I haven't written anything for a long time, but this, this I had to write…

For my Grandfather

We Will Remember Them

It was dawn.

Maggie watched as the sun peaked out over the horizon changing the sky to a golden orange. The woman shivered as she pulled her coat more tightly around her. It was still fairly cold despite it now being officially spring, although that could be contributed to the fact that it was in the early hours of the morning she thought wryly.

Here on the 25th of April she stood at the Autobots base watching as the day came to life. It had only been a short six months since the battle of Mission City where the brave men and woman died to defend themselves and their country.

And Jazz.

She did not turn as she heard the heavy footsteps of a large Autobot behind her and only at the sound of Optimus Prime's voice did she move.

"I don't believe I have ever seen you up at this time before Ms Madsen, are the accommodations not to your liking."

"No they are fine Optimus and please call me Maggie," she replied succinctly.

Optimus looked at her, "Very well." He turned back to the sight of the sun rising, "Then is there something troubling you, I do not wish to make you or any of the other humans unwelcome here."

Maggie looked up and sighed, "Today is Anzac day back in my country. I wanted to be home for it this year."

"Anzac day is the day in which you Australians and New Zealanders commemorate the lives of Australians and New Zealanders lost in war is it not."

"Yes at dawn we have a service where we stand in remembrance of the soldiers who lost their lives. My Grandfather," here she paused and took a deep breath. "He was in World War 2, one of the lucky ones, or the unlucky ones depending on how you look at it. I used to go to the dawn memorial service with him every year back home."

Optimus watched as Maggie wrung her hands, unshed tears in her eyes. He watched as his scanners detected an increase of adrenaline and other chemicals that are usually associated with grief.

"Is your Grandfather still alive?" he asked despite already knowing the answer. Humans were very private creatures when it came to emotions such as these.

"No, he died two monthes ago. That's why I had wanted to be home for this day at least, because to me and to most people back home this isn't a day of celebration, it is a day where we thank those whose lives have been lost and ruined due to war. Where we thank them, because if not for them we wouldn't have a home anymore."

Maggie paused, "There is another reason why I stand here today though."

Optimus turned to her looking away from the sun that was now above the horizon.

The woman continued, "Today I stand here for the companions that you have all lost and the ones that I will never meet because of it. I stand to remember that war is a terrible thing, something that I wouldn't wish upon anybody. I stand here to pray that one day, for your people, that you will finally know peace."

Optimus turned back to the sun. Humans were such a surprising race, they had such great capacity for good and kindness. They were however, so very young. They had such determination and courage when they needed to. He hoped for their sake that his own peoples war would not destroy that.

"They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them."

"Lest we forget," Maggie replied.

"We will remember them."

The sun rose.