Title: Our Lullaby
Author: Marie J.W.
Chapter: CHAPTER FIVE
Rated: PG
Email: mariejwchan@yahoo.com
URL: www.clik.to/mariejwchan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
It all started on a rainy night in June when Lady Serenity ReCinny of
the House of Chesterfield ran away from her home, her rich life and the
ones that she dearly loved… And all for what? …A baby.
This story is about a woman who sacrifices everything: her family, her
best friend and her joy of life all for one little infant who doesn't even
know her own mother.
AN: This is an alternate reality that takes place in the early 1800's.
This is a Serena/Darien fan fic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
…Rini's Dream…
The evening sunset basked into the room, giving it a warm safe feeling
for Rini. She sat on her mothers lap as her mother rocked her back and forth
on an old rocking chair. She snuggled into her mothers lap and sighed,
burying her face in her mother's chest. For once, she felt tired and
sleepy. Today had been a long day of romping through the woods and playing
hide and go seek with her mother.
Suddenly she felt the comforting feeling of her mother's voice
vibrating against her ear. She was softly singing her bedtime song. She
sang it every night to her and the song comforted her. Smiling tiredly,
Rini put her thumb in her mouth only to have it taken away by her
mother's gentle hand. Sighing, Rini looked up at her mother only to
find her still singing with that soft smile on her face. The shadows
of the room covered her eyes but she could still see her long blonde
hair falling over her shoulder.
Giving into the sweet melody, Rini cuddled closer and closed her
eyes, listening to her mother's unique voice, singing so softly…like
an angel.
…Darling dear, darling dear
Love carries sweet dreams for you
Darling dear, darling dear
Your dreams will fly into years
Baby, mine, close your eyes,
All will be better in time.
You will never have to fear
For your mother…will be…always here.
Darling dear, darling dear
My precious one, don't fear
Many sweet dreams are to come.
Let me sing you into dreams
Of my love…for…you…
-----
"Rini… Rini… darling, you must get up," Ellen finished throwing
her daughters things into a travel chest, "Rini, get up."
Rini shifted under her blanket, not wanting to leave the comfort of
her warm hideaway. Blinking her eyes, Rini realized she was no long sleeping
in her mother's arms but in a nice warm bed. Feeling slightly disappointed,
Rini turned around. Her mother stood by a large travel chest. She frowned,
"Are you going somewhere?"
Ellen smiled, "Yes, dear, we both are. We're going into town and we
must leave now."
Rini looked towards her window and frowned, it was still dark
outside, "Mother?"
Ellen sighed impatiently, "Now, Rini, I will explain on the way.
Now please get dressed."
Rini slowly got out of bed and with her mother's help dressed into a
dark green traveling dress. Her mother put her hair up into a simple bow on
the top of her head then helped her put her traveling boots on. Rini took all
of this in, wondering why they were leaving this early in the morning.
Her mother seemed stressed and impatient.
"Is Aunt ReCinny ready?" Rini asked once her mother was done tying up
her boots. Ellen's head snapped up at her question, "Of course not, she
would only ruin it."
"But she always comes with us!" Rini protested, suddenly feeling
anxiety well up in her stomach. Something must be terribly wrong! They
never went anywhere, or at least she didn't, without Aunt ReCinny!
"Well, she won't this time," Suddenly her mother put on a sweet
but impatient smile, "It will just be the two of us, hm? We'll call it
a bonding trip!"
Still, Rini frowned. She couldn't get rid of the sinking feeling in
her stomach, like something was wrong with this picture, "Where are we
going?"
"I'll tell you in the carriage, but now we must go," She took Rini's
hand and pulled her out of her room and down the stairs. Rini winced.
Her mother's hand on her wrist was painful.
"Aren't we going to eat breakfast?" Rini asked as they passed the
breakfast room. Her mother ignored the question and swung the front doors
open, taking them both out into the dark, "Edward, get the chest in
Lady Rini's room and bring it down to the carriage, we will be waiting,
and be quiet about it. No one should know we're even up."
