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The grass was long and lush, the soft giggling as children crouched on all fours moving through it in a game of tag filled the summer air to mix with the buzzing bees that were diligently going about their daily business.

Two little girls slammed into one another, finding each other in the almost impossible to see through grass, fits of laughter as they collapsed on the ground to lay and revel in the game. The smell of the grass was amazing, as was the peppering of clover and such mixed in. This entire field was to become hay and they knew they were being a bit naughty, crushing some as they made maze-like tunnels in it but it was so much fun.

Another child appeared in the small clearing they had made rolling around, shaking his head at them but betraying his own glee as he flopped down and yawned softly, the day's fun taxing. He wore the simply clothes of a Ranger, his sister as well. Plain black. The other little girl they were sharing their afternoon with wore soft tan clothing, showing she was not of their house, clearly not of their village. Her eyes were the deepest brown pools, wide and expressive. She looked almost like one of those painting of the big eyed children, so pretty and delicate with her slender limbs seeming impossible to hold her, even as she moved gracefully as she reached out to touch his cheek, brushing off an errant grass seed before it might reach his eye.

"Thanks Dawn" he said softly, smiling at her as his sister yawned as well.

Over the grass came the sound of a mother, calling her child and Dawn rolled her eyes as she recognised her mother's voice. "awwwwwww, already?"

"I guess so. I'm hungry too" He agreed "Do you think your Da will let you come play again tomorrow?"

"I guess so. He sez we are here for the foreseeable. Whatever that means. You know fathers … they sort of think you know what they mean already" Dawn smiled, rolling to catch the little girl in a hug, not bone crushing like you would expect from fellow children but tender, almost respectful, then her mother's voice drifted over again. "Gawwwwwwds. Listen to her, you would think it's the coming of the end!"

Giggles as all three children rose to their feet, their heads and shoulders visible to anyone looking over the field of grass and as the little boy stud brushing off his trousers Dawn impulsively leaned over, pecking him on the cheek and cheekily giggling as she pranced away from him, his half hearted swipe at her meeting thin air as his laughter filled the glen.

His laugh was music, a soft melody that his sister's seemed to harmonise with and Dawn turned towards the tree line where her mother was visible in the shadow, her eyes boring into her. The little girl started to run for her and as she broke the cover of the grass into the grazing area beside the field she transformed, becoming a fawn with those long legs and dappled hide of a yearling.

The two stood hand in hand watching as she skirted around the Doe that was softly scolding her or taking so long to respond and as the mother and child turned to leave the large stag that had been standing further back took a step forward to look at the children now.

"Who were you playing with Dawnie?" he asked gently, surprised to see these little ones out here like this.

"Oh, that's Jax and Jewel. They live over there in the castle" she said as she let her mother nuzzle and check her.

The father blinked, turning his massive head to stare at the two children who were calmly walking closer and he stepped out of the shadow into the light of the late afternoon, walking slowly to greet the little Lord and Lady Harkness-Jones, awe in his eyes as he felt the thrum of the old blood nearing him with each foot step.

He bowed, so deeply that the front points of his sixteen point crown seemed to scrape the ground and Jax tutted softly "No, do not do that. We are just playing. Dawn is a good friend, we do not seek your fealty. Only friendship."

He rose to look at the two, so little and frail yet the power coming off them was making his very skin shiver with delight.

"I do hope she was kind" he finally said.

"She is lovely" the little girl spoke, her head high as she stepped forward showing herself to be her brother's protector and the stronger of the two twins despite appearing the smaller of the two. A good deception that in later life would cause would-be antagonizers much dismay. He found himself smiling at her softly.

"I am Hathor."

"Yes, I know. Uncle John sez you are from the great blood that defended the line" she nodded "You are welcome in our grazing meadows anytime. Family."

He nodded as he whispered back "Family."

He then turned to follow his wife and child who stood waiting to retreat to their evening sleeping area in the deep of the forest where a small camp waited for others with the old blood that had found themselves here.

He had a tale to tell tonight around the campfire as they all talked of their day.

It was true, the rumours now confirmed.

The tree had lit the entire keep with flame.

Magnificent.