The Rescue
So many preparations to get ready for Christmas! Kathryn made a few pies and was packed and waiting for Chakotay when he arrived a few days before the holiday. She had even packed the gifts she made for Edward and Chakotay. The wool she bought in town was a beautiful off-white color and she made them matching sweaters. She embroidered a sampler for Mrs. Voyage and socks for Mr. Voyage. They were so nice to allow her to visit she thought a gift at Christmas was in order.
Maud will be joining them for this trip. Kathryn was thrilled. She found a beautiful satchel that Maud could use for her Midwifery supplies in port the last visit to Chakotay's village. Her family would be together. She was so happy. Since coming to this village her life has been so happy. She still missed her father but she had a purpose and didn't live in fear the way she did at her old village.
Chakotay rode along side the wagon with Edward on his saddle in front of him. He kept talking to Edward about riding and learning how to handle horses. She watched how intently Edward listened to every word Chakotay spoke. These lessons were also a lesson in discipline, tracking, hunting and all things male; something Kathryn realized she had no obvious knowledge with.
They arrived in time for lunch so the wagon was unloaded, horses stabled, and as Chakotay would like to call, "all hands on deck". Edward would salute mockingly and giggle, and then they all sat in the great dinning hall for rabbit stew and cook's famous bread.
After that it was into the library to trim a beautiful pine tree. "What a nice tradition this is Chakotay."
"My father brought the idea back from one of his many travels."
"I'm glad," piped in Edward, I want it to be my tradition too."
"Since I'm in love with your mother I hope you'll be sharing all of our traditions."
"Does that mean you're going to get married to my mother?"
"If she'll have me."
"Mother, tell Chakotay yes! You know you told me you love him too."
"I guess there are no secrets where children are concerned."
When everyone was finished laughing Mr. Voyage offered a toast. "To Kathryn and Edward, you will now be considered 'Voyagers.'"
All raised their glasses in unity.
The whole yuletide holiday was wonderful. The Christmas feast was superb. Everyone loved his or her gifts. Kathryn received a beautiful shawl of white lace from Chakotay. It was the nicest gift she had ever been given.
Once Edward was put to bed the men enjoyed a brandy by the fire while the ladies enjoyed tea. Kathryn had her shawl around her shoulders and was starring out the window. Chakotay walked over to her and whispered into her ear, "I thought you might feel out of place wearing white when we are married but I wanted to see you in something white and lacey. Hope you don't mind."
"Oh Chakotay, I love it, and you, thank you for making me so happy."
"Kathryn, you have given me love, something I lost many years ago. Being discreet he bent down and kissed her cheek.
After Christmas Chakotay was getting ready for a hunt. Tom Paris would accompany him as well as Harry, Mike and his Father. Just before they left the yard horses pulling a wagon at a fast speed came barreling in.
"Bella, what's the matter? Where is Muriel?"
"Tom, she wasn't in her bed this morning. Didn't you notice when you left?"
"No. I never looked in her room. I just assumed she was there!"
"Where could she have gone Tom? It's too cold! It's going to rain. She'll freeze!"
Crying, she was helped down. "Come inside", Maud guided her by the elbow. "The men folk will find your little girl Bella. Where do you think she'd go?"
"I don't know. I've racked my brain thinking where she would have gone. Oh Tom, please bring her home. She seemed quiet last night. Like something was bothering her."
"We'll find her Bella." Kathryn stated.
"That 'we'll' will not include you Kathryn. Now please go inside it's getting cold."
With that the men headed out and planned to meet back in two hours time.
Fuming that Chakotay would order her inside while a child may be in danger she went in to talk to Maud.
"Please stay with her Maud. The men all went out and split up, each taking a direction of north, east and west. I'll go south and see if I see any trace of her."
"Kathryn, be careful. Where that heavy cape of mine."
Walking out the south side of the yard Kathryn kept thinking about that beautiful little girl. She recalled the conversation she had the day before Christmas when there was so much hustle and bustle around the village square. Kathryn volunteered to watch Muriel so Bella could get things done.
"Are you coming to church service Miss Kathryn?"
"I'm not sure yet Muriel. Edward will be going with Chakotay and Mr. and Mrs. Voyage though."
"Why don't you go? Don't you want to see the Baby Jesus? It's His birthday you know. Friar Tuvok says that we should come together to celebrate. I bet God hears us best in there."
Not wanting to confuse the child with her own difficulty in understanding the need to pray to an unseen deity, Kathryn just agreed to the child's ramblings. She needed some sort of proof before she would be convinced of the existence of a higher power as this child so trustingly does.
On and on she walked wondering where she would have gone. The weather was obviously changing for the worse. Dark clouds loomed overhead. The wind was getting stronger.
