Two Letters Apart: Love and Loss

Lunam looks upon Hjolmar's broken form, his heart breaking along with every second. His limbs are battered, and his face bloody. Hjolmar's eyes threaten to glaze over upon the eve of death--

No. No no no, not death. He will live. We can-- He--

Lunam can't finish the thought. How could they possibly fix this? He was staring at the person who had given his life so much meaning, so much to celebrate, but he couldn't give him anything back. Hjolmar's eyelids droop, making Lunam lean forward in alarm.

"I love you. I love you so, so much," he blurts, cradling Hjolmar's head in his arms. He is aware that his voice is cracking. He is aware that his eyes are fogging. He is aware that this could be the last time he would ever be with Hjolmar again. "Please," he begs softly, "Don't leave me."

Hjolmar inclines his head slowly to follow the sound of Lunam's voice. His eyes are draining of its sheen, but on his lips is a ghost of a smile. "You... love me?" he says, his voice a whisper in the unforgiving wind. "I won't... leave you... I promise."

But what could a boy do against the will of fate, and the stubbornness of circumstance? Lunam feels the life leave his beloved. His body grows stiffer and stiffer, and he's so cold. No matter how tight Lunam embraces him, he is so cold. Lunam clings on, hot tears dribbling down his cheeks, but nothifng can impede a spirit from its course. No matter how many weeks it would take for him to accept it, or how many years until he finally moves on-- if he can even get there, the fact remains.

Hjolmar is dead.