The Light of My Hearts

Day 24...

The first thing seven-year-old Hannah became aware of was the fact that she couldn’t breathe. She roused from her sleep only to be choked with the oppressive smell of smoke burning her throat and lungs. Instinctually she threw her arm over her mouth and nose, though it did little in the face of the smoke-filled upstairs room. The smoke appeared to be coming from the lower room of their house. Her little brother was next to her in the same bed and she forcibly shook him awake.

“Micha! Micha! Wake up!” she cried.

The four-year-old awoke with a start but immediately started coughing and crying.

Hannah threw off the blankets and took her baby brother’s hand to rouse her other two sisters in the beds opposite them. Nelly and Liza were closer to the door of the loft and the smoke was much thicker there. Hannah could barely see them but she knew where they were.

“Nelly! Liza! Wake up! Wake up!” she screamed, trying to shout while covering her mouth and nose.

Liza, her eldest sister of twelve and her other ten-year-old sister Nelly, weren’t waking up.

“Liza! Nelly! Please! Wake up! The house is burning!” she screamed, trying to shake them.

"Children! Children can you hear me?!” her father’s panicked voice called from downstairs.

Still holding on to Mica’s hand, Hannah pulled him to the open door that led to the loft ladder. Much to her horror the ladder was falling apart and the whole lower floor looked like Hell itself, consumed with hot orange flames. The heat was oppressive and she immediately backed away, knowing that way wasn’t an option.

“Papa! Papa!” she tried to cry out but the smoke choked her into coughing.

Through the flames she could barely distinguish the silhouette of her father hovering near the outer door. He couldn’t enter the heat was too intense but he desperately wanted to get his children.

“The window! Go to the window now! HURRY!” he roared desperately.

Coughing while holding her brother’s hand she ran to the one “window” at the back of the loft which was a panel of wood with a hinge. Fumbling, Hannah undid the clasp and threw open the hatch. Smoke poured out as she and her brother hung out the opening seeking fresh air. Below she could see her mother sitting up against one of their trees, she looked injured but alive.

“Mama!?” she shouted.

Suddenly her father came running around the house and threw up his arms, “Jump! Quickly!”

Hannah lifted her little brother up into the small opening. He was bawling and coughing, snot and tears wetting his red face. The moment he saw the height he wailed louder, trying to retreat back into the smoky room.

“Hannah! Hurry!” her father urged, hands beckoning.

With a forceful push, Hannah sent Micha out the window and into their father’s arms. He set the crying boy on the grass and held open his arms again.

“Come on, Hannah! Jump! Jump!” he shouted.

“Papa! Nelly and Liza! They won’t wake up!” she shouted back, seeing her older sisters were still unconscious in their beds.

Her father gave her a distraught look but still urged her to jump, knowing he could lose all three of his daughters if she didn’t escape now. Suddenly, his gaze moved from Hannah in the window to just above the roof of their burning home.

“Oh...God in Heaven...” his mouth moved while his eyes flooded with horror.

Before Hannah could comprehend his reaction there was a loud crash on the other side of the house that sounded like the entire structure was giving way. There was a pause and then the roof above creaked and groaned followed by a horrible snapping of splintering wood. Hannah screamed and ducked down as the entire roof disappeared above her. In the dim of the firelight, she saw a huge shadowy thing moving near her sisters’ beds. And then it seemed to fly away into the night, taking both her sisters with it.

What was...?

Hannah didn’t have much time to process when suddenly she felt a warm, heavy pressure squeeze around her shoulders and body. Suddenly she was flying above her home, out of the smoke and away from the fire. In the air she could see their house. An inferno was burning out a hole in the far side of the home and the roof over the loft was torn completely off and lay as a mess of timber beside it. She tried to twist around to see what was lifting her but she was held immobile by the powerful yet soft pressure.

And then suddenly she found herself lowered to the ground and placed near her father and brother, who was sitting on his backside staring up with that same horrified expression. Nelly and Liza were laying nearby coughing as if their lungs were threatening to come out of their mouths. But they were alive.

Released, Hannah finally turned around to see a dark shadow rise up and away from her. It took her a second but then she distinguished the glittering of what looked like eyes reflecting the light of the burning fire. And then the glow of the fire revealed the outline of something very big looming over them.

“Is that everyone?” a deep voice rumbled over her, making her shiver.

Hannah looked to her father but he wasn’t moving or saying anything. There was a long pause before a brief gust of warm air from above ruffled her hair.

