"Happy, I remember you telling me when you first met Walter, the armor he was given by Lord Weir was crap. But he had his hammer three years later. How did he get it?" Paige asked as she looked at Happy.

Happy stood and walked a bit away.

"Happy?" Paige called to her.

Happy sighed.

"It wasn't a particularly enjoyable time, hell it was the pits. He received it as payment not long after we arrived at where the foundation of Scorpion Keep would be laid. The only thing we had accomplished was building the first bridge across the stream. We had set up everyone from Dusksong where the campgrounds are now. We had roughly mapped out where things were going to go." Happy said as she resigned herself to telling the story. "Harris wasn't part of his territory at that time. He'd received a request for help. A Magic-user from Harris appeared suddenly on the other side of the stream, weird because he refused to get too close. And then we found out why. Harris was mainly a town devoted to Athena and their temple Mistress had been stricken with some disease. It was sweeping through the town at an alarming rate. Lord Walter was immediately ready to go but we argued for a short bit as I wanted to go with him."

Happy smiled briefly.

"He relented finally and the Magic-user used his power to teleport us there. I was instantly sorry I had gone. The smell alone was enough to drive most people out. They were about ready to start burning the town down. Even with living people inside. All of the healthy had been driven out of the town and were in a make-shift camp. Families were keeping a wide berth from their neighbors. People who were showing even the slightest sign of a cold were forced to go back into the city. Everyone was so scared. All to try and protect the healthy." Happy sighed.

"Lord Walter nearly drove himself to death. First he ended all discussion of burning the town. No one really wanted to enter the town and he forbade me from going in with him. He had to have made at least two hundred trips in and out during that week. Trying to grab the most grievously ill first. He pushed his connection to the divine to the max over the coming days. Both in healing those who were sick and carrying them out. Barely resting as he searched, dug out and healed people before bringing them out of the town. Took him the better part of a week to complete it all. He even had to order the surviving people to dig a mass grave. They were just useless." Happy shook her head.

"I had to serve as a nurse, no one trusted that the people were cured and they feared getting sick. So I was stuck washing, cleaning and feeding people. Lord Walter had made mounds and mounds of ambrosia for me to try and feed them with. Trying to get nourishment back into their bodies was difficult until the sweetness of the food touched their tongues. Once it did they immediately opened their mouths for more." Happy sighed as those memories came back.

"They were so weak from days of no food and barely enough water, they couldn't care for themselves. These were family and friends of healthy people and the healthy were all too scared to help. Afraid some fraction of the illness that was still present would get on them. I knew then why he didn't want me to come. It was breaking my heart as I knew what it felt like to have a family turn from you when you needed them." Happy paused as she cleared her throat.

"I hated those people, still do when I meet any of the original inhabitants. There were a few who weren't as bad as the rest. And I had to use that hatred to steel and fortify myself to continue. And continue I did. Somewhere around the thirtieth person Lord Walter finally had to issue a command to the surviving Clerics to help me. I just couldn't keep up by myself. Over three hundred and eighty people Lord Walter went in and pulled out alive as I recall. Some one by one and others two and three at a time. I don't know if you saw inside the large graveyard out front of the south wall when we came in. There was a whole generation of children buried inside that graveyard." Happy sighed.

"Well maybe not whole, I think there were five kids under the age of sixteen that survived. How he did all of that I'll never know. After the last person who could be saved was healed and brought out Lord Walter began the process of bringing out the dead. Then he made his last pass through the town trying to be sure the living were saved and the dead were now out so they could burn the buildings and homes that the infected had lived in." Happy nodded.

"He was making a last sweep of the Flowering Tea Kettle, it was a dainty type inn. The husband had died from the disease but his wife still runs the place. I got to meet with her the last two nights, she was a good soul, the only one to volunteer after Lord Walter ordered the Clerics to assist me. It took her a little to work through the grief of her loss. She is still so grateful. Anyway, as he was moving through he heard a soft cry and searched the rooms and finally found a baby, perhaps a year old. She was the daughter of a family of dwarves who were passing through when they fell ill. Some blamed them for bringing it into town. I don't know if it is true, Lord Walter didn't care. He healed the baby and brought her out for us to care for." Happy smiled a little.

"Sweet little baby. There were a few items in the rooms she was found in that identified that they were part of the Ironwood Dwarves. They live in the mountains where the giant sequoia trees are. We spent two months outside of Harris while people recovered and they went in and burned down every building that was known to have had the illness in them. A few days before it was confirmed that the plague was over, Lord Walter's charger showed up. And once he was sure that it was over he got another horse for me and we got some provisions and we took the baby home." Happy smiled.

"Her Grandfather was the clan's elder. They were so happy to have the little lady back. After being told what had happened the old dwarf went into his workshop and brought out the hammer. Between him and his wife they changed the command words on the hammer for Lord Walter to use. And after explaining its history they presented it to him. It was a little unsettling as every dwarf there bowed down as he received it." Happy told them.

