Drabble #226: Heartbreak

[jalenstrix]

...we had a nice response to my last posted drabble prompt of Drabble 221, with entries by redwolf and me (jalenstrix), one of your intrepid drabble proposers, with commenting by us both. Huzzah!

As always, special labyfic love to redwolf for adding entries and comments for several previous drabble prompts. Onward, laby drabblers, onwards -- may our fabulous redwolf continue to lead us forth!





For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:

Heartbreak

What's the heartbreak about? Whose heart is breaking and why? Is someone a heartbreaker? Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.




Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit for this month of 500 words. Though remember that shorter pieces are most definitely welcome!

Your entry should take the following format, posted as a comment on this entry:
Word count: # of words
$your_beautiful_drabble


I'll aim to get my next drabble challenge out on the first Monday of next month (Oct 6).

I'm also very happy to take suggestions if something in particular strikes your fancy -- comment on this post or PM me with your suggestions. You can see our current collected suggestions here.


Remember: Feedback is LOVE. So do reply to your fellow labyficcers' drabbles if so inclined. (Though be careful of concrit unless specifically okayed by the author beforehand. Authors generally write for love.)

Comments

Heartbreak

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah wrapped her arms around herself, suppressing a shiver despite the mild day. Jareth tugged her closer and she unfurled enough to hook an arm around his waist and lean into his warmth.

Joining them were several of the infirmary staff and a scattering of solemn goblins. The small group was gathered in the orchard to witness Thadie planting a sapling. With economical motions, she dug a hole, reverently placed a carefully wrapped bundle at the bottom, then placed the young tree into position with a crystal nestled in its roots, before backfilling and carefully tamping down the soil around the trunk.

Thadie stood up as she finished, brushing dirt from her gloves on her heavy apron, she tugged them off, tucking them into a pocket and bowed her head.

Jareth raised a hand and conjured a tiny rain cloud over the newest addition to gently water the tree.

“Thank you for taking the time to join us,” Jareth dismissed the group. He squeezed Sarah’s shoulder and walked over to take Thadie’s hands in his own. “Your service is always appreciated.”

“I sometimes wish it wasn’t,” Thadie gave Jareth a sad smile. “But this will be a fitting honour.”

“It always is.” Thadie nodded her thanks and left with the others, leaving Jareth and Sarah alone in the orchard.

The sapling was little more than a waist high stick with a few leaves, but Sarah knew it would grow into a magnificent tree. She looked across the orchard at the diverse mix of trees, each one was the final resting place of a wished away child that didn’t live long enough to be adopted.

Sarah tucked herself back into Jareth’s side. “Why couldn’t we save him?”

“He had suffered too much damage for even our magic to repair.” Jareth rubbed a hand up Sarah’s arm in a soothing motion.

“It doesn't seem fair that he was sent here for protection and we failed.”

Jareth turned Sarah in his arms, lifting her chin with a finger. “We did not fail him. For the short time he was with us, he was comfortable and in no pain.” He gently placed a finger to Sarah’s lips as she opened her mouth. “His parents did not fail him, because they loved him enough to risk wishing him away.” He pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. “The ones who failed him are those who put him and his parents in such a position in the first place.”

Sarah sniffled a little. “There are rules about hunting them down?”

“Yes there are, darling.”

“That isn’t fair.”

“I have to agree, but that’s the way it is.”

Sarah nodded and wiped her eyes. “I wasn’t paying attention; why is this tree so far away.”

“Thadie said that it’s a mulberry variant and will be enormous. Like every other tree in this orchard, every time someone eats the fruit, they’ll dream of the child. Of how much they were loved and of their lost potential.”

Re: Heartbreak

[jalenstrix]

That is just so wonderfully heart-wrenching. There's so much in the words not said.

Re: Heartbreak

[redwolf]

While not the outcome the child's parents would have wanted, even though their injuries were too extensive, while they were in the Goblin Kingdom it would have been the first time in their short life of knowing comfort, quiet, a lack of pain and an abundance of food. 🦊🧡