The queen was dead. Yet her killer hadn't be arrested or even punished for the crime he had committed. Instead he was allowed to stay in the castle, with the king himself and what remained of the royal family. Bobby had returned to Storms Landing with his family in order to attend Maria's funeral, although he was not informed of how she died or what had become of the child in which she was carrying. He was however ecstatic to see Paige had returned to the castle after leaving just days before he himself had. He was however a little surprised to see Paige wasn't as upset as she should be that her mother had passed on. Angelina had said she would speak to Paige about it and suggested maybe she was holding her emotions back so she could handle it better or maybe it was cause she was focusing her attention on her younger brother and daughter.
James had retreated himself to the shadows, and called Bray and his followers to the castle wanting to know what he knew of Maria, he knew Bray had knew more than he was letting on when they last met and the warlock was hiding something from him, just telling him the worlds he wanted to hear rather than what he was looking for. Chris had stayed at his side just like old times, knowing he needed the people who had once been there for him and knew him as a vampire to be there for him again. Chris had gotten James through his original heartbreak when Paige was torn away from him and now he would do the same with his grieving of Maria. Even know he was all to aware he was responsible for the heartbreak, but if he was honest the king didn't seem too heartbroken over the death of his wife and queen, more over what she had done and why he himself had killed her.
"I'm sorry James. I took Maria away from you and I took the queen away from Storms Landing" spoke Chris just loud enough for the king to hear him. He smiled slightly when James turned to looked at him, and noticing he was looking at a picture of him and his original wife Kate. Who had been killed by witches for some sacrifice, her heart being torn from her chest while it still beat. He could remember being there when James told Paige, her mother wasn't coming home, that it would just be the two of them from then on. "After all this time you still miss Kate?" asked Chris, he knew Kate meant the world to James, as Susan does with him and how their son meant everything. Yet now his son was no more, and his wife had taken her own life after writing a small note to him.
"You killed the one who betrayed this kingdom. The one who was responsible for the pain in which so many of us felt. Plus it is me who should be apologising. She was my wife and because of her actions you lost your son to vampirism and both wife and son to death" explained James, responding to the words Chris had spoken. He understood the pain his close friend was feeling, after all he had lost Kate and Paige. His wife and child. Although his daughter was reincarnated he doubted whether Maria was the reincarnation of Kate. As they were nothing alike. Kate loved her daughter no matter what and would never have abandoned her or tried to destroy the race she had become. Where as Maria had abandoned Paige when she become a vampire, and teamed with the enemy to kill all vampires in Storms Landing.
It wasn't long before the double wooden doors that lead to the throne room where James and Chris were opened. Bray and his two followers entered the large room shortly after. Seeing the supposedly grieving king in the shadows and the father of one of the vampires stood side by side. He knew why he had been called there and was willing to accept the punishment for his actions, if he should ever be given one. He only wished to make the king happy, he knew if he told James the truth then the happiness would have fade slightly as it would mean he got one he longed for back but the other was still to return to him.
"My king" proudly spoke Bray knowing what could happen if they king found him partly responsible for what had happened. "Me and my family give condolences for your loss, as we do to Chris for the loss you have also suffered" added Bray, bowing to show the sign of respect he had for the pair, after all they were legendary, the creatures of the night who lived in the shadows of the mountain castle. Keeping watch of the place that had effectively become known as Storms Landing. Mainly due to the weather there but also after the king who had ruled for centuries but never once aged. "How may we be at service?" asked Bray seeing how the king looked at him and noticing Gunner had appeared. Although neither of them were giving of a threatening aura there was still an unsettling feeling around the small family of three as they looked at the vampire and two men before them.
"Maria, who was she before in her previous life? And my beloved Kate, is she ever to be returned to me and Paige?" asked James, seeing the way one of the three looked at him, the one with the dark hair and bushy beard. He appeared to know what he was going to ask, although he stayed quiet. Bray smiled, before slowly and carefully walking forward, he knew this time he had to come clean with the king, he couldn't risk giving the king hope of finding the one person he had yet to find, when there wasn't a chance at all to find her again. Chris and Gunner looked towards each other, clearly seeing something was wrong although they had ideas on what it was, they settled for hearing the words come from the warlock himself, and hoping for the best. Knowing the king would rather get all the pain and suffering over at once.
