(Untitled)

[called_lioness]

And then there's tonight.

Gifts for remembrance--it's like the will, but more personal, she supposes--are given out or about to be given, and the dragons are waiting with her sadly, and mostly Lucy's just sitting and watching the room.

Because it's dear, for all she's ready to leave, and some things she wants to remember perfectly.

And this is

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[a_lioness]

She'd promised to be here, and only a lack of consciousness or a direct order from Jonathan would have kept Alanna from honoring it.

Puff came along for moral support.

Dragon on her shoulders, Alanna sits down beside Lucy, offering a quick squeeze around her shoulders, and joins her in her perusal of the room. She'll let Lucy speak first, if she wishes.

My babiessss.

[called_lioness]

MAMA.

MAMA, SHE IS LEAVING US!

MAKE HER STAY?

"Hullo," she murmurs, and smiles crookedly.

[a_lioness]

Head held high with all the assurance of a much larger dragon, Puff alights on the table and gives a regal twitch of her tail.

Humansss are fickle creaturesss. But I am here, my babiesss. We don't alwaysss win. Sometimesss the draw of the Him isss too great for the weaker onesss.

Alanna watches all this with mild amusement.

"How are the twins holding up?" she asks, quietly and perhaps needlessly.

[called_lioness]

BUT MAMA--

WE LOVE HER.

WE WERE GOOD DRAGONS.

WE WERE.

...BUT SHE DID TRUST US TO TAKE CARE OF HER TINY HUMAN.

SHE DID, SHE DID.

"Not well," she sighs, and leans against Alanna's shoulder after a minute.

"I wish I could take everyone with me."

[a_lioness]

Alanna supports her by leaning a little herself, offering what comfort she can.

"I know," she says, still watching the room. "It's never easy leaving people behind, even when your heart tells you, in no uncertain terms, to go forward."

I'm sssure you were the very best of dragonsss. You are my babiesss. Puff snorts and shifts her weight from side to side, managing to look fierce. For her size.

"Have you found homes for them? If not, I could bring them home with me." Wryly, "The people of Olau are learning to overlook such things."

Besides, in not so many years they will have another young dragon to play with.

[called_lioness]

"Mary and Ingress are going to watch them. But if you stop by to help sometime, I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

Mary might.

But.

[a_lioness]

Alanna nods, feeling a bit silly at the momentary disappointment. Adam would likely kill her, anyway.

"I'm sure Puff will want to make their acquaintance," she remarks, turning her head to glance at her dragon. "Remember how they drilled Caspian?"

It's fond and sad, and she smiles a bit at the memory.

Good human, Puff purrs.

[called_lioness]

"Aye," she says wryly. "I do."

And then she looks at Puff and holds out a hand. "Lady. I thank you for your children and the joy they brought me."

[a_lioness]

Puff eyes the hand, turning her head from side to side, then snorts and nudges it with her snout.

There could have been worssse choicesss for a Human.

Twinsss? Did you have a ceremonial lassst burning of undergarmentsss?

Alanna is silent for a long moment, finally admitting, "I feel like there's so much I should say, and yet, words fail me."

[called_lioness]

OF COURSE.

ALL OF THEM.

EVERY LAST ONE.

SHE WAS VERY GOOD, MAMA.

SHE WAS.

"Say you love me?" she asks with a sad smile.

[a_lioness]

There's a sound partway between a helpless laugh and a sob, and another hug, and Alanna nods several times before speaking.

"I do love you, Lucy. I really do," and it's as much an oath as any other she has uttered. Eyes suspiciously shiny, she smiles and tugs gently on a lock of blond hair. "Lioness. My children will know your name and hear stories of your deeds, that I promise you."

[called_lioness]

"And I you," she whispers, and kisses Alanna's forehead.

"And I will love you and your children both from there. Always and forever."

[a_lioness]

She wants to ask where there is.

She wants to better understand, to try to picture where Lucy will go when she leaves.

But whereas Thom would push, always seeking knowledge of the unknown and the realms of the gods, Alanna has learned that such things aren't for everyone to understand.

"I thank you, Lucy, for being my friend." Alanna lifts her chin and nods once, firmly. "May I sit with you for a while, before you leave?"

[called_lioness]

"Yes," she whispers, and takes Alanna's hand.

"Please."

[a_lioness]

Alanna squeezes her hand and falls silent, knowing that words are no longer necessary.

She won't say goodbye.

She will say 'fare thee well' and wish her friend much joy in her journey and homecoming. She'll wish her much peace and rest.

And she'll know in her heart that these wishes will come true.