And onto the next chapter: In which Alanna returns, and she has a nice chat with Willow about her brother...

With Alanna's return halfway through May, the world seemed to brighten more than a little. Jonathan in particular was greatly relieved, a detail that banished all the tension I hadn't know I had. It wasn't until then that I'd realised that I'd still been holding my breath over which way their relationship would fall on her return, but to see them instantly patch things up cleared a great weight off my chest.

After all, it was much easier to go about the business of an upcoming coronation if everyone could get along.

I was also much relieved to hear that Alanna truly had the Dominion Jewel – not that I didn't believe the rumours, but more that I just wanted to hear it from Alanna herself. Her confirmation, followed by a fierce embrace was most welcome – especially the latter, which I had missed terribly. Nevertheless, the conversation I had been dreading didn't take long to occur. Alanna cornered me while Thom was away on one of his many research projects, demanding to know exactly what was going on – and while I didn't give her the exact details, she did come away with an answer. "You…and Thom."

My answer was in my silence as I dropped my gaze, unable to hold her eyes for any longer.

Alanna roared with laughter.

My head shot up, my gaze astonished. No doubt the look on my face sent her into a fresh wave of hysterics. "I'm sorry," she finally gasped, trying to catch her breath, "I just find it hard to believe that my brother – the same person who is a hermit in some long-forgotten library and doesn't know how to talk to any women beyond me – is with you. It also makes the fact that you're publicly courting – my brother, publicly courting anyone! – doubly hysteric."

I couldn't help the snort that left my lips. Alanna's grin widened briefly before she leaned over to hug me. "That wasn't why I wanted to talk to you though."

I tilted my head in silent inquiry. In answer the knight sighed, clasping her hands neatly before her. "There are two things. Firstly…well, you know about me and Jon-"

"I'm not my bother, and Thom isn't you," I said quietly. "The only thing we share are the family names."

"I wasn't worried about that," she said mildly. "I was worried what might happen if things went sour – and they could. I know my brother well."

"He carries the Trebond pride," I said dryly, "just as I have my brother's stubbornness. But I don't think you should worry – after all, I have people looking over my shoulder, including one very caring lady knight. I've no doubt that someone will knock our heads together if we let something go wrong. Not that it would." I swallowed, then added with a fierceness I didn't feel, "I won't allow it to happen."

Alanna shook her head. "You would say that," she muttered. "Though, to be fair, if you hadn't fought as hard as I've heard, than I suppose you two wouldn't be here today."

A lump rose in my throat at her words. Though Thom assured me that Alanna would approve – and probably gain a great deal of amusement from our relationship – it still meant a great deal to hear it in person.

The lump only grew bigger when Alanna moved onto the second topic. "How ill do you think Thom is?"

"I-"

"Willow."

"…Bad."

Alanna nodded, her eyes fixed on mine. "And are you going to act on it?"

"I…I'm trying, but…" I paused, struggling for words. "It's hard. Thom won't- he won't take help. He's too proud."

"Much like you," she said dryly. "You'd never let yourself be carried if you could crawl." Her point made, she returned to the topic. "I thought you might say that though. Thom has changed a great deal to become who he is now. That power he's amassed and the things he's done – he has a lot to be proud of. At the same time, he needs someone to punch him and remind him that he doesn't know everything. I'm glad that's you."

"W-What?"

Alanna snorted again. "Oh, don't tell me you don't notice how different he is around you compared to the others. Thom never treats anyone as an equal – except me. And then there's you." She paused, fixing a very serious gaze on me. "I was hoping you could get through to him about…help. For his condition."

"I told you, I tried. He won't-" I gulped "-he's not trying to survive. I don't know if he's living as each day is his last, but I don't want that. I want more. I want…I want forever Alanna."

The woman eyed me for a long moment. "You do know that forever could be arranged right?"

Marriage. She meant marriage. "Well, yes, but- we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now…I just want time."

Didn't we all just want more time?

"…It's just the one thing Thom doesn't have."

"I- I know," I whispered, meeting her eyes. Then the lightning bolt struck home. "You know. How much time he has left."

"And you would too, if you listened to your head over your heart."

She was right.

Alanna was right.

Thom was dying.

The woman in question reached over, jolting me out of my numb thoughts. "I have…a plan. Or at least, I have someone who might be able to help – if we can talk Thom into it, that is."

"Who?" I grabbed her hand, clinging to it – my current lifeline in a whirlpool of fear.

"Has Thom ever told you about his teacher, Master Si-Cham?"