For Mulcahy

[treading_dawn]

There is a tang of winter in the air, the trees are bare, the lake is icy cold--and yet there is still the faintest scent of violets down by the waterline, sweet and heavy.

And should an observer be alert enough, he might catch a flash of gold out of the corner of his eye.

Comments

[treading_dawn]

"All things end in time, child."

Aslan's whiskers brush lightly against the side of Mulcahy's face.

"But you knew that already, being here, as you are, at the end of all things."

[cheerychaplain]

"Yes," he says softly. "I suppose I did."

[treading_dawn]

"Some find that thought comforting enough, while others rail against it until their own time is done."

Aslan does not say 'which are you?'

That is because he is not the one that needs the answer.

[cheerychaplain]

He has no illusions about his own mortality, or about that of the world around him. "And war," he says, face pulled into a frown, "the people hating each other, hurting each other -- that would end, too."

The end of all things.

His frown slowly smooths out.

[treading_dawn]

Aslan inclines his head, golden eyes solemn and more than a little sad.

"So it will, and so it has, for those who enter my father's country. Though the road in is never an easy one, in the beginning."

[cheerychaplain]

He smiles faintly, even if it is more of a twitch of the lips than a full smile. "No, I would think not." His footsteps crunch quietly. He says, "Thank you."

[treading_dawn]

Aslan bends his head again, and his rough, warm, tongue rasps against Mulcahy's forehead.

His breath is sweet.

"You are always welcome, child."

Always.

And whether he keeps faith or not, he will never be alone. As, indeed, he is not alone now.

[cheerychaplain]

Father Mulcahy closes his eyes. There are no words for this, for the warmth and the light and the strange, quiet joy. He can only use what he knows.

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

He is not alone, and he never believes himself to be. It is simply a little more tangible for a short time, tonight.

Amen.