-1-
The Announcement
“Hurry up!” Lord Owen called to Elizabeth and Edric as he franticly waved his arms. “She’s about to give birth!”
Elizabeth and Edric quickened their pace down the stone walkway leading to the large stone structure where Lord Owen was waiting for them.
“I hope we didn’t miss it,” Elizabeth spoke as Lord Owen ushered them inside.
Elizabeth and Edric followed Lord Owen down the wide hallway to where a small group had gathered.
“Are we in time?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty, you’re just in time,” Lord Ayremont assured them as they moved in closer to watch.
It wasn’t long before the newborn appeared. “OH MY!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she witnessed the birth.
“Looks like a fine filly,” Lord Ayremont declared. The foal was a dark brown color with four white stockings. It did not yet have a horn as unicorns were born without horns, their horns beginning to grown a few months after birth.
“She’s beautiful,” Elizabeth hugged Edric with excitement. “I’m so glad we were able to witness a birth before we had to leave.”
Elizabeth and Edric had been at Meadowland Castle now for two weeks and were planning on leaving in two days to return to Dragon Castle. They had both thoroughly enjoyed their stay so far, getting a detailed overview of the unicorn breeding and training program that Meadowland Castle was famous for by Lord Owen and Chief of Unicorns, Lord Ayremont.
“I suggest we leave mother and child in the capable hands of the staff,” Lord Owen suggested as he gestured for Edric and Elizabeth to follow him and Lord Ayremont. “If you wouldn’t mind following me down to one of the training paddocks, I have something special to show you.”
Edric and Elizabeth glanced at each other, both wondering what it was that Lord Owen wished to show them.
When they reached the paddock in question, Lord Owen had Elizabeth and Edric wait by the wooden fence enclosing the paddock with him while Lord Ayremont continued on into the small building next to the paddock.
“If you’re very lucky, you get a very special one during your lifetime,” Lord Owen told them as he directed their attention to the unicorn that Lord Ayremont was leading into the paddock.
Elizabeth couldn’t believe her eyes. “Is that unicorn even real?” she asked as she stared at the animal.
“Yes it is,” Lord Owen smiled at the royal couple’s reaction.
The unicorn in question was a well built, average size animal, but its coloring and movement were like nothing either Elizabeth or Edric had ever seen. The unicorn was white with a pinkish hue, its mane, tail, four stockings, and horn were a dark bluish-black color. The animal’s movements were so graceful that it almost looked as if its hooves never touched the ground.
“What do you think?” Lord Owen couldn’t wait to get their thoughts.
“Looks like a whole new breed of unicorn,” Edric commented as he continued to watch the fabulously unique animal.
“It is,” Lord Owen told them.
“How much do you want for him…her?” Elizabeth decided that she had to have the unicorn for herself.
“She’s already promised to someone I’m afraid,” Lord Owen told her.
Elizabeth tried not to look too disappointed as she continued to watch the amazing, graceful creature move about the paddock.
“Perhaps the mare and sire could breed another,” Edric suggested. He could tell that Elizabeth had wanted the unicorn.
“The mare is our finest, but the sire is no longer with us,” Lord Owen explained.
“Who was the sire?” Edric inquired.
Lord Owen turned to them and grinned. “The sire was Lord Edric’s wild unicorn Apples. This is his first foal. The one I promised you when you lent us Apples for breeding.”
Lord Owen had been intrigued by Edric’s unicorn Apples when he saw him at Elizabeth’s sixteenth birthday festival. Lord Owen desperately needed new bloodlines for Meadowland Castle’s unicorn breeding. Edric had been happy to help Lord Owen by lending him Apples for several months.
“This is Edric’s unicorn?” Elizabeth wanted to make sure that she had understood correctly.
“Yes,” Lord Owen confirmed. “She’s all trained and ready to go.”
Elizabeth turned to Edric, a hopeful look on her lovely face.
“Pink’s not really my color,” Edric told her. “I think that you should have her.”
“Thank you!” Elizabeth threw her arms around Edric and then quickly turned her attention back to her new unicorn. “I’m going to name her Lilac,” Elizabeth decided.
Edric and Lord Owen looked at each other and nodded, both knowing all along who Lilac’s owner was to be.
