1 18 Years ago

"Shapeshifters!"

Is all Audrey says as she hurries out of the room carrying the young child.

Heavily pregnant, she moves down the halls practically flying with her feet barely touching the ground. When she reaches the doors to the dome the guards move to block her. She knows the rules but whatever had just happened could not wait. This is a risk she will have to take no matter the consequences.

"My lady, am afraid you can't go in there."

"Her highness and nobles are in a Very important discussion at the moment"

"Nothing is more important than the heir to dome" she sneers flashing her eyes, the silver in them coming alive like stars twinkling on a dark night.

She understands their predicament but she doesn't care. Right now all her thoughts are on what the attempt on the prince's life means.

The guard hesitates a moment but when he sees her draw her weapon he decides to open the doors. He knows by the death look in her eyes that she will fight to the death. That alone makes him realise the gravity of the matter. The guard knew her reputation, she was capable of many things but wouldn't dare defy the crown and would only risk death if it was absolutely necessary.

The guard stands tall and announces "Your highness forgive my intrusion but..."

"Out of my way you fool" Audrey enters pushing the guard to the side.

She walks in nervously doubting her earlier resolve.

The dome was not just your typical throne room but it was the heart of the great Dome kingdom. The large room circular in shape was a sight to behold. Guarded by the spiritual guardians believed to have been given by the Gods. The mighty creatures standing tall and unmoving surrounding the whole place. Their wings resting by their sides and giving off an aura that would make a mere man shrink away from them. Their eyes and minds sharp and alert ever ready to defend the throne. Even if Dome were to fall on the outside, conquering this throne room was a whole other matter entirely.

Audrey keeps her gaze at the centre of the dome where the queen of Dome sits on her throne. It is clear that she too is a warrior. Dressed in a metallic coloured pantsuit that shows her well toned body and a matching robe that flows from her shoulders all the way down her throne.

"Audrey what is the meaning of this?" Meredith looks at her sternly.

The two are best friends but when it comes to her royal duties Queen Meredith would not turn a blind eye even to her friend breaking the rules.

"Your highness..." Audrey bows as far as her pregnancy can allow.

"Forgive my intrusion but this can not wait a second more" she takes in a much needed breath.

"There was an attempt on the Prince's life moments ago."

The queen is by the prince's side in a flash checking her little boy for any injuries.

"He is perfectly alright, your highness. It was a good thing I was there when it happened" Audrey assures her.

"Who was it?" Meredith cannot hide her anger. She is out for blood at the thought of anyone harming her precious boy.

"Shapeshifters" Audrey looks up at her friend.

The rage in the queen's eyes makes Audrey smile. This is the friend she loved and admired. One who would go to the ends of the universe for those she loved. She would slaughter anyone who stood in her way or had any intent of harming the people she loved.

"Get me the king" Meredith commands in her hard voice that would make anyone doubt it came from a woman.

"We have traitors within us"

She says that with so much resolve taking everyone else by surprise.

"If I may your highness...the traitor is someone close to his and her highnesses"

"Someone who even has access to the dome"

"Explain" The queen looks at Audrey thoughtfully.

"We all know how secure the prince's wing is. Even if someone is able to go through the physical defences which are many and not easily broken if I might add, there still remains the magical barrier that is impenetrable unless that person has the blood of one of us that has taken the vow. And if that is the case then this person has unfortunately found a way to break the vow and still live."

The moment she says that everyone in the room is alarmed and starts panicking. This is a more serious threat than they realised. If someone in this room had gone ahead and broken their vow and chosen to betray the crown it showed how dark their heart had become. Because breaking the vow of allegiance to Dome took more than just speaking a few simple words.

"Impossible" Meredith whispers as she looks at her friend, the storm in her eyes not getting any better.

If someone from the inner circle had betrayed them it means a war is on the horizon and one way or another the prince, her son, is in the centre of it all.

Meredith turns to head back to her seat but a loud thump causes her to turn around just after taking a few steps. Audrey has collapsed making her spring into action. She gets the prince from her friend's hands and hands him over to her personal maid.

"Stay here" she instructs.

"This is the safest place for my son" she says as she turns around picking up Audrey like she weighed nothing.

She runs like a mad person surprising everyone she meets on her way. No one had ever seen her like that before so even when she passed by her subjects all they could do was bow and move out of her way.

When she gets to Audrey's chambers she lays her on the bed.

"Audrey I need you to tell me what happened" she looks at her friend who looks back at her confused.

Audrey is about to close her eyes when Meredith taps her cheeks to keep her awake.

"Tell me what happened in my son's room"

Audrey looks at Meredith thoughtfully

"He attacked but I protected him" she begins to speak.

"Okay...what else?" Meredith is hoping she will give her something to work with.

"Uh...nothing happened. He...He just left" she stutters

"I only felt a small sting on my...." Her eyes widen as realisation hits her. She moves her hand to her neck and Meredith sees it and knows what it is immediately. And just then the healers get in.

"She has been poisoned" Meredith announces as she points to where Audrey had been hit. Her skin has already turned black indicating the poison has spread.

"My baby!!!" Audrey holds Meredith's hand tightly when it dawns on her that she could lose the baby.

