Chapter 20.5

Eight months flew by as if they were petals in the wind. Isolde knew she'd be having this baby soon and if it weren't for her dearest and oldest friend being attacked, beaten and their only daughter raped.. well, this would have been one of the happiest times in her life. Not that Isolde wasn't happy, she was. She just felt guilty for being so incredibly happy right now.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Elias whispered as he came up behind Isolde, wrapping his arms around her middle, cradling her rounded belly. "Mmm.. how are my girls?"

Isolde laughed, "How do you know it's a girl?" Turning around she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed her husband on the lips.

"I don't, but I'd love a little girl. How about, if we have a son.. we keep trying until we have a daughter?" Elias buried his face in his wife's hair.

"Whatever you wish, husband." sighing, Isolde pulled out of Elias's embrace and went to sit on their bed. "You just missed Marta."

"How is she?" Elias asked, joining Isolde on their bed. "How's Molly?"

"Marta..." Isolde sighed. "Molly is with child and Marta is worried about... everything."

Shaking his head, Elias pulled his wife back into his arms. Molly had only just begun coming out of her shell after Marta and Samuel had John. She had been talking again, laughing. She even had some color in her cheeks. Now all of this happens. She's raped, repeatedly, by six different men. Beaten. Now she's with child! Hadn't she endured enough?

"I've spoke to Samuel. Molly still won't stay in his company. She doesn't hold John anymore or play with him. It's as if she's sworn off any contact with the entire male species even those of blood relation." Elias stated quietly.

Isolde only nodded. She knew what her husband was thinking, for she was thinking it as well.

"What does Marta think?" Elias asked.

"Marta is worried that Molly might kill herself." Isolde said up and arched her back. "She's become so distant with everyone, not just her Father or little brother. She only does what Marta tells or asks her to do, but she's gone back to not speaking to anyone, doesn't come out of her room unless absolutely necessary. Marta only just noticed Molly's growing belly just the other night when she was bringing her fresh linens. Molly is frightened, which I don't blame her one bit. Every little noise causes her to jump these days." sighing Isolde stood up and started pacing about their bed chambers.

"Wife, you need to rest. There's nothing you can do for them right now. Marta will call on us if she needs us, right now you need to lay down and take of you and our unborn child." Standing, Elias pulled back the covers on their bed. He turned and scooped up his pregnant wife, causing her to let out a giggle, and laid her down in their bed. Leaning down, he kissed her on the forehead and covered her with the blanket.

"Don't worry about lunch. I can make it. You need to rest. After you eat, I'll bring Oweynn in to see you before we visit Old Lady Matilda." Elias laughed.

They'd grown rather fond of Matilda. She lived across the pond a few miles off the farms property. As children, they'd heard stories about the little house across the pond being haunted. None of them daring to go into or near it. That is, until Elias became of age and decided he was going to check it out. That's when he met Matilda. He'd never told his siblings about the woman who lived there, but recently she's been leaving her homestead to visit Elias and Isolde. Bringing with her preserves and medicines. Matilda told Elias that Isolde was going to have their baby sometime this week. He trusted her word over the Doctor's any day.

Isolde smiled up at her husband, "Oweynn seems to have taken with her."

"He has, hasn't he?" Elias asked, smiling down at his wife. Leaning down and kissing her ever so lightly on her lips, he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Oweynn was playing with Louis outside the front door, which stood open letting in the warm breeze. This weather was so finicky lately. One minute it was freezing then it's warm. Elias could feel winter coming in his bones and it was going to come with a vengeance. He feared for his small children. Winter was always harsh, but it was worse for babies, small children and elderly. Elderly, like Matilda. Perhaps he should ask the old lady if she'd like to stay with them over the winter. Elias laughed out loud at his thoughts for he knew she'd probably chastise him for even suggesting such a thing. She was a tough ole bird.

"Oweynn, it's time for supper." Elias called to the toddler who ran inside, Louis right on his heels.

Louis was depressed, but still always had time to play with Oweynn. Belle was still missing. Elias had gone to look for her, but he had no luck in finding her. He hoped the old dog was ok. Elias and Oweynn ate their lunch together at the table, Isolde was sleeping soundly and he didn't have the heart to wake her so he stored her food for later.

Elias was cleaning up in the kitchen when there was a soft knock on the door. Knowing who it was, Elias smiled as he walked over to the back door and opened it.

"Tillie! What a pleasant surprise. Oweynn and I were coming to visit you today." Elias greeted Matilda with a huge grin and open arms. Hugging Elias, Matilda playfully swatted at him.

