Chapter 34: Birthday Gifts
AN: Hey everyone! So there's a quick thing I want to say. Today marks the two year anniversary of this story. I'd like to take the time to thank each
and every single person who has read my work and thank you all for reading my story. I am truly happy that so many people have come to
appreciate my work and have stuck with me for so long. So, thank you for being here. I've still got a ways to go before finishing this, but I wanted
to offer my sincerest appreciations to you, the reader. Here's the next chapter. Please enjoy!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
Elincia woke up and to her surprise; she slept the rest of the afternoon and all through the night.
'I must have been incredibly tired.' Elincia thought as she walked towards her closet. She picked out an orange summer dress and matching high heels. She set them on her bed and quickly removed her clothes to hop in the shower. She cleaned herself up and got herself dressed and left her room.
"Happy birthday, mother." William smiled as he greeted her as soon as she left the room. Elincia gasped and lightly hit his arm.
"William! You scared me." Elincia smiled at her son. "On my birthday, of all days."
"I wanted to beat Aunt Lucia. She's going to be upset that she wasn't-"
"Happy birthday, Elincia." Lucia ran up to her best friend and hugged her. She looked at William and then Elincia. "…what?" She lightly laughed as the queen's eyes glanced at the prince and then back to her. Lucia's smile faded and she hit William's other arm with a bit of force.
"You suck." She smirked at the young prince. "I wanted to be first."
"Second is just as good." William smiled at the blue haired woman. Lucia rolled her eyes and laughed.
"You definitely have your father's spirit. Come on, Elincia. Everyone's waiting for you downstairs." Lucia grabbed Elincia's arm and ran towards the dining room. The entire staff was waiting alongside the remaining allies she had in the castle.
"Happy birthday, Queen Elincia." They all said in unison. Elincia felt like a child again; her smile spread from ear to ear. She was overjoyed to see everyone celebrating her birthday."
"Thank you all so much!" Elincia gushed. "I'm thankful to have all of you remember-" Another scream from a nearby room and the color drained from her face and she almost collapsed.
"Mother!" William yelled and caught her before she fell against the floor. He moved her so she was sitting at the top of the stairs.
"Someone's at the door. Marcia, go answer the door." Renning ordered the pink haired woman and she quickly ran towards the door. "Everyone else, to your stations." Nobody moved a muscle. "Now!" Renning's voice boomed and the staff returned to their positions. "Bastian, take your children out of the castle. I care not where, but I'd rather you be elsewhere at this moment."
"By your command, lord Renning." Bastian gathered his children and immediately left through the back door. Lucia returned and her face looked paler than Elincia's.
"E-Elin…Elincia." She nervously sat next to her. "We…um…th-there's…there's a problem…"
"…what?" She quietly squeaked as her eyes water.
"It's Sam…"
"Wh-What about her?" Before Lucia could answer, Marcia returned to the room.
"We have a serious problem." Marcia informed the queen. "It's an emergency."
"Oh Gods…" Elincia placed a hand on her forehead. "Lucia, could you go with Marcia and deal with her problem? Please." Lucia took a deep breath and nodded. She regained as much of her composure and walked towards Marcia to deal with the problem. "Uncle Renning, Kieran…may I have a word?" The two men walked up the stairs towards the queen.
"My dear Elincia, what was that scream? Where is Samantha?" Renning questioned her.
"She isn't around…did she leave? Without saying goodbye?" Kieran asked with a hint of disappointment.
"Sam has lost her mind."
"What has she done?" Renning questioned his niece with serious concern.
"No, I mean…Samantha…" Elincia began crying. "…she's forgotten everything. Her parents, her family, her life…she's lost…everything."
"What? That…that can't be." Kieran quietly protested. "Lady Samantha is not…she can't…"
"Why did you wait to tell me this? Why didn't anyone else inform us of this?" Renning questioned the queen.
"Because I wanted to have a special day with you all. I wanted my birthday to be normal and regular and I didn't want to ruin today. I'm so selfish…I'm so sorry." Elincia broke out in full on tears. Lucia and Marcia returned to the room.
