I ended up typing this tonight because my sister made me cry with a song she played, and I then ended up playing Rockin' Robin.😂 How appropriate! Lol! Let me know if you have any suggestions... also apologize about typos! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 12 “Heather! Open up! Please?” Someone called. Heather jerked out of bed and stumbled to the door, rubbing her eyes. Who was pounding on her door this early? She opened it and found Jacks, puffing and out of breath. “Good… morning?” Heather asked through a yawn. Jacks smiled and caught his breath. “Prince Smalls is getting ready to depart, Heather. He asked me to come and get you since he is ‘trapped in the council room’ as he put it.” Heather was awake now. She wanted to respond to Jacks smart-aleck remark, but hearing this news startled her. Smalls was getting ready to leave? Already? “Jacks, I’ll be thirty seconds.” She promised, shutting the door before he could respond. She quickly dressed and washed her face, piecing together everything that happened. ‘Its been… three weeks? Maybe 4? Many soldiers were well enough to help in the recovery process, and Picket…’ She stopped and sighed, fighting against the tears that threatened to spill over her just-washed face. He would wake up… he had too! Wiping her eyes, she put her satchel over her shoulder and came out of the room, following Jacks to the council room. Jacks led her through the opened door to the council that sounded much louder and livelier than before. Inside Heather found her parents, Emma, Whitbie, Winslow, lord Blackstar, Heyward, lady Glen, and Smalls gathered at the table, laughing. Emma looked up and grinned, rising from her seat to hug her. “Morning Heather! Care to join us?” She asked. Heather smiled back. “I’d love to; did I miss the notice?” she asked with a slight blush. Smalls smiled. “No, this gathering is rather unexpected. But we are here for breakfast before we leave to scout the Newcity.” He explained. Heather nodded and took her seat next to her Mother and lady Glen. Lady Glen smiled at her and nodded her head before resuming her conversation with lord Blackstar. Mother squeezed her hand. “Morning, love. Did you have a good night?” she asked quietly. Heather nodded, reaching for a hot cup of tea that sat untouched in the middle of the table. Sween leaned closer and whispered, “strange how only we are invited to this breakfast, besides the prince's family and his traveling party.” Heather slowly met her mother’s questioning gaze that beheld a twinge of mischief and knowledge. Had her mother always had that spark of feistiness? “I believe that Smalls counts you as friends,” she whispered back. Seen smiled. Conversation flowed like the hot drinks passed around. It seemed almost happy, but there still was a hint of sorrow and pain. The meal was delicious, no doubt Gort's work. Heather almost expected him to come waltzing into the room with some excuse to see how well the food was accepted by His Majesty and his entourage. But strangely, Heather didn’t taste much of anything. She couldn’t savor the warm biscuits, or eat more than two bites of the fruit salad. Picket was on her mind more than ever, and now that Smalls was going to leave to scout for who knew how long, Heather couldn’t help the feeling of anxiety that swelled in her heart. She tried to silence the feeling with thoughts of her work with Emma and her family in the spare time she would have. ‘If I stay busy, I wont ruminate on things I shouldn’t,’ she told herself as she sipped her tea. Smalls was fiddling with his empty mug, his thoughts obviously elsewhere. Heather watched him, knowing that he too had his doubts. She scolded herself. ‘Don’t focus on your own needs be there for your friends.’ Heather turned towards him. “Are you worried?” she asked quietly. He looked up at her and smiled, setting down the mug and laying his hands on the table. “I suppose I am. You?” Heather nodded, the knot in her stomach tightening. He pulled out an empty chair beside him and motioned for her to come and sit. After she moved seats, they were able to speak more privately. Underneath the table, he grasped her hand in his. “What are you worried about?” He asked. Heather blushed. “Well, the last time you left, the news that came back was that you had died.” She admitted slowly. Smalls smiled and squeezed her hand. “You don’t want me out of your sight.” He finished. Heather looked down and nodded, embarrassment evident. To recover herself, she inhaled deeply and looked up. “What about you?” She asked. Now it was Smalls turn to turn red. “I, um-well… I guess the same as you. Also that my family is now reunited, and Picket…” he trailed off, looking down. Then he looked at the window that shared a preview of the early morning sun. “Smalls,” Heather began, looking him straight in the eye. “If anything happens, I’ll send word to you. I promise.” Smalls looked into her silver eyes and saw the sincerity therein. “Thank you, Heather.” He answered quietly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sorry it's kinda short... I'm saving one of my favourite scenes for the next chapter!! 😏🤫😂 Hope y'all have a great weekend! Blessings and Bear the Flame, A. R.