"Ooh.. I know, but it was more important that I came here, Dear." Matilda said smiling as she walked into the kitchen. "Where is Oweynn?"

"In the sitting room with Louis." Elias said, closing the door and latching it. "So, what do we owe the honor, Tillie? Is everything alright?"

Matilda winked at him, "Isolde is having the baby today. I can feel it in my bones... in fact, you should probably check on her." With that, Matilda left the kitchen and headed towards the sitting room to watch Oweynn. For she knew Elias would be very busy.

"I just checked on her Matilda.." Elias started after her and paused. Turning on his heel, Elias walked into his and Isoldes chambers.

Isolde stood, leaning over the bed, clutching the blankets in her tiny fists as another contraction ripped through her belly. She knew this was coming, she'd been feeling it off and on since the night before, but didn't say anything to Elias because she didn't want to panic him. Her breathing was ragged as the contraction passed. Looking up, she saw Elias standing there, staring at her. Eyes wide, mouth gaped open. He was in shock. Letting out a shakey breath, Isolde stood up and pointed to the door.

"Where's Oweynn?" Isolde asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Not taking his eyes off his wife, Elias quietly closed the door behind him and was at his wife's side before she could blink an eye. "Matilda has him in the sitting room... she just showed up here and told me you were going to have the baby." Putting his hand on the small of her back and his other hand on her belly, Elias kissed his wife's forehead.

"I'm alright, Elias. This isn't my first time, you know." resting her forehead against his neck, Isolde leaned into him. She felt another contraction coming and braced herself for it. Elias held her while she was ripped in two, holding her together so that she wouldn't fall apart. After a couple minutes, it had passed. "I'm alright... they're getting closer together. It shouldn't be too long now."

"I'll get the blankets." Elias guided his wife to their bed and helped her sit down. He then hurriedly grabbed blankets and clothes out of their chest and ran into the kitchen to put water on the hearth, but when reached for the  bucket, Matilda had already done that for him. Smiling, he grabbed it off the hearth and went back into their chambers, shutting the door with his foot. The door was barely closed before Isolde was standing screaming as another contraction hit her.

"What do I do?!" Elias called out to her over his wife's screams.

'Why am I panicking? Pull yourself together, Bishop.' Elias thought to himself. 'This isn't helping Isolde.. '
 

He ran around to the other side of the bed, wrapping his arms around his wife to support most of her weight, he all but lifted her off her feet and moved her back over to the side of the bed. Lifted her legs up and over the side, then pushed her shoulders back upon the pillows. Taking a deep breath, Elias began moving about their room making sure everything was in order.

Isolde let out another scream, followed by Matilda calmly entering the room. Elias took this as his que to leave. Kissing his wife on the lips and on her round, hardened belly, Elias all but ran from the room as if he was on fire! Oweynn stood by the chair, sucking on two of his fingers. A sign that he was scared, or stressed. Elias tried his best to calm himself before speaking to his son. Then he heard Isolde crying and screaming followed my Matilda's calm voice trying to soothe his wife.

Elias walked over to Oweynn, picked him  up and took him outside. It was still warm so Elias decided they would go down by the pond to watch the ducks. Usually they'd have flown off by now, but because of the odd weather, they were still here. Which suited him fine, especially right now, when he needed to distract Oweynn and himself from Isolde's screams.

A few hours later, Matilda appeared outside the front door. She stood with her shoulders back and with a small smile on her face. Catching Elias's attention, she nodded to him to let him know that he could return. Elias knelt down next to Oweynn, tapping on the toddlers shoulder to call his attention away from the ducklings.

"Papa needs to go see Mama. Would you like to visit with Matilda?" Elias asked Oweynn.

Looking to be deep in thought, Oweynn pursed his little lips and tapped his chubby little finger against his chin. "Tillie!" Oweynn exclaimed, laughing as he threw his hands up in to the air! "Owe-Owe see Tillie!" And with that, Oweynn took off towards the house laughing. Shaking his head, Elias took off after his son.

When Elias entered the house, the door to his and Isolde's chambers were wide open, but Isolde wasn't in there. Hearing the ceiling creak above, he knew she was upstairs in the nursery. Running up the stairs, almost tripping as he did so, Elias threw open the door and found his wife cradling the sweetest baby he'd ever laid eyes on. Except for Oweynn, of course.

"It's a boy!" Isolde beamed at Elias.

Elias was at her side in a heartbeat, his arms wrapped around both his wife and newborn son. Pressing his forehead against Isolde's, their son between both their chests, he looked down and stared in to his child's face.

