October 3rd XX62

Today, for once, is a good day. Today we celebrate.

Gerhard has called me to his home, for a day I will not soon forget. The man is often so stoic, it is quite amusing to see him running around like a headless chicken, gushing emotions. You would think having gone through this once before already he'd be more put together than this, but here he is, a complete mess.

He's been a ball of nerves for weeks, and now the day has finally come, the birth of his second child.

Hannah, bless the dear woman, is far more put together than her husband, unfazed by the man's running about around her. And their boy too, little Gilbert, is even more tamed than his father. The four year old seems to be quite fascinated with the birth, from what Gerhard has told me, he is eager to meet his new sibling.

Now I see why I was called to join them, as I set to task, pulling both man and boy away so the midwifes can do their work in peace. Acting like this, you would think I was the elder of the two of us.

It is some time before they finish, and not a moment too soon, or I fear Gerhard would have burst in to demand an update.

The child, another boy, a second son for my dear friend. Blonde haired and blue eyes, just like his father.

He smiles, with tears in his eyes as he tells me his name.

Ludwig.

October 24th XX62

Hannah has finally fully recovered from the birth, the strong woman that she is. She has gone through so much, and yet still, she fights on, it is truly inspiring.

Little Ludwig is a bundle of joy, and Gilbert simply adores him, already proclaiming himself to be his brothers protector.

Perhaps one day, should I have children, these boys may be their friends.

But today is not as joyful as it would seem. The Queen sickens more each day, soon, I fear that our enemies will make their move.

January 2nd XX66

I wish that I could write of good things, but little is good these days.

The enemy has won, after four long years of struggle, our empty throne has been filled. The man who now calls himself our King, will surely bring nothing but pain and ruin to us all.

His first decree is evident of that.

He is hunting us down, for what means, I fear never to find out.

January 18th XX66

Gerhard has brought his boy, Gilbert, to our new hideout, and I intend to find out why.

It wasn't the plan, but the King is forcing my dear friends hand. The boy is barely eight years old, but it seems we don't have the luxury of time. We cannot wait until he is old enough to be brought fully into the fold, but nor can we tell him everything just yet.

So I am to help train him, to teach him, bit by bit, until he is old enough to fully understand.

And above all else, hide him, and his slumbering gift from the King at all costs.

March 17th XX66

Gilbert is a fast learner, and now, more than ever, I am certain he has his mother's gift within him. It has only been a few months and already he is showing signs of skill in predictions.

But... his red eyes...

As far as we know, the King is not as well versed in the Tells of our kin as we once feared, making it harder for him to find us.

But if he were ever to find out, I shudder to think of the fate that would befall this young boy.

October 22nd XX67

It is terrible.

Our hideout is no more, attacked by the Kings men. We fought, but we could not win, so we had no choice but to flee.

We have lost so many. Countless bloodlines have been snuffed out this night. I thought I was sure to die, I lost my good friend, but my life was saved.

Sara, one of the few to survive the attack. We fled together, as she pulled me to keep going.

Alone, wounded but alive, we found ourselves in the Old Ruins.

Certain of our coming end, it was there, in grass and hay, under the starless night sky we-

"Okaaay!"

Alfred quickly flips the page, not wanting to read about how his father got with his mother.

November 14th XX67

For the first time in over six years, I've returned to the city of my home. The Masking is complete, now, we bear no sign that we are anything special. Though I cannot go back to where I once lived, for that would give us away, we still need a home.

Sara is with child, our child, and they deserve a proper home to live in.

And I swear on my bloodline, that I will do everything to protect them as I once could not for the others.

Once we have a home, I shall marry Sara, and maybe, just maybe, we can be happy together.

February 28th XX68

A miracle, today, that is what I have seen.

Gerhard lives. His boys and wife too. They are here, in the Capital, living free and happy.

I met with him in the tavern and we spoke of old times together.

We were both sure the other was dead, it was a shock to see we were wrong.

How could this have happened?

Has our desperate struggle to survive been meaningless all this time?

To live free in the heart of the land ruled by one who would see us dead.

How many of us had to die so we could pretend to be safe?

March 1st XX68

We are not free. We are not safe.

I was blind to think that it could be so simple.

Gerhard knew it, and now I do too. That's what he was trying to tell me yesterday. To leave, to get out before it was too late.

And now it is.

They found a way to see through the Masking, they must have.

Guards grabbed me from the market, dragged me to the palace, before the King.

Questions, so many questions, and a simple threat.

Obey, or my wife and unborn child will be killed.

Family history records altered, and a new name and title slapped on me, then I was released.

It's almost laughable, to be named of noble blood and knighted by the very man who we once fought so hard against.

Has my whole life been meaningless?

Now, all that remains for me is my family, and I will protect them, even if that means I must become a dog to this man, so be it.

It seems Gerhard and I will be fighting side by side again once more.

July 1st XX68

Sara has gone into labour and I shall not leave her side.

July 4th XX68

I weep both tears of joy and sadness. My darling Sara has given me two beautiful boys, twins, but at the cost of her own life.

Our first, violet eyed little Matthew, and our second, blue eyed little Alfred, the two names we could not agree on, now they share them both. The guards outside are waiting to hear the news, no doubt so the King can demand his first born serves, as all nobles must.

But looking at them, I know little Al is the one with my gift within him. Matthew is too much like his mother.

Then, it is as Hannah once said, her prophecy is coming to pass after all.

Even if everything up until now has been for nothing, this much I can do, to fight back against what Fate has laid out for us.

As far as the King and all his men will ever know, Alfred was born first, not Matthew.

September 16th XX73

Gerhard you fool.

November 5th XX73

I have carried out your wish dear friend, Gilbert now knows everything.

His gift has awakened, Hannah's Will lives on within her boy. And yours within Ludwig.

Those boys are strong, you have done well.

Rest easy, old friend.

April 12th XX77

Gerhard, if your watching, know that your boy is a lunatic.

Such a plan, such foresight, even Hannah could not make such predictions.

To turn the tide of war singlehandedly, I fear the King may act against him, even if now he talks of promoting the boy.

He carries your Will, but if he carries on like this...

January 4th XX78

It seems like so long ago, but now my boys are turning ten this year, and soon, that means Al will be joining the army. The King continues to have a tight leash around my neck, one I cannot free my sons from, no matter how hard I try.

I'm running out of options...

August 20th XX78

Alfred is now in training, with the Kings eyes on him all the time now, and even Matthew has not been spared like I thought he would. The boy is now in the palace as the Book Keepers apprentice.

I have no choice left to me.

For my boys.

For yours too Gerhard, and all our lost friends.

I shall leave all my secrets here, should I fail.

It is time I end this.

And that's where the journal ends, leaving Alfred with far more questions than answers.

"How is this supposed to help?" He complains, flicking back and forth through the pages incase he missed something.

Tired and annoyed, he huffs as he tosses the book across the room. It lands with a thump, waking Arthur, then it starts to glow.

"Huh?"

'Al? What's going on?'

The glow increases in brightness, becoming blinding in the previously dim room, until it suddenly fades.

And there, standing before him, is his father...

Authors notes: Welcome to the chapter where not a lot happens, yet everything happens.

History and dead people, what more could you want?

R & R people.

Until next time, stay awesome!