1. Loss, Pain and Grief

The corridor was dark, except for a single lantern that shone at one end. The only sound that could be heard was the distant, shouts and screams that echoed off the walls of the castle. Several doors lined this corridor, leading off to various chambers. A man in shadow walked quickly along the corridor, coming to a halt outside a door. There he paused, but only for a moment before opening it and striding in.

Inside lay a woman on a large four-poster bed swathed in gold cloth. It was a magnificent room, the man thought sadly as he hurried to the woman's side. The woman had long red hair. Sadness filled his heart, but he knew what he must do.

He shook her awake murmuring, "Heldra! Heldra wake!" Her grey eyes that he loved so much looked up at him with sleepy confusion. "What is it, husband?" she said, sitting up slightly, and taking note of his travelling cloak and hurriedly tied boots.

"They have come," he said. "Quick, we must get you and the children out of here now!" He quickly strode over to her wardrobe and began hastily pulling clothes out and throwing them to her. "Are you sure?" she said as she pulled a green gown over her night shift.

He glanced at her. "They are at the walls of the city," he told her. "But if we are quick, I will be able to get you and the children out before they break through." "I'll have Eldrina…." she began, "There's no time," he interrupted. "We'll have to get them ourselves."

She moved swiftly, slipping her delicate feet into the silver slippers that sat at the side of her bed. She ran ahead of him, moving almost soundlessly as she hurried towards the nursery where her children slept.

The couple had 11 children. Alda, the eldest was a handsome 14 year old prince, who resembled his father in every way. He was kind, caring, considerate, quick to act and most importantly of all, he was a just the crown prince, he knew that when an emergency occurred he knew he would have to take charge and be calm. He was also protective of his family, especially his siblings. He was set to rule the kingdom one day when his father had left this world.

Their next child, Bellrel, was a sure beauty, she was talked about throughout court, and most every man had taken a liking to her. They all wished for her hand in marriage. But they knew that as a first born princess she marry, another Prince for political gain. Though she was not yet 13 she understood her duty.

There then had been a gap in her childbearing years, her husband had been away on business for a number of years. And while the young queen was content, she longed to give her country and her husband the children that they both disserved, royal children were hard to come by these days. And if she, as his queen could provide that she would die a happy woman.

Then came the two twins, Isgard and Ildrid. People called them the celebration twins on account that they were conceived on the night of her husbands return. They were both true and loyal hearted boys; they had a special place in their mother's heart. Although she claimed not to have favourites. Isgard was the stronger of the two, yet he had a quick temper, and would often miss important points in his lessons. Ildrid was sickly, due to contributing factors towards his birth, and the complications that followed Heldra had nearly died delivering them into the world.

They were at the age of learning still, and at the age of 10 had already learnt a lot, Morzan's desire "was to become a rider of dragons. And every time the riders came, he would run out and watch as they landed. He would then eagerly search for the eggs with a burning gaze.

There then followed the girls, Teardrop, Lovissa, Rosemary, Abriosia, Sweetgem and smallest girl of only 18 months old, Merelda. Heldra held a special place in her heart for her youngest daughter. She might be the last born daughter that would ever come from the marriage between the two ruling monarchs.

But there was still one last child that has not yet been mentioned, the youngest prince. Born two and a half months ago, he was given the name, Riase. The two proud parents had not shown him to their people. The unrest of the country had meant that the youngest child might never be able to greet his people as a prince in the making. This made his parents sad; they had wanted to raise their children in the palaces where they had lived for the 15 years of their marriage. But it was not to be.

Heldra began waking her children, starting with the eldest, so that they might help rouse the younger ones without much fuss.

As soon as Isgard was roused from his sleep, he leapt out of bed and cried, "Where are they? Where are the scum, who wishes to conquer us! I will cut them down!"

"Hush!" Bellrel said, "Come, put these on and be quick. Then help your brother," For a moment Isgard looked irritated and resentful about being asked to help his sickly brother.

Bellrel moved on to help one of her younger sister's to put some warm clothes on, her lady mother had instructed her to make sure that all the children where warmly dressed, as it was winter and therefore cold outside. In her mind she questioned her lady mother's actions but knew better than to question the older woman. Her lady mother never did anything without a reason.

