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The Prayer

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Night had fallen on Ealdor in the lands of Essetir. The stars twinkled brightly in the night sky as the wind gently rustled the leaves of the trees in the distance. The small village was quiet and still, its residents having retired for the evening several hours earlier. But a soft lullaby could be heard coming from a small home.

Inside the home, Hunith sat up in bed tenderly rocking a small bundle in her arms as she hummed softly. The tiny bundle of joy in her arms was Nerissa, her beautiful daughter, who was born earlier that day. The hours of labour had paid off and she had a precious daughter to show for it.

Nerissa slept peacefully and safely in the arms of her mother and this brought a smile to Hunith's face. She placed a kiss on her daughter's sweet nose and another on the top of Nerissa's head, which was covered with a mess of auburn hair. Hunith knew that her daughter would grow up to be beautiful, much like every mother thought of her newborn daughter. Hunith would certainly need to keep a careful eye on Nerissa. As would Merlin, her son and Nerissa's older brother.

Hunith looked over at the small crib near the window and found that it was empty. She was momentarily filled with worry until she saw a small shadowy figure toddling toward her in the dark. The figure toppled to the floor and crawled the rest of the way to Hunith's side and pulled himself up.

Merlin stood at the edge of his mother's bed and looked up at her with his eyes wide and smiled. "You're supposed to be asleep, young man," Hunith chuckled at her son, whose grin seemed to widen when she tousled his hair with one of her hands.

"Bay-bee," Merlin said as he pointed toward the bundle in Hunith's arms.

"She's sleeping, Merlin." Hunith gently rubbed her hand against her daughter's head.

"Bay-bee," Merlin repeated.

For a moment, Hunith pursed her lips, but Merlin looked right at her with his innocent eyes and smile, which melted her heart. "All right you," she said with a smile. "Come see your sister." She patted the space beside her on the bed.

Merlin crawled onto the bed and nestled beside his mother as she wrapped an arm around him. She then brought Nerissa closer for him to get a good peek of her. "Careful now, Merlin," Hunith gently whispered to him. Her tone wasn't chiding, but rather encouraging. Might as well start training him now to look after her.

"Bay-bee."

"Yes, she is, bay-bee Nerissa," Hunith told him. "She's your sister, Merlin. You're her big brother. You'll need to help me watch over her. Especially when she's older and suitors start taking a fancy to her." Not that Merlin would understand that necessity quite yet. But one day he would.

Merlin gave a small nod. Then he yawned and blinked slowly fighting his hardest against sleep. Hunith couldn't help but chuckle at him.

"You can sleep with us tonight, dearest," she told him softly, as she gently rubbed his arm. "Tell the baby goodnight, Merlin."

"Nigh bay-bee," Merlin said with another yawn.

He then did something that melted Hunith's heart - Merlin leaned over and kissed Nerissa's head before he snuggled back down beside his mother and fell asleep. Hunith's heart was full. While her situation wasn't exactly ideal, she was happy. And she began to sing her lullaby once more.

I pray you'll be my eyes

And watch her where she goes

And help her to be wise

Help me to let go

Every mother's prayer

Every child knows

Lead her to a place

Guide her with your grace

To a place where she'll be safe

Lead her to a place

Guide her with your grace

To a place where she'll be safe