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."

Nova frowned at Sansa, "are you still trying to-,"

She was suddenly cut off though as Moon River stood frantically from her chair.

"No," the little girl looked as if she was on the verge of tears.

Sansa smiled sadly at her, "I have to go my little Moon Child. But I can com-,"

"No."

Moon River pushed away from the table, running without warning out the room. She flung the front door open leaving it ajar as she raced away from the cabin.

"Moon River! Moon River!" Nova quickly stood, her eyes growing frantic as she quickly ran around the table.

"Nova! Let me find her!"

Sansa stood before Nova could say anything, her actions mimicking the little girl's as she too ran in the direction of the retreating figure.

"Moon Child! Wait!"

She did not stop. But Sansa knew where she was going. She increased her pace, rushing and soon catching up to her.

Moon River turned her body away from Sansa, still shuffling towards the small pond.

Sansa sighed in relief that she was able to catch up to her so soon.

"I'm sorry I can-"

"Why do you have to go?"

Moon River's eyes shone out against the shadows as she looked up at Sansa.

"Why can't you stay?"

Sansa hesitated, before slowly bending to be eye level with the girl.

"I'm a healer Moon Child. It's my duty to heal those in need...I...I can't stay here forever...I can't stay here when I know there are people out there that I can help. That I should be helping...and really...I'm still on my search."

"What are you looking for?"

"My soul," Sansa said quietly, realizing suddenly that this child would not be able to understand her deep words.

But Moon Child surprised her. She reached forward, her eyes intense upon Sansa as she asked, "do you really need to heal those people?"

"Of course," Sansa was startled at the question, "what else is a healer suppose to do?"

"Momma is a healer."

"Ahh, but she has you to think of. She still is able to treat those who come to her. She provides rest for them. That's also important."

Abruptly, Moon Child sat down. Sansa sat down with her, each of them side by side as the little girl looked up to gaze at her.

"She could heal more."

Sansa thought about the question, wondering how deep such a child could get in her thoughts. What was Moon River getting out of this?

"She is healing what she can."

"When something is hurting you should help," the girl's voice was something like steel. A strong resolve seemed etched onto her face. Sansa could not help but stare in wonder at the creature before you.

"Moon Child – you really are a child of the Moon..." Moon River looked up, smiling at Sansa. Sansa smiled back her, arms slowly going around her.

"I have to go. You know why...I hope you can understand...But I want you to listen carefully to me- I want someone to tell you this- your mother and I both know it but maybe you need to hear how special you really are..."

Moon River's eyes never left Sansa as she began to softly stroke the child's pure white hair. Hair that seemed so similar to the object in the night sky.

"You are a blessing. It was a blessing to meet you little Moon Child. Thank you."

Moon River leaned close to Sansa, her small arms wrapping around the female.

"I want to be just like you," the child whispered.

Sansa laughed, feeling a blush come to her cheeks at such innocent praise.

"You want to be a healer?"

Moon River nodded her head eagerly.

"Alright. It's a promise then," Sansa looped her little finger in with the girl's, earning a giggle at the action.

"Will you visit?"

"I'll try," Sansa said, "But it may be a while before we can meet again."

Moon River settled into Sansa's arms, her small eyes closing in peace. "Does it hurt...when you heal?"

"Oh no," Sansa leaned back also, closing her eyes to the surrounding world, "it's the best feeling in the world, knowing you have such a power to bring to others."

*   *   *

"Are you still looking for him?"

Sansa paused in her packing to look up at Nova. The female stared down at her, arms crossed, waiting for her answer.

"Yes," Sansa admitted.

Nova slowly shook her head, "Sansa...He...you should not look for him. He's not something you should find."

"I love him."

Both females blinked back in shock at the words before quickly moving on.

"I don't want you to feel that pain..." Nova had to look away from Sansa as she continued talking, "you may not find what you want to."

"He found me. And he continued to come to me. Year after year." Sansa brought the pack over her shoulder, squaring herself against the weight and letting it settle on her, "It's my turn now to go and find him."

Nova only shook her head, her eyes holding a sorrow that connected Sansa to something she did not want to know.

"Goodbye, my friend."

Sansa smiled and embraced the female, letting her scent invade her as the two held each other tightly.

"You and Moon River both stay safe."

Nova gave an exasperated sigh, "She says she doesn't want to be called that anymore. She only wants to be addressed as Moon Child."

The two females laughed. 

"It's just a phase," Sansa reassured, "her name is so beautiful...she should embrace it."

"Well, maybe I named her after the wrong thing," Nova guiltily admitted, "but she adores you. I know she does...she even wants to start learning to be a healer," Nova's smile widened at her own words.

"Thank you for all you have done for us, Sansa."

Sansa felt her throat close up suddenly. She wanted to stay. She wanted nothing more than to stay here in the peace of the woods with these two females and watch Moon River grow up. She wanted to spend her nights talking to Nova. She wanted to heal travelers' side by side with them. Watch the stars with them.

"Goodbye."

Sansa walked away from the cabin, glancing back occasionally to see that Nova and Moon River still would be standing there, waving whenever they saw her eyes on them.

Until they were no longer in her sight.

Sansa inhaled deeply, letting the fullness of the forest and its scent erase the smell of longing that she so desperately wanted.

Their scent still clung to her clothing.

She shook her head and closed her eyes, thinking of another scent, another person. Him.

Her eyes came open and a new resolve was settling in her.

Sansa continued her journey.

Thank you for being patient with me and all the support as I slowly am getting my health back up. It's a slow work in progress but I'm starting to feel better. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter ♥