The Place To Lose Your Fears *A Ziall AU*

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

<<Niall's POV>>

<<The next day>>

The next morning, me heart was still empty from what had happened yesterday, it was unusual sleeping in the king's quarters. Harry wasn't here ta wake me up. It was still dark and I didn't want ta get out o' bed. I jest wanted ta sleep for the rest o' me life. But I also had ta use the latrine too. I got up within the next ten or so minutes and used the latrine. When I came out, I got dressed and wondered why Harry hasn't came ta wake me up yet. Then I remembered, it was supposed ta be Father's funeral. Yeah, I really didn't want ta do this, but I put me coronation robe and diadem and took the scepter. But I didn't really like it so I picked up the other alternative, a bronze staff inlaid with turquois and blue aquamarines.

I went ta the kitchen and it was empty. All o' the servants were probably told ta stay in their quarters for the morning. I just grabbed a piece o' bread and some margarine and a mug o' beer. I looked at the window and the sunlight starting to pierce through the glass. I hope I can make it through.

"Father, I hope ye are doing alright."

"He is, Niall" Harry said, coming up from the cellar o' the palace. He came over, dressed in a calf-length coat and put a hand on me shoulder. I just sat there on a stool, absorbing Harry's touch. Then he started doing something that I never heard before, he started ta sing.

"Just stop your crying
It's a sign of the times
Welcome to the final show
Hope you're wearing your best clothes,"

His voice was magical.

"You can't bribe the door on your way to the sky
You look pretty good down here
But you ain't really good."

His song was a painting of what had jest happened. I took a deep breath and continued ta listen to him sing. He looked directly at me blank eyes and continued

"Jest stop your crying
Have the time of your life
Breaking through the atmosphere
And things are pretty good from here
Remember everything will be alright
We can meet again somewhere
Somewhere far away from here"

I let a large tear out and felt Harry wipe it away.

"Please, Harry, again," I pleaded ever so quietly.

"Jest stop your crying
It's a sign of the times
Breaking through the atmosphere
And things are pretty good from here
Remember everything will be alright
We can meet again somewhere,
Somewhere far away from here." Harry repeated, I started ta sob. Harry took out a lacy rag and gave it ta me. I felt lifted up and I was curled up in his lap, on the divine.

"It's okay ta cry," Harry said, "Ye need ta let those emotions out or they will bite yer arse back sometime else." He advised. After aboot five minutes o' weeping, I got up and straightened me clothes and got me staff.

"It's time," I said, clearing me throat. Harry stood up and lead me ta the funeral underneath the palace. Me father told me that the funerals used ta be held in the cathedral, but people would not always be polite and the royals were supposed ta put their fake faces on, so now having it underneath the palace lets people be more personal. I slowly trudged doon the stairs and saw the cellar. It was dimly lit by a set o' twin wrought iron candlesticks, holding three candles each, with an iron and tin alloy chest with father's relics and his portrait painting from his first coronation anniversary.

"Time ta pay yer due respects, ta yer father, Niall," the old archbishop said, looking through his thick spectacles.

"Yes," I obeyed. I got doon ta my knees and said a quiet prayer ta me father. As with tradition, Paul came out and gave me a piece o' paper and a fountain pen. I wrote me dues on it.