Chapter 8 – William
Kneeling on one knee, I brush the snow from my father's headstone. It had been too long since I had visited him. I sit on the snow covered ground, ready to tell him of all that has transpired of late.
"I do miss you father, so very much. Lily would have come with me today but being great with child, the walk out here is too much. We will be parents again in three short months. She hopes to give me another son but all I wish for is a healthy child. Your grandchildren grow more every day. They turned five yesterday, Hunter is getting so tall and Iris so beautiful."
I pause seeing Snow walking towards me, a blanket across her arm. "William, Lily said you were here. I thought you could use this." She smiles as she places the blanket over my shoulders.
"Thank you Snow. You know father loved you very much. I know he wished that we would marry someday but that wasn't meant to be. I do not regret that Snow, I love my Lily with all my heart." She squats down to me, taking my hands.
"I am happy, my life is perfect William. Eric makes me more than happy and my little Hope is my world. Having you and Lily here with your children only adds to my happiness. I do not regret it either, I love you William and I always will but my heart will forever be Eric's. I will stay with Lily till you are finished here. William, can you keep a secret?" Her face lights up, her green eyes sparkling.
"For you Snow, I can." I wait for the news that has her so giddy.
"I'm with child. Sirra says I should have the babe come summer. Why is it when Lily is with child I follow suit. I haven't told a soul but you, please do not tell Eric, I want to tell him tonight." Hugging her I promise to keep her secret.
"The castle will be full of children if we keep this up Snow." She blushes, kissing my cheek.
"I believe it just may William. I have no plans of denying my husband and I know Lily feels the same." We both blush, her face turning from me.
"Snow White. I must say my Queen, I did not expect that." She smiles as she leaves, her playfulness so freshening
Turning back to the grave, I begin to talk to father again. "Lily, my Lily father, she is indeed my flower. I remember watching you with mother, the way she'd smile at you, the light touches of her hand on your cheek, that is how Lily is with me. I recall a conversation we had once, when I had stayed up all night talking to Lily. You warned me not to lead her heart astray, that if I could not return her kindness I should leave her be. I wasn't long after that I found her in the chapel, praying for God to let me love her. I was a foolish boy father, so very foolish. Tell mother I miss her and love her. I promise to visit more, goodbye father." I feel a single tear roll down my cheek, my heart somewhat heavy.
When I open the chamber door, Hunter bolts into my arms. "Can we go now father?" His blue eyes shining.
"I haven't asked you mother yet Hunter and your Uncle has not returned from his duties this morning." Hunter pouts walking over to his mother.
"William, what is it?" Lily rubs her belly looking so beautiful.
"Eric promised Hunter he'd taking him hunting with us this afternoon. I know you hate the idea of our child with a weapon but he must learn Lily." She kisses me softly, making me smile.
"He can go; I would never deny him this. I only worry because he is still so small William. He will be with you and Eric so I know he will be safe." She gives me that glimmer of smile that always makes me want her. I take her in my arms, kissing her passionately.
Iris pulls on my jacket, her auburn hair as vibrant as her mothers. "Father, can I go too?" I pick her up in my arms, my precious baby girl.
"Not this time Iris. Father will take you, I promise." She lays her head on my shoulder as she sighs.
I hear the chamber door open, Hope peeking her head in. "Uncle William." She runs to me, lifting her arms for me to pick her up.
Snow comes in after her, taking her by the hand. "Hope Lillian, how many times do I have to tell you to knock on the door? Come now."
Hope begins to cry as Snow walks toward the door. Lily takes her, sitting at the writing desk. "It's quiet alright Snow, she is welcome here any time. Now, how would you like to have tea with Iris? Yes?"
Lily was always so good with her, Snow adored the way Hope loved us both. Clara goes off to the kitchen to fetch the girls some tea, Snow shaking her head at Lily. "You spoil her worse than Eric does. Really Lily, you shouldn't be lifting her in your condition."
"Since there seems to be a tea party going on here, I will take Hunter down to the training room." I kiss Iris, giving her to Snow. Hunter runs to the door waiting for me.
I kneel down next to Lily, Hope smiling at me. "Uncle William, don't go."
"Now Hope, Uncle is busy. We will see him later, come to mother." Snow helps Hope from Lily's lap as Lily grabs her belly.
"My goodness, your child is active today my love. Here feel." She places my hands on her belly, the baby moving and kicking.
"I love you Lily Hammond." I kiss her softly, her lips like rose petals.
