This was by @Zanni Werthison and me. Part 3 is coming soon

“How’re you doing, Picket?” Heather asked. It was the next morning and Heather had decided she wanted to check in on her brother.

“I’m the happiest rabbit in the whole wide world!” He answered. He was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his face beaming. Heather liked seeing her brother so happy, but she was also sad. He didn’t need her anymore.

“Have you told anyone yet?” Heather asked, distracting her mind from all sad thoughts.

“That reminds me,” Picket exclaimed, jumping out of his bed. “I have to tell Helmer!” Then his face fell. He turned to his sister. “Do you think he’s going to like it?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t he?”

“Nevermind. It’s nothing.” An awkward silence followed until a knock sounded. Heather went to open the door. Emma was standing outside of it.

“Oh,” Emma said. “I’m sorry. I thought this was Picket’s room. I’m all of sorts today. This is the third door I’ve knocked at. I’m really–” Heather started laughing.

“Pick,” she called. “It’s–”

“Emma!” Picket pushed past his sister.

They act like they haven’t seen each other in years, Heather thought with a smile. When they had only been away for nine hours. At the most.

“I have to go,” Emma said.

“What?”

“I’ve got to make my rounds,” Emma said. “I just wanted to drop by quick.” Emma then said a quick goodbye and ran off to her duties.

“Did I ruin something for you, Heather?” Picket asked.

“No, why would you ask that?”

“I mean,” Picket fumbled over his words. “For you and Smalls. Seeing as Emma and Smalls are, you know.” Heather was silent.

Emma must not have told him, She thought. She debated whether or not to inform him of the delicate lie. She decided that Emma should do it herself.

In the silence, Picket grew more and more worried.

“Oh, Picket,” She exclaimed with a giggle. “You and Emma are perfectly in the clear.” Picket’s face relaxed. He smiled.

“I’ve gotta find Helmer,” Picket remembered. “Bye sis.” He rushed off to find his Master.

Heather found herself alone, so she wandered down to Small’s room. She knocked on the door. Emma answered it.

“Oh, Heather!” Emma exclaimed, surprised. “Do you need anything?”

“No, I just thought I would stop by to see Smalls. How’s he doing?” Heather asked.

“He’s doing fine. I will tell him that you’re here.” She walked inside, and a second later came out. “He is ready to see you.” She led Heather inside.

“Oh, hello, Heather,” Smalls said. He was sitting on his bed, a warm smile his arm was out of the sling, and was at his side.

“Hello, Smalls. I am glad to see your arm is out of the sling. What did the doctor say?”

“About a week until it’s fully sword worthy,” Smalls said. “Hopefully less.”

“Why ‘hopefully’?” Heather asked, suddenly concerned. “Has something–”

“No. Of course not. Just in case.”

“Oh.” A long silence followed. It was Smalls who attempted to break it.

“So,” he spoke, “how are you feeling?”

“I am feeling better, but still healing.” Then Heather remembered why she had come. She turned suddenly to Emma, so suddenly that she scared the two others. Smalls jumped up next to his “sister”.

“Why would you lie to Picket, Emma?” She asked. The anger in her voice surprised her.

“I would never do that,” Emma said. “I love Picket more than anything.”

“Yet you keep secrets from him,” Heather continued. She was about to continue but then she saw Smalls who was behind Emma furiously shaking his head. Then she looked at Emma. Water was building in her friend’s eye.

“I’m sorry, my friend,” Heather apologized, hugging Emma. “I’m just having trouble with the thought that Picket is leaving me.” Emma’s face was relieved.

“I’m sorry,” Emma said.

“Don’t be sorry, dear friend. I’m the one who lashed out.” She took a quick uneasy glance at Smalls. “And for no reason.” After a little happy chatter about the wedding, Emma left for her duties.

“She doesn’t know does she?” Heather asked Smalls when they were alone.

“No, she doesn’t,” Smalls answered, head down.

“Why wouldn’t you tell her,” Heather asked.

“Many reasons,” Smalls said. “She would make an amazing ruler if I should die. But mostly because…” His voice drifted off. Heather was afraid to ask.

“You don’t need to tell me.”

“But I feel like I should,” Smalls said. He was not looking at her, but at something quite fascinating on the wall.

“I have one question,” Heather said, “then we shall forget this whole thing.”

“I’ll answer anything.” Then he caught himself. “Well, almost anything. You know how it is.”

“When you first told that you were siblings…” She couldn't figure out how to phrase it without sounding very blatant. But Smalls seemed to understand.

“I probably shouldn’t tell you, but I trust you with a secret.” He took a deep breath. “I lied because I thought it was true.”