"Thomas." Elias said, his voice husky fighting back tears of joy. He didn't want anything getting in the way of him memorizing his son's face.

"Thomas." Isolde agreed, smiling down on her sweet little baby. "I suppose we'll have to try again for a daughter." Isolde teased her husband, pressing her lips together trying to suppress her laughter.

"Oh yes. Try we must. Again and again and again." Elias kissed Isolde gently, not wanting to crush Thomas between them.

They stood like this until Oweynn's excited giggles could be heard floating up the stairs from the sitting room. Laughing, Isolde looked up at Elias and kissed her husband. "Shall Thomas go meet his big brother, Oweynn?" Isolde playfully asked her husband.

"Yes." Elias smiled, not taking his hand off the small of Isolde's back as they walked side by side down the stairs to introduce the boys.

Matilda stayed for the first couple nights to help Elias and Isolde adjust to having two small children in their house. Though both took being parents to a 3 year old and a newborn with such finesse that Matilda felt more like she was overstaying her welcome rather than helping. So, because she felt she wasn't needed, Matilda insisted that she head home. Elias, not taking no for an answer, escorted Matilda back to her home. Oweynn and Louis went with them leaving Isolde to bond with Thomas in the quiet of their home.

Not wanting to fall asleep while rocking the baby, Isolde put Thomas to bed in the cradle that used to be Oweynn's in the small bedroom off the kitchen. Waiting until he stopped fussing before she left him to sleep, Isolde began gathering the fixing to start dinner. Because it was oddly warm outside, she decided that something light would be nice. Give everyone a break from Stew.

Elias arrived home hours later with a sleeping Oweynn in his arms. Smiling at his wife, he carried Oweynn upstairs and put him to bed, leaving his door open just a crack so that they would be able to hear him call out when he woke up. Kissing his wife on the back of head as he passed her, Elias headed straight to the room in which Thomas lay in the cradle.

Elias stood over the cradle watching Thomas sleep. When the infant stirred and opened his eyes, Elias couldn't help himself. He picked up the infant and held him up and in front of him to get a better look at him. Wide awake, Elias could tell that he had Isolde's eyes, which made him smile. They weren't the Bishop Blue, but that was ok with him. Thomas had his hair coloring though and his complexion.

 

"Husband, let Thomas rest." Isolde chastised Elias. "Otherwise he'll be awake all night and we'll never get any sleep... or practice on making our daughter."

Taking Thomas from Elias's arms, Isolde kissed her infants nose and placed him back in his cradle.

"Are you hungry?" Isolde asked as she turned away from the cradle, only to be face to face with her very aroused husband.

"Famished, but not for food." Picking his wife up, Elias carried Isolde into their bed chambers. They had all the time in the world to have another baby, but he wanted her. And she needed him. With both boys fast asleep, Elias made love to his wife over and over again until both fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.

Louis ate what Isolde had made for dinner.

All was happy on the Bishop Farm.

Chapter 19.5

"Why are you men so dirty?" Isolde asked tiredly, turning she headed to the kitchen and began gathering ingredients Elias assumed to make breakfast.

"Isolde.." Elias said breathlessly.

"What are you doing here?! And you came at night.. what were you thinking!? Especially after what happened to Marta and my Molly!" Samuel shouted at Isolde from where he stood by the door.

"I came because Molly is sick. Marta is scared out of her mind and wants you home. She didn't even know you'd left, Samuel. How could you just leave without saying so?!" Isolde chastised Samuel, her hands on her hips.

Elias slowly stood up and looked at his wife. He'd seen her angry before, but there was something about her that seemed a bit... soft. Oh, she was angry, but she was also.. something else. He couldn't quiet put his finger on it.

"Wife, it's hours until Breakfast.." Elias said quietly, not taking his eyes off of her. He'd missed her so much. Softening a little at the sound of Elias's voice, Isolde smiled at her husband.

"I know, my love, but I am starving. Samuel." Isolde turned back to her ingredients and continued preparing a small meal. A meal that Elias would end up finishing because Isolde could never finished an entire plate. "You best leave at once."

Samuel, too shocked at being ordered by Isolde to leave, turned and with a nod towards Elias, Samuel closed the door behind him. Elias stood there in the silence of their home and watched his wife move about their kitchen creating tantalizing smells with just five simple ingredients. He heard Samuel leave with both horses, sending up a silent prayer that he'd make it home in time, Elias moved around the table to get closer to Isolde.

"Don't even think about it. I'm famished and feel like I'm going to faint if I don't eat something." Isolde playfully scolded her husband. She knew him so well. If he'd had it his way, he'd probably take her right here and now, but she needed to eat! She really was starving!!

