Chapter 5 - Heart Shaking Blows

A cold draft blew over the sleeping form causing them to shiver and shrink farther into their warm covering in a futile attempt at warding off the impending day; their sleep plagued by haunting dreams.

Flashing swords, booming roars, pounding calvary, burning fire and screeches of death. Every image flashed so vividly and so bright it was etched into their brain.

The bed they lay on was drenched, be it from sweat or the tears they cried.

With a gasp the fitful sleeper woke. Dark tendrils of hair fell in a haphazardly and wistful manner. Shadowed and puffy eyes told tell of many an hour without peaceful restful.

"Argh..." A hand shot up and clenched their chest, clasping at the pain that tore through their heart.

'why? Why me?'

Molly sat up slowly, praying for the nausea that had recently made an appearance to not rise up.

She gently placed a hand on her abdomen, her thoughts drifting.

Her women's curse had not yet made its typical monthly visit.

Shortly after arriving at the Castle, Molly quickly searched for herbs that could help her, help prevent from... She tried to hard not to be caught, as some herbs were quite particular in their uses. Her father would be so ashamed of her if he were to find out.

Those arduous two weeks now seemed in vain.

Most women wait a few months before announcing their 'joyous' news, to ensure themselves in case things were to go wrong or if they were mistaken.

Molly knew the signs and though it had been nearly 4 weeks since her last encounter with Sherlock, she was almost positive in what it all meant.

Her head sank as she thought of her father, his disappointment in her when he finally learns.

'I tried, I had hoped, and now... I might...'

Tears coursed down her cheeks, each droplet leaving a shimmering trail.

Bile quickly rose in her throat and she hurried over to the chamber pot, quickly reliving her stomach of it's contents.

'I hate you Sherlock!'

~~~~~

Molly had done her musical training early on and was released from her duties for the day.

She often made her way to the garden, its beautiful greenery slightly easing the throb inside her chest.

The wind blew gently, caressing the flowers and trees as it moved slowly across the castle garden, giving a delightful reprieve from the midday sun.

Molly sat down on a stone bench, opening the botany book she borrowed from her father's collect.

She was a few pages in when soft voices carried from down the path.

As she looked up, two people came around the ponetilla bush. One, a man slightly shorter than the average height with ash like hair walked arm in arm with a woman of similar height.

From the nature of their attire, Molly could tell that they were nobles.

Molly stood up, quickly closing her book as she rose.

"Ah, hullo, didn't know someone else was out here," The gentleman said upon seeing Molly. "I hope we didn't disturb you in your readings."

Molly quickly curtsied and respectfully lowered her head.

"No, no. I was just finishing. I am sorry for interrupting your stroll."

"Miss, I must apologize, for clearly you were here before us and-"

"Dear, as much as proprietary dictates chivalry," the woman interjected, turning a soft smile towards the man, " If you were to continue apologizing, I do believe we'd be here all day."

He looked back at Molly and immediately agreed with his companion's observation.

The man patted the woman's arm and returned the smile. "My sweet Mary, you are right. As usual. Miss, you do have a polite air about you."

Molly's faced flushed slightly at hearing such complementary words from distinguished people.

The sound of clothing shuffling and footsteps drew Molly's attention upwards, gazing as the woman named Mary walked closer to her.

"My name Mary, as you heard my husband say," Mary gestured towards the man. "And he is Lord Watson, though honestly, he'd probably prefer if you were just to call him John."

Molly took a quick, sharp intake of air. Though she and her father had been living in the castle for near three and a half weeks, she herself had the privilege to meet the Lord and Lady of Baker Castle.

"May I ask for your name?" Lady Watson aaked courteously.

"M-my name is Margaret Hooper."

"Oh! You must be the apothocarist's daughter!" Lord Watson said as he strode closer to the two women. "It is a pleasure to meet Hooper's lovely daughter. I must say, he does talk about you often."

"John, I hate to interrupt you but you do remember you have that meeting later?"

Lord Watson looked at his wife with a thankful look.

"Yes, my dear, thank you for reminding me. Miss Margaret, it was an honor." Lord Watson slightly bowed to Molly in farewell.

Molly curtsied once again as Lord Watson rushed to the castle.

"Ah, I love him dearly but he can get with forgetful at times. So Margaret, won't you accompany me as I finish my walk?"

Molly looked back at Lady Watson, shock clearly written on her face.

"I do not believe I have the right qualities to do walk with you Lady Watson." Normally, a woman of lesser noble status would accompany the lady of the castle as her lady in waiting. A commoner such as herself would never be allowed to walk as a companion to such a high ranked person.

"Oh please, I do not give a whim about qualities or noble or whatnot. Out with such proprietary, I say!" Lady Watson looked annoyed. "And I do believe I introduced myself as Mary, not Lady Watson, so please call me Mary."

Molly was flabbergasted! A lady wishing to be equal with a commoner? How unheard of.

"So Margaret, I ask again, won't you join me on my walk?"

Molly wasted no time in replying yes.

