The Princess panted. Sweat beaded upon her brow and her clothes were drenched as she heaved and pushed. She had labored here in this bed for many long hours, praying that her child would come sooner. With each one that she had borne she had been gladdened by the joy that they had brought to her house. Two healthy sons she had given her beloved husband, two heirs, and now she prayed for a daughter as her pains continued and the midwives hurried around her fussing and encouraging her with their gentle words-Until, when she felt as if she could give no more, for this birth had been longer than all the others, a great scream was heard.
A babe.
She relaxed into the pillows piled up behind her shoulders, and looked up at the midwife. The head midwife handed the baby off to one of the other women, and continued to clean up and help her lady. The young woman smiled at her Princess, holding the infant aloft so that the Lady could see her beautiful child.
"A boy, m'lady, and such a head of hair on him too,' she laughed, using a corner of the cloth to wipe the blood from his red face.
The Princess smiled, and held out her arms for her little son. Gently settling the baby into his mother's arms, the women began to bustle about, following the orders of the head midwife as she dished them out in a hurry. All the while the mother and son were oblivious to everything around them. She crooned over him, playing with his hair with one finger as it curled around her finger in a perfect ringlet. She was pale, paler than what was expected after even so long of a delivery, and the midwives worried. She had lost to much blood, and the boy had been larger than her other children, causing a tear, which though sewn up, still gave them pause.
Looking up from her young son, she smiled, and called to one of the young women, "Lenora, come take him to his father, and brothers."
The young woman left her place at the tube washing the linens that had been stained and knelt by her Lady's side. She cradled the child in her arms, and went to swaddle him in a soft nighty before wrapping him up in a pale blue blanket that was softer than silk; It was embroidered with swans and blossoms in silvery white. The baby had fussed at being handed from person to person, angry at the cool air that had greeted him when he had exited his warm haven, but once settled in her arms he closed his eyes, exhausted. It was hard work being born.
Lenora carried him out of the Princess's rooms, through the short hallways between the bedroom and receiving rooms. One of the Guards stationed at the door of the Lady's sitting room bowed before the newest addition to the household, then pushed open the door. Those within the room leapt to their feet, two men, one old and white of hair, and the other young and strong; the two boys who sat upon the ground jumped to their feet and rushed towards the maid, but the older man grabbed them. The young man took a step towards her, lifting his hands, only having eyes for the small bundle in her arms.
"What-
"A boy m'lord,' she stated, smiling.
He looked up, a large smile on his face, which darkened as his eyes flickered to the door, 'And my wife?"
"The lady pulled through, and though weak, is healthy despite her long labors,' she told him.
He sighed, the tension in his shoulders fading away as he approached her. Slipping his arm under the bundle, he lifted the boy from her arms. He took one look at the lads curly head and leaned back his own, his loud booming laughter echoing off the rafters far above. "He's going to be another Ladies Man, just like Arion!"
He combed his fingers through the short curls bouncing on his sons head, smiling. He counted each of the little fingers on each hand, all the tiny toes on each foot, kissed the two ears and then the soft nose before nuzzling it with his own larger one. Behind him he could hear the shuffling of feet and the loud whisper of voices.
"Grandpa, can we see him now?"
"What he look like?' whispered a rather quiet Erchirion, peering up at the bundle of blankets in his father's arms. His grey eyes wide with wonder as he observed his father looking over his new baby brother.
Imrahil turned to his sons, smiling widely. 'You may see for yourselves."
The two boys rushed forward, and if their father hadn't been such a steady man, they would have bowled him over. He chuckled as he crouched down to their level, their eyes wide in anticipation as they pushed at one another to see better. Elphir finally hefted his younger brother up onto his small hip, the latter clinging like a leech to his neck as he peered down at the babe in their father's arms.
"He's so small,' wondered Erchirion, reaching out to touch the babe, but snatching his hand back at the last second.
Their grandfather, Adrahil chuckled, walking over to his son and looking down at his new grandson. 'You were that size once, my boy, and your brother before you. A children start out as such."
"Will he be able to play with me?' asked the boy curiously, reaching out and touching the babe's head under the watchful eyes of his elders. He marveled at how soft the baby's hair was, stroking it over and over again.
