Ever After

A/N- This WOL is a Miqo'te, medium height, light eyes, and light maroon coloring, main class, Paladin. This was written simply because I was in a mood the other day. It is mainly for my enjoyment but if you like it as well, bonus.

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Chapter 1

Moments such as this were what all those months upon months of fighting were for. When she started her adventure in Ul'dah Maxia just wanted to earn some money by being an adventurer and see the world. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would become the Warrior of Light. She never thought she would end a war, reclaim land for those that were oppressed, travel to another world, yet she had. She didn't hate what she had accomplished though it had been tough. She had been scared of not being strong enough time and time again. The fear hadn't really started until she fought Zenos for the first time, but it had been there. She had been scared of him, of Shinryu, of turning into a Light Warden when the Light she absorbed became too much. That was in the past though. Now she didn't know fear, she knew happiness and peace. She could sit by the fire in her home and simply watch it crackle.

As the man she loved came into the sitting room after a long day of leading the Temple Knights and meetings for the House of Lords they both smiled at each other. The stress he had been holding on his face from the day disappeared. He sat beside his wife and pulled her in close. She knew he had a duty to his people, that was one of the reasons she fell in love with him, but she did hope he wasn't pushing himself too hard. After the war with the Empire, once they were free to return home from the front lines, they did. Both had been overjoyed to see the other in one piece and it was after the fighting ended that the world learned that they were together. The embrace they shared seeing the other stirred quite a bit of attention. He had missed her so.

It wasn't more than a couple of months from their return to Ishgard together that she learned she was expecting their first child. He wished to not repeat what he dealt with growing up, so before word got out, they wed a few weeks later. They had both hoped to do so anyway, while there was peace, so they gathered their friends and married with their cheers and blessings. The fight was hard won but they had come so far, they were going to treasure it.

There had been worry over her health when the child was born. She was a fighter that much they knew but even she wasn't barred from complications. Still, she had pulled through and in the room down the hall from them as they rested against the other watching the fire blaze in front of them, their son slept. This is what the fighting had been for. Some might call this boring, the same thing day in and day out but she loved this. She had spent so many months fighting and protecting she welcomed the dull and mundane. Perhaps in time she would want to go back on the field but for now she wanted to stay here. Right here. She was looking forward to being a mother and raising a child with the man she loved wholeheartedly.

In the morning Maxia walked down the hall and dismissed the maid for now to take care of her child. She knew the maid would have done it, but she was still getting used to all the help around them. Growing up she was taught hard work; this was especially true after she lost her parents in the Calamity. She was grateful she was an only child, so she wasn't responsible for another but that hard work carried through to her life now. Holding the child in her arms it was still hard to believe he was hers. This was something she never imagined. As arms moved around her and a kiss was placed on top of her head she smiled up at her beloved.

Recently it seemed that Maxia spent most of her time indoors. Once her son was born, she needed time to rest and recover, especially after the complications. But today with the blessing of the family servants Maxia took her leave for now to just walk the city alone. She wouldn't have minded taking her son with her, but the maid insisted it would do her good. Had she been going stir crazy and she just didn't realize it? They did need a few things and while the manservant could have gotten them, she was out. She enjoyed walking the markets and doing the shopping. Ishgard was brisk but the sun was shining, every so often the shadow of a dragon would be seen flying overhead. This city had come so far since the war. She adored it here.

"Maxia! There you are!" At the familiar voice and the calling of her name Maxia turned to see Alisaie running towards her. She may have been born an only child, but Alisaie and her twin brother Alphinaud were younger siblings to her. The three were quite close, even now after everything that had changed in her life. Alisaie visited often and said her brother would too if he didn't hate the cold so much. The two chatted as they walked, both with smiles on their faces. Maxia was glad to see Alisaie so happy. While she never talked about it, she knew something had happened to her dear friend before they truly got to know each other, and she hoped that pain she had been in would never be felt again. Alisaie was one of the strongest girls she knew and wanted her to remember that.

"We should do something tonight. You, me, and your man." Alisaie teased as they walked down the shop stalls. So many stopped to say hello and congratulations to Maxia as they hadn't seen her out and about since her son was born.

"What do you have in mind?" Maxia said. Aymeric had been looking like he could do well with a little fun.

"This city needs a show or something. And what do I have to do to have him cook for us again? That dish he made the last time was fantastic."

"You just have to ask. Maybe when he is less busy though. There was supposed to be a show opening up I thought. I feel like I heard something. I have been so out of the loop as of late, but I am sure Aymeric knows."

"Perfect!" They walked up the stairs towards the fork in the road. "You go bother him and find out. I'll go see my adorable nephew!" Before Maxia could say anything Alisaie ran off laughing towards Maxia's house leaving the other to go towards the Temple Knights building.

Lucia smiled and said hello to Maxia when she entered as she spoke with a few of her men.

"It's good to see you again Maxia."

"You as well Lucia. I hope things have been quiet."

"Yes. Even the Brume has quieted down. For the first time patrols have said all is well."

"Glad to hear it. You know if you need me though you need only ask."

"Of course." She bowed and they both knew Lucia wouldn't ask. Maxia had other priorities now. At times she missed doing something other than sitting at home. "He is in his office if you needed the Lord Commander. He just got back from a meeting with the Lord of the House of Commons."

Before Maxia could enter the hall to his office she stopped as Aymeric stepped out. At the sight of the other both smiled. Aymeric, Maxia, and Lucia talked for only a moment before all went silent as the main doors swung open.