"Where are you Muriel?" Talking out loud she began to voice other questions and opinions.
"If you're really up there how can you let a little child get lost? How can you allow this to happen? Do you hear me God? You're not a very loving God if you can just sit up there while people hurt other people."
Frustrated she walked on and on. It began to rain, drizzling first, and then it was coming down heavily. "If you're really God help us find her. Help us find Chakotay's son too! Help us! Where are they? And where are you?"
She realized she walked for a few miles. Looking up she saw the church in the distance.
"What had Muriel said?" She wanted to talk to God in church because He hears you best in there?"
Walking up the hill she called out to Muriel. Between claps of thunder and seeing the lightning in the distance she was beginning to feel panic rise in her chest. Something was drawing her to this place. That feeling in her gut when she knew someone was in trouble.
There! There was Muriel curled up in front of the big wooden doors of the church! Running to her and calling her name Muriel looked up and ran into Kathryn's arms.
"The door's are locked, I couldn't get in." Then sobs were coming between the words. "I got scared and started to cry."
"Why are you here sweetie?"
"Mommy doesn't want me any more, she wants a baby boy. I heard her tell daddy last night. I came to ask Baby Jesus if the baby in her belly could be a boy baby so Mommy would be happy."
"But Mommy wants a baby boy, I heard her."
"But she wants you too. I heard her say that."
"You did?"
"Yes sweetie. Now let's get home before you catch a chill."
Wrapping her cloak around the child she got down and let Muriel climb on to her back. Carrying her 'piggy-back' style she descended the hill and started back to the castle. The rain came from in front of her, pelting her with water and wind. She yelled to Muriel to keep her face down as it began to hail. Kathryn's face stung with the cold and the wind made the going slow.
They came to the small stream that was now swollen with the run off from higher points. The stepping-stones that allowed one to cross without actually being in the water were now covered and hidden beneath the water. Kathryn had to plunge ankle deep in the frigid water while carrying this child and fight the current to reach safety. By the time she reached other side her dress was saturated and feeling 10 pounds heavier. She had to continue if she was to get the child home safely.
In the mean time Chakotay and the others returned to the castle. "Has she shown up yet?" he asked. Willie just nodded in the negative.
While Willie took the reins, Chakotay dismounted and waited while Tom did the same. "What am I going to do? I can't bear the thought of my daughter alone in this storm, maybe hurt or worse!"
"Tom, get a hold of your self. We'll find her. Willie, saddle up the palomino. I need a fresh horse if I'm going out in the storm again."
"I'll go. No need for you to get sick in this. You go in and tell the others I'll be back as soon as I find her."
"Look!" shouted Willie. A lone figure was walking, no, staggering in the meadow in their direction. Chakotay immediately got back in the saddle, as did Tom.
Galloping out into the meadow the two men reached the figure quickly. Jumping out of the saddle quickly, Chakotay ran to the women and realized in was Kathryn and she was carrying Muriel.
"Give her to me Kathryn."
Prying her arms from around Muriel's legs he removed the child from Kathryn's back and handed her up to Tom.
"Hurry and get her back to the castle. Have them prepare for both of them being cold. GO!"
With that Tom took off.
"Kathryn, get up into the saddle." Trying to help her up she began to collapse into his side.
"I ccccccan't" she stammered out.
Leaning her into the horse he jumped up then pulled her up into his arms. She was trying to hold on to his shirt while he steered the animal back to the castle. Once in the stable Willie took the horse's reins and Chakotay eased Kathryn down. She was frigid. He carried her into the main hall and Maud came running.
"The tub is here. Put her right in clothes and all."
Putting into the warm water she let out an audible gasp. Chakotay held on to her as Maud kept talking to her.
"Kathryn, can you hear us? Come on honey look at me, can you do that?"
Slowly Kathryn turned to the sound of Maud's voice.
"Is Muriel here too? Is she warm?
"Yes Kathryn. You found her and brought her back to us."
Shaking her head affirmatively she then closed her eyes. She didn't answer any more questions because she couldn't hear then. Blackness came over her.
Cook brought in some muslin cloth and they wrapped her up as Chakotay lifted her out of the water. The temperature of her skin warmed up slowly so they brought her upstairs to Chakotay's chamber. His had the largest fireplace and he had had them get a roaring fire going. The room was warm as the bed was. Gently he laid her down.
"I'll get her out of these clothes. You keep Edward occupied. I don't want him to see her like this. It's most likely she'll get worse before she gets better."
"What do you mean worse?"
"Chakotay, she wasn't feeling well today before all this started. Her body was too cold. She may never wake up. Her heart is beating erratically; see there at the base of her neck. I need to watch her to see when she starts to heat up. It may not stop at the usual temperature but continue to rise until she's fevered. We just have to wait and see."