"H-Hey…Elincia…you might want to…um…there's a major issue…"
"What?" She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. "What is it?" Lucia looked at Marcia and then her eyes glanced up at Elincia before looking at the floor.
"Z-Zelda's at the door." She quietly uttered. Elincia froze in fear.
"Wha…no…gods, no…please…I don't want to die." She begged. "She doesn't know, does she?"
"ELINCIA RIDELL CRIMEA!" A scream from down the hall echoed throughout the entire fort.
"…kind of." Lucia admitted without taking her eyes off the floor. "…which leads me to the other problem we have."
"An-and what…what is that?" She sniffled and looked up; her hands shaking and her breath shuddering.
"Sam has regressed even further."
"What else could she forget?" Elincia asked with anger in her voice.
"Well, the ability to speak." Lucia stated as Zelda stormed into the room; her eyes burning with anger.
"Zelda…listen, I know you're upset-"
"What…did you do?"
"No one did anything. It's-" Zelda began walking towards the queen.
"What. Did. You. Do?" She stated as she knelt down in front of her.
"Zelda-"
"My fucking daughter…"
"Zelda-"
"My fucking daughter…Elincia…what happened? I need to know everything." Zelda's eyes looked desperate for any lack of knowledge. Before Elincia could continue, she held up her hand. "No, wait. Lucia…where is she? You said she's lost the ability to speak? Are you implying she has regressed to a baby?"
"Not…not exactly. She can walk around and she can use small words. She's…she's more like a toddler." Zelda's eyes grew big and she looked around.
"Where is she? I need to see her."
"She's upstairs. Third door on the right, but…why are you here? You just magically appear when all of this occurs…why?" Lucia questioned. Zelda pulled out a small red box with a silky white ribbon wrapped around the box.
"I went to Crimea first. They insisted you refused to see me…me of all people." Zelda exclaimed while Elincia chuckled. "I figured since you 'refused to see me…' Zelda used air quotes on the last phrase. "…I would try visiting Fort Alpea. You've talked about it being your summer home in case you need a break from Crimea. The reason I'm here is that I never forget important days of my friends. Happy birthday, Elincia." Zelda handed the box to the queen and with that, she rushed upstairs to see her daughter. Zelda opened the door and inside, Samantha was still tucked in bed but she looked around at the room. When she saw Zelda, she smiled and let out a little giggle.
"Mama?" She tilted her head to the side and it took every bit of strength that Zelda had to not burst into tears.
"Hylia…" She whispered as she lost the battle with herself; tears fell down her face while she watched her oldest child now reduced to the mindset of a toddler. "…what happened to you?"
"I'm hungee." Samantha licked her lips as Zelda clenched her teeth.
"Don't go anywhere, ok sweetie?" Zelda requested and she left the room. She slowly approached Elincia.
"How much will it cost to heal her?" Zelda requested.
"Zelda, I-"
"Name your price. I'll pay whatever you ask. My daughter cannot stay like this." Zelda begged. "I'll do anything. I'll work for you at no cost. I'll offer you residency in Hyrule. I'll pay you! Every month…a lifetime of rupees…please." She fell to her knees and hugged the queen while sobbing into her dress. Elincia felt helpless for her ally; her daughter's mind was completely gone and she was helpless to do anything.
"Lucia, you said her mind has deteriorated, correct?" Renning questioned the woman.
"Yes." Lucia nodded.
"Do we know the location of Reyson, Leanne, or Rafiel?" He asked anyone in the room.
"…why?" Marcia questioned the man.
"The galdr of rebirth." Elincia uttered. Renning nodded at his niece.
"Perhaps Samantha merely needs to restart her mind. Need I remind you that it saved me after two years?" He informed the group.
"We'll need to leave immediately." Elincia stated and Zelda rushed back towards Samantha's room. She got her daughter dressed and walked out with her.
"Hungee…" Samantha whined and hearing her speak made Zelda cringe with anger and sadness.
