Ch 15 - Humble Birth and Secrets from the Past
Amaya stood overlooking the fields before her. She had been here nearly three weeks. Her very round belly was supported by her leaning far back as she held onto a hoe with on hand. Garrett walked up to her. For such a large man, he moved very quietly, but she had heard him coming. He played the game well, only speaking to her frankly when the girl's were asleep in the loft and would not hear them speaking late at night. Rhenn for her part had adapted to simple housewife very easily having been raised to be one by her adopted family and clan. Skills such as cleaning fish and animals without damaging the hides had impressed the former officer of the Stormwind army. He never thought hiding the Queen of the Alliance would have been so easy.
"Are you well sister?" He asked nodding to the members of the community that walked by them, returning to the fields after midday lunch.
She nodded. "The baby is kicking." She said letting her free hand fall to her belly. She was a week from her due date and she found she hoped for it to come with each passing hour.
He nodded. He reached out gently and his hand paused near her. His eyes met hers. She smiled at the silent request and took his hand and pressed it to her over the thick home spun wool . He smiled feeling the baby move within her. It had been many years since he felt the feeling and it was soothing.
He looked out and saw his three daughters, Gretchen, Amanda, and Heidi already working in a field of early peas that needed to be harvested. The eldest, Heidi, was seventeen and being courted. Mathias, a young local man walked up to her and offered her some water. Garrett smiled and walked out to join them again. She and her sisters had been up with their father since daybreak, but they had all been lax on Amaya, whom was very pregnant and not sleeping well. Plus she cooked amazing food which made them not mind her staying home much of the day. The youngest, Gretchen, seemed to be very happy to have her aunt about for some guidance. He was a widower whose wife, Aramathea, had died nearly five years ago in childbirth.
She heard a horse behind her and turned to see the captain of the New Shore guard, Andrew, riding next to two Death Knights on their chargers. Amaya could tell from where she stood whom the Death Knights Highlord Mograine had sent to help train and aide the troops, was. One had claw like tattoos over his now white eyes and down his cheeks were very distinctive and cold only belong to one person. Beside him walked his skeletal minion with his great ax called Lurid. The other was a tall man who once had been a well known warrior. He was Abyssion, father of the warlock Lillina, and lover of a Darnassian druid.
Thassarian was tall and distinctive among these folk. He spotted Amaya watching him and excused himself for a moment. He had befriended her in sight of the town so people would not ask questions as to why he would speak to her more than most. Abyssion was less social, but kept an eye on the pregnant lady as he spoke to Andrew.
They had arrived only a few days before she had and training the men was a cover for watching over Kallin Jonathon and her mistress at the behest of Highlord Mograine, Tirion, and King Varian. Koltira and Mograine himself were to protect Mograine's wife in Northshire where she was to help with the wounded. The rest of the Ebon Blade would fight alongside their Agent Crusade brothers and sisters in either Northrend or in Stormwind. Highlord Fordring commanded in Icecrown while Mograine commanded the group in Stormwind.
He had come to the city well and carried water for the heavily pregnant woman whom had taken the name of the farmer's sister. Abyssion had stayed back watching for trouble or people taking too much of an interest in the exchange. The man Garrett had served Varian's father beside General Turalyon and was very eager to serve the Alliance again by hiding the Queen. Only three people in the town knew her true identity and they all would keep it that way lest some tongue wag in the wrong places.
The Death Knight dismounted and walked to Amaya. "It is not nice to stare." He said as he came level with her, his cloak moving about him like a shadow given life. His armor made a soft metallic sound as he stepped on the uneven soft earth. His unearthly white eyes glowed even in the light of day.
"I would have thought, of all people, you would be used to it." She countered.
