Closing Time

The siblings moved through the streets to the inn and ducked into the welcoming tavern.

Unlike earlier the place was now bustling with activity. Lily and another couple ladies were bussing tables while Katherine could be heard over the din bellowing something from the kitchen.

Silver directed his sister to a table. "The food is very good," he assured her, "but if it is too stressful, I can have Katherine get us something to take home."

Rose took in the room. Visions of the night before flashed across her memory. Yet they stood in contrast to the view before her.

This tavern had men, women and children chatting happily, and most people were eating, not partaking in the alcohol of the bar. The lamps in the room gave a cheery glow to the friendly faces.

"So different. Like night and day," she whispered.

"What?" Silver heard but did not understand.

"We can stay. I've forgotten what it feels like to be normal. This will be nice." Rose allowed the man to pull out her chair and push it back toward the table as she tucked her dress underneath her.

Her brother chuckled softly. "I don't know how normal this will be. You are having dinner with the most unsocial man on the planet. An unknown female sitting at my table is going to cause a bit of a stir."

Tilting his head toward the other diners, Silver indicated that they had already drawn some attention. The children at the surrounding tables were giggling and pointing, much to their parents' mortification. Yet Rose even caught the adults stealing glances in her direction. They were just as curious, though more polite in their inquiry.

Blushing, Rose covered her face with her hand. "Have I caused you trouble?" she asked. "I hate to cause people to gossip about you unfairly."

The Guardian sat down across from her at the table. "People can think what they like. It is obviously not a deep secret since I am out in public with you. I want the world to know you have returned, but I shall refrain from announcing that into the heavens just now."

The princess knew he was smiling beneath his hood, and she mirrored his joy. Their conversation was cut short as Lily approached their table.

"I will be right with you!" she said politely, her face blocked from view by a tray of food. The server quickly delivered the meals to the customers next to them before tucking the wooden tray under one arm. "Now, how can I....oh!"

Lily nearly dropped the sturdy platter as she took in the scene. The Guardian, who rarely came into the inn during business hours and even more rarely sat down, was seated at a table with a mysterious young lady also clad in a cloak. But it wasn't just any woman...

"Silver!" Lily said in amazement. "You found her! I am so happy you came back to join us again. I was just saying…." Lily looked the woman's up and down. "Wait! Is that Sage's dress?"

When she visited before, the princess had tightly bundled herself so that as little of body was visible as possible. But now, although Rose had left the hood up, the princess had folded the flaps of cloth over her shoulders, leaving the dress in full view of the server.

The Guardian rubbed his neck. "Yes..."

"Silver!" Lily opened her mouth wide, scandalized.

"Who exactly is Sage?" Rose asked.

"I never did explain that properly, did I?" the man realized.

"She is wearing your love's clothing and she doesn't even know who Sage is!" Lily looked fit to strike the Guardian upside the head.

"I didn't give her the dress, Lily! The Fate Hanna did," Silver said quickly, his hands already lifted in case of a blow from the wooden tray.

Lily relaxed. That made far more sense than the story she had quickly concocted in her head.

Silver had inherited most of Sage's things when she left, but it would have made no sense for him to have kept her clothing.

"I'm sorry; I jumped to conclusions," She admitted as her ears burned. "I'm rather protective of my friend."

"It is fine," Rose had found the whole exchange amusing. She had seen her brother be harsh with Sir Samberg, but had not yet seen him flustered.

"But I am not wrong about the other part. You are the girl from earlier, right?" After her faux pas, Lily was beginning to doubt herself.

"I am." Rose smiled at the woman. Seeing Rose's face for the first time, Lily felt recognition spark inside her.

"Wait, you have already met Lily?" Silver was surprised. He had assumed that his sister had gone straight to his home after using the Seeker.

The princess nodded. "I also met her husband. He sent me here, and Katherine and Lily fed me, the poor stray cat that I am." Rose turned to the blonde waitress. "I am very sorry for running off. I appreciate your kindness very much."

"You are most welcome. And you looked more like a lost lamb than a stray cat. I don't suppose our food was too terrible or you wouldn't have been coaxed into returning," the waitress tilted her head. "So would you like the same thing or something different?"

While Rose pulled her lips to one side in thought, Silver made the decision for them. "Katherine knows best. I would prefer she decides, that is, if that is alright with you?" The man turned to his younger sister, who nodded, very glad not to have to make the final word.

As there was no need to take notes, Lily put away her small piece of chalk and small slate into her apron. She clasped her hands. "I will bring something right out. I must say again how glad I am that you came back. Katherine and I were both very worried when you fled from Ethyn. I do hope our Guardian is able to help you find what you are looking for," Lily answered warmly.

She dipped her head and turned to leave, almost missing the princess's response.

Looking at the man in the inscrutable hood, the corners of Rose's mouth turned upwards.

"Thank you, Lily, but he already did. I was searching for 'Silver' actually." In a lower tone, the princess added. "Now that I remember everything, it feels very odd calling you that."

Lily froze in place. Something did not add up. Silver's next words only confirmed her suspicions.

"Call me whatever you like. I defy anyone to say anything about it." The Guardian's gentle, loving voice was usually reserved only for when he spoke to Sage.

But this clearly wasn't Sage. The young woman had seemed odd from the moment Lily had met her. Now the waitress added in the fact that she was given a dress by a Fate, and that she had been searching for the Guardian. Now that the waitress thought about it, Lily remembered one other person Silver would speak to so tenderly...

"It can't be!"

This time the tray under Lily's arm clattered to the ground. Leaving it, she returned to the table pale but hopeful.

"Are you?" her breath hitched. "Silver, is this..."

"You met my sister earlier, but I do not think you were properly introduced." Silver waved his hand toward his dinner partner. "Lily, this is Haven. Haven, I would like you to meet one of the kindest souls on the earth and Sage's best friend, Lily."

"Wait right here," the blond waitress faced the rest of the room. "Everyone out!" Lily screamed over the noise. For a moment, Silver could have sworn that Lily and Sage had traded places.

The tavern went silent, gawking at the normally meek and polite young woman. Katherine came out of the kitchen wiping her brow. "What is going on out here?"

"Lily is kicking us out!" one man called from the bar.

"What? Why would she...?"

Lily was suddenly next to the matronly woman's side and whispering in her ear. Katherine's stern face changed to a look of shock.

"Are you sure?" Katherine glanced toward the table with the two cloaked figures. Silver nodded slightly while Rose wiggled her fingers in an embarrassed wave.

Katherine's eyes grew as big as plates. "You mean you are serious!" she gasped. Everyone stared at the innkeeper.

The matronly woman straightened her apron and announced her verdict. "You heard Lily! Finish up and head out. It's closing time!"