A Prince's Resolve

It had only been a couple of days since the death of the Alpha's daughter Zevhani, but the memory of her tiny form in the Healers' den, struggling for breath, and of the terrible sinking feeling in the auburn Healer's heart when she and Aphrodi were forced to accept that they couldn't save her, were constantly in Siobhan's mind.  It seemed every time she closed her eyes, Zevhani's little face was there, her round eyes staring straight into Siobhan's soul.  Despite the warmth of the afternoon sun on her pelt, she shuddered in her place outside the Healers' den, where she had been taking a break from sorting herbs inside, and silently said a quick prayer with the hope that Zevhani was freed of all her pain in Paradise.  I wonder how her family is holding up, she thought sadly, and as if on que, she noticed young Arthur making his way through the densite nearby.  On an impulse, she stood and walked toward him.  "Good afternoon, Arthur," she said with a friendly smile.


Arthur had been feeling rather lost after the death of Zevahni. Half the time he expected his sister to be following him around like she used to do, always at his heels and copying whatever he did. She had been his shadow, and now... Now he was without her. Watching her die had been painful in itself, and dealing with her loss was almost worse. His mother had immediately thrown herself back into her work as a Guardian, and had even less time to look after Arthur now, and his father... Well, Arthur didn't want to be a burden. The alpha was busy, and dealing with Zevahni's loss himself.

Still, he was lonely.

A voice brought his attention to the present and he paused, finding himself being approached by the healer, Zevahni. "Good afternoon, Siobhan," the prince replied politely, though he didn't consider any part of his day so far as good.


The prince's voice as he replied was polite but lackluster, and she could see it in his eyes that he was suffering. Her own golden eyes softened with sympathy, and she leaned down so he wouldn't have to look up at her.  "How are you feeling?" she asked simply.


Arthur thought about lying, briefly, but quickly came to the conclusion that lying wasn't something a prince should do. Instead, he cleared his throat and glanced away, speaking softly when he finally answered.

"My heart hurts..." He replied, lifting a paw and touching it to his chest. Though he knew, logically, there was nothing wrong with his heart, it still ached like an open wound.


Siobhan felt as if a weight pressed into her own chest at the pup's frank admission.  She felt tears prick at the back of her eyes at the forlorn look on the prince's face and blinked them away, though her eyes were still moist as she laid a gentle paw on top of Arthur's own on his chest.  They shared a silent moment, and she moved her paw to rest on his golden shoulder.  "Mine, too, Arthur," she murmured quietly.  "It's okay to feel like that."


Arthur looked up at Siobhan, ears lowered back against his head. Frankly, he never wanted to feel like this again. He didn't want to lose anyone else... And the whole experience, losing his sister like that so suddenly, made him realize how small he was in the grand scheme of things. He didn't like that.

"Can't we fix it?" He asked. He wanted the pain to stop. He was almost envious of his sister. She would never feel anything like this.


For a moment Siobhan was struck with an unwanted thought: I can't help him any more than I could help his sister.  But she banished it quickly.  Stop that, she told herself.  You know hearts can be mended, with time.  She kept her paw on the pup's shoulder and gave the top of his head a friendly lick.  "I'm sorry, Arthur," she told him gently.  "The gods haven't gifted the Healers with that knowledge.  But I promise, it will get easier."  She looked him in the eye seriously.  "You won't forget about your sister, and that's okay.  You shouldn't forget.  It's okay to miss her, but you know she is safe and happy in paradise, and with time, your heartache will begin to lessen."


"Oh," Arthur replied, looking down at the ground. He was glad his sister was off in a better place, in a way, but he still wished she were still around. He was pretty lonely without her, and he didn't like seeing his parents so upset. "I hope so. And I hope my parents feel better, too..."

Looking up at Siobhan, Arthur tried to smile. It was a pathetic attempt, really, and his eyes still gave away his sorrow. "Zevahni would want us to be happy."


A single tear finally forced its way out to trace a line down Siobhan's cheek at the prince's valiant attempt at a brave face.  Hoping he wouldn't mind, she scooted forward so she could lean fully into him, wrapping his young body in a warm hug, resting her head on top of his.  "Yes, she would," she whispered in agreement.


Arthur accepted the hug, even pressing his head into the fur on her chest. He never got much affection from his parents, so this was a strange but welcome change. He sat there quietly, squeezing his eyes shut and trying desperately not to cry. He hadn't wept for his sibling openly, especially not around anyone else. He had tried so hard to be as stoic as his parents were, though the only thing he wanted to do was weep.


Siobhan blinked in surprise as Arthur leaned into her embrace.  She hadn't really been expecting much of a response from the pup.  She felt him shake slightly against her and pulled away just a little, ducking her head so she could see into his face.  The pup's face was scrunched up as he tried valiantly to hold back tears.  Siobhan made a sympathetic, motherly sound, half a laugh and half a sigh, and pulled the pup close once again.  "It'd be okay for you to cry, you know," she told him gently.  "Go ahead."


Arthur quietly shook his head. He didn't want to cry, he wanted to be strong like his parents were... And Zevahni wouldn't want him to cry. Instead, Arthur rested there for a little while longer before he pulled himself away, standing up straight and tall. Faking confidence usually made him feel better, after awhile.

"Thank you... And thanks for trying to save my sister," Arthur said. He knew it wasn't the healer's fault. They did what they could. Giving a half hearted smile, Arthur took a step back. "I should go. Mom's probably around wondering where I am. See ya later." With that, the little golden male turned around and scurried off back to the nursery, trying not to think about his sister. She was somewhere better than here. He was happy for her.


When Arthur shook his head, Siobhan murmured her understanding and simply sat there with him as long as he wanted.  The Healer nodded respectfully at the little Prince as he made his departure, watching him walk away with his head held high.  May your pride and reserve serve you well, Young Prince, she prayed after his retreating form.