Woven Fates

My Girl

"My Girl, talkin bout My Girl. My Girl?"

Celine giggled as she whirled around in circles, crashing onto her fathers feet as she danced. Her father held her tiny hand in one of his great big ones as he held onto her mothers hand with the other. Her parents smiled as they watched her right herself and continue to dance. This was her world, basking in the sunlight of her parents love. Here, behind these closed doors there was no hate. There was only love.

Celine loved it when her parents put on her favourite song and they danced and whirled around their loungeroom. These were the best of times, the best of memories. As her dad held her hand and she whirled she saw his head turn slightly to the side. Celine looked at her mother and saw that she was no longer smiling. Celine's father grabbed her suddenly and pulled her towards the kitchen pantry. She didn't understand, why weren't her parents laughing? Why had they stopped dancing?

"Celine, you know what you must do. We have practised this" her father whispered at her as he moved a sack of flour. Underneath are some loose boards that her father hastily pulled aside to reveal a small crawl space. He pushed Celine towards the hole as she gently drops down to the ground. It is small, big enough for 5 year old Celine alone. Her father held her hand and then kissed it softly. "Stay hidden my Sweet Pea, no noise. Not a sound from you". He moved aside quickly so her mother can smile at her.

"My darling girl, you must be quiet. Do not come out no matter what", her mother whispers as her father begins to replace the boards. Celine hears the bag of flour being moved back over the space in the floor where she hid and footsteps as her parents move away.

Within minutes Celine hears it too. Screaming. This is not the first time Celine has found herself hidden in the small crawl space. The beautiful village where Celine had grown up was anything but serene. It was a place for mated couples from different species to hide. 10 years ago the tyrant Lord Hadley, had risen up against the king of our lands. Our King, the mighty King Aldrich, had been a fair and kind ruler who had respected the whims of the Moon Goddess and ruled over the couples she had destined to be together with fairness. King Aldrich was a werewolf like my father who had taken a human to be his Queen. Whilst first outraged, his subjects had grown to love their Queen who had been turned to a werewolf by her mate.

King Aldrich had always treated all couplings as a celebration. Celines own parents were a werewolf and a vampire. In the times of King Aldrich it was not unusual to find your mate within a different species. The mate bond was the most sacred of all things and the werewolves trusted the Moon Goddess to choose their mates well.

Lord Hadley was a hateful man, full of spite. He had fallen in love with the Kings human mate Ingrid. He had determined the first time he set eyes on her that she would be his. The Moon Goddess had brought King Aldrich and Ingrid together to complete each others souls, something Lord Hadley could never comprehend. Mate less and hollow, Lord Hadley had sought to make Ingrid his. When Queen Ingrid refused his advances he had poisoned King Aldrich and in his weakened state, he had been unable to defeat Lord Hadley. He had stormed the castle with his army of vampires and taken the Kings head. As he made his way out to the balcony of the Kings rooms with the Kings head in one hand and Queen Ingrid's hand in the other he had called out in victory. He had claimed the kingdom for all vampires, never to be ruled over by werewolves again. He promised the people gathered below that the Queen would give him many heirs who would rule for all of time.

As he threw the head of the King over the side of the balcony and turned to the Queen she had smiled and stepped forward as if to kiss the mad tyrant. As he smiled and let go of her hand, Queen Ingrid had thrown herself from the balcony. In her weakened state at the loss of her beloved husband and mate, she had succumbed to her injuries and died.

There had been no mourning, no period of grief, no funeral. The now King Hadley had insisted he be crowned that very night. In his anger and bitterness at the loss of the Queen he sent out his army of vampires to find all mated couples from different species and have them brought to him at the castle. Not knowing their fate, many came forward to stand before their new king. There they were brutally slaughtered as a warning to all. He was now the ruler of this kingdom and there would be no couplings between different species. Werewolves became slaves, kept weakened by wolfs bane so they could never attack their captors. All werewolves were required to wear a chain of silver to suppress their wolves and were allowed time with their mates only to produce children to be trained as slaves.

In desperation many families had fled through portals into the forests of the human world. The vampire armies had searched for them for 3 years and many were found and taken back to face their King. None survived.

Eventually some who got away were able to make a life for themselves. They lived simply off the land, adapting as best they could. They formed small villages, always trying to stay out of the reach of their mad King. They hunted in the forests, the vampires never feeding on humans. They did nothing to bring unwanted attention unto themselves.