"Not for a little while yet, he is still small,' Imrahil told his son, standing and walking over to his chair. Sitting down, he let the boys climb up onto his lap to sit on either side of him. They spent many more minutes seated thus as Imrahil answered every question the Erchirion threw his way in his childish curiosity. Elphir watched his new little brother with a little less curiosity than Erchirion, he had gone through this once before, and remembered how long it had been before his little brother had been able to play with him. He sighed, resting his little chin on his clenched fist as he listened to Erchirion's questions grow fewer and fewer as he grew tired.
Finally, after looking out the window, Imrahil shook himself in shock, and stood. The boys had been awake nearly the whole time that Lorelei had been in the birthing chamber. He turned to his father, who smiled, lifting a brow.
"I think it is high time that you two turn in,' he said.
"But Ada! We-
"No 'buts', Elphir, it's time for you to get some sleep.' The boy's shoulders slumped, and he looked over to his grandfather pleadingly, eyes large and bottom lip puckered.
"No, don't look at me, boy, your father has the final say,' the old man tried to hide his chuckles as the boy turned dismally back towards his father.
"What about Nana?' he asked, 'Is she alright?"
Imrahil smiled down at his son, 'This was why you were so quiet?"
The boy nodded.
"Your mother is fine, just very tired,' he explained.
The boys brow wrinkled.
"Having a baby is hard work,' Imrahil tried to explain.
"How hard? Doesn't she have any time for me?" he asked.
Imrahil stopped, trying to think of how it would best be explained to such a young boy. "Well, imagine if your grandfather put you through all of your paces over and over again, and didn't give you a break, you remember how tired you were the other day?"
The boy nodded, still hopeful, but with understanding dawning in his eyes.
"That's how your Nana feels right now, she is very sleepy,' he told his son.
"Will I be able to see her tomorrow?' he asked.
Imrahil smiled, noticing his father pick up the already slumbering Erchirion and carrying him towards the door. 'Perhaps, but we must let Nana rest for as long as possible so that she can regain her strength."
"Then I'll wait until she calls for me,' he said resolutely.
"Good lad. Now run along."
Elphir turned and hurried a few steps to the door, then turned again, and rushing back to his father, gave his new baby brother a quick peck on the cheek before bolting from the room after his grandfather. The door swung slowly shut behind him and the sound of his pounding footsteps faded into the night. Imrahil shook his head at the boys energy, and turned back to the opposing door. Pushing it open, he tip-toed through the hall, then into the chambers that he shared with his wife.
He was startled at the difference that he found. His wife had always been a strong woman, as had been her mother and grandmother before her, but she looked so small, so fragile, so-so breakable lying there upon their bed. She was pale, skin whiter that the bleached sheets she relaxed beneath, her long fingers looked bony and thin, her face drawn, as if she was still in pain. Hearing him enter, her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled. Lifting one of those thin hands, she beckoned him closer. He hurried the few steps and settled down on the edge of the bed gently, trying to avoid moving her.
"How are you?' he whispered.
"Tired,' she murmured back, but he could see something in her eyes, a sadness.
"And? I know there's something else,' he prodded gently.
She sighed, looking away from him and the baby.
"Tell me,' he pleaded.
A tear slipped from her eye, and she looked up at him, 'I know it's selfish, but I wish he had been a girl."
Imrahil quirked an eyebrow.
"We have two sons already,' she began to explain, 'I know I've always said that as long as the babe was healthy that it wouldn't matter if it was boy or girl, but I thought-I prayed that this time it would be a girl."
He nodded slowly.
"I wanted a little girl to dress up, to have tea parties with, to sew clothes for her dolls, to teach her how to run the castle,' her voice was choked.
"Then we will try again,' he said, smiling.
She shook her head, 'That's just it. There will be no more babies. No daughter. Marta said that my body isn't capable of carrying another babe to full term, let alone conceiving another child. This birth was too hard on my body."
She began to weep, the tears streaming down her face, and she looked up at him. His own face a become damp, a few tears finding their way past the barricades he had put up. Reaching out, he brushed away her tears with his thumb, then leaned forward and kissed her. From between them came a high pitched grumble, then a hand reached up and grabbed a fistful of his beard, tugging sharply. Pulling away from his wife, he laughed softly as his son tugged at his hair. Lorelei giggled through her tears, though the sadness did not completely leave the depths of her eyes, and took her son from his fathers arms. They spent the rest of the evening observing and loving their new son together, pushing the awful news to the backs of their minds.
Lady Lorelei sat amongst her friends, watching her young sons play with her friends children. Her husband had thought it might be fun to gather all their friends together and go boating to one of the many small islands in the bay. Together she and the women had planned out their meal and gathered the food from the kitchens before shepherding the children out to the many boats that would be used to ferry them out to the island.
