CH Oneshots

At the End of it All

Figured I'd write something a bit darker than usual, the death of Metsäsuomalaiset (aka Forest Finns) seemed fitting

I use their human names in this, so the characters here are:
Arttu = Tornedal
Otso = Forest Finns
Muuna = Kvens

━━━━━━━━ ✠ ━━━━━━━━

Mid 1960's

"You always said you wanted to die alone, Just you and the wilderness, One last hike before the end." I sighed, rubbing the palm of my hand nervously, trying to shake off the dread creeping in.

"I'm sorry I couldn't bring myself to let you do that, old friend."

The dying man laughed a little. It was an odd sound, in his predicament, but I could understand. He looked up at the log ceiling, carefully handcrafted decades ago.

"I don't blame you. But-" a frown flickered across his face, as if a thought had struck him, "Muuna's not here right now, is she? And you didn't tell her? I don't want her to be here."

"It's bad enough you didn't tell me sooner, but no." I lied, knowing full well that my daughter was in the other room, likely listening to the conversation at hand, "She would've bitten my head off if I'd told her but not let her visit."

"Sounds like her. She never changed much, did she."

'says the stubborn fool' I wished to say, but just shook my head, "No, but Otso, I wish I'd been here, Known."

"Ach, Arttu, there's nothing you could've done." He spoke dismissively. Struggling to sit up in bed, but clearly trying to hide that. "Would've happened in time, We all know it. And I've spent my sentence in this hell. Knew I'd be here sooner or later."

"We'll miss you, you know." I said, and meaning it. "You've been here a long time, it's not a light thing to go."

"You don't mean that, I'm barely a footnote in the history books."

A faint smile appeared, "Just take care of the cabin, I'd hate to see it fall to ruin. And keep that bloody Sweden's paws off my property. I've had enough of dealing with his type."

I couldn't help but laugh, "Fair enough. I'll see to that. Anything else you'd like to say?"

He looked toward the window, covered in blankets to shield from the winter cold, "No. Just- move the blankets, would you? And put another log in the fire."

I nodded, getting up to do as he asked, the moon was almost full in the sky, filling the yard with light on the illuminated, sparkling snow. The wood crackled in the fire as it started to burn.

Tall shadows danced on the walls from the fireplace, the flickering light making him seem older than he was. It still seemed like yesterday that we first met.

"Never thought I'd see the day where I outlived you." I sighed, "Feels like I'm older than half the world at this point."

"Least people still say your name," he scoffed, his face darkening "Only a few left out there who know my face."

Kneeling down beside him for a second, I took his hand in mine. It felt eerily cold.

"If there's anything left after this life, Wait for me. Even if it takes another thousand years, we'll see each other again, I won't forget you that easily."

He didn't react, just turning to look away, "You should get going now, It's gotten late. You have a long trip home in the winter."

I gave up, the conversation wasn't about to go any further. I knew him too well to try otherwise. Resigning myself to that fact, I left. Only briefly looking back before leaving the room.

"That bastard." Kvens whispered the moment I rounded the corner, "Who is he to tell me what I can or can't do?"

"He means the best," I said softly, taking my boots from by the door, "He doesn't wish to hurt you."

"Hurt me-? How? He's our friend. I practically grew up with him! We have a right to say goodbye. I just can't believe-" her voice caught in her throat, struggling between grief and anger.

"I know, it's hard. But it's what he wants. I'm sure the old fool would've kicked me out if he'd had the strength to do so." shaking my head, I put my hand on Kven's shoulder.

"He deserves the peace, he's more than earned it."