"Lord Artoirel!" The Lord Commander said as the member of the Fortemps family ran in.

"You both are here. Come quickly!" Without another word he led them out, the others near the Warrior of Light and Lord Commander, followed. "I ran into Mistress Alisaie as she was headed to your place. It was than we noticed the guard out front had been slain. She went inside and ushered me to get you."

Maxia ran faster at those words. She could tell Artoirel loathed the fact that he was sent away instead of running in though he wasn't dressed to fight. He was ever a gentleman. As they came up to the house Maxia saw the slain guard with a pool of blood around him, the front door was wide open, she ran in with Aymeric on her heels. They both heard Alisaie groan down the hall and as Maxia entered the room the noise came from, she saw Alisaie's head and side were bleeding as she held by a magic force before being thrown against the wall beside the door. Maxia turned and pulled Aymeric's sword from his hilt before he had the chance and jumped forward to attack the intruder in their home. She missed her mark as she saw her son in their arms and before she could regain her footing, she saw the air around them shimmer and they vanished. Running outside she looked to see some trace of the intruder. He couldn't have gotten far.

With Lucia running out of the house to prepare the healers Maxia gathered her senses and ran back inside. Her dear friend was badly wounded. Aymeric was giving orders to the men that had joined them here to search the house. Maxia took Alisaie's hand.

"I…I am..s…sorry…sho…"

"No. I am sorry. I should have been here." Maxia panicked as she lost consciousness before she felt strong hands on her shoulders pulling her away.

"We need to get her to a healer. Lord Artoirel please escort Lady Maxia out of the house." Aymeric said as he moved around his wife and picked up the unconsciousness girl.

Maxia was led outside by her friend though all she saw was the blood that had been spilt from the slain maids and manservant. They had all died trying to protect her son. She was responsible for this. She shouldn't have left.

Once able, Maxia stayed by Alisaie's side while the others continued to plot on how to get back the child and how this could have happened. Maxia had contacted Alphinaud, he was on his way. He needed to know what happened here and that while the healers believed Alisaie would make a full recovery it would take time. She wanted to be here for her sister, to learn of what happened but she wanted to go after the intruder, to go get her son. She felt torn and conflicted. Aymeric had told her to go be at Alisaie's side, he would lead the investigation and once he knew anything he would tell her, but this was their child she should be doing more.

The staff had all been murdered, dead before Alisae had run in. This they gathered by the blood and how they died. He was trying to stand tall and strong but the events that unfolded shook him to his core. This wasn't some stranger that had been taken; this was his own flesh and blood, his son barely two months old. This happened in his own home, a place he called a sanctuary. He wasn't there when his wife and son needed him. He asked those he was closest to to make sure his wife was seen to. He worried she would do something reckless in trying to rectify what happened. The woman he married was strong, this he knew as fact, but the look on her face after, was one he had never seen before and one he never wanted to see again.

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"...Maxia..." Alisaie's voice was a mumble.

"Alisaie!" Maxia turned abruptly as she heard a familiar voice in the room. Seeing Alphinaud she stepped aside to let him see his sister.

"I should have been there. She shouldn't have gotten hurt." Maxia said to her dear friend as he took his sister's hand.

"Ser Aymeric told me what happened. We will find him and make those responsible pay. Don't blame youreself for my sisters' injuries. She did what you always do, protect those in need."

After a little while Alphinaud and Maxia left the room to let Alisaie rest. Her body needed time to recover. Whoever did this to her was powerful and it was a miracle she would be alright in time according to the head healer. Coming down the stairs Maxia heard Thancred talking strategy with Aymeric and Lucia. With another look she saw the other Scions and the Fortemps family here as well.

"What? Did you think I would come alone when I learned that your son was taken?" Alphinaud said with a small smile. "He is practically one of us already."

After looking over all of the evidence found at the house Alphinaud had a thought he didn't like. "This seems like how the Lambs of Dalamud function. Kidnap the vulnerable, draw in the rescuers and then kill both parties."

Maxia let out a yelp as those words left his mouth. He quickly realized what he said and tried to correct his mistake. "I didn't mean that they…I just…" Aymeric nodded at the boy, understanding what he meant while he pulled Maxia close to him. She was trying to stay strong he could see that but until they acted, she would slowly crumble.

"They haven't been active here for years though. We have kept an eye out for them since the Calamity. So why now? And why our son?"

"If I had to guess I would say it's because of who his parents are, well, his mother at the very least. If they are still trying to gather blood from sacrifices who better than the hero of Eorzea." Maxia stepped away worried she was going to lose the contents in her stomach. Both Alphinaud and Aymeric stopped to step closer to her, seeing her face pale.

"We will get him back my dear, I swear it. And they will be punished." Aymeric kept Maxia close as he whispered reassurance in her ear. She was barely able to nod. "Let us get you somewhere you can rest."

"She can rest at my manor. I'll have rooms prepared for everyone."

"You are too kind Lord Edmont. Thank you." Aymeric said as Lord Edmont stepped around and placed a hand on Maxia's shoulder. She hugged him tightly, grateful for his aid and kindness. He was like a father to her, his kindness when she first arrived in this city to being the first to celebrate and congratulate her and Aymeric's relationship. It was with his help they were able to marry as quickly as they did. He was always there for her with advice and guidance when she needed it. A shoulder for either of them to use if needed.

"Come Maxia. Let us get you to the manor." She looked back at her husband who nodded.

"Go rest. I will tell you when we have our plan arranged or if Alisaie wakes up."