Goodbye Lullaby

Winter - Year 753 of the New Age
Blackwood - Near the herd
Featuring Dakrya and Kokkino (NPC)

Blood dripped down the young stag's left eye like the tears he refused to cry. He lay his head on the body before him, not caring if he got any more blood on him. That didn't matter. She was dead, that was all that mattered right now. He should have been the one to take his father's rage,  not her. How could he have let this happen? How could he have been so foolish? He should have known better. She had warned him so many times not to practice on anyone. He should have known what would happen if his father figured out… no, he did know what would happen, but he didn't realize it would happen to his mother, not him.

Gently he nuzzled her body, his ears lay limp to the side as he closed his eyes. He heard soft footsteps approaching from behind him but he ignored them. Right now he wanted nothing to do with anyone. If they were coming to console him, they could just leave, it would be a waste of time. He didn't need comforting. He was strong. He was a king after all… or that’s what she always told him.

My dear son. Her soft voice crooned as he felt something rub between his ears. Oh my dear, sweet son, what have you done? Your beautiful eye! He knew that voice, he knew it so well, but it couldn’t be her. It wasn't impossible.

"Mother?" He couldn't believe his ears, but as he turned his head to see who spoke to him, she was standing right there, as healthy and beautiful as she had been the day he was born. No, she was more beautiful. Her coat shone like the hot embers of a raging fire, her eyes flickered with her wild spirit that had long ago been destroyed. "But... he killed you." He whispered in disbelief as the doe rubbed her head lovingly against his neck, a soft tongue licking the large wound on the side of his face.

Your beautiful eye. She whispered softly. Look what you have done. Look what he has done. He's doused the fire in your beautiful eye. He killed it. She spoke so softly as she continued to clean the wound, all the while her silky tail entwined with his, holding it tight like a mother holding her child's hand.

"No, he killed you. Mother he killed you!" He didn’t want to be, but he couldn’t help but feel angry toward her for being so passive. Why was she ignoring what his father had done? He had wronged her, and she said nothing of it.

Hush now my child. She whispered as she touched her nose to his in a reassuring kiss. Do not fret about that right now. Come, we must get that treated before it festers. Can you stand?

Calmed by her touch, Dakrya nodded his head as he slowly pulled himself to his unsteady hooves. "But he killed you." He repeated quietly as he allowed her to help him steady himself.

Shhh. She crooned, still holding his tail as she lead him quietly away from the body. Hush my son, hush. Everything will be okay.

"No, it won't be.” He refused to be calmed. “You're dead!” His usually calm, soft voice cracked as he muttered the words he didn’t want to admit. “How can I go on without you? I need you!" He could feel the tears he had been fighting suddenly fall from his remaining good eye and quickly tried to blink them away. No, he couldn’t cry. He had to be strong.

Shhh. Be still my son. Do not cry, do not fret. Gently - lovingly - she licked the tear from his cheek. A king does not need his mother. Be strong my son.

"I don't want to be king if I must do it without you!" He suddenly screamed, his ears falling back in frustration, anger, and fear.

Now now my child. She scolded with a gently reprimanding tone. That is your fear talking. You mustn't let it control you. She ran her muzzle down his neck lovingly and slowly the red stag began to let himself relax. You will be king, my son. It is your destiny. Don't let me hear you say such a thing again. Promise?

"Yes mother. I'm sorry."

That's a good boy. She lead him to her den where she kept her collection of herbs. She didn’t have many, but she did have what she was able to find in her ventures around Blackwood. She used them often on herself and Dakrya when Nychta got too mean. She motioned at the small, organized collection. Now, do you remember what I taught you? Do you remember which plants will fight infection and which will treat the pain?

Dakrya shook his head solemnly. "I am a king, I don't need to know about plants.” He replied with a proud snort. “I must become strong. They will not help with that."

My dear Dakrya, she scolded with a disappointed shake of her head. Even a king must know the plants. It would be such a shame if sickness took him, for it would make him weak. A king can never be weak.

"But a cut can't make me weak, it will make me stronger.” He argued adamantly. “Besides, I feel no pain."

But you will my love, you will. She assured him as she licked at the large, deep cuts about his left eye. Once the shock wears thin, you will feel great pain I am afraid. You must treat it soon lest it grow infection and fever. Then it will surely make you weak. Do you understand?

The stag lowered his head in shame. "Yes mother."

Good. She took a step back, once more nodding toward the plants. Now you must remember what I taught you. Which will fight the infection?

Dakrya looked to the plants, considering them before pointing out the small, almost cactus-like plant. It’s leaves were grey green and pulpy, squishy when he touched them. He remembered her teaching him that the juice inside that would help with burns as well as other sores. Oh right, it fought infection too, didn’t it? He wasn’t too terribly sure, but he thought it did. "These?"

That is very good. What is it called?

Dakrya sighed at her question. If he had known he’d be tested he would never have agreed to this. “Um…” He was quiet for a moment. It was an odd name… heck, all the plants had odd names. “Aloe… Vera.” He finally replied.

That is very good. And which will reduce your pain?

“I have no pain.” He said with a huff, ignoring her reprimanding stare as he looked over the other plants. This time it didn't take nearly as long. He picked up a few arrow-shaped, spiny leaves. "These will." He said with more confidence. “Arrownettle.” He instructed before she could ask him what they were called. That name was a lot easier to remember, seeing as the name fit the shape. His mothers approving nod assured him he had chosen the right one and he popped it into his mouth, making a face at the taste before shaking it off.

That's my young king. Now, take the juice from the Allo and put it on that nasty wound. Maybe we can save your beautiful eye yet.