Once they were all dressed, they waited by the door. Waiting for their parents to give them an explanation as to why they were up in the middle of the night and why they were dressed.

Their mother, stood with their little brother in her arms, wrapped in blankets, nothing could be seen of him. They waited for a few moments before their father appeared, with three guards.

"Come, the carriage is ready."

"Carriage?" questioned Isgard. "Why do we need a carriage, father?"

"Not here, come on," came the short and sharp response.

"Best do as your father tells you children," their lady mother said stepping in line with her husband holding the young baby in her arms.

They all followed at a swift pace. The shouts and screams from outside seemed to be louder. The children grew pale and their eyes widened upon hearing the sounds of the dying or soon to be dying men, women and children.

The three guards accompanied them, two of them behind the royal family while one of them holding a sword at the ready went in front.

Isgard could not wait until his tutor Trog would teach him how to use a blade. He had not yet been allowed to use one. Even though his older brother had been taught the ways of the sword years ago when he was younger than Isgard.

They arrived at a side door of the palace; another guard bowed and opened it. The first guard exited the building and after a pause called.

"All clear sir."

The family hurried out and Heldra rushed the children into the waiting carriage.

They all sat side by side waiting to see what would happen, a guard also joined them.

Heldra paused, at the steps to the carriage and looked back at her husband. Her silver fitted foot rested on the first step. What was she doing? She could not leave her husband behind. What kind of a queen would she be if she abandoned her husband and her country to men that sought to overthrow the proper running of things? The riders where being destroyed and it was now her countries turn. What if she never saw her husband again? What if they all died? What if he died? She would not be able to live without him. What had started out like most political marriages had turned out to be true love.

She turned and walked back to her husband and stood before him, for a moment they looked into each others eyes, wishing that things were different. She curtsied to him.

"Husband," she said, lowering her head, she would obey his every wish, and she knew that he wanted them to go, for them to be safe, that was all he ever wanted for them.

"Heldra," he whispered, his voice tender, "I love you above all others." She nodded silently, "and I'm sorry that you have to go, but I wish no harm to come to any of you, it would break my heart."

"I know that my beloved, yet I yearn to stay here, by your side, to help and protect you."

He smiled, "I know that, but you have our children to protect." He cupped her face with both of his hands and kissed her tenderly. "Be safe, by loving, for you are queen, give my love to the children."

He glanced down at the sleeping baby in her arms and a tear came to his eye.

"Now go," he urged her, "go and move swiftly, do not stop until you find safety, never trust anyone in this world, now go!" he gave her one final kiss, pressed his hand to the sleeping child's head.

She moved away, bowing her head in sorrow. She was leaving her husband behind; she was leaving everything she had ever known for a future that was uncertain and undoubtedly dangerous.

Up the three steps of the carriage, she passed the baby to Bellrel, and seated herself into the space by the window, and gazed out on the lonely figure of her husband, her only love, and the king of Alagaesia, King Angrenost.

The sun shone brightly over the little house on the edge of the small village.

It had been seven years since that fateful night and Heldra was still in mourning for her husband who she had lost. The country was in turmoil and that man was trying to establish his rule. The pretender!

She knew that she could no longer return to her old life, even if she wished for it to happen. Her children were growing as paupers, not as the princes and princesses that they were meant to be.

She had also suffered another loss, her twins, her precious twin boys had gone. They had had dragon eggs that had hatched for them, and from what she had learnt, her Isgard had gone into the service of that man, who killed her husband.

In the last year, grim news had passed through the city. The Riders were destroyed, all resistance was broken, the empire was formed. The soldiers put in place to protect the now reigning monarchy.

Her two eldest children had married and had children of their own. Bellrel had married a young man by the name of Terrell, and had two young and beautiful children. A girl by the name of Aria and a boy who they named Versa.

Heldra was proud of her eldest daughter. Even though it was not the marriage she had expected for her daughter to make, but at least her daughter was happy.

Her eldest son had also married, a lovely girl, she went by the name Anglia but, Angvard had only blessed them with a small boy, Aar. A charming little lad, the spitting image of his father and grandfather, it hurt her to see them. And to be reminded so much of the man that she loved who had now departed this world. Her husband, her beloved who had been killed, murdered just so this usurper, this ex-rider could take over as king.