"Stay here, darling. I'll get you a snack." Zelda walked towards the kitchen and Samantha was sitting in a chair playing with the frills on the bottom of her dress.
"This is hard to watch." William placed two fingers against the bridge of his nose and sighed. "The mighty Samantha…reduced to this…"
"She'll recover." Lucia stated. "If anyone can fix her, it's the herons."
"But…what about…" Elincia's voice faded and she looked down.
"We'll have a small slice of cake." Lucia sighed and walked towards the kitchen. Everyone took a seat and waited for Lucia to return. William knelt in front of the Hylian princess and held out his hand. Samantha looked at her own hand and placed it against his and followed that with a giggle.
"Lady Samantha…" William spoke with a somber tone. Lucia returned with Zelda with plates, and forks. A cook wheeled out a giant cake. He sliced pieces of the cake and handed out plates to everyone.
"A quick bite and then we'll go. Cake first, then presents, and then we'll leave." Elincia insisted. She took a bite of the black and white cake.
"Mmmm…oreo…" She licked her lips and smiled.
"Oooh…" Samantha reached for the cake. "Gimmie!"
"Samantha, we wait our turn." Zelda grabbed two plates. She set one down and began feeding her daughter. She cut a piece of cake off and Samantha opened her mouth. Zelda placed it in her mouth and Samantha chewed the piece in her mouth.
"Yum!" Samantha declared and Zelda weakly smiled.
'My little girl…mommy will always be here for you.' Zelda thought while she took a piece of her own cake. "Elincia, the cooks in Crimea are top notch."
"This is the best thing I've ever eaten." Elincia's cheeks flushed a light red.
"You say that about every dessert you eat." Lucia smiled and she was poked with a fork. "You're also the queen of stabbing people with forks."
"A title I hold proudly." Elincia declared and both women laughed.
"Shall we inform Gallia of our march?" Renning questioned the queen.
"It'll be fine. The sooner we leave the better." Elincia stated. Everyone finished their cake and Elincia began opening gifts.
"Let's see…Kieran." She smiled at the man and he beamed with pride. She opened the semi-large gift and it revealed a luxurious emerald colored dress.
"Kieran, it's gorgeous. Thank you so much. I could never accept such a wonderful gift."
"Is it not your style? I tried my best to pick the most perfect dress for you." He sounded concerned.
"It's perfect, but what if you find a wonderful woman to marry?"
"My duties to you will always come first." He bowed his head and she carefully set aside the dress.
"Thank you for the wonderful gift, Kieran." She grabbed another gift. This one wasn't as big as the first one.
"From Uncle Renning." Elincia looked up before tearing off the wrapping paper to reveal a pair of red high heels.
"Uncle Renning. I love them! Thank you so much!"
"You are quite welcome, my beautiful niece." Renning smiled as she set the shoes aside and grabbed another gift.
"Marcia, which one is yours?"
"It's the purple polka dotted one." Elincia looked around, but she didn't see it. "Oops…here." She handed the gift to the queen. It wasn't big, but rather slim and narrow. She opened the gift to reveal a shiny new sword.
"Wow! This is a nice sword." Elincia held it up to the light.
"Shiny…" Samantha exclaimed as she reached out for it. Zelda quickly lowered her daughter's hand.
"Samantha, sit still please." Zelda told her and the girl pouted, but did as she was told. Elincia set the blade down and looked for another gift. She saw the gift that Zelda had given her next to her.
"Zelda, may I?"
"Of course. It is your birthday after all." Elincia tore through the small box that she had. Inside was a wonderful pearl necklace with matching pearl earrings.
"Zelda…" Elincia gasped in awe.
"That's from both of us."
"You and Sam?" Lucia questioned.
"Us. Sam-us." Zelda informed the blue haired woman.
"R-Right." She laughed nervously and Elincia looked for the next gift.
"William, you were the first to wish me happy birthday, but Aunt Lucia will be the last present I open." Though William's expression showed disappointment, but he nodded his head. It was an itty bitty blue box. She opened it up and inside was a gold ring and two sets of earrings. All gold but each had different gems inside. The ring had a ruby gem, one set of earrings had sapphire, and the last had amethyst.
