Riley Meets Motherhood [2] (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4: Saving Elijah

Flashback~ Kingdom of Norway, 972 A.D.

A young girl is walking towards a cottage to visit a woman she seeks help from. The girl finally arrives at the cottage and pushes the door open, closing it behind her. She sees the woman chanting something, but the woman stops from being startled and she doesn't look happy.

      The girl says while removing her mittens "sister, I've come to beg for your help" and the woman asks, skeptical "what for?" The girl says "you know I've always wanted children of my own-" the woman angrily interrupts her "then go. Go on and have your Viking children" and the girl says "it's been almost a full year and I am still not with child. I fear I am cursed" she looks at the woman, who sighs in annoyance.

      The girl pleads  "Dahlia, please. With your magic, you could help me!" Dahlia asks while standing "you come to me needing favors? If you hadn't abandoned your talents with witchcraft, you could help yourself." The young girl says "I was never as strong as you, I know that!..." Dahlia turns away from her "just as I know you will not turn away from me. You are my sister. And no matter our quarrels, we are bound by blood."

      Dahlia seems to be considering this. After a moment, she turns back towards her sister. Her little sister begs her "please, help me" and Dahlia says firmly "what you ask of me, it requires heavy sacrifice." The girl says while stepping towards her, relieved and near tears "I will do whatever you ask!"

      Dahlia notices her tears and sighs before pulling her into an embrace. She says "oh my dear. I could never refuse you" she pulls away and takes the girl's face in her hands and says "my precious, little Esther."
End of flashback

Lafayette Cemetery

Oliver has been chained and bound to stalks and looks as though he's been severely beaten. He stands outside before Finn and Esther and is surrounded by the werewolves. Oliver asks "why don't you just kill me and get it over with?"

      Finn says "speak to her again and I'll feed you your tongue..." he turns to the wolves "spread the word from here to the Bayou, that midnight tonight, he is to be put to death for his part in helping the escape of the young ones. For now, chain him up." Two of the werewolves grab Oliver and shove him towards the tomb.

      Finn raises his voice to the rest of the werewolves "tell the other wolves to come and have a look and see what happens to traitors!" The rest of the wolves spread out of the cemetery, leaving Esther and Finn alone. Esther smiles at Finn "well done. Now, I believe you have a meeting to attend to?.." Finn smiles and nods "good. I'll go to your brother."

      Esther leaves Finn and returns to the crypt where she and Finn have been holding Elijah. He's still asleep, kneeling on the floor with his wrists still bound to chains suspended from the ceiling. Esther speaks quietly to Elijah "still sleeping? Lost in visions of horror and dreams of love?..." she takes Elijah's face in her hands "still so strong, so... full of life. Too willful to take my offer" she drops his head in frustration and walks over to a nearby table to pick up an athame before turning back towards him.

      She says "I remember you as a little boy. Innocent, kind... If that boy had known the creature he would one day grow up to be, he'd have leapt in my arms and begged me to save him..." she affectionately runs her fingers through Elijah's hair "I'd do anything for that little boy, as I would you."

      Esther suddenly yanks Elijah's head back by his hair and slits his throat with the athame. Elijah awakens and begins to gasp and choke while Esther mutters a spell into his ear. She then drops his head once again and Elijah slumps forward, once again unconscious and still.