“Ow...” She started to say as she sat up. But then she realized that there was no pain. Her mind raced trying to recall what had just happened. The very big dragon. The six archers. Following Harry. Where was Harry? She remembered the sharp pain as something pierced her leg. And then her chest...

“You've come to the realization that you are dead quicker than most.” A neutral voice said softly.

She looked up and winced, realizing instantly that the figure before her was none other than Death.

“Allonon preserve me...” She said softly, a slight tremble of fear cracking into her tone as she stared upon the intimidating figure.

Death moved closer, “You whispered that prayer a few minutes to late. You are dead now, there is nothing to preserve. Not even a body since the dragon you so foolishly tried to kill has eaten it by now. Now it is time to judge you, and send you where you belong.”

She stood slowly, and tried to stare in his eyes but found she could not do so. “To Allonon's realm of course. I thought that would be obvious.”

Slowly he measured her with his gaze. “Do you now? And I suppose you feel you should be given special privileges and be counted as a close devout follower just because you think you died in the name of Allonon.”

“I did die in Allonon's name!” She cried out indignantly.

Death moved slowly to a nearby pool of water, his movements an almost gliding fashion. “You died a stupid death is what you did.” He returned with a soft yet derisive tone. “Without any thought of consequences or outcome. Step closer youngling and view.”

She didn't understand. She was dead. Wasn't that consequence? For the first time she looked around and realized the place she was in was wholly unfamiliar. It bore resemblance to a temple, but everything was a pure white. From stone floor to stone ceiling. It was a simple place with a design for function, with little embellishments. The walls had lines in them that suggested doors. But the only real decoration was the strange pool. Finally she stepped to it and looked in, finding herself shocked with what she saw.

“You thought it would be merely water? Why would I waste your time with showing you that. You mortals never seem to understand. It is for viewing. I trust you recognize the person you can see?”

“My mum! How could I not recognize her? Why are you showing me this? Why is she crying? Why does she look old?”

“This is a moment somewhat distant in the future. You left on your little adventure with no real way to contact did you not? So when you died how was she to know? Your surviving friends have been captured. No it will be some time before your mother knows the truth. That you are dead. That she has lost her child. ”

She grew silent when she heard those last words, and unconsciously she reached out to touch the figure in the water.

“No little one. You shall not feel her touch again. Nor hear her words of advice, the feeling of love. This last image you see is of her broken hearted. Because all that mattered to her in the world is gone. Was this so good? Does this truly give you a deserving status as martyr? What did you accomplish? You did not save the girl. You did not harm the dragon. And you broke an old woman.”

Tears slid down her cheeks and she yelled, “Stop it already! Stop it you vile creature! Why are you doing this to me?”

Death regarded the young woman coolly, “Because if you can not at least understand the consequences of your choices in death, why should have you have choices to make at all? You mortals too quickly forget what a child means to their mother. The loss of a child is greater than the loss of any worldly treasure.”

She stared into the pool, crying as she watched her mother cry. In her mind she soothed her mother, offered words of comfort, held her. But she knew it was not real. That she could have no affect on the living person. She was dead. “So what now? Are you telling me I am to be taken to Hell?”

“No.” Death answered. He waved a hand and a door with a bright white light behind it opened. “You will reside in the lesser god Allonon's land. You did do your best to follow him after all. But you shall not be received as a hero. Rather as most mortals. One who only realized what life meant after it was already gone.”

She nodded her head and moved with the figure of Death towards the door. She paused just outside the entrance to the other realm. “I wish. I wish I could tell her I was sorry. And goodbye.”

“Mortals feel no comfort in the goodbyes of the departed. Instead, embrace her when she joins you.”

The girl nodded slowly, and tried to force a smile. She then stepped into the door. Into her new home.