Title: seasons in the sun

Prompt: all things must end

Character/Pairing: Chise, Ruth, Althea, Titania, Shannon, Silky

A/N: Originally wrote this for the Tir na nog Magus fanzine, but it grew too long.

Summary: This was an easy question. Chise smiled broadly. "It was the happiest life."

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Fall

The entrance was the same. Chise paused before she rapped on the wooden door, the numbers worn and almost faded over the ages. Angelica had never maintained the outside of her shop all that well and now that Althea was in charge, it seemed like that wasn't about to change.

"Enter!" A cheerful voice rang from somewhere within, the door opening automatically at the sound. Chise stepped in, Ruth trailing along behind her. It was a familiar path to the workroom and Chise examined each family photo as she passed. There was Angelica and her husband, Althea's little brother, Althea's first born—Chise paused, examining the latest edition in the hallway. Was that a new great-something grandchild?

"I'm in here" Althea called out again, her voice sounding from the work room. Turning away from the photo, Chise made note to ask about it later before continuing down the hallway and through an open door. Inside, the room was a disorganized mess. A difference between mother and daughter—where Angelica needed a tidy work room, Althea thrived on disorder.

"Busy?" Chise rasped as she approached Althea. The younger woman looked up from what she was tinkering on, smiling brightly as she recognized her customer. Her hands were dirty and even as she wiped them on her stained apron, the muck didn't disappear.

"Not at all, I've been pouring at this for hours and I could do with a break." She stretched her arms over her head, her bones cracking slightly. "I'm so stiff—is it age?"

Chise gave her a deadpan look. "Don't ask me, I'm not that much older than you."

"Sorry, sorry." Althea chuckled, fingering her own grey locks. Chise didn't have to look at her reflection to know her own hair matched. To know that everything matched—the wrinkles, the slight hunch, the signs of age. "I don't want to look in the mirror anymore."

"You can just look at each other," Ruth interjected helpfully, transforming into a young man before flopping down onto a chair. He had tried matching her age over the years but as she got older and older, it was easier to have a younger man to help out.

That and she thought he looked best in his late twenties.

"How's business?" Chise asked, ignoring her partner.

Althea grimaced, gesturing at her latest piece. "Someone wanted to sync their staff with their electronics and it's been a headache to figure out what to do. These new mages have no respect for the old ways." She chuckled mirthlessly as she pulled off her work apron. "Though I guess I shouldn't be complaining. At least there is some work."

"There are less mages," Chise agreed, finding a seat and sinking into it with a sigh. Her feet were killing her—where she could once walk for hours without complaint, now even the smallest path was tiring.

"I'm glad you managed to find an apprentice. That's at least one more customer." Althea shook her head. "I suddenly understand why mom didn't want me to do this. Especially when Amaryllis said she wanted to join the business."

"She's good with her hands," Ruth complimented, a high mark from him. Chise nodded her agreement—Althea's daughter was clever, always coming up with intricate tools.

"Don't encourage her," Althea growled, glaring at Ruth. "Not that it'll help her—if there're no customers, there's no work."

"There are always the alchemists." Chise shrugged when Althea turned her dark glower at her. "Don't give me that look—they aren't all bad."

"The good ones died years ago." Althea snorted, sitting straighter. "The rest can't even imagine what they're dabbling in."

"They've been asking for her." Chise looked around the shop—it was an interesting game of spot the difference. What used to be Angelica's, what was currently Althaea's, and the small bits of Amaryllis creeping into corners. "So I guess she'll be taking over the shop after?"

Althaea sighed, shrinking down deflated. "I can't convince her otherwise, though she'll at least be doing this as a side business."

"Then I'll direct my successor to her."

"Successor." Althea blinked, looking at her as though she saw Chise for the first time. "So it's soon?"

"Soon enough." Chise smiled softly. Even now she could feel the strain of her limbs, the ache in her bones. "It's a miracle I lived as long as I have."

"The proper lifespan of a mage." Althea smiled back. "If you're going though, then I suppose I don't have much longer after."

