That Fateful Day

*Eleven Years before*

Sitting on the street in Vayle, Haven looked at all the children frolicking in the streets. The day before had been horrible. The mean man had chased them from their homes and threatened them. The little girl wanted nothing more than to give him a piece of her mind.

But today was a new day, and Haven would be lying if she said that she wasn't enjoying the adventure with her big brother. It was like old times when they were constantly on the run. The child had not been gone long enough yet to miss the people of Rynnlee. The sights and sounds of the city felt more like a vacation than an escape.

The little blonde finished her food dutifully and looked up to the black void where her brother's face should be. The sight did not bother her.

Haven knew what he looked like and had an uncanny knowledge of his expressions even without seeing them directly. Just now she knew that he was distracted by something he could hear but she could not. Boring adult matters did not interest her. The children frolicking nearby on the village green, however, were practically calling her name.

Haven tugged on Silver's cloak. "I am done eating," she announced. "Can I go play?" Her cherubic expression caused Silver to pat her on the head gently.

"Of course, sweet sister..." the Guardian hesitated, and the little girl waited for his condition, "but first can you go up to that nice man over there? He's giving out candy and treasure."

Haven's eyes lit up. If there was one thing she loved as much as her brother, it was sweets.

"Candy? Wow!" Haven would get the candy for herself and bring the treasure to her brother. It was a win for both of them. "I will be right back."

Popping up from her seat, Haven darted two or three steps before stopping. An intense emotion gripped her heart, and she knew she could not go a step further without expressing it. So instead of running through the crowd, Haven spun around and wrapped her arms around her big brother's neck. "I love you so much," she cooed.

Silver's eyes flashed as he hugged his sister back. "I love you too, little one. Always and forever." His grip tightened around her and for a moment, Haven did not think the man would let her go. Not that she wanted him to.

"Always and forever!" She repeated, nuzzling her head against his hood. No matter what she did, the cloak never reacted like it did to others. Perhaps it could sense the man's fondness for the child.

At last Silver let go of the little girl, and she turned to leave. Upon searching for the nobleman, or more accurately the candy, and finding them, the blonde cherub headed into the crowd.

Haven joined the crowd of children and a pig-nosed boy looked her up and down with disdain. "Get in the back of the line!" he barked. The little child had not realized it was a line, and was slightly flustered.

"No need to be harsh," the nobleman said congenially. "There is more than enough for all of you."

Haven was calmed by the man's warm tone. His close cut beard and square cut chin were softened by his genuine smile. He was certainly a man of power by the ease with which he took control of the situation.

Nodding slightly, the little girl backed away in search of the end of the line of children to take her place.

Haven watched as the man asked them a polite question or two to each child and once they answered, he wished them well. Then each little one received a piece of candy wrapped in paper and a few coins. The process repeated for every boy or girl in front of her. The line moved slowly, but before long it was her turn.

The man turned a compassionate smile on the little girl and spoke. "Hello! I remember you from a moment ago. I am glad you did not let that nasty little boy chase you off. How are you on this fine day?"

"I am well, sir. Perhaps a little tired. How are you, sir?" Haven tilted her head innocently, genuinely curious how the man was doing.

The nobleman looked at the guard next to him with a bit of a surprised grin. "No one has asked me that today. I am getting to help out the children of this town, so I suppose I am doing very well indeed! Now tell me, why are you tired? Did your parents keep you up with too many chores?"

The girl's eyes widened. Haven was tired because she had spent the night running from soldiers with her brother. Yet she was 'under no circumstances' supposed to name or mention Silver or her relation to him.

If she told the truth, surely the guard, who appeared disinterested just now, would snatch her up and apprehend the Guardian as well before they could escape. So she decided to answer the second question instead.

Haven inhaled deeply and looked meekly at the ground. "My parents are dead, sir. They are not around to give me chores."

The nobleman looked quite concerned. His mouth pulled tight in a grim line as he bent down to her level. "An orphan? I am most sorry for your loss. Have you no one to take care of you?"

