Good Morning, Little Ones. I think a lot of you mentioned yesterday it's hard to read this, knowing how this couple ends, and yeah, get ready to get some heart ripped right out of you.

Today is the beginning of that end, so proceed with some tissues.

Thank you to the Mel, Paige, and Jill!

.: Tíu :.

My Little One is anxious to call upon the rest our family, but it isn't until mid-spring that we are able to make it all the way to Arni's farm. I worry about too much travel, being that this is her first pregnancy and she is not yet knowledgeable in all the signs from her body.

By spring, the snow has melted enough that I am confident in traveling with my Little One.

We ride to Arni and Rúna's farm accompanied by Marcus. Though I do not believe we will need him, it does bring me peace of mind to know he is around to offer aid.

The journey is blissfully easy, though it is not long after our arrival that my Little One needs sleep. She's been needing rest more and more, so this does not alarm me.

After time spent with our family, Rúna leads Little One to our bed while I tend to the horses. By the time I crawl over the bedroll beside her, she is sound asleep. I pull her into my arms, pressing a kiss to her neck as my hand rubs over her belly.

Soon.

…

Arni and I are working on clearing a field for harvest while Bella and Rúna take the children swimming in the pond nearby. It is good to spend time with my cousin once more, and hearing stories about the mischief his children got up to during the long winter brings my heart much joy. He sounds exasperated, but happy nonetheless. I cannot wait to feel the same.

He is in the midst of telling me a story about disappearing ale, when we hear young Foli scream his sister's name. It is no mere cry—something is wrong—and immediately, Arni and I drop everything, sprinting to the water.

Not even in combat have I seen Arni move so swiftly. He dives into the water, resurfacing moments later with the much too still form of his daughter in his arms. My chest tightens, my stomach dropping at the sight of her small body.

I move to take Katla, helping to transfer her to land as Arni climbs out of the water. Her small form is cold from swimming, but it is the lack of movement in her that steals the breath from my chest.

Little One moves into action, commanding us to clear the space for her. I cannot fathom how she can help. I watch, horrified and mystified as Bella puts her hands on the child.

Surely, there is nothing she can do. Not even my mother, talented healer that she is, could bring back the dead.

I watch Little One as she bends over, breathing into the little girl's mouth. There is a ceremony in her hand movement, skill in how she presses on the child's chest. I don't know what she's doing, but a sense of watching Fate work comes over me.

I don't know what sort of magic my Little One wields and unleashes, but it's clear that's what's happening. Magic. It is beautiful and terrifying to watch, and it nearly brings me to my knees when I hear the child start coughing.

Witch. My wife is a witch, with the power of life and death.

I am a mere mortal to her power, and for a moment, I'm humbled and terrified in my awe.

Then, reality crashes around me. My Little One is a witch, and she has just done forbidden magic in front of witnesses. Even if it was to save the life of the child, I cannot hope they will not turn her in. This power is forbidden under pain of death.

I am immediately seized by overwhelming fear.

What are we going to do? How will I keep my family safe?

…

I have been unable to shake my fear.

Not of my wife, but of what could happen if she is to be found out. I am angry that she's kept such a secret from me, and I am terrified of what might happen if our family turns on her. Arni would never wish harm on Bella, I know this, but fear moves great men to madness, and I know Arni is worried for his family.

I can't imagine the damage I would do if someone ever threatened my own child.

I spend a considerable length of time once Little One is asleep after dinner, arguing with Arni. Rúna has come around, and now that her child is happily asleep beside her mother, Rúna's heart has softened once more.

But Arni cannot shake his fear.

"Cousin, please," I beg, my voice trembling with the emotions I'm fighting off. "If you wish us to depart from your land, we shall leave at first light, but my wife saved the life of your child today. Do you not owe it to her to spare hers?"

Arni's eyes are red from tears, and he takes a shaking breath.

"It is wrong," he says, his body trembling. "What if she breathed evil into our child with her magic?"

"Arni," Rúna scolds gently. "Bella would never. We know her. Our daughter lives, and her laugh is just as sweet as before." Rúna's hand gently brushes over her husband's cheek. "Do not think of evil where there have been gifts bestowed."

Arni lets out a long breath, reaching for his ale. After a long swig, he shakes his head. "I will not turn in Bella," he whispers, his voice low and broken. "But should my child show signs of evilness, my revenge will be swift."

I swallow hard. It is too much to put on my wife, and yet, I understand where he is coming from.

"Agreed," I murmur.

"We all must sleep," Rúna says, shaking her head. "I wish no war upon our family."

Having Arni promise not to turn in Bella gives me a degree of peace, and it is with that I'm finally able to curl up beside her, holding on tight. "All will be well, Little One," I whisper, wrapping my hand around her belly. "All will be well."

…

It feels as if I am asleep for not more than a moment before Rúna is waking us. A cold dread comes over me when she reports that Marcus has betrayed us.

I am furious with him, but more than anything, I'm terrified.

I must get my family to safety.

I move to action immediately, my mind racing with all that must be done. We cannot return home, for surely they will come for us there, and we cannot run to my father's house and risk putting them in danger.

We must leave Iceland.

We leave Arni's house, moving through the darkness toward the rocky shore. I don't want my Little One stumbling in the dark, so I take hold of her, guiding her down the path. In my haste, I feel myself tugging her along, and I want to stop and apologize to her, but my fear is too great to slow down.

I have faced death many times and never once flinched from it. I have the heart of a Viking, and I know that when my time comes, I will die with honor.

But I cannot say the same for my Little One. I cannot let her die, not when there is yet breath in my body.

Arni, Oddi, and I work on loading the boat.

"We couldn't spare more. I'm sorry, cousin," Arni says as we reach for the last baskets.

I shake my head. "This is much, thank you."

He reaches for me, a hand landing on my shoulder. "I do not wish her harm," he says quietly.

I swallow hard. "I will keep her safe."

He nods, knowing I will honor this vow. He lets me go, and I turn to my Little One.

She looks small and lost on the beach.

When she is firmly on board, Oddi and Arni push us out into the water. My body is tense, housing both fear and anger as I paddle us out to sea.

"What are we going to do?" Little One asks, tears pooling in her eyes.

I let out a heavy breath. I want to tell her that all will be well, but since they are not words I can promise her, I give her the next best thing. "Don't worry, Little One. I will figure it out."