He nodded and half smiled as he looked at the townsfolk working nearby. It was clear they were not sure what to make of the undead man who stood there armed with his twin rune blades. Death Knights were interesting. Their skin was ice cold with a blue tinge and their eyes white without pupils. They all wore plate armor making them look even larger than they were. The undead minion shifted near them watching silently. "You look well, your highness." He said softly under his breath. "Does the babe trouble you?" He asked more loudly seeing her hand resting on the swell. He nodded to the people who looked up seeing him. They clearly did not fully trust him, but Amaya whom had come from Stormwind had seen many they seemed to ration.
She shook her head. "No, but thank you for asking, my lord."
He cocked his head. "I am not a lord." He said softly.
"You are here." She said looking up at him. "No one has seen your caliber of warrior in this town and you are a Death Knight." She smiled.
He nodded. "True enough." Though he was forever frozen in her twenties because of the Lich King's spell, he had lived long enough now to see many things happen.
"How is Kallin?" She asked softly. Her friend was also here under the false name of Jessi. She had been "brought" to be servant and maid to the Death Knights and serve them. Though in fact it was the other way around. Thassarian was to guard the town and guard the young Queen and noblewoman at all costs. Both were with child, which made the Death Knight uncomfortable it seemed, but he covered it well. Thassarian like Mograine had the cold exterior of the Death Knight that was stereotypical, but also like his master he was learning he still had fragments of his soul left and the two women were helping him remember what it was to not only be human, but to be alive.
"She is well. She dotes on me more than she should." He remarked. "I am unused to having a maid." He looked toward the distant shore. "The baby moves inside a woman. I had forgotten from when Leryssa was being carried by my mother. I remember her more as a baby and toddler than in my mother's womb. Are they always so active?" He asked curiously.
"Sometimes." She nodded. "She should sleep when she can, when it rests. She is used to the living, however." She said. She looked over the fields. "How are the inspections going?"
"Why do you ask?" He asked.
"I am the Queen of the Alliance. Even in hiding I do like to keep informed Thassarian." She said so only he could hear, but her tone was firm.
He looked her up and down. "If only Varian could see his regal queen covered in dirt and smelling of loam and wood smoke and wearing thick harsh wool for a dress."
She chuckled. "I believe you tease me, sir Death Knight."
"I believe I do, yes." He offered a smile.
"Go on work the troops, but do not exhaust them. You have far more stamina."
"Of course…I am not living." He said. He mounted Dusk and chuckled. "I think one of your nieces has found something she wishes to show you, housewife." He said.
She shot him a look before looking to see what Gretchen was bringing her. It was a butterfly that was resting on her shoulder. Amaya smiled and looked at it as Thassarian moved off to gather Andrew.
ZzZ
The next day was very much like the others Queen Rhenn had spent here. She became her token identity when she woke from her bed near the house fireplace. It was warmer there as the cold of spring nights often chilled her. She sat up slowly. She touched her belly feeling a slight twinge.
She stood up and moved about the house. Something was different. She knew it
Garrett sat eating the thin oatmeal she had prepared for the morning meal with thick honey to sweeten it. He watched her moved about the kitchen. Something was different in her gait. She was more bent over and moved about with restless movements as if something was on her mind.
He rose to his feet and went to her as she went to draw water from the well behind the house. "Are you well?" He asked her as she worked the pump and lifted the handle.
"Yes." She said.
"Is the babe restless?"
"Yes." She nodded.
He moved and lifted the bucket for her. "Do you think you are in labor?"
"No." She said. She looked up at the trees and touched her belly. "But I am sure it is close at hand."
"Shall I leave Heidi with you?" He asked.
She nodded. "If that isn't too much trouble."
He took her hand and stepped close so only she would hear. "Good lady, I fear for you. Country women die more frequently than those of the city. What if…?"
"I am well. When the pains start we shall fetch the midwife." She said softly. She patted his hand. "Worry not. I have had several babes. I know what to expect."
"But not in some time." He said and took a breath. "Please be careful. Have Heidi do all the heavy work. You need your rest."
She for once did not argue and nodded. "What is the midwife's name?"