“Are there anymore humans in that house?” the deep voice asked again, sounding only slightly annoyed.

Since no one in her family was capable or willing to answer, Hannah replied, “No.”

A deep, grunt from the enormous silhouette, “Good.”

Another long pause followed. Hannah stared up at the dark shadow, seeing some details with the help of the firelight behind her. It looked like a giant man, kneeling down. She’d heard stories of a scary, terrible giant that lived in the forest to the north...surely this wasn’t him? That giant wouldn’t have saved them from a fire.

In that moment the huge being stood, rising high into the air, well above them and their house. Now the silhouette definitely looked like a giant man standing over them. His boot, lifted and swung away from them into the darkness and faintly shook the ground with its stepping fall. Against the backdrop of the starry sky, Hannah could see his broad back moving away.

She was safe. Her family was safe. Hannah didn’t know how it was possible but she and her sisters had been saved by a very unlikely rescuer.

“Thank you, Mr. Giant!” Hannah called out into the dark.

Her father hissed with an intense whisper, “Hannah! Quiet! It’s leaving!”

But suddenly the huge silhouette stopped, the footfalls halting.

“What?” the big voice was almost a whisper itself.

Not one to be rude, Hannah repeated, “Thank you, Mr. Giant.”

A heavy silence hung in the night air. The giant seemed frozen in place.

Then his head jerked slightly, “Damn it!” he cursed in a hushed rasp followed by low mumbling.

At first Hannah didn’t understand as an eel of fear slithered through her throat. Had she made him mad?

And then the huge being turned to glance over his shoulder, his voice contrasting from earlier in its gentleness, “What is your name, little one?”

“H-Hannah.” She announced.

“Hannah. How old are you?”

“Seven.”

“Only seven, huh?” he shook his head and huffed an ironic laugh, “You are very brave, Hannah.”

“Thank you.” She answered bashfully.

“I hope you live a long life.”

And then he walked away into the dark.

...

Later...

Kendrick entered his mountain home quietly so as not to disturb Twillow, who was asleep in her hanging bed. He’d only figured out five days ago that his beloved mate was pregnant and that they needed to go to the Parliel Realm soon to ensure her Life Water was properly infused with all the magic she could absorb. However, Twillow didn’t want to leave until her brother returned so he too might join them for a visit. In the meantime, despite having misgivings about leaving her alone, Kendrick had continued his “good deeds” wager.

He never expected to lose. Ever since the beginning he was one hundred percent certain he would win. But...he lost because of a seven-year-old little girl.

He was still mumbling things under his breath that would make Melvin raise an eyebrow. It wasn’t necessarily that he was mad over a little girl’s gratitude, he just didn’t like to lose (as Twillow so correctly pointed out) and he hated being wrong.

Tip-toeing over to his bed, Kendrick sat down and stripped off his shirt.

“Kendrick?” Twillow’s head slowly rose out of her bowl bed hanging nearby.

He jumped slightly before apologizing,“Oh. Sorry to wake you, my light. I was trying to be quiet.”

“No. It’s fine. How was your night?” she asked with a yawn.

“Lie. She’ll never know if you don’t tell her.” The prideful part of his brain immediately commanded.

“You can’t lie to Twillow.” his other side chided sternly. “You keep your word.”

He sighed, “Eventful.”

“Well, tell me what good deed you did tonight.” she asked, leaning in a relaxed way against the edge of her bowl bed.

Kendrick took off his boots, “Nothing difficult.”

“Which was?” Twillow prompted.

“Saved some humans from a house fire.” He said in a lack-luster tone, as if it was nothing.

Twillow’s head perked, “You did?”

He shrugged, “I smelled smoke. Found a house burning and heard a lot of screaming, so I helped. Ripped the roof off and pulled out three young girls who were trapped.”

“Oh!” Twillow sounded mortified at the idea of children almost burning to death, “Were they ok?”

“I think so. They were all breathing and moving. House is gone.” Kendrick explained.

“That poor family. How scary. They were lucky you came to help them.”

Finally, Kendrick sighed, frowned, and turned his head, “You win.”

Twillow was confused, “I win?”

“Our wager...you won.” He all but vomited the admission.

Her wings popped up with her surprise, “They thanked you!”

Kendrick nodded grumpily, “She was only seven.”

Twillow noticed his dour demeanor, “I thought you’d be happy someone actually thanked you for helping them?”

He shrugged, “It was...unexpected.”

“So now you’ll make peace with the humans?”

He nodded.

“How are you going to do it?”