And it had not been long before she had come to sit upon the endless sands of the beach. She listened to the chatter between the ladies as they all sat grouped beneath a tent that the men had set up for them to shade themselves from the sun. The children ran here and there, some building castles, some playing in the waves, some searching for mussels or clams, others watching in fascination as a few groups of young men put out in small coracles to fish for their dinner. Her eyes travelled to the girls, who wandered along the edges of the waves or in tide pools, searching for shells to string into necklaces or to decorate the little ones castles. Erchirion followed after his younger brother as the lad continually got himself doused in the white waves that came rolling in ever few seconds. She smiled as he laughed, and sent a large splash of water up into his brothers face. Erchirion gaped, mouth hanging down by his ankles as he looked at his brother then back at his now sopping wet shirt then to his brother. Her gaze drifted back to the girls, their long dresses fluttering in the wind and their dark hair braided back in elegant twists or hidden beneath large straw hats to shade their faces from the heat of the sun. Their laughter filtered over the breeze like butterflies, soft and beautiful as they chattered together.
Her smile slipped away, and she sighed. She would never have a little girl who would giggle or laugh with her friends like that. She turned her eyes back to her sons and tried to force the depressing thoughts away as she watched them play in the water like two fish.
"She's barely past her fourteenth birthday and already attracting would be suitors, can you believe it?" stated Lady Rachael smiling over at her daughter who blushed prettily. 'And why wouldn't she, she's tall for her age, and womanly, she even learned how to run parts of the keep when I was away tending to my ailing aunt. She's quite the catch, if I don't say so my self."
"Has your father chosen anyone for you yet?' one of the older girls asked the young lady in question.
"Nay, but I've just come of age so there's plenty of time to do so,' the girl stated, blushing further.
"Do you have anyone in mind?' prodded one of the other girls, leaning in like it was some great secret.
"Nooo..."
"Yes you do,' came the girls younger sister, who had been playing with the other girls her age. 'You fancy Varin."
The girl blushed, 'Hush Amalia."
"You do!" teased her sister.
"Varin of Nan Requain, why isn't he Dulian's nephew?' asked one of the other ladies.
"I believe your right,' Princess Lorelei stated, punching the needle through the cloth with a little more force than was necessary, her eyes flickering to the young girl. 'He's next in line for his father's holdings, quite a strapping young lad."
"And handsome,' giggled the girls.
The matrons raised their eyebrows at the girls antics, turning back to their stitches. The chatter went on and on topics ranging from weather to engagements to crops to babies born to trade in port. The ladies chattered on and unnoticed to them the Princess disappeared out one of the side entrances to the gardens. Finding the secret gate, she disappeared down the winding staircase to the sands below the castle. She sighed upon hearing the footsteps of her personal maid trailing down many stairs behind her. She stopped at the bottom, pushing open the Swan gate, she stepped onto the sand and waited.
It did not take long for her maid to appear, panting a little as she came to a stop beside her mistress. Nora had been the Princess' maid since she had been born, she had only just turned ten when she was given the responsibility to watch over and tend to her young mistress, and had done so faithfully for her whole life. She saw the Princess as the daughter she had never had, and looked after and loved her just as any mother might. The Princess' smile faltered in front of her maid, and the tears in her eyes became apparent.
"Oh dear, don't cry,' the older woman whispered, taking the womans hands in her own. 'Soon you'll be helping Elphir choose his own bride, then you'll have grandchildren of your own to run after."
The Princess shook her head, 'It's not that Nora, I'll be able to do that with all of my sons, but it will never be the same as with a daughter. With a daughter you have all the little details and tidbits to talk and laugh over in preparation for the marriage. It's a time of bonding that I will never have.'
"If only I could have more children,' she whispered to herself.
"Somethings are not meant to be, child, but that does not mean we cannot enjoy what we are given to the fullest,' the old woman reminded her.
She nodded, sniffling. 'I think I would like to walk along the shoreline alone. You may stay here and watch or return to the castle above, but I will not be climbing those stairs any time soon."
The old woman nodded, 'Go have yourself a good long walk, deary. I'll see you when you return."
The Princess nodded, and turned away, slowly walking across the desert of sand that made up the long beach of Dol Amroth. Nora thought that she had never seen a sadder sight than her mistress, shoulders slumped, head down, and arms hanging limp at her sides up to that day.