"She is a half-elf by the name of Mahela. She is elderly, but she has saved several women from difficult births here."
She nodded and walked gingerly back into the house.
ZzZ
It was several hours later. Rhenn/Amaya was sleeping on the couch with a blanket about her when her eyes opened. She was in terrible pain. She had been having minor contractions for two weeks, but suddenly the pain was nearly unbearable. She bent over and whimpered pushing against the pain. Tears ran down her cheeks as Heidi dropped the bucket she held and went to her side.
"Auntie?" She asked. "Are you all right?"
Rhenn shook her head as the pains eased, but only slightly. "Fetch Mahela, your father, and the Death Knights Abyssion and Thassarian." She gasped.
"Death Knights, why the death knights?"
"They are friends of mine from Stormwind. Go child, go!"
Heidi dashed out and ran to her father first out in the fields. "Father, father, its auntie, she's in pain and asking for you?"
"Did you fetch the midwife?" Garrett asked.
"Going now. Amanda?"
"Yes?"
"Can you fetch the two death knights?"
"Why?"
"She has asked for them." Heidi said.
"Girls." Garrett said sharply as they made ready to dash.
They turned back to him. "Yes father?" They asked at the same time.
"Your Auntie is very special. You must know that."
"Of course, father."
"No." He shook his head. "She is a secret. Promise you will keep her identity to yourselves."
"We swear." Heidi said. "Who is she, if not our Auntie?"
Garrett took a breath. "The Queen of the Alliance. She is Lady Rhenn herself."
"What?" Amanda squeaked.
"Hush." Garrett admonished, looking about. No one was near enough to hear, but he did not wish to take any chances.
The three girls nodded. "Why is she here?" Heidi asked.
"The baby was coming soon and the King could not have her in the city where she could have been harmed. She has been your auntie because it was safer. Now we must pray and help her all we can." Garrett said.
The girls nodded. Amanda ran to fetch the Death Knights and Heidi went to fetch old Mahela. The old half elf woman was an old gentle soul who offered sweets to children who came to her house on the outskirts of town and she had helped several women give birth including two difficult labors. Garrett had told her that he wished that she would have come to the town, as she had on the North wind, and thus his own wife would still be alive.
Amanda reached the two story building where the Death Knights were staying. She knocked on the door furiously and the door opened to reveal Jessi, her own belly was large, but she seemed to hold it less awkwardly than Amaya had. "What can I do for you, child?" Jessi asked.
"Amaya, my auntie, she is in labor. She calls for the Death Knights. I have no idea why."
Jessi lifted her hand and went into the house leaving the door wide. "Lord Abyssion, Lord Thassarian."
Thassarian appeared on the stairs. "What is it?" He asked.
"It is time." Jessi said slowly.
Thassarian nodded slowly. Abyssion joined him and together they walked out into the street. A storm was blowing in and the harsh wet wind blew skirts and cloaks in wild frenzies around their owners. The four came through the door to find Heidi helping the elderly Mahela into the room where Amaya was sitting her hand on her belly. Amaya was watching the weather outside as she winced with another contraction.
Mahela nodded to the woman and dropped to her knees. Without preamble she reached under the thick wool skirts of her patient and felt. Amaya was shocked by the invasion of her privacy and person, but the woman withdrew her hand and pressed a hand to her belly.
"This is not your first birth." The midwife crone said softly.
"No." Rhenn said panting between the contractions. They were steady and regular.
"You also have been in labor for a lot longer than an hour." The midwife said softly patting the knee. "The baby wills to be born soon enough. Come stay warm and walk about to try to descend the babe."
Mahela watched the girl rise. She knew there was something familiar, but she could not put her finger on it. As the girl walked about with the help of Garrett it suddenly became clear as she bent in a contraction. Someone she had not thought on for years…could it be?
