Prologue
The dark streets were quiet as a car rumbled down one. its lights darkened, the sleek black vehicle would have been conspicuous in the bright daylight standing out like a sore thumb but its black exterior masked it perfectly in this gloom. The interior was dark leather and many seats, occupying two where a man and woman, they sat with differing expressions, the woman had silent tears tracing down her face, the man had his lips compressed, his eyes held grief but determination in them.
"Owen we could still turn around," the woman's musical Irish accent faltered as tiny sobs came from her.
"Aideen, we have discussed this, when your sister attains the throne, she will come after Aine, if she knew about her, the line of succession falls to her, if Bryg doesn't have a daughter. if we want to give our daughter a fighting chance we have to go through with this." The babe wrapped in a blanket stirred her head already dark with red curls turned and nestled into her mother's side.
"I know its just so far away, and yes Magda and Shalom have integrity, I know they will treat Aine as one of their own, but oh it is just breaking my heart. We have tried and tried for a child, miscarry after miscarry, and finally a daughter, and we must hide her away."
"Only for a little while my love, things can change, they do all the time, there will come a day when Aine comes back to us, and we can visit once in a great while." Tears still streamed down Aideen's cheeks as the car stopped near a small house on a street of small houses. They stepped out of the vehicle and onto the street their dark coats hid the expensive clothes they wore. As they approached the door it opened and Owen placed his hand comfortingly on Aideen's back.
"Oh, come in your-" Owen put a finger over his mouth and Magda quieted. They walked into the living room Shalom was there rubbing his eyes paint smeared on one knuckle as he stood.
"We cannot be long, you both know the situation and how dire it is, we have brought funds as well you will get a yearly stipend from our personal accounts, thank you for doing this." Owen looked down hiding the anguish in his own eyes. Aideen came forward tears still streaming.
"Please take care of her," Aideen handed Aine to Magda and her shaking hand covered her mouth.
"Your Highness,"
"Oh, please just Aideen,"
"Aideen don't worry she will be loved as one of our own."
"I just can't stop feeling like, I'm abandoning her." Aideen shook her head.
"It will be alright darling," Something in Owen's pocket buzzed and he sighed.
"We sadly must go, please be well, if you need to contact us." He held up a mobile phone which were rare and only a few had.
"Only in emergencies," He gave it to Shalom and took Aideen into his arms steering her away. Magda swayed the baby as the stricken couple walked out their door, no one knew that it would be years before Aine was reunited with her family and under extraordinaire circumstances.