Kendrick laughed lightly, “I...I don’t know. I never thought I’d have to... so I didn’t make a plan.” He looked at her, “I’ll wait until after our child is born. By then I should have a plan.”

Twillow smiled at him, “I’m so glad it happened.”

Again, Kendrick shrugged, “We’ll see if it works out...” he smelled the air and stood slowly over her bed, “How are you feeling?”

“Tired. I can tell I’m using a lot more energy.” She admitted.

Kendrick moved from her bed and checked the tiny plate of food he’d prepared for her before he left. It didn’t appear touched.

“You didn’t eat very much.”

Twillow made an uncomfortable face, “I’m sorry, Kendrick. Nothing tastes good. I think my body is starting to crave magic infused foods.”

“You must eat and keep strong.” He insisted as he went for their pantry, took out a single large blueberry, and tore it in half, “Here. Eat some of this.”

Twillow made a consenting face, took the offeredindee fruit, but only nibbled the huge blueberry half.

The giant nodded, “We need to leave soon. I’ll talk to Sig tomorrow about opening the portal.”

“I guess we need to tell them our news.” Twillow mentioned.

Kendrick agreed. They had left the family alone to emotionally recuperate from Sig’s arrest and hadn’t told them of Twillow’s pregnancy yet.

“When can you expect Gillam?”

“He sent me a parchment yesterday saying he and Helia were returning. They should be here any day now.” She explained, “I’ll have to curse you soon.”

A concerned frown creased Kendrick’s face, “Are you sure you’ll have the energy to do that?”

“Yes.”

Doubt seemed to permeate his expression which she noticed.

She sighed, “But...when Gillam arrives, he can help me.”

That seemed to settle Kendrick’s worries as he gave small nods. Kendrick stood over her hanging bed a moment before he leaned down and gently kissed the top of her head. She smiled up at him and then offered up the rest of the blueberry to him.

“One more big bite.” He ordered firmly.

She made a face but relented and did so, juice on her lips.

“Good.”

She fed him the rest. After eating it he leaned in and kissed her chest and belly.

“Sleep well then, my light.”

...

The next day...

After making breakfast for Twillow (which he watched her eat to ensure she was indeed eating) he set off to meet Sig about opening the portal to the Parliel Realm. Though Twillow wanted to come she admitted to being tired so Kendrick insisted that she remain near the Amethyst Well while he set out alone.

When he got closer, he saw a bright flash amid the trees as bright as lightning in a night sky. Seconds later a tree toppled with a snapping crack, disturbing the peace of the forest. Kendrick perked his head with interest as he went into a quieter mode of walking.

It wasn’t long before a second flash nearly blinded him but this time, he heard Sig’s voice shouting something. Kendrick blinked several times to clear the white dots dancing in his vision and looked down through the trees. There he saw Sig with his magic staff, glowing faintly and two trees laying near him. He had sweat shimmering on his brow but seemed to have a pleased expression.

“Hey, Sig.” he greeted.

The man spun with a startled shout, “Oh, GOD! Oh. Kendrick. It’s you.”

Sig was convinced the giant knew some sort of stealth magic the way he was able to move so quietly when he wanted.

“What are you doing? What the Hell was that bright light?” he inquired, kneeling behind the man.

“Oh! I was needing to restock the firewood pile and decided I’d try some magic to get the job done.” He explained, turning his staff, “Ever since Hugo improved my staff, I’ve been able to try so many more spells. This thing is more powerful than ever.”

Kendrick tipped his head, noting the way Sig was sweating and breathing, “You look tired.”

Sig made a sheepish face and nodded, “Yeah...the staff is more powerful, but I need to catch up to it.” He gestured to the fallen trees, “And either way I’d be tired if I had used an axe or a saw to chop these down and I get it done in far less time with less blisters.” He smiled and repositioned his staff, “Here. Watch this.”

The young wizard held the staff out over the felled trees and began chanting under his breath. His staff glowed green to match the stone it was infused with. He tapped each tree and lifted the staff, then brought it down sharply. The trees in front of him made a loud clunking noise and fell apart into perfectly sectioned pieces of firewood.

Kendrick gave an approving noise in his throat, “Seems you’ve gotten much better at that spell. No applesauce.”

Sig laughed, remembering his less than stellar performance when he tried to chop an apple into bits for their pie making party, “Yeah. Or...splinters in this case.”

The wizard sat down on one of the stumps for a short break.

“You know...you’ll probably need one or two more trees for a decent pile of firewood.” Kendrick pondered.