Rini watched as Edward, their butler, nodded and swiftly went back
into the mansion.
"Mother, I don't want to go. We can go tomorrow, can't we?" Rini
didn't like the feeling in her stomach nor the fear that was creeping up.
For some reason, she felt she needed to clarify this trip with Aunt
ReCinny.
Ellen frowned impatiently at her daughter. She was asking too
many questions, "No, we can't go tomorrow. It will be too late then.
We must go now and I ask you to be quiet and stop asking questions,"
Ellen strained to not snap at the impertinent girl.
Rini was then practically yanked into the carriage. She sat down
hard on the freezing seat, wrapping her arms around herself, wondering
how long this trip would be. She almost wished that Aunt ReCinny would
wake up and tell her what was happening. That was something about Aunt
ReCinny, she always told you point blank what was going on, and if she
didn't, you obviously didn't need to know.
Rini turned to watch her mother, who sat across from her. She was
sitting with a stiff back, her eyes staring out the window, never blinking.
In her lap, her mother's hands twisted around each other nervously. She
looked up at her mother's eyes. They were full of apprehension and fear.
Rini's eyes widened. What were they doing out here?
Just then Edward came out with another butler, carrying two large
travel chests. She felt them put them onto the back of the carriage
before Edward appeared in the window.
"We're all set, milady," He nodded his head at Ellen.
"Very good, let's be off and be quiet about it," She then turned to Rini
and gave her a tight smile, "Everything shall be fine now, darling."
Rini didn't like the look in her mother's eyes, it frightened her.
She'd never seen her mother look at her in such a way.
The carriage jerked as they started down the road. Rini's stomach
seemed to roll into several more knots. Something was definitely wrong
with this situation.
----
I dressed that morning into one of my black dresses. I looked at the
mirror to examine myself. For once, I didn't want to dress as an old maid,
I wanted to look like a soft pleasant woman. I sighed, knowing that this
would have to do. I no longer owned any of my colorful dresses. Taking my
leave downstairs, the first thing I noticed was that it was unusually
quiet. Frowning, I looked down the stairs for a maid or a butler. None
were in sight like they usually were at this time of day. Where was Edward?
He was usually helping Ann cook breakfast, bringing in firewood to heat
the stove.
Walking down the stairs, I listened carefully for any movement. I
reached the bottom then turned towards the dinning room. I found it odd that
I couldn't hear Rini's voice. Turning into the dinning room, I found it
empty. Not even John sat in his usual chair and newspaper in his lap.
I turned around, looking for some sign of someone. I was strangely alone.
Suddenly I knew.
"I will never let her go!"
"She won't be there."
Ellen's voice rang in my ears. No! I fell into a run as I raced up
the stairs to Rini's room. It was bare, except for some books and a
painted picture of her grandparents that sat atop a shelf. I swallowed
hard and quickly turned around screaming, "John! John! Anybody! John!"
No one answered. I ran out the back door to the mansion and raced to the
barn. She had to be in the barn with Ally. I burst into the barn,
looking towards Ally's stall. Ally was there but Rini was not. Tears
began to find their way into my eyes. No, Ellen wouldn't! She couldn't!
I ran back into the mansion and stood in the middle of the entryway.
I must have been standing there for a long time for somebody suddenly came
up behind me, "Lady ReCinny? Are you alright?"
I jumped and spun around. It was Ann! I quickly took her two hands in
mine, "Have you seen Lady Rini and Ellen? Did they go somewhere? Why
isn't breakfast ready?"
Ann looked clearly confused, "I… I'm sorry milady. Lady Ellen and
Miss Rini went into town early this morning and Master John left not much
later for a business trip. I thought you had gone with Lady Ellen or I
would have cooked breakfast for you. I'm sorry. I shall get to that right
way…" She began to move away but I wouldn't let her.
"Ann, please, when did they leave and where?"
Ann looked down at my desperate hands then into my eyes, "They left about
five this morning, milady, I believe it was to take Miss Rini to get
some education of some sort. To a ladies school, I believe. Didn't you
know milady?"
