The hallway was eerily silent as I left my bedroom, the only sound the soft click of my boots on the cold stone floor. The weight of the silence pressed in on me from all sides, like the walls themselves were holding their breath, waiting for something to happen. I could feel the weight of every step, as though the very act of moving forward was a slow, painful process.

My heart was a constant thrum in my chest, a rhythmic reminder of the gravity of the moment. Each step echoed louder than the last, as if the pace of my boots was somehow tied to the frantic beat of my pulse. The air felt thick—oppressive, almost—as though it were charged with a sense of inevitability, a weight too heavy for me to bear alone. My mind raced with the thought of what was about to happen, but there was no escaping it. Théoden would be bringing Sybil's body soon, and I knew that the Council’s reality would be shaken to its core when they saw what had been done.

I rounded a corner, and the Council chambers came into view—a grand, imposing set of double doors carved from ancient oak. The intricate carvings on them, once a source of comfort and pride, now looked like an ill omen. The familiar sight of the door only made my heart sink deeper, the dread pooling in my stomach like a stone. I paused just outside, my hand resting on the cool surface of the doorframe, my fingers brushing over the carvings of long-forgotten heroes.

Facing the Council after this discovery was a grim task I had at hand, thankfully for me I was going to give myself some time to grieve and prepare. “Fredrick, I hate to do this on such short notice once again, but I need the Council to come to the chambers in a couple of hours. It’s urgent but I need a moment.” I sent Fredrick a message through the use of a spell that was recently shown to me.

“What’s the matter Princess?” He responded back as he could hear the sorrow that rang in my voice.

“We will discuss in a couple hours, okay?” I managed to say once more as I held my hand on the door knob.

“Alright, I will have them gather in two hours.”

“Thank you…”

I tried not to let my voice tremble but I failed in doing so. I knew he had picked up on how sad my voice seemed. And I know, that I made him concerned but I couldn’t worry about that right now. Not when beyond this door stood Théoden with a coffin.

“We can do this…” I muttered as I took a deep breath and entered the Council chambers, letting the door close behind me with a soft thud. “Is that…” I asked as I slowly approached.

“Yes…” Théoden breathed heavily. “I identified her with a spell.” Théoden told me. That I knew he would have to do again for The Council when they arrive in two hours.

I walked over to the coffin and looked up at Théoden, “I would like to see.” I asked softly. I knew he hated showing me dead bodies as the sight upset me so, but I needed to see her for myself. I needed confirmation with my own eyes.

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“I don’t think that…” Théoden began to say but he saw it in my eyes that I desperately needed this.

“Please?” I begged him, “We were close once…” I whispered as I looked back down the coffin, “She taught me things about The Council before I even knew I’d be a part of it. She may have been a Council member, a teacher, but she was also someone I considered a friend.” I felt a tear escape my eyes and fall down my cheek. I watched it as it fell softly upon the coffin soaking the weathered wood. I looked back up at Théoden, “I need this…” I told him.

I saw the pain ripple across his face before I felt it through the bond. He was worried that I couldn’t handle it but atlas he caved. “Alright…” he sighed heavily. “But be prepared, it’s not pretty.” He told me.

I nodded as I brushed away the tears that had fallen and watched as he slowly removed the coffin lid. As he did, the pounding in my heart grew and my tears that fell, became more consistent.

I found myself falling to my knees at the gruesome sight of her body. Théoden was quick to be right by my side as soon as he propped up the lid of the coffin. “Maria…” He whispered as he held tightly onto me, “you don’t have too…”

“But I want to…” I whispered.

He nodded and continued to hold onto me so I wouldn’t fall. “I’m right here with you, Maria.” He whispered in my ear.

I glanced back at the coffin where Sybil rested. “Sybil… I’m sorry it took us this long to find you… I promise you… We will save our kingdom… and your death will not be in vain.”

“And I am sorry too, Sybil. Those responsible, will be vanquished.” Théoden spoke as I could feel his eyes shift from me to her.

I looked up at him and could see him hold back his tears as mine fell. I knew he was comforting me but he needed comfort to. So, I turned around in his arms and wrapped my arms around him.

“What are you…” He began to speak but soon felt a small smile fall on his face as he realized what I was doing. “Thank you Maria…” He bent down and kissed my head gently. We stood like that, for what felt hours but it was only minutes before I let out a sigh, “I know we must grieve…” I paused as I glanced back at Sybil who was still exposed, “But The Council will be here in less than two hours.”

Théoden nodded and stepped back from the hug. He walked back over to where he propped the lid of the coffin and placed it gently on top. “Agreed, but after this meeting… we all take a bit of time.” He said softly.

I nodded in response, “What I would like done is, before they arrive, we utilize greater invisibility and hide her coffin with the spell. Then I explain what has happened and by that time the spell should have faded.”

“And what do you want me to do besides the spell?” Théoden questioned me.

“Be ready for the fall out. Have the magical cuffs on hand if you don’t already. Have a few guards not to far from the Council chambers if the meeting gets too far out of hand. We have no idea what Crimson will do once we reveal what she has done.”

Théoden nodded in agreement. “Alright, I’ll run to my office and gather what is needed and be back in an hour. Are you going to be fine by yourself with her?”

“Yeah… I think so…” I whispered as I glanced at the coffin and back up at Théoden.

He nodded, “I will teleport away if you need me prior to my arrival.” He walked over to me and hugged me one more time before he left me alone with Sybil.