Maerad concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Cadvan held her hand tightly as he walked with her. Tears were falling freely from her cheeks, splashing onto the damp ground.
"I can't believe this happened," Maerad whispered, more to herself than to the man beside her. "How could this happen? It's not fair…Oh please, Cadvan, it's not fair."
"Shhh…" he soothed her gently. "I know it's not fair," he continued in a murmur. "But there's nothing to be done, my love. I'm still here for you, you know I'll never leave you."
"But he was my brother. I thought I'd get to meet him, at least. But to see him there, in that caravan…" A choked sob cut off the rest of her words. "I was too late," she cried. "It's all my fault he's d-dead!" She buried her face in Cadvan's chest and, as she had hoped, as she had needed, he wrapped his arms tightly around her. He guided her forwards, following the Bards carrying Cai's body. The brother Maerad had never known.
"It's not your fault, you couldn't have known he would die, you couldn't have known how late we were. If it wasn't for that stupid door in Gilman's Cot…"
"Thank you everybody for being here today," the Bard leading the funeral began. Maerad looked around her through her tears; she an Cadvan were the only people there. "Cai had a short and painful life, but now we have hope that he will find peace beyond the Gates in the Uncircled Open." He looked up at Maerad. "Do you have a song before I lead us in the Song of Ending?"
Maerad nodded and Cadvan played his lyre to accompany her as she sang of the love she held for the brother she had never known, taken from the world too soon.
--
I concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. My friend Jacob held my hand tightly as he walked with me. Tears were gathering in my eyes, and I fought to keep them from falling.
"I can't believe this is happening," I murmured gleefully.
"It's about time too!" Jacob hissed back.
As we reached Nathan in his best suit, beaming at me, Jacob kissed me on the cheek and went to sit down. Nathan swept the white fabric over my head.
"We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Nathan and Kimberly…"
I'd never been so happy in my life.
--
Hmm…not how I imagined I'd be ending this story but never mind. I was just trying to show the consequences on Maerad's world if Kimberly/Kayla was there instead of her.
OMG...I can't believe I've finally finished it ^.^
