Mrs Coulter was at the manor sitting in the living room, she sat at the window seat which was a favourite spot of hers, as she would watch as the sun was setting and admired the beautiful colours, she sighed softly to herself as she stroked her Golden Monkey dæmon, wishing she could sneak out and see Asriel. She hadn't seen him since the party a few nights ago, where she'd sneaked off with him after he had watched her being threatened by Edward for not doing as she was told and being 'ladylike', Mrs Coulter remembered all too well that evening's event;
After Edward had walked away, Asriel came up to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, she gasped and turned around, Asriel smiled at her "You saw?" she asked worriedly, he nodded "Why do you stay with him Marisa?" he asked her, using her first name, for they were alone and he was safe to do so, Mrs Coulter looked down and sighed, "He gave me everything I'd always wanted; a home, a name and protection" she said, Asriel put his hands on her face and lifted her head, he then leaned in and kissed her, Mrs Coulter was surprised and shocked, but she kissed him back. Once Asriel withdrew she looked at him, into his pale-blue eyes and was lost, he then took her hand and brought her away from the party to somewhere they could be alone.
Mrs Coulter had nodded off at the window and only awoke when she heard Edwards voice above her, "GET UP!" he shouted and slapped her hard across the face - her cheek red and sore, Edward's dæmon bit the Golden Monkey hard, Mrs Coulter gasped and she stood up, "I'm...I'm sorry...I drifted off...I was just..." she said but Edward cut her off, "I don't want your excuses! Now come to bed!" he exclaimed angrily then he turned and went upstairs. Mrs Coulter put her hand to her cheek and held it there for a moment, she closed her eyes wishing this would help to ease the pain, but it did not, she sighed as walked towards the stairs.
Suddenly she heard a yell from outside, startled and curious, she ran to the door, grabbed the first footwear she could find - a pair of black boots and took her coat from the coat rack, she then picked up a flashlight from the table and ran out into the garden switching on the light. She wandered around the huge garden not finding anything, and then she saw it - there was a figure lying on the ground up ahead, with a gasp she ran over, she saw that it was a young woman, younger than herself by the looks of it; with shoulder-length brown hair and she was wearing a silk, sleeveless dress - it was freezing outside but the women did not seem to be cold, this puzzled Mrs Coulter, she then gasped as she saw the women had an arrow in her arm, she knelt beside the women.
She took hold of the arrow and with great difficulty she pulled it out of the women's arm, the woman was screaming and crying in pain, once the arrow was out Mrs Coulter took a handkerchief from her pocket and began wrapping it tightly around the wound to keep pressure, the women's screams gradually subsided and she looked at Mrs Coulter, giving her a kind smile "Thank you" she said in a soft voice, "Whatever happened?" she asked her, the women lay still, letting her energy come back, "I was flying with my clan, when we were ambushed" she said "I was hit...and I fell to the ground, luckily I managed to stop myself from crashing just in time, but the rest of my clan hadn't seen me fall, so they kept on flying" Mrs Coulter's eyes widened "You're...a witch?" she asked in amazement, the women nodded. She lay still for a moment and then slowly she raised herself from the ground and sat up, she looked at Mrs Coulter, "I thank you gratefully" she said, Mrs Coulter smiled "It was nothing really, I heard a scream and I came out to see...and when I saw you lying there with that arrow in your arm I couldn't just leave you" the women nodded, she then stood up slowly, picking up a thin piece of cloud pine from the ground - Mrs Coulter hadn't noticed before "I must find my clan to let them know I am alright" she said, Mrs Coulter stood up, "Will I see you again?" she asked, the women faced Mrs Coulter and smiled, "I hope so, I shall tell my clan of your good deeds and you will become a good friend to the witches, we will all be truly grateful to you" she said.
The women poised, ready to take off into the air "Wait!" Mrs Coulter called to her, the women turned her head, "What's your name?" the women smiled "My name is Ariana" she replied, Mrs Coulter, smiled "I'm Marisa Coulter" she said, Ariana smiled "Farewell Marisa Coulter" she said "I do so hope we meet again" and with that she turned around swiftly and flew off into the sky, disappearing into the night. Mrs Coulter watched as the women vanished before turning back to the house and heading into the warmth.
A few weeks had passed and Mrs Coulter could help but think about Ariana, she wondered if she really would see the witch again, she hoped so. She would stay up at night staring out at the starry skies, hoping to catch sight of her but she never did. Though she soon had other troubles to deal with.