Isolde had made a small stew, she set two bowls down and filled them both to the brim. Elias grabbed two spoons and sat down across from his wife, reaching across the table to hand her one of the spoons as well as some bread and a warm glass of milk. "How did you manage to put milk on the hearth before we'd even made it back up here?" He'd asked.

"How are you going to eat that when you're so filthy?" laughed Isolde, tearing off part of the bread that'd he'd touched with his dirty fingers and wiping her spoon off with the apron on her dress. Elias smiled at his wife.

"You're right. I'll be right back." Elias stood and all but ran from the room and headed outside to the old barn to wash up. It was only ten minutes before he'd finished and walked back into the house, stark naked. Isolde glanced up and blushed as she took in her husband.

"I've missed you." Elias whispered to his wife.

"As I've missed you." Isolde whispered back.

Elias walked around to stand next to his wife, he pulled out her chair and gently lifted her into his arms. Pushing the chair back with his foot, he carried his wife into their bed chambers. Setting her down, he turned her around and began untying her dress.

"Elias, wait.." Isolde turned, grabbing her husbands hands and pressing them to her cheeks.

"I've waited weeks for your return. It's been almost a month, please.. Isolde. Don't ask me to wait any longer." taking one of his hands, he lifted her stubborn chin and before she could speak again, Elias kissed her. Pulling her body against his, holding her tightly against him, deepening their kiss.

Isolde pushed against his chest and stepped back when he'd let her go, breathing heavily, Isolde looked up at Elias and laughed shaking her head. "Do you not want to hear what I have to tell you?"
She asked.

"Can it wait until I make love to my wife?" Elias asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"No, it cannot." Isolde turned and slowly undressed, not letting Elias see anything but her backside. Isolde pulled her nightdress on and then turned back to her husband. "I think you'd best sit down."

"I think I'll stand, thank you." Elias said slowly.

"Fine.." Isolde said smiling. "I can't concentrate with you standing there like that, please Elias." Blushing she turned away from her husband.

Why was she so shy all of a sudden. They'd made love numerous times.. in numerous places. He didn't understand why she suddenly was being evasive. He wanted him damn it. He needed her, now, but he knew that she'd not let him touch her if he didn't hear what she had to say. Sighing, Elias turned and put on clean clothes. He had a feeling that he'd not be making love to his wife tonight.

"Alright, Mrs. Bishop. Your husband is fully clothed and waiting eagerly to hear what she has to say." Elias spoke softly. Turning, Elias could see a single tear escape from her eyelashes. He took a step towards her, but she held up her hand.

"We're alright, Elias. Just give me a minute to gather myself." Isolde said with a giggle.

"What do you mean we're alright?" Elias asked. He never missed anything, she thought.

"I'm with child." Isolde smiled at Elias, tears flowing freely now. Covering her mouth in an attempt to quiet her laughter, she wiped her face and said again. "We are going to have a baby Elias!"

She walked over to him and grabbed his hand, placing it on her belly.



As if on cue, he felt a little kick.

Elias dropped to his knees and looked up at his wife. He'd wanted so many times to touch her while she was pregnant with Oweynn, but was afraid she'd turn him away or be disgusted with him. He felt the miracle moving inside of her. Tears fell down his cheeks. He pressed his cheek up against her slightly rounded belly and wrapped his arms around her slight frame. He understood now what he saw in the kitchen. She was soft. She was more rounded. Fuller.

Getting up, Elias pulled her down next to him on the bench by their bed, pulling her close to him he looked into her eyes and at her heart stopping smile.

 

 

 

"A baby?" He asked her, breathlessly.

"Yes!" Isolde laughed.

"A baby!" He kissed her suddenly.



"Wait.." pulling back, trying to catch his breath. "How long have you known? And how could you risk coming home this late at night!?" Elias asked her.

"Well.. I've know since shortly after my arrival at Papa and Anne's, but I suspected before I left." Isolde answered him, looking him in the eye as she did.



"And I risked coming home this late because I couldn't bare to hear Molly's cries when I yearned so badly to hold Oweynn in my arms and kiss your lips." Isolde confessed. "I feel so ashamed because of it, but there really isn't anything that I can do for them. Marta knows I am here for her if she needs to talk, but I feel that she also understands my place is at home." Isolde pulled Elias closer and kissed him.

He couldn't resist her. Deciding he could argue about this with her later, Elias deepened their kiss.