"We also met Selase on the way back from there." Happy smiled but slowly it turned to sadness.

"Happy?" Paige asked in concern.

Happy shrugged.

"Selase's nest had been discovered by some rock trolls." Happy snorted…some was an exaggeration. "While she was out hunting. She had three eggs in the nest. We were just coming out of the higher elevations when we heard her scream and of course Lord Walter charged off and I was playing catch up like normal." Happy sighed.

"We fought for what seemed like an hour. I had never heard of so many rock trolls in an area before. Selase was fighting the best she could, but even with six other gryphons who'd come when she called out, she was seriously out matched. They were too much, even with the fire of Motherhood driving her. Lord Walter was felling them left and right. He was putting his new hammer to a serious test. I'm not sure how long it took but we were finally to the nest and we were helping Selase and the others to drive the remaining trolls away." Happy said as a tear ran down her face.

"It was as the last of the trolls ran that Selase let out a short shrill chirp and we looked back breathing hard and one of the eggs had been cracked. The poor thing wasn't ready to be out of the egg yet. Lord Walter fell down and tried his best to use the power granted to him by Athena to aid it. He cried and pleaded but, I guess it wasn't meant to be." Happy sighed.

"Most likely not Happy. Something like that would have needed a white Witch's power to force rapid development. I'm not saying the wise Lady couldn't have done it, just that there had to be another reason for it." The Mistress told them.

Happy nodded.

"The six gryphons who had helped, circled around the nest and began this chirping chant. Selase curled up on the remaining two and stretched her neck out around the one that was dying and her head came to rest in Lord Walter's lap. He cried so hard with her. Apologizing for failing. She just softly chirped back to his words. Clearly she wasn't blaming him and didn't want him to feel bad. He must have cried himself out after about an hour. The other gryphons moved off at that point. He wrapped his arms around her head and just held her for another hour. Then he asked if she'd like for us to bury her baby. Selase blinked in that way of hers and nodded so we dug a grave not too far from her nest. He wrapped the little thing up in one of the blankets before laying it in the grave." Happy said while drying some tears from her face.

"We stayed there at the nest with Selase for a week when the other two eggs began hatching. Lord Walter was happy but you could still feel his sorrow. Losing an innocent, it was never easy for him. He stayed so he could fetch food so Selase didn't have to leave her nest and after the two chicks hatched we stayed another month. Once they were ready to fly Selase really clung to Lord Walter for almost a whole day and then she chirped and her and the two little ones took flight. We stayed two more days but she never returned." Happy sighed.

"Selana." Paige said with sorrow.

Happy nodded.

"After your story of what happened to save Daithi that was what I figured. But I wasn't going to bring it up." Happy told them even as the Mistress yawned.

"Well I guess that is enough for tonight. We'll be here for a few more days so there is plenty of time to discuss the past, if the urge strikes again. Both of you get some rest and I'll see you in the morning." Paige told them as she stood. She gave them both a hug before they left for their rooms.


The next morning As Paige and Walter walked into the dining room for breakfast she saw Happy already sitting there eating and she saw a glass of juice of a certain color before her. She saw that no one else had one like it, except Allie and the one that she still made for Paige each morning to help with the nursing of the twins and she grinned.

"One second my love, I need to speak privately with Allie." Paige told him.

Lord Walter nodded as he walked on over to their chairs.

"Allie, a word please." Paige gestured.

Allie nodded and stood. She moved quickly to Paige as they stepped away from everyone.

"Happy's pregnant?" Paige whispered with a huge grin on her face.

Allie grew embarrassed as she nodded.

"I figured you would recognize the juice. Please don't say anything, she doesn't know yet. I just explained that her body needed better nutrition." Allie told her.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Paige told her before she hugged her.


Lady Paige slowly walked the town of Harris pushing the stroller Happy had fashioned, with the help of the dressmaker Claire in Brightsong, for the twins. Lisa, Happy and Louise walked with her even as several of the guards of Scorpion Keep walked with them. The morning was bright and pleasantly warm. The northerly wind kept the temperature from climbing too much. Robert, the husband of the Governor of Harris, walked with them providing a tour. She took the time to meet each citizen as they came forward.

The first thing Lady Paige had wanted to see was the graveyard. As they moved through the town on their way to the graveyard they passed a florist shop and Lady Paige paused long enough to buy several bundles of flowers.

Happy saw they had quite a following throng of people as they exited out the gate. She took a deep breath as they walked into the graveyard. Robert was quick to point out notables but Paige waved him off.

"I'm interested in those who died of the plague my husband and Happy came to help with." Paige told him.

Robert blushed.

"Of course my Lady, I didn't even consider, they are back here." Robert gestured and stepped out ahead to lead the way.