It all started with her feeling notorious all the time and she would get killer headaches. She eventually went to the doctors while Edward was at work and got the most shocking news. She was pregnant! The doctor gave her some advice on how to deal with the pains, but Mrs Coulter was more worried about what she would tell Edward, for she knew it was not his child. She thought about it the entire day and finally made up her mind - she would lie. Lie and tell him that the child was his.
When Edward came home Mrs Coulter was sitting in the living room reading a book, she heard the door open and close and placed the book down looking around just as Edward came into the room, she smiled at him "Good day?" she asked him politely, he frowned slightly "Yes!" he said simply, Mrs Coulter sighed, "Edward, I have to tell you something" she looked away from him not wanting to meet his gaze, he stood there staring at her. Waiting. "I...I'm pregnant" she waited for a reaction but there was silence. Finally, she looked up and saw he was just staring at her, "Are you sure?" he asked, Mrs Coulter, nodded "Yes, I went to the doctors today and he told me" she replied. There was silence for a moment, "Well, so long as it's a boy you can keep it" Edward said simply and then turned and went out of the room, Mrs Coulter stared in shock, not believing what she had just heard, she looked down and sighed, a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Mrs Coulter was lying in bed, she had her hand laid upon her now heavily pregnant stomach. Then she felt it, gasping she sat bolt upright and turned her head, "Edward!" she cried "Edward, its time!" he woke up and frowned, "What?!" he said annoyed, "The baby... it's coming!" she exclaimed as she held her stomach, Edward helped her to her feet. He then carried her downstairs and placed her into the car and they headed off as fast as they could to the hospital. Once they had arrived Mrs Coulter was taken straight to the delivery room. She screamed in pain as the doctors stood around her, "Come on now Miss, you can do it, push now" the doctor said, Mrs Coulter did and let out another loud scream, she managed to look round at Edward "Please..." she said, almost yelling now, "Wait outside..." she then closed her eyes tight as she pushed again.
Finally, it was over, and she heard the crying of a baby, Mrs Coulter relaxed and breathed deeply, her face red hot and dripping with sweat, her usual beautiful, sleek brown hair was wet and stuck against her face. The nurse brought the baby over, wrapped in blanket and passed her to Mrs Coulter, "It's a girl" the nurse told her, Mrs Coulter took the baby in her arms and looked down into the little face, she knew instantly that she could not keep her; for one thing, it was a girl and Edward had made himself perfectly clear that he had only wanted a boy, and also the baby definitely favoured her true father and not Edward. Mrs Coulter felt tears in her eyes and then turned her head to the midwife, "Ma Costa, you must take the child, he will never let me keep her" she said "Please take care of her, take real special care of her" she looked once more at her little girl and then placed a gentle kiss on the child's forehead before handing her over to Ma Costa, "I must pretend to Edward that the baby died. I must forget about her" she said and then looked up at Ma Costa - who was rocking the baby gently in her arms, "Promise me you will care for her?" she said, Ma Costa nodded "I promise, she'll be safe with me ma'am" she said, Mrs Coulter smiled, "Her name will be Lyra, like the star – Lyra Belacqua" she said, she then closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Mrs Coulter got through the next few weeks trying not to think about her daughter - although it was almost impossible. She would often wonder on down to the docks and watch her daughter from a distance; Ma Costa would be holding her, rocking her and kissing her softly. Mrs Coulter longed to hold her child again, just once, but she did not approach, it would be too painful to give the girl back again.
One night, Mrs Coulter was sitting at the window seat, thinking about her daughter. She then looked up at the sky and Ariana came into her mind, she had not thought about her in months and wasn't quite sure how it had suddenly came to her, when she saw something fall from the sky and land right in her front garden, she gasped and got up right away, she slipped on her shoes and a jacket and ran out into the night. There was a figure lying on the grass and knew straight away who it was, "Ariana!" she cried, "Are you alright? What happened? Are you hurt?" the witch looked at Mrs Coulter, "I...I am dying..." she said weakly, "Yambe-Akka will come for me...but first...I must...I must ask a favour of you Marisa..." she said, Mrs Coulter nodded "Yes, of course" she said hastily. Ariana let her arm dropped slightly and there, wrapped in a think blanket was a baby, fast asleep, the dæmon curled up at her neck, mouse formed. Her skin looked so soft and smooth and from the little hair, the baby had it was obvious it would be the same brownish tint as Arianas. Mrs Coulter looked at the baby in surprise, "You...is this yours?" she asked in a whisper now, Ariana nodded "Yes...but I...I am going to die...and she will never survive without someone to care for her...please...please Marisa...will you take care for my child?... She is in grave danger, there are people who will come after, who will want to use her and the only way to keep her safe is for her to be brought up around humans" she said, her voice growing weaker and quieter all the time.