***
“I still can’t believe that my brother’s scruffy unicorn sired such an amazing animal,” Shaylee shook her head as she watched Elizabeth atop Lilac.
“You never know what some combinations will produce,” Lark smiled at his wife. “When are you going to tell her?”
“Shhh!” Shaylee scowled. “I’ll tell her before we leave for the Winter Festival.”
“Good,” Lark told her. “I’m having a hard time keeping it secret.”
The traveling party rode into Dragon Castle’s courtyard to find Lord Avery, Princess Clara, and Sir Maymar just dismounting their unicorns. Princess Clara spotted Elizabeth riding in and hurried over to see her mount.
“Oh My! What a beautiful unicorn!” Princess Clara exclaimed as she stood next to Lilac.
“He’s the first foal of Edric’s Apples,” Elizabeth told the Kellmorgen princess.
“She’s fabulous,” Princess Clara patted the animal’s neck. “If I didn’t have Moon I might be jealous.”
Moon had come from Meadowland Castle for Princess Elizabeth, but Princess Clara had fallen in love with him so Elizabeth let Avery buy him for his betrothed. Clara had named him Moon for his unique silvery color.
“When did the three of you arrive?” Edric asked as he came over to assist Elizabeth.
“Two days ago,” Princess Clara informed them. “We just came back from the village.”
“You want to ride into the village with Shaylee and me tomorrow?” Elizabeth asked. “I have to pick up my dress for the Winter Festival. We could trade mounts for a while.”
“Sounds like fun,” the red haired princess decided. “Count me in!”
***
Before retiring for the night, Elizabeth met with her mother in the queen’s private chambers.
“How was your visit to Meadowland Castle and Village?” Queen Eve asked her daughter as the two sat in the spacious sitting chamber.
“I got the most amazing unicorn you’ve ever seen,” Elizabeth told her mother. “It’s the first foal sired by Edric’s Apples.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Queen Eve smiled at her daughter’s excitement. She had been thoroughly enjoying Elizabeth and Edric’s visit and looked forward to spending more time with them.
“The announcements will go out tomorrow,” Queen Eve informed Elizabeth, referring to the announcement of the King and Queen’s retirement in favor of Elizabeth and Edric. “The coronation will take place the day before Dragon Village’s Spring Festival. That will make it two weeks after Lord Avery and Princess Clara’s wedding.”
“The Noble Lord’s and their families can just go from Castle West to Dragon Castle and get settled in before the coronation.” Elizabeth thought the timing convenient.
“I’m sure that you and Edric would like to have a full council meeting with all the Noble Lord’s being present,” Queen Eve assumed.
The Council of Ten, the advisory council to the king and queen consisted of the first ten lords of Elnara, all lords being ranked with Edric currently being First Lord of Elnara. All ten lords were rarely present at the same time due to logistics, so an event that brought them all together was to be taken advantage of.
“Definitely,” Elizabeth told her mother. “I’m sure that Edric will wish to hear any concerns regarding travel and trade with Kellmorgen as well as to set goals for the next couple of years.”
“Oh! A message came from Vondar the other day,” Queen Eve now remembered. “Your dress for the Winter Festival is finished.”
“Good, I was planning on riding into the village tomorrow to try it on,” Elizabeth looked forward to seeing what Vondar had created for her.
“Do you mind if I ride in with you?” Queen Eve didn’t wish to miss an opportunity to spend time with Elizabeth.
“That would be perfect,” Elizabeth smiled. “You can see my new unicorn.”
“I best get to sleep,” Queen Eve stood to kiss Elizabeth good night.
***
Elizabeth left the queen’s chambers and made her way to her old tower chamber which she and Edric shared at Dragon Castle. They weren’t as convenient as their chambers at Castle North where Edric had connecting chambers for dressing and bathing, but she loved her tower chambers and didn’t wish to give them up. While at Dragon Castle, Edric used the chambers that Elizabeth had occupied up until she was thirteen years old when her mother had allowed her to move into the tower chambers and had assigned her a personal staff consisting of Lady Margaret and Lady Milley. Edric used the chambers for dressing and bathing. Derrick, the elf that looked after Edric’s personal care, slept in the chambers, ever ready to serve his future king.
