End of Night
Disclaimer: Making no money off of this. Just needed to put down thoughts to get them out of my head and free up space. A 'western defragmentation'
Summary: "The owl followed me here. I heard the voice."
There not just dreams. They're shadows that haunt Goodnight Robicheaux every waking moment.
Rated: T (war, pain, suffering, mention non-con/rape, drug usage, and death)
Movie cannon: major character deaths
Trigger warnings; Just about anything and everything. If any of that offends or upsets you, then don't read. If you continue to read and are triggered, it's your own fault for not heeding the warnings.
AN: My first and probably only foray into this particular genre. Honestly, I'm not, nor have I ever been, a western fan. However, after watching Mag 7 (against my will at first) I was absolutely hooked! I LOVED IT! Watch it all the time now. Love the characters and jokes and little subtleties that the director incorporated. Hopefully I do the movie justice and y'all don't chase me out of the fandom. :D
One of the things that caught my attention was Goodnight mentioning "The owl followed me here. I heard the voice." And Billy tells him it was just a dream. My muse took that scene and ran wild… this is the chaos that developed.
Goodnight Robicheaux and the wise accuser that has ghosted his life.
Let me know what you think.
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A strum of crickets filled the hot, humid July air. The bass of frogs joined the natural orchestra. Fireflies danced to their music. The moon was a sliver of white upon a velvet sky. Magnolia hung heavy, its seductive perfume making one coquettish under its spell.
As was the case with two young lovers enjoying a stroll on this particular warm Louisiana evening.
"I will wait for you, Goodnight." The words were spoken softly from rose petal lips flavored with mint juleps.
Goodnight Robicheaux grinned at his flaxen haired maiden. So beautiful in the moonlight. The pale rays of the full moon highlighted her golden head, and hooded dark blue eyes. She was a vision.
And the love of his life.
As was custom, he had asked her father's permission before courting her, enjoying meals with her family and chaperoned walks along the winding waterways that embroidered Louisiana's terrain.
Typical of southern girls, she was a peach!
Goodnight lost his heart the moment he saw her. When she stepped out of the wagon to join her family on the platform at the supply station, he had been hit with the biggest, sharpest arrow in Cupid's arsenal. She took his breath away. And his brains.
He strode up to her to make introduction, (as a proper gentleman,) and proceeded to stutter like a half wit.
Now most ladies, regardless of station or regional upbringing, would have turned away from what they assumed was a gibbering fool, but not his beautiful Annabelle. She had smiled, showing even white teeth, dazzling blue eyes, and rosy cheeks in full blossom. Graciously, she greeted him, though her two sisters hissed as angry vipers in clear disapproval.
She introduced herself as Annabelle, and her family had relocated from Georgia as her father was a businessman hoping to expand his trade further west.
Goodnight found his tongue, and his manners, and after a quick conversation, he approached Annabelle's father and asked to court the young lady who had captured his heart. At first the man was adamant, given his daughter may be interested in other (more wealthy and influential) suitors, but Goodnight was not one to be easily swayed.
Daily he stated his case. He was a hard worker, good provider, and could offer stability and comfort to a wife, despite his family having no political or economical standing. Their reputation was one of whispers and secreted visitations, his grandmother proudly carrying on the family tradition of herbal remedies and fortunetelling. "Witch" was muttered in passing, but no one dared to confront the bright blue eyed matriarch of the Robicheaux family. More than one family had been saved by the woman's mysterious gifts of prediction, protection, and remedy.
Reluctantly he was granted permission to court the young Annabelle. Many a days were spent under parental supervision, with picnics, walks, and dinner parties with the community socialites.
In the past couple of months, they had progressed to moonlit walks, late night hay rides, and dances reserved for young adults without parental interference. It was a great way to explore relationships, and still maintain a sense of safety while in the company of others.
But now, there were whispers of war. Goodnight had received word earlier that day. He was being called to fight. By honor and family reputation, he was duty bound to answer the summons. Every fiber of his being despised the crackly, yellow paper of the telegram. It was a death sentence, stamped with his name.
It was the spur he needed though. With imminent blood and death on the horizon, he swallowed his fear and asked his beautiful Annabelle to marry him.
The night fell silent, holding its breath to hear the fate of Goodnight Robicheaux's heart.
Her answer was as soft as her lips.
"Yes."
Crickets played a joyous harmony.
"When I return, we'll have the biggest, most magnificent wedding," Goodnight promised.
Annabelle nodded, biting her plump lower lip.
Goodnight held her tighter, staring into her moonlit eyes. "I will think of you every second of every day, until you are once again in my arms."
Diamonds sparkled upon her cheeks.
"Come back to me, Goodnight."
"Yes, Ma'am," he whispered, sealing the vow with a kiss.
The owl sang a lover's lullaby to the soft strings of crickets.
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Yes, an owl will end each chapter.
I rarely read stories on the site as I don't want outside influences to my own work, so I don't know if this kind of thing has been done before. If so, I apologize. As I said, I don't read what others write so I'm out of the fandom loop in that respect. And this is my first stretch of the muse for this genre.
Feedback is appreciated, but flames will be deleted. I write for honest fans and delve into the more grittier, more mature aspect of human nature and situations. I'm also the queen of cliffhangers and plot twists… so you've been warned.
Not all beginnings are magnificent.
