An old lover returns... when it's too late.
Why do I like to write all the sad stuff? 
There were so many flowers. Most were plants from nearby – Ribahn Lilies, Goddess Roses, even an iris from the royal garden itself. But there were some things that betrayed a wider circle of friends – a wreath of Gallian Orchids... a pot of fiery orange daisies that only grew in Goldoa....
So many magnificent gifts, and all I had to offer was a single seed.
I sank to my knees in the grass, gently lifted a handful of the freshly turned earth, put the seed down, and covered it up. “Sorry this is all I have,” I whispered, but I knew she would be patient. She was always willing to wait a little for her favorite flowers. Perhaps... in twenty years or so... it would spread out and bloom all over this place.
“I owe you another apology,” I went on quietly. “Sorry I was late last week. I just... didn't know if you'd want to see me, after everything. Sorry about your daughter; I hope she did alright, even after everything I put her through. I haven't asked, though, because, because I'm a coward. Sorry about that, too. It wasn't right to abandon you, no matter what Dheginsea said. We were one. It was beautiful, and I destroyed it. So I'm sorry for everything. That, and... I shouldn't have waited to say all this. I should've said this seventy years ago, when maybe you could've forgiven me. We could've... well, it doesn't matter now, does it? It's too late, because of cowardice.” My voice cracked. “I'm... so sorry, Altina.”
The sun was sinking below the trees when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“It's getting dark,” said a gentle voice. “You can't sit out here all night.”
“Yes, I can,” I mumbled.
“Well, I won't let you. It's alright to be sad – we are too – but catching cold won't do you any good.” She knelt beside me. “Don't make me sit out here with you.”
“You mustn't,” I said, looking up at her. “Don't put yourself – your child – in danger for my sake.”
Moira looked at me with her big, dark eyes. “Lehran... please.” She took my trembling arm with hers and helped me stand. Together, we left my sister – my love – behind.
