1.Existence

Ianu watched as Endor and Adam pulled the boat ashore. Adam had been here eleven full moons now and had fitted in well. His mind wandered to the year Arla had been asked to go to the human world, to help Garwolf. The battle she and the others fought to defeat the Darkness had been fierce with Arla nearly loosing her life. Adam a mortal had fallen for her and discovering she was not all she seemed had not put him off. Now married and living in Faymoor they were expecting their first child. Ianu sighed.

“Adam might I have a word with you!”

Adam waved and spoke briefly to Endor before joining Ianu.

Endor opened the door to be greeted by his wife. Wrapping his arms round her tightly he closed his eyes. Through the bubbly speech and broad smile he knew she had been crying, the blotches on her face and raw eyes told him so. Was it only fourteen moons since their first child breathed life for such a short time? Nolana was beside herself, took the blame for what happened….It was no ones fault, it happened….still as he watched the tiny catafalque be lowered into the ground he had felt his own heart break. They had named her Lunette and knew the Great Mother would take care of her.

“Sit, sit, you must be hungry” Nolana ushered her husband to the table.

Adam sat and waited for Ianu to start, it would be rude to speak first. The wise one was what he was called, as the eldest in the village his years of experience and practice in magic had given him the title. Every village in the realm had an elder male of female and they deserved the respect they got. Ianu cleared his throat “How is Arla?”

“She is well”

“And the child?” Adam thought it odd that he should ask “The baby is strong, it will be arriving any day now” Ianu nodded solemnly, he did not like having to give bad news.

Adam closed the door and stood. How would he tell her, they had been looking forward to this a great party was being organised. The birth of every Fae was celebrated by a party where the child was held up to the sky by the wise one who asked the Great Mother to watch over and teach them the ways of the light. Looks like the party will be cancelled, Adam almost laughed as that was the least of his worries. Looking over to Endor’s home her felt sorrow, to loose a child was bad enough but to learn this……. “Shit” Adam quickly looked round to make sure no one heard him. Standing straight he headed home, better do it now.

Arla turned as he walked in “Goodness is it that time already, I’ll get supper on” Adam didn't answer, he needed to tell her, had to tell her but his mouth was dry and wouldn't open. Arla sensed something was wrong “Dearest whatever is it?” Going over and hugging him. “I…have something to tell you” Leading her to a seat he waited for her to get comfortable, the baby inside her was getting bigger with each passing moon and doing much of anything was getting difficult.  Arla turned solemn; she knew what was coming or at least suspected it “It’s to do with the baby!” Adam nodded, he wanted to scream to curse and yes even hit something but instead he stayed calm.

He pulled her onto his lap “Ianu called me over today” Arla nodded, if the wise one wanted to speak to Adam it was bad. His grip on his wife tightened “The baby is in danger” Time froze, the wind do not whistle the waves did not roar and the birds ceased singing, placing a hand on her stomach protectively she looked at Adam, her husband, she loved him dearly and knew, could feel this was breaking his heart. “Something is coming!” she didn't need to ask, she had sensed something for months now, they all had.

Adam watched as she calmly took the news, she knew, after all the time he had spent here it still surprised him to find something else they can do. “Yes, unfortunately Ianu doesn't know what , but its bad”

Arla stood and started supper “When, I mean how long….?” Adam went to hold her but something in her voice stopped him “We can say goodbye” Arla was horrified, so soon she would get to hold her child once and then..... “Did Ianu say why?” but she knew the old man kept things to him self, only revealed what he though you should know.

“He believes the child is special, don’t ask me how but he feels she will be needed for something big in the future” Arla stifling a sob nodded. If this was to be it was meant to, the Great Mother had planes for her little one and who was she a mere Fae to stand in her way. It hurt, great stars it hurt. Adam explained what was to happen; as soon as the child was born Ianu would perform the nurture ceremony then allow them a few minutes before giving the child to someone who would keep it safe.

Getting ready for bed she wondered who was to care for it, with the shock of finding she was to loose her child she had forgotten to ask who would be its protector. Adam cringed, she wasn't going to like this “Our child will be safe, does it matter where it goes” Dread filled her heart “Where will my child be going?” Adam couldn't look at her, didn’t want to see the reaction on her face “Vaxur” Arla felt she was going to be sick “The Vaxur Province, they are demons has Ianu gone mad?” Adam gave a weak smile “He is the wise one, he has his reasons” She wasn’t convinced. To hold her baby briefly then hand over to those, those abhorrence’s. “No, I can’t do it, only the Great Mother would know what they would be teaching” Adam held his wife tight “It has to be done, for the child’s safety”

Ianu calmed her fears, promised her they would take good care of the baby and that one day they would be reunited. Arla accepted the wise one’s words but as the time of birth grew closer she was torn between excitement and fear. Adam tried his best but he knew what she was feeling, he too felt wretched. If it were the mortal world he would hide them away, arm himself to the teeth....but that was not the way here besides he knew it would do no good.

Adam and Endor carried on fishing the woman saw to the fields and life carried on. Ianu spent most of his time huddled over books and the Eye of vision trying to work out exactly what was to happen but to now avail, the Eye would cloud over, like a storm it would grow darker and throw streaks of light into the air but reveal nothing.

Adam was helping to fix a fishing net when Nolana came running down the sand “It is time” she told him breathlessly before dashing back up to his house. Dropping everything he followed. It was difficult but just before sunset the house was filled with the sound of a babe crying. Adam had a daughter. Ianu arrived and quickly performed the ceremony before handing the child back to its mother one last time. Arla stared at the tiny thing; the baby stared at her as if knowing what was happening. Ianu stood close by “It is nearly time, what name will you give?” Arla thought for a moment “Sorcha” The wise one stared for a moment then nodded “Very well” handing the baby to Adam who stared down at Sorcha’s face trying to burn the image of his first born in to his mind, he should be bursting with pride, getting slapped on the back and congratulated, instead he was wishing time would stop, that this moment would last forever.

With the child wrapped up tight Ianu left the house, the silence inside suddenly filled with wailing. He wished this didn't have to happen but the Eye had told of danger if the child stayed, she would be in safe hands and in time Arla and Adam would recover from their lose and have more children. Standing at the water fall he waited for night to consume all around it, the baby wriggled and gave a small cry, Ianu held her close to his chest.

A man stepped from the shadows, he observed the old one mumble an incantation to the child, it sounded like singing. Without a sound he moved closer, Ianu sensing his presence lifted his head “Lykaios” he greeted solemnly. The other bowed “Ianu the Fae” he replied just as solemnly “Is this it” he eyed the small creature with distaste. Ianu handed him the child “This is Sorcha, keep her close and on no account is she to leave the castle” The man nodded then in a puff of smoke vanished. Turning Ianu made his way back to his home.

                                                                      Part two