Paige sighed seeing the vast section marked off. Over one hundred and fifty headstones in that section. Paige looked at the flowers she had bought and figured it would be close. She took a lot of time as she made it almost ceremonial, in the way she walked to each gravestone and placed a lily upon it and then kissed her fingers and touched the stone. It was nearly lunchtime as she finished. Having had to take time for the twins. She had four lilies left and she smiled as she looked at the three ladies with her. Paige stepped up to each of them, while pinching off most of the stem and then slipped what remained into their hair and kissed their cheeks.

"I hope you guys know how much you mean to me." Paige told them as they smiled.

"As you do for us as well my daughter." Louise said, hugging her.

Paige nodded and then looked at one of the guards.

"Thomas, would you please go remind my husband I'd like to have lunch at the Flowering Tea Kettle and that I'm on my way there now." Paige told him.

"Of course my Lady." Thomas saluted before he turned and jogged off once he got past all the people who had been watching.

Since she had expressed interest in the victims of the plague Robert took the time as they passed various buildings to point out which ones had been destroyed and rebuilt following the plague.

The Flowering Tea Kettle showed some signs of what had once been. A plaque had been placed into the wall beside the door.

"Let all those who entered here know that on March 16th, 2005 a virulent plague moved through this town. As you look about, you will see many signs of damage around the foundation. They were kept as a memory of that time. Many lives were lost, but so many more were saved because of Lord Walter and his connection to the wise Lady. We honor Lord Walter and his friend Happy for their bravery and self sacrifice during a horrendous time in our lives. Please pause as you dine with us to remember those we loved who suffered and died and those who courageously moved through this plague filled area to render all possible aid. -Danielle"

Paige smiled as she stood reading the sign. She looked back at Happy and grinned. Happy blushed under those eyes.

Robert opened the door and Lady Paige pushed on into the Inn with the stroller followed by Louise, Happy and Lisa.

"Oh my Lady." Danielle gushed as she came out of the back hearing the bell ringing as the door opened. "You honor me." Danielle told her as she tried to curtsy.

"Please Danielle, there is no need for that. We've just come for lunch." Paige told her.

"Of course my Lady, please, right this way." Danielle led them over to a large table.

"I was wondering, Danielle, while we wait for my husband to join us. I was told that he had found a small dwarven child as he performed a last minute look through town. I'd like to see the area, if such an area still exists." Paige told her.

"Oh my Lady, of course. The original is gone, but when I rebuilt, I had an area where the dwarves had stayed, set back up and kept as a remembrance of what happened. Please follow me." Danielle smiled and led her over and up some stairs.

Paige gestured and everyone stayed down by the table even as she walked over and up the stairs behind Danielle.

"As Lord Walter had told me, he had found the child in the closet of the room they were staying in. Why I'm uncertain, but in delirium I suppose almost anything was possible. So when it was rebuilt I had the closet placed so the door was here in the hall and people could have a feel over it. I hope that isn't too shocking." Danielle explained as she showed her the closet.

"Not at all Danielle, along with the plaque outside I think it is a wonderful tribute." Paige told her even as she stepped up to the closet and read the small plaque that was there. She set the last lily on the top of the plaque before kissing her fingers and touching it. "For your family, little one." Paige said softly.


Greetings! I hope this finds you all well!

Railman - His life at Lord Weir's definitely did a number on him. Glad you found it interesting, hope today's was as well! There is 1 more chapter of this leg of the story. Sadly Lady Knight hasn't spoken in a while. I did have an idea the other day, but it hasn't blossomed yet.

LouBe - So glad you enjoyed it so much! Eating the ambrosia so much definitely turned him off it. He even makes it now for the twins at times, since it is kind of a pudding consistency. The temple Mistress was touched by your words and loved the idea of Walter's story being turned into a tale. I certainly never thought of Lady Paige doing that, but it would definitely be in her skillset to do so. I definitely don't have the skills to turn it into an epic Bard tale, but she would. Maybe the story will speak of her doing such in the future. I definitely don't have to write it, but could explain she is doing it. lol Poor Walter...lol He actually makes very little appearance in his own story this time. He has a bit more active role in the last chapter. He told me he thought if he laid down with the twins they'd fall asleep faster...he just didn't stop to think he'd fall asleep with them. LOL

Susan - So glad you guys enjoy it! Yeah, if it had been solely me writing this, I don't think I'd have written it as Patrick giving her away, he'd had struggled but kept her. But I wanted the story to echo as much of the show's past as I could. I don't know if the person Happy was modeled after had been abandoned like that or if the developers just wanted a drama point and so wrote it that way. They could have given her a better life with her Dad but like last chapter used the ethnicity angle to give her a rough upbringing if they were just looking for drama. lol Yes, you do love when amóre is in the air! hehe

To the Adventure! -Tim