After climbing the stairs to the tower chambers, Elizabeth discovered that Eric wasn’t anywhere to be found.
“Where could he be?” Elizabeth asked herself as she spotted a note sitting on her pillow.
Going over a few things with Avery and Lord Fredrick in the Armory Chamber. Don’t wait up.
Love Edric
“More like a few brews and stories,” she smiled to herself, hoping that he had a good time although she was certain that he would. Edric had a talent for enjoying the moment, something she wished that she could do.
“Princess!” Elizabeth heard Shaylee call from the sitting chamber.
“Shaylee, I didn’t expect you,” Elizabeth walked into the sitting chamber to meet her.
“Is my brother asleep?” Shaylee spoke loudly in hopes of waking Edric.
“Edric’s not here,” Elizabeth informed her. “He’s meeting with Avery and Lord Fredrick.”
Shaylee made a rude noise indicating that she very much doubted if her brother was having a meeting. “While I’m here, let me help you undress,” Shaylee told Elizabeth.
“I can manage,” Elizabeth decided. “I’m sure you must be tired.”
“I’m not tired,” Shaylee insisted. “Did someone tell you that I’ve been tired, because I’m not?”
Elizabeth stood silently for a moment wondering what had brought all that on. “It’s just late and we’re planning on being off early tomorrow,” Elizabeth told her.
“Oh,” Shaylee said, realizing that she had over reacted. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
“My mother will be joining us,” Elizabeth remembered to tell Shaylee as she left.
Shaylee didn’t stop; she just waved a hand to acknowledge Elizabeth’s comment and headed down the stairway.
***
Elizabeth was surprised when she awoke to find herself still alone in her bed. She had fallen asleep before Edric came up, but she expected to see him next to her this morning.
“Hello!”
It was Lady Nixie.
“Are you awake princess?”
“Yes, come in,” Elizabeth told her lady.
“I’m the first one up?” Lady Nixie was surprised to have beaten Lady Shaylee to the tower chambers.
“Have you seen Lord Edric yet this morning?” Elizabeth inquired as Lady Nixie quickly moved to help Elizabeth with her robe.
“No princess, I haven’t,” Lady Nixie told her, jumping as Lady Shaylee strode into the chamber.
“Oh, don’t tell me my brother never came up to bed,” Shaylee looked very displeased.
Elizabeth frowned at Shaylee, not feeling it appropriate to make such comments in front of others.
“Not so loud sister,” Edric now entered the bed chamber. He walked over to Elizabeth and kissed her on the head. “Sorry darling, I’m afraid that I made quite merry with Avery and Lord Fredrick last night.”
Elizabeth looked at Edric and smiled. She found it impossible to be mad at her charming, handsome husband. “Luckily I’m going to Kendra’s in the village this morning to try on my dress for the Winter Festival so you can get some sleep.”
“Don’t you want a bath princess?” Lady Nixie inquired meekly.
Elizabeth evoked her magic, the air around her shimmering. When the shimmering subsided, it revealed Elizabeth standing in her brown dragon leather riding clothes, her hair perfectly braided.
“All set,” she told Lady Nixie and Lady Shaylee before turning to Edric. “You get some sleep,” she kissed him. “I’ll see you when we get back.”
“Have fun,” he kissed her back before sitting on the edge of the bed to remove his boots.
“Should I have Derrick come up?” Lady Nixie asked Edric.
“No, he can manage on his own,” Lady Shaylee answered for her brother.
Edric glanced at his sister and then to Lady Nixie. “I can manage on my own,” he told her.
“Let’s go,” Elizabeth shook her head, happy to see Shaylee acting more like herself.
***
“I don’t believe that I’ve ever seen such a gorgeous animal,” Queen Eve spoke as she, Elizabeth, Princess Clara, and Lady Shaylee followed the road to Dragon Village with two Dragon Castle armsmen as an escort. Queen Eve looked impeccable in her green dragon leather riding clothes, her dark hair braided in a thick, long plait down her back.
“She is pretty amazing,” Elizabeth agreed from atop her new mount. She couldn’t remember ever having experienced such smooth gaits.
