Now happy in his love of Marissa, Fredrick’s biggest dream was to have a child. He prayed constantly for God to grant this only desire, and this broke Marissa’s heart for she had tried for years only to fail in her eyes. She had been with child four times and lost each one before they saw the light of day. Fredrick had given up on his dream until early one January when Marissa happily told him she was once again with child. Because Marissa was no longer a young woman, she was put to bed to insure her and the baby’s health. Although Marissa was not the type of lady to lie around and be pampered all day, she did so for the hope that this time she would give her husband his wish. Finally, one night in late September, Marissa knew her patience had paid off, for she would see her child by the morn.
As the cool breeze of autumn blew in early the next morning, Marissa gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, who they named Catherine. Marissa cried happy tears as she handed the baby to her husband, knowing she had finally given him his heart’s desire. As she watched Fredrick slowly rock the baby, her heart sank with fear. She wanted only the best for her lovely daughter and knew if any were to know the truth, her daughter would not be accepted into the status of society that she deserved. She turned her tear filled eyes to her husband and whispered, “Love, no one must ever know she is my daughter.” Her heart broke as she spoke those words, knowing she would live her life watching her daughter from the sidelines, not ever to hear the her daughter call her mother, but she would not allow her daughter to live her life. Her daughter only deserved the best, and she would not be the reason that she did not have it. Fredrick looked at Marissa and shook his head, “I will not hide any longer, Marissa. We have a family, and our daughter will have two parents.” Marissa begged, “Love, please I know the pains of growing up without acceptance. The heartache and hurdles one of my status must live.” She took a deep breath, tears slipping down her cheeks before she turned to him, taking his hand in hers, whispering, “Fredrick, we must give her a chance to be all she can be. Most of this world does not feel as we do. Most would shun her before ever even looking into those beautiful blue eyes.” Fredrick sighed and with a simple nod agreed to his wife’s plea.
Catherine grew up in the manor on the outskirts of Yorkshire. Because of the secret Catherine was led to believe that Marissa was her Governess and was told her mother had died during childbirth. Due to her father’s duties to the Queen, he was away a great deal, which left Catherine in Marissa’s capable hands. Marissa insured Catherine was raised as a lady. Catherine was taught the etiquettes of a lady so that she would be welcomed even among the royal court. Her father insured she was educated in the finest schools of art. Even though by the age of thirteen, she had grown into a lovely lady of the court, Catherine’s biggest desire was to travel and see the world. Catherine had always been fascinated by her father’s stories of far away lands. She would sit for hours and listen to his adventures and never tire. She begged him to take her with him when he was traveling in more peaceful times, but he would not. He felt the only way to insure her safety was to keep her within the manor grounds surrounded by the ones he trusted. Since her father was away so often, Catherine began managing the manor. She had a cheerful disposition, which made all around her thrilled to do as she wished. Even though her father’s manor was fully staffed, she insisted she help in the gardens. She would escape within the lush, green shrubs and vibrant flowers for hours at a time. There was no place in the world, which she loved more. The special garden had become her peace--silent friend, who never denied her anything and never told her that her dreams were ridiculous. She would sit among the beauty and dream of the day she would finally have the chance to see the world.
Only days before Catherine’s seventeenth birthday, her father became very ill. She immediately called for a healer, yet there was nothing to be done. Her father was very old and would not have the strength to fight the illness. Two days later, Catherine was grieving his death. She walked in a state of shocked for weeks after the funeral, unsure what she was to do now that her protector had been taken from her. She wandered about the manor, trying to restore some normalcy to her life, but she was failing miserably. She retreated to her garden--angry and hurt that her father had left her alone with no one to help her. Then, in what seemed like a soft whisper from her friend the garden, she realized her dream could now come true. She could finally see what the world held for her. That very night, she packed up some of her belongings as Marissa begged her to stay. She cried as she hugged Marissa goodbye and slipped into the carriage, looking back one last time at the only home she had ever known—her family, the staff, crying as they waved goodbye. She saw Marissa sink to her knees obviously heartbroken before she turned her gaze frontward, knowing in her heart she had to leave even if only for a short time.
