Upheaval and Change - Tales 12

Mae watched as the general ran to his son's side. Her heart stopped. She told a captain to take her position as she charged through the fray. She did not stop in her pursuit of Brendan. She just kept moving, slicing and cutting through men who stood in her way. Falling to her knees she looked at Iorwerth and then down at Brendan. The wound was deep and it had not stopped bleeding.

"Stay with him. And try to do for him what you can." Iorwerth said, I am going to try to find a healer.

Eruic and his druids were tending to the injured when Lord Iorwerth approached. Eruic stood and walked to him.

"Lord Iorwerth, it saddens me that so many fell in battle. The Nethbian King is ruthless. I trust you are well?" It was then that he noticed the look on the general's face. "What's wrong?"

"Father," Iorwerth said respectfully, but in a hurry. "I need a good healer, it is my son... I fear he is dying." He struggled to keep his face composed.

"Take me to him," Eruic quickly turned his head and shouted to one of his druids, "Dwrn!" and hurried after the general.

Dwrn turned hearing his name and saw the Arch-Druid hurrying after the general. He knew what to do. He quickly went to Eruic's tent and gathered the Arch-Druid's herbs. He quickly called on some of the other druids to follow him. None of the druids questioned, cause when Dwrn calls on you, it's on the orders of the Arch-Druid. They quickly followed in the direction that Eruic went.

Eruic and the general did not even wait before Dwrn arrived with Eruic's supplies and some of the other druids. "Quickly! We must stop this bleeding. Begin the chant!" he was pressing his hand against Brendan's wound and with the other applied a herbal concoction. Around him the other druids started to chant and Dwrn helped him in trying to stop the bleeding. They looked at each other and both knew that the wound was very deep. This was going to be close.

Dwrn stood and guided Lord Iorwerth and Mae away so that Eruic could do his magick. The chanting became louder. "Please, let us do what we can for him, and try to keep everyone away till we are finished. The Arch-Druid will let thee know when it is allowed for you to approach."

Iorwerth took a step forward. He was not used to being told what he could do. And very desperately wanted to be with his son. He had a feeling the boy would die. He never felt so helpless in his life.

Mae's eyes pleaded with these druids. She cared for Brendan and now was not his time. "Am I just to stand by and wait?" Mae did not understand why she could not be by his side. The wound was deep and Brendan was already injured from earlier battles. She looked at the general, her features were filled with angst.

Seeing a lady in distress, brought Iorwerth back to his normal cool self. "My lady, he said." I am sure that the druids will do his best. We will have to leave him in their hands." He came closer and squeezed her shoulder in support. "We will have to wait and not be in their way."

Mae nodded and wiped her eyes. She was not one to show emotion, especially on the battlefield.

"Allow us to try and save him! It is the Arch-Druid's wish that no one but the order be with the young knight, till he is safe." He saw the general start to protest and continued, "General, I must return to the Arch-Druid and assist him. Your son's life is more important than anything you have to say now. Please, I must go." He immediately turned around and went back to the circle of druids, not giving the general chance to detain him any longer.

Eruic was relieved, he had managed to stop the bleeding. The gods were indeed present this day. Brendan was carefully put on a stretcher and slowly carried back to Eruic's tent, where the chanting started again. No one was allowed near, but luckily the druid encampment was separate from the war encampment, thus they could work in 'peace.' The chanting continued deep into the night but finally they stopped. Brendan was alive, but barely. Eruic sent Dwrn to inform Lord Iorwerth.

Iorwerth had not been very happy with the way he was treated, he liked to be in control of a situation. And from the looks of the young lady next to him, she felt much the same. Both looked up as the druid entered the tent.

And?" he asked.

Dwrn replied, "He is alive, but barely. You may visit him one at a time." He smiled softly and looked at the general, "He will live, Lord Iorwerth. Your son's soul is strong, but he needs a lot of rest."

Mae's face lightened and she sighed with relief. "Thank you healer." She replied and curtsied out of respect.

Iorwerth felt a great sense of relief. His son would live.

