The sounds of humming filled the room as Talin entered with a tray full of food as well as a couple of bouquets. He went over to the side table and placed the tray down, then went over to his love where she was feeding their son, who was three days old now. He watched with a small smile as the little one suckled hungrily while making little sounds as a tiny fist kneaded at Annalia’s soft breast. He ran his fingers through the soft dark hair on his son’s head before kissing his beloved lovingly in greeting. “I brought lunch as well as some gifts from your family. They were overjoyed at the news of the early birth, but that was after I reassured them that you and Arthur were well,” he murmured as he sat down on the bed next to her.

“I’m glad they took it so well. I bet they are excited to see Arthur and us,” Annalia replied softly as she played with her son’s fingers before smiling up at her husband. “I’m so glad he’s healthy! With all that happened, I…” she trailed off tremulously as her eyes filled with tears when she remembered how close they had come to failing. ‘If it hadn’t been for that weird force…’

“The Goddess was protecting you that day, my love. You have much to be proud of though. It was your courage and tenacity that helped you to succeed,” Talin commented softly almost as if he had read her mind. He smiled at her again as she looked up at him hopefully, and then caressed her cheek. “I too am very relieved that it worked out as it did,” he added before standing and going over to retrieve the tray of food.

Looking over as she followed his trip, Annalia smiled brightly as she saw the flowers. “Oh those are beautiful! Mum always has had a special touch for picking out lovely bouquets,” she declared affectionately as she removed her sleeping son from her breast to burp him while Talin returned with the tray of food.

He offered to take their child so that she could eat after placing the tray on the bed, then placed the sleeping newborn on his shoulder and patted the small back. Arthur had been born weighing five pounds, eight ounces and they had both been scared that, since he had been so early, he wouldn't make it or that they would have to stay longer. But their son had a strong spirit and proved it by gaining weight faster than a normal child so that he was at a safe weight to be off any machines. Annalia had commented that it was from her that he got that revulsion of machines.

As Annalia ate, Talin went back to the flowers and examined them as he swayed and rubbed his son’s back to soothe out the bubbles. He touched each flower while smiling. “Thyme, which speaks of strength and courage. It also helps with finding sleep,” he murmured and chuckled with Annalia as he glanced over. “White roses, a fine symbol of innocence and eternal love.” He grinned as he glanced back at her again as his eyes shone with deep devotion and love. He returned his gaze back to the bouquets. “Nasturtium, which is a symbol of maternal love as well as victory in conquest. Fitting. Lilies for protection from unwanted visitors as well as a sign of purity and lavender is a sign for devotion. Juniper is for protection as well as white heather. Holly stands for good will and defense as well as domestic happiness, which I believe we shall have plenty of.” He chuckled again as he looked over at her with a wink that caused her to giggle softly.

He turned back to the last bit of the bouquets and was pleased at the message that had been sent within their delicate beauty. “Forsythia for anticipation. I can imagine your family is indeed anticipating our return. Baby’s breath symbolize eternal love, carnations show bonds of affection and health, and daisies represent innocence. Yes…I would say that your mother does indeed know her flowers,” he murmured as he returned to the bedside and sat down next to his beloved. He beamed at her when he saw that she had finished her lunch, and then leaned in to return their son to her arms.

“Yea, she does. Did you tell her everything that had happened? It’s weird that she sent plants that stand for protection,” Annalia commented as she looked down at their sleeping son fondly. She brushed her finger along a pale plump cheek and smirked as Arthur’s mouth moved as if suckling before he settled again.

“Nay, I did not tell them all that had happened that day. Most normal people are fairly blind to the other worldly events that keep them safe. They need not be bothered with what occurred,” Talin replied kindly as he shifted so that they were shoulder to shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders in encouragement for her to snuggle close as she held their son.

“What did happen? Why did they capture me and do that ritual thing? It felt…” Annalia trailed off before swallowing hard as she hugged her son closer while trembling under Talin’s arm as he rubbed her arm.

