The water whipped violently and his body descended further below. Sea creatures darted around and sent cries through the darkness. She looked up from her window and listened carefully.

"Mother? What is it?"

The queen looked at her and said "Stay put. I'll inform your father."

She watched the woman leave the room and frowned. The sea creatures never cried like this unless there was an emergency and she couldn't stand by and wait. Pushing her way through the window, she gave a single whistle and continued swimming toward the distress call. A dolphin came up beside her and she caught its dorsal fin. He pulled her faster through the water and the cries grew louder.

Slowly she made out a black form sinking toward the sea floor.

"Niall, hurry."

The dolphin swam quicker and she discovered the black form was a boy. She left Niall's back and swam after him. Her arms circled his waist and she pulled him with her as she kicked to the surface. Swimming fast, she pulled her way upward and broke the surface with a gasp. Holding the boy's head above surface, she looked around and found a large wooden board floating nearby.

She pulled the boy over to the wood and pushed him out of the water. She pulled herself up half way and placed her hand at his neck. There was no pulse and she rested her hands on his still chest.

"Eábha, get back!"

She looked over her shoulder and found her parents swimming closer. Her mother pulled her back into the water and looked at her father.

"We can't, Sile."

"He's a boy. I will not let him die out here."

"He will no matter what. No one will find him."

She frowned and pushed herself up onto the board. She cupped the boy's head in her hands and lowered her ear to his mouth. Hearing nothing, she looked back at her husband and placed her hands on his chest.

"Sile!"

She closed her eyes and felt the power pulse through her. The jolt hit the still chest and she checked for a pulse. Nothing and she gave another jolt.

"Sile! Enough! You'll kill yourself!"

"I will not let this little boy die, Felic!"

Eábha watched in horror as her mother fed the still boy's body with power. Her beautiful complexion began fading and her breathing began to grow shallow. She closed her eyes and heard a slow cough. Sile let out a sigh and ran her hand along the boy's head. He tried opening his eyes but she stilled him as she placed her hand to his forehead.

"Rest. You are safe now."

He tried to speak but she sent him into a light sleep. Silently she turned back to Felic and closed her eyes. He caught her as she slid into the water and held her up.

"I told you to stop."

She smiled and said "I can't fight my motherly instincts."

He closed his eyes and Eábha swam over to them. Sile took her hand and closed her eyes.

"Never forget how precious life is and how much I love you."

Tears slid down her face and she shook her head.

"No Mother."

Sile smiled and her hand released her daughter's. Felic let out a painful sigh and kissed his queen's cheek. He looked down at Eábha and she slowly met his gaze.

"Let's go."

She closed her eyes and followed her father below the surface. Silently they swam home and a soft lament guided their way. As they drew near, people awaited them and fell quiet as the king entered his home. Silently everyone entered the castle and Eábha watched her father lay her mother on a bench in the garden. Her eyes were still burning with unshed tears and she felt two hands rest on her shoulders.

"What happened?"

She looked up slowly and found her brothers, Alexander and Liam watching their father silently. They looked down at her and she turned away. Their father left the queen's side and turned to his people.

"Remember her and keep her love for all of you in your hearts."

The cries began and she closed her eyes. She felt Liam leave her side and forced her eyes open. She found him with her father and she tore her shoulder free from Alexander's grasp. Quietly she disappeared to her room and closed the door behind her. Reaching her window seat, she sat down and drew her knees to her chest.

Her eyes closed and she buried her face in her knees as the tears fell unchecked down her face. Her heart ached and the guilt began to grow within. She lost track of time as she sat weeping and was startled when Felic entered her room. Slowly she lifted her head and retreated to the window edge. He came up to her slowly and she bit her lip to keep her mouth shut.

His eyes were still full of pain and she closed her eyes when he raised his hand.

"We've been searching for you."

She slowly looked up at him and asked "Why?"

He studied the tear stains on her face and sighed "Do not blame yourself, Eábha."

She looked away and drew herself into her defensive hold once more. She turned her gaze out her window and listened to the lament still playing throughout the kingdom. Felic closed his eyes and quietly left her alone. She listened to the door closing and let out a soft sigh. Drained emotionally, she moved to her bed and curled up in the middle.

The pillow her mother had given her for her birthday she held in her arms and breathed in the faint scent she loved so much. Closing her eyes, she let the tears continue and felt her heart continue breaking. Her painful cry was heard outside her door and Liam closed his eyes. He slowly looked at Alexander and their father. The king listened to his daughter's grief with his heart already broken and left his sons.

Liam watched their father leave and said "We have to do something."

Alexander closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. He hated seeing his happy little sister so torn up.

"I'm afraid all we can do tonight is let her cry herself to sleep."

"I won't let her blame herself."

"We have no choice, Liam. She won't see reason until the initial grief is gone."

The younger brother let out a sigh and looked at his sister's door. He knew she had witnessed their mother's death and that she had gone ahead of them. She had always cared for others before herself but how could this possibly her fault? Sile knew as the queen what her job was and her heart was just as big as Eábha's.

"Tomorrow we will see how she is feeling and then go from there. Don't stand out here all night, Liam. You need sleep as well. We all are suffering from Mother's death."

Liam looked back at his brother and gave a single nod. He watched Alexander disappear into his room and found himself surrounded in silence. Pushing the door open to his sister's room, he moved to her bed and found her asleep. She had cried herself to sleep and he hated seeing her so distraught. Quietly he pulled her blanket up over her and tucked her in.

Kissing her brow, he whispered a comforting chant and made sure her dreams were free of pain for the evening. Closing his eyes, he left her room and made his way to his own. As he closed the door behind him, he felt a tear run down his check and collapsed onto his bed. Wiping the tear away, he held his hand up and studied it. It had been many years since he had cried but even as he hurt he knew he couldn't let his baby sister carry a burden that wasn't hers.