"If I don't go I'll talk myself out of it." She glanced to the door. "I don't know what to say."

Elaine hesitated, then crept up and gave the older girl a hug. "Say the truth," she answered. "All of it. Everything. Don't soften anything but leave in the good parts, too. Take as long as you have to."

She let out a shaky breath. "Tell Mother he might be coming with," she said. "But don't let his sister know. She'll be disappointed if he doesn't." She couldn't help hope that Miranda would be absolutely devastated by the end of this.

Elaine nodded. "I'll tell her," she answered. "Um. Or maybe not. Judith'll say it to his face before you get a chance to talk to him." She made a face. "Take care of yourself," she said earnestly. "If you need anything else before I leave, you'll know where to find me, right?"

She nodded mutely, then laughed in surprised. "Some time at the beginning of all this I was to tell you that Morgana was looking for you, but we sort of went off on tangents."

"Oh." Elaine replied, and then nodded. "Right. Oh. I'll go to see her," she said, and then squeezed Niabheara's shoulder. "That's where I'll be if you need me."

She took a hesitant step back from the other girl, not looking like she wanted to leave her alone.

She put on a brave little smile. "We shall see each other again before we go. Even Mother will allow that much."

Elaine grinned back at her. "Good luck," she said, sincerely, and went in for another hug before leaving the older girl to her fate.