The night air was cold, freezing. He'd forgotten his jacket. This was higher up the tree than he'd ever climbed before. No one had come for him yet. None of this bothered Eile. His mind was too cluttered with thoughts of grief and sadness; it was too busy to process the little details about his surroundings. That was just what he wanted: to be left alone to his thoughts.
It all came in steps and Eile knew exactly where he was at in the process of grieving. He'd already fathomed the situation and how it was happening a couple months ago. This new stage he'd most recently reached was not something Eile could so easily describe. There wasn't a perfect word for it, only a meaning which he understood. He felt like he was watching it all go down from the outside. He was the only one that understood what was going on, that could even admit it was happening. Everyone else kept painting a new smile on their faces each morning and going about their day like it wasn't really happening. Eile felt bad for them. If they hadn't dealt with it already, they would have to deal with it after it happened. Then, what would he do? How could he comfort them? He wouldn't be able to handle that. That was just too much.
"Hey," a soft voice spoke in the quiet night and Eile started. He twisted his body to see Romé making her way up the tree. Her hair was still in its customary braid and she was still wearing her training outfit. Eile had to debate whether he was happy to see her or not. Romé was his best friend, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to talk to her or not.
In the middle of climbing, she paused and glanced down. "Whoo! This has to be a record for you." he smiled up at him. Eile just turned back, drawing a disappointed sigh from Romé. She made it to the branch he had perched himself on and swung her legs over to sit beside him. Gently, she nudged him. "What's up, Eile? Your family's worried about you."
Eile sighed. "Tell them not to. I'm fine."
"No! Tell them yourself. Eile, look at me. What's wrong?"
Eile obeyed her. He always listened to Romé. When he did meet her gaze, tears glistened in his eyes. "He's going to die," he said so simply. "He's going to die, Rome, and I'm the only one who can see it."
For a second following, Romé looked away, but she gathered her words and took him into a hug. "You aren't the only one, Eile. Everyone knows. It's just hard for your mom to admit. After all, this is her father."
"He's going to die soon and everybody is acting like he's fine."
"She also had to watch her mother die. You know that. Trust me when I tell you that she knows he's dying. It's not easy for her. She's trying to be strong."
"Being strong is overrated."
Despite the solemn mood to the night, Romé laughed. "No, it's not. If you don't think she should have to be strong, then be strong for her."
"How?! Romé, I can hardly bear this as it is-"
"It's so simple! She needs you, Eile." Romé poked him in the chest and he blinked. "Leia needs you and your brothers and sisters. She needs you guys to remind her that she has so many people supporting her. She needs you to support her. Look, Eile, I can't imagine how tough his must be for you considering this is your grandfather. I don't have grandparents. I just know your grandfather really well."
That made Eile chuckle. "Of course you do. You know him as well as I do. You've lived with us your whole life!"
She chuckled with him. "True. Your grandfather is a great man and he's lived a long and fulfilling life. He gave my parents jobs here. Dad has always liked to thank him for that. He says that if it weren't for your grandparents, he and Mom would never have met."
"If it weren't for my grandparents, my mom would probably be dead. And my dad too. At least, he wouldn't be living on Alderaan, married to a princess. . . . Rome?"
"Yeah, Eile?"
"I'll support my mom, but I need you to promise me something."
"Anything."
"Will you support me?"
Romé smiled softly, but brightly at him. "Forever." She gave his arm a little pat. "Now, come back inside with me. Aunt Memily's almost done preparing dinner."