"William…"
"It's not fancy, but father and I put our heart and soul into them. I hope it is satisfactory for you."
"William, this is by far the greatest gift I have ever received. I will cherish these forever." She hugged her sun and smiled. His heart felt warm as his cheeks lightly blushed. She immediately put on the ring and examined the earrings. "Which ones would you prefer? Sapphire or amethyst?"
"I know not of fashion. Perhaps Aunt Lucia-"
"I will not ask you again." Elincia held up both pairs.
"Amethyst." William declared and with that, she put on the earrings. She looked around.
"Where is Romeo and Juliet?" She questioned the group. Lucia quickly rushed out back to retrieve her husband and children. While they waited, Elincia turned to see Samantha fast asleep with her head resting on Zelda's lap.
"The sooner we leave, Elincia…I'll do anything to save her." Zelda looked up and her expression looked like she was in pain.
"I promise we'll leave after this. I'm sorry for all you have suffered, Zelda." Elincia gulped hard as her niece and nephew entered the room along with Bastian.
"Go on, children. Hand her your gifts." Bastian smiled and both kids ran up to their aunt.
I tooketh a longeth timeth to maketh this. I desire thee liketh t." Juliet handed the photo to the queen. Elincia took the photo and she smiled. It was made from colored pencils and it was very well drawn. There was Elincia, Geoffrey, and William on the left and to the right was Bastian, Lucia, Romeo, and Juliet. Behind them was Castle Crimea. With the blue sky and a bright sun.
"Juliet…I love it. Thank you so much. I'll have it framed and set it by my bed." She informed the young woman and she gleefully smiled before stepping aside for Romeo to step forward.
"I bought you a staff." He handed the gift to his aunt. She held the staff in her hand and motioned for him to come hug her.
"Romeo, I love it." She whispered and kissed the young man's head. "Thank you." His cheeks lightly blushed as he stepped back next to Juliet.
"Saved the best for last." Lucia chuckled. "Bastian and I have been waiting to give you this. It's not much, but…" Lucia's eyes watered. "…it's from the heart." She quickly wiped away her tears.
"Lucia, if you start crying, I'll start crying. You can't do this to me." She lightly laughed and took her best friend's gift. It was fairly large and semi-heavy. She opened the gift to reveal a large book. She opened the first page and gasped; Lucia had been scrapbooking every photo she could get her hands on for the queen. When she was a baby, to her childhood photos, her pre-teens, to her young adult phase, to her current age. Lucia must have been doing this for years.
"Lu-Lucia…" Elincia began tearing up. She flipped back to the beginning to see her younger years when she was maybe five years old. She and Lucia were playing with dolls and someone snapped a photo of the two of them. Elincia was playing with the doll, while Lucia smiled at the camera.
"I remember this photo…" Elincia smiled. "I wanted to be like Queen Abigail…just like mother." She flipped to another photo; this was much older, in her early teen years. Elincia had her hair in a long braid while Lucia had long blue hair. The two girls had their arms around each other with the peace sign on their other hand.
"Lucia, this is…"
"We've been waiting for the right moment to give that to you. Bastian and I agreed that it's time. We've gathered everything that we could find." Lucia hugged her best friend and squeezed while she cried. "I love you, Elincia. You're…you're my best friend." Elincia could hear Lucia quietly sobbing.
"Damn you, Lucia…" Elincia started crying as well. "Damn it…" Elincia didn't bother wiping away her tears. Lucia's gift had forever touched her heart and she expected no less from her best friend. Not a soul said a word while the two friends hugged. "Bastian." The man approached the queen and she broke the hug from her best friend and tightly hugged him. "Bastian, thank you."
"It's wonderful to see your smile again, my dear." Bastian smiled. She broke the hug and carried half of the gifts to her room. She returned and carried the remaining gifts to her room. When she came back again, she dusted her dress and looked at everyone.
