“Father?”

Osgars voice called out to him. Robert knew his time was up so lay down the flowers on at the base of the memorial and rose to his feet. Osgar had come up beside him and, despite the energy with which he had arrived, quietly contemplated the view before him.

Osgar had grown into a fine young man and Robert was so proud. At first, he didn’t think he could cope after... but somehow, each day he woke up and continued on. He had found contentment with his wife and joy in all his children. But he would always love and miss Serenity. That’s why he had built this memorial and made sure to tend it carefully. His private chapel said prayers for her every day. They never found any bodies and for a long time, the threat of Wick had hung over them. Nothing ever came of it and life soon had other trouble for him to address.

“I’m almost ashamed to say that I don’t really remember her well.”

Osgars voice interrupted him thoughts again. He turn to his son, and smiled as he watched him. He lay an arm around Osgars shoulders.

“Do you remember nothing? I know the nightmares stopped before you reach adulthood but we never really discussed it much did we!”

Osgar looked away from the memorial and blink away the past to look at Robert. “I remember little things like her voice as she calmed me when I was afraid. The warmth of her hugs. He laughter as we watched you and your men train. But I don’t remember much else.” His son fell quiet again, looking away as a sadness entered his eyes. “Sometimes, I long for something, a nostalgic feeling mixed with sorrow yet can’t understand why. I think it’s because I miss her.”

Robert squeezed his son in a hide hug and looked back to the memorial. “I miss her too. It doesn’t take away from all the wonderful people in our lives, the things we’ve accomplished or the struggles we’ve over come. It’s just that, we wanted to share all those things with her. It the little things like coming home at the end of the day and telling her all about it. Knowing that, if you struggle, you can ask her advice. Crying on her shoulder when I lost my best friend. Celebrating with her when your sister was born. Asking her for help when the politics get too much.”

Robert sighed. He’d lost many people over the years and he felt each one. But something about Serenity took root in him and he missed her all the time. That love for her stayed with him always.

“Do you regret it? Do you regret our presence in your life?”

Robert heard the fear of a little orphaned boy in his sons voice when he asked that question. He turned back to look at the man Osgar had become and grinned, joy shining out from his face.

“Never. I regret nothing and I’d change nothing... Even losing her. She was right, we could never have had all that I wanted. You can’t defy the King and live peacefully. Though I miss her, I’ve lived a full life. Full of both happiness and sadness, struggles and triumph. And you. My son. She gave me you and I love you with everything I am. I’m so proud of you.”

Robert let Osgar soak up his words, the confident young man returning as he smiled up at his father, just like when he was little.

“Come on Osgar, let’s go break our fast.”

As they turned away, Robert gave one more look at the memorial he’d built, a place to come and remember and have a little peace. Osgar had turned with him.

“Will you tell men about her? I want to remember more.”

Robert looked at his son and smiled gently. “Of course. Where shall I start?”

They turned again and finally walked away. But Robert would return. He always did.