Or Forever Hold Your Peace - l.s.

Chapter 24

Louis' eyes opened. He thought he would have been dead. On the contrary, he was very much alive.

Sam had Stephen pinned on the ground. His sharp fangs were sunken into the flesh of the king. Sam had bitten through Stephen's armour and caused the uniform to be soaked with fresh blood.

The sun inched towards the sky. Night turned to morning. The dark sky turned bright. Sam turned to Harry. Harry found himself, covered in the blood of another man. His eyes widened at the sight. He stumbled back in shock.

Stephen was injured. He could barely move, with his a big portion of his abdomen eaten. With what was left of his might, he picked up his sword and rammed it into Harry's chest. Shortly after the blade was speared into Harry's body, Stephen dropped dead on the floor.

"Harry!" Louis screamed in terror, rushing to Harry. His heart leapt into his throat. Louis held Harry in his arms. "No. No. No. This can't be happening." Louis mumbled, almost indistinctly. Harry lay on Louis lap. Pain surged through his upper body. He flinched in agony.

Tears dripped from Louis' eyes. They rolled down his cheeks. Harry wiped the tears off Louis' face. "Louis, I'm alright." Harry whispered weakly, even though it was quite clear he was not. "I was prepared to die anyways."

More tears fell and streamed down Louis' face like rivulets. Sadness poured from his eyes.

"Louis, stop crying." Harry murmured. "I don't want to leave seeing you all teary-eyed and unhappy."

"Harr-" Louis choked. His voice was croaky and full of despair.

"Louis, can you smile for me?" Harry asked. His speech was slurred. Louis gave Harry a smile, even though it was clearly forced. Harry grinned.

Harry gasped suddenly. "Thank you," He uttered when he exhaled. Harry reached up to touch Louis' face but he lost consciousness before he could. His eyes were closed. Louis held Harry's hand and brought it to his cheek.

"Harry, no!" Louis bawled. "Harry, come back. Harry." He shouted at the boy who lay still.

"Argh!" Louis grunted in frustration. He pulled the sword out of Harry's abdomen and flung it away. "Stupid fucking sword!" Louis cussed.

"Louis." Niall said and placed a hand on Louis' shoulder. He knelt down beside Louis. Louis turned to face him.

Niall spoke, "I think I have an idea how you feel."

"No, you don't!" Louis yelled, holding tightly onto Harry.

"Do you remember when your mother died?" Niall asked calmly.

Louis nodded. "You were so sad." Louis' voice was shaky. "You wouldn't leave the forest for hours."

"Yes, I was sad but I grieved and I moved on." Niall told Louis.

"Not really..." Louis pointed out.

"Hush, Child!" Niall snapped. He took a deep breath. He continued in a soft voice. "My point is, we all experience grief. After that, we get back to what we were doing before. This will be hard to hear but life moves on with or without Harry."

Louis nodded, more so for respect's sake, acknowledging he had been listening, than agreeing with what Niall had said.

"Do you want me here or would you rather be left alone to grief?" Niall asked.

"Alone, please." Louis mumbled.

"Okay. I will be waiting for you over there." Niall pointed to where his horse was standing before heading to it.

Guilt began to build up inside of Louis. He thought maybe it was his fault that Harry was no longer alive. After all, Sam was trying to protect Louis and because of that, Harry was vulnerable.

"I'm so sorry, Harry." Louis whispered. Louis felt numb with remorse and regret.

Louis cupped Harry's face in his hands. Louis stared at Harry. Harry appeared peaceful but when Louis looked at him, all Louis felt was pain.