Lenora slept silently in her cradle as Hannah and Alois talked about the day. They hadn't noticed the spider sitting about the child looking down from the corner of the silky web. It's eyes fixed on the infant.
It knew what it had to do,what it would always have to do. The child was delicate,new and tiny. She reminded the spider of an innocent butterfly, his butterfly. His attachment to her grew more each day. He was bond to her by some unknown force that he couldn't put a finger on.
The child opened her eyes,staring up at the eight legged creature. They stared at each other for a long moment. Finally it descended from it's web, lowering itself down and stopping mere inches from her.
Tears formed in her eyes and she fussed softly.
"Have no fear Butterfly, the spider before you wishes you well. I may seem frightening but I will never harm you, you have my promise. I will not allow any harm to befall such a perfect creature. Take care though, not all spiders are the same. Some lay in waiting, they find your weakness and ensnare you in a web of deceit. When you are most in need they strike. I was one of those spiders. Perhaps the worst one of all. You will be mine always,I will keep you,protect you and kill any that dare try to harm you, or seek to remove you from my grasp." Claude dangled in front of her a moment longer, his eyes staring deep into Lenora's.
She reached a tiny hand out to him and he in turn extended his long, thin front leg. They were an inch from contact.
"If not for my selfishness, you would have been mine, I care for you,for your mother, though I know he is forever lost to me. You have his eyes. My hope for you is that you grow to be strong and always treasure what you have. Be good to your mother,always love him as he loves would give everything for you, all he asks is that you love him."Lenora seemed to understand somehow. The infant pulled her hand away and remained silent.
"I hear your mother coming Butterfly, I leave you in his care now, you will see me again soon, I will stand before you as he once knew me.." Lenora yawned and closed her eyes.
"Sweet dreams little one, allows me to weave a web of security for you one that holds only pleasant dreams of blue skies and soft green fields in which you are free to play to your heart's content. Farewell for now Butterfly, until we meet again." he climbed back into his web just as Alois appeared and carefully lifted her from the cradle, he watched as they departed.
A soft sigh escaped him as he settled down in the center of the silky web.
"I love you, your highness, although I will never again hold you, my heart is yours and of course, my little butterfly.