"Kate, the witches that sacrificed her also placed a curse upon her. She would be reincarnated but never to find her past love. Forever condemned to be alone for being a vampire. She will not be reincarnated until her love has left this world and her daughter remains behind" revealed Bray, he could see the reaction of the other two, they had figure it out almost instantly. For Kate to live again James must die but Paige must live. So James and Kate could never be reunited and Paige could only have one of her parents at any given time. "As for Queen Maria, she wasn't anyone in the past. This is the first time her essence has appeared. Her first cycle of life" added Bray revealing the life Maria had lived was the first time for her. James nodded before leaving the room. He walked to the chambers that he once shared with Maria, wondering how it had come to this. He knew there was no way of reversing the curse placed on his first and beloved wife, as to do it they both had to be together.
"Goodbye my wife" whispered James, looking at one of the portraits of Kate, he never told Maria who she was, even when she asked. He had only responded by saying she was an important figure in the past and a kind and caring soul. He never once told Maria her name. Now he thought of it, it raised alarm bells, as if Maria was Kate she would have recognised her previous form, and wouldn't have asked who the woman in the painting was. James continued on to his chambers. As he walked he remembered the small prophesy the wizard from centuries ago had told him. Tyler would return to Paige six centuries from that day, when she come home again. He would find a small piece of happiness but two monsters would come with it. One he created through his decisions and another hidden by a disguise. James now realised Maria was the monster behind the disguise and Kevin was the one he had inadvertently created. he was almost at the doors to his chambers when someone shouted his name from behind him, sounding like they were at the far side of the corridor. James recognised the voice as Bobby's.
"James. I've been looking for you everywhere" spoke Bobby when he finally reached where the king had stopped although he could see the man would preferred to be left alone. "Do you know what's wrong with Paige? Whenever me or Angelina ask how she is holding up with her mother's death, she doesn't show any emotion, doesn't even talk about it" asked Bobby adding an explanation behind his question as he went. He knew the king would ask why he was asking such a question so he saved him the trouble and told him right after the question he had asked. The way James looked at Bobby was one he knew all to well. It was a knowing look, the one that suggested he did indeed know why Paige was acting like that.
"She is acting like that because to Paige, Maria isn't her mother. She spent the entire time she was away from here grieving because Maria disowned her and said she preferred Paige was dead. In Paige's eyes her true mother died a long time ago. Short terms. When she was away at Onyx River Peaks, both Paige and Seth reverted back to who they once where. Paige back to mine and Kate's daughter and Seth back to Tyler although he still answers to Seth. She isn't the girl you knew any more. Maria destroyed her when she forced Paige to leave months ago" replied James, revealing the Paige before him was not the niece he had known for so long. She wasn't the one who left the castle that night months before hand. She was the daughter James had lost a century ago, and one of the two people he had lost. "She's gone Bobby, you're niece isn't the Paige that's before you. The woman before you is my daughter, the one I lost before" added James, revealing to him what he had meant. Bobby looked confused at first but soon realised what he was being told and what his younger sister's actions had caused.
"Wait, when Maria said her daughter was dead. And the one who was here just after Paige and Seth woke up, were vampires. That caused her to erase that Maria was ever her mother, and everything about growing up in this life" asked Bobby trying to work out what Maria had done to her own daughter when she said that. James noddy sadly to him, knowing Paige had done more than just that. She had been disowned by someone she loved more than anything. Her mother. Her way of handling that was far more complicated than what Bobby knew. Bray had picked it up as soon as he seen her, he knew she was no longer Paige Jarrett, but the original child of Paige Storm the vampire princess.
"Bray spotted it as soon as he enter the palace and seen her. She recognises that she was killed by a vampire hunter a century ago. As she recognises she was reincarnated. But she no longer recognises her reincarnation was called Paige Jarrett. She only recognises the life of her previous self. The Vampire Princess. She doesn't recognise Maria as her mother, nor does she recognise you or any member or the Jarrett family any more. Although she remembers being here in the castle, Seth, Milo Winter, Gunner and Angelina. She struggles with JJ. The only people she recognises now are Seth, Raya, Gunner, Chris, Milo hence why she seemed sad when he died, and myself. The rest are strangers to her" explained James as best he could. He knew Maria had done a lot of damage to the girl who was supposed to be her daughter. To the point she didn't even recognise the Queen as her mother or even mourn for her.
