Wings of Grace

Chapter 14

Antoine and Luna were very devoted parents for their precious little ones. The growth of Ln and Rosebud we quite rapid, both physically and mentally, and of course kept their parents and nursemaids hoping to keep one step ahead of them. It seemed like yesterday's infants were today's toddlers learning to walk, talk and bark. It hurt Luna and Antoine to correct them, but they knew that firmness now might be required to save their lives later, who could know what the future might bring?

One of Luna's questions was being answered, the little bumps on Rosebud's back were starting to develop into wings. "So my daughter is going to resemble me." she thought. "I wonder what other traits she will carry of mine."

Before long the twins were toddling around on their unsteady legs, with the inevitable results.

Climbing the stairs had not been mastered yet. The going up part wasn't too bad, it was the coming down was the different story. They enjoyed chasing each other; their intentions proved much better than their abilities, soon they both took a long and hard tumble down the stairs to the bottom. The scrapes were deep enough they started to bleed. Luna had been standing at the top of the stairs watching the little game and quickly ran down to comfort the pups and examine their wounds. Lon's leg was bleeding red, but Rosebud's cuts showed drops of gold instead. Yes, her daughter was just like her after all. No one except Antoine must never know about this, she did not want her child to go through the same horror's she did.

As Lon became stronger and would walk longer distances, he and Antoine would go for short hikes around the property while Rosebud played girl games with Luna. By this time her wings had developed and was quite proud of them, especially to tease her brother for not having any. She looked for every opportunity to try them out.

One of their mother and daughter play times she managed to scramble up onto one of the wide ledges below the nursery's window. With a giggle she called out, "Look mommy; watch me!" and with that being said to Luna's horror, Rosebud jumped off the ledge and plunged towards the ground. Luna, without thinking, jumped after her, opened her wings and swooped down under her daughter catching her in mid-air. The pair gently glided down to the ground safe and sound. Horrified at what they saw, Lon and Antoine watched the entire incident from where they were playing; he snatched up his son and ran to the other where they had landed. He had seen Luna in action before but never anything like this. They both comforted the sobbing children and held them close. They were thankful that all had survived. Luna was probably the more grateful, she had never tested her wings before. She wondered if and when she may need to use them again.

The small pond on the castle's property provided much fascination for the twin 4 year old's. They had, of course, been repeatedly warned not to go near it, this was a definite off limits for them. However, each day that they went out to play, they dared to venture just a bit closer to the f*******n territory.

It had rained early one summer morning, but by noon the warm sun had dried the moisture off the grass, and the youngsters were allowed to go out and play, as well as their usual routine.

Today was the day they decided to test their limitations and headed directly for the pond. The earlier rain had turned the edges into slimy mud, and with the first step, Lon slipped and fell into the water. His thrashing about caused him to go under and then surface several times. His frightened sister shrieked for help as loud as she could and when no help arrived, she jumped into the water, grabbed him with her little claws and baby fangs and pulled his now motionless body up on shore.

By this time their absence was noticed; Luna and Antoine knew just where to look for the pair. Punishment was the farthest thing from their minds, they had to find their children. "Lon…Rosebud!," They yelled out to them.

When they arrived at the water's edge, they were relieved to see both youngsters, but on closer inspection that relief turned into fear…their daughter in tears as she is bent over silent, apparently lifeless little brother. As Luna held Rosebud close, Antoine turned the boy over and began attempting to revive him. Soon he was coughing and sputtering, and grateful father picked him up and carried him to the castle where he would get warm and dry.

As the young pup began to feel better, he revealed to his family. "But I wasn't afraid under the water mommy. You were there with me, only you had funny looking fishy legs."

Antoine and Luna wasn’t sure whether to laugh or punish the young ones; a solemn scolding was given to them, and the parents were both thankful for the spared life of their boy. The tucked the children in for a well needed afternoon nap, telling them "We love you." as enough lessons had been learned that day.

Later Luna and Antoine, "It must run in the family, remember who rescued you from SilverGlade several years ago? Is it the job of us ladies to take care of you menfolk?" Antoine said nothing, smiled back at her, and gave her a big hug. He knew she was telling the truth.

Rosebud and Lon had been observing the grown-ups and the different tactics they used to either call each other or give warning in time of danger. Maybe it was time for them to learn these different kinds of vocalizing…just in case.

