XXIV

(Elizabeth POV)

I felt so out of place. Edward had had a war dream - the most frightening thing imaginable to a man - and I couldn't help him. Well, I could but shouldn't. He was a grown man now and the time I had to comfort him like a mother to a young child was over. It was Bella's turn now. I knew she'd do fine but still . . .

"Elizabeth."

I turned, "Oh! Edward, dear, you frightened me."

He placed a chaste kiss on my lips, "Sorry love. Have you see Edward? He was supposed to meet the King's strategists an hour ago."

I shrank a bit and he noticed.

"Elizabeth?"

I pulled him to the side, away from anyone who might come down the hallway we were in. I took a breath, "Edward had a war dream last night."

He straightened and a sad look entered his eyes.

"I think it may have been his first. He was so upset that he took Bella again without thinking about it. She convinced him to stay in bed for the day but his condition was that she'd stay with him."

He looked to the side and whispered, "Having such a large family, the dream might have been that much worse . . . I remember my first war dream. I was shaken for a day and a half."

"Bella said he saw the French rape his female family members then kill us all. He was left alive to suffer loneliness and guilt."

Paternal emotion entered his eyes.

"Bella asked for us to tell everyone that he's just fallen ill. He's alright for his parents to know - including Carlisle and Esme - just not everyone else."

He nodded and asked, "So Bella's going to stay with him for the day?"

I nodded.

He smiled, "Then he should be fine. Bella is a good person. She'll take good care of him."

I nodded and went into his embrace. He rubbed my back slowly. I sighed, "It's still so hard . . . accepting that he's an adult and has a woman to get comfort from."

"He still needs you too, Elizabeth."

"I know but things have changed so much. I used to be so afraid of what would happen next. The fear was exploding in front of me. Now, its so much worse. A silent fear is at that back of my mind and I can't help but feel my son is going to be h-hurt." I hiccuped and tears threatened to spill from my eyes, "What i-if his dream is a-a sign?"

He shushed me gently and hugged me tighter, "Don't worry. I'm sure Emmett and Jasper wouldn't let anything happen to him. They're all closer than brothers." He chuckled, "Emmett I understand but Edward hasn't known Jasper that long and he still treats him like a brother."

I nodded and closed my eyes. I didn't know where these feelings were coming from but I had to calm down. My son would only worry if he saw me like this.

"Come on," Edward said gently, "Let us rest for a bit."

I nodded and followed him to our bedroom.

(Esme POV)

I found Carlisle talking to King Leo's steward. Gillen noticed me and smiled, "Hello Esme. Have you seen Edward? He was supposed to meet us about an hour ago."

"He has fallen ill," I lied, "He's been under incredible stress lately. Lady Isabella has convinced him to bed rest and will tend to him for the day."

"Is he alright?" Carlisle asked.

I locked my eyes with his, giving him a look that made him look back at me with question. I smiled, "We think he just needs rest." I turned to Gillen, "Please tell everyone he's ill. He really needs rest." I was fumbling over my lie, the truth nagging at me.

He didn't notice, "I imagine he would be. Rebuilding a city, rescueing his family, and the King's demands have worn him completely. I shall let the strategists know." He left.

Once he was out of earshot, Carlisle touched my arm, "Esme? I s Edward really ill?"

"In a way," I whispered, "He had a war dream of us."

Understanding entered his expression, "Oh . . ."

I nodded, "Bella will stay with him for the day but only us and the Masens know the truth. Edward wants everyone else to believe he's ill."

Carlisle nodded, "Alright."

(Edward Sr POV)

I held Elizabeth as we lay on our bed. She was still crying a little and I was trying my best to keep her calm. I knew she worried about Edward. I did too. I remembered my first war dream. It was so horrible . . . It was just after I met Elizabeth so it was about her. She was brutally murdered and I woke up almost screaming. The dream haunted me until I saw her again and, once I told her of it, she took me into her arms and offered herself as comfort. I smiled as I realized that I had more than likely fathered Edward at that point.

I still talk with him though, I thought coming back to the matter in front of me, I'll let Bella tend to him today. I'll help him tomorrow.

Part of me felt nervous at the thought. I hadn't been a father in years. It was hard to go from father of a child to father of a knight.

He's still my son though. He still the little boy who I played with in the forest.

I smiled at the obscurity of that. Part of him was still that sensitive boy who loved to play hide-and-seek but a lot of him had grown up as well. He was a worrier now and lord of a city. He was constantly thinking of the future of his people and now the future of the English kingdom.

As I thought of what weighed on his mind, I realized how mush strain he was under. When I was his age, I just thought of the safety of myself, Elizabeth, and my fellow knights. Edward had so much more to think of.

I shifted my arms around Elizabeth and noticed she had fallen asleep. I gave her a kiss on her temple and closed my eyes. Perhaps I should get some rest too.

(Carlisle POV)

I tended to a sick child deeper in the city. His forehead was on fire and he was coughing, however it wasn't all that bad.

"It's just a small ailment," I told the parents with a smile, "All he needs is warmth and rest."

"Oh thank God," the mother whispered.

"Thank you Dr Cullen," the father said.

I smiled, "My pleasure."

I left after giving instructions and telling them I would check up on him in a few days. As I walked back up to the castle, I thought of Edward. The news of his dream sparked the reality of how much strain he had been under lately. It worried me. I had seen men go mad from incredible amounts of strain and some even died.

He has Bella, reminded a distant part of my mind, and all of us. He'll be alright.

I smiled at that. Edward did have all of us. A family large enough to help carry the weight and a woman he loved and was willing to let herself be taken roughly in the name of comfort.

Yes, I knew he had taken her. I would've done the same in his position. Plus, I already knew he had taken her a first time. As well as Esme and Elizabeth hid it, I still noticed Bella's uncomfortable walking and Edward's nervous air. What other reason could prove that?

Edward will be fine, I thought confidently, He's surrounded by his loved ones and knows we'll always be there for him. All he needs is a little time.

I just thought it would be fun to take a look into Edward's parents' thoughts.