"Long enough to settle your affairs, at least." Chise gestured around her. "Maybe even clean the place once."

"Not in my lifetime." Althea grunted. "Besides, my daughter should have something to remember me by."

"I think Angelica left you a clean workshop to remember her by."

Althea snorted, giving her a deadpan look. "And who do you think left most of this junk?"

-x-

Winter

"It's Chise!" A dragon screeched, his voice echoing through the valley. Several other dragons lifted their heads, all excited, and she took a step back. And then another. Before she could continue her retreat, a herd of dragons swarmed her, their heads butting into her in excitement.

"Chise you're back!"

"Chise what have you got of us?"

"Chise!"

The voices drowned each other out, not waiting for an answer before springing out the next question. Ruth slunk away, ignoring her silent pleas for help.

"Give her some space." Arundel appeared behind the pack, batting at the dragons to move. "Come on, move at least a little."

After a few minutes, a small path cleared and she let out her breath. "Thanks. You're as good as Lindel now."

"Not quite." He looked uncomfortable at the praise and she wondered once more how Lindel managed to find such a shy apprentice. "What did you come for?"

"Just to visit." She looked around the valley, admiring the trees that had sprung up. The dragons head-butted one another as they impatiently waited for her to play with them. "I wanted to see Nevin's tree one last time."

"Sure, go ah—one last time." He stared at her for a moment before frowning. "Oh."

"Oh," she repeated, letting him process it.

"It's already your turn?" Arundel looked down, scuffing his shoes on the ground.

"I have a little longer." She smiled, stepping forward to take his hands in hers. "And you have my apprentice if you need help in the future. You've done a good job so far, so be a little more confident in yourself."

"Yeah but…" He shook his head, stepping away. "Guys, let her through, she'll play with you later."

"Why? What do you mean it's her turn? She can visit Nevin later!" A chorus of questions shot out as he herded the wry young dragons away. They tried to swerve around him, ducking under his arms and leaping over his head.

An Uil dragon flew down, stopping in front of her, and she recognized it as the hatchling from centuries ago. "Chise, you're going now too?"

"Too? Are you returning to the earth?" she asked, reaching up to stroke his head. He was big, so very big now. Each adventure they had made him bigger still until he could carry her and her equipment. It never failed to amaze her.

"I should have returned a long time ago." The dragon smiled, all teeth, and he lowered his head further so she could scratch his ears. "But I didn't want to leave you."

"Then I suppose we'll be going together." She petted his head one last time before stepping back. "Thank you, old friend."

"I will see you beyond the veil," he answered before turning to the young dragons. "Come, let's play elsewhere today."

Intimidated, the younglings followed suit, leaving the path to Nevin's tree empty. Arundel sighed and scratched his head, muttering under his breath, "And how am I going to manage when he's gone?"

"You'll manage." They all did. Her apprentice had taken years to make friends with Silky. She had seen so many alchemists die after Alice and Ren, so many new faces that only lasted a heartbeat before being replaced by even newer faces. If there was one thing she had learned, it was change was inevitable. People adapted whether they liked it or not. "You'll be just fine."

Waving goodbye, she headed toward the tree. Even now, centuries later, it was the largest tree in the valley. Its branches spread wide, casting a large shadow, and more than once she almost tripped on the roots protruding from the ground. Reaching the trunk, she sat down, breathing heavily.

Tired already? Ruth asked, slipping out of her shadow to sit beside her.

"Just a little," she answered and he frowned.

Even after all these years, you're still a liar. He curled up next to her, listening to her breathe as she leaned back on the tree's trunk.

It took a second and she slipped into a foggy underworld. For once, Ruth could not follow, and she walked the shadowy paths to Nevin.

"Hello, Nevin."

Hello. Nevin smiled at her, his head barely moving. It's been a while.

"It has." She hadn't needed him as much, over the last several hundred years. Not since she was a child, still lost, still learning. "I wanted to say goodbye."

Goodbye. And then, hello, he mused . I thought you had outgrown me.

"I had. But I thought I should take a look at my roots, one last time." She sat down, admiring his form. "I'll be talking to the real you soon."

