Only Dead Fish Swim With The Stream

Aslatiel could see just how much the boy was hurting. She could see that he was holding so much back and imagined that it was for the same reasons that she had when she was his age. No one wanted to be a burden on anyone else and it was easy to try and bottle things up inside, but in the end, it wasn't worth it. Arcturus repositioned himself, his head against her grey chest and she held her son tightly to her. When he began to speak, sharing his sadness with her, she placed her cheek atop his head.

What Arcturus said made the woman's heart clench tightly in her chest. He still clung to the memory of Naiche. The paw wrapped around him gently stroke the boy's back comfortingly. Arc continued saying that his father's death was his fault and that he couldn't do anything to help. Asla gave the boy a squeeze, her cheek still resting gently on top of his head as he cried against her chest. "My sweet boy," she whispered softly, letting him release the sorrow that he'd been keeping to himself. Asla had doubts about how she'd handled the situation. Had she prompted him to speak to her sooner, would it have been this bad?

"Arc, your father passing was not your fault, understand?" The woman continued to gently stroke her son's golden fur comfortingly as she spoke, trying to reassure him as best as she could. "It is a parents duty to protect their children. Your father protected you just as I protected Satira from that snake so long ago." A sigh pulled from the woman and her brows drew together. "He was just outmatched. You were just a pup, had you tried to intervene and died alongside him, then his death would have been for nothing." Voice still soft, Asla kissed her son's crown. "It's an honor for a warrior to die protecting those that you love."

Tears had sprung to the woman's galactic gaze and Asla lifted her head, taking her paw away for a moment to wipe them away. "Your father loved you so much that he protected you without thought for his own safety. He was a good, good father, Arcturus." The fawn and grey fae nuzzled the top of the boys crown. "I miss him too. Every day. I try to remember the good times though so that I can honor his memory." She gave the boy another gentle squeeze. "He wouldn't want either of us to be unhappy, love. He would want you to live the absolute best life that you possibly could. He would want you to find happiness, to work hard and to make him proud." Again Asla wiped the tears from her plum colored eyes. "I am so proud of you, Arcturus and I know that Naiche would be as well."

"Aslatiel Indarra"