"Please save my baby" she sobs even more when she sees the look on her friend's face. Meredith is having a hard time because she knows the odds are not in their favour.

"Calm down okay...you know we have the best people here helping you"

"Calm down for your baby too okay?"

Audrey seems to understand what Meredith is trying to do and moves to lay back on the bed but a sharp pain has her screaming out again.

"The baby is coming your highness" an old midwife informs Meredith.

"No no no no...Meredith it's too soon, you know its too soon" Audrey shakes her head as she cries uncontrollably.

"Please save my baby, she can't come just yet"

"Relax Audrey"

Meredith comforts her while stroking her hair.

Audrey just holds on tightly to her with one hand and with the other she holds on to the bed as the pain in her lower back becomes more intense.

Every one in the room works round the clock trying to save the woman and child before them while the queen just looks on not knowing what to do except be there for her best friend. She knows how strong Audrey is and at the moment she can tell that as much as her friend is being brave she is scared. Not so much for herself but for the little life that she is carrying. She may not have said it but Meredith knows for Audrey the little girl or boy she is carrying is her everything.

The healer had told her that the effects of the poison were advanced and there is nothing they can do for her. Meredith however asked them to do everything they can to try and save the baby. She knows it would be the biggest comfort for Audrey. Her own heart is in anguish at the the thought that these maybe the last moments they would ever be together.

A loud cry from Audrey and a small infant's cry jolt Meredith from her thoughts. She looks at the midwife who is holding a newly born baby.

"It's a girl your highness"

The midwife quickly cleans the infant and hands her to Meredith.

The moment her eyes land on the baby she smiles. She is a little version of Audrey. She has her white hair, the tinge of silver already shimmering and her eyes are a perfect replica of her mother's too.

"Let me see her"

Meredith gets closer and hands her the baby. Audrey laughs and cries at the same time when she holds her little girl.

"She is so beautiful"

"Hello sweetheart" Audrey takes her tiny hand and her tears fall freely.

"This is mommy" she holds her to her chest and closes her eyes for a moment.

"I love you always okay..." She whispers to the little infant.

"Don't ever forget it" she kisses the little girl holding her tightly close still with eyes closed. When she opens her eyes she faces Meredith.

"Her name is Naya"

Meredith smiles at her while noding in appreciation.

"It's such a beautiful and fitting name"

Audrey holds on tightly to her baby once more. She brings her in front of her, looking at her intently as if trying to remember her.

"Take her" she looks at the midwife as her tears continue falling.

"A word your highness" Audrey turns to Meredith as the midwife leaves with the baby.

With one look the queen has everyone leave the room.

"I know I don't have much time" Audrey looks at her queen with sad eyes.

It's just the two of them and Meredith can't help herself. She breaks down hugging Audrey closely not wanting to let go..

"Am going to miss you so much" she says between sobs.

"I will miss you too" Audrey's voice is hoarse from all the crying.

She looks at Meredith seriously and says "Stanislaus won't take this lying down, he will want blood"

With all that was happening Meredith had forgotten that detail. She sees Audrey reach the side of her bed with difficulty and brings up a vile with some purple liquid.

"How do you have that?" Meredith asks alarmed.

"It doesn't matter how, just use it"

"On Stan? Are you being serious?" Meredith exclaims.

"Am afraid I am" Audrey looks at her with so much resolve.

"No...there has to be another way. We can talk to him"

"That won't work. You know him as well as I"

"There has to be another way Audrey. We don't know when it will wear off. It could be days or months or even years!"

"You know there isn't. Please Meredith. Louis will kill him and you know it. My daughter needs her father" Audrey shakes her head sadly.

"And I don't want my death to be in vain because that is what will happen if you don't do this"

Meredith looks at her pleading friend. She knows she is right. As painful as doing it will be it's the only thing that will keep Stan safe.

"Alright" she takes the vile from her.

"Thank you" Audrey smiles with difficulty.

Meredith picks her from the bed and embraces her. Her once beautiful skin now tainted with the poison's effects.

"You have been a good friend"

"You too and I could never ask for any other. Bye sister" Audrey's voice is barely a whisper.

Fresh tears fall from Meredith's eyes as she feels her friend slip away.

"Good bye" she whispers as anguish grips her heart at the loss of a good friend.

....

She'd been sitting a while in Audrey's room when Meredith hears their trumpets sounding signalling an attack on Dome. She quickly jumps up weapons drawn and starts moving. Her heart is racing as she frantically heads to the dome. Her mind is on her son and nothing else.

When she gets there the sight that greets her makes her fall to the ground. Nothing seems to be moving in the dome only bodies laying on the ground and the sight looks odd too. There is no trace of blood anywhere.

"The Oracle..." the answer is immediate in her mind.

"Xander!!" She screams as she searches the bodies. In this moment she is not just a queen anymore but a mother who has lost her son.

A guard comes and stands by her side.

"Speak!" she has no time to observe protocals.

"The prince is not among the bodies your highness"

That piece of news is bitter sweet to her. While she is happy that her boy maybe alive She shudders to think of where he might be. This isn't supposed to happen. The moment she dreaded has finally come and just as she thought there is nothing she can do.