ZzZ
The night wore on and the storm grew more intense. Garrett was happy he had replaced the slates on the house the year before as the rain pelted the windows. The large former blacksmith sat in a chair watching as Abyssion walked with the Queen. She was in contractions every thirty seconds and it nearly bent her in two as the death knight held her elbows to steady her.
Thassarian, Jessi, the girls and Garrett had spent the better part of four hours walking with the labored woman as the midwife made ready for the birth.
After another hour Rhenn was allowed to crawl back into the bed near the fire as the contractions grew more intense and very close together. She was sweat drenched and Mahela calmly watched her progress. Garrett sat near her trying to help, but not be in the way. Jessi was caressing her hair. The Death Knights moved to stand guard and help bring in water to be boiled.
The girl watched in horrified fascination as the queen labored. She was greatly in pain, but it was easier and not as hard as it had been with Alanis. It also was shorter. She was crowning at five hours and at last Mahela gave her leave to push.
Garrett and Jessi helped anchor her and after an hour of crying and exhaustive pushing a small, but healthy girl slid from the Queen. The pour woman fainted as the baby slipped from her and Garrett held her against him anxiously as Mahela and Jessi wiped the baby and cleaned her face and nose. The baby whimpered, it was mostly in protest of being rubbed with warm wet towels. Once cleaned Mahela cut the cord binding her to her mother and turned her attentions to the Queen who had her eyes open and was trying to move.
Garrett calmed her as they listened to the storm, but the baby yawned and settled down beside her mother as Mahela changed the sheets. She was not yet hungry enough to complain and the queen needed rest.
The death knights ate alongside the others at they all relaxed. The queen and princess were well and resting. They both looked at the infant curiously wondering how she could sleep through the storm. Rhenn was understandable after how much she had labored, but the infant also seemed to just be lulled to sleep by the sounds.
When Rhenn woke sometime later, Jessi and the death knights had parted, the girls were sleeping, and Mahela had returned to her cottage. The large former officer turned farmer was poking the coals. He felt eyes on him and turned to see Rhenn nursing the baby in the low light. The soft sound he had been hearing was the baby cooing as she suckled.
Rhenn for her part was watching him.
He came to her. "Are you well, do you need anything?" He asked.
"Some milk if you have it." She said softly. She smiled at him.
He fetched it from the larder. Thick and sweet, Heidi had milked the goat only an hour ago. He brought the frothy mug to Rhenn and smiled at her as she reached with her free hand to drink. "What do you call her?" He asked softly.
Rhenn smiled weakly. "Aramathea." She said softly.
Garrett's eyes welled up and he looked away for a moment. Rhenn pressed a hand to his thick bicep and looked at him. "She was a good woman. She will be remembered now in two homes."
He turned back and smiled even as the tears spilled. "She would have liked that."
ZzZ
Lillina, the young warlock, had arrived in New Southshore. She knew the Queen was somewhere near this area and she had questions for her. She had journeyed from the dwarven harbor of Menethil to here. Jaina Proudmoore had allowed it to slip that the queen while the city of Stormwind prepared to face the undead masses, had been sent to safety in the far reaches of the United Alliance kingdom.
She went around asking about half elves in the area and found there were two. The elderly midwife and the new comer from Stormwind who was the half sister of the old retired Stormwind army officer. She had been born when his father had remarried.
The young warlock was sure she had found Rhenn. As it happened as she went to the town hall. The old birth and death records held that there was a young half elf borne of the union between Nile the bronze smith and his second wife, Mariel. The daughter's name was Amaya.
Lillina was confused by this, but decided to check out the area anyway. She asked for directions for listed son from the first marriage, Garrett. A local woman with apple cheeks pointed her to the town outskirts where a two level home rested on the edge of several fields.
She walked to the door and was startled when a tall death knight emerged. Her mouth dropped open when she recognized Abyssion, her father standing before her. He looked at her a moment and cocked his head. "What brings you here?" He asked gruffly.
"I have come looking for someone. I have heard she was within the home of Garrett."