“Why Lilac?” Queen Eve asked her daughter.
“When I saw her in the paddock at Meadowland Castle she reminded me of that first spring day when you step out on the balcony and catch the scent of new lilac blooms.”
Queen Eve nodded, closing her eyes a moment to envision that spring day.
“I’m surprised that Lady Alvina and Lady Nixie didn’t join us,” Princess Clara commented.
“Oh, please!” Shaylee exclaimed as she rolled her eyes. “I doubt that anyone wishes to hear Lady Nixie carry on about how Lady Alvina shouldn’t be riding while pregnant.”
“She means well,” Elizabeth reminded Shaylee.
“I don’t know how Lady Alvina puts up with it.” Shaylee shook her head.
“Lady Alvina adores Lady Nixie,” Queen Eve informed Shaylee. “She’s very good with Lord Freyden.”
“So how was Meadowland Castle?” Princess Clara inquired, deciding it best to change the subject.
“It was fabulous!” Elizabeth turned toward Princess Clara from Lilac’s back. “The road approaching the castle has pastures with unicorns on both sides. The castle itself is a massive structure surrounded by stables, paddocks, and pastures on all sides. There are several riding paths around the grounds that are used for training and for visitors to try out mounts.”
“Did you go to Trotter’s Tavern?” Queen Eve asked with a smile.
“Do you think that Edric would go to Meadowland Castle without a trip to Trotter’s Tavern in the village?” Elizabeth chuckled. They all knew that Edric was a bottomless pit, always on the lookout for new dishes to try.
“What’s so special about Trotter’s Tavern?” Princess Clara felt as if she were missing something.
“Meadowland Castle is famous for its unicorn breeding,” Queen Eve explained.
“Everyone knows that.” Princess Clara waited for further explanation as she bounced up and down on her unicorn, trotting to bring herself next to the queen, her thick, curly, red hair bouncing in the breeze.
“What many don’t realize is that the lands surrounding Meadowland Castle and village are perfect for growing blueberries.”
“Blueberries?” Princess Clara looked to Elizabeth.
“Oh…sort of like Kellmorgen’s strawberries, but blue.” Elizabeth decided that was the best explanation that she could come up with.
“Trotter’s Tavern has blueberry bread, blueberry pie, and blueberry wine,” Shaylee informed the Kellmorgen Princess.
“Sounds like fun,” Princess Clara smiled. “I’ll have to see if Avery and Maymar would like to visit Meadowland.”
How is Sir Maymar?” Queen Eve now asked.
“He’s looking forward to the Winter Festival at Village North,” Princess Clara told the queen. “He’s anxious to see Vika.”
Sir Maymar had fallen in love with one of the Faelyndran forest elves, or pixies, as they preferred to be called, who had relocated to the forest near Village North where they cared for the new guardian trees which had grown from the seeds that they had brought with them from the old Pixie Forest.
Vika was one of the leaders of the pixies and had remained at the new Pixie Forest to help plan and build the new Pixie Village.
“I wonder how the pixies are faring with their first winter.” Shaylee commented. She and Edric had grown up at Castle North and were used to its winters but she knew that most Elnarans had little experience with snow or ice.
“The pixies are pretty tough. I’m sure they’re doing just fine,” Elizabeth decided.
When they reached the village, their armsmen escort took charge of their unicorns while the group of females made their way to Kendra’s, stopping to admire the clock tower in the village square.
“Where is Master Kevin working now?” Princess Clara inquired after the Kellmorgen clockmaker who was building clocks and training workers in all of Elnara’s villages.
“He was just starting at Meadowland Village when we left,” Elizabeth told her.
“He finished at Village West, Seaside Village and Village South,” Queen Eve informed them.
“After Meadowland, it’s just Village East before he heads to the northern castles.” Elizabeth thought the timing was good. He would be heading north in the spring and hopefully finish in the three northern villages before winter came again.
Upon reaching Kendra’s Dress Shop, Shaylee opened the door, the bell attached to door jingling to alert Vondar and Ashla to the presence of customers.
“Your Majesties!” Vondar hurried into the front sitting chamber of the shop to greet them. “Ashla!” Vondar called for his assistant. “Come help me greet our royal visitors.”