Who's to say? The world beyond the veil is quite mysterious—you might meet me, you might not. Nevin shook his head. But you have had many adventures, this is just one more.

"Yeah." She nodded in agreement. "You know, I'm actually grateful now."

Grateful?

"To my parents. To what happened." She might have forgotten most of her first hundred years by now, but some things could never be forgotten. Her mother's hands on her throat, Elias's outstretched arms, Ruth's oath.

She had forgiven what she could, forgotten what she couldn't, and lived with the rest.

I see. And it was a happy life?

This was an easy question. Chise smiled broadly. "The happiest."

-x-

Spring

"You know, you could have just visited us." Shannon shook her head, her long tresses whirling in the breeze. It was a warm spring day, the perfect weather for a walk. "You're a welcome guest to our land."

"Only if I wanted to lose track of time again." Chise gave a wry look. "I can't seem to leave in the same season I visit you."

Ruth walked next to her, his hand in hers as he guided her over the loose rocks and stray roots. It was odd to think she had run down this path often years ago. Now her body creaked and ached with each step.

"At least it's the same year." The doctor laughed. "Don't let it get to you, even Elias could only manage that much."

"True." Her expression softened at the mention of her mentor. It had been centuries since his own funeral and yet traces of him still lingered everywhere she went. She wondered if it would be the same with her, if her own apprentice would find pieces of her in everything he did.

She hoped not. She hoped so.

Looking back, Shannon frowned, her brow furrowed. "It seems my husband isn't quite ready to leave Silky yet."

Chise turned around herself, spotting the pair walking slowly behind them. Shanahan was chatting animatedly, pointing out the different plants they crossed while Silky merely listened and nodded every now and then.

They spent all night sharing recipes. Ruth mentioned helpfully.

"I know." Shannon rolled her eyes. "You should hear him go on and on about her cooking whenever we come back from a visit. I thought there'd be nothing left to learn and yet every time he comes back with a new recipe."

Chise shook her head at the obvious affection in her voice. The doctor was never an honest person, even now. "I'm glad they're good friends, I was worried she'd be lonely."

Shannon's expression softened and she petted Chise's head. It had been years since someone had done that, she was far too old to be treated as a child. "We'll keep visiting even after your idiot apprentice comes."

"Thank you." As they reached the entrance to the Fae world, Chise almost froze. Titania stood there waiting, her husband grinning brightly beside her.

"I should have known they'd sense it," Shannon muttered. Turning around, she hugged Chise tightly. "I will miss you."

"And I you." Chise hugged her back. "Thank you for everything you've done."

"It was nothing more than what a doctor would do." Pulling back, Shannon smiled brightly. "It will be a gentle passing, no pain. That much I can assure you." She kissed Chise's forehead and then let go. After bowing to the royal pair, she and her husband disappeared down the gate.

Dear robin, Titania greeted, pulling Chise closer. You have aged so.

"Yes, that is a mortal's fate." Chise turned to face Oberon. His constant grin was gone now, a sober expression on his face. It was odd. "That look doesn't suit you."

No, I suppose it doesn't. Oberon grinned brightly, but it was still just a facsimile. Your time is near.

"It is. I have almost completed my preparations." Titania still hadn't let go of her, her hands reaching up to touch Chise's face now. As though she were blind, the queen mapped out her face.

Preparations. Titania mused, shaking her head. You know the offer still stands, dear robin. You can always return with us.

"I could." Chise reached up, her hand covering Titania's. "But I am a mortal, and I wish to remain one."

That is your heart's desire? Titania's expression grew sadder at Chise's nod. Then you shall be leaving us. As will you, Ruth. To lose one child is sad enough, to lose two…

Her voice trailed off and Chise smiled softly. "There will be more children and perhaps one day, I too shall return. The veil is not an ending, just the start of something new.

You have grown wiser. Oberon reached out and stroked her hair once. You're not quite a child anymore.

"I haven't been one for a while. But thank you, for everything."

Titania pulled away now. Tell Elias I miss him as well. Despite how he felt we treated him, he was also my child.