The poor girl was stuck back in the same trap. Her brother was her caretaker. It was safer to remain silent.

Trying to ease the girl's discomfort, the man tried asked another question. "When was the last time you ate?"

Haven's eyes lit up when she thought about the meal she had with Silver. "Just a moment ago right there on the street, sir!"

Somehow her answer did not have the desired effect. The man's brow furrowed until his eyebrows met in one long, dark line. "Where is your home?"

'Telling him that would bring many more questions.' "It is uh..." the girl fumbled, "not here..."

"What is your name?" he pressed.

"I cannot tell you," Haven whispered helplessly.

"I see," the man was lost in his thoughts. It was only the pleading gaze of the child that brought him back. "Ah, yes! Your candy. I am sorry for being so rude."

"Thank you, sir!" Haven chirped, her hesitance gone.

Lifting his palm, the nobleman realized the candy in his hand had been crushed by his fist. He set it aside.

"You can have all the candy you desire." Picking up the bag, he tossed some of the candy toward the last few children in line and handed the sack of sweets to Haven along with a fistful of coins. "I hope this will make it worth your trouble for talking to this silly old man."

Haven giggled. "I do not think you are silly. I think you are wonderful for helping others! More people should be like you."

The man's face lit up at her compliment. "There are few exactly like me, I'm afraid. Little one, how would you..." He was cut short on his question when things nearby went wrong.

In the street, a cart overturned, causing a great commotion in the thoroughfare. The nobleman looked to the guard next to him. "We need to get out of here," the soldier said briefly.

"We have pressed our luck too much I know. Goodbye, sweet child."

"Goodbye sir! May you live a long and happy life!" Haven dipped her head and curtsied.

The nobleman turned to leave, but hesitated. He needed to ask the question he had started. "Little one? Would you be interested in delicious food, all the things you could ever want, and a happy home?"

"Who wouldn't want that?" the blonde girl answered with a nod.

"Very good. I can help you with that wish," the man offered his hand.

Haven looked back toward the street towards her brother but could not spot him. The street was becoming clogged from the carnage of the overturned cart and its vegetables.

"I do not know about that," Haven took a step back.

The man sighed, a forlorn expression on his face. It was clear he wanted to help the lovely child. "At least let me get you a hot meal," he begged.

"Well…"

"Get moving, child. You have no idea what you have just been offered!" the soldier said tersely. He was becoming very tense over the crowd.

The girl mulled over her options. It was a nice idea on the surface. Perhaps this kind nobleman would be able to help her and her brother. He was offering free food and possibly more, after all. The siblings had very little money to their name, so every little bit helped. If only she could get her brother's approval...

"I don't suppose a meal could hurt…" she decided, hoping to stow away as much as she could for later.

The soldier's patience was at its limit. "Good enough. Let's go!" After being gently nudged by the guard, Haven took the nobleman's hand. They moved through the streets quickly and before she even realized it, they were in a carriage and moving down the road.

"I'm so glad you came to join me," the man said. "I know a nice place to eat just down the lane. It's not far."

"I cannot stay for long," Haven said as she peeked out the small window in the back of the carriage. 'Only until my brother comes.'

"Of course," the man said. "Stay only as long as you like," he paused, his brow knit one again with concern. "But promise me that before you leave, you let me find someone to take care of you. You are as delicate as a rose, little one. I would hate to see anything bad happen to you."

Haven nodded. When her brother came, she would have one of the best people alive to take care of her. Not even the king could object to such a caretaker.

"I promise," she said easily.

"Excellent. Now then, little Rose, what kind of food do you like? The inn up the road has a meal fit for royalty."

"An inn? How wonderful!" Haven thought of Katherine and her face lit up.

"It is wonderful indeed," the man said, only he was speaking of making her smile.

Rhodri could not shake the fact that the little girl reminded him of some one dear to him. He would do anything to see that face smile again. Now, in a way, he could. This would be a meal to remember.