To avoid any confusion, I will tell you now, this chapter jumps from Willow's to Thom's POV midway.

I quite liked how this turned out after I wrote it, even though it was sad. It is still fluff, sad fluff, but fluff. This is supposed to tie everything (or at least the next few chapters) together, so I hoped it worked!

Willow extends a hand...

I was alone. The horizon stretched before me and I was alone. The wind whistled around the balcony and I was alone. The clouds ambled through the sky lazily and I watched them alone. And despite the sunlight, I felt cold. Colder than ever.

I leaned further out on the balcony, ignoring the ominous creaking as I did so. Peering over the edge, I looked down and down and down, down to the ground so far away, and to the tiny figures going through their everyday lives.

How could they do that? How could they just continue with their lives, as if everything was alright, and their reigning monarchs weren't dead? Why weren't they mourning?

Footsteps cut through my depressing thoughts, followed by a voice that I didn't expect to hear at all. "You shouldn't be up here alone. I mean no offence by my words."

I didn't turn around at his voice. I didn't even look at him. Slowly I became aware of the man as he leaned on the balcony, also gazing out over the view. I could glimpse him in the corner of my vision – the bright curls, the somber clothes, the pale skin.

We both stood there. I wasn't sure if either of us were really comfortable with eachother's presence, but nevertheless I wasn't inclined to move any time soon. Finally Thom cleared his throat. "What brings you up here?"

"This is where I come to think," I replied simply, still looking at the view. I saw him nod in acknowledgement out of the corner of my eye.

"What's going to happen with us?" The words were out before I could really think about it. I flushed briefly, then swung my gaze to look at him. I had to know.

Thom didn't look at me. He kept his gaze fixed on the horizon. Neither did he answer my question. He didn't get the time to – he was saved from replying by the sound of footsteps. I made a split-second decision. "I have to appear in court tonight for a ball. After that I need to speak to you in my quarters," I said firmly.

At first I thought he wouldn't reply. Then- "Why do you care?"

"Because, Thom," I said, "we were friends once. If it weren't for Roger, we could still be friends. And our…friendship, or whatever it is, it deserves a fighting chance. I don't have many friends, so I will fight for the ones I've got." Finished for now, I turned and walked away, passing Jon on the way inside.

"What was that about?" Jonathan's deep voice sounded as he took his sister's spot on the balcony.

I didn't reply, except to ask, "Was she always that confusing?"

Jon snorted. "No. She's just gotten better at it."

I turned to face him. "Why does she keep pursuing me?" I demanded. "Why hasn't she just given up yet?"

"Because she's of the mind that everybody deserves a second chance," Willow's brother replied, leaning on the balcony.

It was my turn to snort. "I don't deserve a second chance. And I most certainly do not deserve to be saved, especially by her."

"That's her call, isn't it?" Jonathan asked softly. "After all, she's the one that chose to chase you."

"But why?" I whirled to face him, anger aiding my movements. "Why is she chasing me? I just want her to leave me alone!"

Jonathan studied me for a long time. "So that's why," he said finally, his tone wondering. "It's not just shame, is it? It's ignorance." At my stare, an amazed look crossed his face. "Mithros, you actually don't know. You have no idea." He shook his head, raising a hand. "Nevermind. Disregard my words. She'll tell you one day."

"I know she cares," I snapped. "I just want to know why she would, after everything that's happened."

Jon smiled faintly, then turned to look back at the view. "Because, she sees something in you that's worth chasing. She sees past what you've done, to who you are."

"And who am I to her?"

At the question, he shrugged. "I don't know."

Frustration followed his words, but he said no more, lapsing into silence. I turned away once again to stare at the clouds. We stood there on the balcony of Balor's Needle in a silence that was neither comfortable nor uncomfortable, but somewhere in between.

It was the breeze that woke me from my doze. I looked around. Somewhere during the day the soon-to-be king had gone back inside, no doubt to prepare for the court ball that had been scheduled – while I didn't participate in these functions, I did keep up with the palace activities. Maybe that should change.

Well, it wasn't like I had anything to lose. A glance around revealed it was getting close to sunset. The sky was streaked a faint pink, and would change to fiery reds and oranges when the sun hit the horizon later – I knew this from past experiences. With a soft sigh I stepped back from the railing, turning away from the soon-to-be spectacular sight. Staying out here alone was boring anyway.

Again, sorry for the email spam. The last chapter will be uploaded right after this, and then that will be it for a while.

If you liked it, let me know. If you didn't, please tell me why not!

Also, any grammar/spelling errors pointed out would be greatly appreciated. :)

Love, MagicalLeaves