For the next several hours, Udonna guarded her son, watching him sleep—she didn't want to lose him again. She remained entirely focused on her son—only leaving the room when both Clare and Daggeron came and sat next to the teen. As soon as she was more comfortable, she immediately resumed her guard over her teen son. She had sensed pain and fear radiated off him—it still hadn't gone away yet.

Nick stirred slightly and Udonna immediately asked, "Is everything alright, Bowen?"

Nick blankly stared at her and, as he tried to get his bearings, asked, "Where am I? What happened? And why am I so sore?"

"You're at Rootcore, Bowen. You were very nearly killed by the Master," Udonna answered. "That's probably why you're sore."

Nick nodded and struggled into a sitting position. "Ow!" he yelled.

Udonna wrapped her arms around Nick and carefully picked him up and held him on her lap, and he curled up against her. "Feel better?" she asked.

He nodded. "Mama?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Yes, Bowen?" Udonna asked, rubbing his back.

"Tell me a story?" he asked, carefully.

"Hmm, a story?" she asked.

He nodded and pressed his head against her shoulder. "A happy one, and not scary either," he added.

"Well, how about the story of how I met your father?" Udonna asked, thoughtfully.

Nick nodded eagerly.

"Many years ago, there were two families—the family of snow and ice and the moon, and the family of fire. In the first family, there were two daughters, Udonna, sorceress of ice and snow, and Niella, sorceress of the moon. In the second family, there was one son, Leanbow, sorcerer and warrior of fire. The two families—supposedly—rarely interacted if they didn't have to. However, all that changed, when one day, the younger daughter of the family of snow and ice and the moon snuck of the house. Udonna wandered off and ran into a young man. The two began to talk to each other. 'Hi, I'm Udonna,' the teenage girl murmured. 'I am Leanbow. You're from the family of snow and ice and the moon, right, my Lady?' the man asked. Udonna nodded and asked, 'And you're from the family of fire?' 'Yes, my Lady, I am,' the man replied. 'Why are you out by yourself, my Lady?' the man asked. 'I am going for a walk, Master Leanbow,' Udonna replied. 'May I join you, Lady Udonna?' Leanbow asked. 'Yes, you may,' Udonna smiled at Leanbow. The two walked side by side in a comfortable silence. Leanbow glanced at Udonna's face and then took her hand in his. He smiled gently at her. As the two walked, they fell in love. Two years later, the two married and had a son, whom they named Bowen." Udonna finished.

Udonna glanced down and realized that Nick had fallen asleep in her arms and that neither of them was going anywhere anytime soon. "Sleep well, my little one," Udonna whispered, kissing his forehead gently.

Nick grabbed onto her shirt and refused to let go, as he slept in her arms. Udonna smiled gently at her son and rocked him. He stirred and she whispered, "I'm not going to let anything hurt you, I promise."

He nodded and curled up against her, content to just sleep safe and sound in his mother's familiar embrace.