I headed out alone. Anna had offered to come with me, but I felt it would be better to be by myself. Despite the balmy summer breeze blowing, there was a definite chill in the air. I pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders and made my way slowly up the hill. I knew that they were gone, and that they couldn't say or do anything to hurt me; and yet, every step I took brought up a different emotion. Fear, sadness, and even anger bubbled up inside me.
I climbed to the crown of the hill and saw them there. The two, almost identical stones, marking where my parents would have been laid to rest. I was at a sudden loss for words. Making my way to each one, I touched them gently, hoping to feel something other than the sadness that was slowly overtaking my body. It wasn't until I stood between them that I found my voice.
"Papa, Mama, I'm sorry. I wanted to be here for you, I wanted to say goodbye, but I was scared." Choking back a sob, I glanced up at the weathered markings. "I didn't want to end up hurting anyone, especially not Anna. She was already hurt enough with you gone, I didn't want to make it worse."
I found a patch of dry grass and sat down with my head in my arms. Why hadn't I said goodbye when it happened? Why did I sacrifice being there for Anna, for everyone? I was scared, but so was she. She had no one there to be with her, she was alone and I was selfish. I felt a tear roll gently down my cheek. I had messed up and there was no atoning for it. Another tear spilled down my face and hit the grass with a soft splatter. I was a fool to let my fear get the best of me.
I stood up between my parents, and let the tears fall thick and fast. Years of guilt splashed down onto the ground beneath me. I took a deep, shuddering breath, and found my voice one last time.
"Mama, Papa, I won't ever run away again. I will always be there for the people who need me the most, I will always be there for Anna." And as I turned to head back to the castle, my tear-stained face taking one last glimpse at my parents, I saw my sister standing behind me, with tears in her own eyes.
"And I will always be here for you."