"Lady Zelda, I apologize for the delay. Shall we get going?" She finally rubbed her eyes and the Hylian queen nodded. Zelda quietly woke up her daughter and the entire group began making their way to the entrance and on the way to Gallia. The route was uneventful and they were easily able to make their way to the capital quickly. Luckily, they were met with no resistance as they approached the gates.
"Hold! One guard stated as a dozen laguz guards swarmed the small band. "Identify yourselves."
"I am Renning, of Crimea. I wish to speak with Caineghis and his highness."
"You expect us to believe that our former king would meet with a human such as yourself?"
"Get him." Renning ordered. "The reigning queen of Crimea travels with me. We have urgent business with the king."
"Go back from where you-"
"I was told you were coming tomorrow." Renning turned his head and saw Ranulf walking towards the gate. "Koba, open the gate."
"Ranulf-"
"Koba, this is me asking nicely." Ranulf stated with a tense tone.
"O-Open the gate!" He ordered and the gate opened; allowing the entire Crimean band, Zelda, Samantha, and Ranulf to enter. He led the group towards through the castle and towards the throne room. He was greeted by two young children and an orange haired woman.
"Hello, Ranulf." The woman said with a stern tone, yet she smiled. He walked up and kissed the laguz woman.
"Lethe, my dear. Did you miss me?"
"Not as much as the children." He looked down to see a young orange haired boy, and a blue haired girl; the boy, perhaps fifteen years of age, standing near his father. The girl, eight years in age, hugged her father.
"Gato, Lyra. I haven't seen you since this morning."
"Hey dad. You didn't wake me up. I wanted to go scouting with you." The boy whined.
"I wasn't scouting, Gato. I was informed that it is customary to beorc to exchange gifts on the day of their birth."
"Wow! Really?" The young girl exclaimed.
"…seriously?" Lethe's eyes narrowed like she was trying to determine if he was lying.
"I'm serious. Happy birthday, Elincia." He handed the gift to the Crimean queen.
"Are you sure she's not lying to you just to gain free items?" Lethe questioned her husband while passing glances at the queen.
"Lethe, I know you're not suggesting that our fair queen is lying." Lucia glared at the laguz girl.
"Well, humans are known to lie from time to time."
"Lethe, we have never lied to you, to Gallia, or to anyone." Lucia quietly growled. Ranulf's hand raised.
"Now, now, dear. You wouldn't dare accuse Lady Elincia in front of the king, would you?" Lethe's expression quickly changed.
"O-of course n-not." She froze in place. "He's right behind me, isn't he?" Ranulf nodded. Behind the woman was a seriously tough-looking guy. He had long crimson colored hair, what muscles could be seen could make even the strongest women swoon. He glanced over at the Elincia and also noted Zelda standing next to her.
"Your grace! Forgive me." Lethe bowed in front of the man.
"You remember Samantha, right?" She held her daughter's hand and Samantha hid behind her mother.
"Scary kitty…" Samantha stated.
"…kitty? Samantha was but a child the last time she called one of us a kitty." Skrimir noted.
"Don't remind me." Lethe cured under her breath as her face turned light pink. When Samantha was two years of age, she once referred to Lethe as a kitty. Though Samus kept her word not to tell anyone, the former king Caineghis informed his nephew, and his second-in-command of what occurred at Samus and Zelda's wedding.
"Oh come now, Lethe…it was all in good fun."
"It was anything but fun, my lord."
"She also referred to my uncle as a big kitty, you know." Skrimir added.
"Speaking of Samantha, I need the assistance of Reyson, Leanne, or Rafiel."
"Forgive my ignorance, lady Zelda…but why would you come to Gallia if you require the assistance of the herons?" Ranulf questioned.
"Romeo, Juliet…why don't you go play with Gato and Lyra?" Bastian suggested. The two laguz children were going to protest, but Ranulf glanced at his children.
"Gato, Lyra. Go with Romeo and Juliet. We need to speak in private."
"But daddy-" Lyra spoke up, but Gato grabbed her hand.