The sounds of screaming became louder as Celine heard mens voices. There was a knock on the door as Celine heard her mother whimper in fear. "Its ok Morgan, we'll be ok. Its been 7 years since the kings armies have sought us out. Its probably just looters", my father soothed.

That happened sometimes, human men would come through their little village calling us 'Gypsy scum' and taking everything they could, destroying what little they left. They would start again each time. Although the werewolves were stronger than humans, no one in the village wished to draw unwanted attention so they stood quietly or hid in the forest each time.

"Don't cry love", my father soothed her as the door slammed open. My mother gasped.

"In the name of our true king Hadley, you are under arrest"!

"Are there any children in this home", the man enquired. He was looking over their few measly possessions as Morgan's eyes darted over to a doll Celine had left on the floor near the fire.

"No sir", my father answered.

"Then who does this belong to"? he roared, snatching up the doll. Morgan cried out in anguished pain as my father answered, "That doll belonged to our daughter Celine. She was killed 2 years ago by hunters while playing in the fields".

The man stood before my father sneering. "Could you not protect your child wolf?" he asked, his head turning to the side.

"I was in the nearest town on a supply run sir. I was not here to save my child. By the time my mate found her it was to late for our daughter and many of the children in our village. They were gone". Celines father knew many of the village families would have hidden their children in the same way he and Morgan had and he hoped that his words might help save them. Throughout the village many of the adults would be telling the same story. It had been well rehearsed in hopes of keeping their children safe.

"Search the house, find the child", the man said with a cruel smile. "Bind these two in silver ready for transport. Open the portal". With that he walked away.

"Nooooo", Morgan screamed as they were bound and moved outside.

"Bastian, stay behind and find the child", another man said to a younger vampire standing next to him. Bastian turned to meet Morgan's eyes as she turned them to him, pleading. He looked away as he walked inside and began his search.

Celine had lay in the dirt under the house, biting her hand so as not to cry out. She wanted her parents, she needed them. They couldn't be taken away because one was a vampire and one was a werewolf. The Moon Goddess had brought them together, they were fated mates. Who was stronger than the Moon Goddess?

Celine heard the sound of footsteps getting closer. She heard doors opening and things being moved and then the flour bag was dragged along the floor. Celine bit harder into her hand so she wouldn't cry out in fear. The floorboards began to move and popped out of place. Celine found herself staring into the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. The man looked young, although all vampires looked young. His face was beautiful and Celine couldn't help but smile. As she smiled her eyes shone gold. Bastian was taken aback. He sat and looked at Celine for a moment. "Hello Sweet Pea", Bastian whispered putting his finger to his lips to hush her.

"Are you my mate"? Celine giggled. She didn't know what made her say that but something about this man made her feel calm. Bastian smiled sweetly. "I do not know the answer to that my little Sweet Pea but I feel I must save you. Climb back down and I will hide you away. Do not be afraid, I will come back when it is safe".

With that Bastian returned the boards and the bag of flour. Celine heard his footsteps fade away and the front door open and close. "No child", he heard Bastian report to someone. The sound of her mothers sobbing as they were dragged away made Celine feel desperately sad as tears fell silently down her little face.

**************************

Celine did not know how long it had been since she had seen anyone. The hole was dark with no outside light. It felt stuffy and at times hard to breathe. She was hungry and dirty and her stomach hurt, She had needed to go to the toilet but had been to scared to try to leave the hole, even after the village had fallen silent. Celine had tried to sleep but the screams and sobs of the women of the village invaded her head and so she lay awake, listening and waiting.

She had managed to doze off when she heard the creak of the front door. Celine's eyes widened in terror. She knew it was not her parents. Somehow she knew they would not return. She heard humming..... was that... "My Girl, talkin bout my girl" she whispered as the humming came closer. she turned her head to the opening in the floor as she heard the flour bag being scraped across the floor. "My girl, talkin bout my girl" a mans voice sang quietly. Celine waited quietly. "Sweet Pea, do not be afraid. I am not here to harm you". That voice! How did she know that voice and why did she feel so calm all of a sudden? It was not her mother and father, why was she not scared?

The wood creaked as it popped up from its place first one then another until light filtered in. Celine squinted and was sure she was looking directly into the eyes of an Angel. "Are you here to save me?" she whispered innocently.

"I am Sweet Pea. I will try to protect you as best I can. I promised your parents", he murmured looking away. Celine saw a tear fall from his eyes. "Come little one, it has been 3 days. You must be hungry". He held his hand out to Celine and she took it as he helped her out. He was so tall, taller than her dad. She looked up at him blinking. "Are my parents coming back"? she asked solemnly. Bastian shook his head. "No Sweet Pea, you will not see your parents again".