He shrugged. "Garrett is within. Ask him." He said and trudged off passed her.
She watched him go. He seemed not to wish to be bothered and so she turned back to the door. She knocked and a large burly man came to the door. "Yes?" He asked folding his arms across his barrel chest.
"I have come to see Queen Rhenn." Lillina said undaunted. "I was sent from Stormwind to check her welfare." That was a bald faced lie, but she held her ground.
He nodded. "Very well." He said after several moments of looking her up and down in her dark robes. "She is within. The babe woke about five minutes ago and so she is nursing it. Be quiet as you move, but I am sure she would like the company."
Lillina nodded and followed his hand back to the area where a woman sat up on a bed. She was leaning back against several pillows, but the queen still had her bold eyes that belayed her exhausted physic. Lillina knew it was Rhenn by the tattoos on her face. Others swirled in intricate patterns around her bosom, which she had never seen before. The queen was nursing a thick brown haired babe against her breast.
Lillina coughed politely and Rhenn looked up. The queen looked as though she had not slept well a few nights, but still she smiled by way of greeting. "Lillina. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
The young warlock bowed slightly. "Majesty." She said. "I came to see you and Helene."
"How did you find me?" Rhenn asked. Rhenn took a breath. "Helene is still in Stormwind somewhere. She did not come with me." She sounded a little worried.
"I did not see her." The young warlock said.
"Perhaps she left with another group." Rhenn said. "She was supposed to leave as I did, but to a different part of the countryside. How did you…" Rhenn doubted Varian or any of his officers had allowed it to slip even to the young girl's mentor.
"Jaina let it slip, but I was the only one in the room." Lillina said stepping closer. The queen had evidently been interrupted in her lunch as it sat on the table beside her. Rhenn lifted the infant and settled her back to nurse from the other breast as she again looked up.
"It is good to see you again." She said.
"Thank you, you as well." The young warlock said. She dropped unbidden onto the bed near Rhenn's knees.
The queen lifted the now sleepy infant and patted her back. She was rewarded by a loud burp and then the baby settled into the hollow Rhenn had made for her as a makeshift crib. The baby soon was snoring lightly and Rhenn chuckled softly.
Rhenn turned to her food and began to eat the now cool stew and thick yeast bread that she had been given. With it was thick goat's milk and a small draft of thick yeasty beer that Mahela had informed her she must drink to gain her strength back and to help with her milk flow.
"She is beautiful. King Wrynn will be pleased."
"Yes." Rhenn agreed. She smiled. "Now come what brings you here to visit old little me?" She said grinning. The girl grinned too and felt herself relax.
They talked well into the afternoon and Rhenn insisted she stay for dinner. The girl relented and ate dinner with the family and even got the chance to hold the tiny princess. The baby was smaller than she had expected and was wrapped in simple clothes to keep her dry and warm. The face and hair made her look very much like her sire, but her eyes. Her eyes were sea green and looked much like Rhenn's. She excused herself after dinner refusing the offer from Garrett for her to spend the night and left bidding good night to the queen. She would keep the secret of where she was hidden as well. She needed to return to Darnassus now that some of her questions had been answered and for that she was grateful to the queen for listening to her. A half elf seemed to understand the plight better than any other and Rhenn had survived more trials than any singular being should have to endure. For that, Lillina thought as the gryphon lifted into the air, Rhenn was very much a hero.
ZzZ
Kallin went into labor two days later and gave birth within two hours to a healthy son. Abyssion and Thassarrian both helped the elderly midwife deliver the babe. Abyssion stayed at her side smiling as the baby nursed and fussed in the tiny infant way. He marveled at the perfect tiny feet and hands and thick brown hair. He felt feelings stir he had not known in some time watching the babe. He even watched the two of them sleep snug by the fire, the mother in the cot and the babe in a drawer from one of the dressers in the simple home.
