[Pandora Karsalia]

Sliding to her knees, careful to be gentle, she held her daughter softly in her embrace. She hadn't expected it to come so fast. Feysha had such trouble giving in and accepting comfort. Smiling sadly, Pandora ran a hand through the short locks of her child, holding her through the shuddering, the tears.

Why can you not see? There is no hate, no monster for us to fear. If you would only let us help you... A burden you are not, my daughter. I can only love you, and hope that you learn to love yourself again. I cannot show you what you are unwilling to see.

There Pandora sat, flowing gown stained by grass, arms wrapped around the weeping bundle she held. There must be a way to heal these invisible wounds, before they bled the very life out of her only child. This holy night... surely some gentle god must be out there, willing to turn a kindly ear to her prayers....

Hours later, only the numbness in her legs reminded the Queen how long they had sat together. Feysha now rested quiet against her bosom, for once at ease with herself. Pandora could not help wondering, though, why no one had thought to disturb her yet. Moments like this were a treasure she rarely found. Perhaps she'd been heard, after all.