Forgotten

-23-

Nova stayed with her throughout the night. They both waited outside.

For him.

Sansa felt her heart fall as the sun rose.

He did not come. He had not come.

She was still alone.

And he was still missing.

"You never knew his name?" Sansa asked Nova.

Nova shook her head, "but maybe, like your own male, he never had one to give me?"

Sansa nodded, "if you could give him one, what would it be?"

Nova laughed, "that's an odd question...should I label him in my mind? It might make him seem like something more than a passing dream..."

She pulled her knees into herself, resting her chin on them as she silently thought.

"Moon River reminds me of him...I named her after his markings...He had the Moon on his chest – a river opened up in the middle of it, spilling down his body...I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen..."

"I don't know if Ni-...I don't know if he had that..."

Nova turned her head to look at Sansa, "you never...?"

Sansa blushed, "he was always very...skittish..."

The two females laughed together.

"Uh, mine wasn't," Nova giggled.

Their laughter died down after a while until silence settled between them.

"Thane."

Sansa was pulled from her thoughts at Nova's sudden word.

"What?"

"His name is Thane."

"How did you come up with that?"

Nova gave her a hard stare, her eyebrows raised, "How did you come up with Night?"

Sansa inhaled sharply at the mention of his name.

Small regret flashed across Nova's face before she focused back on her own topic, "It seems right."

"I guess you have a name for him then," Sansa whispered.

Nova stared at her hands, taking in something that Sansa would never be able to know as she whispered back, "I guess I do."

*   *   *

The time soon came.

Sansa knew it was time for her to go.

She had stayed more than just weeks with Nova and Moon River.

Months.

She had fallen into the routine of their life- had fallen in love with both of them and the peace that they could bring to her- the comfort that they could provide.

But she knew, instinctively, that this was not her place.

"I'm going to be leaving soon," Sansa announced at breakfast. Both Nova and Moon River looked up in surprise at her sudden words.

"You're going?" Nova asked.

Sansa nodded, "I found what I needed here...and I loved every moment with you both... I can't thank you enough for the kindness you have shown me, but I have to continue my travels."