a/n: oy, I have senoritis so bad rn. I should have written something fluffy for this request (for argarfinkel) but I tried twice and was not satisfied with either. Honestly it's somehow easier to write angst? Oh well. Sorry it's short:/ Hope you like it!

ThreeRainyDays: awww I am all smiley myself rn. I absolutely love being able to make people smile! It makes being here so worth it. Your stories are amazing, by the way! I loved The Robin's Song and Close Enough especially,long before I made an account. They are very inspiring and I was always jealous how beautifully you write, so your lovely review means a lot to me :)

Btw both the title and the last line are from a poem of the same name by Mary Elizabeth Frye, which I love dearly.

edit: suggested by the very kind Vykktor. I appreciate getting criticism that is helpful and not just...criticizing, thank you:)

do not stand at my grave and weep

Lissa & Maribelle friendship, hinted MaribellexChrom

The halls of Castle Ylisse were dark. Most of it's occupants were asleep, choosing ignorance over the frightful events happening just outside the walls. A storm and a battle raged together, crushing the morale of those fighting for their lives and families.

At this point, winning would just be a formality anyway. Death was inevitable for all involved. Maribelle and Lissa knew this, but neither wanted to say it.

Both were dressed in armor and cloaks, gripping their staves and tomes tightly to their chest. Lighting occasionally illuminated their grim faces.

"You're the Queen, Maribelle. I'm a nobody. My job was to give hope, but now there's none to give. Let me go," Lissa cried. The remaining Shepherds needed a healer, as word had just come of Libra's death. These Risen were much smarter than the ones they had face before, so it would only be a matter of time before his replacement fell, too.

Maribelle shook her head. She'd taken off everything that would mark her as Queen except the regal way she carried herself. "I won't allow that. You are the last of your siblings, and even though you don't show the mark, you bear it in your heart. It would be rather ignoble to allow a third exalt to die, especially if I can prevent it."

"No! If I am exalt, then...I order you to stay!" Lissa's expression was desperate, but her eyes held no tears. It saddened Maribelle to see how the times had changed the princess.

"Listen to me, love," Maribelle ordered, wrapping her finger's around the other woman's chin. "Despite what you think, you are still the light to this country. You embody what little strength we have. Stay here, and take care of Owain, Lucina, and Brady. They'll need you when they wake. I shall go to be with my husband now. Don't cry over me, my treasure."

They embraced, and she allowed the girl to sob into her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Maribelle-"

"Don't apologize, silly girl. As if you called these monsters into being. It's silly," the Queen told her, furiously wiping her own tears away. "I may go down, but believe me, I will take as many with me as I can. They will pay for making my sister cry."

Lissa let out forced laughter, and released her hold on Maribelle. "At least try to come back alive, please? For me, and for the kids?"

To that, Maribelle said nothing. She turned away and began to walk down the hall, calling back,

"Tell Lucina and Brady I love them."

"Maribelle, stop! Please don't-"

But it was too late, Ylisse's last Queen was gone. Lissa wouldn't see her again until her body was pulled in the next morning. The shepherds told their new exalt she'd died stopping a stray Risen from entering the castle.

For now, Lissa fell to her knees, but she did not weep. She felt as if there were no more tears left to cry, and besides, no amount of them could properly mourn the loss of her best friend and sister. So much had been lost, but Maribelle was right. Now was the time to pick herself up, and lead Ylisse until Lucina could take over.

But for now, she had all night to herself. She would honor her beloved sister's memory.

In her mind, she saw Maribelle, appraising her features with a smile like she so often did, whispering, Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.