William did not return to consciousness, and over the ensuing hours his breathing  became more and more erratic as his tiny system struggled to eliminate the huge dose of anesthetic from his body. The local doctor was summoned and Anton sent urgent word to his personal friend and internationally renowned pediatrician, Prof. Jan H Wildhaber.

Anton’s deepest fear was that the huge dose of anesthetic had damaged the little boy permanently. Anton and Connor took turns acting as nurse to the young female physician, Dr Illiffe. A native of Nigeria, the brilliant young Edwina had seen far too many children die. Her lovely Swiss husband (podiatrist Jan) was called to warn that their two toddlers needed care as she was required to monitor her patient - the unconscious William - through the wee hours and likely needed to travel with him to a larger hospital.

Jan heard the emotion in his dark, statuesque wife’s voice and knew that she would not ask to travel with a patient unless absolutely necessary. Learning that it was a child, he knew why. They had met in a hospital in Mozambique, she tending a ward of small children dying of AIDS, he working for the UN. No child would be left to die if Edwina could possibly help it.

…………..

Little Xander was unable to sleep, so was permitted to visit his little friend around midnight as it became evident that William would have to be transported to a major hospital as soon as possible. Xander was not told the reason for the permission, just that his friend was still ‘very sick’.

Xander arrived at the door, one arm tightly around William’s bear and the other holding the white haired Willow’s hand tightly.

Willow lifted her young friend up so he could place the teddy beside the inert figure, whispering most seriously to Willow as they left only minutes later, “Now he can wake up, ‘cause he will *know* that his Teddy is there.” Willow squeezed the boy’s hand affectionately and whispered, “I’m sure he will sweetie”, at the same time shooting a worried glance back at a rather exhausted looking Connor holding vigil beside William’s bedside.

Ten minutes later an unconscious William, accompanied by Anton, Connor and Dr Illiffe, were transported by ambulance to the emergency ward of the main hospital in Basel.

Arriving at around two in the morning they were grateful to find Dr Wildhaber waiting.

Anton hovered as his friend performed a similar battery of tests to the local doctor, praising the young woman as the initial blood tests she had conducted enabled he and his team to assess their challenge swiftly.

It transpired that the tranquilizer used was not designed to be human specific, and it certainly was not intended for children. Dr Wildhaber, himself a father of a litter, growled (literally) and allowed Anton to see his eyes change from their normal grey blue to an eerie black as his wolf came to the fore.

In their haste to satisfy Lilah’s dictate (had the team been successful), the two boys would most certainly have died in the back of the van from a combination of asphyxiation and organ failure. It was also apparent that the mercenaries were either incredibly ignorant or simply not particularly worried by that fact that the subjects of their raid would be ‘DOA’.

According to the blood tests, William’s tiny body had been assaulted by a tranquilizer designed for ‘cross breeds’, a combination animal and human sedative with a magical element that would bring down any demon or individual of magical heritage. Sadly the little lad was all human.

Nanny Stephanie had fared better due to the strength of her natural magicks, her age and adult size - plus, it was surmised, the dose she was given was only aimed at disabling her for minutes, not for the hours of transport expected for the boys. It was welcome information for the coven but no more reassuring for the House of Aurelius.

By five in the morning, Dr Wildhaber had called in two specialist anesthetists – both regulars in his own operating room, one for human and the other specializing in ‘unusual’ patients. The boy’s little body was failing.

William had not regained consciousness and despite the excellent combined efforts of Dr Wildhaber’s staff, his condition continued to wane over the ensuing hour. An emergency breathing tube was inserted as his lungs ceased to work automatically and catheters, drips and additional monitoring equipment piled up around the tiny body. He was still alive, but only just as the rest of the household arrived.

Willow, Connor and Xander were led into the ICU in silence. Gregor had seated himself silently on a chair in the hall opposite the door, ever watchful, another of Anton’s men was positioned at the emergency exit giving him a full view of the hallway. Willow paused briefly to create a ward around William’s room.

Nurse Liebentisch looked up from her book then vacated her seat and moved out of the way in deference to the family. Connor and Anton were already flanking their tiny relative and the white haired woman looked on the edge of collapse. The nurse had seen far too many family trying to cope with critically ill children before. It was never easy, particularly for the other children.

The supervising nurse found her throat tightening as she reflected, the little lad in the bed resembled her own first borne, her beautiful boy - a wonderful sportsman and gifted scholar who was struck down by Hodgkinson’s Disease at age nineteen and died four months later after as his body destroyed itself for no apparent reason.