One lazy afternoon the two were bored; this was the perfect chance to try their voices. In a childish attempt to imitate their peers, they took turns tossing their head back and letting out what they figured was the perfect howl. Over and over, louder and louder they yelped. The clear air carried their "songs" up to the castle, bringing Antoine, Luna and most of staff running to the twins; after some of the escapades they had gotten into before, no one wanted to chance what they were into this time.

The two pups looked up and noticed the large audience they had attracted. Lon, well pleased with himself, looked at his sister with a big grin on his face and told her, "See, it really does work!"

"So does this," their father answered, as he raised his paw, about to deliver and bottom end correction for alarming everyone unnecessarily, but Luna gently stopped him, realizing that this might someday be needed for the children's defense. She suggested to Antoine that this just might be an appropriate time to teach the twins some howls that would be recognized in times of danger. He agreed, knowing too well what his wife had gone through sense she had nobody to rescue her from when she was young.

Before settling down for sleep each night, the twins insisted on hearing a bedtime story. Their favorites were of mythological creatures, especially animals… tails about unicorns and horses delighted both of the little ones. One evening Luna presented the legend of the Pegasus, a winged horse, and the two were fascinated with the thought of an animal that size being able to go in flight for long periods of time. They were so enchanted that they were chattering long after past their bed time.

Each night they wanted to know more about the flying horse, and after Luna had exhausted all the legends she knew, she had to invent more adventures just to keep them happy.

Antoine discussed with Luna the possibility of allowing the twins to have a pet of their very own. He felt they were old enough to accept the responsibility, with a bit of assistance from Luna and him.

After much deliberation as to what type of pet would be most appropriate they ultimately decided that a small pony would hold their attention. So the brightly colored little filly arrived at the Conner castle. Rosebud immediately name her "Strawberry Delight", but her brother wanted to call her by the name "Feggy" after the legends that both he and Rosebud liked so much. Of course they both gave the usually promises regarding their part in care and feeding, agreeing to take turns with the chores involving any kind of animal.

The twins would take Feggy out into the field to play and the inevitable occurred, time to climb aboard and go for a little ride. Lon made several attempts to get up on Feggy, but his legs were just too short. Rosebud had an advantage over him, "Maybe our Feggy can't fly, but I can," she giggled as she spread her wings and flew up onto the ponies back, but only for a minute or two. She didn’t want to hurt her brothers feelings or make him jealous of her; he was her best friend so far, actually her only playmate. A girl never knew when she might need a guy for help, even if it is just her brother.

the two decided this adventure would be secret for them for now, and they'd ask their parents for proper riding lessons later. They had been seen by several staff who related the scene to Antoine and Luna, who chose to say nothing to the youngsters and chalk it up to childhood experience. After all, no one was injured and there was no harm done.

Shadow delighted in playing with the twins and she marveled at their rapid progress. Not having any female children of her own, she took a special liking to Rosebud. Rosebud liked her too and called her "Auntie Star", their own special secret name. she often asked her mommy if Shadow could come over to play and their little friendship continued to grow and grow..

Luna didn’t see a problem with accepting Shadow's offer to babysit…it gave time for a badly needed rest.

Shadow and Rosebud liked to play in the courtyard and wander among the flowers. Shadow would tell her each of the names of the flowers and the young one was so pleased to know there was one name after her, or the other way around, she wasn’t sure.

One afternoon garden time Rosebud was determined to pick a flower to take up to her mother. As she reached for a rose, she grabbed it by the stem where the thorns were the thickest. She cried out as they jabbed into her paw; Shadow came running over to her, pulling a hanky out of her apron pocket to blot the tiny wound.it was only a small hurt spot, but when Shadow looked at her hanky, she was shocked to see little dots of gold where it had touched Rosebud's paw.

The tiny injury healed in a matter of minutes. It wasn’t even visible. So Shadow decided that no one needed to know about the whole incident in the garden.

So the female child had blood just like her mother, how interesting. She wondered if the boy did too and if she should try to find out.

Shadow began to devise horrible plans involving the children. After all, she had won the trust of Luna, Antoine, and the kids, especially Rosebud. Who would ever suspect her of doing anything evil.

Now the years of loyalty to SilverGlade were coming back to haunt her…