“They were performing a ritual to send you and Arthur’s souls into what is known as Gelendan þæs Naht, or rather, Land of the Nothing. Once your souls would have been placed there, you would have ceased to be, never to even have been reborn. They must have been quite desperate for it takes the lives of several of one side to open that realm. Most likely they did not tell their followers of that in order for it to proceed with so many,” Talin explained quietly as he held her while tenderly nuzzling her. “It was serious enough that the three Shadow Lords had come to ensure it succeeded: Dreor, Cwild, and Heolstor; Blood, Death, and Darkness, the three greatest of the Lords of the Shadow. Their power is indeed formidable, but you were able to fend them off with the power of the Goddess.”

Disturbed, Annalia laid her head on his chest before shifting Arthur to her other arm so that their son was close to Talin as well. “I don’t understand why they would go to such lengths. He is just a baby and yet you all claim that he will save the world soon! How?” she demanded quietly, her voice tight with fear and anxiety.

“I do not know my beloved one. I was not alive when Arthur was, but from what I do know, his compassion gave him great power. He was a perfect blend of the Ancient Celtic bloodline and the line of Joseph of Arimathea and that in turn allowed him to tap into resources that many men could not. If bitterness and betrayal as well as the wound by his own son’s hand that, in the end, took his life had not spoiled his soul, he would have been as great as a Merlin. Greater than, if my understanding is correct,” Talin replied soothingly as he nuzzled her head tenderly while hugging her and his son. “With this chance…with a proper family to raise him, he will have the chance to become greater than any man could become.”

“But with the Shadow rising, it will not be long before they come after us again, right?” Annalia asked quietly and her voice was filled with dejection as she buried her face in his chest.

Talin was silent for a few minutes as he rubbed her back sympathetically while he pondered on what she had said. After a while, he kissed her forehead tenderly and gathered his family to him. “No matter what happens, I shall always protect you,” he whispered fiercely and reassured her with his renewal of his vow.

“Will you…marry me, Talin? Make us a family?” Annalia asked softly as she looked up at him with eyes wide with hope and glittery with tears.

Gazing at her before breaking into a wide grin, Talin kissed her deeply, and then took her hand in his own. “We are already bonded as husband and wife in eyes of the Goddess and the God of the Hunt for when we agreed to have this child together, we became man and wife. But I know how important it is for you and your family, so I shall indeed insist upon our marriage,” he alleged solemnly as their fingers laced together. She smiled beatifically at him as tears rolled from her eyes as she sniffled. She kissed him deeply this time, laughing joyfully in his mouth as Arthur whimpered in protest and forcing them to break their moment as he was pressed between them. They both chuckled as he fussed at them, waving his tiny fists in protest to their seeming disregard of his problems.

Standing carefully and gathering his son into his arms, Talin went over to the changing table to change their son’s diaper as she watched him with a loving gaze. As he cooed over their child while changing the dirty diaper, Annalia felt her heart fill with love and joy. No matter what life had thrown at them, they had survived. And she knew in her heart that, no matter what, they would survive anything the Shadow threw at them as long as they were together. ‘A family…we will be a family through everything. Our love will ensure it,’ she silently affirmed to herself as she watched her husband in heart and their son. Smiling, she closed her eyes and rested while imagining the happy days when they would reunite with her family.

A few days later had herself and Talin heading home with their son, Arthur, to be welcomed by the O’Grady family. They went to Talin’s home in Long Island, where they began preparations for their wedding, much to her family’s excitement. They invited Isabella Gerhardt for Talin’s side of the family since he had none…living that is.

Arthur adjusted swiftly once more to his new surroundings and quickly became the apple of their servants and family’s eyes. His joyful spirit and warm presence brought light and laughter where ever he was and the pride that Annalia and Talin felt showed on their faces for all to see.

With great joy and ceremony, Annalia and Talin spoke their Catholic marriage vows on a clear sunny June day, one year from when they had first bonded, in the company of her family and their friends. But as they spoke their vows, they repeated in their hearts their first vows that they had spoken a year before on Avalon. As they confirmed their vows to both the Goddess and the God, a rainbow shone over the church, symbolizing the blessing of them over the union and forever bonding them.

But under all of the light and joy, a thread of darkness continued to watch and pulse, awaiting its chance as it regained its power. The time grew close for the rising of the Shadow.