By the time they reached adulthood and stopped aging, Erik had grown into a handsome six foot -four inch tall, long brown hair, green eyed lean angel while his brother stood only five foot - seven inches tall, brown hair cut short but muscular as he focused on building his strength not his stamina. This wasn’t their only differences even though both were kind and loving to Neith, the whole Arden family and other walkers they had two very different opinions regarding the blood and fire prophecy. Where Cahal sided with their parents believing that the child needed to die and male/female relations between the races couldn’t happen. Erik saw that the baby was not evil or at fault for any of the atrocities that happened thousands of years ago before it was even born. To Erik it was just a child one that will be conceived by love-true love. Out of the three only he saw it this way as Neith to sided with James’s view of the child. Over time Erik hid his true feelings so that he would not be shunned by his family and friends.

Little did he or Neith knew that they would be the ones whose blood line would start the blood and fire prophecy.

After a while Erik moved to Sweden while his brother moved to what would one day become Australia settling down and having a family - twin girls which was rare for immortals. For Neith she grew to be a five foot - four inch tall, long dark brown hair that flowed down to the small of her back. Her beauty had many of the male population both human and walker falling at her feet, but she only had eyes for Dorian one of the Circle members. Thus, he had eyes for her only.

They moved to Britain where they married and built a farm for themselves in the northern part of England. After a while Erik moved to England settling not far from Neith because out of the three he was the closest to her. After a while he too did marry. He fell in love with Willow an angel who was a few hundred years older than him. Still very beautiful since they don’t age. They truly loved each other very much however like most angels she believed the baby to be evil and needed to die. It was a small price to pay for Erik to keep his views close to his chest again because he loved her much more than the need to argue about the prophecy. Since after nearly ten thousand years when the prophecy was first spoken, and it still hadn’t come to pass and most likely never will.

Time moved on for all of them once they had their homes and lives in England built both tried to start families with their mates. But neither was very successful at it. For the next few hundred years they tried many times every time Willow became pregnant it never lasted more than a month. After losing so many children they decided to stop at least for a while. But for Neith, she could never conceive no matter how hard she and Dorian tried. Yet after nearly three hundred years of trying, on Christmas eve 1379 Neith discovered that she was with child. She didn’t tell anyone that she was with child that day not even Dorian. Simply because she knew how much he wanted a child. When Christmas came the following day, Neith set up their living area for a Xmas. Before their tree she set up a basket putting inside a wool blanket, a small pillow, and her rattle that she kept since she was a baby.

A little later Dorian walked down the stairs from their room into their living area.

“Morning, love,” he spoke kissing her on the lips.

“Morning,” Neith replied with a long lingering kiss.

“What was that for?” Dorian asked quite surprised.

“Close your eyes.” she whispered in his ear taking his hand leading him to the tree and the basket.

“Can I open them now?” he asked rather impatiently as Neith walked behind him.

Neith stood up on her toes and whispered into his ear. “Okay now. Merry Christmas.”

Dorian opened his eyes and to his surprise he saw before him the basket and rattle laying in front of the decorated tree. “What? Seriously? Are you sure?” he rattled off quite excitedly.

“Yes, I’m sure. I missed my last cycle and I’ve been craving more and more blood lately.” Neith explained softly holding her stomach.

Dorian fell to his knees before her wrapping his arms around her waist and placing his head next to her belly. “The spirits saw that we are worthy of children and that I have paid for my sins. I love you Neith so much.” Dorian spoke as he held her.

Neith stroked his long black hair as he held her all the while she had a smile that stretched from ear to ear seeing how happy he was. “I love you too.” she smiled.

“It’s a girl, I just know it.” he said joyously. “I always wanted a daughter.” he continued.

“I think it’s a boy and he will be as handsome as you when he grows up.” Neith said with a gently laugh.

“Does anyone else know?” Dorian asked as he slowly stood up never letting go of her.

“No. I wanted you to be the first to know. Now why don’t you rest, and I will get our breakfast ready.” she said quite joyfully holding his hands.