Seth approached Bronwen slowly as she was in the Garden and alone. He stopped just inside the Garden and asked,"May I enter the garden to sit with you?"

"I am sorry about the earl." She said quietly.

"It's alright,"he said as he approached her and said,"I am sorry to do this, but I need to ask you a question that is very important. I love you and I am wondering if you share those same feelings for me?"He prayed she would say yes or that she had to think about it or something.

"I don't know. I like being with you. I think of you often. I am confused to be honest." She said with a frown.

He nodded and asked,"What about the Earl? What are your feelings towards him?"

"He is a powerful exciting man. He puts me to blush just the way that he looks at me. But, I do not know him? I mean, I only know what one sees?" She said honestly. "I can't tell you how I feel to someone I have barely spoken to?"

"Then you are only affected by the flesh and not by the person?"He asked trying to clarify and help her in the process.

"I don't know the person." She admitted honestly.

He smiled warmly and asked,"Do you know me better than you do him?"

"Aye, I do." Bronwen seemed strangely occupied and distant. But she still smiled at him in response to the question.

He smile knowing this was a very good thing., He looked into her eyes as he knelt down and asked,"What is it you wish me to do?"

She looked around uncomfortably. "Get up and just sit. I do not NEED you to do anything. Seth, perhaps it is better if you find another to guard?" She said with discomfort.

Seth was amazed by this and asked,"Why do you say this." He sat as he was told to.

"I do not think it proper for us.. for us to keep... well you know." She blushed furiously.

"If that is what you wish then I could have another assigned. I always thought it was a good way to stay close to you and protect you at the same time. May I ask one more question?" She was wringing her hands worriedly but she nodded yes.

"Always be truthful with me no matter what the answer may be. Can you swear to do so milady?"He asked with a smile hoping to relieve some tension.

"Aye, I can be truthful." She said with a gentle smile. It was an easier promise to say then maybe to keep. But she had always kept her oaths.

"Thank you my beautiful princess. Now do you wish to have another assigned to guard you?"He asked now switching over to part business.

"It would be best." She said with difficulty. It did not really answer his question as to her wishes.

"Alright then I will have it done. I will make sure this person is of good character of course, but I will have it done soon so you are not uncomfortable with me for too long. May I ask what your plans for tomorrow are?"

"I do not know. The Earl is with my brother now?" She said somewhat worriedly. "Have you spoken to him or father yet?"

"No, I am headed there right after my talk with you. If both our days are free then might I interest you in some time at the waterfall?"He asked hoping she might be able to do it.

"I will have to bring my maid." She said quietly. She knew to ride with Seth unaccompanied was not a wise decision after her talk with her mother.

"Understood. That does not mean that we can not enjoy ourselves. Just send word if you are not allowed or do not wish to coem tomorrow please?"

"What time?" She asked quietly.

"After the third morning bell?" He asked.

"Okay. I will be there." She said, standing. They were alone and unchaperoned and she was very very aware of his closeness.

He smiled and bowed and kissed her hand and said,"Until then my beautiful love."

She curtsied and hurried from the garden. What was it about that man that made her head rush. She hurried off to find the other girls of the court.

Seth watched her go and had quite the plan for the morrow should it not be spoiled. He had to speak with the king first though.

"Return"
~ Sir Amlyn
~ Nia
~ The Order of the White Shield (npc): Sir Blaen Lady Melangell

"What are you doing here?"

It was a simple question. Nia still wasn't sure if a simple answer would be enough to satisfy Amlyn, but she swallowed and tried nevertheless. "The King gave me the choice, and I decided to stay with you, my lord." Her horse moved about restlessly, still worked up from the ride to Tamith.

Amlyn frowned at her. "The King. Gave you a choice." It was more a statement rather than a question, and a statement of incredulity at that. He seemed to be silently digesting the news while searching for some hint of deception in her expression. She tried to meet his stare with a look of confidence, but somehow Nia didn't have enough strength to maintain it, glancing downwards to his horse instead.

