Bye, baby Bunting,

Daddy's gone a-hunting,

Gone to get a rabbits skin

To wrap the baby Bunting in.

-----

The warmth of the flames from the fireplace heated the small cottage with ease, removing any traces of the winter cold from the air. It didn't stop the protective mother from wrapping her week old son in a blanket of wool, protectively cradling him against her chest. Heavy eyelids finally closed; his belly full and she placed a delicate kiss on his forehead.

The snowstorm outside had the old wooden roof creaking from the force of the winds and sitting by the fire, and she stoked the flames to send a new rush of warmth through the room. Getting comfortable in the rocking chair, she swayed gently watching her baby sleep.

A bang from outside had her jumping, and her son began to cry in surprise and fear, a horrible shrill sound only newborns still adjusting to their new world could create. She gathered him closer to her, the rhythm of her heart being felt through the blanket by the boy as she patted his back to calm him. The soft hum of her voice in his ear was enough to silence him while the woman prayed her husband would be home soon.

"Bye, baby Bunting, Daddy's gone a-hunting. Gone to fetch a rabbit skin, to wrap his baby Bunting in."

She sang it softly over and over, looking over to the cupboard where the pelts of more than just rabbits resided. Wanting to feel protected, it was the skin of the werewolf that she pulled out, her husbands greatest prize. Never had she felt fur so soft and wrapping it around the pair of them, she hoped that whatever magic still resided in the pelt would protect them now.

Her husband had been away for months in a battle against all kinds of evil that existed in this world, and she had not even had one letter from him. He would have her forgiveness for leaving her alone when she had been due to birth their first child; he just had to come home. What if the demons won?

The fear of having to raise her child alone weighed heavily on her mind and if her husband had met his end, would the monsters come for them too?

Somehow she managed to sleep, and come morning the storm had passed. Venturing out to gather more wood for the fire, the figure riding towards her home had her frozen in fear. The axe she had got hidden amongst her skirts, and as the large chestnut stallion was stopped outside the gate, she pitied the beast as it had been ridden to exhaustion.

The rider said nothing as he slipped off his mount and removing his hat the familiar black mass of hair had her hand covering her mouth, dropping the weapon. Her heart felt like it was about to burst and the pair ran to meet each other halfway.

"Is the treaty in place, was it successful?" She asked breathlessly, as they parted after their first kiss.

"It is my love." He answered, the shrill cries from inside calling him in and upon seeing the bundle in blue, he couldn't believe his luck. "Peace and a son! What a good day this is!"

"Is it really over Alistair?" His wife asked again, holding his arm and staring hopefully at their son who he cradled against him.

Maybe he will have a better life, free of the evil in the world.

"It will never be over Mary. Evil is bound to rise again, and that is why we are Hunters." As if understanding his fate, the baby began to cry to the point of screaming.

"I do not wish this life for our son!" Snatching her infant from his father, Mary tried to soothe him.

Alistair didn't want it either, but he was born into the role as was his father and his father before him. It was in their blood and had been for as long as any could remember. It was a blessing and a curse.

"We do not have a choice." He told them both sadly, yet the future would not be like the past.

The Treaty the Hunters, Slayers and Trackers fought to introduce was to act as the law between the humans and the supernatural. It was a legendary moment in their history, and for Alistair Bunting, he prayed it would be enough to keep peace throughout the lands long enough for his son and future generations to grow up without the same worry or fear that was all he had ever known.

It was a dream though. Alistair had seen and knew too much to believe The Treaty brought peace. He knew there would be a time when the monsters would try again and when that did happen, there was no doubt in his mind that it would be his kin there to stop it.