Family

Alannah sang quietly as she walked through the main garden at Marmoreal, Katarina in her arms. After her birth, Mirana had offered Stayne and Alannah a permanent residency in Marmoreal. Alannah had accepted, but only if she would still be allowed to practice her healing arts. Mirana had been thrilled to learn that Alannah had training in the same Arts as she, and had gladly agreed to the terms.

Since Alannah was reluctant to live at Court, Mirana had a small cottage built for her and Stayne in the large main garden. It had taken three weeks to build, and was the perfect size for a small family. Alannah had fallen in love with it the moment she set eyes upon it…

Stayne smiled as he gently steered Alannah through the garden, a black handkerchief around her eyes. She giggled. "Do I have to be blindfolded, Ilosivic?"

Stayne laughed. "Yes, I'm afraid so. I wanted this to be a complete surprise, love. So hush, we're almost there."

"Where's Katarina?" Alannah asked a slightly nervous edge to her voice.

Stayne smiled. "She's fine. Alice is watching her, so don't worry. Now, hold still so I can take the blindfold off."

Alannah smirked, and then stood so Stayne could remove the blindfold. She blinked against the light, and then gave a shriek of delight at what she beheld.

The cottage she was looking at was small in comparison to her old cottage, yet it gleamed and glistened with a newness and beauty that the old one had lacked. There were flowers growing against the walls, the riot of colors present making her gasp in amazement, and where the wall showed she could see it was a deep blue in color. Two windows in front gleamed in the sunlight. Alannah ran forward and into the cottage. She squealed in delight at what she saw. The room she was in was cozy, with a large couch that took up most of the far wall. She could look down the hall and see the door leading to the bedroom and to the right was a kitchen that opened up to the back of the garden.

Alannah came out of the cottage, grinning. "Ilosivic, this is so perfect. I love it."

She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him deeply. "I noticed that the bedroom has a rather good sized bed. I think we should see how comfortable it is."

Stayne grinned. "A very good idea, My Lady."

Alannah giggled, and then led him into the cottage.

Katarina gurgled, reaching for her mother. She was just two weeks shy of her first month, and already it was clear that she had inherited her father's height as well as his deep black hair. Alannah marveled at how quickly her hair had grown. It wasn't straight like Stayne's, but instead grew in silken black ringlets that framed her face like a halo. Her deep green eyes were never still, taking in everything. Katarina had a streak of curiosity and mischief that rivaled Chessur at times. Alannah was kept constantly on her toes, but secretly she loved the fact that her child was so inquisitive. She was careful to assure that Katarina never got hurt, and in that way she was able to satisfy her curiosity.

Alannah smiled at her, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. "You like my singing, my baby? I'm very glad. You know, that's the reason your father fell for me. I charmed him with my voice. Just ask him."

"That's very true. It was only after that I realized that the rest of her was quite beautiful as well", came the reply. Stayne walked towards them. He had just finished the daily inspection of his troops, and was still dressed in his Captain's uniform. Alannah felt her heart fluttering at the sight. "You look quite handsome, My Lord."

He gently kissed her. "Why, thank you My Lady. And how are my green eyed beauties doing?"

He grinned at Katarina, who gurgled happily, reaching out for him. Stayne gently took her, holding her close. Alannah laughed quietly. "She has had you wrapped around her finger from the moment she was born. I suppose I'll just have to accept the fact I'm no longer number one."

Stayne laughed, and then looked at his daughter. "I had hoped your Momma hadn't figured it out yet. But I suppose now is a good a time as any." He looked at Alannah, a serious expression on his face. "My Lady, I feel it is my duty to inform you that my heart has been won by another. I am now the lord of the young Katarina Stayne."

Alannah mock frowned at them. "Well, if that's how you feel…" she suddenly giggled as Stayne pulled her into a deep kiss. "Of course, I could have room for you as well, my love."

"How charitable of you, My Captain."

Katarina laughed as she watched her parents kiss. She was much too young to fully understand what was happening, but she knew that her momma and daddy loved her-as well as each other- very much. She reached out and touched her momma's cheek. Alannah turned and looked at her, smiling. "Yes, my baby?"