It was then that she saw Amlyn's arm, bandaged and... missing the hand. Her eyes widened and she looked up at Amlyn again, noticing for the first time the paleness in his skin and the pain that lurked in his eyes. "My... my lord, your hand!"

Amlyn's frown softened back into the blank mask of thought he always wore. "I'll live," he said, kicking the horse gently into motion. The convoy of druids had moved on without waiting.

Nia turned her horse about and rode up beside him. She suddenly felt angry and frustrated at him. "Sir Amlyn, if I have displeased you by my decision then please tell me. I have come a long way-"

"You have come a long way of your own choice," Amlyn said, interrupting her. "And yes, I am not happy. I am not sure what you hope to achieve by staying in my service, but I can guarantee you would be better off elsewhere." His expression was one of disapproval.

Nia looked ahead at the road, sulking. Her anger still simmered, but she wanted to think about what to say next.

Amlyn pressed on. "I have come a long way, and the wrong way. Trust me when I speak that you will learn naught but ill should you remain with me."

"I don't believe you," she retaliated, almost surprised by the hostility in her own voice. "I think you speak from a well of self-pity that makes you believe you are destined to befall some tragic fate." She looked up at him.

Amlyn was silent again, mask fitted firmly in place. Nia did not know what effect her words had had, and she admired his ability to hide his emotions so... cleanly. It was times like this that it almost drove her insane.

The pair of them rode on for some time, passing long ditches covered with fresh mounds of earth and marked with crosses. Nia did not say another word, but was content to assume her place at Amlyn's side. She was determined, and she was positive he knew this.

Amlyn said nothing. But for the next three days he allowed her to resume her duties. He gave his farewells to Archdruid Eruic at around lunch on the third day, and by dusk they had reached the gates of the capital, travel-weary and looking forward to a warm meal.

Before passing through, Amlyn stopped his horse and sat motionless in the saddle, head slightly raised. Nia looked at him and saw that he was staring at something above the gate. Following the direction of his gaze, she noticed a shield, hanging above the large wooden doors like a sign over a tavern entrance. It was black in background, bearing a bloody red tau cross. Scratched and dented, it looked like it had not been used or worn in years.

She looked back at him. There was a moment of sadness in Amlyn's eyes. "It's mine," he said, barely acknowledging the puzzled look in her eyes. Before she could speak, he had nudged his horse into motion again, passing underneath the shield into the city beyond.

***

The Previous Day

The squire finished driving the last nail into the mantle above the capital gates. He stood off to one side of the ladder to allow Sir Blaen to examine his handywork. The shield hung in clear view of all who would pass through the gates from the south. He grunted and waved his arm, and the squire began to climb down.

"I don't like it," he muttered. "He will see it and have th' opportunity to flee."

Lady Melangell looked at the shield. It had been a long time since she had seen one like it. "God has favoured us by making the last of it's kind the type of man not to back down from such a challenge," she said, in a soft and lilting accent. "Earl Cynrain knows this and only seeks to make him aware we are here. So he can prepare."

Sir Blaen didn't look all that convinced, but he nodded nevertheless. "Hopefully th' butcher thinks th' same way God does in this case, m'lady."

Lady Melangell pondered. It was always clear that he did not, she thought to herself. They both rode back into the city.

***

Announcement to Court

(Earl Cynrain stands to speak before the lords and ladies of the court)

"People of Abertawe! I understand these recent times have been difficult for you all. You have had hardship and sadness thrust upon you by the actions of your neighbours, and no doubt some of you are feeling the loss and pain that war has brought into your homes. On behalf of the province of Dinodig I offer you my condolences, and wish upon you all the best of health and fortune for the future.

"My home has also suffered as you have suffered. Our war went on for years, assaulted as we were by the greed of tyrants and the barbarism of their minions. Great were our losses, and only through faith and the strength of our cause did we prevail at the end. And while we now know relative peace, our Order still has it's sworn task to fulfil, before we can finally lay the past to rest.

