#oh this grief. this endless fathomless grief

[hussyknee]

Her final tweet on October 8 reads:

“Gaza’s night is dark apart from the glow of rockets, quiet apart from the sound of the bombs, terrifying apart from the comfort of prayer, black apart from the light of the martyrs. Good night, Gaza.”

[theredwallrecorder]

RH - Of the Oak & Rose

Another entry for the Redwall Hell-verse because @raphcrow deserves it and more besides. @thegoldensoundtwice let me know of raph’s thirst, so now you know who to blame for this literally out of nowhere post ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)

The terrain of Hellgates is trapped in a state of constant, tumultuous upheaval, with locations shuffling and changing at random. It is understandable that Hellgates be this way, as it is a geographical reflection of its lord and master, Vulpuz. The beasts committed to roaming its tractless expanse are, in all meanings of the word, eternally lost... except for when, by chance or perhaps by fate, they stumble across a startling landmark: the decrepit husk of a large, dead oak tree, whose dry roots encircle a thriving rosebush bearing striking white blooms. The oak and rose act as the signpost to the lady's tavern; once you find it, you have only to pass it by to enter the lands under her influence.

But, did you know that the oak was once alive and strong, marking the entrance to the afterlife alongside its brother tree? Indeed, Hellgates and Dark Forest were once two parts of the same whole, before that realm was torn asunder and the Lady made her abode upon the very spot where the original Dark Forest gates once stood. Here is the tale of the Lady’s arrival in that realm, containing an account of [the song] her mother and sisters sung to weave the tavern and its pools and gardens into existence.

- - - - - - - - -

The Lady lifted her eyes before the terrible blow fell.

The badger would not look at her, but the sun, Oh! The sun was rising in blinding golden glory from the depths of the sea behind him, and before she could blink the light was swallowing the waters and the pebbled strand and the stiff form of the badger and the barbarous shouting and the weeping and the whistling axe and finally, it swallowed her.

Now the Lady was sitting on naked earth, with nothing and nobeast at her side. All about her swirled an undulating, impenetrable mist. A veil of shadows hung over the Lady's awareness, and even when she prodded, it would not give way. For the first time, she was truly alone.

And the Lady wept. How careful she had been whilst in the company of her fellow creatures, nurturing the depth of her hidden sorrow without even a sigh of resignation. But here, before the threshold of Dark Forest, her tears sought recompense for the seasons. It was only as her grief began to settle into a dull ache within her breast that the Lady became aware she was no longer alone. Her mother had come, emerging silently from the mists, and sat upon the ground a paw's reach away. She had turned her body so as to give the Lady the private intimacy of her grief, but she was there, real and whole, and without a word the Lady threw herself into her mother's waiting arms. Thus the two souls remained, embracing in the company of the mists.

After a while, Leda grasped the Lady's paw, beckoning her to rise and follow. As if by magic, the gloomy murk that had clouded so thickly round them parted, revealing a flat expanse of empty earth that abruptly gave way to nothingness. Off to the right and barely a stone's throw away was the bank of a river, its width so vast the Lady could not see to the other side. A few large, flat stones reared out of the river, punctuating its unnaturally smooth surface. Were it not for the presence of the stones, the water would have appeared to be frozen and unmoving, though the Lady knew intuitively that this hinted at the foreboding depth of the river. No sound rose from those waters, not even from where the river hurled itself in torrential cascades over the very edge of the earth. It was there, close to the edge and atop a little rise in the riverbank, that a magnificent oak tree stood, its lower branches devoid of leaves.

"Firstdaughter, look now upon the emptiness that lies before you," Leda began, gesturing to the sobering scene. "Behold the great abyss into which endless waters flow. I tell you it was not always so... The moment your blood was shed, a fierce cataclysm seized the land, tearing the misted plain asunder. This ageless tree and its twin, heralds of the darkened forest, were permanently separated. One, toppled by the cataclysm, fell into the pit and is no more. The oak standing before us now is all that remains of the original threshold of the halls of the dead; alas, for I fear these roots have borne too much. Already the leaves from the crown of the king do fall." She paused to note the mound of dead oak leaves heaped about the roots of the tree. "Only a husk of memory shall remain here, even as the denizen of will and the harbinger of evil have yet to fulfill their christening of the mountain. This realm has sacrificed its wholeness to account for the unwritten fates of the living." Leda squeezed the Lady's paw gently before letting go. "In the same vein, you have yet to declare yours."

The Lady knelt upon the soil beneath the dying oak. Her mother watched as she swept a paw through the crisp, fallen leaves, scattering them into the wind. She continued to brush the leaves aside until, suddenly, there appeared the stiff green stems of a young rosebush jutting forth from the pale earth betwixt the oak's staunch roots.  