At that moment Celine resolved to be strong. She would not cry in front of this kind stranger.

Bastian led her out into the small kitchen. "I did not know what you eat Sweet Pea. You are both Vampire and Werewolf. I have not been around many of your kind, certainly not to eat with them. I brought you some food, I hope that you might find something to your liking. Do you need blood little one?" Celine screwed up her nose and shook her head. "I have always eaten as my father does sir", she replied

"Strange, you have no need for blood at all"?

"No sir", Celine replied.

Bastian looked at her intrigued.

"Sir, why do you call me Sweet Pea and how did you know our song?" Celine asked

"Why, I do not know why I call you Sweet Pea, only that the name came to mind when I first saw you. As for the song, your mother taught it to me before she....." Bastian trailed off. "I promised her I would come back for you and help you if I could. She said you would know I was sent by her if I sang that song."

Tears streamed down Celine's face as she thought of her mum and dad. She remembered her dad whirling her around as they sang and danced to that song.

"I see you are remembering something Sweet Pea. Hold on to those memories and keep your parents alive in your heart" Bastian said quietly. He watched as she wiped the tears away with her dirty hands, leaving a dirty mark across her face. Not for the first time Bastian questioned in his mind why he was here. He couldn't look after this child, he couldn't look after any child. He was only 17, a baby by the standards of his kind, barely able to look after himself. Again he heard the voice in his head and heard the words that had led him to save her life that fateful night they had first met.

"She shall be yours Bastian when she is of age. I made her for you and together you will right the wrongs that leave your hearts so heavy". Bastian did not know who the voice belonged to. Vampires did not have a Goddess like the wolves did. That voice sounded like the heavens themselves had opened and it had come through. It was a beautiful sound that had eased his pain and anguish. He had waited three long nights to return to the house and find the child and when he did find her there, he felt both elated and broken hearted. How could he tell her her parents were gone.

"We must take you to the city Little One. I can not stay here, I must return to my own world but I will visit. I will always be here when you need me. You need only think of me and I will come".

Celine nodded her head. Bastian passed her a small bag of food, the likes of which Celine had never seen. Sweet biscuits, fairy cakes and little sandwiches that all looked and smelt delicious.

"A gift from a Faerie friend", he smiled as he handed the bag over to Celine. She grabbed it and began to pull things out. Her stomach grumbled as she began shoving the food into her mouth. Bastian laughed loudly. "Slow down Little One", he laughed. She looked up, her solemn green eyes widened as she tasted the delicious treats. "I've never eaten food like this", she cried as she shovelled more into her mouth. "That's because it was made in the Faerie kingdom", Bastian replied. "Nowhere on your earth or on my home makes sweets like the Fae"

Celine smiled as she held the bag out towards Bastian. "Would you like to share with me?" she asked. Bastian laughed. "No Sweet Pea. I am a vampire, I have no need for foods such as these."

"But you're missing out," Celine pouted, her arm still extended. Bastian smiled and took a sweet biscuit from the bag. "Fine, maybe one," he smiled at her.

Bastian sat back on a chair as he watched Celine eat. He was drawn to her, not in a s****l way, but as a protector. He knew he needed to protect her from the cruel King Hadley.

"Celine, I have need of a favour from you. I must ask for your trust. I have a friend who I must bring here to visit. She is good and kind and she wants to help you. Will you let her help?" Bastian asked.

"Help with what?" Celine answered, looking up through her dark lashes.

"She will help you find a new family to care for you while you are still so young", Bastian replied.

Celine's brow furrowed as she thought about this. "Why cant you just bring my parents back? I just want my mum and dad". Again tears streamed down her grubby cheeks. Bastian sighed. Was there no end to the tears?

"Sweet Pea, your parents are not able to return. We need to find someone who can look after you"

"Why cant you look after me?" Celine asked looking into Bastian's eyes. He looked away. He wanted to, he had even consulted with a Fae friend on his best course of action. She had been adamant that the child be left in the care of humans until she is of age to see who she would most take after. A halfling child would often take one parents traits on more than the other and since Celine ate like a werewolf, Bastian could only surmise it would be her fathers traits she would take. He watched as she ate, wondering who would be cruel enough to fate him, Bastian, younger brother of King Hadley, to a halfling. With a deep sigh Bastian looked around. "Where are your bathing rooms Little One", he asked. "Bathing rooms"? Celine laughed. "My mum brings the bath in from outside and boils the water to fill it."