"Towards the end of our struggle, our lands were plagued by a group of men known by no name or fellowship, but by the colour of the armour they wore, and the style of shield that they adopted for themselves. Black was the colour of their armour, black was the colour of the background of their shields, and red was the colour of the charges that they identified each other by. Black and red, for the colour of their hearts and the blood that they spilt upon the lands of our home. The Order of the White Shield was formed with one purpose and one one oath: to find and kill every last one of these men.

"And we have pursued this cause with the strength of righteousness and the knowledge that our cause is just and fair in the eyes of god. We have sought out and defeated in combat all but one of these men. The last, we believe, hides here amongst you. The last, we believe, is the head of the serpent that struck at our homes and families. All that we seek is the opportunity to finally bring our chapter to a end, and to return home to our families and look at the future without shadows of the past to haunt us. We ask for your help."

After dinner, hawk made his way over to the infirmary. He was dressed in simple clothes, he did not want the prisoner to know who we was yet. He wanted to find out what kind of man he was dealing with. So he walked to the infermary, and went over to the bed. "I think you and I should talk. You are in a precarious situation. and tomorrow you will come before the King"

Allyn forced himself to open an I. "Who are you that you think I need your counsel." He managed to say calmly. The pain of his wound put more edge to his words then he had intended.

"I am a person who is willing to listen to your side of the story, and believe me, most are not. You have kidnapped the queen mother, who is a very well liked lady. Most people here are ready to have your head off with out a trial. So if I were you, I would not be saying no to a friendly voice." Hawk said. "Tell me your side of the story."

Allyn sighed. He laid back and closed his eyes and began to speak. "I was contracted by an individual to kidnap and later kill the lady Isa. My lands were being held hostage for this task. Not being from Abertawe, I did not see where my loyalties would be divided. My lands are my life as I recently lost my wife and daughter. However, once the task was begun, I found I had not the stomach to finish it. My "employer" decided that since Lord Iowerth was delayed going to battle, I still had achieved what she wished. Therefore, my lands were returned and the Lady Isa still lives."

Hawk found it difficult to stay calm, but he did not want to blow his cover,

"Tell me, would you have killed her? and did you also abduct Princes Rowena, and would you have hurted her?"

"Ahh little Beth. No, I did not abduct her. One of my men found her unconsious. She was so like my little Angel and had no memory of who she was or why she was there. It was not till Catrin came to help me care for her that I learned who she was. As you can see, I promptly sent her home."

There was a wistful tone to the man's voice. The edge of pain could still be heard.

Hawk picked up on that, he really did not know what to make of this man, "You have not answered the question about what you would have done with the lady Isa?"

"I did what I did. There is no other if. Now, if you will leave me, I have little need to say all this more then once.' Allyn was watching the man closely now. Yes, he looked like the Lady Isa, just a touch, but enough to be a relation.

Hawk realised that Allyn was a smart man, "Oh, believe me, you only have to tell this once, but I do expect an honest answer." He had changed his tone of voice to the one that was used to command and being obeyed.

"If not for Deirdre, I would have killed her." He admitted quietly, without remorse. Allyn would not lie to the lad, it would be an insult to them both.

He respected the man's honesty, but it did not bode well for him. "In that case, may the gods be with you." He said, and made ready to leave.

"Lad? Do you believe that a single person can change another?" Allyn asked carefully.

Hawk paused for a minute, he thought about his beloved Audrey, who had saved his life. "Yes." He said. "I do believe that is possible."

"I have felt that for the first time. Do you think that I come here, your highness, so that you can execute me? I know what I face and I will not lie

to save my neck. I came willing for the respect of one woman. I would rather die with her respect than live with the knowledge of her loathing."

His voice held a touch of resignation to it.

"So you recognize me. You are smart man. I guess I will see you before me tomorrow." Hawk said. He wanted to be alone now, he had a lot of thinking to do. It would be the first time he would have to pass judgement on a man, and maybe even take a life. It was not something he would do lightly.

"Your highness, how is the child?" Allyn asked with true concern. "Her leaving took a piece of my heart and I have been most concerned?"

"do you really care? You abducted her, and how am I to know that you did not plan to kill her too," his voice had turned very cold now, and dangerous.

