It was unusually cold in the Black Forest near Eichenwalde, even for mid-December. Recent snowfall had left the evergreens coated with white, glistening in the morning sun, although there were some bare patches on the ground where the trees were especially close together. In one such area, Jin-Ae Song rested against the trunk of a nearby tree, with nothing on her person save for a small bundle wrapped in a tattered blanket. Her eyes were closed, head leaning back against the trunk as if she were asleep. If it were not for the current circumstances, one could say she looked almost peaceful.
How long had it been since she had last eaten? She had been traveling across Asia and Europe for what felt like months, spurred on by nothing but what she held in her arms. Wearily, with shaky hands, she undid part of the blanket wrap. The sudden cold provoked a cry from within, and as more of the blanket was pulled back Jin-Ae cast a glance over the infant, smiling slightly when she saw brown eyes staring back at her, framed by a chubby face complete with rosy cheeks. She let out a sound of relief.
"Of course you're okay, I guess your father's… heritage was good for something." She replaced the blanket, shielding the infant from the cold again. "If we're where I think we are… You should be safe soon." She closed her eyes again, held her child close to her, and returned to resting against the tree. Despite the cold and uncomfort, exhaustion quickly took its toll, and sleep overcame her.
Several hours later, it was only slightly warmer. The woods were silent save for the occasional chirp from the few birds that had not gone into hibernation. A suit of armor, the vessel of Fareeha Amari, trudged soundlessly through the snow, despite the seemingly heavy plates of metal that made up the suit. Bright blue-green light leaked through gaps in the armor, revealing the lack of a physical body inside.
Fareeha stopped in her tracks, the prone figure of a woman having caught her eye. Jogging over, she rested a cold hand on the woman's shoulder, gently shaking her awake. She slowly opened her eyes, and the armored figure's helmet filled her field of view.
Despite having no visible face, Jin-Ae swore she could have seen concern in the figure's expression. She smiled weakly.
"You're Amari, the Witch's Guardian, aren't you?"
Fareeha was shocked. There were very few people, if they could be called that, alive who knew of her presence, much less who knew her actual name. Despite her initial surprise, she nodded twice, then pointed to the woman's chest, tilting her head in a silent question.
"Jin… Jin-Ae Song. I was told the Witch could… help me. Or rather…" She opened the blanket, revealing an infant sleeping inside. "Help her."
Fareeha sat in contemplation for a few moments. Jin-Ae was already very weak, and Fareeha doubted she would be able to make the trek back to the Witch's dwelling. There was, however, one place she could go, where the woman would be able to rest before continuing on. While that was the last place Fareeha wanted to go, it was necessary in order to save the child, and hopefully the woman. She nodded again to Jin-Ae and scooped her up in her arms along with the baby.
Fareeha arrived at her destination, a small cabin in a state of disrepair. With no free hands to knock on the door, she drew her foot back and delivered a heavy kick to the door, in hopes that the sound would stir the cabin's occupant. Her assumptions were correct, as the door soon opened, revealing a pale-skinned woman with long white hair. A banshee.
"What a pleasant surprise, my first visitor in fifty years and it's Angela's guard dog." She glanced at the woman in Fareeha's arms. "My, she's nearly dead."
Fareeha placed a metal boot inside the threshold of the cabin, with a clear message.
The banshee stepped aside, closing the door behind Fareeha. "Very well, as you wish." She paused as Fareeha set the woman and her baby down by the fireplace and began looking for something to light a fire with. "So, what brings you here, Amari?" she asked once the Guardian had found a lighter and kindle.
When Fareeha was satisfied with the blaze, she stood, hands and fingers moving deftly as she relayed the events of the morning to the banshee in sign language. I hate to say this, but I need your help, Moira. She nodded toward the woman by the fire. Help me get her to Angela.
The banshee, Moira, smirked. "I never thought I'd live to see the day when the high and mighty Fareeha Amari would be asking me for help." Ignoring Fareeha's rude gesture in response, she looked over at the woman again. "I fear it is too late for her. The cold has taken its toll, and she will die soon. The child, however… There is hope for the child, yes." She knelt to examine the baby. "Despite everything, she is, surprisingly, faring much better than her mother."
A hand grabbed Moira's wrist with surprising force as Jin-Ae struggled to speak. "...Hana. Her name… Hana." She paused to catch her breath, and continued. "Her father… Yeon."
Moira and Fareeha looked at each other, exchanging glances. "The fox-face?" Moira stared incredulously at the woman, who nodded weakly. "I'm not surprised he didn't stick around to care for you two."
"He said… the Witch could help." Jin-Ae's voice was fading. "As long as my Hana is safe… I will be content."
Fareeha grasped Jin-Ae's hands in her own, then began signing something, Moira translating. We will keep her safe, I promise.
By evening, Fareeha and Moira had arrived at Angela's house, near the edge of the Black Forest, the closest to civilization Moira had been in centuries. Angela Ziegler, the Witch of the Wilds, opened the door before Fareeha had a chance to knock, obviously having been waiting for her to return. Fareeha was content to ditch Moira by the door, and Angela would have been as well if it were not for the child Moira held in her arms. Moira was let in as a result, and Angela kept a wary eye on her as Fareeha caught her up to speed.
"This is Yeon's daughter?" Angela took the sleeping Hana from Moira's arms and gently stroked her hair. "He doesn't strike me as the type to settle down and have a family."
He's not , Fareeha signed. Based on what we know, he abandoned her and her mother and told them to find you. Or something like that.
Angela hummed her acknowledgement. "What of the mother?"
Moira spoke up. "We buried her close to my cabin. She wouldn't have made it here regardless."
Angela spent the next few moments deep in thought. "Alright, here's what's going to happen. I will raise the child. However, I cannot provide for her needs alone, and Fareeha is, well, Fareeha."
"And that means…?" Moira raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I like where this is going, Angela." Fareeha nodded. For once, I agree with the old hag.
Angela silenced Moira's retort by holding up a hand. "Moira, as insufferable as you can be, you are… tolerable for the most part. Besides, aside from Fareeha you're the only person in this area I am familiar with, unfortunately. You will help raise the child."
"But-"
"No buts. Go back to your cabin, collect whatever belongings you need, and bring them here. There is no way we're staying in that old decrepit place of yours."
To Angela's surprise, Moira didn't complain much more. With a grumble, she faded away, presumably to collect her things. Fareeha watched the wisps left by Moira's fade dissipate, then turned to Angela. Are you sure this is a good idea?
"No. But it is necessary, and I can't just leave this child to suffer by herself. It's not as if we have anything else to do. As I said before, you and I alone cannot provide for a child. Moira, even with all her shortcomings, will probably be able to fill any gaps in our parenting." Angela stopped as Hana began to cry. "Oh dear, she appears to have soiled herself. Lend me a hand, will you, Fareeha?"
The Guardian begrudgingly followed Angela into the bathroom, signing to no one in particular. This is a horrible idea.
A/N: originally published on AO3 on November 3, 2020. I'll be updating this until it's caught up with the AO3 version, maybe not all in one day cause I get tired sometimes haha