Written for the Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge (3/5 eras - Founders)
Written for the Prompt Relay Challenge (genre: historical)
Remember
It was an old graveyard; one that had existed for a few hundred years now. Many of the tombstones were unmarked. They were simply stones that stood to mark that someone was buried there.
It was the middle of the night when it was disturbed for the first time in years. Many had forgotten the loved ones who resided there, but the man who was now walking with a purpose had not.
He had picked a bunch of flowers from a garden somewhere nearby. They were pretty – and dying – so he didn't think the owner would mind.
Reaching the spot he had intended to come to he put the flowers by the grave. It was silent at night. Eerie. He didn't like it.
Once the flowers were in place he kneeled by the grave. It had been years now since her passing, and regretfully this was the first time he had visited her.
A single tear rolled down his cheek as he simply stared at the tombstone. Eventually, he found the words he wanted to say.
"I am sorry," he whispered. He bowed his head as another tear fell. "I am sorry for everything. I am sorry I could not be there with you in your last moments; I am sorry you passed in pain. I feel as if it were my fault." He paused for a moment, swallowing a lump that had formed in the bottom of his throat. Why on earth was he crying?
"I loved you," he continued, choking on his words. "I still love you. I always will. My life… my life seems somewhat plainer now that you are not in it.
"Oh, Rowena," he cried, "Oh, my love, if only you could know the influence you had on me. I am a cruel man with narrow views, and you knew that and still loved me. I will probably never change – now that you are not here – but how I wish you were. You changed me, you made me a better man. As good as I could ever possibly be."
He had promised himself he was not going to cry, but upon his visit he could not help it. Years of regret were pouring from him; he was a man of heart when she was involved. He always had been.
"I could apologise until the sun rises about how terribly sorry I am for leaving, but that is not something you need to hear, my love. You are at peace now. I do hope you are well where you are." He glanced into the sky as if expecting to see her face looking back down at him.
They had shared such precious moments during their time at the school. Walks during the night, or conversations under the stars whilst the students slept. He had loved her so, and she him.
Then he had betrayed her; he had broken her heart. Her daughter had only added to that pain.
Long after he had left he had heard of her passing.
"Oh, Rowena," he wailed. He conjured another flower and laid that beside the others. "Oh, Rowena, how I wish you were still with me today." He allowed one of his tears to fall onto the ground where she lay, and then he stood.
In the darkness all that could be heard was the crunching of leaves underneath his feet as he walked away, and the quiet sobbing of a man who swore he had never shed a tear.
He may never return to her grave, but her certainly would never forget.
This story was also inspired by the poem 'Remember' by Christina Rosetti for another challenge, but someone beat me to using the actual prompt for it. It was still the inspiration, regardless.
I hope you enjoyed it! I also ask that you please check out my If You Dare drabble collection and please, PM me for a pairing request. I will gladly accept!