A.N.

Thank you to my lovely reviewers!Ratava100d

Carmel March

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“Aunt Margaret?” Lily rubbed again at her eyes. Her Aunt was strange to be sure but to find her in a small hut in the middle of Pendrell’s countryside was bizarre beyond words. Margaret Hartman, Countess of the Black Coast and an enigma in her own right.

“Aunt Margaret what are you doing here?”

The rustle of Margaret’s numerous skirts and aprons filled the room as she bustled back to the bed, a steaming cup in her hand. “Drink.” She ordered, “I’ll explain everything dear.” The woman’s kind eyes swept over Lily’s face, focusing finally on her eyes. Lily studied her Aunt in return.

Sparkling blue eyes set in a tanned face. Laugh lines had begun to set in around her eyes and face, her blond hair was more silvery than Lily remembered. Not much had changed except for that. Her eyes were still kind but Lily could see something more. Just under the surface was the grit and hard determination of a woman not to be trifled with.

Margaret smiled softly, “I do suppose that’ll have to wait ’till a later time though. You’ll be needin’ your rest if the babe’s to be comin’ healthy! Any day now.” Outside the window the sun had begun to set, the little room lit more by the flicker of the fire. Lily’s aunt pulled a small stool to up beside the bed and settled down onto it.

The tea was strange and bitter but Lily took small sips, warmth spreading throughout her slowly. Memories came in the silence filling her mind. Not of his death this time but of his life. Different but devastating in its own way. She remembered the laugh and the voice she would never hear, the touch she would never feel, ever again. Tears pooled in her eyes but she let them come. What did it matter anymore? Who was there to be strong for?

Margaret’s voice broke through the grief filled haze, “Your son. You can be strong for him.” She said softly.

Lily turned and focused on the velvety voice, grounding herself. Her son…

A sharp pain in her stomach made her gasp loudly. She put her hands to the swell at her abdomen. The baby wasn’t here already?

Eyes wide Margaret was bustling again, putting water over the fire and yelling out the door for a midwife. A quick glance revealed that although the woman seemed hurried she was inwardly calm. Another contraction hit, the pain sharper now. Margaret pointed to the cup grasped tightly in Lilly’s hand, “Finish that tea deary, it’s going to be a long night!”

The moon was high in the sky by the time Lilly held William in her arms. She was exhausted and it felt like she had just gone through a vigorous training session, a double one at that, but her heart was swelling with pride and joy at the bundle she cradled to her breast. A baby! Her baby! His little face was red and he was a bit wrinkly but in her eyes he was gorgeous.

His name had been easy to think of. He had eyes the same deep green of his fathers. William jr. Kendall Christopher, he would be called, after his daddy. She repeated the name over and over again in her mind as she traced his features with quivering fingers. Slowly she drifted to sleep, comfortable and at peace for the first time in what felt like years.

Harsh sunlight and Williams crying woke her up the next morning. In the night Margaret had moved the baby to a crib next to the bed. It hadn’t been there the night before so she assumed the midwife had brought it over. Lily pushed the blankets off and picked her son up so he could eat. She hadn't had nightmares last night. Sleep had been dreamless and deep and she felt renewed. New baby to her was equvilant to a new start.

Maragret came in, a bag clutched in one fist and a cup of tea in the other. "Good Morning Auntie." Lily greeted her happily.

The older woman did not look as happy. She looked worried... Lily rubbed an eye and looked more closely, was that fear in her eyes? That was definetly bad, very bad. Margaret began to gather several bottles and foods and wrapping them up then tossing them into the bag. "I told you before," She started as she continued hurrying around, packing, "that I would explain later. Later is here and the explanation will have to be quick. There is a Prophecy in this land and many others. It's about you. Williams birth was the signal that the Prophecy had begun to take effect. Sorcerers all over who wish to use your son and you to.. Well lets just say bad things, very bad things, will happen if they catch you."

Margaret began to close the bag. "I'm sending you across the sea to the land of Ellyon. The voyage will take a few months but the crew I'm sending you with will keep you safe. The captain will escort you to the city of Crynon, capital city of the country. Find the bakery called The Fat Lords Oven and tell the owner Aunt Margie sent you, she'll know what to do." She pulled the bag to the door and handed a dress, shoes, and a basket. "Get dressed and put Will in the basket. If anyone asks your husband left you and you have never been a female warrior."

Lilly hurried to get ready, carefully placing Will in the basket and tucking his blankets aroun him. She tried to straighten out her chestnut hair but her fingers snagged in the curls and she finally settled with pulling it back into a bun, only a few wispy curls straying around her face. Margaret stood by the door holding it open so she saw a horse with a man already astride, her bag tied with the saddlebags. As she went to leave Margaret pulled her into a hug, "Good luck child. Remeber what I've told you! Be careful!"

Ok I know its not very long but the plot will kick in next chapter. If anything this is a filler. I think I might have shorter chap.s but update a lot. I don't know, it all depends on school! As always, please review! If you can't remeber how its that cute little square button down in the left corner. It only takes a second!

Can you tell I'm begging?