The Summoning ϟ The Flash & Merlin

Chapter 11: Tell the World I'm Coming Home

It had been a few days since Arthur had awoken. To Rose, she couldn't shake the feeling that it all happened moments ago because every time she closed her eyes and saw it all over and over again. The blood, the light leaving Theo's eyes as he died, the sword going through Ellie. And the worst part of it all was later, Knights came back to report that Theo's body was missing. All that was left of their altercation was blood on the tree she had pinned him to. She wanted to curl up in a dark corner and never leave it which only made her feel worse. Forcing herself to stay strong had always been her armor. But this had stripped it away from her and left her raw physically, emotionally, and mentally. Everything had finally hit her so hard, like the world was going to implode. But it didn't. It just kept right on going.

Right on to the funeral. The Order did their funerals in a special way that Kenna said was inspired by the Loi Krathong festival in Thailand. She said the only difference between the festival and this type of funeral was the meaning of the floating lanterns. The original meaning was to make a wish while theirs was to honor those who had fallen in the fight to bring Arthur back. Showing that their light was always going to fight the darkness even in death.

The night sky was illuminated by thousands of stars as a massive crowd gathered at the scene of the battle. The wind nipped at Rose as she silently joined her father and brother at the shores of the lake. As Arthur gave what she assumed to be a brilliant speech, her eyes scanned the crowd of the grieving. Having come from all over the world, a sea of black was dotted with colors such as whites and reds filled the area that had just seen battle. All baring lanterns of their own to cast a shimmering light onto the reflective water.

She felt a bump against her shoulder as her father nodded to the water behind them. Kol was given the honor of lighting the first lantern for Ellie. For as undone as she left at the loss of her sister, she could only imagine the intensity of the pain her brother was feeling as he gingerly placed the lantern into the water. Its soft glow barely lit the black lake as it was cast off the shore. Her feet seemed trapped to the stony ground as the crowd went around her, an obstacle to their destination.

Her eyes were glued to Ellie's lantern as it led the charge of floating lights. She almost couldn't feel her arms as they wrapped Kol in a tight hug as she watched it all, entranced. It was as if her being was launched into the water with all those who had been taken by The Destroyers, by the mission of The Order. And as much as she didn't want to admit it, Rose could feel something growing inside of her that was darker than the rippling waters that kept the tiny blazes sinking into its depths. Maybe she would have to accept what others said she had in her. Maybe, despite using some sort of brilliant light to fight evil, she had grim power trying to break to the surface. And it scared her more than anything.

..............................

When the night's event was over all she could think about was the nightmares awaiting her when her body called for rest. Since the battle, John spent every night next to Rose as she woke up screaming. Mixtures of various torments awaited her each time she closed her eyes now and it was terrifying to even think about the one thing that had brought her so much pleasure.

She waited under the covers for John as he had gone off to talk to Kenna. A knock at the door made her jump as Kol poked his head in. A part of her waited for Ellie to come skipping in behind him with a smile. But those days were over.

Kol spoke in a broken voice as he pushed the door open a little further. "Hey. Father and Arthur wanted to talk to us. Are you up for it?"

"Normally I'd make a joke right about now for that, but I guess I'll just have to say yes," she answered as the warm covers flew away from her body and she got out of bed. She slipped on her unicorn slippers, following him to the study were they had been called.