Flying No More

Kaldur

I can't understand this.  Why was he dead?  It must be a nightmare, but watching my King cry.  I know it is not.

I'm at the funeral ground.  We are all standing here.   Idle, waiting for the service to start.  Robin- I mean Richard Grayson was already in his coffin.  I looked at him before turning away.

I decided to take a small walk to clear my head, before the service started.

I walked down to the pond and sat there.  I cried.  I can't believe it.  He's dead.

I wish I could've warned Robin about the man behind him.  But I couldn't speak.  It is all my fault!  I cry.

Suddenly I have flashbacks... conversations with Robin, about him...

Right, I'll strive to be more... accurate.

And respectful.

Who am I kidding?  You should lead us Kaldur... you're the only one who can!

Than I accept your burden, until you are ready to lift it from my shoulders.

Making Robin the only logical choice?

But he is to young.

Kaldur, you're all young.

I can not shake this burden to him- not yet.

You know they're a couple right?

I believe I knew before them.

Do we tell them?

It is not our place.

Hahahahahaha!

You were meant to lead this team, not now, but soon.

And how you choose your leader, determines character.

I gasped and the images and words faded from my head.  Except for one statement.

Then I accept your burden, until you are ready to lift it from my shoulders.

Except he never had the chance to.  I failed him.  I knew how much little Robin wanted to lead.  His small burning desire, I took it from him though.  He was to young.  That's what I thought.

But he was ready, he has always been ready.

I walked back with a renewed strength and stopped at the coffin.  I could feel everybody's eyes on my as I looked at his closed eyes,"You've always been ready Robin, you were meant to lead this team.  That one mission, the one that was meant to fail.  You proved yourself.  When I wasn't available and you reluctantly led the team on a mission in Bialya.  But you did it.  And that time when you led the team in the circus, you proved yourself.  Robin you have always been ready."

I felt tears prick my eyes as my King put his hand onto my shoulder.,"He was ready."

I stood there crying.

Robin had always been ready.