Where Do You Go When Home Is People Who Are Not Here Anymore?

Where do you go when home is people who are not here anymore?

(insp)

Change   Chapter 2

The next morning Merlin lay abed, his thoughts racing. Maybe Gaius was right, he should do nothing and trust Gwen, but his first instinct was to protect Arthur and his interests. In the past few years that had meant protecting Gwen, but was she now going against what Arthur would want? He grabbed at his hair in frustration, this was all so confusing. He sat up in hopes of clearing his head. He came to the decision that all he would do for now was observe Gwen and Sir Leon, perhaps his assumptions were wrong.

A few days later Merlin passed Leon in the courtyard. Leon carried his arms loosely by his sides, but in one hand he grasped a small bouquet of flowers. Merlin decided to follow him. Leon entered through a gate into the small walled garden. Merlin stayed at the gateway, partially hidden behind a wall.

Merlin could see Gwen inside the garden, and Leon was heading straight towards her. Merlin made a fist with his hand, and his eyes flashed. The flower stems bent and the flowers withered.

"For you." Leon said to Gwen, presenting the flowers with a flourish, having no idea of their changed condition. Merlin tried not to laugh. Gwen took the blooms hesitantly.

"Thank you, but I have no idea what this means." It was then that Leon realized the state of the flowers.

"I am so sorry" he said, clearly embarrassed "they were fine when I picked them earlier."

"Never mind, it is the thought that counts" she said. giving Leon a smile. They than began to converse in hushed tones. Merlin was trying to decide if he should retreat, when he saw Leon reach towards Gwen, he either meant to touch her shoulders or hug her. Without thinking Merlin gently waved his hand, his eyes flashing again. Sir Leon stumbled backwards, catching himself before he could fall.

"Leon" called Gwen, sounding worried "are you alright?" Grabbing his arm to steady him.

"Yes. I lost my balance for a moment. It felt almost like I had been pushed."

"Really? That is most strange" Gwen replied as she looked around the garden. Merlin ducked behind the wall.

"Come" he heard her say "let us get you inside." Their footsteps faded away as they made their way towards the castle door that opened into the garden.

(chapter 1)

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES   DARYL & CAROL

They were in the living room, Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Carl, Carol and Judith. Everyone was talking, but Carol wasn't really paying attention, she had Judith in her lap. She held Judith's hands as she tired to stand, but she would ultimately flop back down onto her bottom. Judith grabbed Carol's collar and patted her face, than something unexpected happened.

"Mama" Carol froze "Mama, Mama" Judith repeated. The room grew quiet as they all tuned to look at Judith. Carol felt something tighten in her chest as she looked at the babbling infant smiling back at her.

"Excuse me" she said, as she passed the little girl over to Michonne. She got up and went out the front door to stand on the porch, leaning against one of the posts to give her support. She could feel tears burning at the back of her eyes, but she didn't want them to fall. She heard the door open behind her, and his footsteps approach.

"You okay?"

"Yeah" she responded, but her voice betrayed her, sounding strained and cracked. He came to stand beside her, not touching, but his presence was a comfort.

"When Sophia first called me that I was so happy. She never said Dada, even though experts often claim that it usually a child's first word, but Ed spent very little time with her, so that wasn't much of a surprise. No, it was always Mama, right from the beginning." Daryl was thoughtful for a moment.

"You spend the most time with her, outside of Rick and Carl."

"Yeah, I understand, but it stills hurts." They stood there for a few moments, Carol fighting her emotions, Daryl trying to be supportive, then Carol felt the tears falling unbidden down her cheeks. Daryl put his arm around her, she turned and finally let herself sob upon his shoulder.

(A03)

The many skins of Carol 

(insp)

Don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved

(insp)

One day she’ll remember, remember everything that happened, the good, the bad, those who survived and those who didn’t.