It tore their family apart, the anguish involved was still raw for her even ten years on. But she would be there  for others whenever needed.

The kindly nurse edged out of the door as she watched a little brunette boy that could not have been more than four or five run forward , only to be stayed by an adult worried that the enthusiasm of a child might dislodge the life-giving tubes. The seasoned pediatric nurse was still moved as she departed the room to a small boy repeatedly calling for his friend Will to wake up before being collected into a warm hug by his ‘Aunt Willow’.

She left the small group to their initial greeting but returned to guide the distressed group to their hospital's family assistance section. Even this late they had arranged accommodation right next door to the hospital and found something to ‘nibble on’ as a late night snack.

Willow had been watching little William for hours as he fought body and soul (literally!) for his life. He had been injected with a serum to reverse the affects of the physical tranquilizer, but it was up to Willow to provide an antidote to the deadly magical mojo without damaging the little boy.

An hour after it was confirmed that the serum had done all it could, the white haired wiccan sat in a deep trance, encircled by candles, and remained lost to the physical world for nearly thirty minutes. The glow that had surrounded William as Willow’s magic began to work ended in a blinding flash after which the Wiccan collapsed, William convulsed violently, then began to breathe on his own.

Connor and Anton both fed the little boy tiny amounts of their own blood in the ensuing hours as William began to recover, their contributions exacting a swift improvement in the patient though the critical change was credited to Dr Wildhaber’s team and the wonderful witch.

Anton and Connor had taken a break and were outside in the hospital gardens as the morning sun peeped over the horizon marking the fourth day of William’s stay in the hospital. Anton lit a clove cigarette then leaned over to Connor with a silver hip flask. Connor took a long draft of fine brandy and noticed that Anton had lines of exhaustion marking his otherwise timeless features.

Venturing that the fatigue was not just sleepless nights, Connor commented as he handed back the welcome drink, “We’ll be going him home in no time, Sire.”

Anton took a long pull on his cigarette and blew the smoke skyward after a meaningful pause. “We have missed the moon and he will still likely be too weak to withstand the restoration even next month. I will not risk him again.” Then added, “My wonderful strong William… He really *is* my Childe now in all ways, and I failed him, my dear Connor, I failed all of you. You are all mine to protect and I failed...”

Connor moved forward and wrapped his arms around his senior’s slim waist then tilted his head to the side, offering his neck. “You failed none of us, Sire! Please Drink, you are tired and need this. Take what is yours.”

He felt Anton stiffen then relax a little, and gave a slight groan as the Immortal slid his fangs delicately, and almost painlessly, into Connor’s flesh. Barely two mouthful’s later the wound was licked closed. The two remained in an intimate embrace for some time, Anton’s head resting on the smaller man’s right shoulder until Connor felt Anton waver a little and realized that his elder was nearly asleep on his feet.

“Come Sire, let us see to some proper rest for you.”

………………

Three days later the family was home, though William was still very weak and slept for much of each day. Xander was his constant companion, the little boy insisting that if William was in bed then he should be there too. He chatted to his friend when Will was awake and lay quietly watching the television, looking at picture books or drawing whenever his blonde companion slept again.

If he did venture outside at Stephanie’s insistence, he made sure to report all exploits back to William as soon as he returned – even waking his little friend to extol his own expertise on the swing or explain some new game that he had planned for when Will was well enough to join him.

Stephanie was fully recovered and attended to the boys’ daily needs from the moment they came home, helping William to the toilet when necessary, bathing, dressing and arranging meals, and any other entertainment she could devise.

Xander went riding with Chantelle – though now Gregor accompanied them at Anton’s insistence. Xander quite liked Gregor – he was quiet and looked very strong, plus always had a smile for the little brunette. Gregor, for his part, had always admired the Consort and now quite enjoyed seeing just how much of the boy’s loyalty, strength of character and good nature was evident even at such an early age.

The tension in the house increased as full moon approached some seven weeks after the ruling couple’s initial regression. The cause? Xander’s return to adulthood was looming.

The coven was contacted and the Fl’aath formally invited for the event that would see their infant sons restored as promised.

Reluctantly, a decision was made a week before the event. William would be forced to stay a child for at least another month as he had only just begun to play outside again, still required morning and afternoon naps, and took the daily recommended boosts of Anton and Connor’s blood disguised in some grape juice.