"Hurry William before Hunter dies from anticipation." I look to see my son almost jumping.
Hunter runs out in front of me, his little feet moving swift. When we get to the training room, I give him the small bow I had made from him and the practice arrows. He takes them his face lights up. "I get to shoot today Father?"
"Yes Hunter. Remember what I showed you. Hold the bow like this, and aim the arrow." With my hands over his, he releases the arrow. It missed the target by inches.
"Good shot Hunter." Eric praises Hunter, making his head pop up.
"Did you pick the new guards today Eric?" Eric makes his way to Hunter.
"I think so William. There are things about being General and Snow's King that I do not care for. Telling these young lads they aren't good enough to protect the castle is one of them." His face looked tired but he always carried on.
I gather our horses, as Eric give Hunter a lesson with his hand axe. "Lily would faint if she saw you doing that Eric."
"Then we won't tell her William. How is your wife today, I'm sure feisty as ever." Eric takes the axe from Hunter and puts him on the horse with me.
"She's with child Eric, that is how she is. Today is a good day; she's in a good mood. Yesterday, well you saw her tears at the twin's party. I do love her Eric but there are days I feel like locking her away." Eric laughs loudly.
"She feels the same way about you, she's told me so. William, marriage is not to be taken lightly. I learned from my first marriage, you need to be open and give as well as take. If you can do that, you will be a happy man. I have days when Snow angers me but I never let that anger rule me. She is my Snow, my wife. That is all I need, the woman I love." I could not believe the words of wisdom from him. He sounded more kingly every day.
Eric mounts his horse and we head out to the royal forest. I have Hunter bundled, his hands helping me hold the reigns. Approaching a clearing, we tie the horses up and take our weapons.
Hunter looks like a little man with his bow and quiver over his shoulder. He walks beside me, glancing up from time to time.
Eric crouches down, waving for us to do the same. Hunter mimics me, my movements become his.
I see a large buck in the edge of the clearing, the snow blanketing the surroundings. Hunter reaches for his bow as I help him load it. Eric waves for Hunter to come next to him, his look unsure. "Go on, it's fine." I could tell he didn't want to leave me but he wanted to be with Eric as well.
I walk over with him, Eric placing Hunter in front of him. "William, you should do this." Eric moves over, letting me help Hunter with his bow.
He pulls the bow back, the arrow shaking between his fingers. I turn to nod at Eric as he takes loads my bow. I smile as Hunter releases his arrow, the buck turning its head up.
Suddenly the buck runs off as if he's being chased. I look back to Eric, not sure what could have spooked the deer.
Eric points to the large oak where the deer was, two figures standing there. I take Hunter by the hand, walking behind Eric.
"Hello there. Who are you and why are in the Queen's forest?" The two figures walk forward, one woman and one man.
The woman was very beautiful, her hair as dark as night and her skin creamy pale. The man was tall, dark hair and just as pale. Eric walks towards them, his tall frame towering over them.
"Excuse me sir but I did not know I was hunting in the Queen's forest. I thought the forest belong to all the people." Her accent was different and her tone stern.
"Well you are and I think you need to explain to me why you are here. These forests are for the castle. There are forests all over the kingdom for the people to hunt. I hunt these woods to put food on the table of all those that live in the castle, not just to feed the Queen. Now, you will tell me how you are and why you are here." I watch Eric pull both hand axes from his belt, his shoulders squared.
"I'm sorry, I am Duke Hammond and this is my son Hunter. This is King Eric and I think you should answer him, quickly." I try to defuse the situation, watching the tall pale man pull out a long blade.
"Forgive me sire. We are travelers, of the Romani people. My people are camped outside these woods and are hungry. My brother and I apologize for ruining your hunt." The woman was gracious, her demeanor soft.
Looking at Eric, I can tell he's still not satisfied. "You have not told us your names."
"Sorry my lord, I am Rain and this is my brother River. We meant no disrespect." She bows to Eric, making him cringe.
"Rise, I do not bow to me. You may hunt these woods but only for today." Eric returns his axes, turning to go back to the horses.
"Eric, are you not the least bit concerned. They are Romani people, the same people that Ravenna and Baron Grey belong to. I find this very intriguing." I put Hunter on the horse, his little face chapped and his nose red.
"I know William; I don't intend to let this matter go. After your son is back with is mother we will return here. I don't think they are telling us the whole truth." Eric kept gazing over his shoulder as we left the forest.