The orderly was on her feet and able to move within a day. She, unlike her queen, was much stronger after giving birth and went to see her friend.
Mahela was there checking on her patients. She looked up at Jessi and then turned back to Rhenn. "I have to tell you. You remind me of someone I knew long ago." She looked up at Rhenn and then reached to touch her face. Then she touched her brow and then her cheeks. Rhenn allowed it as the old woman felt her face.
The old woman smiled and then rose to her feet slowly. Rhenn was not able to walk yet, but she looked up at the older woman. "What is it?"
"A'latha." She said.
Rhenn knew that word. She took a steadying breath. She had seen it on a grave. The grave in Ghostlands, with the flower, the blood knight, and…
She gasped. "Wait!" She cried. "You knew my mother?"
Mahela paused at the door. "When you are ready child. You will find me." And with that she was gone. Kallin looked at Rhenn and drew the shawl over her shoulders and nodded to the porridge. Rhenn took a bite and then looked to the door.
"Could it be Kallin?" She asked softly. "Could she know why I was abandoned?"
Kallin had no answer.
ZzZ
It was nearly a week later before Rhenn ventured out of bed. She dressed herself in the simple homespun clothing and apron she had been given. The dress was thick and kept her warm as she looked down at the sleeping small, but healthy girl.
She lifted her and walked gingerly down the road and up to the house where the midwife lived. She knocked on the door and a frail voice reached her.
"Come in."
She did and had to duck to keep from being hit in the head or face by the drying herbs hanging from the rafters. Rhenn smiled when she saw Mahela on the couch working on a blanket. It was a baby blanket of many colors. The half elf smiled up at her. "You do look like your mother. Is that why you have come?"
Rhenn nodded holding her baby with the experience of a mother whom had had children for a long time. "How do you know who I am?"
"Your mother wished to name you Kali or Star. She was looking at them as she died."
"Why did she die?"
"She gave up on life. I think it was because of the disappointments she had had." She looked down. "She was a good woman."
"If she was a good woman why did she let me nearly die on the pack ice."
"Who told you that?" Mahela looked up sharply.
"No one, but I have met my father. He is a blood knight."
Mahela laughed without humor. "No child." She said. "He longed for children, but you were not of his making."
"But if my father was not a blood elf how am I a half elven if my mother was human."
"You mother was a princess to the blood elves." Mahela said steadily looking up at Rhenn. "Anthalas, was not your father. You father was murdered long before you were born. He was human." She took a breath and coughed a little. "Anthalas was the one who left you to die."
"But he knew me. When I was in Ghostlands, I smelled a flower and he found me. He saved my life. He…"
"The gods saved you my dear little one." Mahela. "I knew you were destined for something." She looked up and smiled her eyes though tight with age were bright.
Rhenn lifted from her small necklace her locket. Within were pictures of Varian, her children, and a small scrap of red silk. Her parents had told her she was wrapped lovingly in it and the face of the locket was the clasp that had been on it. She had kept them close and had a dwarven gold smith fashion for her the locket after the birth of Jamiy and Helene. She looked down at the now threadbare silk and sighed. "He cared. I went through my life thinking I was abandoned. Then when I met him I thought he loved me. He told me he was my father."
"Guilt, child." Mahela said. "He was your father's murderer. Your mother told me everything while she paced the small hut in the Ghostlands." She took a breath. "Sadly, I had to leave her when the scourge invaded. I knew I had other babies to deliver and so I made my way south until I was welcomed here." She smiled. "I never knew I would see you again." She patted Rhenn's knee. "Now look at you. A mother, a grandmother, and a queen." She chuckled which turned into choking. She held up her hand as Rhenn moved to help her. "No. I am well. Just old."
"The flower. I smell it here."
"Moonglow?" Mahela asked. "Very few bushes remain. The one at my house is no doubt dead or wild." She pointed up at the rafters. I have one here. It bloomed this spring for the first time ever. It was a good omen to me." She looked levelly at Rhenn. "It know you were returning to me."