He wanted her more than he did now than when he'd realized she was standing before him in their kitchen, which was hard to believe because he wanted her all the time. He couldn't get enough of her, but he also knew that she was fragile and needed all her strength to carry this baby. Their baby. Though, just because she was pregnant didn't mean he couldn't still please her.

Smiling ruefully, Elias stood and swung Isolde up into his arms and carried her over to their bed. Laying her down gently on top of the covers, Elias slid onto the bed next to her, grabbing the hem of her nightdress and slowly pulling it up to above her knees. He began kissing her, pressing his chest against hers without putting any pressure on her growing belly. He ran his fingers along her inner thigh and slowly began to inch his. He wanted her to know how much he'd missed her. Wanted to show her there were other ways to play or love one another without actually having to make love.

Elias began to gently rub her sex in slow circular motions, her hips copying the movement. Her breathing hitched as she gasped, digging her nails into his back. Giving her a chance to breath, Elias began kissing her neck as he slowly pushed his fingers up inside of her. She called out his name before he felt her coming around his fingers. Not stopping, Elias moving his fingers skillfully inside her, causing Isolde to whimper and arch her back. Coming undone again and again.

Just as he was about to lose all resolve at not making love to his wife, he heard Oweynn enter their chambers. Kissing his wife once more, Elias sat up and laughed shakily. He looked down at his very flushed wife and smiled at her.

"I believe you have a visitor." Elias chuckled, then he and Isolde started laughing in unison as Oweynn squealed for his Mother.

 

Chapter 18.5

Elias was still dealing with the inner turmoil of deciding whether he should take Oweynn and Louis and just go check on Samuel, Marta, Molly and John. He KNEW something wasn't right and the more he thought about it, the more upset he became. He had grabbed his cloak from off the hook in the kitchen and was about to head out and ready Horse when there was a sudden knock on the door. Normally, it might have wounded his ego that Elias jumped when someone knocked on the door. He always knew when someone was on his land, but he's been so on edge since Isolde left for her Father's that even he had to admit his senses are off and he didn't like it. What was wrong with him!?

Peeking out the window by the front door, Elias could barely make out the silhouette of a man. He didn't feel threatened by the dark figure at his front door, but with his senses off, he wasn't sure he could trust himself. Grabbing a knife he'd used earlier to cut some bread for Oweynn, Elias cracked the door open just enough to be properly heard.

"Can I help you?" Elias asked just above a whisper, he didn't want to wake Oweynn who was sleeping on the floor in front of the fire with Louis.

"Elias, it's Samuel." said the dark figure.

Elias grabbed the candle he'd left on the table when he grabbed the knife and held it up above his head, "Step forward."

The man took two small steps towards the front door, the candle barely illuminating his features, but just enough that Elias could see it was indeed Samuel, but why did he risk breaking the law to come out to the farm. Elias had to laugh at himself internally for thinking this when he was just about to do the same thing except take his son with him! Which was worse than Samuel coming by himself.

"Samuel, I've been so worried." Opening the door for his good friend to enter, Elias continued. "Isolde wrote that Marta and Molly had been attacked on their way to here."

 He sensed Samuel's hesitation before he saw it. Fear flooded Samuel's features. No, not fear. Death.

"What happened?" Elias asked.

"Elias.." croaked Samuel. "Those men... those men beat Marta until she fainted, but that's not even the worse of it all." Samuel dropped into one of the dining chairs in the kitchen and ran his fingers through his hair. His whole body shaking as he started to sob.

"My Molly... My Molly." was all Samuel could say.

Elias's insides went cold. So many questions ran through his mind, but only one repeated itself.

'Was Molly dead?'

Elias stood leaning against the front door quietly watching his friend. Peeking into the sitting room to make sure Oweynn had not woke, but otherwise remaining where he was. He'd never seen Samuel so distraught before. He felt twisted up inside. Wanting to demand the truth from him, but knowing that Samuel must be putting on such a brave façade back at his house that he needed the release now to be able to go on living.

"They raped her, Elias. Those men beat and raped Molly." sighing Samuel rubbed his face with both hands, leaned back and looked up at his friend. "What do I do, Elias? She won't let me near her. When she comes out of her room, she strays from me. Flinches when I speak as if I raised my hand to her. I've never ever raised my hand to my wife or daughter."

"Did they catch them?" Elias asked.

"Two of them. According to Marta, there were six. Marta witnessed some of it, but by the time she came around, Molly.." Samuel suddenly lunged to the side and threw up all over himself and on the floor. Sobbing harder than before, it didn't take a genius to know that those men took their turns with Molly. Elias felt like he, too, might throw up.

