WITHOUT

I Have Won!

"What do we have here? This house is not a equipped for beings of that size.." Benton stood a moment, bent slightly - Closer look. Clark certainly wouldn't agree to people of this seize being within these walls. All staff were no younger that eighteen - Geer and Bell had been an exception. Benton paused in thought for minute, maybe they had had others, but...Clark had always ensured - Staff were of a certain age.

No children.

Reason being, the work was not easy/hard on body and mind, the mistress of the mansion had high expectations. The mansion simply wasn't a place for the innocence of the young!

Each child looked at Benton. Pixie put her small hands over her eyes (All things disappeared when she did that. She felt safe), Leader stared right back at him (He didn't blink)...Reef, reached his hand out to him (Smiled) Benton couldn't stop himself smiling back.    Reef looked to be an endearing child.    Leader could be trouble!     Pixie was definitely too small, the mansion would eat her alive!

Benton stood to his full height, cleared his throat..."They can have a meal, a wash.   But, the children are to be taken else where.."     He nodded, Clark would agree as well (And, on her return - She would be informed, and assured the "child" matter had been dealt with)      Abby  looked around the room, two would stay (One would go the valley)       Pixie had been claimed, Abby couldn't deny her friend the small child.  Benton would not be parted from one.     EB and Stella would have a small "shadow".

Each child had a place.

Plus - Ethan wouldn't allow Leader to be any where but here at the mansion.     Reef and Pixie had future roles in time, that were to unfold.    Abby also saw another small child joining - Reef having a love of the sea?      Abby placed her fingers at her temple...."One thought at a time. The future is a very challenging thing!.."    But, as she looked at Pixie, Leader and Reef.

They were a dead-set certainty.

A tub was set up for each child, clothes were found. Benton took charge of Reef, he was stern and to the point. But, Reef intrigue him. The child listened to his every instruction, mimicked his every gesture. Leader tried to run away, splash in the water....Refused to be dressed. Stella took care of him (Laughed at everything thing he did!) She loved holding him fresh from his bath.

Fern sponge-washed Pixie, dampened her head with a cloth. Mint oil was applied to her skin.

"Abby. Make her a royal child. I want her protected in every way possible. Her people are gone from our community. I'm sure we still have some...But, their old. I don't want her to end up with them.." Fern frowned a second, then stared at Abby.

"She's mine. Her hands reached for me..." Fern then gave Abby a small smile..."She needs so much. They all do..." Abby nodded.

"There is going to be a need for healing. More than we can guess at.." Abby then held her arms out for Pixie (Who kept staring between Fern and Abby) Abby gave her a small hug. Pixie's kind were extinct. She was from the Water-Drop fairies, they mix well with all. Have healing skills. They can be found within any community - And are an excellent fairy to have within all communities.

But, hunters, and other sources pretty much wiped them out. No one understood why they were "rare" - Abby could recall they were everywhere once a upon a time (And, many) - But, it was their ability to "mix/join". Not all fairies are capable of that.