Pairing: Leandra Hawke/Marian Hawke
Prompt: Say a prayer

Last Words

Marian fell forward, her knees crashing to the cold, hard ground. Immediately she reached towards the woman in front of her; the woman who gave her life.

"Mother," she gasped, staring into eyes that did not belong to the face she gazed upon. "You…don't leave me. I can fix this." She took the woman fully into her arms, cradling her gently.

Leandra shook her head slowly. "No, my dear. It's too late for me."

Marian blinked wildly in a vain attempt to prevent the tears that were forming from spilling on to her cheeks. "I don't want you to leave me, mother. Anders! You…you must help me!" She strained to see the healer behind her, and he stepped forward. His posture betrayed his own emotions over the scene in front of him. But before he could speak, she felt her mother's hand – or at least the hand that belonged to a body that now held her mother's face – upon her cheek. She turned back to look down at the woman.

"Marian," she began. "There isn't anything you can do for me."

Her hand covered the hand upon her cheek and she could no longer fight back the tears.

"I'm sorry, mother. I didn't make it in time. I couldn't save you."

"I love you, Marian," she said quietly. "Promise me something."

"Anything, mother," the devastated woman replied.

"Pray for me, my darling," she begged. "Pray the Maker will send me into the arms of your father. Pray I will find your brother and sister."

She began to shake as grief overtook her.

"I will, mother," she said sadly as she grit her teeth.

But as she watched her mother take her final breath, she wondered if she would be able to fulfill her promise. How could she pray to a being that would rip her mother away from this mortal realm in such a manner?

How could she ever believe such a being would even care to hear her words?