Hope Falls

"In my letter informing him, I will be asking him to send the boys over. They need to be more world wise then they are, it will be good for them."

“Thank you… thank you. I do not think I could last if I were left alone here… Not now…”

"You've got me," Avani promised softly. "Until you are feeling better, then you have me. As long as my boys come over, it will be for however long it takes. They'll all love to see you.""

“Thank you… for everything. For coming, for staying.”

"You need to rest now," She encouraged quietly. "Can I take your boy somewhere safe? Do you need more painkillers?"

“No! No - he, let him stay? He should not be alone. I have his crib here… let him stay in it?” Indira whispered, panicking at the thought of her son being taken.

"He-" Avani sighed, "Okay, not for long though, okay? He needs - he needs to get ready to say goodbye, mm? To join mother."

“How long was I not awake? They have arranged a funeral for him already? But I have not had time…”

"They will be in the process of it, the healer said it will be done by tomorrow but I still need to speak to Queen Isolde for you, and Kael. They need to listen to what you want for him, he isn't just theirs."

“They are going to put his body in the ground aren’t they? Insist on trapping his soul in the dirt…” Indira swallowed thickly, looking down at her son’s face.

"I will fight them on it. It isn't right, he doesn't deserve that fate."

“But the Queen will win. She will always win. Kael will not want him burned either, he does not believe in it. And no matter what happens - I can hardly breathe without the pain. How can I even attend.. I will not get to say goodbye to him properly…” Indira shook her head, tears finally threatening in her eyes. “None of this is fair…”

"If you underestimate me one more time, Indira Razi. My nephew is not going in the ground, no. His soul will be released as it ought to be."

Indira simply nodded, pressing her forehead to her sons with a deep breath.

"Pass him to me, let me place him in the crib so you can rest." Avani encouraged quietly then, holding her arms out.

Indira took another moment before lifting her head, passing her son over without another word.

"Did you think of a name for him, you and Kael?" Avani asked, rocking her arms gently as she walked with the infant to the crib as if all was well. Gently placing the child down inside.

“We had a few contenders but we did not decide on one, we were to discuss it later…”

"Which one did you like?"

“Bodhi… I liked Bodhi…”

"Bodhi. Oh, yes I think that's a wonderful name."

“I cannot say it is his name without Kael agreeing first but… I like it.”

"I like it too. I think it suits him."

Indira nodded, closing her eyes once more.

Avani moved to settle on the bed beside her sister again, wrapping her arms around her. "Sleep, I'm right here."