And He Was Robbie

I remember the day she died; I remembered every bit of it. The irony of the pure white she wore on her supposed wedding day. The ruby lust of the red petals that showered down on her, each one had fluttered onto her like beads of rain. The sobbing foolish boy who thought a simple song could fix the world. I spent days locked away in my own room, battling with craze and blinded sorrow. Yet, here, after years of quiet exile, I had found a gift. It was as if my own penance was being lay before me, calling me to help another tear-driven lad out of the dark.

"Come back to me," I read, "Cecil…"

"Don't," the boy croaked, holding up a thin hand.

He hated it when I ever spoke her name, the forbidden name, Cecilia Tallis. When I first read her name, he appeared somewhat cheerier. Tinges of color had crept into his face, and his eyes shone slightly with affection. I left with too a smile upon my face, thinking that I had done some good. Yet, upon my next visit, I was summoned to the head Ward Sister's office. Her eyes narrowed slightly before swiftly explaining that upon my exit the following week, the boy had suffered from several emotional breakdowns and had thrown many fits.

"I deeply wish that this is merely a coincidence," she hinted, her mouth tightening.

"Ma'am?" I shuddered inwardly.

The Ward sister dangerously leaned forward.

" This better not happen again, sir. Tears and cursing I can stand, but sobbing and screams at night? Hitting nurses?" she shook her head in disbelief, "That is inexcusable. If this is to continue, than Patient Turner may be taken away."

Silence fell heavily.

"Taken away," I repeated quietly, beads of sweat on my brow.

"Yes, taken away. I presume you understand what that means?" the Nurse hinted.

I nodded, tugging at my collar.

" Sir, are you alright? You look rather, warm," the Nurse sweetly queried.

I vigorously shook my head; this woman was…

"Good," she finished, before dismissing me with a hand.

I fell out of the office, barely able to breath. Gagging on my spit, I fell to the ground.

Taken away? What a pretty euphemism for being locked away in an insane asylum. Shakily, I passed a hand across my mouth. What did this nurse not understand? Why was that precious boy so cursed? Was he to be alone, like me? Was he to hang on the weak threads of a past moment for the rest of his life?

Gasping air, I picked myself up. No, he shouldn't be condemned to such a life. I stood as an example of lost love. I stood as an example of the past, a living dead wanderer. Now was my time, to bring it back. Time to rein that lost love, even if it wasn't to be mine. This time, the story will be a happy ending. This time, the prince and the princess will live happily, and I as, Merlin, the wise old timer. That boy, Robbie, will meet Cecilia. I will give them that moment in the library. I will present them the future they wanted. It will be theirs.

"Robbie," I quietly asked, as I gingerly placed the letters back in their place.

"What?" he answered.

He had gained his speech back, but he only spoke when necessary. For the rest of the time, it was only nods and shakes.

"What was her full name?"

Shaking his head, Robbie turned away with hard determination. Refusing to look at me, he stared away at the rows of beds. I waited.

"Robbie, please," I begged, clutching my hands.

He merely shook his head again.

" You said her name before," I pointed out.

" That was then, when I didn't have my mind in place," he replied softly.

" Please?" I pleaded again.

"No."

"Why?"

"Pain."