Manus Pluma Volantis

6 - Willow Tree

Ezran fell to his knees beside the graves. There they were. His heroes. His brother. His best friend. They lay there. Still and motionless. Peacefully. Together. That brought a smile to Ezran's face. At least they have eachother. They had Mom. They had Dad. They had every loved one that passed away. All of them.

A single tear fell to his hand. Just one. He did not grieve. He was not upset. He was happy they had everyone. He was happy they had eachother. He had matured so much. He wished Callum were here to witness his kingly acts. To watch him grow and learn. To watch him move on. But he trusted they were. They were watching him from above. He knew it. He could feel it.

Soren knelt beside him. A small smile tried to flicker its way onto his face, but it was quickly extinguished. Ez smiled at him, though. There was hurt in his eyes, but he smiled. He seemed almost... happy. He had been through so much. He was hurt. He was alone. But he wasn't. He had Soren. He had Opeli. He had Corvus, Amaya, and Gren. He had Katolis.

He was, for once, happy that he had lost someone. Not like that. That's mean. He just... wasn't mad. Wasn't sad. Wasn't hur... wasn't as hurt. He was happy, though. Happy they got to see the wonders of Askerius. He had heard tales of what it's supposed to be like, but they got to see the real thing. He chuckled internally. Lucky. Ez has some growing up to do, but he knew Callum and Rayla were there for him every step of the way.

He knew they would hear him when he cried. They would warm him when he was cold. They would hold him in their angelic arms. They were there for him. Even if they're not. They were there, but not there. If they were there, he would not need to tell himself these things. Accepting they were gone would help them feel close. Would help them comfort him. To help him move on. He would be okay. Everything was gonna be okay.

He could talk to them every night, and they would hear him. He could listen for their voices, and they would talk to him. He could cry and weep, and they would comfort him. They were there. Just dead. They would not really sit on his bed as he told them about his day, but they could hear him. Their voices would not be in his ears, but his mind. Their arms would not really wrap around him as he sobbed into their shoulders, but they would cradle him from above.

They were close, but far. They were here, but gone. They were dead, but their spirits will live on in Ezran's heart. Soren jumped back and grabbed his sword as they heard footsteps behind them. She did not wield a weapon. "Claudia?" Ezran inquired. "I heard what happened, and I just want to say I'm sorry," she said throwing her bag as far away from her as she could, and then taking another step away from it.

She felt bad. She was sorry. Not because Viren was dead, because Callum was dead. And, she hated to say it, but Rayla, too. "I'm so, so sorry. I'm sorry if my actions were scary or confusing. I'm sorry about Callum and... uhhh... what's-her-name." "It's Rayla!" Ez snapped.

"Right. Rayla. I'm sorry. So, very sorry." The words felt meaningful and truthful. Ezran looked at Soren and gestured for him to sheath his sword. Soren walked toward Claudia. She tensed up, think he would never forgive her, but he gave her a hug. He hugged her, remembering all the times they spent together. She brought Biscuit back, but he wasn't grateful. She tried to help with his mission, he wasn't grateful for that, either.

"I'm sorry, too, Clauds. You were just trying to help. You thought Dad- Viren was doing the right thing. I did, too. I'm sorry if you weren't ready to have to make another tough decision. Thank you, Claudia. For everything. I think it was because I thought magic- dark magic was creepy. Creepy and gross. And it is. But that's not the point. My point is... I love you, Claudia. And it hurt to leave. I missed you so much."

Ezran respectfully watched the family reunion happening a few feet away from him. Claudia was sorry for letting Soren leave. Soren was sorry for leaving. Neither of them had anything to be sorry for. Claudia thought what she was doing was right. What Soren did was right. She didn't know that. He did. Just one more thing you learn with age, Ez guessed.

His gaze returned to the two fresh mounds of dirt. He wondered how they got there. He noticed rhe blood stains on Soren's armor. He carried them. He truly was the best crownguard a king could ask for.

A/N: AAAHHHHH FAMILY REUNION! Sooo I really thought Soren and Claudia had a special sibling bond, and I wanted to bring that back. Because this is fanfiction, I can do whatever the frick-frack I want.