Rearview Park, 2009
Rhaenys stood at the edge of the pond, her reflection rippling in the water as if mirroring the turmoil in her mind. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the tranquil scene, yet she felt anything but calm. Confusion swirled around her like fallen leaves caught in a gentle breeze.
As Rhaenys gazed into the pond, lost in her thoughts, her grandfather, Raymond, approached her with a gentle demeanor.
"Hey, Rhaenys," he said softly, taking a seat on the grass beside her. "Do you have a moment to talk?"
She turned to him, the worry etched on her face. "Sure, Grandpa. What's on your mind?"
Her grandfather then said to Rhaenys, "I'm sure you have many questions."
She nodded slowly, her heart racing. "I do, Grandpa. There's so much I don't understand."
Raymond smiled reassuringly. "I'm here to answer those questions," he said, his tone warm and inviting. "Take your time; we can go through them together."
Rhaenys took a deep breath, grateful for his presence, and began to gather her thoughts.
Rhaenys looked up at her grandfather, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "Grandpa," she started hesitantly, "did my dad adopt me when I was a baby?"
Her grandfather paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful as he considered her question. "That's an important question, Rhaenys," he replied gently. "Let me explain how things were."
He took a seat beside her, his eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and compassion. "You see, your father found you and your mother in a warehouse, in a situation that was quite difficult. He knew he wanted to provide you both with a better life."
Rhaenys listened intently, her heart racing as she tried to imagine the circumstances that had brought them all together. "What happened next?" she asked, eager to learn more about the story.
Raymond took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "After finding you and your mother, your father rushed you both to the hospital. He knew it was the only place that could ensure your safety and health.
The doctors worked tirelessly to assess the situation, and they were able to help your mother recover." He paused, his expression softening. "Your father stayed by your side the entire time, determined to make sure you both were okay."
Rhaenys leaned in closer, her curiosity increasing. "What happened next?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, eager to hear more about the events that had unfolded during that challenging time.
Raymond took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "After your mother's recovery, things began to settle down a bit. Your father made it his mission to take care of both you and your mother. Eventually he and your mother fell in love, and then they got married."
Rhaenys then asked, "How old was I when my mom and her adopted father got married?"
Raymond paused for a moment to consider Rhaenys's question. "You were about two years old when your mother and her adopted father got married," he replied. "It was a new beginning for all of you, and your father was determined to create a loving home for his family."
Rhaenys listened intently, trying to piece together the memories of her early childhood.
Rhaenys then asked, "Did my mother ever talk about her old life or where she came from?"
Raymond paused for a moment to consider Rhaenys's question. "Yes, she did," he replied.
Rhaenys then asked, "Can you tell me?"
Raymond took a deep breath, the weight of the past heavy in the air. "Your mother often spoke of a different dimension," he began, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "It was a place very different from here, filled with wonders and challenges that shaped who she was."
Rhaenys leaned closer, her curiosity increasing. "What was it like? Why did she leave?"
"It was a world where magic flowed freely, but it came with its dangers," Raymond explained. "Your mother had to make a choice to protect you and your future. She wanted to create a safe and loving home, away from the turmoil of her old life."
Rhaenys then asked her grandfather if her mother ever spoke about who her biological father was. "Did she ever mention him?" she inquired, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Raymond paused for a moment, considering how to answer Rhaenys's question. "Your mother spoke of him only a few times, but she always held him in a special place in her heart," he replied gently. "He was a remarkable man, a true king, and his name was Arthur Pendragon, the king of Camelot."
Rhaenys's eyes widened even further. "Arthur Pendragon? The legendary king?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
Raymond nodded. "Yes, my dear. You are the daughter of Arthur Pendragon, king of Camelot. It is a legacy that carries both honor and responsibility."
Rhaenys then says that means I'm a princess, doesn't it? Her heart raced at the thought, a mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through her veins. "A princess? The daughter of a legendary king?" she pondered aloud, trying to grasp the weight of her newfound identity.
Raymond smiled gently, sensing her whirlwind of emotions. "Indeed, you are, Rhaenys. With that title comes the expectation to uphold the values and virtues that your father embodied. It is a legacy that is both a gift and a challenge."
After a moment of contemplation, Rhaenys turned to her grandfather, her fascination increasing. "Did my birth father know my mother was pregnant?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The question hung in the air, heavy with the uncertainty of her family's past.