Thread: A Mother's Trials (Tesora & Greeneyed23)

Elizabeth looked at her son. It was Christmas time and his birthday. Her brother had gone to his own keep, finally and all seemed to be quiet in the keep. It was only herself and young Nathan still awake and she slowly walked toward him as he sat before the fire, quietly and pensively, far to serious for a young boy to be. She wondered if it was her fault. Wondered if marrying someone while he had still been a babe would of eased him. He was a troubled boy who needed a father but she'd never been able to give herself up to the idea of giving him a stepfather. She didn't know with certainty that her Roland was dead. Her brother said she still mourned him and the King told her there was only certainty that a man gone so long no longer breathed air but she held out her hope that he was well and would come home to her. His death had supposedly happened five years ago and she was not finished mourning him. Slowly, Elizabeth settled beside her youngest child and then held out a cloth that covered an object beneath. Something that had been Roland's. A broach he'd entrusted to her but one that she thought was now for her son to keep as a reminder of his father, even if he had never known him. You look very serious my darling, she mused quietly, brushing aside a lock of his hair before taking his hand, placing the gift in his palm. I thought perhaps to give you this....you see it was your father's... she told him gently, keeping her voice mild as she spoke to him. He gave it to me when we wed. It's a broach with the crest of the Eckert family. You could wear it with your best cloak...Your father would have wanted you to have it... she told him, her voice ever gentle as she slowly pulled him into her lap, kissing his forehead. I do wish you had known him Nathan. He was a good man, strong and honest...I know that you have no desire to listen to any men and well...It is not your father's fault that he died in battle. He went to war to do his duty by the King and the pope...and his own honor...if he had stayed he would of been a coward you see...? she asked softly then brushed his hair back. I just want you happy, and I don't know how to make you happy my darling. I try very hard...to help you when I'm able, to do what I can for you but when you set fire to the King's carriage, funny as it was, it's rather unbecoming of a young Lord and such behavior might get you killed. If it weren't for the fact that you are heir to a large amount of land and title, you would of been sent to a prison or hung for attempting to kill the man who rules over us...I don't want to see you killed or hurt for your behavior...and I want only the best for you...I'm sure your father would desire the same...were he here to speak to you himself... Elizabeth sighed, holding him close to her heart. You are my son, and I desire only what is best for you but I need you to help me my love for I cannot do it much longer by myself. I need your help... she whispered softly and then kissed his brow, looking into his sweet face, a young childlike version of his sire. Will you promise to be more helpful and to not run off. I know you can care for yourself but others might try to use you against me, to get what they want and I don't want you hurt. The world is a dangerous place my darling and you are part of my soul. It would wound me deeply to have something terrible happen to you...Please...will you at least do that for me sweeting? she asked gently before framing his face. I want you to be the best person you could be Nathaniel Eckert...Promise me you will aye? she asked him, her voice soft as she looked at his face and then kissed his cheeks before drawing back slightly. Please...