(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{from here}

Sinric takes Athelstan's hand and leads him through an almost invisible door and down a couple of seemingly perfectly flat hallways that somehow open out onto the rooftop and a little flat terrace with a view of the eastern sky.

Sinric clearly spends some time up here because the spot is furnished with a daybed big enough to lay on or for two to sit together comfortingly and is draped with soft furry blankets of a cloth unknown in their time.

He helps Athelstan to the daybed and sits with him, setting the flask aside for now. The stars are still clear in the sky, even as dawn smudges the horizon with warmth.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"You mean to sing it for him now? Or only when the end is near?"

[thewidewideworld]

He shakes his head softly. "When we leave on campaign. I can't risk telling him within the palace for fear he will turn back."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes", Athelstan agrees. "No man should know when and where he will die."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods and kisses the top of Athelstan's head. "No, no he should not. But I'm glad I know. So I can make the most of the time I have with him."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And when the time comes, perhaps you can hear him call you by your true name, at least once."

[thewidewideworld]

"And I will show him how to bring me to completion as you have. I will see that our last time together is a memory worth holding onto for all my life to come. Just as our first time was."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I hope he still has the strength for that then", Athelstan says with sincere concern.

[thewidewideworld]

"I will do so before the battle is met. Before it's too late." He swallows thickly, knowing how hard that will be to bear."

[athelstanthescribe]

"What is it that - that brings it about? An illness, wasn't it?"

[thewidewideworld]

"A battle wound that will fester. If the histories are correct, the fever will be overtake him and kill him before the next dawn." He lowers his eyes, tears in his voice. "At least he will not suffer for long."

[athelstanthescribe]

He nods quietly, not suggesting that Sinric might use the knowledge to prevent it happening - because that would change everything.

"Then this must be before he receives the wound."

[thewidewideworld]

"Yes, the night before battle is joined. I will keep him up late with talk of many things and lovemaking that will stay with me the rest of my days."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And songs that he can carry with him in the time remaining."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric nods and presses his face against Athelstan's hair, needing the comfort of his friend's nearness to protect him from these dark thoughts.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan holds him close and kisses the nearest piece of skin.

[thewidewideworld]

"I am afraid." He confesses softly. "Afraid that when the time comes, I will not be strong enough to let what must happen, happen. Afraid I will break and beg him not to go."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I admit", he says softly, "I had the thought that you could keep him from dying, with this forewarning, but selfishly I put it aside unspoken."

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric shakes his head. "It is selfish but I've thought it too. But if he lives, I will not leave his side and I will not find Ragnar and he will not find you. My selfishness would rob both of you of the truest love I have ever seen."

And they would never have adopted him in the bar and the whole paradox of their lives would collapse.

[athelstanthescribe]

"So", Athelstan says sadly, "it must be allowed to happen - but at least you might be able to ease his passing."

[thewidewideworld]

"That is how I resign myself." He slides down at little to burrow into Athelstan's arms. "That and the hope the door will permit me to comes here to grieve."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan holds him close and promises, "If it does, we will be here."

[thewidewideworld]

"I hope so." Sinric sighs, rubbing at the tears gathering on his lashes. "For I'll need you both. Very much."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I will refuse you nothing you need." He kisses the tears away. "As you've refused me nothing."

[thewidewideworld]

"Even if it's to let me cry for days?" He tries to joke, kissing Athelstan's hand. "For I fear that's all I will be able to do."

[athelstanthescribe]

"If crying for days will ease your grief in the long run", Athelstan says, outlining his lips with a finger, "then so be it."