"Lyra, it's alright. Let's go play." The two walked out with Romeo and Juliet following them. When they left, Zelda continued.
"I also request the former king Caineghis' presence." Zelda stated.
"You are making quite the requests…" Skrimir stated with annoyance.
"My lord, Skrimir. Please." Zelda begged. Skrimir sighed before motioned with a hand.
"Ranulf-"
"On it." He quickly dashed out of the room in search of the former king.
"We should inform him of our situation." Renning stated to the Hylian queen.
"Not until Sir Canieghis arrives." She replied quietly to him. Ranulf quickly returned with an even bigger man. He had even longer crimson red hair than Skrimir; he wore a cream colored outfit and had a blue coast on his back.
"Lady Zelda, Lady Elincia…it is an honor and a privilege to welcome you to Gallia."
"Thank you Lord Caineghis." Zelda bowed her head.
"It is my understanding that you wish for the assistance of the herons. May I ask why?" Zelda grabbed her daughter's hand and gestured to her.
"You remember Samantha, right?"
"I could never forget her. I remember she gave me the most ferocious roar I have heard from a beorc." He knelt down and held out his hand for the princess.
"Big kitty." Samantha hid behind her mother in fear.
"Is something wrong?" He questioned her group.
"Samantha's mind has slowly deteriorated to the point where she cannot remember anything. Currently, she has the mindset of a toddler." Zelda informed the entire room. Ranulf, Lethe, and Skrimir lightly chuckled with disbelief.
"Skrimir, Ranulf, Lethe…I expect better from you." He spoke with a scolded tone and all three of them swallowed their voices.
"Scary…" Samantha whimpered while cowering behind her mother.
"I see. Very well, I shall call for a meeting with the other kingdoms. They should be here wi-"
"Lord Skrimir! We found a human outside!" Elincia glanced back and glared.
"Bring him here." Skrimir stood up. The guard nodded and left to retrieve the stranger. He returned with another guard; carrying a man who was hogtied and carelessly dropped on the floor.
"A man with purple clothing…it's him." Kieran realized.
"Who?" Ranulf questioned.
"Samantha said that she recalled seeing a man in purple clothing. Bastian and I didn't see him." Kieran admitted.
"It's Waluigi." Zelda stated as she approached him. She stomped on his chest and he groaned in pain. "What did you do to her?"
"I…urk…I'm supposed to deliver her to Gan-ack-Gannondorf."
"Why?" Zelda's eyes burned with anger. Waluigi didn't answer and her hand glowed black and suddenly, Waluigi started groaning in pain.
Zelda, stop." Elincia said quietly, but the Hylian queen pressed on. Her magic intensified and he groaned louder.
"Zelda!" Elincia yelled, but Zelda ignored her cries. She pressed on more and he was practically writhing in pain.
"That's enough, Zelda!" Elincia grabbed her hand, but Zelda backhanded her ally.
"This is my family, Elincia. Do not get in my way."
"This isn't you. You'd never kill anyone. Please…stop this." Elincia begged. As if she were in a trance, Zelda blinked and immediately released him from her spell.
"I…I'm sorry. I just wanted to protect her. I'd do anything for my dear, sweet, Samantha…" Zelda's hand shook before she fell to her knees and placed her hands against her head.
"Come on, let's go for a walk." Lucia stated. "Waluigi, if you've anything to say…now would be the time." There was silence for a minute, before he opened his mouth.
"Mas…Master Hand…"
"What?" Lucia questioned.
"Gan…Gannon…Gannondorf…wants…wants to suh…summon…"
"What is Master Hand?" Lucia questioned the others in the room.
"I've heard stories of this Master Hand…but I'm certain it is just fables." Renning said as he rubbed his chin.
"Uncle Renning, what have you heard?" Elincia questioned him while consoling the Hylian queen.
"It is said that Master Hand is a god-like being. It uses us as mere toys for its power is so great." Renning rolled his eyes and shook his head. "But the evidence that such a being exists cannot be found. Therefore, none have taken such stories seriously."