Bastian looked at her horrified. "You mean you don't have showers or bathing rooms?" he asked.

"No, we bathe in the river during the warmer months and in the bath when it gets to cold" Celine answered with a giggle.

"Right, I will fetch the bath inside then and we shall get you cleaned up and into bed. While you are doing that I will ask my friend to come and help you." Bastian went outside to fetch the small bath and brought it back in. He placed it on the floor in the kitchen and began to fill it. When it was ready he turned to Celine. "Ok, into the bath with you. I will wait outside"

Bastian walked out the front door as he heard the splash of Celine hopping into the bath". It seemed a cruel joke on the part of the wolf goddess that he be forced to raise his own mate. He cant, he simply couldn't. Bastian closed his eyes as his mind reached out to his friend the Fae princess Amelia. "Ohh Bastian, its late, what is it?" she grumbled sleepily.

"I need you to bring the enchantress to the house now Amelia. Celine is so young, I can not be around her right now. I cannot raise my own mate from a child". Bastian knew he sounded whiney but this was entirely to far outside of his comfort zone.

"Uuugghhhh, you owe me Prince", she muttered as she rose from her bed. She glanced over at the young werewolf who had taken her fancy. His beautiful body was finally still as he lay sleeping after a passionate night of lovemaking. She sighed contentedly as she nudged him. The King Hadley was aware of the werewolves living in the Fae kingdom. Amelia's parents, the king and queen had promised the King that they would live amongst them as slaves only. King Hadley had allowed this but warned the Fae King and Queen that any couplings between the Fae and the wolves would end in another war - a war the Fae cold not win. King Hadley's army had grown in strength and numbers. The king himself held strength that no one had ever seen in a vampire.

"Wake up handsome, time to return to your room", Amelia nudged the wolf. He growled as he opened his eyes and upon finding Amelia he smiled. He reached out to wrap his muscular arms around the Princess and pulled her towards him. She smiled as she kissed his lips, the lips that had covered every inch of her body. He deepened the kiss, running his hands down her back to grab at her bottom. She leaned into him, grabbing at his hair as she pulled him close. He growled deeply as his mouth moved along her jaw and she giggled as his teeth scraped along her neck.

"NOW!" she heard Bastian's voice in her head.

"Ok. ok I'm coming", she replied through their link. She turned to the beautiful wolf and sighed. "Later Tiger, I have work to do". The wolf groaned as he pointed down to his erection and looked deep into her eyes. "Sorry handsome, rain check", she called as she jumped from the bed and began to dress. She linked her friend Esmeralda, an enchantress that was staying in their kingdom. They had become friends as the enchantress had spent alot of time in the castle Amelia called home. While the Fae had been allowed to keep their small Kingdom in the Evergreen Forest, the Vampire king had pushed all the other folk of the realm out of their homes. Many sought refuge in the Kingdom of the Fae or resorted to fleeing to the human world. Amelia had been able to convince her parents to take in many of those seeking refuge and Esmeralda was one of them.

Amelia linked Esmeralda to come to her home immediately. When her friend Bastian had sought her out and talked about the young halfling, Amelia had instantly wanted to help. King Hadley had plans to marry his younger brother to Amelia, oldest princess of the Fae Kingdom. This would ensure their rule over the entire realm. Bastian and Amelia were not a fated pair and both wanted to hold on for their true love but they also knew for the sake of the Fae realm, they had to keep up appearances to King Hadley and so they often spent time together, letting their charade play out for all to see.

Within minutes Esmeralda was knocking on Amelia's door. As Amelia opened the door the wolf appeared from her room. Esmeralda walked through the door coming face to face with the handsome wolf. He smiled as he lightly tapped Amelia on the bottom. "You know, I could stay and keep you girls company", he said with a wink. Amelia growled and shooed him out the door. "Damn horney wolves", she muttered as she closed the door behind him.

Amelia looked at Esmeralda. "Are you ready?" she asked, pulling a dark cloak around her. The Fae Kingdom had its own portal but all who lived there knew it was watched by those loyal to King Hadley. There was always a risk when using it to enter the human world.

Bastian was waiting for them on the other side. Celine had finished her bath, got herself ready for bed and gone to sleep. Bastian doubted she had slept well with the fear and sadness she must have been feeling these past days as she waited for her parents to return. He sighed, running his hands through his shoulder length blonde hair. The portal shimmered, catching his attention. Amelia and a dark haired woman stepped through. "Hello future husband", Amelia called out laughing.

"Ahh, my future wife", Bastian returned as they began to laugh.

