First Breath: Awakening

The sound of the summer breeze blowing through the trees, ruffling the leaves was so soothing. Sitting under my favorite tree, watching my children playing in the lake was my little piece of heaven.

Hearing my little angel call out for me I look over to the water. "Mum." Iris calls out her auburn curls bouncing as she walks towards me, holding her father's hand. "Mum." She says again, her face beaming.

"Hello my precious one. You're all wet. Are you having fun with brother in the water?" She wraps her tiny arms around my neck, William looking back at Clara and Hunter.

"She is getting tired my love. Perhaps we should go in. Tomorrow is Princess Hope's first birthday and Snow may need you." William helps me up, Iris still clinging to my neck.

"Hope a year old, time does go by fast. The day she was born was like an awakening for the entire kingdom. I came out of my waking slumber and the darkness was banished. The Princess is certainly a beckon of hope for all of us." I give Iris to her father taking Hunter out of the water.

His lower lips drops, pouting and on the edge of tears. "No, Mum" I wrap him in a blanket, holding him till his tears stop.

"My sweet Hunter, you are so much your father's son." William glances at me.

"What is that supposed to mean Lily?" I wink at him.

"You get the same scowl on your face when you don't get your way." I blow a kiss at him as he walks away laughing.

Snow is holding Hope's hands, helping her walk to her father. Eric picks her up, twirling her in the air. The look of pure love on his face, Eric cuddles his baby girl to his chest.

"Good day Lily." Eric greets me with a smile.

"Good day Eric. I see our little Princess is well today." I brush my finger across her cheek, her dark hair lying over her snow white skin.

"Cousin, come. Tomorrow is a big day for our family and the kingdom. I have all the Lords and Ladies, Dukes and Duchess from the land coming to celebrate Hope's birthday. Much still has to be done." Snow takes my hand, her voice full of stress.

"Snow, all will be fine. Calm yourself cousin. The castle will be ready, I have seen to it. Goody is busy in the kitchen and Rose carries out your orders. You are the queen and her mother; you have nothing to prove Snow. The kingdom prospers, growing stronger every day. Even the Dark Forest lives again, new life spring where the darkness once lived. I will go check on Rose, breathe Snow." Hugging her I turn to leave.

Hope reaches for me as I head for the door. "Lil." Her little voice is so sweet, like a fresh breeze. Eric kisses her cheek, holding her towards me.

"Lily, say Lily my little angel." I kiss Hope's head, smiling at Eric.

"She can call me Lil if she wants. Eric, are you ready to assume your regal role. I know you hate all this pomp and circumstance. It will all be over soon. The royal dignitaries will only be her for three days. You can hold out for three days." Eric kisses my cheek.

"For Snow I can Lily. Thank you for being here for us both. You are truly a sister to me." My cheeks blush, Eric always had the effect on me.

The castle had not been in this much of a scurry since Snow's coronation. All the preparations were complete; the Princess's party would be a memorable one.

At first light I wake, leaving William's arms was beyond difficult. I dress quickly; kiss my sleeping babes on the head. I wake Clara to watch over them till I return.

Snow was waiting on me in the garden; I did so having my morning tea with her here. "Good morning cousin"

Yawning, Snow greets me sleepily. "Morning."

"Did you not sleep well cousin?" I take my cup of tea, watching Snow.

"Sleep, yes I slept well, after." Snow stops, looking about the garden. "After Eric and I were both well satisfied."

Her pale cheeks blaze, her eyes smile back at me. "You are a wife and a woman Snow. It's quiet alright the King pleases his Queen."

We have our morning tea, Snow going over all that must be done today. The greeting of the dignitaries was the first on the list. She gazes up at me for her scroll. "Lily, I cannot simply introduce you and William as Lord and Lady. William has inherited all that was his father's, including his title. He is Duke Hammond now and you his Duchess."

I swallow hard, having never thought of this. "Duchess, I suppose so Snow. William has graciously taken over his father's position. The Duke's castle is in capable hands. I do not wish to leave the castle and you my dearest Snow, so we stay."

"Very well then, Duke and Duchess Hammond it is. Now to go over the guest list again." Snow refused any aid in this matter. Her only child's day was hers and hers alone to plan.

The grand ballroom was so beautiful, flowers adorn every doorway, pink bunting swayed over the windows. The dining hall was laid out just as beautiful, with more food than the entire kingdom could consume.

Eric pulls at the collar of his jacket, his dark hair pulled back. I greet him with a smile. "You look quite handsome my King."

He nods to me. "I must say Lily, green is your color. William is a lucky man." He smiles back at me, knowing that my blush is for him.

We gather at the entrance of the ballroom, William looking too handsome. I gaze at him in his courtly best, my thoughts not so pure.

The dignitaries march in one by one, being introduced and greeting the Queen's party. I notice a man in the back of the line, his eyes locking on mine. I try to advert his gaze, only to return to it. I knew him; his face looked so familiar to me.

William notices me; he takes my hand kissing my cheek. "Lily, what concerns you love?"

"William, do you know that man, the tall man with dark blonde hair." I jester to him.

Walking over to Snow, William asked who this mysterious stranger was. Snow sends for Duke Edmond. "Duke Edmond, please introduce us to your guest."

Duke Edmond ushers his guest to us, the man bowing to the Queen. "Allow me to introduce Duke James Drake." The name sent me reeling, it couldn't be. James Drake, that name brought back memories.

As a young girl I had spent my days watching over Snow, watched as she ran about the castle with William on her heels. Then Duke Drake and his son James came for a visit, the Duke binding his land and loyalty to King Magnus. My father was General of the Royal Army and greeted this man with open arms. I had spent that long summer with James, getting to know him and befriended him. After the great battle took my father and his, we never saw each other again. Now, here he was after all this time.

James looks at me, his eyes peering into mine. "Lady Lillian Aston, I knew it was you." He takes my hand, kissing it.

William gazes at him, his face like stone. "Lily, do you know this him."

James smiles at me, his green eyes burning. "M'lady, why is this man so casual with you? You are a Lady and should be treated as such."

William's back jerks straight, Eric soon by his side. "Is there a problem here?"

James looks up to Eric, Eric looming over him. "My King, I'm sorry for the disturbance. I was only asking that Lady Lillian be given the honor that is owed her."

Eric places a hand on William's shoulder. "Be still William, I will settle this."

Eric takes my hand, giving it to William. James looks at Eric, his eyes glaring between the two men.

"Excuse me my King. Have I spoken out of turn?" James steps back, Eric stepping behind me.

He glances over to Snow as she makes her way to me. "Lily, I remember him. Is he the boy that spent a summer with us? I was only five then and you a girl of twelve. William, do you not know him?"

William shakes his head, his eyes casted at me. "When I was but a boy I'm afraid my attention belonged to Snow. I am sorry my love."

I turn to James, as he looks completely confounded. "Duke Drake, it has been many a year since we last saw each other. I was but a young girl when your mother took you from Tabor. It is good to see you again. This is my husband, Duke William Hammond."

James's face looks lost. "Your husband. M'lady how can this be. Your father Lord Lynus promised your hand to me. That is why I have come, to retrieve my bride."

William's hands ball into fists, as he takes a step towards James. "She is spoken for Duke Drake and I think it is time you go."

Eric braces his arm across William's chest. "Not now Hammond and not here. I think William is right. It is time you were going."

"I will go my King but this matter is not settled, not by far." James leaves under the escort of the Royal Guard.