Lorelei wandered down the beach, farther than she had ever wandered before, but she did not look back. Her mind was to distracted by her grief to notice the change in her surroundings. Turning, she found herself in a sheltered cove from which she can see the castle in the distance, far down the coast. She sat herself down on one of the many large boulders scattered across the sands, and wept. Her tears were like crystalized raindrops, purer than freshly fallen snow.
"What ails thee, child?" came a scratchy voice from her elbow.
Jumping, she gave a soft shriek at the sudden noise. On a boulder not far away sat an old hag. The woman had so many wrinkles that it was hard to figure out which part of her face she was looking at. The hag cackled, looking her over.
"How could you know that somethings ails me?' she accused.
"Why, it's written all over your face,' cackled the old woman.
"What? What is written all over my face?' wondered the Princess, half afraid half in wonder.
"You wish for a child, a girl child as a matter-o-fact, one as white as snow, hair as dark as a ravens wing, eyes as blue as the sea. A daughter just as beautiful as the elves, the fairest of them all."
"Yes! Yes!' Lorelei scream. 'A girl. A girl to spoil. A girl to dress and teach. A girl to giggle over suitors with. A girl to watch as she grows into a beautiful woman. And I would do anything to have the chance to bare another child, a daughter."
"Hehehe, and there are ways,' chortled the woman under her breath.
Lorelei's ears perked up, 'Ways? What ways?"
The woman stopped her chortling, and stared in surprise up at her. "What was that?"
"You said that there are ways. Ways for me to have a child. What is this way?" she asked, walking up to the woman, her tall form towering over the old hag.
"It is a dangerous way-
"How-
"One that comes with a cost-
"I don't care what it costs, tell me! Tell me how this might come to pass!' she thundered.
"Magic."
She paused. "Magic?"
"Aye, Magic. A little oh this a little of that, a strand of your hair, some water from the ocean, a lock of horse hair,' the old hag snatch a strand of long hair clinging to the Princess' dress, pulled a strand of her dark hair from her head. A bottle appeared in her hand and she dunked it in the ocean, pulling it up pushed the two strands of hair into it. 'A feather from a gull, a piece of green grass,' this she plucked from somewhere in her many layers of clothes.
"Where did you get that? There isn't grass like that-
"A drop of blood,' the woman laughed.
Lorelei paused. 'What else, I'm sensing an 'And'."
"And you must whisper the name of the child you wish for,' the old lady stated.
Lorelei leaned forward towards the lip of the glass and opened her mouth, but the hag snatched it away. "Are your sure you want to do this?'
"Why not?"
"All magic comes with a price, are you willing to pay it, no matter how great it is?" Asked the old hag.
"Anything, now give me that vial." The Princess snatched the glass from the womans hand. She whispered over the opening of the vial. 'Lothiriel."
"Now, before you love your husband again, drink this and all your dreams will come true,' cackled the hag as she walked into the water.
"Where are you going?' asked the Princess, puzzled.
The hag didn't reply, but her form changed into that of a sea-witch, terrible and beautiful. She slowly slipped further away into the water and all Lorelei heard was: "Remember, all magic comes with a price."
Many, many months later the Princess was yet again laying upon her bed, heavy with child. Sweat beaded upon her forehead; teeth clenched in pain; body shaking as she strove to bring forth her child. She had never screamed during any of her sons births, but this one she did. Her voice loud and piercing, filled with agony. She panted and gasped, sipping on water while she waited for the next contraction to form over her belly. The midwives bustled about her, looking busy while they exchanged worried glances between one another. Their Lady was not as strong as she had once been, and they knew that this child alone was a miracle all it's own, but nothing was ever certain. Marta crouched at the bottom of the bed, urging her lady on as she groaned leaning forward and clenching the hand of her nurse, Nora, as she bore down. A screech flew from her lips, and she fell back upon the pillows, utterly exhausted. Her eyes fluttered closed as she inhaled deeply.
"It's a girl, m'lady, a beautiful girl!' cried Marta with false joy, pushing aside her worries for the moment. 'Look she's even got a thick thatch of hair already, curly to like Amrothos' when he was born."
Their lady opened her eyes a bit, and smiled happily, reaching shaking arms up for the infant. 'She's beautiful, more beautiful than the fairest maiden in all of Gondor."