The petite elf hurried from the back to join Vondar. Vondar took her hand and gave her a quick wink and then together they performed a lavishly theatrical bow.
“Nicely done!” Queen Eve very much enjoyed Vondar’s showmanship.
“Go get the sketch book,” Vondar told Ashla. As Ashla turned to fetch the sketch book, Vondar gave her a playful swat on her behind.
“Vondar!” Elizabeth hadn’t expected such a display of familiarity.
“It’s okay, we’re together,” Vondar smiled, looking very happy about his and Ashla’s upgraded relationship status.
“I see.” Elizabeth hoped that she wasn’t blushing.
“I suppose that we’ll marry someday,” he predicted, “but right now we’re having fun not being married.”
“I’m very happy for both of you,” Queen Eve told the dressmaker.
“You all look fabulous today,” Vondar now turned his attention to his guests. “I must admit that Lady Shaylee looks particularly radiant today.”
Everyone turned to look at Shaylee who was not happy with the attention.
“I’m the same today as every other day,” Shaylee proclaimed.
“No,” Vondar shook his head, one hand rubbing his chin. “There’s definitely something different.” He looked at Shaylee another moment and then smiled. “Are you…”
“Look! Ashla’s back with the sketch book,” Shaylee cut Vondar off.
“Alright,” Vondar threw his hands in the air. “Let’s look at the sketches.”
The four females made themselves comfortable on the small, stuffed sofa and chairs in the sitting chamber, awaiting Vondar’s presentation.
“I decided that you needed new riding clothes for the Winter Festival,” Vondar told Elizabeth as he flipped over the sketch book to reveal his design.
“Are those white dragon leather boots?” Queen Eve asked as she looked at the sketch.
“Yes, they are,” Vondar confirmed.
“Are those snowflakes on the boots and the jacket?” Elizabeth now asked.
“Why don’t I just have Ashla bring them out for you,” Vondar decided, clapping his hands to signal his assistant.
“Oh, my!” Elizabeth quickly stood and hurried over to Ashla to get a closer look at the new riding clothes.
“There is a white woolen shirt and leggings with a white dragon leather riding dress, boots and jacket all embroidered with silver snowflakes. No two the same,” Vondar told her. “Of course the back of the jacket has the new royal emblem.”
Ashla held up the jacket, turning so that all those present could see the emblem of the gold dragon and falcon, their necks arching to form a heart with an ornate “E” for Elnara inside the heart.
“Can I try them on?” Elizabeth asked. She hated to interrupt Vondar’s presentation but she was dying to see what the new outfit looked like.
“Of course,” Vondar smiled, happy that Elizabeth was so pleased with his design.
It did not take long for Elizabeth to return looking breathtaking in the new riding clothes.
“Vondar, I continue to be astounded by you,” Queen Eve told the dressmaker who beamed at his queen’s praise.
“Can we see the sketch for the gown?” Elizabeth could hardly wait.
“I hope you like it,” Vondar actually looked somewhat nervous. “I took a chance on an idea that I had.” Vondar flipped the sketch book to the appropriate page and waited for everyone’s reaction.
“Oh, Vondar,” Elizabeth spoke softly as she looked at the sketch.
“Don’t worry princess, If Ashla and I have to work all day and night, I‘ll have a new dress for you,” Vondar promised.
“But it’s perfect,” Elizabeth smiled and moved closer to look at the sketch.
“Would you like to see it?” Vondar’s smile was back on his face.
“Definitely,” Elizabeth replied without taking her eyes from the sketch.
When Ashla brought the gown to the sitting chamber, the four crowded around her to get a look at the gown.
“I don’t remember this dark blue color spider silk,” Princess Clara commented at the gown’s material.
“I commissioned the color especially for this dress,” Vondar explained.
The gown was made entirely of a dark, midnight blue spider silk. It had a sleeveless, fitted bodice and a long, flowing, full skirt. On the dark blue gown was embroidered the same silver snowflakes.
“It looks like snowflakes at night in the moonlight.” Elizabeth smiled as she touched the gown.
“Exactly!” Vondar was ecstatic that Elizabeth grasped his vision for the gown.