She wandered through England, not ever staying anywhere very long. She felt she had been held captive in one place for too long and did not wish to give up her freedom again, so she would move on before making any type of roots in every village or city she visited. She was like a sponge taking in all around her. Then, she traveled to Wales and found the kingdom, Caernarfon. She had not been traveling long and really had not seen anything more than England when she happened upon the friendly kingdom. Although her heart wished to travel on, her need for the comfort of friends, whose warmth felt as if it were the family she longed for, urged her to stay. The first night she visited, the Queen was kind enough to welcome her to be a guest, which she could not turn down. She stayed within the walls for months, loving the warmth of the people, who called it home, until she knew she could not leave. She asked the Queen for the honor of calling Caernarfon home, which the Queen granted. Soon afterwards, the Queen gave her the privilege of working as Castellan, the manager of the castle, which she had much experience.
Catherine still spent many hours wandering through the Queen’s garden, always finding peace within the sweet scents and glorious colors. Then one night, after a wish upon a star, her life was changed forever. The stars introduced her to her destiny, a man by the name of Thomas Pheyland. After a magical walk within the gardens beneath a blanket of stars, her heart was captured. She knew at that very moment, she had found her future. After only a few weeks, Catherine was whisked away by Thomas to be married. They could not deny their love any longer and wait to be married, so they eloped. Soon after, Catherine gave birth to a beautiful daughter, who they named Elizabeth Anne.
After some time, Thomas moved them from Caernarfon to a place of their very own, a piece of land that would grow into Pembrokeshire. She was happier than she had ever been in her life, living within the walls of the Keep, watching her daughter grow and basting in the love of her precious husband—the land she loved so much growing and expanding, until one day she was made a Duchess. The young girl blushed at the thought of such a large title being placed on her, but did her very best to make her husband proud. After only a short time within the Duchy of Pembrokeshire, Catherine gave birth to another child, this time a son, who they named Jonathan David. Her world seemed so complete with her new family and surrounded by her friends. However, she could not help but wish her father had been alive to see what her life had become. Although she had a family, she still missed her father. She also had always felt to blame for her mother’s death since she died during childbirth and that old familiar longing to have known her resurfaced. She did her very best to hide her feelings, but Thomas could not help but see them, so he offered Marissa a room within the Keep. Marissa’s presences helped her, since Marissa had been like a mother to her.
Then, one day, Thomas took Catherine to Yorkshire to the manor. Catherine had not been back since her father’s death, so she knew this would be difficult. However, she was excited, but that excitement quickly turned to confusion and complete despair when she found her father’s old journal. The journal told the truth—exposed all the secrets. Heartbroken she returned home, unsure what she was to do, how to make sense of such feelings. She sat for days in the hall and gardens trying to sort out her thoughts. The fact that Thomas knew and his true reason for bringing Marissa to live with them hurt her even more. She felt everyone knew but her. These feelings were taking their toll, pulling the very spirit from her. She tried to hide her despair behind a smile until one night a knight, Sir Joseph MacLaughton, reached up and caressed the Wyland crest above the mantle. Confusion filled her eyes as he told her how he knew her father—that they had been of the same order. How her father had saved his life, and he was in Pembrokeshire to repay that debt by watching over her. Through the conversation, she looked to him and listened to his gentle words, seeing much of her father within his ways, so she agreed when he urged her to speak with Marissa. A couple of nights later, Marissa approached her in the gardens and explained her reasons. Even though at first Catherine wished to be angry, her love for Marissa saw through all the secrets and saw the woman who had always cared for her. She hugged Marissa, seeing how this had been so hard for Marissa, but how she had done it for her love for Catherine, so forgiveness came easy.
As time past, Pembrokeshire grew even more, and Catherine was crowned Queen. With Thomas, they ruled the lands with warmth and love. Until one very sad day, the English attacked the borders, and within the first battle, Thomas was killed. Catherine’s world seemed over as the word reached her of his death. She sat for hours within her room, lost in her grief. She knew the English were on their way to the Keep, but she remained locked in her chamber, unable to will herself to even eat. Until one day, a voice broke into the darkness. Her dear friend, Brougham Aster, stepped into her chambers and told her handmaiden to ready her things. Elizabeth had sent word to Caernarfon of the trouble, and Queen Caera sent Brougham to get her from the lands before the English arrived. In her grief, Catherine refused to go with him. She told him she did not deserve such, but he insisted and whisked her away, taking with her personal belongings, her handmaiden, and her horse, Misty. Once she arrived at Caernarfon, the warmth of the people and the familiarity of the home she has always loved comforted her in her time of need. So, now she stays within the castle, trying to move on and find her place in life once again. She still mourns her Thomas, and knows a piece of her heart will always be his, but she tries to remember what he would wish and smiles, laughs, and enjoys what life has to offer her now.