"I did NOT abduct her. She was an unconscious little waif when I found her. I took her to a healer and then to my home where I treated her as my daughter." Allyn's eyes flashed anger at such an acccusation.

"you look like you mean it. But you were sent after my family, and you just told me you would have murdered my mother. Why would my sister be any different. Why would you care about the life of a child, when you kill so easily." Hawk asked.

"A child is an innocent and none should err be harmed." He said quietly. "And may I point out, that your mother is NOT dead and I could have easily done so or just not sent for a healer when she was ill?"

"That my mother is not dead, is not thanks to you." Hawk was getting angry. "Or should I be thanking you on my knees for her life. You are nothing but a bloody murderer. Have you any idea how frightened we were, what you did to this family. Do you!" He was shouting now.

"I do." Allyn said not flinching under the King's anger. "I also know that far worse was planned for your family and I convinced the Raven that this was the less flammable course. Another man would have committed her original plans."

Hawk desperately tried to keep his anger in check, this man was so arrogant. "This raven, tell me more about her. Where is she from, what does she want?"

"Power, she wants power and she plays with people like pawns." Allyn's face paled remembering his own dealings with the woman, if that is what she was. "She .. she has a way of knowing just what will hurt a person most and using it to her advantage." His words were lanced with more pain then just his wounds.

"How did your wife and daughter die?" Hawk asked suddenly.

"They caught an illness. They just slowly wasted away. There was nothing the healers could do." He said sadly. "I watched as each day the light and laughter left their eyes. To know they were dying, and know I could do nothing, made me uncaring. Until,..." His words fell off and Allyn smiled at the picture of Dierdre's eyes flashing anger and indignation.

"yes, I can understand that. ... I lost my wife in childbirth. For two years I wandered around, not caring about anything. It was only recently that I became human again, when I met a very special lady. She pulled me out of it. But it is still difficult to be part of the human race again." He smiled Shyly, not believing he had told this man what he shared with very few people.

"Grief can cause a man to do stupid things." It was the closest to an apology that Allyn could make at that moment. It was also a statement of understanding for he knew exactly how the young king had felt.

"Yes." He said. Hawk came to his feet. "I will see you again tomorrow. Then I will pass judgment over you." He knew he had to think about this, because he did not know what to do. "Try to sleep tonight."

"I don't think the healer will give me much choice." Allyn said with a chuckle. "Good Night, Your Majesty."

Ciaran listened to the end of th knights speech and growled under his breath. Damn crusaders. They had found a farmer in his village "guilty" once, and tied him under a diseased carthorse, which they then had proceeded to beat. The beast had run two miles before Rob had stopped moving. And such a sick bunch had come to HIS homeland on another one of their witchhunts. Well, he wasnt going to make it easy for them.

The only difficulty he had was with the news that the man he had sought for so long, as his first mission in Abertawe, and the one who had almost ruined his life, was in the Kings company in the castle, being treated as a guest. He had to do something to get his just vengeance. But not even the Mercs here would take on the White Order, they were just too cowardly, and his code of honour meant he had to see the Traitors blood coat his own hands, for the life he had denied him.

Well. The traitor could wait, Lord Iorwerth for one would not allow the new king to allow this man to walk the streets. The witch hunt on the other hand, that was more immediate, and much more serious as it was here. Ciaran had to find this Black Warrior before these Zealots did, which meant working fast. But first he had to go and see how his patient was doing.

"I'm sorry, Sir Knight." said the Druid at the door "The young man of whom you speak left only this morning, he had purchased a horse and left to the west. He seemed to have something on his mind."

Ciaran frowned with the news, the whole story here was twisting and turning left and right, if only the clues would fall into place. He walked to the western gate and stared outwards, just then something above him caught his eye, a shield, Red on Black, as the zealots had said.

Suddenly it all fell into place. Quickly Ciaran knew he had to find the Knight, before the White Order worked out where he was going. Turning, he ran straight for the stables.

They were finally home. The trip had been uneventful and they had made good time. Amlyn had decided not to travel with them, but Eruic knew that his path lay elsewhere.