I felt sick. I dropped Ann's hands as I stared blankly at the wall
behind her, "Ann, I won't be eating breakfast this morning, so don't worry
about fixing any," I glanced at her worried expression, "It's okay.
Please, don't keep me from your duties."
"Are you sure? You look pale…" She hesitated.
"I'm fine. Please leave."
She nodded then disappeared. I stared at the wall, not knowing what to
do. She took my baby! She took Rini! There were many Ladies Academy's in
the country. Where was I to look? How would I find her? I knew if I waited
for Ellen to come back that she would be tight lipped. Tears once again stung
my eyes. I had to find her!
But first, I had to find Darien. He would have transportation and
hopefully he would know what to do! The problem was I didn't have a clue
as to where he was, which meant I had to wait until tomorrow morning.
I slowly brought myself to sit on a chair that sat against the entryway
wall. I would wait. I just hoped I didn't go crazy waiting.
----
I waited all day and all night in that entryway without a bite to eat
nor with any sleep. I knew Ann was getting worried. She kept coming to
me, begging me to eat something or get some sleep but I wouldn't. I knew
even if I tried I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat. My stomach and my mind
were too wound up.
At six-o-clock in the morning, I finally heard a carriage ride up to
the front of the mansion. I raced to the door, flung the door open, and ran
out to the carriage before it had a chance to stop. I grabbed onto the
window, peering inside to find Mina sitting there. Her blue eyes were wide
as she stared at me.
"Sere, what's the matter?" She jumped out of the carriage and hugged me.
It wasn't until then that I knew I was shaking and breathing hard from my
sudden run from the house.
"Rini!" I looked up at her, "She's gone! Ellen took her! Ellen took
her! She knew I was taking her with me and she took her away! I have now
idea where they went." I began to sob. I knew she was confused but she held
me anyway.
"It's okay. It's going to be okay…" But even as she said it, I knew
it wasn't. Ellen would do anything to keep Rini. I just hoped I would be
able to anything and more to bring her back.
------
To be continued…
AN Note: Sorry it's so short. The next chapter should be longer.
Author: Marie J.W.
Chapter: CHAPTER FIVE
Rated: PG
Email: mariejwchan@yahoo.com
URL: www.clik.to/mariejwchan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
It all started on a rainy night in June when Lady Serenity ReCinny of
the House of Chesterfield ran away from her home, her rich life and the
ones that she dearly loved… And all for what? …A baby.
This story is about a woman who sacrifices everything: her family, her
best friend and her joy of life all for one little infant who doesn't even
know her own mother.
AN: This is an alternate reality that takes place in the early 1800's.
This is a Serena/Darien fan fic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
…Rini's Dream…
The evening sunset basked into the room, giving it a warm safe feeling
for Rini. She sat on her mothers lap as her mother rocked her back and forth
on an old rocking chair. She snuggled into her mothers lap and sighed,
burying her face in her mother's chest. For once, she felt tired and
sleepy. Today had been a long day of romping through the woods and playing
hide and go seek with her mother.
Suddenly she felt the comforting feeling of her mother's voice
vibrating against her ear. She was softly singing her bedtime song. She
sang it every night to her and the song comforted her. Smiling tiredly,
Rini put her thumb in her mouth only to have it taken away by her
mother's gentle hand. Sighing, Rini looked up at her mother only to
find her still singing with that soft smile on her face. The shadows
of the room covered her eyes but she could still see her long blonde
hair falling over her shoulder.
Giving into the sweet melody, Rini cuddled closer and closed her
eyes, listening to her mother's unique voice, singing so softly…like
an angel.
…Darling dear, darling dear
Love carries sweet dreams for you
Darling dear, darling dear
Your dreams will fly into years
Baby, mine, close your eyes,
All will be better in time.
You will never have to fear
For your mother…will be…always here.
Darling dear, darling dear
My precious one, don't fear
Many sweet dreams are to come.
Let me sing you into dreams
Of my love…for…you…
-----
"Rini… Rini… darling, you must get up," Ellen finished throwing
her daughters things into a travel chest, "Rini, get up."