“No, no, you sit and rest I will get everything. You just relax.” he told her taking her to the lounge and sitting her down.

“Dorian wait I can get it for us.” Neith said trying to get up but he persisting in keeping her down.

He had many reasons why he wanted to keep Neith calm and relax but the only reason that mattered was that this was their first and many be their only child. Since they had such a hard time conceiving. Sensing that she wasn’t going to win this argument she relented and stayed sitting on the lounge. As Dorian went to prepare their breakfast.

“We should invite everyone over to share our good fortune maybe then Erik and Willow will have a child. But not today this is our day to enjoy this.” Dorian spoke as he brought over a couple of goblets of blood to celebrate.

“To a new life.” Neith said as she raised her goblet.

“To a new life.” Dorian agreed then clinked their goblets together.

For the rest of the day Dorian and Neith sat talking about making plans for the new arrival. Dorian had plans for a nursery and a crib for their baby. Like most immortals Dorian had to find a trade to make it in the human’s world. He found this in carpentry and was very respected by the humans because of his work. Many of England’s kings have had his work in their homes and castles which were passed down through their kin. Where Dorian had all these grand plans for the nursery and the baby, Neith didn’t have any grand plans for their baby. Apart from making sure it arrives healthy and grows up to be a strong warrior. Neith let Dorian take care of the building of the nursery, the crib and other furniture while she made blankets and clothing. It was nearly mid afternoon when they finally realized that they had yet to open the gifts they got for each other and from their family. So, they opened their gifts to find that in some way they somehow predicted this baby. When Darion opened his, he found that she had gotten him new carpentry tools and new work clothes that she made along with a new silver dagger that had his family name inscribed into it. For Neith, he had collected the finest material and wool for her. But most importantly he had special needles made for her from China. These needles were made from bamboo that grew there. Both of them gave a slight shiver because of the irony that their gifts had and the timing of both.

Before they realize it, night had come, and it was time for them to rest for the night. When the next morning came around, he sent word to her parents, the circle, Erik and his parents to come their house for reasons he did not say. While they waited, Neith with Dorian s help made a celebration meal for their family when they arrived. Arrived they did over the next few hours. But neither said why they were called insisting on waiting for everyone to arrive. By mid afternoon all had shown up. Everyone gathered in the living area surrounding Neith and Dorian.

“We asked you all here for a reason.” Dorian said to everyone. “And no nothing is wrong in fact everything is right. Neith and I are expecting a baby.” as he continued to tell them.

All around their friends and family cheered and congratulated them because they knew how much they both wanted to start a family. All but one was truly happy for them - Willow. For Willow, she saw this as unfair since she had lost so many unborn where as Neith never felt this pain or loss. Though she felt this way Willow stayed and celebrated with them cause of Erik and his childhood friendship with Neith. Everyone celebrated till after midnight when Neith called it a night as they all left each said their goodbye and a final congratulations on their child. All but Willow who just walked out not saying a word leaving Erik to explain and apologize for her behavior. Neith told Erik that it was okay and that one day they too would be parents. After Erik left Neith and Dorian were alone in their home once more, but they enjoyed the quiet at least for the next few months until the birth of their child.

Where they were happy and contented Erik and Willow were not as both were upset. Willow was not angry at Erik or Neith rather angry with the spirits for giving them a child and not her. When she deserves it so much more at least this was the thought in her mind only. Erik was truly pleased that Neith was expecting but also understood why Willow acted the way she did. Though he did not see it the same way because like his parents he believed it would happen when it was their time. That night Erik and Willow did not lay together due to her attitude towards his friend. When the morning came around Erik managed to reconcile with his wife before it went to far. Finally, he got her to see that their time will come.

Time went on and old wounds were forgotten, and Willow eventually came around and became happy for Neith. As she saw how much Neith wanted this baby. But she also saw that in time she will get her chance even if it takes five, ten or a thousand years like it did before for the old ones.