The Endless Sun
By Ithiliel Silverquill
How, my friend? How is it that Death found you, so tall, so proud? Amid the long-awaited riches of your conquest, amid the banners for which you bled, the people for whom you died a thousand times, how has he found you?
When you were young, you seemed deathless, untouchable. The flames would climb to the heavens, the water would deepen to the bowels of the earth, and the spears would flash with a crimson gleam, yet still you would come forth, a crooked smile on your face. And we would say you had cheated Death again. Death is not partial to being cheated.
The direst perils of this earth could not reach you. Whether alone, or surrounded by those whose hearts beat because yours did, you could not die. Not because you did not wonder if you would... not because you did not wish to... but simply because the burden you carried was too much for any other. Simply because you had to live, that was all.
Now here you are, cold as the wind on the plains, distant as the stars. Your face is pale, a fell peace resting on it that I prayed I would never see. The crooked smile is gone.
We cry, and you are gone. The banners are taken down, and you are gone. The glad cheers of the trumpets are silent, and you are gone.
And I weep for you, the strong eagle that has at last fallen from the unforgiving sky. You cannot see my tears. Perhaps it is better that way, for I know they would hurt you more than they do me. They always did. But I can hold them back no longer, and the river of grief is all around me, dragging me into its murky depths.
And then their mourning is over. The king is dead... long live the king. But I do not mourn a king. I mourn my dear brother, who is gone, who will not return.
I will continue. If your doom is to end, my doom is to endure, to watch helpless as the tide that has claimed you claims a thousand more. My heart will break a thousand times, and a thousand times I will wish for Death, but he is forbidden to take me. While you, the tired child, are wrapped in his cool arms and taken into the comforting shadows, I am left in the endless sun.
Author's Note: This is not the kind of story that I usually write. I found this in the "old relics" section on my hard drive and my sister convinced me to post it. Sorry if it's a little depressing!