"I will." Chise watched as the pair disappeared back into their kingdom. "Are you sure you don't want to join them, Ruth?"

He took her hand once more, guiding her back down the rocks. It's too late now and even if it weren't, I made my choice long ago.

"We all did." She gripped his hand tightly. "And thank you."

-x-

Summer

The roses were as beautiful as ever. Chise leaned over the fence to smell one, the red petals tickling her cheek as she did so.

"So now it's your turn."

She took another deep breath before lifting her head to face Redcurrant. Her expression wasn't as broken as it was when Joel died but it was hurt all the same. "Yes, it is."

"All of you die far too soon." Redcurrant reached out, stroking Chise's cheek gently. "Though I suppose you lived longer than most."

"Just by a bit." Chise reached up to hold her cold hand, pressing it to her skin.

"I wonder how many generations of his descendents have lived here." Her eyes were looking somewhere far away, some place Chise could not reach. "Children are born, grow old, die, and still Joel has not returned."

Immortality, Chise had found, was more of a curse than a blessing. Unchanging as the Fae were, this also included their feelings. Love was frozen along with their time and though she could no longer recall how Joel looked, Redcurrant was still trapped in this garden.

"And still you will wait?" Chise asked, already knowing the answer. Redcurrant smiled sadly and there was no comfort she could provide that would fix that.

"As long as this garden is here."

Chise reached out to hug her friend. "Then if I return, I will meet you here as well."

She didn't respond, merely tightened her arms around Chise.

When she returned to her house, hours later, Chise sank into her chair with a tired sigh. The fire was burning low, giving the sitting room pleasant warmth. From next to hearth, Ruth shuffled closer to her.

Long day?

"Not so much as a long goodbye." She stretched her feet out in front of her, resting them on his back. He grunted slightly but didn't complain. "I wonder if Joel will return one day."

I don't think he will. Ruth was as blunt as ever, resting his head on his paws as he lay down.

"Don't tell her that." Chise admonished, shaking her head. "I hope he does. For her."

You've seen many miracles. It was as much of a concession as he would make. All done?

"Almost. Just a few more people to meet." Chise looked up as Silky poked her head into the room, gesturing for tea. "A small cup, please."

Cake! Ruth requested and she chuckled at how eager he was. The latest church watchdog had brought some over the other day and even though Ruth was the only one who'd eat them now, he was still terribly possessive of it.

"My apprentice will be over, so save a slice for him." Chise hesitated, before adding. "You don't have to worry about the house. He'll be living here after."

Silky's expression dropped a notch and she resisted the urge to laugh. "Don't be like that, his daughter will be with him and you can make her all the frilly, cute things you want."

The little terror. Ruth grunted, recalling how the child would pull his tail. Please keep her away from me.

Silky cheered up, nodding quickly before returning to the kitchen. Chise waited till she was gone before asking, "Do you think we'll see Elias there?"

Not really. Ruth fell silent for a moment. But he'd wait for you.

"You're right, he would wait." Chise smiled. "But he isn't as patient as he'd like to pretend."

He is when it comes to you. Ruth snorted. Though considering how you used to be, I'm not sure how he managed.

"Rude." Chise nudged him with her feet. "I wasn't that bad."

You wouldn't tell us anything, Ruth countered before nipping her feet in retaliation.

"I suppose I was a handful." She closed her eyes, sinking into the chair a little more. It was overly comfy, despite the years of use. "I came in the summer, didn't I? It's funny how things start and end the same way."

Cycles, Ruth muttered, his voice low. Magic loves cycles.

"Yeah, it does." She smiled. "We had a good life, didn't we?"

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

She could feel Ruth's warmth underneath her feet, feel it spread throughout her body. Sleepy, she snuggled deeper into her seat.

This used to be Elias's favourite couch. She remembered, as a child, watching him entertain guests here, listening to him teach here.

Elias. For someone with a skull for a face, he was more expressive than most humans she'd met. She could see the white gleam of his horns, the bottomless pits of his eyes.

He held out a gloved hand and just like she had at the beginning, she took it.