"Mother, lady mother," Teardrop ran over to Heldra and it seemed that her daughter had not forgotten royal protocol, as the girl curtsied to her.

"Teardrop," she said and it took all of her willpower not to extend her hand to the child and offer a blessing, as was custom in royal families. Her elder children had coped with the transition from royalty to a simple life of ordinary folk quite quickly. They were not spoilt and their personalities helped.

"What is it my child?" she asked, drawing her daughter close.

"There is talk in the village Lady Mother of the King..." Heldra gasped, she did not think of that man as king, by right it should be her son, her beloved boy, Alda who should be on the throne not that man. But she quickly remembered that she was not queen, that she was simply a poor woman who sewed clothes, embroider them for other.

"What about the king?" She asked cautiously.

"He is coming here they say."

"Here to the village?" Heldra questioned the young girl, if it was true then they might, all of her family would be in danger. What if Galbatorix knew that they had survived his murderous onslaught? What if someone had informed him of their location? They could, all of them die within the week.

But if it wasn't true then she would worry her eldest children needlessly. She turned back to Teardrop having been unaware of standing and turning away from the child.

"Who told you this?" She asked surprised at how steady her voice was.

"The baker, Aldren, Lady Mother."

"Thank you for telling me," She said still talking in that calm voice, when deep inside her heart, she felt uneasy and afraid.

"Will you fetch your sister and your brother to me?"

"You mean, Alda and Bellrel?" Teardrop questioned her blue eyes wide.

"Yes," Heldra said, "Please, child I must speak with them before I can decide what we should do."

"Yes Lady Mother." Teardrop again curtsied to her and hurried off.

Heldra began pacing, back and forth over the old rug before the small fire place. What were they going to do? They could find one of the old loyal lords to their house and ask for their help. She could leave the country and take her children, grand children with her, but that would be cruel to ask them all to leave their families behind. So what were they going to do, whatever it was they had to decide and decide soon.

She was waiting for about ten minutes before her two eldest children came to her, both looking puzzled. In turn they both kneeled for her blessing.

"Mother," Bellrel murmured.

This time she could not resist and extended her hand and placed it on her daughters' brow, murmuring the old blessing.

"May your rule be pleasant and your heart remain pure my child."

There was more to the blessing which would be fully conversed during wedding ceremonies of the royal family. It made Heldra sad that her daughter had missed out on such a wonderful, glorious and beautiful ceremony, but it could not be helped.

Bellrel gently kissed her mother's hand, her grey eyes, betraying her grief for her lost father. She rose, and stepped back, allowing her brother to take her place.

He knelt reverently before her, his eyes showing nothing but love, adoration and loyalty. He looked so much like his father, Heldra thought; he looked so much like him that it hurt to look at him. Her son bowed his head to her and like Bellrel kissed her fingers, murmuring. "I am your lady mother,"

She smiled and she delicately placed her hands upon his dark brown locks, murmuring the same blessing as she had given to her daughter. Alda rose and Bellrel came to stand in line with him.

"What is it lady mother," Bellrel enquired watching her mother closely; Heldra seated herself and gazed at her children with tenderness. They were such good little things that she hated to ruin their lives. But they had to know that the man who had killed their father was coming.

"I am sorry," she began her steady, "to drag you away from your children and your work."

"It is fine mother," Alda said, "now what is so important?"

"The man who murdered your father the king, is coming here for a state visit, who knows whether it is because he knows that we are here or whether he is just trying to get the people to like him no one knows."

Bellrel gasped and Alda eyes widened. "Really lady mother he is coming here?"

"Yes." Perhaps she had been wrong about her eldest children forgetting the protocol of the royal house; they were still behaving as if she were queen, and they the royal children.

"He can't!" Alda exclaimed, "Bren told me that he has not yet established his rule in Illirea…. I mean Uru'baen, how can he establish his rule elsewhere if he has not done that yet?"

"Perhaps our lord brother had told him." Bellrel commented mildly, "perhaps he has betrayed us completely by revealing our location."

"That traitorous little….!" Alda began put upon seeing his mother's expression he stopped himself. It really hurt her to know that one of her children had sided with the man that had killed his lord father and to learn that he might have betrayed the whole family…. That had to hurt a lot.

