Hey guys, here it is!!! I hope you guys like it!!! The last chapter of Carry the Flame will be posted on Monday, God Willing....Um, that's about it...Feedback welcome!!!

Rissy

Ella stayed a few hours with Sarah and Maraly planning the sleepover. They were having such a good time and laughing so hard they couldn't take it anymore. Their stomachs ached and their jaws were numb from all of the laughter that vibrated through the room.

But now it was time for Ella and Willum to go home. Ella glance over at Willum who looked so, So, board. He was lying on a bed with his head and arms hanging off. Ella rolled her eyes and shook her head, this is why boys do not come with a bunch of girls planning a sleepover. Ella turned toward Sarah and Maraly, they both had big cheerful grins. Ella smiled at both of them.

"Well, me and Willum should be heading home now." Ella glanced back at Willum. "I need to rescue him from his boredom," she said letting out a small giggle. Sarah and Maraly did the same.

Willum sat up a glare showing in his deep brown eyes. "Of course I am bored what buck wouldn't be hanging out with you guys, it's like hanging out with a bunch of wild... Well, I don't know what. But it is so boring! Man, I should have stayed home and gone to town with mother and father. What in the world was I thinking," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Ella heard Maraly giggle again, as she said through her giggles, "You know Willum sometimes I wonder about you. I truly do wonder."

"Yeah, yeah, tease me as much as you want, I'm out of here," Willum said as he stood. His eyes rested on Ella. "I'll be waiting for you outside. Please, don't take a long time, you guys are really killing me."

"Okay, I'll be out in a little bit Will."

Willum rolled his eyes as he walked out of the room.

Maraly called over her shoulder. "Hope to see you tomorrow Willum!"

"In your dreams!" Willum called back. Ella stood from her chair, sighing.

"I really wish you didn't have to go right now," Sarah said, "but since you do bye, and we'll see you tomorrow evening, early I hope." Sarah stood to give Ella a big hug. Ella returned the hug and gave Sarah a small squeeze before breaking apart. Ella held Sarah's hands.

"I will try my best to be here bright and early, but I don't know if I'll get to. It might be tomorrow evening, mother has some plans for my birthday and so does father," Ella said.

"Okay, then I'll try to wait patiently until you get here tomorrow, until then I'm going to miss you. Tell your mother and father I said hi," Sarah said smiling.

"I will tell them." Ella squeezed Sarah's hands before releasing them. She then turned to face Maraly who gave her a small hug.

"See you tomorrow, and happy early birthday my friend."

"Thank you, Maraly." Ella stepped away from the hug.

"I'll walk you to the door," Sarah said as she walked out of the room.

Ella followed her to the door. Sarah opened the door but before Ella went out the two friends gave each other one more hug. Then Ella went outside.

Willum was waiting for her as Sarah closed to door behind her. Ella and Willum walked through the busy streets once again, but this time they were going home. Ella and Willum ran some of the way home, but then Ella needed to take a break as it was difficult for her to breathe as her lungs started to close, causing her to wheeze and gasp for air. Air that didn't want to enter through her lungs because of a small breathing problem she had had for as long as she could remember, but the older she got the worst the breathing problem had become.

She laid a hand on her throat as she started to breathe in through her nose then out through her mouth. That was something her father taught her and it seemed to do the trick sometimes, but not today.

"Will, help me walk the rest of the way home, nice and slow."

Willum helped her onto the small porch of their home and sat her in a rocking chair. "I'll get mother," Willum said.

Ella nodded since it was difficult for her to speak. Willum went inside leaving her alone, but then the sound of the door squeaking open came, and soon the worried face of mother. Mother open the door wider and ran towards her.

"Ella Jai Longtreader, what did we talk about? No running. You know better, remember what the doctor said," mother chided.

Ella took a deep breath through her nose before speaking. "I know, but sometimes I forget about it. I'm sorry mother, I will be more careful next time. I promise," Ella said as air began to enter her lungs.

Mother's smiled as she grabbed one of her hands and squeezed it. "I know Ella, it's just you're not like the other kids and you scare me sometimes. I get worried it's just what a mother does. I'm so sorry my Ella Jai. It's time for supper and your Uncle Garten is already here. So let's go wash up for supper. How about it?"

Ella nodded as she slowly stood, Mother then helped her inside. Ella smiled when she saw Uncle Garten sitting in the rocking chair by the fire, her father sat on the other side of the fire in a wooden chair from the table. Father held his pipe in one hand as he and Uncle Garten seemed to be having a conversation of some sorts.

Uncle Garten smiled as soon as he saw Ella. "How is my girl?" he said through his smile.

"I'm all right," Ella said as mother led her towards the dining room and sat her down in a chair. Mother then started to lay out the silverware as she called out, "Time for supper."

Everyone sat around the table for supper as mother served them potatoes, peas, carrots, rolls covered in butter, and for dessert, one of Ella's favorites, strawberry cobbler.

Ella's mouth began to water as the wonderful smells from the food billowed around the room. She dug into the food until her belly was stuffed and she could eat no more and supper was almost finished.

Ella helped mother clean up. Mother then offered Uncle Garten and father a cup of coffee, they both said yes. So Ella went to work on making two cups of coffee. She gently sat both of the cups down in front of them. Father looked up with a small smile on his face. "Thank you, Ella," he said.

"Of course," Ella said as she sat back down in her chair and listened as Uncle Garten spoke to her father.

"Wilfred, the king needs you tomorrow evening, we have a most urgent mission of peace."

Ella looked to father as he took a small sip from his coffee and laid the cup down. "Well Garten, Ella's birthday is tomorrow, could it be done another day or perhaps Whittle could do it or Helmer."

Uncle Garten spoke again. "I'm afraid that it has to be done tomorrow, we've already waited too long. Besides, it is the king we are talking about, no we cannot do it another day. The king specifically asked for you and Helmer is gone on some sort of mission, and Whittle just won't do."

"I'll be fine Father, really you go it is for the king. It wouldn't be right if you didn't go. I'll be fine, really," Ella said.

Father frowned. "But I really would hate to miss your birthday. I would feel horrible."

"Yes, but I'll be fine and you'll be back before you know it and you'll be here tomorrow morning. Please, don't not go because of me, for the king, father, please. Please, please, go."

"You have a smart girl," Garten said as he sipped on his coffee.

"Indeed I do, I'll go," Father said.

Ella felt Mother's hands on her shoulders. "It's time for you and Willum to get to bed."

"Yes ma'am," Ella said as she stood up and gave everyone a hug. She then looked toward Willum and nodded for him to follow her to bed.

"Ella," Uncle Garten said as she was walking away.

She turned to face him. He walked towards her and pulled something from his pocket, it was wrapped in a tiny bag, he handed it to her. "Happy birthday and I hope tomorrow is just as perfect as you want it to be."

She took the small bag from him. "Thank you, Uncle Garten."

"To bed," she heard her father call. She laughed as she ran up the ladder to her room where Willum was already in bed.

Wow! Sorry, this was so long....lol....