Stone Circle Exitlude

Taktuq was thankful for Tauris. Thankful, for the systir who had risen alongside her to the helm. Thankful, when she had stayed her course, even when Taktuq had stepped down to care for the children - and then, to be present for Gunnar, too, when he soon followed.

Thankful, that she had risen to lead the procession.

Thankful, that she was ready with words to say.

Taktuq's love for Gunnar had not been long, nor very conventional, but it had been real, and she held it tightly as Tauris spoke. Tightly, not ready to let go, even though he would want her to let go. To let it take wing, as he had done. To let it take flight. To let it wash over their packmates, their family, their children. Perhaps to help mend them.

Because Taktuq couldn't help but feel guilt when she looked at them now. She loved them. Gunnar had, too. But had she been wise to bring them into a world where this had always been the end of things?

And yet, who better than she to raise then from here?

She knew what it was, to lose a parent.

Taktuq sat with her children, and reached for the ones who seemed to need her touch the most.

He loved unconditionally, and loved until the end, she said, soft, like their words to each other had always been. And what more could she say?

Goodbye, as Bjorn had said, but instead, she found herself quiet like the rest.

She couldn't say it.

Not yet.