~~~~~~

A few more weeks passed and Molly found herself becoming quite good friends with Lady Mary Watson.

Often times they would walk in the gardens or wander about the castle corridors, talking as women do.

On some occasions, Lord John would join them, bringing laughter to the trio.

Molly's father was quite glad at the blooming friendship, as he knew of the goodness that resided in Lord and Lady Watson and he hoped that the couple would help Molly advance farther than he could.

"Molly, I want to share something with you." Mary said as they walked through the castle halls. "Well, a few things."

"What might that be Mary?" Molly asked as she continued down the hall.

"Well, first off, I'd like for you to be my lady-in-waiting."

Molly stopped walking and looked back at her friend.

"Your lady-in-waiting? I know we're good friends but surely there is someone better suited. I do not believe I can-"

"Molly, please. You are someone I trust, I do not trust people easily. I'd like to have someone around me who is also intelligent, as most of the women I'm around do nothing but gossip about frivolous things all day."

"Mary, that's-"

"Besides, John is going to be getting busier and I'd like you to keep me company in my time of confinement."

"Your time of confinement...? Mary, are you...?" Molly looked at Mary, questioningly.

"With child? Yes." Mary gently placed a hand stomach.

Molly's eyes followed her hand. Her stomach, though hard to see with the garments Mary was wearing, was indeed protruding. giving confirmation of Mary's proclamation.

"Mary! That's wonderful news!" Molly said, trying to push back the tingling fear that had crept into the pit of her stomach. "And, yes, I'd love to be your lady-in-waiting."

Molly quickly thought that as Mary's time of confinement drew closer and as she, herself would begin to show, as Mary's lady-in-waiting, would be removed from the public eye.

"Wonderful! Come, I told John that I would let him know as soon as you gave an answer." Mary grabbed Molly's arm and rushed then both to John's office.

Voices could be heard inside the room, evidently in the middle of a meeting.

Mary, though, seemed to disregard this fact and marched them both right to the door.

"Mary, don't you think we'd be interrupting something going inside?" Molly asked, pulling back on her seized arm.

"Absolutely not! John is simply having a chat with a friend, a Sir Holmes if I remember correctly. It won't be a bother and besides, I've been meaning to introduce you to Sir Holmea for a while now. He is quite handsome."

"Mary! What would your husband say if he heard you say that?"

"He has already and he also agrees that Sir Holmes is quite the sight to behold. I do believe you two would be a wonderful match."

Molly blushed at the suggestion but it felt wrong to think of another man besides Sherlock.

Although he did a horrible and terrible deed, her heart still longed for him.

'There will never be another man. Your heart will always long for me.'

Molly resigned herself to a life without love, as she knew that she would never be seeing Sherlock ever again.

"Now come on! Mustn't keep the men waiting." Mary pushed the door open and pulled Molly in behind her.

Molly kept her head down in embarrassment, not daring to look up.

"Mary, darling, wonderful to see you! And Molly! Such wonderful timing! I was just talking about you." Lord John said with glee. "Sir Holmes, I'd like you to introduce Miss Margaret Hooper, the apothecarist's daughter and Molly, this is my friend, Sir Sherlock Holmes."

Upon hearing his name, Molly's gaze flew upwards.

'It can't be...'

There, standing beside one of Lord John's bookcases, was the tall frame of one dragon turned human.

Sherlock.

~~~~~

John and Mary have been introduced, Sherlock is back and Molly seems to be pregnant! Such a horrible deed done by our beloved Sherlock.

I am somewhat sorry I went there. I debated not going there but after writing everything in the previous chapters and thinking long and hard, I just couldn't makeup a good excuse and get away with it.

I think I apologise in every Author's Note but I am so sorry for the long wait for this update. Over a year is quite a long time.

I do not know when the next update is but please keep watch for it.I will try to finish this as I believe this to be a very interesting story and I myself am curious as how this plays out.It is crazy how the characters you write can change and speak for themselves as your form a story.

Please leave those reviews! I LOVE them!~ND~