Copyright Notice: All characters and town names belong to Konami Computer Entertainment and are used for the sole purpose of fanfiction. No profit is made on my part through their use. Any reference or inference to any other copyrighted work is used for the same purpose.

Notes: The timeline and events for this series is roughly based upon the timeline of the games produced by Konami, NOT actual history or literal history. Any historical conflicts are a result of this.

Thanks: I wish to thank Konami Computer Entertainment for creating the CastleVania series, without which this fic would not have been based upon. I wish to thank The CastleVania Dungeon for information on the series, mostly the timeline of the series. Personally, I would like to thank those that have helped me in one way or another, whether by proofreading or encouragement, throughout the creation of this epic fanfiction. I have thanked yall personally before, and will definitely do so again. Finally, I would like to thank God for the difference He has made in my life. God bless yall.

A Mother's Love

Chapter 1: A Star Is Born

The Year of Our Lord, 1427.

The town of Warakiya resigned itself to a peaceful night's slumber. A few lights shown through the windows of the local houses, but the majority of the light was provided by the heavens above. The blanket of stars covered the town, further adding to the quiet of the night.

No activity came from the town at all. Not even the local tavern, often noted for its boisterous patrons. Quite fitting, being a Saturday night. The next day was Sunday, and the town, being fully occupied with God-fearing Christians, did not wish to risk missing services of worship the next day. The people even went so far as to abstain from alcohol on the Sabbath. Tonight, the only way a person could become intoxicated is by the light of the full moon, which shown as a natural night lamp over the countryside.

Atop a hill, in a castle which loomed over the town as a gargoyle, and for the same purpose, one man chose to drink fully of the moon this night. He stood nearly seven feet tall. Regally attired in black coat and pants with gold trim; his usual dress, though anyone else would save such an outfit for special occasions. His cape, crimson-lined on the inside and dark as a moonless night on the outside, draped over his shoulders, stopping just short of the floor.

He gazed at the moon as it slowly traversed the sky. The peaceful night and the calm of the town directly contrasted the feeling he felt within. He had defeated whole armies of Moors who'd sought to overtake the Holy Land, ravaged cities where the armies sought refuge, and defeated opponents which would have rivaled demons in sheer viciousness. Tonight, however, nothing could appease the anxiety he felt as the woman he loved more than anything on God's earth went through the pangs of birth.

The door opened, prompting the man to turn and faced the haggard face of the nursemaid. She was undoubtedly tired, being with the lady for six hours, yet a look of satisfaction peeked out from the wrinkles.

Barely managing to contain his anxiousness, he asked, "How does she fare?"

She nodded reassuringly, "She is well, my lord. She...and your son."

The breath stopped within him. "M...my son?"

The nursemaid nodded, a smile on her face. Her lord was always so stern and proper; to see him with a look of surprise and joy, as if he were about to leap and shout, made her efforts tonight worth everything.

"You may see them, if you wish."

"Thank you. If you are done, you may leave and return to your family. Also, on your way out, dismiss the servants. I wish to remain alone tonight...with my family."

The midwife bowed and thanked him. She was relieved, and also a little surprised. She'd never been through an easier birth than she had just been through. Despite the time it took, the child came so easily, easier than any child she'd ever helped to birth. Of course, this child was unique in many ways. No offense to her lord, but she'd never delivered a child of his type. She kept these thoughts to herself as she met all the servants, told them of the good news, and dismissed them as her lord said. She then left for her own family.

The man could barely contain himself, yet he still managed to maintain an air of dignity as he walked the hall leading to his wife's room, his calf-length boots echoing to the awaiting servants his presence. He instructed the servant at the door to leave him and his family undisturbed except in a most dire emergency. He closed the door behind him and gazed with longing at his wife.

