Martin's POV:
It hasn't been long since I found my father and his four friends on the Northland Coast. There is one truth that I remembered at that time. It is one that I won't even tell my father or Timballisto. It is the secret of my lost love. My lovely Rose. Recently, I have been dreaming about her. I love her. I'll always love her. Tonight, the dream is even worse…
I am battling within Marshank. I am killing vermin left and right. I look down from the walltop. There, I see Rose jump on Badrang. Badrang throws her into the wall. She collapses. I cry out in horror. My horror is soon replaced by rage. I jump from the walltop to the ground. I charge and kill Badrang. After killing him, I rush to Rose's side. "Rose…Rose… y…you can't be dead! I love you!" Tears roll down my cheeks.
I wake up with a scream. I'm gasping in shock. The tears are still rolling down my cheeks. I am surprised to see my father sitting next to me. I quickly wipe the tears from my face and look away from him. "You loved her, didn't you?" Father speaks up.
I stiffen. "H…how did you…?" I begin.
"You were mumbling her name in your sleep," Father answers.
"Yes, I loved her. She's dead! Need I say more?" I speak roughly.
"Martin…" Father starts.
I cut him off. "I even forgot about her! I only remembered after finding you. I let her die! It is all my fault!" I yell. Tears are rolling down my cheeks again.
"Martin, it wasn't your fault! I'm sure that you did everything that you could for her," Father continues.
"It wasn't enough…" I mumble. My Father grabs me into his arms. I bite my lip, trying to keep myself from crying. I tremble slightly.
Dad places a paw on the back of my head. "It's alright to cry, son. Go ahead," he whispers into my ear. I grip the back of my father's shirt tightly as I start sobbing into his chest. Father strokes my headfur. I cry louder. My whole body shakes from my sobs. I hear my father whisper words of comfort into my ears. Those words begin to soothe me. My cries begin to die down. I pull away from father. I sniffle and wipe my eyes free of the tears.
Father begins speaking. "My son, I know that you're hurting. I felt the same way after your mother died."
"Yesterday was the anniversary of her death. You remember how I might have been more distant? That was the reason," I continue. Fresh tears prick at my eyes.
"Martin, any time you want to talk about her, just find me. I'll always be here for you," Father smiles softly at me.
I nod my head once. "Thank you. I… I just want to be alone for a little while," I reply.
He nods his head in silent understanding. Father turns around and leaves the Gatehouse Cottage. I lie back on my bed. I continue to think about my lost love. Fresh tears come to my eyes. I don't even bother to hold them back. I just curl up in a miserable ball of fur and cry myself to sleep.