Rhenn shifted gingerly and looked down at the baby who was waking and fusing for her meal. Rhenn sighed and let the top of her dress drop and pulled out her breast. It was heavy and milk laden as she let the baby root for it and latch on. Her eyes closed to being barely open as the baby suckled from her. Mahela smiled. "It much be a wondrous thing to nurse a baby."
Rhenn looked up. "Do you not have children?"
"No Sin'dorei male would court me." Mahela said keeping the bitterness from her voice, but only barely. "I am a half elf, mixed blood. To them I am nothing. By the time I moved here I was far too old to think about child bearing." She cocked her head. "Though I have delivered over two thousand children in my life time and those are my children." She smiled at Rhenn. "And this tiny one." She pulled the blanket down to reveal the dark haired baby with tiny nearly round, but had tips still ears. "Is my first grandchild."
Rhenn spent the rest of the afternoon with the elder woman and even made her a stew of thick broth and vegetables. They ate together before Rhenn returned home. Rhenn listened to her heritage. She was the daughter of a Blood Elf princess and her human lover. She had been born in the woods because her mother would not have a half elf born where her family would kill it outright. The man who had claimed before to be her father had tried to kill her, but even now Rhenn wore his cloak clasp and had a scrap of cloth that she had been wrapped in. He had meant to kill her, but part of him would not expose her to the elements. It was for this reason she had made it to her adopted parents.
Mahela listened about the Tuskarr and Rhenn coming to Stormwind and dwelling among the humans. Then Rhenn spoke about her marriages to Grekko and Varian as well as her beautiful children. Mahela could only smile at the beautiful girl whom she had delivered was now a middle aged woman and a mother and grandmother herself. She was a queen as was her birthright.
Rhenn returned home with a lighter heart. She could not wait to tell Varian. She now knew who she was. She wanted to learn more of Mahela and her own half elven history.
It was midmorning when Rhenn walked carrying a light breakfast in a basket in one arm and her infant in the other to the healer's home. She knocked on the door and there was no answer. She opened the door and saw Mahela by the fireplace.
"There you are." She said. "Sleeping in?" She asked.
She came closer and froze. Mahela was staring into the fire unblinking. In her lap was a note on parchment. On her face was a soft smile even as her now unseeing eyes watched the dancing flames before her.
Rhenn took a quivering breath. She had wanted to know so much more about the blood elves and who she was and now…
She lifted the paper. It was addressed to her. The first part was the request of the midwife to be cremated. The second was her desire to have her ashes spread in the city of Stormwind, the place where the sign of hope for a new life dwelled, Rhenn. The last part was to Rhenn herself and Rhenn held the note closed and began to weep.
Later that day a small group stood around a funeral pyre watching the flames claim the body of the elderly woman. Rhenn stood beside Garrett and Thassarian watching the flames lick skin from bones and the smoke drifted out to sea. The beach was where Rhenn requested the pyre to be. Rhenn had left her family by sea. So should the lonely midwife whose only joy in her life was knowing that a girl she delivered had become the fullest fate could have every be hoped for.
Rhenn wept as Heidi bounced the baby girl softly. Garrett held the Queen's shoulders gently knowing from her conversation when she had come home just the night before that she had been so informed as to who she was. The voids were full. It was full circle for the midwife and so it was her time to go, but she left Rhenn with answers, something she had wanted all her life.
Softly she held the parchment to her heart as she watched darkness descend on the beach and soon the only light was the embers of the pyre. The past was free and thus Rhenn, the Queen of the United Alliance was as well. She would do as the midwife requested. It was her due for the honor she had done to Rhenn.
As the embers grew dim she turned, still clutching the note and walked away, and did not look back.
ZzZ
Very rarely do I add footnotes to my stories. In this case I needed too. Brendan Aurabolt has allowed me to use his characters just as he has used mine. Thanks for all the support!