The other women nodded, they had never seen such a beautiful babe, for though fresh from the womb, skin still that angry red, her face was perfectly formed, her little nose delicate, and her lips in a distinct pout as she squinted up at the world around her. She did not cry as she was passed from woman to woman, landing at last in her mothers thin arms. Lorelei smiled down tiredly at her new daughter, touching the girls cheek with her fingertip and kissing the small nose. The baby sneezed loudly, her bright ocean blue eyes opening wide in wonder as she snuggled closer into her mothers chest. She yawned, her little mouth opening impossibly wide, her little eyes squinting as she stretched, then settled into her mother's embrace.
Marta sent for the family immediately, knowing that there was precious time left for them to say goodbye. The boys burst into the room all at once, their eager voices echoing off the walls of the room as they dodged between the women to get to their mother's bedside. Elphir snagged Erchirion by the ear and Amrothos by the arm before the two energetic youths could jump on the bed and climb all over their mother and the new baby.
"Is it another boy?' asked Erchirion, twisting out of his elder brother's grasp with a quick movement and sticking his tongue out over his shoulder.
"Will I be able to teach him to read like 'Chirion did to me?' asked Amrothos, who had just mastered a small children's book that his brother had been helping him with.
"You will be able to teach her how to read,' chuckled their mother as the boys leaned closer. She pulled the fluffy white and blue blanket away from the tiny face and they gasped.
"That's the prettiest baby I've ever seen,' said Amrothos, pulling the blanket down further.
Elphir groaned, rolling his eyes heavenward, 'She's the only baby you've see besides Urther, and he was fat and wrinkly, obviously she's the prettiest."
Amrothos glared up at his older brother, 'She's ours, that's all that matters, and I like her,' he turned to his mother, eyes hopeful. 'Can I hold her?"
"Of course, just let your brother's help you,' she said, handing the infant over to her eldest son, who cradled her in his arms like she was the most precious thing in the world. He walked over to the window, and had Amrothos and Erchirion sit down on the windowseat there. He slowly lowered her into Amrothos' arms, guiding him with his hands like a pro, giving his little brother advice about the proper way to hold the baby. Amrothos took right to her, chattering away about the day and what he had been doing and who else would be coming to see her.
Lorelei smiled sadly as she watched her sons argue over who would get to hold the baby next and for how long, they already loved her. She felt the bed shift, and turned to look up at her visitor. Imrahil looked down at her, and took her hand, watching the boys as they cooed over their new sister. He shifted closer, taking her into his arms gently as she leaned against his chest, one hand braced against him. She listened to his beating heart as they sat together, her eyes fluttering every few seconds as she attempted to remain awake.
"Nana, what are we going to call her?' asked Erchirion, turning from the baby for just a moment. Everyone paused in their fawning and looked over at her, curious.
"Lothiriel. Lothiriel is her name,' she said softly.
The boys nodded, but Amrothos wrinkled his brow. 'That's really long."
"It's only a letter longer than yours, squid,' teased Elphir.
Amrothos stuck his tongue out.
"What about Lotty?' Erchirion asked, looking between his brothers and parents for approval. 'That's shorter, easier to say to."
Imrahil nodded, 'Then Lotty it shall be."
"I like it,' she whispered as the boys turned away.
He hmm'd in agreement. 'How are you feeling?"
"Tired. Very tired.' she said, quiet enough that the boys couldn't hear.
Imrahil looked over his wife. He had been pulled away by Marta right before he had been able to make a step towards his new daughter, and the news had not been good. He prayed that what the midwife had said was untrue, that his beautiful wife was just tired from the birth, but he knew what death looked like, how it embodied itself. His wife, his Lorelei was dying. She was paler than the sheets she lay beneath, her dark hair limp and the normal shine that he would see in her eyes was gone. Her lips were blue-ish in color, and her breaths came in small pants.
"You'll get better,' he said, as if stating it as fact would change what was coming.
She smiled against his chest, her cheek laid against his breast as she listened to the steady beat of his heart. 'No, I won't."
"There must be a way,' he whispered.
She shook her head, a tear slipping down her face. 'There isn't, you know that."
"I wish you hadn't taken the chance, I wish you could have been happy with the children we had, I wish that my love and our boys could have been enough,' he spoke, voice catching before he broke down sobbing.
"Your love was always enough, Imrahil. It was my own choice to wallow in my self-pity and bitterness, letting it build when I should have let it go,' she snuggled closer to him, eyes traveling to the bundle that now rested in Adrahil's arms. 'But I wouldn't trade her for the world."