"Sam.." it's all Elias could say. How do you tell your friend that everything was going to be ok when you knew in your heart and in your gut that it wasn't.


Sighing, Elias walked over and sat across from Samuel, tossing him a cloth to clean himself with. "You risked being killed coming here in the dark just to tell me this?"

"I'm telling you this because Isolde is at our house right now caring for Molly and Marta. Cooking, cleaning, caring for John." pausing to sigh and take a slow deep breath, Samuel continued, "She's a godsend, but I need her to come home. I need Marta to come out of her room and face me. So I can tell her it was not her fault.. No, so she can tell me it wasn't mine. If I had been there.."

"If you had been there, Samuel, they'd have killed you and possibly killed John, too." Elias interrupted his friend's train of thought.

"Or I could have saved them." Samuel muttered, sounding defeated. "Enya?"

"Safe and sound with her foal in the stables..." Elias paused, staring at Samuel for a minute before continuing. "Samuel, has Belle came by your place?"

"Belle? No.." Samuel sat up a little straighter. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, the other night I noticed.. felt really, something was off. I thought I saw something in the Wheat fields, something big, and I took Belle out to check it out. That's where I found Enya and her foal.. she'd given birth probably half hour before I found her. Belle and I split up though and she hasn't come home. It's been almost two days." Elias tapped his fingers against the table. "I don't think it was Enya in the Wheat field, Samuel. I... I think it was Tristen."

"Tristen!" Samuel stated, rather loudly, gaping at Elias. "You think it was Tristen? Elias, Tristen is dead!! He's been dead for over a year.." Samuel sat there shaking his head, staring at the table as he contemplated what his friend just shared with him.

"I never told Isolde because I knew how upset she'd be, but not too long after we'd buried Tristen and Bash.." Elias sat forward, crossing his arms in front of himself, looked Samuel dead in the eyes. "I'd noticed the grave had been disturbed.. Upon closer inspection, I saw that Bash's body was still there, but Tristen's was gone. I think that the beast that killed him, turned him. I think he's what his killer was."

Samuel could only stare at Elias. He was utterly shocked. Elias was too, for several days after he couldn't even look at Isolde let alone speak to her. She'd taken to visiting the graves of her dead husband and son once a week. Tristen disappeared the day after her visit. Or later that night. That had to be it! Tristen was a beast. He'd turned and dug himself out of his grave. Whether he could take human form he wasn't sure, but he also didn't want to know either.

"Elias, are you sure that Tristan is a Beast of the Wood? You sure that maybe something just didn't dig up a fresh grave looking for food?" Samuel pointed out. "He was dead. You were absolutely sure of it. I mean, did you not take measures to make sure that both your nephew and your brother were indeed dead before you buried them?" he asked.

"I did.." Elias said quietly.

"Then we must dig up the grave." Samuel stood, throwing the cloth into the buck of wash, turned on his heel and headed outside to grab a shovel. Elias, checking on Oweynn, followed after.

Neither of the two said a word to one another as they slowly dug up Elias's nephew and brother's grave. "Here." Elias whispered. "It's not much further." Both men put down their shovels and began to slowly dig with their hands. Covering most of their faces with their shirts to block out the smell, Elias brought the lantern down closer to view the grave.

"Sebastian?" Samuel asked, looking up at Elias who nodded his head in answer.

"Then..." Samuel pointed to what was left of Tristen's body. "This is what is left of Tristen? Someone dug up their grave and took his head?"

Elias was frowning. He'd heard of such rituals where in case of revenge, or in honor of someone passing, it was said that the head be collected from the person(s) who'd killed your loved one. He knew the beast that killed his nephew and brother, but he didn't understand. Tristen had stabbed William a few times, but Elias is the one who had struck the final blow that killed him. Or shot, he should say.

"We'd best right their grave before Isolde comes home." Elias said quietly, not waiting for Samuel to join him, he began shoveling piles of damp earth back onto Tristen and Sebastian.

"Are their any Hersh's alive?" Samuel hesitantly asked Elias, not bothering to look at him as he began to shovel earth back into the opened grave. After several minutes, Elias finally answered Samuel's question.

"If rumors are true, and I'm beginning to think most of them are when it pertains to the Hersh family, then Eliza was raped by their Father.." pausing Elias took a deep breath, "She was also raped by William when he became of age. Repeatedly, if I'm not mistaken. It's partially why Eliza supposedly wasn't all there in the head. Anyways, later on and she birth to a child. Whether it was a boy or a girl and who the Father was, I'd never heard, but I'm betting that's who did this. The reason why is beyond me." Elias smoothed the now filled grave, placing freshly cut flowers on top as a sign of love, apologies, and respect.