Heldra had not considered the possibility that Isgard had betrayed them yet again. He had gone to work for that man why was he doing this! Why was he working for the man that had killed his father, and wanted to kill his brothers and sisters?

Little Riase was only seven years old and now his older brother wished to take his life away from him.

"Whether your brother has informed him or not, we must still discuss what actions we should take." Heldra said, "It is important that I keep all of you safe. I will not loose any more of my family to that man."

"Agreed." The siblings responded. They were silent for a few moments then Bellrel said,

"What do you suggest lady mother?"

The two women locked gazes and an understanding seemed to pass between them. An unspoken suggestion that neither wanted to really admit to, for they knew it would result in the tearing apart of their families.

Alda looked from one to the other, not understanding anything; a line ceased his brow as he frowned. Heldra took a deep breath, making her mind up; it was up to them whether they came with her and the other children. Although she knew that they hate to leave this village.

Now their lives had taken on a state of confusion, fear and longing. Their path would never be straight again.

"My suggestion is that…" she pause organising her thoughts, trying to think of the best way to say what it was that had to be said. "Is that we move on."

"What?" Alda asked, Bellrel sighed with sadness. She didn't want to go, nor did she want to remain here where that man could get hold of her and her son. How though

Would she convince her husband to come with them?

"That we find somewhere else to live." Heldra continued. "I will not put my family in danger by remaining here where that monster can get hold of them."

"But lady mother…"

"I'm sorry Alda, your brothers and sisters deserve happiness, and if that means moving from place to place then so be it."

Alda was speechless, he didn't want to loose his mother and his family, nor could he ask that of his wife. He understood where she was coming from. The position that this new threat placed on her. The country was in a state of confusion. The world on the brink of war.

He studied her for a long time, and wondered, "What is going to happen to us?"

"I will come." He heard Bellrel say as if from a far distance, "I will speak with my husband, I am sure that he will not want to put us in danger,"

"If you need assistance in explaining things to him, I would gladly help you." Heldra responded. Bellrel bowed her head for the briefest of moments to acknowledge her mother's offer.

"Thank you lady mother." Heldra smiled, and then she turned her attention to her son and waiting patiently.

"Mother… Lady Mother that is a lot to ask. Anlia may not wish to leave her family and I cannot ask that of her."

Heldra nodded, she understood how painful it was to leave everything that a person had ever known and start a fresh somewhere strange and unknown.

"I never said you had to come," she said gently, extending her hand to her son. He took it held it tightly, she drew him near and he knelt still holding tight to her hand. "It is up to you what you do my son, I just thought to give you the option of coming or staying. I understand as much as any man or woman could understand that it is hard to leave a life that you have led… there now, don't cry." A tear had formed in his eye and had spilled onto his cheek. She brushed away with a gentle caress of her thumb.

"It is true." She continued. "That if you and Anlia chose to stay that I will miss you, all three of you terribly, your sister does not have to come with me either. Her husband my yet object and have a desire to remain here. Oh my boy, I only thought to tell you that I cannot stay, your brothers and sisters cannot stay here where that man is yet to visit. It pains me every time I think of him. And to see him, and to know that he may know that we live here, both frightens and angers me. For I wish nothing more than to face him and have him atone for what he has done to our family, and to our people. Alda, consider my proposal, talk with your wife, do not decide this day."

He rested his head in her lap as tears flowed from his eyes, his heart already beginning to break, for if his decided that she wanted to stay here, then he would loose his mother. And all of his siblings. He had sworn to protect them. He had promised as prince that he would look after his people and his family, and if Anlia decided against moving, he would loose them all.

Heldra stroked his hair and murmured soothing words to him, comforting him as best she could. She knew the remedy to cure his pain but she could not give it to him. She could not do anything. It would be the decision of the family, his family, Bellrel's family, what path they would choose. She could wait and see what Angvard had planned for them all. For only he could decide their fate.

But she knew, somehow she knew, that eventually, they would all be scattered throughout Alagaesia, and under the rule of that man. That Tyrant. And yet again her heart began to break, peace was lost, they were lost. And only time would tell if they would mend.