The clouds were heavy and grey as they covered Canden. The sky itself seemed to mourn the significant loss of the village. Every villager stood in Canden's center; the gathering was too large for the church where funerals were typically held.
William Reed stood beside his son's casket, his heart heavy and face forlorn. A noticeable absence was next to Anne's casket - Ravenna was still missing from the village.
Teresa stood with her daughter in her arms. Her husband held Thomas' small hand. The misery in the village center was almost tangible. Anne Hawthorne had touched every life in Canden, and every life she had saved or healed had come to honor her.
The death of Samuel Reed was heavily mourned by Canden as well. Samuel was a young man and had died as a hero. The Canden villagers who had put out the fire at the Hawthorne infirmary had found and captured Henry Yarrow, who admitted that he had barricaded Anne in the cottage before lighting it. After Henry's confession, the villagers knew Samuel's loss was not in vain.
Henry was left chained in Robert's forge during the funeral for Anne and Samuel. The villagers had agreed they would decide what to do with the criminal after the two fallen villagers had been given the proper respect.
The priest of Canden stepped forward from the crowd, standing between the two caskets. Knowing this would be the last time, he allowed William to remain by his son's side. The priest looked to his right and saw the sad lack of Ravenna at Anne's side.
The priest cleared his throat and began. "Friends. Families. We have gathered here today to mourn a great loss in our small village. Taken from us far too early, Samuel Reed will be greatly missed. He was the sole heir to the Reed family, and is survived by his father William. But we all know that the Ruler, in His infinite wisdom, has a great plan for all of His subjects, and surely Samuel is no exception-"
William snapped, unable to control himself at the priest's words. "What kind of plan would involve my son being murdered? Taken from me? What Ruler would allow this? That is sick!" Samuel's father began to sob and placed his chest and head on his son's casket. The blacksmith, Robert, stepped forward and pulled William from the coffin, taking the man aside to calm down.
"No! That man must be punished! I need this! It won't bring my son back, but it will help give me closure! I NEED THIS!" William's cries slowly faded as Robert pulled him away.
The priest, hearing William's shouts fade, continued. "...although the Ruler's plans may not make sense to us, His plans serve a greater purpose. Samuel was a good man, and he left this world as a hero."
A chorus of sobs broke out across the villagers, the impact of the loss weighing on the Canden residents. Teresa grasped for her husband's hand, looking for comfort. Her daughter sensed Teresa's distress and began to fuss. Teresa's tears dropped onto her daughter's face as she looked down at the child. She consoled her daughter, who settled and went back to sleep.
The priest continued. "Now we come to Miss Anne Hawthorne. The woman had survived many hardships in life; the passing of her husband, son, and daughter-in-law. She overcame her hardships to become the most caring person of us all, providing her care to all who required it. She delivered many of the children in this village, and gave care to the mothers. She healed the sick, the burned, the wounded, never asking anything in return. We pray to the Ruler that dear Anne's granddaughter returns safely soon, and steps up to take her grandmother's place."
A hushed silence came over the crowd. Ravenna's absence in the village had been noticeable, with the young woman no longer gracing the village center with her presence, sharing her day and charm with the villagers.
The villagers prayed to the Ruler, and the priest slowly closed Samuel's casket. They lowered their heads again and prayed in unison. Anne's casket was closed as the prayer was finished.
Twelve of the Canden men stepped forward, dividing themselves in two. Six men at each casket lifted their fallen villagers and solemnly carried them to the graveyard as the rain slowly began to pepper the tops of the coffins.
The procession made its way to the graveyard, placing the caskets at the feet of the two fresh graves dug at the base of an angel statue. Robert brought William back to the funeral procession, having calmed his friend down enough to participate in the ceremony.
The priest looked at William, who still trembled, attempting to control his emotions. The rage and heartbreak threatened to snap the man's psyche, and it was clear in his body's quivers.
"Mr Reed, the ceremonial custom is for the next of kin to drop the white rose onto the casket once it has been lowered. Would you care to do the honors?"
Robert quickly turned his head to see how his friend would fare with the priest's question. There was a hush over the Canden crowd as William turned bright red with rage, and then lost his color, turning back to his usual tanned complexion. He appeared to achieve a sort of eerie peace with his situation, closing his eyes with the slightest smile. William held his hand out toward the priest, who uneasily handed the grieving father the ceremonial white rose.
William opened his eyes, and slowly walked around his son's grave, coming to stand at the head of the open grave. He knelt down, and whispered something inaudible to the crowd. William stood, and an uncomfortable laughter began to peal from his lips. He tossed the flower onto Samuel's casket, and walked away from the funeral ceremony, laughing heartily as he headed toward his home.
The priest gave Robert a look of concern as the Canden villagers began to shuffle and murmur amongst themselves.
"Should we go after him?"
"Should I go check on him?"
"Will William be alright?"
The priest muttered to himself, clearly disturbed by William's departure. He cleared his throat, and tried to restore the solemnity of the funeral.
"Would anyone like to step forward to present Anne Hawthorne with the rose?"
Teresa passed her daughter to her husband, and stepped forth from the crowd. She was Ravenna's best friend, and knew her missing friend would approve of the gesture. "I will."
Teresa took her son by the hand and brought little Thomas to the front of the crowd. She took the white rose from the priest, and led Thomas to the head of Anne's grave. "Okay, Thomas. We kneel now."
Thomas did as he was told, and although he was young and did not fully understand the ceremony, he took it very seriously, taking cues from his mother. "Buh-bye, Anne. We got a flower just for you. I hope 'Venna will come home soon."
Hearing her son's wish, Teresa teared up, and tossed the flower together with her son.