Interlude -ch1

14 years ago.

"Come here, darling. Don't you want a picture with Mama, hmm?"

"Mama!"

The toddler stumbles across the room toward Eledwen, who sits cross-legged on the rug. The afternoon sun pours through the window behind her, hiding most of her face in its warm glow. But as the little girl falls into her mother's waiting arms and looks up, she's greeted by the same gentle gray eyes.

"Mama!"

Eledwen chuckles.

"You're getting better at walking." She brushes a few light blonde strands away from her daughter's face. "It won't be long before you're running all over the house."

Reaching behind her, she picks up a small camera and holds it out.

The toddler's eyes widen with fascination. Tiny fingers eagerly wrap around it, turning it over with childlike curiosity.

"What do you think?" Eledwen asks softly. "Want to take a picture?"

The little girl immediately tries to put the camera in her mouth.

Eledwen laughs and gently takes it back.

"Ah-ah." She smiles. "It's not food."

She settles Esther comfortably on her lap before lifting the camera in front of them.

"Look over here..."

A bright flash fills the room.

The toddler lets out a surprised squeak.

Eledwen laughs again and turns the camera around, showing the tiny screen on the back.

The photograph has already appeared.

Eledwen is smiling warmly at the camera, while little Esther stares up at her mother with wide, confused eyes.

The toddler studies the picture for a long moment before pointing at it with an excited giggle.

"Mama!"

Eledwen's smile only grows brighter.

"That's right." She kisses the top of Esther's head. "That's me."

She traces a thumb gently along the edge of the photograph on the screen.

"Pictures are special, you know." Her voice softens. "They let us hold on to moments that would otherwise fade away."

She looks down at her daughter, her gray eyes full of quiet affection.

"So no matter where life takes you..."

She hugs Esther a little closer.

"...you'll always have a memory of me."

A gentle smile touches her lips.

"And you'll always be my daughter, Esther."

She kisses her forehead.

"No matter what happens."