Dakrya carefully began to apply the cool salve, wincing some as he did, his strong stance slowly melting away. "It hurts." He mumbled softly.

I know, but the herbs will help.

"Not that, my heart." He admitted sheepishly. He had been putting on a tough act all this time, trying to be strong. He didn’t want to cry. He was a king after all. Kings didn’t cry. The weight of reality was slowly settling in on him and as he let himself dwell on the truth, suddenly he could not fight the pain from within and he began to cry. "I need you!"

Oh my dear! My sweet, sweet boy! She whispered quietly as she rushed to his side, laying her head over his back and gently hugging him, holding him securely. Shhhhh, do not cry. It will be alright. I am here. I will always be here. Even when you can't see me I will be with you.

"But it's not the same. I want to see you. I want to feel you. I want to hear you." His body quivered as he wept. He didn't care if he was behaving like a fawn right now. He wanted his mother back.

Shhhh, shhhh. I know. I know. She crooned gently, grooming down his back as she tried to comfort her son. Come now, you need to rest. It is late and you must build your strength to fight infection. Here child, lie down.

Dakrya nodded his head wordlessly as he folded his narrow legs under him and rocked down onto the cold, hard ground. He leaned back against her as her long, soft, bright fire-orange tail rested over him for warmth. Gently she wiped the tears from his face. Be still my son. Do not weep for me. I am free now. She assured him, trying to reduce his pain.

"I know but... but I need you." He repeated, staring into space. "I..."

No, shhh. There there. Don't fret. She continued to console him, licking his cheek. Come, do you want me to sing to you? The stag nodded his head quietly as he fought to stop the tears. Good, rest now then, it's time you sleep.

 

Hush child, the heavens no longer weep

As they watch you drift off to sleep.

Child, the heavens no longer weep

As they watch you drift off to sleep.

Powerful son, this is what they say,

All of Blackwood will be yours one day.

And by your command they all will obey,

While all your foes become your prey.

Royalty, royalty, royalty, royalty,

Royalty, royalty, royalty, you will be king!

Powerful son, the heavens have spoke.

They tell of a stag as great as the oak.

Out of the shadows, he'll rise from the smoke

And claim his throne; at last evoke

His royalty!

Royalty, royalty, royalty, royalty,

Royalty, royalty, royalty, you will be king!...

 

"They won't punish him." Dakrya interrupted suddenly, turning his blank gaze to meet her soft eyes.

Who? She asked patiently.

"Father. They won't punish him. They are too afraid of him. He killed you but they won't punish him."

Not to worry dear. His time will come soon enough.

"That's fine though." He continued, once more interrupting her, speaking on as if he hadn’t heard her. "If they won't punish him, then I will."

And how will you do that? She asked in calm interest.

"I will find someone to continue my training. I will become strong - strong enough to defeat him. And then I will kill him."

My brave king. She praised softly as she kissed his forehead.

"I will do it for you, mother. I'll kill him. I'll avenge your death."

I trust you will, but not today. She instructed gently. Be still. Now you must rest. The time for revenge will come another day. Now is the time to rest. Shhh, sleep my child. She gently ran her tail over his face, making him close his eyes as she began once more to sing to him the song she used to sing every night when he was young. As the soft tune drifted over his ears, he finally was able to fall asleep.

 

Hush child, the heavens no longer weep

As they watch you drift off to sleep.

Child, the heavens no longer weep

As they watch you drift off to sleep.

Powerful son, each day you grow stronger

Every day one more trial I watch you concur.

Child of my body, of you I sing:

Destined for greatness, ordained to be king!

Royalty, royalty, royalty, royalty,

Royalty, royalty, royalty, you will be king!

Hush child, the heavens no longer weep

As they watch you drift off to sleep.

Child, the heavens no longer weep

As they watch you drift off to sleep.

Words: 2,034
Point Total: 4

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Well, here we have another unplanned picture, and yet another of Dakrya. This was not so much an accident though. I woke up yesterday morning with this story in my head and over the day, when I could get a chance between work, I'd write it down. By the time I was done I wanted so badly to draw to it. Sadly I had to finish a paper yesterday so I didn't get much of a chance to work on it. I did get a sketch and most of the lines done though. I've been working on it most of the day today though and am sooo happy. I really love this and it goes well with the story. It's sad, made me cry several times (I get too connected to my characters) but I love it. The background actually ended up looking as good as it had in my head this time, so I'm happy about that. It's still kinda rushed (especially the lazy trees) but much better than the last.
Some may recognize the main pattern of the poem. I wrote it to the tune of Mordred's Lullaby because the music and overall tune of that song really fit how I can see his mother signing. Not to mention they have a similar idea to them. The mother is singing to her son a story of his future that she has already determined, all but brainwashing him to do what she wants him to. Dakrya's mother was gentle about it, but all and all, he's been manipulated by her to the point she's brainwashed him. And now that she's died here, he's all but lost his mind. I blame her, as sweet as she seemed, she just didn't know how to take care of a fawn. But yeah, she used to sing that lullaby to him a lot, and she does now, as a sort of final goodbye to help him sleep.
Just to make sure everyone knows, this is not actually a ghost talking to him. He's so upset about her death that he is hallucinating. Just like the other story where he heard her voice, it's actually just a side-effect of him having gone slightly on the psycho side. He may be smart and devious, but he is far from mentally stable, and this shows it right here. Gosh it would be odd if someone where there to see him holding a one-sided conversation with no-one. o.o
Well anyways, I hope you all can enjoy!