Lying in bed, her face was covered in a light sweat. Her hair was not unkempt, yet several strands managed to loose themselves from the bundle mass tied in the back. At first glance, one would only register exhaustion on her face, however, past a second examination would reveal something more, something that any woman who went through the birth of their first child would know, yet could not be so easily conveyed in words. He always found her beautiful, yet seeing her in bed, the radiance of new motherhood shining from her tired yet pleased face, he couldn't help but declare within his heart that she had reached the pinnacle of loveliness. He strode the remaining length of the room to her side, and placed a gentle hand on her cheek. She closed her tired eyes at his touch, both love and exhaustion releasing a sigh from within her. He then gazed at the precious little bundle, wrapped in a white blanket, asleep in her arms.

The child's skin was a pale white, but not sickly looking. The few tufts of hair on his head were also white. The child stirred as if sensing the inspection of the new visitor. The man smiled at his child, pride, unlike any he'd felt before, etched on his face.

"How are you, my Sunshine?"

"I am well, and so is your son." She squeezed the bundle closer to her chest. It was so strange to her that this little joy was inside her for so long. Now that he has come into the world, she longed to keep him as close to her as she could for as long as she could. The child stirred and opened his eyes at his mother's words. "He has your handsome features, even your skin and hair color."

"Yes, but he has his mother's beautiful eyes." The child in her arms reached one arm out to his father, who offered a finger in response. The grasp of the child surprised him. "He is so strong for a child just born."

"Yes. I believe he takes after you in that aspect. He is definitely more than just a normal child."

"Of course he is more than just a 'normal child.' He is our son, the answer to our prayers."

She smiled at her husband's restrained enthusiasm. He rarely let such emotion out of him, thinking it to be 'too human' for one such as himself. The child that their love for each other and God's love for them had created certainly had an effect on him that was no less short of astounding. Only she herself had such an effect on him, yet it took her longer to get such joy out of him. She thanked God in her heart for such miracles He had blessed them with.

She frowned as she saw him look at their son, a slight crease in his brow, as well as a matching look of concern in his eyes and mouth. "What is it, my Moonlight?"

He looked at her with the same look of concern he had given the child. "I wonder just how much like me he is. If he will be..."

She placed a hand to his cheek, silencing him and banishing the concerned look on his face. "It matters not. He definitely will be different; there is no denying that. But you must remember that he is also a part of me, too. He is different from either one of us. And also, you fear that he will become what you once were, and I can assure you, my love, there is no chance of that ever happening. You have made amends for your past. Do you not believe in the power of His divine forgiveness, let alone my own forgiveness of you?"

"Of course, my Sunshine. Forgive me of my doubt."

"Of course, my Moonlight." She drew him closer and kissed him, a kiss filled with love and understanding. Long, yet never long enough. It was a kiss she had given him every time he doubted, every time he questioned. This kiss erased all that without fail. It had every time before, ever since they first kissed, and it did not fail now.

After an eternity that ended all too soon, he once again gazed at their beloved son. "And what shall we name our little miracle?"

She let out a small giggle. "I do not know." The couple thought for a moment. "He seems so much like you, I would almost say it would be best to give him your name."

He shook his head. "I always felt naming one's progeny after themselves was a sign of arrogance and unoriginality. Besides, I see so much of your gentleness in him that it would be so misleading to name him after me."

"Then what of the name Adrian?"

"Adrian?"

"You are the scourge of the Moors, and you helped to conquer the Mediterranean. The Adriatic Sea is the arm of the Mediterranean, and he takes too much after you to go without noticing."

He smiled at his wife. "Ever so prudent and wise you are, my sunshine. I believe he should also have the name Farenheights."

She gave him a quizzical look. "My maiden name? Why do you believe so?"

"Your gentleness and strength is so evident in him. It, too, should not go without mention. Also, after what happened to your family, it is the least I could do, as both a gentleman and a man forgiven."

She gave him a concerned glance, but knew better than to argue with his strength of honor. Besides, she would do anything to ease the torment within his soul from the events that haunted him so. "Adrian Farenheights Tepes it is, then. Our Shining Star"

He knelt beside her, kissing Adrian ever so slightly on the forehead, and handed him back to his mother. "I love you, Lisa Tepes."

"And I you, Vladlimir Tepes."