I think she deserves a gentle death, don't you?

I think that a gentle soul deserves a gentle death, to go quietly, softly, without a sound. Maybe a tear would slip down her face, maybe a soft sob, maybe a sad smile?

But isn't that better than the alternatives?

I can see he wants to stop fate, wants to slice it short. His eyes are blue, crystalline, but flare with a fire that seems impossible in such a young person. A vengeance, a courage, that can't be rivalled by any guardian.

He doesn't believe she deserves a gentle death, I can see that he thinks she should die trying to oppose fate, her fate, her death. He would rather see her go down with a sword in her hands rather than gently, submissively.

Is that selfish of him?

Is that selfish of me?

I once thought he was foolish, stupid, and ignorant. Did he think no-one saw how he acted around her? Glancing at her every second to make sure she was still there, to make sure she was safe, alive. They exchange soft words, she laughs quietly. It has been so long since I heard her laugh.

To go down gently, or to go down fighting, teeth, nails and claws. What will be her fate?

As they walk across the grass, I can see her pale hand slip softly into his, and they smile. The others don't see it, too involved in each others antics to care as much as he does. I ponder her death, slow and painful? Or quick and gentle, like being speared with a feather?

I stop, and I freeze. Because at that moment I can see the fire in his eyes reflect strongly in hers, and I realise something, absolute, the point to all his fighting.

As long as they are together, death doesn't exist in their world.