If By Some Miracle

The evening sun was setting low in the sky, seeping its rays through the gaps in the leaves of Lord Rafe's Hollow. Considering her betrothed was out training with her sons and the family servants tending to their own, it should have been a moment of peace for the princess. The guard that constantly accompanied her had become so much of a given presence, that he was almost part of the surroundings. So in almost all aspects, she was alone. Her pale sides moved slowly with every deep breath as she lay there in momentary bliss. To some degree, it was an ugly sight with skin and fur seemingly stretched over bone but it was a common sight now. Inside her, the small growing life twitched every now and then, making Iminye smile softly.

Just as her tired, blue orbs were about to fall closed they suddenly shot wide with shock. A loud wail of pain escaped her throat in a raspy sharp breath. The sudden stab to her side caused her to collapse to the side in excruciation. No, it couldn’t be… This was too soon. No, please! The princess’ mind panicked at the instinct that hit her like a slab of stone, she knew what was happening. By the gods, was it terrifying.

In the long stretch that followed, she drifted in and out of consciousness. She vaguely remembered forms shifting in and out of focus around her, but was not aware of who they were or what was being said. Instead, she had innately focused every drop of energy on the small light. Crying, heaving she extracted all the effort she had in her tiny and fragile body. Until, she heard the bleating. It was faint, but it was enough for her to rest her panic for a split second. Darkness overcame her and she had nothing left in her to fight it.

When she awoke in a haze, her sight regained slowly and the pale doe began to register her surroundings. It was light, but not the same way as it had been before. This was fresh, pure light of morning. The light of start and new chances. Beside her, she felt the familiar touch of a family servant grooming her and smiled faintly at the figure. “Thank you” her voice was soft and fluid again as she searched the ground beside her. Just there, at her side, was a tiny pale form. Smaller than any fawn she had ever witnessed, so much so that it returned the worry to her heart. Though it was settled, somewhat, when she saw the petite chest rise and fall. She had done it, despite her fears the little life inside of her that she had bonded with for the past season was now a blessing that she could hold.

What more, the life she had bore was a little filly. Her first princess! Eyes suddenly lit up as the corners of her mouth spread into a relieved and incredulous smile. She had done right, for once, and couldn't have been more thankful. Perhaps now, her lord would not regret giving her another chance. Perhaps, he would be happy with something she had done… Immersed in dreams of the ideal and momentary bliss, she gently touched her nose to the hind’s forehead. The response came slow, but it was a response all the same. She didn’t think twice about her baby being as exhausted as she was from the long night. The tiny head raised itself and the princess looked up though beautiful, big blue crystals. It was a beautiful sight to see the recognition on her face, one Iminye had seen in both Riddick and Darius too. She was sure that she would never get tired of being lucky enough to experience precious moments such as these.

Then, she was torn away from her thoughts abruptly. Having been in a state of tunnel vision, she hadn’t realized. Now though, she heard the wheeze that came with a breath every so often from her daughter. Listening properly this time, she heard it clearly. Urgent fear struck her when another wheeze was followed by a bout of painful, harsh coughing. She was sick, Iminye could sense it now like waves crashing on rock. No, this couldn’t be happening. In this state, her little light would not make it another day. She couldn’t let that happen. Her children were her everything and, even if she had only just met her, the doe would never forgive herself if anything bad happened. “Oganach, Earrann, Aillte, please I beg of you-” tears rolled down her dainty cheeks and onto the soft fur of her girl “protect her from this harm and let her live. She is your daughter, just as she is mine and now is not her time”. The whisper of a whimper left her as she continued to pray. “I will do everything, anything, to keep her by my side for she has barely experienced this world. I know I am not deserving of your aid, or worthy of your attention… But she is. I know her heart will be pure and kind, absent of my many faults. Please, I ask of you the support she deserves. Don’t let my precious daughter slip away”.

Those next few days, she had never hated herself more. The princess had always known herself to be at the very extreme of imperfect but now came a new low. She had neglected her practice in magic and thus, was not as capable as she should have been at helping her child. If she had been better, it would not have taken this long. It would have been easier, and her little girl would be simply cured. Or at least, nursed back to normal health sooner. How could she have been so foolish and irresponsible?! Now, when she was truly needed, her best was not good enough. Not as good as she wanted it to be. For her, for tiny Enya.

With brows furrowed deeply, she clenched her jaw and swallowed as she gently pressed her forehead to the other princess’.
“If by some miracle you might survive, my light, I swear I’ll be better” she whispered in raw devotion as she continued to focus her magic and flood the pain out of the precious pale hind.