The Demons of Our Love (Completed)

Chapter 24

Banner + Music on side..

Catalyn POV

____

"Valerie!" I rushed forward and hugged her. "Mum!" I said, turning to my mother. "What're you doing here?"

"I brought them." said King Caer. His face was drawn with worry. "Where are my sons?"

I paused. "Gone to battle." My mother gripped my hand tightly. 

Caer closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "Lliavads?"

I nodded. "A few days ago." 

He opened his eyes. "I must attend to some matters." He walked off quickly. 

"I'll show you your rooms." I said, taking Vals hand. "When did you two decide to come?"

"Oh, just because." said my mother, smiling. "You are looking gorgeous. Married life certainly suits you." I blushed and smiled.  

Valerie looked me over. "Cat, you look...different."

"Ah." I said. "You didn't get the letter?"

Mother and Val exchanged puzzled looks. "No, what's the matter?" my mother said, slightly panicked. 

"Nothings the matter." I said quickly. "It's just..." I bit back a smile. "Adrian and I...that is, we...Mother, I'm going to have a baby!" 

"NO WAY!" Valerie screamed. She grabbed my hands and twirled me around. "Oh my god!"

"Valerie, calm down." I said, out of breath. I hugged my mother, who looked stunned. "Mum?"

"I just..." Mother was smiling. "You've grown so much, love. I can't believe it. It seems just a few years ago I was holding you in my arms, and teaching you how to sing. And now..." She wiped away a tear. "I'm going to be a grandmother!"

I took my mothers hands. "It all must be alot to take in." 

"Just a little." said my mother. Valerie was dancing around us. 

"An aunt!" she said dazedly. "I'm going to be an aunt!"

"Adrian knows?" said my mother. 

"Yes, of course!" I sighed and looked across at the battlements. "I just wish he would come home."

***

Three days had passed since they had rode out. Three long, quiet days of staring out the window, watching the snow drift by, three days of silent meals with Eoin, Caer, Val and my mother. 

Valerie and I were sitting in her room, reading quietly, when Eoin burst in. "They're back." 

Val and I exchanged glances and quickly hurried down the stairs. We entered the frozen courtyard. Knights were dismounting with a great clatter, horses stamped and snorted, there were sighs as men saw home. I was startled to see how many men were injured. 

Val let out a cry as she saw James and ran to his side. I scanned the crowd and saw Fynn. 

"Fynn!" The crowd parted for me. "What happened?"

Fynn gave me a tired smile. His lip was swollen and his jaw was bruised. "We won, love. The Lliavads are all either captured or gone." I smiled and looked through the crowd of knights.

"Where's Adrian?" I said. 

Fynn didn't say anything. A frown creased my brow. "Fynn?" He merely turned away. 

Panic was rising in my chest. I whirled around and spotted Arthur. "Arthur!" 

He looked at me sadly. "Arthur, where's Adrian?"