"Ah, it's good to be back." Eruic said as he laid back on his bed. He thought back to those that dies in the battle with the Nethbians and sighed. So many wars, so many dead, before realising their destiny. But he knew that some day the people will wake up and realise that, 'Hey, this is not right!' Till then, he would do his best to try and guide them forward, giving advice, till people grow enough not to need him anymore.

In the mean time ... he smiled, a hot bath would be real nice.

Cramped and cold, the room above a boarded bakery was the best that Nia could manage to find that night. Word had quickly spread through the city about the Order of the White Shield and their intent to hunt down Sir Amlyn. It seemed that almost everyone wanted little to do with such a taint, and went to great lengths to refuse any sort of service to them. Nia wondered herself what she was still doing here.

For his part, Amlyn just stood at the grimy window and stared out at the cold, bleak skies above the drab thatched rooftops of the capital. His silence was punctuated by the occasional fit of coughing that racked his body. His skin had taken on a slight grey tinge, and if she looked carefully, Nia thought she could see the occasional shiver.

"My lord..." There was no answer. "I think you should rest." The bedding on the floor was old and musty, but there was little other alternative at this point. The silence stretched out again. More coughing. "You are becoming ill," she persisted.

"I have given up trying to convince you to leave," he said to the window. "You are as stubborn as an ass, and my illness is more from frustration at the way you continually cling to my side like a leech on a festering sore." He sighed, and shook his head. "Nay, I speak too harshly. Besides which, the irony is delicious to the palate." He turned away from his view of the outside world, a smirk on his face.

"What irony do you refer to?" demanded Nia.

"You are pure of heart and intention, and believe in what is good and right. Yet you serve a 'Black Knight', and one in particular who would attract the wrath of men and women from many miles away." His eyes almost glittered.

"And is their cause a righteous one?"

The sparkle quickly faded, replaced with a grim expression. He limped over to the bedding, and gently lowered himself down. Nia made no effort to help him, still waiting for an answer.

"Aye," he groaned. "I struck black fear into their hearts and shed the blood of many of their people into the mud. I am who they say I am. Red and Black, blood and death." Amlyn laid back and closed his eyes, pulling his cloak about his shoulders for warmth.

"But why?" she pleaded.

"Symbolism is the most powerful tool you can use in war, for you can feed a person's fear and crush their morale by simple use of colour and imagery. With a good dose of violence to reinforce it." He coughed deeply again.

"That's not what I meant!" she yelled, stamping her foot into the floor.

Amlyn opened his eyes and looked at her. "I don't imagine you can understand. I didn't to begin with..." His eyes wandered down to a spot where they lost their focus.

...You have a gift boy! You thrashed those lads because you have the blood of battle in your veins...

"...and when I finally did understand, it was too late." He closed his eyes slowly and felt the grasp of sleep begin to smother him. "We will go and see the King in the morning," he murmured, before welcoming the embrace of darkness.

Nia, frustrated and helpless, realised she would have even longer to wait for answers. She just wished she didn't keep coming up with more questions.

Bronwen practically burst into her mother's room. Her face was flushed and her eyes sparkled with tears. She threw herself against her mother and before she could say a word, was sobbing against her mother's bosom.

"Child, what is wrong? Honey." Isa just held her in her arms, trying to console her daughter.

Bronwen, between sobs, explained how Seth had come home and found her at the pond he had shown her. How he had given her a kiss just as the Earl had walked up. Her fears that they would hurt one another and amongst it all, her confusion as to what she should do about the two men now vying for her hand.

Isa held her daughter. He had only loved one man in life, and had been lucky enough to be allowed to marry him. Her daughter was a Royal Princess, she might not be so lucky. Iorwerth might prefer a noble man. Yet she wanted her daughter to marry for love. "Do not rush into things. Only say yes to one of them when you are sure which one you want. Can you do that?"

Bronwen looked at her. "But they are so different, and .. and Seth has nothing?"

Isa sighed. "Does that bother you? That he has no money? Is that the only thing you look for in a man, money and influence?" She hoped that her daughter would grow out of that, before she made a big Mistake.

