The Return

I set out alone the next day. I carefully wrapped on of Alec's leaves around a sprig of Thyme and closed my eyes. I wished to keep my hair. I continued walking back the way I came. I thought about how mean I had been to Amir when all he wanted was a chance. I never gave him that chance. I walked on unaware that Goethe was only a mile behind me. I knew now that if Amir came back he would not want to see me again. He probably already found a new girl. I bit my lip and prayed this was not true. Why couldn't things be like they were during the War of Dreams? Two people know they were made for each other?

I made expert time. I reached the edge of the forest within two days. As I walked I hoped that everyone would be alright. I hoped no one had died, gotten sick or worse because I had not been there to save them. I walked on through the night. I didn't care that my feet still hurt from that street in the City.

When I reached the Village I saw guards posted around it. One of them stiffened as he heard me. It was Alec. He rushed to me and hugged me tightly. "Alec, is everyone okay?"

He shook his head slowly. "We lost Gray and Iso to a fever. We think the Abdul brought it. They came back. One was looking for you, but we told him you were dead."

"Who is sick? Is Ormond okay?"

"Ormond is fine, but Yaffa . . . she is going to have a baby. She is due anytime. Luckily she doesn't have the fever. If she did she and the baby wouldn't survive."

"What about Orothro?"

Alec bit his lip. "He's with the sick in that tent. Go see Yaffa first."

I walked away numbly. I stepped into our hut. Ormond sat at the table sleeping. A mug of cold tea in front of him. I put the kettle over the fire place and put more wood on. I felt the floor move as Ormond pushed away from the table. He hugged me tightly. " Oh, my cousin! I thought you'd never come back."

"I'm here. Where is Yaffa?"

"In your room. She's sleeping."

Yaffa was sleeping. She looked peaceful and herself except for the big bulge in her belly. I started to cry. Ormond hugged me again. "I knew I should not have left! Look! There is death all around me."

"Hush!" Ormond ordered. I obeyed.

"I'm going to see Uncle."

Orothro looked terrible, but he was glad to see me. "Did you find what you looked for?" he rasped. I nodded and got him some water. He drank it. "I'm glad. Rose, I am dying."

"No,"

"I am. There is nothing anyone can do. I want Ormond to be successor. Will you tell him?"

"Orothro, can you wait for a few hours? You cannot die yet. I love you uncle."

"Goodbye, Rose."

I jumped up and ran down the aisle. I crashed into someone. It was Ormond. But it didn't smell like Ormond. Hope filled my chest and I hugged the man as tight as I could. There was a laugh. I knew this laugh. "Amir!" I stood on my toes and kissed him lightly. He seemed surprised. I grabbed his hand. "Come with me!" I pulled him out of the tent. "Go and get a horse. Meet me at the western edge of the wood." I hurried away.

He was early. He saw me transform. He saw me cry out and clutch at the ground madly. I stood and dried my tears. There was no time to cry now. His face was pale. I kissed him gently. I was still crying. "You ride and I will run. Follow me." I dashed ahead and heard him behind me. I ran across the grass of the prairie. In the distance I saw a camp fire. That was my target. I barreled into the man's camp with Amir on my heels. "Papa!" I shouted. Amir looked so surprised I laughed. Goethe ran to me. "Miss me already?" he joked.

"Papa, I want you to meet someone." I pulled Amir forward and held his left hand tightly.

Him

I shook hands with Roses's father, Goethe. "Excuse me sir, but aren't you supposed to be dead? I mean, no offense."

Goethe laughed. "I lived. Amir I have heard so much about you from Rose. She could not stop talking about you."

"Is that so?" I asked glancing at Rose. She was blushing.

"Papa, the reason I came is Orothro. Some of the Villagers caught a fever. He is among them. He is dying. I want you to be able to see your brother." Goethe paled.

"Goethe, take my horse. I will walk back. Rose can go with you."

Goethe took the horse and rode off, but Rose stayed next to me. She looked at me. I looked at her wearily. "What?" she asked. My lips trembled.

"I thought you didn't love me."

Tears fell from her eyes. "Oh Amir. I do! I do. I love you with all of my heart."

"Then why did you send me away?"I asked tightly, through clenched teeth. I was angry with her. She held still.

"That rider that attacked me. He took advantage of me. It could and would have been more than a kiss, if I hadn't fought him. I was so afraid. I was so scared that if I told you, you would hate me. So I did the only thing I could to protect us." she said softly. "It was the worst thing I could ever imagine. I didn't realize how much you meant to me until you were gone. Be angry with me, hit me, I don't care. Just tell me that you still love me."

I sighed. She held back more tears. "I see." she said. "I knew you wouldn't love me after this. I knew it all along. Maybe I'll go back to the City–"

I picked her up easily and kissed her. She melted into me and kissed back. When we finally stopped I took a long look at her. She blushed.