IN> Blandine in Peacetime

[Daniel Childers]

It has been a few years since the War was won, and lost.

Not happy ones. Especially for you, my love. So many mistakes.
So many wrong choices. Even after Lucifer died, his foolish
errors continue to harm us all.

I hurt you so badly. You're so small now, so weak. You may
grow back to what you once were, but that will take more
time.

The only excuse I can give is that I thought I was trying to
help you. It is a feeble excuse.

We'd always known that we would fight our own separate War
in the end. You know, I even supposed that the Champions'
duel would not really affect the War in the Marches. That is
why, when I won, I ignored Heaven and Hell, sealed off as much
of the Marches as I could, and tried to force you to my viewpoint.

Fortunately, I was wrong about the Champions. Even with
the scars of Baal's sword still fresh on him, Michael burst through
my cleverest, strongest defenses like they were nothing. I
had always despised him as a brute--but True strength
overpowered the wisps of dreams and nightmares.

If only it had been sooner. I would have had less time
to hurt you.

My trial was not as I expected. Judgement decided to make
me see my wrongs, repair the damage I had done (to you,
to the Marches, to mortals cut off from parts of their
dreams). It might have been easier if he had executed
me...no. Easier--but wrong. I understand that better
than most Archangels.

So sleep well, my little one, my love. Sleep, and heal, and
recover, so that one day Fear and Dreams may be together
again guarding and guiding mortals in the night. And do not
be afraid.

Being afraid is *my* job.

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