Chapter 33

Toame found himself once again staring into the eyes of his beloved Queen Bayla. Her portrait, along with others, once again graced the halls of his home. "Welcome home, my queen." He stared at her for a moment in silence. "I'm a bit nervous," he admitted. "I fear I lack what is needed to be a husband and king." Softly ran his hand down her cheek and felt her approval in his touch.

"Come, it is time." Amidal informed Toame. "Your presence has been requested, my king."

He had been pacing the floor in front of Bayla's portrait for hours it seemed. He had thought he would wear a hole in the carpet. He quickly followed Amidal up the stairs into the queen's chambers. He could hear the faint crying of an infant upon his approach. His faced beamed with joy as he entered the room to find his beautiful Lily holding their newborn child. "What is it?" he asked not hiding his excitement. "Do we have a son?"

"Nay, my handsome husband; we have a daughter." She held their daughter out to him. He took her in his arms to behold her exquisite features. She was definitely going to be at least as beautiful as her mother.

When the baby was a few days old her parents took her to the rose garden. It been the first time they had been able to go to the garden since the battle with Amri. Amidal and Tokint had packed a picnic lunch for all of them and accompanied them to the rose bed. They were left breathless at the sight of the garden. Each and every rose stood in bloom with their many magnificent colors. The lily in the center was also in bloom with its deep blue center accented by its pale ivory petals. On the grave of Lily's father appeared a single long stem rose bearing the same colors as the lily. It was a beautiful pale ivory rose with each petal tipped in deep blue. It stood tall and proud against the backdrop of so many other colors.

Toame took his daughter in his arms and lifted her to the sky. "This is our daughter, may she be blessed with long life and a kind heart." He drew her back to his embrace. She looked up at him revealing the prettiest deepest blue eyes he had ever seen, next to her mother's eyes of course.

"I pray, dear son. Have you a name for her yet?' queried Tokint.

"Aye, Father. That we do indeed." He looked to his wife who nodded her approval. "Her name is to be Rose. Rose of Peace.