At the other side of the castle, Paige was with Seth and there little girl, watching as she wiggled around in her crib, just wanting to be near her parents, even if they were in the same room as her. Seth looked at his young daughter and smiled. He had chosen to known both of his lives, and make his father proud of the man he had become and to be a good father to his own little girl. He knew his wife in Paige had chosen her previous life, he didn't mind either way as long as she was in his life and their daughter knew who she was. It wasn't long before their was soft knocking on the door, followed by the words of Winter from the throne room telling them not to open the door as it was either Angelina or Bobby. Paige looked to Seth then went to Raya, picking her up from the crib and soothing her since the knocking had disturbed her sense of peace.
It wasn't long before the pair heard the voices of two people rather than one the other side of the door, both recognising who the voices belonged to, and could still hear Winter telling them not to open the door, as they had come there to find out why Paige was not recognising Maria was her mother. It was clear to the pair of them Bobby was either in denial or didn't understand so went to the woman in question. The pair stayed in silence for a while hoping the two would leave, however on this occasion luck was against them as Bobby and Angelina were refusing to give up so easily. That was until the familiar voice of Chris was heard.
"Lady Paige isn't going to answer the door to you. Not when her daughter is in need of her. As for Seth it his highly unlikely he will answer when he knows why you are here" spoke Chris, referring to Paige as Lady like he had done when he was a vampire. It was now he missed being a vampire, the way he could be in another place in seconds rather than days, he could be another person in a blink of an eye and turn off his pain whenever he wanted to. Like he wanted to do now. Although he knew he had the support of those around the castle including James when it come to his mourning process, something which he was thankful for.
"She is my niece, Chris. If anyone can get me to understand all of this then it is her. Her mother is dead, as if your son and wife, surely you can understand why I am so worried about her. She lost someone she loved as did JJ, yet only JJ seems to be mourning over his loss. Paige walks around like nothing ever happened" responded Bobby, just trying to understand why his niece wasn't even showing any emotions, he understood that she was reverting back to who she originally was, but that doesn't explain why there is no emotion there. Chris felt for the man, clearly he hadn't realised Maria was James's second wife and the original Paige was from his first marriage and his only child from then before he turned to a vampire and Kate before he turned her.
"She's not the Paige you know Bobby. The girl who was your niece is gone, Maria caused that when she said her daughter was dead. The Paige with us is the daughter of James and Kate, the princess of Kings Landing. Why do you think she asked me why I was human again when she seen me. She chose to remember her past life and integrate memories of this one. But to her Kate is her mother" spoke Chris, knowing the man wouldn't listen, after all that would mean through his sister's actions he had lost his beloved niece and his sister, the two people he had sworn to protect.
"I know how much you want me to be the girl you know and loved. But I have no memory of you. I don't know who most people in this castle are, but if it makes you feel any better then I will try and get to know you and your family again" came the voice of Paige, revealing she was well aware of what he wanted. "I will however refuse to recognise Maria as my mother, she may have been the Queen but that doesn't make her my mother. A mother doesn't say their child is dead when they become something else, they love and accept their child no matter what" added Paige, revealing why she refused to accept her mother was Maria. "My mother is dead, but she died long ago, before I was even reincarnated, before I was even a vampire. She was the one who loved me and also one I know will never return" finished Paige walking away shortly after, one of the pups following behind her, that alone brought a smile to Chris's features.
"What are the pups called?" asked Chris, more out of curiosity than anything. He had noticed their were at least seven pups, she had given one of them to Bobby and Angelina, as she had done the same with Gunner and Winter. Even little JJ had one, the remaining four stayed with Seth and Paige. Paige soon turned around and noticed the pure black one following behind her. She knew eventually someone would ask what they were named. Just as she knew the names of the four with her and Seth would bring a smile to anyone her knew her as a little ten year old girl upon her return to Storm's Landing.
"Timber, Ghost and Shadow are the three still in the room with Seth and this one here is Milo, name after the friend he was" replied Paige, revealing through everything she still remembered Milo as the friend he was to her as a child, and she had granted his final wish and given him the forgiveness he asked for. "No matter what Milo was a friend, he just lost his way and didn't know how to control the vampirism. None of this was his fault, he was doing what he was convinced was right" added Paige, showing the kind side to her nature, the one that never forgot when someone was kind to her. She soon smiled and continued on her way the pup called Milo following behind her.
