Every night was the same. 

Lanny would sneak out, to the rocky water's edge, staring out at the darkness of the night sky. It was always the moon that called to Lanny. Like a silver, glowing pearl hung about a chain of stars, the moon was what stirred a longing inside her heart. A longing for someplace other than here. A longing to be free from the heavy weight that chained her down.

Brushing back the strands of her brown hair the salty sea breeze lifted into the air, Lanny let out a forlorn sigh. "How long must I live like this? It is your fault," she grumbled to her belly.

"Your life has always been yours," a stranger's voice broke into Lanny's thoughts.

Turning her head slowly, she blinked up at the dark young man who stood, an arm's reach away. Jumping to her feet, she snatched up her lantern. "W-who are you?" she demanded.

The young man's face was calm. "I have seen how you have failed, how your family has exiled you. I have witnessed it all," the man spoke in a light, gentle voice.

"I-I-" Lanny started to interrupt him. She knew of what he spoke. One bad encounter had ruined her reputation and, ashamed, her family had shipped her off to the tiny island on the outskirts of the mainland. Since then she had been too ashamed to show her face to anyone during the day. Especially when she'd begun to show. 

The man moved forward, faster than she could react. His hand stretched out, until just barely reaching Lanny's rounded stomach. His touch, she noticed through her white night dress, was warm and filled her with the same sense of wonder she always felt staring up at the moon. "Did you know?" he asked quietly. "Did you know that this is your baby?"

Frowning, Lanny stepped back again, stumbling slightly, her lantern swinging. "Of course it's not! This is that cursed man's seed!" she growled in anger.

"Know you not that all children are born into this world innocent and pure, no matter the sins of the mother or father?" he inquired kindly. "All children wish for is the love of their parents, young one."

Shaking her head, she took another step back.

The man let out a soft sigh, which sounded like the rustling of the wind through trees. "Let me show you," he murmured. His hand, once more, reached out and touched her abdomen. 

When next Lanny became aware, the moon was setting, the sky beginning to lighten.

In her dreams, she'd seen the child she carried. She'd watched them grow up, seen them find love and happiness...

Tears fell down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her belly. For the first time in her life, she felt love for another person in her heart begin to grow. Love for someone she'd never thought she could ever love before. Love and forgiveness for herself and her child.