Love At First Kingdom

Chapter Three

Crying. I hear crying.  I sit up like a stiff board and look around myself worriedly, my hand finds Thomas and I pull the blanket it back. Its him, but hes not the one crying.

I throw my feet over the side of the bed and go into the bathroom, its silent there.  The bathtub is full of the mountain spring water and as hot as it can get without burning us. The window infront of the tub showed the mountain range that was shadowed by the moon.

I move to the living room and it's louder. Its not sobbing, and it's from outside.  Not under us. I rub my eyes sleepily and turn on a few oil lamps to give the room some light. The only sound is the crackling of the fire.

The kitchen.  I look out the back door that looks over the city and frown. Its louder, yet still far away.

"Alex?..." Thomas calls sleepily from the bedroom. There's no panic in his voice,them again hes good at hiding his emotions.

"Yeah baby doll?" I call back and prop the door open, the cool night breeze blows through the door amd through the room. He comes padding out only in pants amd socks. That heathen.

"There you are, you scared me." He kisses my cheek as his arms wrap around my waist.  He looks between me and outside ." What are you doing darlin'?"

"You don't hear that?" I cock my head at him. He's silent and still for a minute before shaking his head.

"No. Why?" He looks at me worriedly. "What do you hear?"

"Crying. Like a baby crying." I go back to the bedroom and start pulling on clothes.

"Honey, you're tired. Go back to bed." He catches my hand and eyes study the mark on my jaw.

"I'm only going on a quick ride. If something happens I'll talk to the stars." I smile and he gives a small smile back.

"Alright.  I'll be here if you need anything. "He places a hand on my cheek and kisses my lips sweetly.

"Of course baby doll. Ill be back in a few hours." He nods and lets me go. I run down the stables and find Legion.

The horse looks less then thrilled to see me again. His head hangs low and he huffs.

"Oh stop pouting,I'll buy you an apple ." He head immediately perks up and I climb onto him happily.

We bolt through the gates and to the city. His hooves thunder on the cobblestone as we race over the bridge and slow down in town. We both go still as stone. They cryings faint,it was stronger at the house.

"Has anyone heard crying?"I ask the crowd infront of me. Everyone shakes their heads and I sigh.As  promised I get him an apple and jw eats it happily and we run back to the woods.

"Looks like we're going off the beaten path bud." I pat his side and he carefully moves over the logs and rocks.  At this point the crying is louder then before. Its a baby's cry, anyone could tell that. Its high pitched and begging for attention .

I climb off Legion's back and tie him to a tree. I slowly maneuver over the rockey side of the hill, when I see the top I freeze.  Its a wide open field with flowers and wild grain. And oddly enough,sitting inthe middle of the field with a blanket and pillows craddling it,is a baby.

My eyes widen and I look around nervously, where's it's mother? I take a step into the clearing and slowly make my way out. My feet crunch the grass softly and I cut down a path for myself with my sword. I set it down when I  find the flattened down area.

The baby cant be more then two. He has some teeth growing in uncomfortably and his fingers grab what he can reach.  His freckles are scattered like the stars and seem to glow, his skin is a nice smooth caramel with the exeptipn of the freckles trailing all over his body. His eyes are green and gold. Ones as green as a spring meadow while the others a pure gold straight from the black smith. His eyes land on me and he gives another wail.

"Well ,hey there." I move over slowly and pick him up. The crying immediately stops and he gazes at me in awe. I smile and bounce with him slightly. " Where'd you come from?"

He giggles and his mouth forms to make half words,its all gibberish to me. He gives a squeel when hes done and grins proudly,showing his six teeth. I smile and wrap a blanket around him tightly,it is a brisk night.

"Where's your mother?" I run a hand through his short curls. He shrugs and settles on chewing on my shirt. " Well, its been hours since you started crying.  I bet you've been here a while. How about you come home with me?"

I smile at him as I turn and bounce, I pick up a little lion and hand it to him.  He gasps and hugs it in his pudgy arms happily. He lays his head on my chest happily and stares up at the stars.

"Why don't you come home with me ?" An all too cocky voice comes behind me. I freeze and hands lay on my hips. Those aren't Thomas' hands.  My eyes widen and I hug the baby tightly.

"John. "My voice cracks.