"It's…" Waluigi coughed up a bit of blood. "…real. Gannon found…something."
"You're claiming that Gannondorf has evidence? Where?" Waluigi refused to speak any more.
"Go." Skrimir informed the two queens. "My uncle and Lord Renning are the only ones who will remain. You all are dismissed from this room. We will wait for Tibarn and Naesala. But that doesn't mean we can't have some fun." Skrimir chuckled.
"It's been quite some time since I've had beorc." Caineghis laughed. "You know, Skrimir…you should try it medium well."
"I prefer my meat overcooked."
"That's because you have no taste." Caineghis shook his head. "You are indeed a good ruler, but terrible with taste."
"Please leave us. We will report to you if this…undesirable being provides us with more information. Given the right amount of pressure, he'll crack." Renning informed his group. Elincia and Lucia helped Zelda leave. William guided Samantha out of the room before Kieran and Bastian followed suit.
"Now…" Renning pulled out a razor sharp knife. "Do we start with a finger? Or shall we get to the point and cut out your tongue?" Outside, the group all waited for either the men inside the throne room to finish whatever they were doing.
"How long until Tibarn and the others get here?" Zelda's foot began tapping up and down quickly.
"Patience, Zelda. They will come within the hour." Elincia informed her ally.
"But-"
"I know how you feel, but you need to calm down. Tibarn will be here and the herons will help Samantha. But it will take time." Elincia slowly stated to her friend. Zelda's lip quivered as she looked down.
"I'm sorry, Elincia. I…I'm so scared." She sniffled before the queen hugged her.
"We'll get to the bottom of this." Elincia smiled as she held the gift from Ranulf. "Now what did you and Lethe get me?" She examined the gift in her hand.
"I believe it is something you might enjoy." Ranulf stated as Elincia opened the gift. It revealed a shiny gold comb.
"How cute! Thank you so much, Ranulf!" Elincia admired her new comb and the children ran up to the group; laughing and giggling as Gato walked behind them.
"Mommy! Run! Aunt Lyre's it!" Lyra giggled as she hid behind her mother.
"I'm coming for you, Lyra." Another orange haired woman ran towards her. Unlike Lethe, her outfit was a bright pink with a short white skirt. She also wore black boots, and black leggings. She looked around Lethe's legs while Lyra looked the other way. Lyre looked around the other side and Lyra did the same. Finally, Lyre looked back the other way and Lyra squealed as she ran around the other side. Lyre grabbed ahold of her arm.
"Gotcha!" She grabbed the young girl and started tickling her body. She giggled and laughed.
"Ah! No! Help me!" She laughed with joy while Lyre continued tickling her.
"You're acting like a child." Lethe sternly informed the other girl.
"Lethe, have you considered maybe…just maybe…acting like a mother?" Lyre questioned her.
"You may be my sister, but don't think I won't law your eyes out."
"In front of your adorable kitties?" Lyre shook her head. "Clearly you are not mother material."
"I am a good mother!" Lethe yelled, but Lyre picked up her niece.
"Maybe. But I bet I'm better." Lyre stuck out her tongue and walked away.
"Bye mommy!" The little laguz girl waved as Lyre carried her niece away from the group.
"We're going to admire the flowers. Is that alright, mommy?" Lyre winked at her sister. Lethe's blood ran hot, but in the presence of her children, she took a deep breath and exhaled.
"…fine. Be safe, Lyra. I don't want to see cuts and bruises."
"Mmmkay!" She chimed in with an adorable smile before Lyre walked off with her.
"Zelda, why don't you get some rest? I'll wake you up when Tibarn arrives." Lucia suggested. With no better option, Zelda found a shaded tree to lean against and get some shuteye. She found a comfortable position when Samantha walked up to her and cuddled next to her. Though Samantha wasn't herself, Zelda's heart melted that she at lease felt safe around her.
'Whatever it takes…I swear I'll always protect you, my dear, sweet princess.' Zelda thought as she closed her eyes with an arm around her daughter; holding her close as she drifted off to sleep.