The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 1

(Disclaimer: I do not know all the lore of The Wingfeather Saga as I'm only in the middle of the second book. However, I came up with an idea for a fan story surrounding the idea of a Lore Wain I hope you all enjoy. I may or may not continue writing this but still wanted to post the part and concept. Thank you and have fun reading!)

As the Lore Wain looked down into the face of the heir to the throne, she reflected on the events that had just happened days prior.

The castle was temporarily taken over by a rogue group of Stranders, who had traveled to the Shining Isles deliberately for this task. They thought they could take the throne by force because they were great in number. The guards were locked out of the throne room, where the three royal siblings were gathered together. The only one who had not been present was Celeste, the Lore Wain, who was away on an personal adventure. The Throne Warden fought the best he could but the number was too great for him. The guards broke down the door but they were too late, the Throne Warden, the High Queen, and the Song Master had been lost at the hands of the wicked Stranders. It was a tragedy that should of never happened.

After the rogue army was subdued, the royal advisor found that the High Queen Elanora's child survived and called for the Lore Wain, who was spared from this grotesque act.

Now here she stood, looking into the face of her nephew, Echo, who wasn't even old enough to hold his head up by himself. Tears dampened the child's cheeks that are not his own but those of his aunt.

"What happens when the Lore Wain becomes the Throne Warden?" She thought this among many other things mixed with grief. "I'm not suitable for this. I was made a Lore Wain, a protector of the history and stories our Kingdom holds dear. I'm no protector of people, much less an infant. I wish Everett was still here..."

Everett had been Celeste's oldest brother, the original Throne Warden. He was an expert swordsmen and even an excellent archer. Compassionate and witty, it was no surprise Everett had many friends and admirers. Celeste knew she couldn't live up to her brother or any of her siblings' lives, much less raise the next king.

The baby's eyes fluttered open upon feeling wet tears on his face. He looked up into his aunt's sorrowful and scared face with his pale blue eyes.

Aunt Celeste wiped her eyes, seeing her nephew had awoken on account of her tears. "Sorry, little one... I'm afraid I was lost in thought that I didn't realize..." She trailed off before proceeding to gently wipe her tears off the baby's cheeks with her calloused thumb.

Echo's little eyebrows scrunched together as he felt the rough thumb go across his soft baby cheeks.

Celeste immediately stopped, as she saw her nephew wasn't fond of her calloused hands.

Celeste may of been only twenty years of age but she has used her hands a great deal over the few years she's been alive. She's always been fond of strumming string instruments and working with wood bare handed. As a result, her hands had become rough to the touch.

"Sorry again, Echo. I don't have the softest hands..." Celeste forced herself to laugh a bit and kept the hope that Echo wouldn't burst into tears on account of her rough thumbs.

Echo looked back at her a moment before smiling a toothless baby smile.

She grinned at his smile before hugging him gently on her shoulder. "I don't know what I'll do with you... but... I'll try my best... for you, Echo..." Celeste paused a moment before muttering to herself, "And for your mother, Queen Elanora..."

"Lore Wain Celeste..." A gentle voice responded from the doorway of an otherwise dark room.

Celeste looked towards the voice and met eyes with the royal advisor, who had called her to the palace.

"The people need to hear from you, it's been days since you've arrived home... They're starting to get anxious." The royal advisor stated with worry.

"I know I'll... I'll call them together in a moment." Celeste responded, still holding her infant nephew close to her heart.

The royal advisor sighed, "Lore Wain, the people are right outside the palace... They need to know now."

Celeste sighed and looked at her nephew again, who has just started to fall asleep. "... Alright. I'll be out in a moment."

The advisor nodded to her and left her presence with haste.

Celeste took a look at Echo once again and debated on whether or not to bring him before the people or to leave him alone in his royal crib. After a moment of thought, she decided she would bring him with her.

"I can't risk losing you too... If I leave you alone, who knows what could happen. At least if you're with me, I can defend you." Celeste reasoned in her heart as she wrapped fabric around her shoulder, waist, and the baby, making a sling for him to rest in. She made sure it was tight and secure before exiting the dark nursery to confront her distraught people.