Both men turned and headed to the old barn to wash up when they heard a horse approaching from the East. Ducking down and into the shadows, they watched as the person on the horse tied it off at the hitching post and walked inside the house. Not waiting for Samuel, Elias took off at a dead speed, running towards the house all the time thinking to himself, 'kill Louise, kill!'

Elias burst through the door, coming to a dead stop as he stared at the person that stood before them. Samuel, seconds behind, ran right into Elias knocking both of them down to the ground. Footsteps and then two feet stood in front of Elias and Samuel as they tried desperately to untangle themselves from one another.

Samuel, seeing Elias's expression, turned to look up at the person who'd entered the house.

"What.. the.." Samuel whispered.


Chapter 17.5

Later that night, it began to rain. Looking outside, Elias thought of his wife, Isolde.
'What is she doing?'
'Is she alright?'
'How is Anne and Robert doing?'

Standing at the window, looking out at the rain, Elias was suddenly drawn to the Wheat fields. He wasn't sure what it was, but something caught his eye and his gut was urging him to go check it out. Memories of his brother and nephew's death rushed back to him, it felt like someone punched him right in his chest. Concern for Oweynn's safety, Elias grabbed his bow and sheath of arrows and headed out into the rain towards the Wheat.

Louis and Belle both started after him, but he turned and ordered Louis to stay and shut the door behind him so that Oweynn would be protected if anything were to happen to him. Outside, the rain was much louder making it that much easier for Elias to sneak up on whatever lay in wait in the Wheat. At the edge of the fields, Elias looked back towards the house. Sending up a silent prayer, Elias and Belle stealthily entered into the Wheat. He started towards the direction in which his eyes had first laid eyes on, trusting his instincts. A few feet in, he saw movement directly in front of him. Signaling Belle, Elias sent the dog to head around and come up from behind while Elias headed straight for it. Readying his bow, just in case.

As Elias neared closer, he could make out labored breathing of a large animal. Slowing his pace even more, Elias slowly stepped out into a clearing in the Wheat only to see that it was Enya! She'd given birth to a male foal! With all the excitement of Oweynn's birthday and all that lead up to the wedding and after, Elias paid no attention to the horses. Samuel took care of them for him.. In fact, Enya was suppose to be with Isolde. The fact that Isolde left riding Enya and that Samuel and Marta never showed for their visit the previous night, really started to worry Elias. If he had only himself to think about he would head over there to Marta and Samuel's right now, screw the law. Hell, he'd head over to his Father in Law's to check on Isolde as well.

Kneeling next to the foal, Elias began looking him over, taking care to not touch him. He didn't want to upset Enya, or take the chance that she would reject her foal because Elias touched him before they had a chance to bond. Looking around, he spotted a rope next to a bail of hay, walking over her grabbed it and tied it around Enya's neck. He couldn't touch the foal, but there was no way that baby would NOT follow it's Mother and he needed to get both of them back in the stall. Aside from the rain, Elias had a bad feeling. He wasn't sure that Enya was what caught his attention when he was inside the house. What he saw out of the corner of his eye, didn't add up to a horse. Even if Enya had been standing up, she still wasn't what he saw.

Looking around as he finished tying off the rope around Enya's neck, he wasn't sure where Belle was. Another sign that something was amiss. Grabbing hold of the rope, Elias gently pulled on it, urging Enya to follow. Thankfully, she wasn't too stubborn and after ten minutes, Enya and her foal were following Elias back to the stables. Locking them both in the stable so that they couldn't wander out, Elias went to check on Horse, who was secured and pacing inside his stable. Turning, Elias headed back to the house. He wasn't sure where Belle was, but he also knew it was dark, raining, and he was alone out here and had to think of Oweynn. Making it back to the house, Elias threw the door shut and latched it. Walking to the window, he looked outside once more before going through the house securing the back door and all the windows. Louis followed, whining, something he rarely did.

By the time he finished, Belle still hadn't reappeared. Going upstairs, Elias poked his head into Oweynn's little room and saw his son was wide awake and standing in his crib. Seeing his Father, Oweynn started crying. Elias quickly went to his son, gathering him in his arms.

"Would you like to sleep with Papa tonight, Oweynn?" Elias asked his son.

"Papa! Papa!" cried Oweynn, wrapping his little arms tightly around Elias's neck.

