Disclaimer: Ok...Well, I still don't own anything...Blast! Crap in a bucket! Oh well...

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! On with the chapter!

Chapter Four: Child

Days passed and Andra was dejected, withdrawn and depressed. Her mother was constantly after her to quit moping and forget about 'that sorcerer.' This continued until she realized something she thought impossible. She was pregnant. Thinking back, she figured that she was nearly three months. Then the thought of her parents-and their hatred of Elves-flooded her mind.

Frightened of what her parents would say or do, Andra fled into the forest to where the Elves had dwelt. Their homes still stood, looking beautiful, as if they, like the trees, grew from the earth. For days Andra gathered what wild foodstuffs she could, setting small snares for rabbits and other small game. Before long, Andra's belly was swollen with the baby. Once she ventured home to try and reconcile with her parents, but they refused to listen and sent her away, disgusted that she was pregnant with a 'half-blood.' After that, Andra stayed away from them, in the Elvish dwellings. When she went to the disasterous meeting with her parents, Andra knew the end of her term drew near. She just didn't know how near it truly was.

A month after the attempt to reconcile with her parents, Andra woke to the now familiar pain in her back. It was unusually intense, spiking every few minutes, but she paid it no attention. When night fell, she was so exhausted sleep claimed her despite the ever intensifying pain.

Just before dawn, Andra woke with a gasp at the enomous pain in her back and across her belly. The pain reduced for a moment before increasing once more. Frightened, Andra gave in to instinct and pushed. Just as the sun's first light touched the tops of the trees and the last star faded, the quiet of the forest was broken by a newborn's shrill scream.

Andra lay back against the bed, exhausted. Gently she cradled the baby close, a daughter. Softly, Andra sang an Elvish lullabye that Lordirion had taught her. The newborn was soon fast asleep, "Sleep well, Lorel Elanna," Andra whispered before drifting to sleep herself.

For several days, Andra thought of nothing more than caring for Lorel. The little girl took after her father, sharing his pale blone hair and blue eyes, the tips of her tiny ears even came to a slight point. She constantly spoke and sang to the infant in Elvish, telling her daughter of Lordirion and his people.

Finally, Andra decided to try one last time to reconcile with her parents. She set out in the morning and not long later, she reached her parents home. Timidly, Andra rapped on the door. Her mother opend the door and her face went blank and cold, "Yes?" Bethany asked.

Andra swallowed, "I-I..." Just then Lorel stirred and fussed from inside the sling beneath Andra's cloak. Andra quieted her then looked at her mother, whose expression had changed to surprise, "When?"

"Dawn, six days ago,"Andra responded, "I-I thought that, perhaps, you would like to see your granddaughter at least once..." Her mother pursed her lips for a moment then stepped aside and said, "Come in."

Andra stepped in and Bethany sat her in a chair. She had just taken Lorel from the sling when her father came in. With a set jaw, he strode over and pulled the blanket away from Lorel's face to get a better look. As he did this, Lorel grabbed one of his fingers, fixing him with her innocent blue eyes. He stiffened for a moment then relaxed and muttered, "Well, she's well enough for being a girl and half-witch at that..." When Lorel let go, he quickly retreated out the door.

With that moment, Andra and her parents began to try and bridge the gap between them. Although neither side fully forgave or accepted what had happened, for Lorel's sake they kept contact.

As days, months, and years passed, Lorel grew even more fair and beautiful. As she got older, Andra taught her about Lordirion and the Elves often saying that one day, when Lorel was older, they would go on the path marked on the map Lordirion had given Andra. Every night before she went to sleep, Lorel would ask for a story, her favorite was of how her parents met.

"What will it be tonight?" Andra asked as she tucked Lorel into bed.

"Tell me about ada* and how he saved you..." Lorel answered eagerly.

"Very well. My mother and father never paid much attention to me as a little girl because they wished that I was a boy. When I got older, the men in town would be very mean and call me names and try to hurt me. One day Lordirion, your ada, he saw what the men were doing and stopped them. He and his family had come to the town only a few days before. When your ada saw the men being mean, he went right up to them and told them to let me go."

"And they did, didn't they mama?" Lorel whispered.

"Yes, they did love. They listened. Your ada was a real gentleman and walked me home. After that, he met me almost every day and taught me about his people. But when our families found out about how much we loved each other, they didn't like it at all. Your father's family decided to leave and they took him with them. The night they left your father left, he gave me the map and necklace so I could find him."

"And you gave him your ring-the real old one that used to be your grandmother's," the girl added.

Andra smiled, "That's right. After your ada left, I was really sad. But then I found out I was going to have a baby."

"Me."

"Yes, you."

"But your mama and ada wouldn't like it so you ran away here."

"That's right so I came here. Then, after what seemed like forever, you were born."

"And then you went to see your mama and ada and took me with, " said Lorel.

"That's right. When we got there, you looked at my ada and he decided that you were beautiful. So now we go to see my mama and ada every week and when you're all grown up we'll go find your ada. The end," Andra finished, tucking the blankets around Lorel.

"Mama?" asked Lorel.

"Yes, sweetling?" Andra replied.

"Love you, mama," the six-year-old whispered.

"I love you too, baby."

Okay! Another chapter done!

Thanks to Merry the Psychotic Coconut and Alina11 for reviewing the last chapter! Now, press the magic blue button and keep reviewing-it makes me happy! Hugs and bunnies!!!