of the stars above. Overall it was a dream-scene.

"Oh my goodness, Silas, how do you always know what I like?!" she exclaimed in awe "It's beautiful!"

"Not as beautiful as you," he grinned.

She smiled back. He was ever so modest!

The rest of the evening was spent in happy talking and a fair bit of kissing. Then, just as they had finished their desserts, Silas spoke:

"I need to ask you something."

"Oh yea I was having so much fun that I almost forgot!" answered Marcia in excitement.

"When I met you, a bit more than a year ago, I was immediately charmed. You were the most wonderful person I had ever seen and I spent the next three nights trying to think of the best possible way to ask you out. When you accepted to be my girlfriend, I thought my heart would explode from joy. Now I am still charmed and far more in love that I could ever have imagine being, with you Marcia. Everything you do is perfect in my eyes, every smile you make cuts straight to my heart and every time you laugh, I feel as though I could fly. You are the best thing that has happen to me Marcia and I wish for you to remain that. And I ask you, Marcia Overstrand, if you will marry me." Silas took a small box out of his pocket and opened it, revealing a silver ring. It was simple, a band with a heart on top yet, for both of them, it held so much value. The man looked up to her blue eyes, searching them for an answer. She did not make him wait.

"Yes! I would love to be your wife! Oh my goodness."

She hardly gave him enough time to slip the sacred ring on before kissing him more passionately that ever before.

AN: I'm sorry if it's fluffy but this is essential for later :S Hope you enjoyed, please R&R!