"A little bush carries a loud voice, but I wish to hear its thoughts from your lips," urged Leda. "What will you do, Firstdaughter?"

Taking one last glimpse at the leafless rosebush, the Lady stood and drew alongside Leda. "I cannot walk through fields of reeds whose roots are gorged with the blood of creatures for whom I have wept," the Lady said softly. The lines of her mouth were firm as she cupped her mother's paws in her own, raising them up to press them against her lips. "I am afraid not even the wings of your spirit could bear me hence. Let me linger here until my vigilance slips from the mountain, until the last leaf fades from beneath this oak. I hesitate to give voice to it, but I will endure in the hope the oak yet lives."

Leda again embraced her daughter and caressed her face. "Fate came upon you with fangs bared and claws outstretched, and you have made it your boon," she said. "Your spirit has already made its den here. Far be it from me to keep you from where you belong, but, before we depart for the Dark Forest, we must bestow upon you our gift--a hearth for the flame of your soul."

A cry of joy came then carried upon the wind, and the Lady turned to receive the arrivals of four other foxes. One by one they embraced her, clasping her paws and kissing her cheeks. Their golden fur shone in the muted light as the eldest among them cried out, "How fathomless the wellspring of your heart, sister! Do not weep for us, for we were pleased to uphold the truth of your innocence even unto death. We have left the halls of our inheritance to come and sing with you, to sing of the gathering-place of the denizens of power."

Leda gestured in a wide arc to the empty sky, and she and her daughters gathered in a half-circle upon the bank of the soundless river. In breathless anticipation they waited, bodies swaying, until the Lady's voice, raised in song, pierced the silence. Together, they sung of cruel laughter that echoes across the sea, of firelight dancing along curved blades, of ships’ holds fit to bursting with stolen treasures. They sung of innocence plucked from a creature's final breath, of the scent of fresh blood soaking through torn cloth, of the cold gleam of the knife that flashes in the moonlight. They sung of oaths gleefully shattered, of furtive, fearful glances cast over one shoulder, and of pennant banners bearing the emblems of conquerors fluttering in the wind.

Their song rose to meet the mists, spreading outward as the melody increased in volume. Soft, yellowed grass sprang from the bare earth beneath their footpaws, racing along the bank of the river. A foundation of dark stone emerged from the ground, with walls crafted by unseen paws rising stone by stone upon it. Piece by loving piece was the building wrought, and as the final notes of their song faded into memory, her abode was finished. Many were the hours the Lady and her mother and sisters spent singing and speaking the tavern into existence, and it may be said that even to this day she continues to improve upon it, adding and removing such features according to her wont.

[ascottywrites]

Some Wicked Rare-pairs This Way Comes --Bonnie Bennett

A lot of people still but Baby Bonnie in a corner. But I still dig it... Hope there are others out there that still enjoy some of these rare-pairs. Let’s get nostalgic!

+Tyler Lockwood/Bonnie Bennett a.k.a Tonnie: 

Stranger then Fiction by norrific (wip: 28/?| 104,543) 

Oh my God, you're caught between a vampire and a wolf. You know who that makes you' 'Don't say it, Caroline.' 'Bella Swan.' 'I told you not to say it.' 'Come on Bonnie, how could I not say it.'

*This story hasn't been updated since 2011, so I would think it's safe to say it's been abandond BUT I still like re-reading what's there from time to time. 

+Jacob Black/Bonnie Bennett:

Immersed by Jazzywazzy08 (wip: 6/?)  

"Bennett witches has always been immersed in the supernatural. It is something that we can't get away from. The connection is fathomless, endless, and deep. No matter how far we run, the world of the unknown and the unnatural always finds us. We don't get normal, we never have and we never will." 

After the death of her grandmother Bonnie moves from one supernatural invested town to another; drawing the attention of the Quileute, the Cullen family, The Volturi, and finding that her family's history with the supernatural runs much deeper than she ever thought possible.

+Bonnie Bennett/Killian Jones (Captain Hook): 

Rapunzel, Rapunzel: A Land Without Magic by Jazzywazzy08 (wip: 8/?) 

When Bonnie discovers her real parents are in Storybrooke, Maine; she finds that in another world and another life her name was Rapunzel and she is the daughter of the Evil Queen Regina MIlls. 

+Bonnie Bennett/ Dean Winchester: 

Shot in the Dark by LilCoqui90 (Complete: 1/1| 394)

When Bonnie starts to slip up Dean does the only thing he thinks is right.