Mrs Coulter looked at the child asleep in the blankets and then at Ariana, "I...Edward would never allow it..." she said regretfully, she sighed wishing she could help, Ariana closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them again, "Marisa...please...I beg of you...she needs a mother's care...there is no one else I can turn to...no one else I can trust..." Mrs Coulter looked at the child again, she then held out her arms and picked up the baby girl, holding her close she stared down at the small child, fast asleep in her arms and sighed to herself. She knew she could never get away with it...but maybe...just maybe she could find a way of granting Ariana's wishes, she looked back at the witch and smiled softly, she gave a small nod "I promise, I will find a way to make sure your child is well cared for and protected" she said to her, and with one hand she took hold of Ariana's, "Rest now" she said, the witch smiled, "Her name is Sarah. The dæmon is Alfie" she said to Mrs Coulter and at that, Ariana closed her eyes and her hand dropped to the ground as she lay motionless and still, her head fell sideways against the grass and her dæmon faded away to nothing.
Mrs Coulter felt a tear trickle down her cheek, she kissed her own hand and then placed it onto the women's forehead, she then stood up, still holding the sleeping baby close to her and she headed into the house. Once inside she paced up and down the hallway for a bit, wondering what on earth she was going to do, and then she had it. If she could somehow persuade Ma Costa to take Sarah, that way the girl would be safe and she and Lyra could grow up together. Yes. That is what she would do, but how could she convince them. A thought struck her.
It took some time but finally, she arrived at her destination, Sarah had stayed asleep the entire way to her relief. She came to the door and knocked briskly. It was a few moments until he answered but when he did he was surprised and shocked to see her, "Marisa?" he asked, "I'm sorry for calling so late Asriel, but I need your help" she said, Asriel stepped aside and Mrs Coulter came in, "What it is? What's wrong?" he asked, Mrs Coulter, turned to him and dropped her arm slightly, revealing the sleeping Sarah, "Is this Lyra?" he said, "I thought she was with Ma Costa?" Mrs Coulter shook her head, "No, this is Sarah. She is a witch's child. Her mother died and asked me to take care of her, but I can't Asriel. For one Edward would never allow it" she paused a moment, Sarah had shifted slightly and gave a soft gurgle, Mrs Coulter rocked her gently until the child had settled again and then looked back at Asriel, "I need your help to persuade Ma Costa to take her" she told him, "You're friendly with the Gyptian's, I thought maybe you could speak to her" Asriel was silent for a moment, he stared at Mrs Coulter, then looked down at the baby in her arms and then back the women, "What of her mother?" he asked, "Still lying in my garden" she explained, Asriel nodded. He then turned away and paced for a moment, before finally saying, "Alright, I will arrange for the women to be moved. We can go down to the Gyptian's now and talk" he told her, Mrs Coulter nodded, Sarah stirred again and gave a little mew, Mrs Coulter made hushing sounds to soothe her back to sleep. Asriel meanwhile had turned away to make arrangements, after a bit he came back, "Alright, it's sorted, not let us head down to the docks" he said.
They arrived at the docks and Asriel led the way to Ma Costa's barge, Mrs Coulter stayed behind him, still holding the sleeping Sarah close to her breast. Once they were on deck, Asriel knocked on the cabin door and waited. After a moment Ma Costa herself answered, "Lord Asriel?" she said, "I'm sorry to call so late, but I'm afraid this is urgent" he told her, he then stepped aside and Ma Costa spotted Mrs Coulter, she stared, puzzled for a moment and then Mrs Coulter dropped her arm slightly to reveal the baby. Ma Costa ushered them inside and into the galley. She poured them both a drink then one for herself, once she was sat down she began to speak, "What on earth is this about?" she asked. Asriel and Mrs Coulter both looked at each other for a moment, then Mrs Coulter spoke, "I know I ought not to ask this, you have already done a great favour for me but...I must ask one more of you" she said and then stopped and glanced down, Asriel looked at her and then at Ma Costa, "This child is a witches child" he told her, "Her mother has just died and she has no one else in the world" he explained, Ma Costa glanced at the baby and then back at Asriel, "I know you have already done a huge deed taking on our daughter, Lyra" Asriel added, "The child could be in danger" Mrs Coulter said, Ma Costa looked at her, "Danger? From what?" she asked, "I don't know exactly, but her mother told me that she was to be kept safe and that the only way that would happen, is if she was to be raised away from the witches and with humans" Mrs Coulter explained. There was silence then, as Ma Costa contemplated what to do, after a moment she gave a soft sigh, "Alright if it is this important, I will take in the child. Besides, I'm sure when they grow up, the child and Lyra will become good friends with my Billy" she said, Mrs Coulter smiled gratefully, "Thank you" she said. Both women stood up and Mrs Coulter passed the baby over to the boat mother, "I promise ya, both children will be safe with me" she said, Mrs Coulter smiled and nodded, then a thought struck her, "Please...may I see Lyra?" she asked, "She's asleep now," Ma Costa said, "Just a quick look?" Mrs Coulter said, Ma Costa, let out a deep breath but nodded, "Alright, you can come in while I settle this little one" she told her.
