Fitz never understood why humans wore black to funerals, until that day. The day everyone went to the Wanderling Woods to plant Sophie and Dex's trees.
He knew that he should honor Elvin tradition, but the green clothes in his closet were so much heavier that the black ones. Or maybe that was just emotion.
Fitz was surprised to walk downstairs to find his family also dressed in black, though Mom and Biana wore green shoes and jewelry.
The Vackers arrived a few minutes early, to find that Grady, Edaline, and the Diznees were also wearing black. In fact, the whole Council, save Bronte, were wearing black circlets, black jewels, black sashes, and black shoes. Bronte actually seemed to have a gleeful glint in his eye. No one disturbed the silence of the forest.
After a few more minutes of silence, except the sobbing, people showed up. They filled the whole clearing. Most wore little bits of black or all black in honor of Sophie.
This funeral was very different. emery said a few words, and then Grady and Edaline each had speeches prepared. The Council had asked them, Kesler, Juline, Alden, Della, Elwin, Keefe and Fitz to say a few things. Grady went first.
"I didn't know Sophie long. None of us did. She was caring, different, because of her upbringing. I think our world really needed that. We all needed that. But now..." Grady trailed off, stifling a sob, "But now she's gone. And there's nothing any of us can do. Except honor her memory by being here, remembering her. And Dex, the little rascal," Grady smiled sadly at the memory"Was so fun to be around. I can think of quite a few who would agree. On the first day Kesler and Juline brought him to visit, he got Verdie, our resident T-Rex, to eat a ruckleberry. Now, I don't think anyone wants to know what a ruckleberry does to a dinosaur," He laughed sadly, "My point is that both of these kids will be dearly missed, and I will never forget them. I hope you all will keep them close to your hearts, even if you didn't know them. Thank you for coming here today," Grady sat back down into his chair as Edaline got up to speak.
All the speeches were basically about how often Sophie wet to the Healing Center, how many times Sophie almost blew things up while Dex helped her in Alchemy, and how much they would be missed, and when it was about his turn to talk, his hands grew cold and clammy. He got up as Keefe finished talking.
"I don't think any of us have the right to say we new her well. I mean, she was with us for about 8 months. And I didn't know Dex that well either. But I'd like to say this: I know they and will always have a place in our hearts, no matter how big or small, they will always be with us. One human superstition is that you go to a place called heaven when you die. You can watch the world and see your loved ones keep living their lives. If that's true, I want Sophie and Dex to know that I regret the first few months that they were here. I barely acknowledged either of them. I should have been better. And I'm sorry for that." He sat down without another word
A few people in the audience even asked to say things. One man in a silver cape came up, and his words just kind of hit him. "I hope you will all let Sophie's and Dex's pasts be our guides, but don't ever forget that you can be someone else's guide in the future. Our world contains the smartest, most important and influential people in the universe. We can start searching for ways t honor these people. So, will you join me in raising a hand to the skies?" Many collectively gasped, but none the less raised their hands and said the ancient poem.
"Some may leave and some may stay, but these will stay 'till the end of Elf day.
In a land not all that far away, they will sit, no longer Death's prey.
The water flowing in the rivers, the autumn dew and winter shivers,
The warm and hope of these love givers, the souls of these, to Death, delivers.
We hope you're safe and sound at home, and in greener pastures is where you roam.
For just as kindly as a gnome, we love every hear from your comb."
This was very strange, because usually that chant was reserved for Councillors and Ancients.
People came up afterwards, saying they were sorry for the loss, or sending them their condolences.
But Fitz was numb to it, because he had lost the only girl he had ever thought he liked, at least, as his best friend, his beacon, his hope.
And now...she was gone.