Heading back downstairs to the sitting area, Elias took one last peek outside to check for any sign of Belle. Seeing none, he sighed and headed through the dining read and the kitchen to his and Isolde's chamber. Pulling back the blankets, Elias sat on the edge of his bed rocking his son. Feeling his son's body relax against his, he knew Oweynn was fast asleep. Turning slowly, Elias laid Oweynn down on the bed and then laid down next to him, covering them both with the blanket. He and Isolde usually didn't allow Oweynn to sleep with them in their bed, except for on rare occasions when he was inconsolable or wasn't feeling well. Tonight, Elias felt, was definitely one of the those nights. Not to mention, he had a very bad feeling.

The next morning, Elias took Oweynn out with him when he started his chores. Elias decided to put off his morning chores so that he could take Oweynn down to the pond to feed the ducks. It was calming for Oweynn, he'd be content for hours watching them and Elias needed to think things through. He needed to head to Marta and Samuel's. He needed to check on them and see if everything was alright.

Deciding that he would take Louis and Oweynn with him to Marta and Samuel's after he did his chores. It took him less time than usual to talk Oweynn away from the ducks than it usually did. Elias thought that he must be getting better at this parenting thing, but then Oweynn started to squeal and point his little chubby finger.

"OINK! OINK!" Oweynn squealed with delight and giggled as he pointed at the Pig's and pulled on his Father's shirt. Elias laughed and decided starting with the Pig's wouldn't do any harm.

 Elias lifted Oweynn up to see the Pig's inside their pen. Clapping his little hands and making pig noises, Oweynn's squeals of delight echoed off the rolling hills. You couldn't help but smile.

Moving on to the Sheep, Elias pointed and asked Oweynn what a Sheep makes. Oweynn baah'd like a sheep and giggled. After he scattered hay for the Sheep and poured some slop for the Pig's, Elias just stood there holding Oweynn for awhile. Enjoying the silence with his son. Soon the heat from the sun demanded that Elias get on with his chores, especially if he planned on making it to Marta and Samuel's before nightfall.
 

Elias started heading towards the Cows and Chickens, but Oweynn started crying and pointing to the donkey.

"Eee-aww Papa!" Oweynn sniffled.

"You want to see Jasper?" Elias asked, carrying Oweynn over to look at the Donkey. Jasper was old, and he rarely used him except for plowing. He fed him less than the other animals because otherwise he'd just be old, fat and lazy. He could see that Oweynn was starting to get tired and he still had a few things he had to do before they could head off to Marta's. One of the being eating after he bathed Oweynn and packing some extra food for their trip. Elias was nervous about taking his son with him on horseback, but he felt that he had no other choice. As nervous as he was taking his toddler on a horse, his gut feeling that something was horribly wrong was even worse.
 

Not wanting Oweynn to fall asleep yet, he started tickling his little boy to get his adrenaline going. After Oweynn was wide eyed and bushytailed, Elias put Oweynn down and pointed to the Cows. Oweynn, giggling, took off towards the Cows, Moo'ing. Elias right on his heels. Louis barking happily at Oweynn, trotted along side him.
 

After milking the cows, Elias headed over to feed the Chickens and collected the egg's while Oweynn watched the baby chicks. Louis was right next to Oweynn the whole time, looking around as if he was waiting for trouble. Which didn't ease Elias's foreboding feeling.
 

Elias was getting Oweynn bathed after they had their lunch when he received a letter from Isolde.
 

"'Dear Elias,
                I have just received dreadful  news. Marta and Molly were attacked while they were on their way to see you and Oweynn. Samuel and John were to meet them at our farm later that evening after Samuel's brother left. I don't know the details of the attack in itself, but it looks like they were bringing Enya back to the farm when she took off. I think she's pregnant and didn't want to ride her all the way to my Father's house, so I left her with Marta and took their horse. Kate is still not here, but with this attack and with Enya lost, my Father feels it's best that he escort me home immediately. By the time you read this, I should be home within a day or two after. I love you. Give Oweynn my love and tell him that I will be home soon!
                                                                                                Love,
                                                                                                   Isolde'"

Letting out the breath he was holding, Elias laughed out loud to himself. Isolde was fine and would be home soon! He thanked God for that, but he was concerned with the attack on Marta and Molly. Why was it that Isolde was only told of the attack, but not the details. Marta and Isolde were best friends. They knew everything about each other. And who told Isolde of the attack? Elias turned back to his son and carried him into the house, latching the door behind him. There was no need to write Isolde, but he'd write a letter letting Anne know that he received it, that he would send Robert back with some preserves he made and vegetables from the garden. After hearing of this "attack" Elias wasn't so sure that he should be taking Oweynn with him to Marta and Samuel's.