"Shhhh little Raya, everything is back to normal now, Shhhh" whispered Seth, trying to calm his crying daughter enough so she would fall asleep. "Mummy will be back soon little princess" he added knowing the little girl wanted her mum, so was not too please about being with her father. He remembered when his own father told him stories of what he was like, how he would be a peaceful child until someone he didn't know come. He noticed Shadow near the crib of his daughter, smiling at how the wolf appeared to be protective over her, much like his own and Paige's were of them when they were children. He smiled at the memories he had of the wolves when he was a child, how Gunner had given him Timber shortly after his father died and taught himself, Paige and Milo had to do tricks with the wolves. It was almost like the wolves were their protectors when others weren't there to help. It wasn't long before Paige entered the throne room, Milo and Chris following along behind her. Gunner and Winter were already in the room, each smiling at the Princess and the one who had effectively become the Kings Hand. She knew it was important as she had heard Gunner's voice informer her of her father's request. Hence why she had left her chambers, husband and three of the pups with her daughter. Although she knew she would return to them.
"As my daughter, you should know the decision myself and Chris have come to. We will tell JJ this upon his eighteenth birthday. After recent events both of us have decided to return to the status we are know for. So if we should die then we will be able to live once again" spoke James his voice echoing around the room. Paige knew what he had meant, a small smile appearing on his features. "This way I will be able to protect the residents of our home better, just as I will be able to protect you, your brother and the rest of our family better. During that attack I seen just how fragile and helpless I am as a human. Its time to become strong again" added James explaining his reasoning for wanting to return to his vampire status, he knew why Chris had decided to become one again, the people he had loved outside of his wife and son were already vampires besides James, all he wanted was to rejoin them and regain his former glory as a vampire.
"So you are to be the vampire king again. As Chris is to be your hand?" asked Paige a small smile forming on her pale lips. She had been informed in order for her mother to be reborn her father would have to die where as she would have to live. James nodded to her question, silently telling her that was what was to happen. "And what of JJ?" asked Paige wondering what would become of her younger brother, at best he would have a hard time understand the situation. At worst he would end up with resentment and hatred for the vampire kind, especially since he knew Chris was the one to take his mother away although none of them had been able to bring themselves to tell him, his mother was one of them responsible for the attack that caused his injury.
"Your brother will be told of this and when he comes of age will be given a choice. To live out his life as a mortal or become one of us a creature of the night. As for the request, both James and myself wish for you to turn us into the vampires we once were" responded Chris, revealing that JJ would be given the choice when he was old enough, where as both Chris himself and James had decided Paige should be the one to turn them into vampires. Showing that they trusted her even if she herself was still a newborn vampire and didn't fully trust herself. Both men knew they would also have a little explaining to do when it come to Bobby although they would help to look after him and his family since he was the last of his bloodline now besides James's son in JJ.
"Forever" whispered Paige once she was back in her chambers, knowing the man in was intended for would have heard her whispering voice from the opposite side of the castle. She knew they would love their daughter, helping her in anyway they could as she grew as would the others whom called the castle home. Just as she knew those around the castle would be there for JJ when he needed it, she had a feeling she already knew what her little brother would decide when he was old enough to decide whether he wanted the immortal life of a vampire or to stay mortal. She had a feeling he would remain human, thrust being able to join his mother once more in death. Seth soon stood at her side by Raya's crib, now she was asleep and tucked under the furs with Milo lying beneath the crib like he was her protector, that alone brought a smile to Seth and Paige.
"Looks like Milo returned to us in the form of the pup. Helping to protect our little girl like he once tried to protect us" responded Seth, remembering when Milo had tried to protect them from something before he was sent away. The three of them had been on a camping trip together alone, during the night they had been attacked, Milo using the skills he had learnt from his father and saving them. Paige was fourteen at the time, with Seth being eighteen and Milo being twenty. Milo had ended up wounded but had survived due to Seth gathering the things Paige had asked for. She had used the first aid skills both Winter and Angelina had taught her. Thrust ensure all three made it back to the castle they called home. That was how both Seth and Paige chose to remember Milo, as the friend and hero he was to them, rather than the man who had lost his way after he had been sent away.
End.
