Loki's Child

Chapter 19: Friends Never Say Goodbye

*Hela's POV*

I kneeled next to Esmonds bed and held his hand tightly.

This wasn't fair, why did it have to be him. I never asked for this, I never asked to be Queen, I never asked to fight in a war against my brother and his kind... It wasn't fair!

I heard the door open and I looked towards it, I saw Esmonds brothers and his Mother. "Harper," I heard Esmond whisper.

My head snapped round to look at him. "I'm here," I told him and squeezed his hand tightly.

"You did it," He stated and smiled. "I knew you could do it."

"How did you get hurt?" I asked softly looking at his bloody stomach.

He smiled. "I was saving a child... She reminded me of someone," He told me. "I guess I was trying to save everyone. I wanted to make you see that you could lead an army and come out on top."

I shook my head. "You're a fool," I stated. "You never needed to prove anything to me."

He chuckled softly but then hissed in pain. "I mean it Harper, I want to show you I was always there by your side every step of the way," He told me.

Tears filled my eyes and I brought his knuckles to my lips and gentle kissed them. "Stop saying 'was'," I told him. "You're not going anywhere!"

A tear slipped down Esmonds cheek. "We both know what's going to happen," He whispered sadly and looked at me dead in the eye. "May I have one request from you my Queen?"

I nodded and let a few tears fall down my cheek. "Anything," I whispered.

"Play me a song," He whispered.

I looked at my Dad and he held my harp in his hands, he gently passed it to me and I gently plucked the strings, then I suddenly thought of a song, an old song... 'Friends Never Say Goodbye' from The Road to El Dorado...

"There isn't much I haven't shared With you along the road

And through it all there'd always be

Tomorrow's episode

Suddenly that isn't true. There's another avenue

Beckoning the great divide

Ask no questions, take no side

Who's to say who's right or wrong

Whose course is braver run

Still we are, have always been

Will ever be as one

What is done has been done for the best

Though the mist in my eyes might suggest

Just a little confusion about what I'll lose

But if I started over I know I would choose

The same joy the same sadness each step of the way

That fought me and taught me that friends never say

Never say goodbye

Never say goodbye

Never say goodbye

Never say goodbye

Suddenly that isn't true

There's another avenue

Beckoning, the great divide

I would choose

The same joy the same sadness each step of the way

That fought me and taught me that friends never say

Never say goodbye

Never say goodbye

Never say goodbye

Never say goodbye," I sang as I played the instrumental Esmond smiled at me.

"I love you Hela," He whispered and his eyes closed.

I stood up and looked at a Guard. "The child Esmond saved, bring her to me in the throne room."

I looked at Esmonds lifeless body; Snow flakes had surrounded his body. I closed my eyes and left the room heading towards the throne room, tears streamed down my face; Esmond took care of me, he helped me and now he's gone!

I threw the throne room doors open and curled up on the throne, crying softly. "Goodbye Esmond," I whispered to myself. "I did love you, I loved you so much... I was just too scared to say it!"

I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to see my Dad standing there. "I'm sorry Hela, anyone could see he meant a lot to you," He told me the gently cupped my face and kissed my head. "It's okay, he's looking down on you... He's still protecting you."

I sniffled and shook my head. "It's not okay," I told him and looked at him with teary eyes. "It's not fair!"

My Dad gently shushed me. "I know, but things happen for a reason just like when your Mother died giving birth to you, she had to go so you had something to prove. You had to prove your Mother didn't leave this world for no reason, now do the same for Esmond... Be the person he wanted you to be," He told me. "Don't make the mistake I did."

I knew how he felt when my Mother died, the pain in his chest, the hole in his heart... I understand.

"Your majesty!" A Guard Announced as he came in holding a small girls hand. "This is the child!"

I stood up and looked at the small girl. "Oh Hela she's a blonde version of you," My Dad whispered then sent me a worried look. "What are you planning on doing?"

I ignored him and went over to the small girl, she didn't look very old at all; She had blond hair that reached to her elbows, a dirty yellow dress and dirt all over her face.

I knelt down in front of her and tucked a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. "What's your name?" I asked her softly.

The little girl looked scared. "Rosabelle," She told me quietly.

Her voice pulled at my heart strings. "Well Rosabelle I'm sorry to tell you that the man who saved you earlier... H- He sadly died." I told her softly.

"H- He's dead?" She asked sadly.

"He died protecting his world, his people and his loved ones," I told her. "I thought you may want to know in case you ever tried to look for him."

"He died a hero," Rosabelle told me.

I smiled sadly then looked at the guard. "Have you found her parents?" I asked.

I suddenly felt a tug on my armour, I looked back at Rosabelle. "My Papa was killed by the Elves," She told me sadly. "My Mama gone too."

I closed my eyes; Damn this war!

Too many loved ones lost because of a stupid boy pretending to be a king!

I stood up straight and looked at the Guard. "Tell everyone we are having a party, we are honouring those who have given their lives today. I want foo prepared, anyone and everyone is welcome," I told him then took Rosabelle's hand in mine. "Come on, I think I have some dresses from when I was your age in my room."

"Hela is this wise?" My Dad asked and gently rested and hand on my shoulder.

I nodded. "I will not let my people mourn alone," I told him and led Rosabelle to my room.

I needed to make things right, my friend needed a proper send off as did the others!

________________

A/N- What did you

think?