Both women walked out the room and into another smaller cabin, "Luckily I have a spare crib" Ma Costa whispered, as she placed Sarah down into the empty crib and laid some blankets over her. Mrs Coulter came over and placed a kiss on the child's forehead, Ma Costa then took her over to another crib where her child, Lyra lay fast asleep. Mrs Coulter felt a tear run down her cheek as she watched her daughter for a moment, then she leaned down and kissed her softly and whispered, "I love you, Lyra" before turning away and heading back out the room with Ma Costa. Asriel and Mrs Coulter both left the boat and headed back into town.
Over the next few days, Mrs Coulter tried to keep her mind off the events that had happened, for whenever she thought about her daughter and Sarah she felt herself fill with regret. She felt she had let Ariana down by giving up her daughter, but then she would say to herself not to be stupid. It had to be done, not just for the children's safety but her own, if Edward were to find out about any of it, there's no knowing what he would do.
One day Mrs Coulter was sitting at home on the sofa reading a book when suddenly the front door burst open, Mrs Coulter jumped up in fright and spun around. Standing in the doorway was Edward. He looked furious, his dæmon growled at the Golden Monkey, Mrs Coulter tried to remain calm, though there was the sound of fear in her voice, "Is...Is something wrong...Edward...?" she said, he frowned, still saying nothing, then he stormed over to her and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her head backwards, his dæmon bit the Golden Monkey "When were you going to tell me about your secret affair and children!" he said angrily, Mrs Coulter gasped and she cried out in pain from the tug on her hair, "I...what...do...you mean...?" she exclaimed, Edward frowned, he brought her head up and hit her hard across the face making her fall to the floor "DON'T LIE TO ME!" he yelled now "I know everything!" Mrs Coulter lay on the floor saying nothing, she held her face, tears streaming down her cheeks, "Please...please...listen..." she said weakly, but Edward was too angry to listen, he pulled Mrs Coulter up by her hair and dragged her out the room, his dæmon carrying the Golden Monkey harshly in her mouth. Edward brought her over to a closet and threw her in, the Golden Monkey was thrown in after her, Edward then slammed the door and locked it, there was then the sound of the front door slamming and silence. Mrs Coulter got up, "Where are you going?! No! Not my children! Please! NO! NO!" she cried hammering on the door, her knees then gave way and she fell to the floor and cried hysterically.
A few days later, Mrs Coulter was still getting over the shock of what had happened. Her husband was dead, she couldn't believe it, though it was true, the hardest part to believe was who had killed him - Asriel. She couldn't ever believe that Asriel could have done something like this, but he did and had paid the price. He had lost everything, his home, his wealth and his title – all of it gone. Mrs Coulter couldn't be seen with someone like that, someone who had nothing while she tried to clear her name; she needed a title of her own and she couldn't have a poor, worthless man in the way of that, so she turned her back. As for the children, she couldn't be looking after babies while she was busy getting her life in order, they would just get in her way and make her life even harder.
So Mrs Coulter restarted her life; obtaining her own wealth, created a brand new title and became a beautiful, rich, feared and demanding women – a person who didn't take no for an answer, I person who would always have her way. She even managed to create her own organisation within the church. It was, in fact, her connections with the church that she discovered the prophecy that involved her daughter. This is what triggered the determination to get her back. Then there was Sarah, she gathered there was something special about the girl. She discovered both children had been placed in the care of the nuns - after the Gyptian's lost them, but Asriel had got in there first - even though he had been forbidden from seeing either of them. Now the girls were under the protection of The Master at Jordan College. Well, there was nothing Mrs Coulter could do about that now, but she was determined all the same. One way or another, she would get those girls.