Prologue: The Baby

In no way shape or form do I own the Characters or Settings used in the story.

You guys are going to kill me.....Yes, I do know that Crowley does not get married in the series. This is an idea that I got reading another fanfiction named "The Ranger's Daughter". Deal with it, or leave!

15 years prior

    Crowley road Cropper through the green of the forest quite pleased with himself. He had left Halt-a Hibernian, and close friend-to practicing with his knives. He sighed contently. He loved the life in the saddle of a horse, and being a Ranger.

    But these days, nothing was normal. Infants and young children had been dying or abandoned in the forest, their mothers or fathers unfit to raise them. Most of the time, the lucky ones ended up in Remount with Baron Arald, and in a Ward made specially for them. Halt had put a boy by the name of Will there already, and Crowley had been one of the lucky Rangers that hadn't put one in there.

    "Just hope our luck stays put, Cropper," Crowley said. "I couldn't bear doing that."

    Don't tell me your going soft on me! Cropper seemed to say, shaking his mane. You know, I love children. They are just so cute....and annoying..

    Crowley laughed. He stopped at the sound of light footsteps and hoof beats came their way. Crowley edged to the side of he road as a young woman appeared, holding a bundle of blankets ran into view.  Seeing the Ranger, the woman ran up to him, holding a pick blanket out for him.

    "Please!" The woman whispered. "Protect her! If Morgarath finds her...." The mother shoved the baby girl into Crowley's arms. She then turn and ran in the direction she had came from. 

    And never came back. 

     Crowley lifted a fold in the blanket and saw a baby girl, who was sleeping. Sighing, he turned Cropper towards the Castle. 

     "We have a kid, Cropper." He said, shaking his head. 

       Why? Crowley didn't know. What he did know was that he had to take care of her. 

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        5 years later

       "Emily Marie Meratyn!" Crowley yelled across the little clearing by Battle Master David's house. He and David had become close friends after Crowley started taking care of Emily, who had turned 5 a few days ago. She was hiding with Gilan, David's son, who was also five. 

        "It's time to go, Emily!" He called again. 

        "Why can't she spend the night?" A voice asked, and Crowley spun on his heel to see Emily and Gilan standing behind him, sad looks on their faces.

        "Because she has to go home." David said, from behind his son. Gilan winced and hugged Emily. She blushed and hugged him back. She let go, and walked with Crowley to Cropper, who turned his head and snorted at the girl. She laughed and let her step dad place her in the saddle.