this is my death song.
01-22-2015, 08:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-22-2015, 08:16 PM by Bronze i.)
Love of mine, Won't you lay by my side? And rest your weary eyes, Before we're out of time. As he closed his eyes, he swore he could see them as they might be now; his children, who he had not seen in so many years. There was Fire Light, as fierce as ever, with a coat of jet black just like her mother. There was Cloud, too, with fur the color of the sky itself, so quiet and gentle, so much like Ara. He remembered Apollo and Artemis, his twins, though Apollo's life had been cut tragically short. And there was Alione, too, the girl that had only known the life of a wanderer, of an adventurer. Her independence had always astounded him. Where were they now, he wondered? Though he could only hope they were alive, he knew that even in death he might never see them again. It was a painful thing to know, even with Silent's soft voice reassuring him from the darkness of their den, and he felt a stinging in his chest as his head flooded with memories. The cliff. His mother's mangled body below, crimson red blood staining the earth. The waterfall. A single red rose. His Uncle Baldev, bringing him to the border of a strange pack, alone and afraid as he was pulled from everything he had ever known. It was there that he first learned to love and to be loved. It was there he learned to be a son, learned to be a brother, and it was there that he had met Silent. The elder felt tears welling in his tired eyes at the thought of them. Of Light and of Aradcor, who had taken him into their lives so selflessly. Of Zelovade and even of Sapphire, the few he had grown to know as siblings despite the jealousy that had plagued his heart when his adoptive parents had given birth to children that were of their own flesh and blood. And there was Scudge, the tiny boy that he had grown up with, another orphan that had been accepted into his family with open paws. He shifted to press tighter against her. They had grown so tired -- and recently, so weak -- and he had wondered how long they might carry on for. His life had extended far past what he had ever expected, and he had certainly not expected to have more children at this age. Having Steel had been a miracle in itself. Maybe it was time for them to let go. The boy had proved to them that he could take care of himself, and that had been Bronze's final goal in life. Perhaps they ought to find their other children, to say goodbye... but the pain that might cause them weighed heavily on his heart. They had known that he and Silent didn't have much time left. How would they take the news of their passing? Quiet Ara would have plenty to occupy her mind, with her wife and children, but what of Faolan? He had always been strong and kind, and Bronze had little doubt he would persevere. Mercury and Jendai might take the news the hardest, for they were both slightly detached, independent as their father had been... but he knew that they were both resilient and would recover quickly. It was ironic, though, that now Silent lay there calmly, the epitome of everything beautiful and serene... while his own serious facade began to slip, to shatter into a million pieces as he felt tears begin to fall down his cheeks. Though he had never feared death, he certainly feared a life without Silent, and without their children. The mere thought of no longer knowing the warmth of her touch, of not seeing the smiles of his children again... the pain gripped his heart like a vice. "I love you, so much," he told her firmly, his tired voice cracking with emotion that he did not have the energy to stifle. He felt helpless, something that had never settled well with him, and he could no longer contain the sadness that tugged at his core. The gentle scent of spring crept into their den, tickling his nose. The air smelt of earth and flowers and life. For a long moment he would bask in the crisp scent of the air, before Silent's words caused a soft sob to fall from his lips. Something changed then, as she spoke -- though the tears continued to roll effortlessly down his matted cheeks, he found himself relaxing against Silent's touch, the sobs growing soft as he let his eyes closed once again. He had always pictured a warrior's death for him; but this would be so much nicer. Could they really just let go, he wondered? Would it be so easy? He knew that he couldn't bear to leave this world without her. Sharply he inhaled, a raspy, dry sound that rattled his chest. "If I could chose to live this life again," he would whisper to her softly. "I would live it a thousand times." With all the pain that it included, if only it meant he might get another life with her. "But this particular life, I think.. I think I've had enough, my love." The aching and the fatigue had grown too strong to fight, and he longed to sleep soundly again, to let his pain wash away, to be free. Give me one last kiss, For soon, such distance, Will stretch between our lips, Now the day's losing light. |