On the night before the ceremony, the Fl’aath families arrived, two females at the back cradling their tiny green babies. They were settled into the guest wing and a supper of their traditional chilled nettle and raw liver (animal) soup, accompanied by a roulade of bacon, herbs, chic peas and thinly sliced raw kidney and washed down by a cocktail of mulled red wine and the cream of goat’s milk. The meal was a triumph with chef Jon being called for at its conclusion to be congratulated by all the Fl’aath elders. The Aurelian court had demonstrated, yet again, its willingness to extend not only assistance, but a warm welcome and respect for traditions to the peaceloving demon species in its domain. The ‘nobless oblige’ would not be forgotten.

…………….

Connor and Anton slipped into William and Xander’s room just after dinner on the evening of the reversal. Collecting the boy was bound to upset both little lads as it had to conclude with Xander leaving. It had been preempted by several conversations and much anticipation in the days before Xander’s stay finishing. Stephanie had deliberately only packed a small backpack, with Panda poking his nose out the top so as to ‘see everything'. She made sure both boys saw that Xander’s clothes and favorite things were still in place as they were to be ‘reunited in a month or two’.

Xander had said his farewells to Chantelle and Fusee, and was pleased to learn that William was to have some individual lessons while he was away, since his blonde friend had missed so many when ill.

Xander drew Will a special picture and had Stephanie write a long letter on the back to William it started “To my best Friend William”, and ended “From your Friend Forever, Love Alexander”.

William was dressed in his pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the bed next to a dressed and backpacked Xander, William letting Xander hold Teddy “Just ‘cause…”  The two boys held hands for a short time before William turned to the Immortal,“Sir Anton, will I be here when Xander gets back?”

“Oh I’m sure you will be William. Now we really must get going, so why don’t you give each other a big hug. You will be together again in no time, I promise.”

Teddy was momentarily forgotten as the boys embraced, Xander whispering, “You are my bestest friend ever!” before kissing his little companion hard and jumping off the bed to take Anton’s outstretched hand. He turned momentarily at the door, grinned and said “Seeya later alligator!”, William attempted a cheerful smile and waved back as Xander allowed himself to be led away.

William pulled Teddy close and sat silently for a moment. Stephanie gave him the time then moved in, worried that the parting might have proven all too traumatic for the little lad. She was understandably surprised, therefore, when perfectly clear crystal blue eyes were leveled at her moments later and the blonde asked, “Do you think Uncle Connor might take you and I to the town on Friday?”

Stephanie, quite taken aback, looked a little puzzled before asking, “Why would you want to do that sweetie?”

“Oh, I just thought we could buy some stamps, ‘cause I have to write to Xan a lot. Chantelle said that’s what she does with her best friend.”

Stephanie simply nodded her approval and smiled. She helped the little boy under the covers of the enormous bed (taking care to tuck Teddy in too) before replying fully, “I’m sure Connor will take us to town, and perhaps we can see a film or a play together in the afternoon. Would you like to do that?” She stroked the pale blonde curls affectionately as an already drowsy William yawned and snuggled into Teddy a little before adding quietly, “I suppose… Umm… Can you stay Nanny S?...”

“Of course I’ll stay, honey.” Stephanie flicked off the main light and lay down beside the little figure, tugging a comforter over herself in the process. She put a protective arm over the boy and teddy, and waited for sleep to claim him. The covern was present, and she could feel the ceremony begin, but her duty was to the little one whose blonde tufts poked from under the duvet.

……….

Thankfully, Xander too was in the ‘Land of Nod’. After being led from the room, he happily trailed after Anton down to the study where Willow and some other ladies stood. Willow had kissed him and sprinkled him with some sparkling dust that made the tiny brunette’s nose itch a little. But the instant she pulled him into a hug across her lap, he fell into a deep sleep.

The two Fl’aath babies and Xander were placed on a broad blanket that lay in the center of a circle of candles and the chanting began. The Fl’aath parents of the two, and Connor and Anton also formed part of the circle. All were silent until Willow nodded and they entreated the benevolent powers to reverse the spell borne of ‘ill intent’.

A flash of light and blast of hot wind marked the restoration, and the blanket was suddenly covered with three large bodies, still all unconscious, but certainly in the form they had been on the fateful day almost two months previously.

The respective families lifted their still unconscious, restored relatives and took them to their rooms to recover. Members of the Inverlaken Coven also retired after much praise and thanks from all present.

An exhausted High Mistress Willow followed the Aurelian family to Anton’s private quarters to await the awakening of her dear friend, the Consort Alexander.