"This is Esmeralda. She has been briefed and she knows what she must do", Amelia said by way of introduction.

Bastian smiled and held out his hand. "Bastian", he said to Esmeralda.

"I know who you are young prince. What might you be doing saving the life of a halfling child"? she asked suspiciously.

Bastian looked between Amelia and Esmeralda. "You did not tell me it was the brother of the vampire king we were helping", Esmeralda said quietly.

"You are safe Esmeralda. He is my friend".

"Safe until I use my magic perhaps and then what? His brother the king has already run many of my kind from our homes, he treats us with contempt and looks for reasons to eliminate us if we will not bend to his will. I work in the light Amelia, I will not do the kings bidding".

"It is in the light that I wish you to help Esmeralda", Bastian said quietly.

"Bastian does not serve his brother as is expected of him Esmeralda", Amelia explained. "His heart is that of his mothers. Kind and unsullied by the deeds of his brother. She was a beautiful woman who taught kindness and compassion to Bastian".

"What a shame it couldn't rub off on his brother", Esmeralda muttered under her breath.

"My brother and I do not share a mother Esmeralda." Bastian answered. "My brother is more than 1000 years older than me. He killed my mother and father in a fit of rage not long after I was born". I am but a baby by the standards of my kind, only 17 years upon this world. I have not had time for hatred to fester and grow. I would rather ensure my mothers legacy of kindness live on than see the cruelty of my father and brother".

Bastian looked away deep in thought. He still missed his mother dearly and still hated his brother for taking her from him. Hadley's seething jealousy and inability to control the monster living within him had seen many die at his hand. Bastian had learned early to stay out of his way and do as he said to keep himself alive. When his brother had decided he was to wed Amelia, he used that as an excuse to stay away from Hadley's depressing castle. Bastian had committed himself to his relationship with Amelia and learning how to rule the Fae realm and to the ongoing search and capture of the mixed race couples that King Hadley determined were still living in the human world. Between the two he almost never saw his brother and that is exactly how he preferred things.

"Please Esmeralda, if not for me, for the halfling child", Bastian implored. He started to walk towards the house where Celine slept. When he reached the house he opened the door quietly and moved towards her little room.

"What would you have me do?" Esmeralda asked quietly.

"Wipe her mind of everything to now", Bastian whispered.

"Everything?" Amelia gasped looking at Bastian. "Are you sure?"

"Yes" Bastian whispered, "I am sure".

Esmeralda put her hand to Celine's forehead and as she began to chant Celine's skin shone with bright golden light.

"This child is blessed by the Moon Goddess herself, are you sure this is what needs to be done"? Esmeralda asked nervously. She looked from Amelia to Bastian as they looked at each other. A tear formed in Bastian's eye as he gently took her hand.

"Yes Esmeralda, this must be done. You must wipe all of her memories so that she may live amongst the humans in this world", Bastian said quietly.

"And does the Moon Goddess permit this Bastian?" Esmeralda asked quietly.

As Esmeralda spoke, a beam from the moon shone through Celine's bedroom window.

"Protect my child Esmeralda for she will one day end the sorrow of your realm", a voice spoke. Esmeralda looked around fearfully nodding her head. As quickly as it came the beam was gone. Esmeralda placed her hand on Celine's forehead and began an incantation. 10 minutes later she looked at Bastian exhausted.

"It is done Prince. Her mind holds no memories" she said quietly bowing her head.

Bastian bent over and kissed Celine's forehead before lifting her up and wrapping her in a blanket. Amelia began packing what meagre belongings Celine had. She found a moon necklace in a wooden jewellery box in what she guessed was her parents room and slipped it around Celine's neck.

"Esmeralda, can you make us a portal to the city"? Amelia asked. Esmeralda nodded her head. Amelia turned and locked the door to the small house Celine and her family had called home as Esmeralda began an incantation. A portal shimmered before them and Bastian walked through quietly. The portal brought them just outside a small town on the outskirts of the city..

They began to walk until the found a fire station. Quietly, Bastian lowered Celine to the ground by the door and wrapped the blanket around her to keep her warm.

"Are you sure Bastian"? Amelia asked.

Bastian nodded, "She will be safe here". As they moved away Bastian stopped, watching as some of the fire fighters poured through the door and picked Celine up. A tear fell from his eye as he turned to Esmeralda.

"Take my memories of her Esmeralda", he begged.

"Why Bastian", Esmeralda asked quietly. "Why were you so determined to save her"?

"Because Esmeralda, she is my fated mate and true love. My gift from the Moon Goddess herself and I must keep her safe".