Hidden Reign

11. Adler

20 years ago

"Isn't she just the cutest?" Fathima sat holding a beautiful baby girl. She cooed and reached out to grab her mother's finger. It was a sight for sore eyes. I smiled, happy that my best friends finally had a child to call their own. "May you be forever safe my love."  Fathima whispered, kissing her daughters cheek. The child smiled and giggled, staring up at her mom with bright eyes. Fathima then turned to me. "Do you want to hold her Adler?" I quickly shot my hands up in defense.

"Oh no no, I don't think I should." I wasn't very good around children, granted it had improved over the course of working with the Sheiks. But I was still really awkward around them. Especially after receiving my scar over my eye. Most kids would have started trembling and crying when they saw me. I was sure that it wouldn't have been any different this time around.

"Come now, she won't bite. She doesn't even have any teeth yet." Fatimah laughed, kissing her child on the forehead. "Hafsa my love, do you want to go to Uncle Adler?" I smiled, it was the first time I was called Uncle. Fathima got up and gently placed the child in my hands. I wanted to to reject the offer, but as soon as she was in my arms I couldn't let go. The first thing that I noticed was how warm and fragile the baby felt. I froze, not wanting to move or injure her. Zain laughed from where he stood near the fire place. I turned around to glower at him, only making him laugh harder.

"Don't worry about hurting her, this one is a fighter. The other day she had a bunch of my hair in a choke hold." Zain reminisced fondly. Again as though the child understood what was said, she gave out a cheeky laugh. Her adorable giggle echoed through the room. It had been ages since such warmth had filtered into the Sheik's home.

"Hello there little Sheik." I smiled, gently rocking her. Her big hazel eyes gazed up at me. It sparkled like little stars. And her smile was equally contagious. She was beautiful. She reached out and grabbed a hold of my shirt, clutching it tightly in her tiny hands. It was in that moment that I swore silently, to protect the child no matter what I had to do. Slowly her eyes began to fall closed, she fought as had as she could, but sleep had already taken her. When Zain had noticed that, he took her and placed her in her little crib.

"Adler you know why we called, right?" he asked as he stood staring at his daughter.

"Yes." I answered. He turned and smiled before walking over to take a seat next to his wife, opposite me. He grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly.

"Casi has been one of the few things that has held this community together. It has been our duty as the Sheiks to protect it from any harm. But that means there is no one to protect us." Zain began, ending off in a sigh. "Hafsa may be safe with us for now, but we don't know what can happen." I knew that this day would have come. That was why I was a bit apprehensive when Zain had mentioned that they were trying for kids. A rebellion has started to spark, the people's greed was becoming uncontrollable. It wasn't safe. But I also wanted my friends to be happy, after everything they had sacrificed. "If anything were to happen to us... we want you to promise, that you will keep her safe." I stood up, I knew that my friends would trust me with their own lives, but this trust that they had now put on me was far greater. I placed a hand on my chest and bowed my head.

"You know I will. No matter what my Liege."