"Father, I don't want to sleep yet! Read me a story?"
Alaina's father sat down on a stool over her bed and lovingly brushed through her hair.
He smiled, noting it was still a little bit early as the twilight sun broke through the window, and pulled forth a tome with a colourful cover and perhaps not too many pages.
"This story is called The Knight and his Lady.
There was once a great kingdom that stood tall against even against mountains and forests and ocean waves. And that kingdom was ruled by a beautiful Lady. Her bright blonde hair glimmered and glowed, as did she, for she was wise and kind. The people of this kingdom loved her, but none more than her greatest Knight. He had fought hard to protect the land from evil, for he was truly good, and his courage and strength brought peace to the people he protected.
But one day the sky turned dark and the beating of wings brought terrible news for the people of the kingdom. It was a Dragon, one the Knight swore he would slay. His Lady bade him not go, for together they might flee, but the Knight refused. He could not let a great evil such as that stand. He made an oath that no beast could keep him from his love, and set out that very night.
For days their battle raged, with sword and claw, until their final blows landed, and with a dying curse the Dragon sent the Knight hurtling to the pits of the underworld.
But even this curse could not break the Knight's oath. With nothing but his sword, his heart, and his word he climbed back to his Lady who waited patiently for his return. And they lived happily ever after."
Alaina's father closed the book, and his own heart was shook at Alaina's question.
"Father, the Knight is a bit like you! Are you going to find Mommy, like the Knight found his Lady? I bet you made an oath!"
He nodded. "I did. My duty is to you too, now... but perhaps one day."
Alaina frowned. "Then I want to be a Knight, so I can help you find her too!"
He, too, frowned. "It is a long and arduous path. Never easy. Are you sure?"
Alaina smiled excitedly, and so did her father, for a moment.
Alaina looked back on that time, that memory, as her fingertips brushed over that old storybook.
That was the last time she saw him smile.