Nightmares

Cainwen: Hello Everyone! See, I didn't leave you without something to read for too long. It's not as if they would let me.

Cullough and Steve stand threateningly over me.

Cainwen: Anyway, I hope you enjoy the one shot I posted earlier today, and enjoy this story. I have no idea how long it is going to be. And yes, I have plans for at least 3 sequels, so never fear, all story lines will be completed...eventually. Enjoy!

"Mama!"

The cry echoes in the halls of the hive, and I feel Durhan calling for me in distress…I feel him pulling at my mind, though I know it could be no other child in this hive.

I am careful as I ease myself out of the bed I share with my husband Cullough. In the low gravity between planets, a sudden movement can set the hanging bed flying. As my feet touch the sticky floor, I wrap a shawl around my shoulders and walk as quickly as possibly towards the chamber shared by my five youngest sons. Durhan is the youngest, then Eòghann, Gilleasbachan, Iùrnan and Flaithbheartach.

In the dim light, I see Durhan sitting in his hammock-bed, his tiny frame wracked with sobs, tears streaming down his face.

"Child, what is wrong?" I ask him softly as I take him in my arms. He buries his head into my chest, twining his tiny hands in my shawl. I carry him over to the window, sitting on the ledge and wedging myself there, so I do not drift away.

Gently, soothingly, I rub his back, reassuring him of my presence as his sobs slow to wet hiccups. I bow my head so I can whisper quietly in his ear again, "Dearest, what is wrong?"

Durhan looks up at me, my little child, so perfect, with the pale blue skin of our race, a mop of dark hair like the night sky, his eyes golden orbs set in beds of snow, twin slits framing the thin mouth…terror. There is terror in the twin pools of light set in the face of my little boy.

"I…I…I lost you!" he wails in his child voice, not yet deepened, and burrows into my chest once again.

"Lost me?" I echo, and pull him off me so I can see his face. I smile reassuringly as I ask, "How could you lose me?"

"The wa-warrior Wr-wraith took you t-to his qu-qu-queen and she k-k-killed you!" he begins to sob anew and wraps his arms around my neck and his legs around my waist, as though he were afraid to let me go for fear that I should vanish. I hug him tightly, continuing to rub his back in soothing circles, hoping he will loosen his death-grip on my neck soon…

"Hush now, child, I am not going anywhere. It was nothing but a dream, muileach," I murmur, kissing him and stroking his hair with my free hand until he quiets, though he maintains his fierce hold on me. "Where did you get such an idea?"

"The warrior. He told me and Gilleasbachan that we would one day soon all live in one big hive and there would be no need for separate wives and mothers, 'cause there'd only be one queen!" he wails, his voice muffled in my nightgown, now damp with his tears.

"What ridiculousness!" I laugh. "One hive? You would need a hive the size of a solar system! And we would still be standing on one another's heads!"

He giggles at the idea, and hiccups. He relaxes a bit, enough to ease his choke-hold on my neck.

"Durhan, come here darling," I say gently and pull him back so he can see my face. "I promise you—I will always be here for you. You could not lose me if you tried!"

He sniffs, and wipes at his face with the back of his hand. He stares into my eyes. "Promise?"

"Promise," I hold my hand over my heart. "I swear by the Ancient One, I will never leave you," I reassure him, and he smiles at me, the terror in his eyes replaced by trust. I hold his gaze steadily for a moment, and then direct his attention out the translucent window. "Durhan, can you hear the stars' song?"

He hiccups again, and closes his eyes as he nestled into my lap. He listens quietly as his hiccups dissipate. After a moment, he whispers, "Yes."

"Listen to them," I tell him. "They will always tell you the truth. If ever you fear, and want to know where I am, listen to them."

He slowly grows limp in my arms as I softly hum along with the stars, and I am able to return him to his hammock. I worry that he is having nightmares. As a child, he should not have to suffer such things. Dreams for the Wraith are shared, and those with the strongest mental abilities, usually the eldest, bear the brunt of the dreams, and nearly all the nightmares. He should not have such dreams.

I check on my other children in this chamber before I return to my bed. They are all sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the night's disturbance. In nearby chambers 14 of my older children sleep quietly. My two eldest sleep tonight in their own hives, with their own families and children.

As I walk down the corridor back to my own chamber, I wonder what the future holds—a future like that which so frightened my little son? Or a future like that we hope for? One of peace, love and harmony? Or one of war, hatred and turmoil?

TBC