CHAPTER 12

Sacheverell kissed Milne on the head.

"Now, you sleep tight my Darling.  All will be well.  I'll be gone for a few weeks at the most. Mother will take care of you."

Sacheverell got up and walked towards his mother.

"Mother, has there been no improvement?" he asked

The wrinkled old woman shook her head of grey hair.  "No, my boy.  Everyday the same. I don't think she will improve."

"Mother! Don't be so negative.  Milne is strong.  She always has been.  She ruled Moulingsu Mountains by herself for years!"

"Yes, yes, I know. But sooner or later you have got to accept what is happening! You are ruler of Moulingshu now and you are no use to our people if you keep on doing this!" the old woman hissed.

"My wife is my first priority, Mother. You know that.  I've lost my daughter and I'm losing my wife."

"Oh don't you start speaking of that...that thing you call a daughter! It's your own fault.  I told you to never get involved with an elf. You brought shame on this family with your slapdash lifestyle. You ruined Milne's reputation as Queen."

"She agreed to marry, Mother. Nobody forced her. She knew about Mishae.  She knew my daughter was an elf."

"I never could quite understand why your offspring looked like that elf-woman you had on call. No hint of dwarf in her at all."

"Mother, I will not allow this! Her name is Mishae.  Her mother was not "on call". We had a relationship and we made a mistake."

"Yeah, I know.  The child."

"We made a mistake by thinking it could work but not Mishae.  Mishae was no mistake."

"Face it. It's your fault Milne is like this.  Too much pressure from the dwarfs.  Too much pressure from you.  And when that child of yours vanished, she just...fell apart."

Sacheverell moved across the room to his mother.  Eyes blazing he said:

"Mother, you will not blame me for Milne's illness.  Don't you think? This hurts me. My daughter is gone. I have an elf prince in my protection.  I'm about to join him in battle.  I'm petrified."

With that, Sacheverell walked towards the door.  Just before leaving, he looked back at his sleeping wife.

I'm so sorry, Milne.  Please forgive me.