Evelina.
6 months later...

"Man, the frost came early, this year!"

"Yeah... It sure did..."

I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. "Evelina, you've been acting so strange. Is everything alright?"

Sighing, I placed my dishrag on a chair and rubbed my tired eyes. "Honestly, Karina... I've had a lot on my mind...

Karina smiled at me, her long black hair falling over one of her eyes. "You can tell me anything."

Because of the recent weather change, I decided that it was time for Anna and me to settle at a tavern for the winter. The cold air was stiffening my leg and making my poor Anna fussy. I chose a town far as far away as possible from the main battlefield and took a job at the local tavern. There, I met the owner's wife, Karina, and we've been inseparable ever since. Now two years of age; Anna has begun walking on her own and forming somewhat complete sentences. It warmed my heart to see my little girl developing so much.

Despite all the good in my life...I still couldn't shake the neverending feeling of fear away from me, and it's beginning to take a toll on me. I've been in one location for over a month, the Grimleal could be right behind me for all I know, I don't even know if my brother is alive, and the war is only getting worse.

"Lina? Are you ok?"

Lina... Only my Mother and Blaise have called me that. I collapsed in Karina's arms and began to sob. "I'm a terrible mother... I'm a terrible sister... I-I can't... I don't know what to do..."

"Lina..." Karina began to rub my back. "Let's sit down and talk, ok?"

I looked up and nodded, wiping away a tear.

Minutes later, we were seated at one of the empty tables, a warm cup of cocoa rested in my hands. "Alright. Tell me what's wrong," Karina said as she sat down.

"I'm...I'm scared for Anna, scared for everyone... This war makes me feel like I could be attacked at any moment..." I sighed, bringing the warm cup to my lips. "I can't really explain why...but Anna and I can't stay in one place for long. I'm afraid that I'm putting her and everyone else in danger..."

Karina let out a breath and took my hands. "Lina, you're doing nothing of the sort!" she reassured me. "We're perfectly safe where we are! I promise!"

"Nowhere is safe, Karina!" I suddenly shouted. I was glad that it was after hours; I didn't want anyone hearing what I'm saying. "I'm not safe anywhere... I can't protect my baby girl..."

"Alright, that's enough!" Karina made me face her. "Evelina, you're the strongest woman I know. I haven't known you for that long, but it's the truth! You're an amazing mother and I know you would do anything to ensure Anna's safety."

I stared into her pale green eyes. "How can you say I'm a good mother...? I can barely even provide for the two of us..."

"You're working your absolute hardest to make ends meet," she said. "You're the exact image of a mother in my mind." She fidgeted with her hands for a bit. "And...you're the type of mother I aspire to be..."

"Aspire to..." I gasped loudly, and my lips turned up into a wide smile. "Karina, are you-"

"Shh! Not so loud!" she giggled. "I want to surprise my husband! Don't go shouting the news!"

I laughed and leaned back in my chair. "My lips are sealed!" I smiled. "Thanks, Karina. You've made me feel a lot better."

"I'm glad."

"Mommy! Mommy!" Little Anna came tumbling into the room. "Look what I drew!" As she was running, she tripped over her own feet but got back up seconds later. She climbed onto my lap and presented a parchment of paper covered in wet paint and ink.

I took the parchment and tried to look at Anna's...art? It was just a bunch of splotches of paint. I couldn't even tell what the colors were. "It's amazing, little bird," I said, putting down the paper and kissing her tiny forehead.

"Yay!" Anna giggled and bounced up and down in my lap. "Can we go play?"

I glanced up at Karina, who was smiling warmly. "Um, not right now, sweet pea. Mommy still has-"

"I'll handle it, Lina," Karina said. "You two go play."

I mouthed a silent thank you and hugged Anna. "Never mind, then! We can play!" I helped her down and took her hand. 

"Have fun, you two!" Karina called after us.

"Thank you!!!" Anna laughed. I smiled the whole way to our room.

...

"Mommy, can you sing me a lullaby?" Anna tugged on my nightdress.

I turned around and placed my hands on my hips. "It's late, little bird!" I sat down on the bed. "Are you having trouble sleeping?" Anna nodded and rubbed her eyes with her tiny hands. "What's wrong?"

"I scared..."

"Of what?"

"Scary monsters..." She hid under the blanket.

"Oh really?" I smirked. "Well, are these monsters scarier than Mommy?!" I pulled the blanket away and began to attack her with tickles.

"Ah! Mommy! Stop it!" Anna giggled uncontrollably and kicked at my arm.

I abided by her wishes and hugged her tightly. "I'll protect you from all of the scary monsters, sweet pea."

Anna nuzzled into me and closed her eyes. "Ok, Mommy..." She was silent for a few moments. "Can you still sing? I like your voice..."

I smiled and kissed her head. "Alright..." I cleared my throat and inhaled softly. "Hush now, my dear one; do not be afraid. The darkness that surrounds you will be gone by day..." I stroked her soft brown hair. "Rest your tired head and close your eyes. Know in your heart that I'll always be by. Shed your grey feathers and turn them to white. Get rid of the shadows by using your light. The dark stormy rainclouds will shade the sun. But after a storm, a rainbow will come. Rest now my dear one, please do not cry. Listen to the sweet sound of the swan's lullaby."

Anna's soft breaths were music to my ears. I bent down and kissed her forehead, settling myself into bed. "I love you, Anna... I will protect you with everything that I am. No matter what."

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Hello. It's me. So it's been a while, and I'm really sorry for that. Luckily, I have a bunch of ideas and I'm ready to write even more! Unfortunately, I won't be able to write that much within the next week because I'm really busy with show tech. I promise to write as soon as I have time. Also, I really hope you liked the lullaby. It's another original I wrote and it's called "Swan's Lullaby". I may post a thing later of what it's supposed to sound like. Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!