Rini shifted under her blanket, not wanting to leave the comfort of
her warm hideaway. Blinking her eyes, Rini realized she was no long sleeping
in her mother's arms but in a nice warm bed. Feeling slightly disappointed,
Rini turned around. Her mother stood by a large travel chest. She frowned,
"Are you going somewhere?"
Ellen smiled, "Yes, dear, we both are. We're going into town and we
must leave now."
Rini looked towards her window and frowned, it was still dark
outside, "Mother?"
Ellen sighed impatiently, "Now, Rini, I will explain on the way.
Now please get dressed."
Rini slowly got out of bed and with her mother's help dressed into a
dark green traveling dress. Her mother put her hair up into a simple bow on
the top of her head then helped her put her traveling boots on. Rini took all
of this in, wondering why they were leaving this early in the morning.
Her mother seemed stressed and impatient.
"Is Aunt ReCinny ready?" Rini asked once her mother was done tying up
her boots. Ellen's head snapped up at her question, "Of course not, she
would only ruin it."
"But she always comes with us!" Rini protested, suddenly feeling
anxiety well up in her stomach. Something must be terribly wrong! They
never went anywhere, or at least she didn't, without Aunt ReCinny!
"Well, she won't this time," Suddenly her mother put on a sweet
but impatient smile, "It will just be the two of us, hm? We'll call it
a bonding trip!"
Still, Rini frowned. She couldn't get rid of the sinking feeling in
her stomach, like something was wrong with this picture, "Where are we
going?"
"I'll tell you in the carriage, but now we must go," She took Rini's
hand and pulled her out of her room and down the stairs. Rini winced.
Her mother's hand on her wrist was painful.
"Aren't we going to eat breakfast?" Rini asked as they passed the
breakfast room. Her mother ignored the question and swung the front doors
open, taking them both out into the dark, "Edward, get the chest in
Lady Rini's room and bring it down to the carriage, we will be waiting,
and be quiet about it. No one should know we're even up."
Rini watched as Edward, their butler, nodded and swiftly went back
into the mansion.
"Mother, I don't want to go. We can go tomorrow, can't we?" Rini
didn't like the feeling in her stomach nor the fear that was creeping up.
For some reason, she felt she needed to clarify this trip with Aunt
ReCinny.
Ellen frowned impatiently at her daughter. She was asking too
many questions, "No, we can't go tomorrow. It will be too late then.
We must go now and I ask you to be quiet and stop asking questions,"
Ellen strained to not snap at the impertinent girl.
Rini was then practically yanked into the carriage. She sat down
hard on the freezing seat, wrapping her arms around herself, wondering
how long this trip would be. She almost wished that Aunt ReCinny would
wake up and tell her what was happening. That was something about Aunt
ReCinny, she always told you point blank what was going on, and if she
didn't, you obviously didn't need to know.
Rini turned to watch her mother, who sat across from her. She was
sitting with a stiff back, her eyes staring out the window, never blinking.
In her lap, her mother's hands twisted around each other nervously. She
looked up at her mother's eyes. They were full of apprehension and fear.
Rini's eyes widened. What were they doing out here?
Just then Edward came out with another butler, carrying two large
travel chests. She felt them put them onto the back of the carriage
before Edward appeared in the window.
"We're all set, milady," He nodded his head at Ellen.
"Very good, let's be off and be quiet about it," She then turned to Rini
and gave her a tight smile, "Everything shall be fine now, darling."
Rini didn't like the look in her mother's eyes, it frightened her.
She'd never seen her mother look at her in such a way.
The carriage jerked as they started down the road. Rini's stomach
seemed to roll into several more knots. Something was definitely wrong
with this situation.
----
I dressed that morning into one of my black dresses. I looked at the
mirror to examine myself. For once, I didn't want to dress as an old maid,
I wanted to look like a soft pleasant woman. I sighed, knowing that this
would have to do. I no longer owned any of my colorful dresses. Taking my
leave downstairs, the first thing I noticed was that it was unusually
quiet. Frowning, I looked down the stairs for a maid or a butler. None
were in sight like they usually were at this time of day. Where was Edward?