"No, but .. he talked of me working on his farm? I don't know anything about.. I don't want to work on a farm? I am a princess?" She knew it was shallow, but she couldn't help it. She liked palace life. She knew how to sew and make flax, but.. to work as Seth had described?

"but apart from that, which of them do you like better as a man, as a partner for life." Isa knew that neither her husband nor her son would allow this girl to live in poverty. But she did not want to tell her right now, she wanted her daughter to make a decision based on the characters of these men, not on anything else.

"I don't know the Earl. Papa said I was never to see him again and then took him off to war?" Bronwen said, calming now.

Her mother smiled. "Don't mind your father, he has said silly things before. I'll talk to him. You get to know both these young men, and then you make your decision. Your decision, you here. And don't let money or titles fool that little head of yours." She smiled and hugged her daughter.

"Mama, did you love papa BEFORE you married him?" She asked quietly.

"Little one, I was lucky. I loved your father the minute I eyes is on him. He came to my people as a conqueror. He was a general even then, big and strong, but gentle to." She smiled. "I was given to him, so that my people could continue to live in this country in peace. But I did not mind, we had spoken once or twice, and we had fallen in love. He was a prince, but I would have married him if he had been poor. You see I did not grow up in luxury, my people were warriors, but not rich." She realized how little she had told her children about her Saxon background.

Bronwen nodded. "I guess I am just too spoiled." She finally said with a sigh. It was a hard admission. "I play the grand lady, but I don't really do much that I do not wish to?"

"That is true. You were our first born daughter, and we spoiled you. Both of us. Maybe that was wrong. But it is not too late for you to change, to be what you truly want to be. To chose a partner for life that will bring out the best in you. So take your time, little lady. And remember I will always be there for you." At least this child still came to her for comfort.

Bronwen hugged her and smiled. "Thanks mum." She said with genuine appreciation. Her mother hadn't been the same since she had returned from her abduction. It worried Bronwen. "Do YOU need anything?"

Isa smiled. "I am all right, sweetheart. You stay well, that is the best you can do for me." She could not share with her daughter the pain that Rowena causing her. She had enough on her plate already, she had to deal with this all alone.

"She will be all right mum. She is such a tough little thing, not like me. There is an inner strength there, she just doesn't know how to show it right now?" Bronwen hugged her mom. "She told me the other day that she was trying to show you she wasn't a baby?"

Isa tried to smile, she did not want to show her weakness to her daughter, but failed. "She treats me like a stranger, she does not love me anymore. It hurts so badly. Honey, would you please go, I have a lot to do." She wanted her daughter to leave, because the tears would come now, and she wanted to suffer alone.

"Mama, that is NOT true?" Bronwen was horrified. "She thinks you don't want her now because she isn't perfect? She loves you very much?" Bronwen had been reading to Rowena every day and they sometimes talked quietly. Bronwen wasn't about to leave until her mother understood that her sister thought she was being brave.

"Don't try to shield me, my dear. I have tried everything with her, loving her, she is now at a point where she hates it when I come even near to her. She shrinks away from me. My own little daughter. I do not know what to do, I do not know how to help her, and it is tearing me apart." To her horror she began to cry now.

Bronwen pulled her mother into her arms. "Tell her how you feel." She whispered. Both of them felt similarly though Rowena had a more childlike way of speaking about it.

"I have tried. She just turns her head away from me. Bron, I really do not know what to do anymore. I am so tired, so very tired." She just sat there, tears streaking her face. She was so unlike the strong women everybody knew and depended on.

"You need to sleep. Let me help you lay down and I will take care of things this evening." Bronwen said quietly. "You must rest, father will be home soon." It was strange how they had switched roles.

Isa smiled at the mention of Iorwerth name. She really needed him now. "Just for tonight, you are a dear Child." She lay down, and closed her eyes.

Bronwen tucked her mother over with a cover and kissed her forehead. "It will be all right mama. We will find a way to make things better."

Isa smiled, and drifted off.