A year had gone by and my heart still hurt from the loss of Septimus, my own land and Una. I worried about Septimus constantly and would find myself wandering to the Wall to see if the curse had broken. Every time it hadn't, I was relieved that it meant he was definitely alive, and I would hope our reunion would draw closer. And then doubt would creep over me, what if had forgotten about me?

The guard at the Wall had taken me under his wing, a kind old man whose name I found out was Albert. He had guarded the Wall for sixty years, the responsibility handed down in his family. He had told everyone in the village of Wall that I was a cousin from 'the North' which is why I was easily confused by their customs - whatever that meant I wasn't sure, but the village people seemed satisfied by his answer.

I was glad I had been able to help Albert with my keep as I had found that Septimus had left me some gold in the bag he gave me. I also found the emerald ring he had given me, and I wore it all the time, taking me through each day, a constant reminder that this would all be worth it.

One evening, I was sitting in the small parlour as Albert walked through from his shift at the Wall.

"You seemed to be later this evening?" I asked, every night I would hope that he might have seen something to give me a glimmer of hope.

"One of the boys from the village crossed over the wall, I tried to stop him" Albert told me as I felt my skin prickle.

"How interesting, which one?" I asked as I wondered if he would ever return. I hoped he would return and then I could ask about everything he heard or saw.

"Dunstan Thorn" Albert replied as he made his nightly cup of tea.

"I see" I nodded "I could teach you some defence with that stick of yours? Stop them all daring each other to get through you?"

"It's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks I guess my dear!" He laughed as I thought what a strange expression.

To my luck, he came back the next day. I was surprised, Stormhold is such a beautiful land that I thought he would never return. But I guess some people can't imagine the unimaginable? Either way, I had found out where he lived and decided I would question him.

The young boy was quick to open the door, rich brown eyes, and a shy expression as to why I was at his door, I guess he knew my connection to Albert and wondered if I had come there to scold him.

"How can I help you, Miss?" He asked politely.

"Bella. And you are Dunstan Thorn?" I replied, wanting to confirm his identity.

"Yes, Miss" he confirmed, the poor boy seeming so nervous.

"I'm here to ask you about your adventures last night, across the Wall" I informed him as he looked a shade paler as he remarked "You heard about that?"

"Please, I'm not here to judge. I just need to know everything you saw and heard. Did you meet anyone over there?" I couldn't help but spill my questions all at once as he looked like he blushed at my last question.

"How do you know about beyond the Wall?" He asked curiously, I leant closer to him as I whispered, "Because I'm from there".

He looked surprised and then opened the door wider as he beckoned me to come in. Dunstan told me that he had found the market town close to the Wall and all the wonders that he saw, the magic, the exotic, the wonder of it all. I saw him go a shade of red as he then mumbled that he met someone.

"How sweet!" I acted interested, he hadn't given me any information that made me feel at ease. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but I wanted more.

"You say sweet but apparently she is a princess tricked by a witch to be her slave" Dunstan told me casually as I felt the blood rush to my head.

"Did you just say Princess?" I questioned as my pulse started to race. I didn't want to get ahead of myself, it could easily be a lie by a market girl to impress the out of town boy.

"Yes, she was beautiful and kind" Dustan looked as if he was recalling the meeting in his mind "She had the most unusual name, Una".

I couldn't help but leap to my feet as I paced around the poor boy's home in an absolute panic. I wondered if he had the story correct, what did he mean she was a slave?

"Are you quite well, Miss?" Dustan asked me, his eyes following me around the room.

"How is it possible that she was tricked by a witch?" I carried on pacing, worrying filling me as I wondered if Septimus was trying to find her.

"Apparently she got lost in the woods trying to lead some guards off the track of her friend. I didn't quite understand" Dunstan explained. His words made me feel sick, surely not. I felt lightheaded as Dunstan looked at me and asked "Are you well? Please sit back down"

He ushered me over to a chair as the tears started to stream down my face as I couldn't help but sob "It's my fault".

And then I thought of Septimus, I had always found comfort that he would have Una to support him, but he had lost us both that day. I could only imagine what that would do to him.

"Did you know her?" Dunstan asked awkwardly as he handed me a tissue.

"She was like a sister to me" I whispered trying to compose myself.

"Perhaps you could tell me your story?" He suggested.

And then, none of us could have predicted that nine months later that a baby would appear at the Wall. Albert brought him home at first as I looked at the perfect little baby boy whose name appeared to be Tristan. As soon as I looked at his sweet eyes, I knew that this was Una's child.

"It says to deliver to Dunstan" Albert told me, I looked at him and asked, "Can't we take him in?"

I looked at the innocent baby, he would need his father however much I wanted to take care of Una's baby. This world didn't realise how important he was, and my mind darkly wandered to the threat he possibly was to Septimus. I shook my head quickly away from that thought, this baby was a gift from Stormhold and even though I knew we had to give him over to Dunstan I would make sure I would have an active part in his upbringing.

Me and Albert went to Dunstan's cottage to deliver Tristan together. Dunstan opened the door confused at visitors this time of night as Albert explained that a baby boy had been delivered to the Wall for him. The poor boy was in shock as to be expected as I reassured "We will help you Dustan, do not fear".

The boy nodded as he took the basket silently, staring at his son and closed the door.