He was usually helping Ann cook breakfast, bringing in firewood to heat
the stove.
Walking down the stairs, I listened carefully for any movement. I
reached the bottom then turned towards the dinning room. I found it odd that
I couldn't hear Rini's voice. Turning into the dinning room, I found it
empty. Not even John sat in his usual chair and newspaper in his lap.
I turned around, looking for some sign of someone. I was strangely alone.
Suddenly I knew.
"I will never let her go!"
"She won't be there."
Ellen's voice rang in my ears. No! I fell into a run as I raced up
the stairs to Rini's room. It was bare, except for some books and a
painted picture of her grandparents that sat atop a shelf. I swallowed
hard and quickly turned around screaming, "John! John! Anybody! John!"
No one answered. I ran out the back door to the mansion and raced to the
barn. She had to be in the barn with Ally. I burst into the barn,
looking towards Ally's stall. Ally was there but Rini was not. Tears
began to find their way into my eyes. No, Ellen wouldn't! She couldn't!
I ran back into the mansion and stood in the middle of the entryway.
I must have been standing there for a long time for somebody suddenly came
up behind me, "Lady ReCinny? Are you alright?"
I jumped and spun around. It was Ann! I quickly took her two hands in
mine, "Have you seen Lady Rini and Ellen? Did they go somewhere? Why
isn't breakfast ready?"
Ann looked clearly confused, "I… I'm sorry milady. Lady Ellen and
Miss Rini went into town early this morning and Master John left not much
later for a business trip. I thought you had gone with Lady Ellen or I
would have cooked breakfast for you. I'm sorry. I shall get to that right
way…" She began to move away but I wouldn't let her.
"Ann, please, when did they leave and where?"
Ann looked down at my desperate hands then into my eyes, "They left about
five this morning, milady, I believe it was to take Miss Rini to get
some education of some sort. To a ladies school, I believe. Didn't you
know milady?"
I felt sick. I dropped Ann's hands as I stared blankly at the wall
behind her, "Ann, I won't be eating breakfast this morning, so don't worry
about fixing any," I glanced at her worried expression, "It's okay.
Please, don't keep me from your duties."
"Are you sure? You look pale…" She hesitated.
"I'm fine. Please leave."
She nodded then disappeared. I stared at the wall, not knowing what to
do. She took my baby! She took Rini! There were many Ladies Academy's in
the country. Where was I to look? How would I find her? I knew if I waited
for Ellen to come back that she would be tight lipped. Tears once again stung
my eyes. I had to find her!
But first, I had to find Darien. He would have transportation and
hopefully he would know what to do! The problem was I didn't have a clue
as to where he was, which meant I had to wait until tomorrow morning.
I slowly brought myself to sit on a chair that sat against the entryway
wall. I would wait. I just hoped I didn't go crazy waiting.
----
I waited all day and all night in that entryway without a bite to eat
nor with any sleep. I knew Ann was getting worried. She kept coming to
me, begging me to eat something or get some sleep but I wouldn't. I knew
even if I tried I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat. My stomach and my mind
were too wound up.
At six-o-clock in the morning, I finally heard a carriage ride up to
the front of the mansion. I raced to the door, flung the door open, and ran
out to the carriage before it had a chance to stop. I grabbed onto the
window, peering inside to find Mina sitting there. Her blue eyes were wide
as she stared at me.
"Sere, what's the matter?" She jumped out of the carriage and hugged me.
It wasn't until then that I knew I was shaking and breathing hard from my
sudden run from the house.
"Rini!" I looked up at her, "She's gone! Ellen took her! Ellen took
her! She knew I was taking her with me and she took her away! I have now
idea where they went." I began to sob. I knew she was confused but she held
me anyway.
"It's okay. It's going to be okay…" But even as she said it, I knew
it wasn't. Ellen would do anything to keep Rini. I just hoped I would be
able to anything and more to bring her back.
------
To be continued…
AN Note: Sorry it's so short. The next chapter should be longer.