Weather was such a fickle thing. It either always misread the situation, or it knew exactly what was tonally appropriate for a situation and chose the exact opposite way to express itself. During times of celebration, it would storm or cool down considerably. Unless of course, it was meant to be cold, in which case, mother nature saw fit for it to be warm during that particular festival.

And today, it chose to be warm and sunny. Completely opposite of the melancholy feelings of the small group gathered around what appeared to be an innocuous tree.

"This is it?" Rall asked quietly.

"It was her favorite," Tyll murmured. Stepping forward, he swept a few stray leaves away that covered a small, weathered stone with a name etched into it. He stepped back as he looked up to a familiar, gnarled branch. "She would perch near the top and play her flute when she needed time to herself." He fell silent, taking another couple steps back as he saw Kailli approach the tree slowly.

She had been unusually silent and somber, even before they had set out a few hours before. Normally, the elderly Rito woman was full of life and vigor, despite her age. But today, she looked tired and more than a little gray. Without a word, she knelt and wrapped her wings around the trunk. Resting her head against it, she wept silently.

Rall joined her, setting a wing on her back in solidarity. Though he was as stoic as ever, they had spent enough time together that Tyll knew he was grieving just as his wife was.

After a moment, the old ranger looked up to the branches overhead. Studying them, he reached out and plucked a single flower. He gazed at it for a moment before closing his eyes and bowing his head. His beak moved in a silent prayer before reopening his eyes. Then, he carefully placed it in his tunic.

All the while, Kailli continued weeping.

Despite the pain he saw from them both, Tyll felt… lighter. Not necessarily better, but seeing them grieve his mother helped to lighten the burden of his own grief. Silla had been close to very few, and he'd had no one to really share his pain with. Rala and Tovka had been there for him as he had finally decided to confront it, but they had never met her. It never really felt like they could understand what was lost. Not like Rall and Kailli could.

Eventually, Kailli's tears stopped. Letting her wings drop, she reached into a small pouch she had brought along with her. She had been very careful in transporting it, making sure it was secured to her belt and treating it as though it were fragile. From it, she removed a small, faded charm.

With a weak, tearful smile, she placed it over the stone. Then, she stood and pulled Rall close. Tyll turned away as they held each other and whispered small comforts. While he was grateful that he was able to join them for this moment, he couldn't help but feel there were some things he shouldn't be present for. But he also didn't think it was appropriate to leave.

So, he looked off into the distance, waiting for them to be ready. And then, he felt Kailli wrap her wings around him. "Thank you."