Edward turned around, panting for breath. His opponent took advantage of his back being turned and tried to strike, but Edward knocked his blade out of his hand without even looking behind him. Someone was coming through the entrance. He watched as a messenger boy tumbled into the cave.

"Attention!" The boy shouted, and all heads turned towards him. He cleared his throat and began to read from his scroll. "A message from his Royal Highness, King George of England: All knights of his Royal Highness, King George of England, are to cease fighting and report back to his Highness. The law passed outlawing the religion of Christianity has been revoked. So be it, long live the King."

At first there was nothing but silence, and the messenger boy cleared his throat and reread the last line of his message. "So be it, long live the King," the knights repeated after him.

Edward shifted his way into the Right Wing, passing many weary and sad faces. He reached Elizabeth and knit his brow. Her face was streaked with tears and her eyes showed her heavy heart. He took her hand and asked, "Many wounded?"

Elizabeth nodded and added, "Four dead as well, as far as I know."

Edward frowned and turned to the four bodies on the cavern floor, covered in blankets. Elizabeth let out a sob. Edward glanced at her and then lifted the first blanket. A small "oh" escaped his mouth and he bit his lip, putting his arm around Elizabeth as he gazed down at the thin body of Elsie Fidomini. Elizabeth sniffed and said tearfully, "She said," She paused and swallowed, "She said not to cry. 'Don't cry, Elizabeth,' she said in a genuinely cheerful tone. 'I'm going to see my Father now,'" Elizabeth choked and Edward held her tighter, swallowing. He knelt and gently replaced the blanket. He turned to the next body and Elizabeth began to sob painfully. Edward pulled back the blanket a bit, but then dropped it in horror. "Ariana," he whispered. He looked up at Elizabeth, pain in his deep blue eyes. Elizabeth understood and swallowed. "She—she told me—to look after you." Edward gazed down at Ariana's still face, a few tears escaping from his overflowing eyes and trickling down his cheeks. He kissed her forehead gently and stood, still regarding her sadly. Then he turned and saw Mrs Sanders watching heartbrokenly. He creased his forehead and embraced her gently. "I'm so sorry," he whispered tearfully. She shuddered and nodded. "She was a good girl. I wish I had been a better mother to her."

Edward looked down at her in sympathy. "No one can turn out as kind and loving as Ariana was without a wonderful mother," He replied softly.

There was a shout from outside the room and Rev Rowe entered sadly. He looked Elizabeth in the eye and said, "Mr Black wishes to see you, Miss Peterson."

Elizabeth frowned and glanced at Edward. He followed her out of the room. Adrian was propped against the wall just outside the Right Wing, clutching a wound in his side. He wore a pained expression and he looked up at Elizabeth with an innocence and helplessness in his eyes that she had never seen before. She knelt by him, swallowing. "Adrian?" She whispered. All the features of his face were drawn together in pain. He struggled and managed a single word: Sorry. Elizabeth forced a smile as a tear ran down her cheek. Adrian lifted a trembling hand. The last thing he ever did was to wipe away Elizabeth's tears.

Elizabeth bit her lip and watched Adrian slip away. Her head dropped and she could hear nothing over the pounding of her heart and the ringing in her head. Then she was being lifted up gently and carried away. She blinked, trying to stay conscious. Edward's voice rang in her head, echoing about, calling her name, but she couldn't answer...

"The poor child," Mrs Rowe said softly, espying Elizabeth, weary and distressed even in her sleep. Edward glanced over at Elizabeth, who lay on the bed next to where he sat. He sighed. Mrs Rowe knit her brow. "How long has she been asleep, you said?"

"Since just after the battle," Edward replied quietly. Mrs Rowe pursed her lips. "Is it anything to worry about?" She asked in an undertone. Edward swallowed. "She..." He inhaled deeply. "She might not wake up."

Mrs Rowe sighed and laid a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her earnestly. "I've lost too many. I can't lose her. Da, Mum, Lizzy," he swallowed again. "Ariana."

Mrs Rowe creased her forehead in sympathy and kissed the top of his head. "The Lord will do what He will," she replied quietly. Edward nodded. "But His will may be decided on prayers we haven't yet prayed," he added, and turned to look at Elizabeth again. Mrs Rowe smiled and left him to his own thoughts.

Elizabeth opened her eyes wearily. She was staring at a ceiling. A real ceiling. She frowned and shifted, turning her head. She was in a bed, in a room, in a house. Blinking at the bright daylight, she pushed herself up onto one elbow. "Edward?" She called out. In a moment Edward flew into the room and was at her side. "Lizzy!" He grinned. "I can't believe it. You woke up. Aunt Alana! Uncle Xavier!"

Elizabeth frowned. "What do you mean?"

Edward surveyed her grimly. "You've been asleep for nearly a week now."

Elizabeth stared. "A week?!" She dropped back onto her pillows. "Is that why I'm awfully hungry?"

Edward jumped up just as his aunt and uncle entered the room. "Yes, you poor dear, I'll get you something to eat."

"I'll get it," Mrs Rowe offered quickly. Elizabeth smiled. Yes, she was an orphan, but she still had a family right here who cared about her as though she were one of them.