*just another bout of shameless promotion. Honestly I love the idea of Bonnie and Dean (pre-angels/ witches make me sick Dean to be specific.) 

Sammy, the Witch and the Badass by MsMKT86 (Complete: 13/13| 24,340)

Bonnie's life is turned upside down when the two brothers come to Mystic Falls seeking help from her grandmother because of a curse they stumbled across. She informs them of her death, but says she'll help. Dean and Bonnie have a spark but will their inner witch, hunter, a curse, and a jealous vampire stand in the way?

A Million Ways to Send Me to Hell by BilliMonroe (Complete: 20/20| 64,479)

Bonnie is falling deeper into the realm of grief, and she is having a hard time remembering that she is one of the good guys. Dean can certainly understand the feeling. It's been months since Sam's vanished, and she makes him want to raise some hell.

*This is followed by two other stories A Million to One and Fragments of Our Broken Road

[tinyshe]

Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Novena

Jesus further asked that this Feast of  the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena of Chaplets  to the Divine Mercy which would begin  on Good Friday.  Say one chaplet each day following the novena  intention. In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:              "On each day of the novena you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My  passion, for the graces for these souls. By this novena I will  grant every possible grace to souls."  (Diary  1209, 796)

 Click Here to Recite the  Chaplet Meditating on Our Lord's Wounds.

First      Day      "Today bring to Me      All Mankind, especially all sinners and immerse them in the ocean of      My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which      the loss of souls plunges Me."            Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and      to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust which we      place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your      Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of      You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. 

Eternal Father, turn Your      merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all      enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His      Sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence      of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.    Second Day  "Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and  Religious and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me  strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My  mercy flows out upon mankind."      Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in  men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works  of mercy, and that all who see them may  glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven. 

Eternal Father, turn Your  merciful gaze upon the company  of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the  souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your  blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded,  impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in  the way of salvation, and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy  for ages without end. Amen.    Third Day  "Today bring to Me All Devout and Faithful  Souls and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me  consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the  midst of an ocean of bitterness."      Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces  in the great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most  Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by  that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so  fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your Merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon  the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, grant them  Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they  never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with  all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for  endless ages. Amen.    Fourth Day        "Today bring to Me Those Who Do Not Believe In             God and Those Who Do Not Yet Know  Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future        zeal comforted My heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."            Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into  the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do  not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten  them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your  wonderful mercy;  and do not let them escape from the abode which  is Your Most  Compassionate Heart.        

            Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do  not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are  enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart  of Jesus. Draw them to the  light of the Gospel. These souls do not  know what great happiness it is  to love You. Grant that they, too,  may extol the generosity of Your  mercy for endless ages. Amen.    Fifth Day        "Today             bring to Me the Souls        of those who have separated themselves from My Church and immerse them        in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body        and Heart, that is My Church. As they return to unity with the Church        My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."                          Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who  seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the  souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the  Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate  Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of  Your mercy. 

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of      those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces  obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but  upon the love of Your Own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent  for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.          Sixth Day      "Today bring to Me The Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of  Little  Children and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble      My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as      earthly Angels who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them      whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My      grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence."    Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek  and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate  Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls  send all heaven into ecstasy, and they are the heavenly Father's favorites.  They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes  delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most  Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and  mercy. 

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls,  upon humble souls and upon little children, who are enfolded in the abode of the Most  Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your  Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father  of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and  by the delight you take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls  together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.         Seventh Day   "Today bring to Me      The Souls Who Especially Venerate and      Glorify My Mercy      and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion      and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My      Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in  the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall      particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death."            Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of      Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol      and venerate the greatness of Your Mercy. These souls are mighty with the      very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities      they go forward, confident in Your Mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they      carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged      severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life. 

Eternal      Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate      Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are      enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a      living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy and their hearts,      overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg      You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have      placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who      said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death,      the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He Himself, will      defend as His glory. Amen.

 Eighth Day      "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Are      Detained in      Purgatory and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents      of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly      loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your      power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of      My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only know the      torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the      spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."        Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring  into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls  who are very dear to You, and yet who must make retribution to Your justice.  May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out  the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy  may be celebrated. 

Eternal Father, turn Your most merciful gaze upon the souls  suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of  Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the  bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to  the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way      but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly  believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.          Ninth Day      "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Have Become Lukewarm      and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most      painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of      Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out:      'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the      last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."          Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls  into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure  love let these tepid souls, who, like  corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most  Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into  the very ardor of Your love; and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for  nothing is beyond Your power. 

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon  lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of  Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His  three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your  mercy. Amen

http://divinemercysunday.com/novena.htm