Sig nodded, waving his hand in a tired motion, “Yeah. I’ll get one more in a minute once I’ve...WHOA!"

Quite abruptly, the wizard jumped slightly when Kendrick’s hand entered his periphery and gripped one of the nearby trees near the ground. The trunk crackled with protesting noise as the giant hand gripped with immense pressure. Tendons as thick as two by fours popped up beneath the grey skin, activating the muscles surrounding. A horrible crackling and Kendrick uprooted the tree like a large, pesky weed. Kendrick placed the tree next to Sig casually.

“There you go.”

Sig swallowed, ”Holy..."

Kendrick inhaled subtly, then cocked his head, “That frightens you.”

“Well... “intimidates” would be a better word.” Sig admitted.

“Sorry.”

After Sig gathered his strength, he cast the wood splitting spell and diced up the last tree. Kendrick stacked the logs into the back of his wagon into neat triangular piles.

“Thanks, Kendrick. That’s a big help for me.”

“How have you been feeling?” Kendrick asked.

The man nodded, “I’m good. But...I just haven’t gone into town since then...any town for that matter. Leida’s been pretty wary of returning even to Rumstead...but she was there yesterday without incident.”

“Understandable. I’m glad you’re doing well.”

“So, just out patrolling today?”

“Actually, I was looking for you.”

“Oh?”

Kendrick nodded, “Twillow and I are going to the Parliel Realm for a few months and needed you to open the portal for us.”

“Well... sure. Anything for you two.” He squinted curiously, “A few months? Why so long?”

A slow smile appeared on Kendrick’s lips, “Twillow is going to have our child there.”

Sig’s head sprang up, his mouth an “O”, “She’s pregnant!?”

Kendrick nodded.

The blonde man stood, jogged over, and heartily patted Kendrick’s hand, “Congratulations, buddy!”

“Thanks.”

“Wow! That’s so amazing for you two!” he continued. “I’ll bet you’re excited?”

Kendrick nodded but then got a funny look on his face, “Yes...and no.”

“No?” Sig took several steps backward so he wouldn’t have to crane his head back so far. “Why, no?”

The giant scratched his arm nervously. Though he had been amazed, overwhelmed, and elated with the news of Twillow being pregnant with his child, he had many questions and fears incessantly popping up in his mind. Thoughts he didn’t feel right sharing with Twillow just now...

“I mean...I’ve wanted this for a long time and just never thought it would happen. But...”

“But?” Sig prompted.

“But...what if I’m no good at it?”

“Being a dad?”

Kendrick nodded slowly, “What if our child is scared of me?”

Sig laughed a bit, “Well, you’re great with my kids. They always ask if you’re going to babysit them again.”

Kendrick shrugged and then sighed heavily, “I just keep thinking I’m going to accidentally hurt our child. I mean I try to be careful but...all the time? I can’t mess up even once or...”

“You know it’s normal for a new dad to be nervous?” Sig explained, “When you told me Leida was pregnant with Leon I was a mess. How was I going to be a dad? I’d never even had siblings to take care of and practice! How was I going to provide for them? But it all worked out and those worries are so minimal now.”

Though Kendrick nodded he replied, “But you can’t crush your children.”

“No...” Sig admitted but then shook his hands, “Even still, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Just keep doing what you always do when you’re with my family and Twillow and you’ll do great!”

“Twillow said that too.” Kendrick admitted, “But I can’t stop thinking about it.”

There was a pause until Sig asked, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but has this ever happened before? A fae and a giant?”

Kendrick shrugged and shook his again, “I don’t think so.”

“I wonder if your baby will have wings and magic like Twillow? Or will it grow to your size?” Sig pondered with his usual curiosity.

“I...I don’t know.”

Kendrick himself hadn’t considered those questions. Leave it to Sig to bring up the good questions.

“Do fae have babies like humans do?” Sig asked.

To that Kendrick shook his head, “It’s way more complicated.”

He relayed what Twillow had told him about the whole fae pregnancy process and the man looked fascinated and surprised.

“Really? A tree?”

Kendrick nodded and shrugged at the same time, “Apparently.”

“I never would’ve thought.”

“Me either.”

“Well, when will you be leaving?” Sig circled back to the original part of their conversation.

“Within the week. We’re waiting for Gillam to return and he should be here in the next couple days.” Kendrick explained. “If you could come to our home that would be beneficial.”

“Whatever you need. I’d be glad to help.” Sig assured him.