Katarina touched her mouth, and tried to hum. She loved hearing her momma sing. Her voice was so pretty. Alannah laughed, knowing exactly what Katarina wanted. She looked at Stayne, who had a curious expression on his face. "She wants me to sing."

Stayne nodded in understanding. "She has good taste. I would love to hear you sing as well."

Alannah smiled. "Well, I can't refuse my two biggest fans, can I? Let's go sit, and then I shall give a command performance just for the two of you."

They walked to a tree in the garden, and Stayne sat down, Katarina in his lap. Alannah sat next to him, and he wrapped his arm around her. "Your audience awaits, My Lady."

Alannah sighed. "Very well, I suppose I may as well begin."

She began singing, and Stayne let her voice wash over him, marveling as always at how beautiful it was. He looked down at the child in his lap, and sighed happily. If anyone had told him a year ago that he would be sitting here with two beauties in his arms, he would have laughed. He had still been in the clutches of the bloody big head, and Alannah was still no more than a pleasant dream.

'Time is a funny thing. In one year, I went from a disgraced exile with no one to a Captain with a wonderful wife and beautiful child.'

He gulped quietly as he remembered what his childhood had been like. His father had barely acknowledged his existence, and his mother had been more interested in the latest Court gossip than in her son. He could count on one hand the number of times his parents had actually looked at him for more than three minutes. He had been raised by endless succession of nurses; their faces all blended together until they were indistinguishable.

Was it any wonder, then, that he had been so thrilled at first when the Red Queen showed interest in him? He was still a young soldier, and had only recently arrived at Salazen Grum….

Iracebeth had recently returned from a ride through Underland, and now all she wanted were to get into the palace. She hated going on these stupid trips. Who cared about the peasants? Let her simpering sister show sympathy to them. She was more interested in exerting her authority. After all, she was going to be their Ruler, not their mother.

She dismounted from the carriage, glaring at the coachman. "You drove much too quickly. I'm going to tell my mother."

The coachman balked. "But, Majesty…"

"DON'T YOU DARE CONTRADICT ME!" Iracebeth shrieked, enraged.

The coachman, deciding discretion was the better part of valor, clamped his mouth shut, and merely bowed. Iracebeth swept past him without a second glance.

She walked quickly towards the palace, not even bothering to look around her, and as a consequence collided with someone coming around the corner. She staggered. "How dare you run into your future Queen you…"

Her voice trailed off as she saw who she had collided with. Ilosivic Stayne, the newly appointed guard. Iracebeth had noticed him right away, and had been fascinated by how tall he was. Now she giggled breathlessly. "Hello, Ilosivic."

Stayne smiled gently at her. "Are you quite alright, Majesty? You should really pay more attention to your surroundings."

Iracebeth giggled again. "Yes, I should. Thank you so much for your help."

She walked off, and Stayne shook his head, laughing. "Quite the flighty royal. Oh well, I'm sure she's harmless enough."

Stayne laughed ruthlessly at how naïve he had been. It had not taken him long to realize that Iracebeth was a spoiled brat, and he soon began to abhor her. It did not help matters that she was completely oblivious to his distaste. Then his Trial had happened, and he had been forced to become the lackey of the bloody big head.

'But now, I am a free man, thanks to this beauty', he thought, smiling gently at Alannah, who had finished singing and was now playing peek-a-boo with Katarina, who shrieked with laughter at her momma. Stayne laughed, watching them.

Alannah looked at him. "What's on your mind, love?"

He smiled, pulling her close. "Family. I never really had the chance growing up to be part of one, and after falling into the clutches of the bloody big head I thought I would never be able to have one. I never thought that in only a year, I would have everything I ever dreamt of."

She smiled, and kissed him. "Me too, my love. You are an amazing father and husband."

She settled against him, sighing happily. "I never had a family either. But now-I have one, and I will do all in my power to hold on to it."

Stayne didn't reply, but he nodded. He would do the same.