I could refuse a dying women's wish as easily as I could resist seeking the prize she asked me to bring.

"Baron," she'd whispered, so low that I could only hear her by pressing my ear to her mouth, "find my treasure. I wish to see it just one before I die"

I agreed to the request the moment it was uttered, but I decided not to let on. I had other intentions.

"My reward must be sorted out before I can be held to any sort of promise."

"Name your price." Lady Ravenclaw smiled.

"The treasure."

"I give my blessing, but I expect it won't mean much."

"Your blessing is all I ask." With that,I turned from her. I knew I had to prepare for this quest quickly, or the Lady would die before it's completion.

I left early the next morning. I searched high and low, with no result. I feared the Lady had already passed. Still,I searched on. It was better to bring the true to a dead woman than to return to a woman who was very much alive empty handed.

After several months, I was beginning to feel defeated. I had been searching in the first for several days to no avail. However, just as I was about to act on my thoughts of turning back, I saw her.

She tried to run, but I leapt off my horse and grabbed her wrist before she could. "Helena", I whispered in her ear.

"Baron."

"Your mother is dying." Helena looked down so I couldn't see her expression. Was it remorse? Geoff

Grief? "She wants her treasure."

Helena spat. "I'll never return the diadem."

I sighed. By this time, if let go of her. We were now facing each other, about an arm's length apart. "She doesn't care about the fucking diadem!"

"Then...what?" I pitied her; she looked truly bewildered.

"You."

She looked down again. Even she does again, her voice cracked. "I can't go back. Not now."

"She'll forgive you." I pleaded.

"No."

My teeth were clenched. She was refusing to see her dying mother over a petty fight? I thought back to my father's death. We had not been on good terms at the time and I now regretted the missed chances I'd had to reconnect with him. My face was red now. I could feel a fire burning inside of me."YOU STUPID, PROUD BITCH."I flew into a blind rage.

My hands were around her neck whenshe went limp. "I'm sorry." All of the anger left my body. "I'm so sorry." I gently laid her on the ground, trying to revive her. "Please. Helena."

I closed her eyes and kissed her forehead. "The treasure was always you, Helena." I unsheathed my knife. I plunged it into my heart.

For centuries I've begged for forgiveness. But I know neither of us will ever forgive me.

Hey! So, this is the first thing I've written in a VERY long time. It's not very good, but I hope you like it!

It is not canonically accurate, BUT I thought strangling would be a more...rageful cause of death. Your first weapons are your hands!

I'd also like to point out that I do not believe it is okay to view ANY woman as a prize. Neither is domestic abuse okay. I'd like to take a moment to encourage any reader who is in an abusive relationship to get the fuck out!

Also, I typed this on a Kindle, so if you see a mistake, tell me! I'll try to fix it.

Ciao!

gmdx 3