"She's beautiful, more precious than the stars, as delicate as a rose,' he whispered watching as the baby grabbed a fistful of her grandfather's beard.
Elphir, being the perceptive boy that he was, and eldest of of the trio, sensed that something was amiss. Leaving the circle of his brothers, he came and crawled up next to his mother, who welcomed him with open arms, kissing his forehead. For many long moments she stroked through his waves, not quite the crazy curls of his younger siblings, more tame, calming him. He rested his head on her shoulder, drinking up the time she ran her fingers though his hair, letting his eyes close for a few minutes. Then, he sat up and looked her in the eye, his own shining with tears.
"You're leaving us, aren't you?" he stated, his young, still childish face so very serious.
Her lip trembled, but she did not cry. "Yes, I'm afraid so, my little sailor."
"But we still need you, Lotty needs you. What's she going to do when she has questions about boys, or-or-or embroidery? I don't know how to do that stuff?" he stuck his tongue in the side of his cheek.
"You won't have to teach her those things, but you'll all be responsible for looking after her, teaching her to look out for herself, how to act properly, speak with other nobles politely, stuff like that." She told him, laying a weak hand on his shoulder. 'You'll be her protectors."
He nodded, eyes sharpening, 'I'll make sure that anyone who makes her cry gets a good pounding."
She chuckled, 'Perhaps you should try to use your words first?"
He shrugged, 'I'll still probably punch them, she's my little sister after all."
She shook her head, leaning back into the pillows, spent. Imrahil, reading her exhaustion, motioned for the boys to come over and sit around their mother. Each one gave her a hug and a kiss before trailing out of the room in a little line, almost like ducklings, and his father deposited little Lothiriel into his arms. He held her close with Lorelei looking over the little fingers and toes, both in wonder. They spent a few more minutes basking in the joy of being new parents, watching her slumber in the safety of their arms. Finally, when she could barely keep her eyes open, Imrahil handed the baby off to Nora, who had been the Lady's maid and the children's nurse for longer than he could remember. The woman slipped through the door and into the nursery.
Imrahil held Lorelei in his arms, looking out over the sea, smelling the salt of the waves through the cracked window.
"She's my greatest work,' his wife whispered. 'Perfect in every way."
"You said that about each of our children,' he chuckled, tears brimming in his eyes. 'I think you're biased."
"Perhaps, they all do look like you,' she chuckled.
"I should hope not! Lothiriel would not look good in a beard,' he teased.
"No, but she does have your headstrong spirit, stubborn too,' she sighed, relaxing against him.
"But she has your nose, and those cute ears of yours,' he said kissing said appendages.
"But she has your eyes, and dark hair,' she muttered.
"Who do you think she will resemble more once she's grown, you, or me?' he asked, resting his head atop hers as he watched the waves roll in from the bay and the sunlight slowly filter through the window as it slipped over the horizon.
...
"Lorelei?"
"Lorelei?!" he pulled back, his wife's head lolling against his arm. He shook her gently, 'Darling?"
...
"No. NO. NO!' he wept, cradling her to his chest as he traced her face with his thick fingers. 'You can't go, my seastar, by darling. I need you. There are so many things that I don't know, so many things that I won't know how to teach our daughter."
He cried, the tears breaking through the barriers that had been erected to hold them at bay. He shook the whole bed with his sobs, the noise loud enough that it could be heard in the town below as his wife's spirit slipped out and fluttered along the breeze across the ocean.
In the nursery, lying in her cradle, the baby whimpered, a small cry piercing the air before a shadow moved over the cradle. The mobile swung in the breeze, turning, the sea creatures moving up and down as if they were truly swimming. Towering above the child was the sea witch, her long white-blonde hair curly down her back to touch the floor. She smiled evilly, leaning over the cradle, her webbed fingers clutching the sides of the carved wooden swan. Reaching down, she caressed the child's pale face, her purple eyes drinking in the curly hair and big blue eyes.
"So curious, aren't you." she smirked. Then she began to humm.
The baby gurgled, then laughed, batting at the sea witches hand. The witch cackled, and snatched her hand down, grabbing something that no human eye could see. The baby choked, then began to cry, tears slipping out of her big blue eyes as she looked up at the creature above her.
"As silent as a rose,
More subtle than the breeze,
Beyond the beauty of the swan,
Unspoken till the wanderer returns,
And the crownless king."
The Sea Witch spoke over the babe. Then she was gone in a flash of blue sparkles, the only thing that remained was a sea shell necklace.