“I’m not even going to ask if I can try it on, I’m just doing it.” Elizabeth declared as she followed Ashla to the dressing chamber.
Elizabeth returned to the ohhs and ahhs of the group.
“It’s magnificent!” Queen Eve smiled at her daughter.
“You are definitely the best Vondar,” Elizabeth declared.
“I’m here to serve,” Vondar bowed.
“We’ll get these wrapped up and sent to the castle right away.” Ashla assured Elizabeth.
“Vondar, I have a request,” Lady Shaylee spoke as she, Queen Eve, and Princess Clara settled back in their seats to wait for Elizabeth.
“Of course, Lady Shaylee,” Vondar waited to hear Shaylee’s request.
“I need to order a dress for Princess Clara and Lord Avery’s wedding, as well as a dress for the coronation,” Shaylee told him.
“Any ideas or would you like me to work something up for you?” Vondar asked.
“I was thinking of something like what Lady Alvina wore to Princess Elizabeth’s wedding,” Shaylee said somewhat timidly.
Vondar looked confused. “But Lady Alvina was pregnant for Princess Elizabeth’s wedding.” Confusion turned into a smile as Vondar now understood. “I was right! You are pregnant!”
“What!” Elizabeth stared at Shaylee. She had heard Vondar’s declaration as she entered the little sitting chamber. “Shaylee, is it true?”
“Yes,” Shaylee nodded, a nervous smile on her face. “I’m pregnant.”
***
“Shaylee’s pregnant.” Edric was as surprised as Elizabeth had been by the news.
“I imagine that my brother is ecstatic,” Elizabeth stood up from the spot on the bed where she had been sitting. After arriving back to the castle from the excursion to the dress shop, she had hurried up to her chambers to find Edric still asleep. She had thought about letting him sleep, he looked so comfortable snuggled into the covers on their bed, but she couldn’t wait to tell him about Shaylee. “I thought my mother was going to burst,” she smiled as she walked over to the balcony doors, opening them and stepping outside. It had been a fairly mild winter so far at Dragon Castle with only a hint of a chill in the air that day.
“I can’t wait to see Lark.” Elizabeth thought perhaps that they could catch him and Shaylee having lunch in the Great Chamber. She turned back to Edric to find him sitting up in the bed, a serious look on his handsome face. “What is it?” Elizabeth went back and joined him on the bed. She could tell that something was bothering him.
Edric turned and looked at his wife. “Shaylee’s pregnant.”
“It’s happy news.” Elizabeth didn’t understand why Edric wasn’t as excited as she was.
“It is happy news.” Edric forced a smile for Elizabeth. “I just can’t help thinking…”
“You’re thinking about your mother.” Edric and Shaylee’s mother had died in childbirth with Shaylee.
Edric nodded.
“I will be with Shaylee when she has her baby and I will make sure that nothing happens to either of them,” Elizabeth promised.
“I love you,” Edric pulled Elizabeth to him and kissed her.
***
Edric and Elizabeth entered the Great Chamber to find a small crowd already gathered for lunch. Lady Sula, Mistress of Dragon Castle, and her staff had food set out on tables against the wall for guests to serve themselves before proceeding to one of several large wooden tables with benches set up in the hall for dining.
“I don’t see Lark or Shaylee.” Elizabeth scanned the hall but did not see either.
“Avery, Maymar, and Princess Clara are already eating,” Edric pointed out. “Come on,” he jerked his head toward the food, anxious to fill a plate and join them.
The pair grabbed one of the green ceramic plates stacked at the beginning of one of the tables and began to make their selections. Elizabeth chose a selection of fruits and cheeses with a piece of fresh bread while Edric began stacking slices of brown dragon steaks atop of his green dragon stew.
“You can come back for another plate full,” Elizabeth reminded him as she saw him trying to scoop scrambled goose eggs onto the mound already on his dish.
“They might be gone by then,” he smiled at her as he tried to add one more scoop.
Elizabeth shook her head. She knew that Edric’s eating habits had come from growing up at Castle North where food was scarce at times even for the Noble Lord’s son. Edric had learned to scramble to get what he could at meal times, especially when he was eating with the mining crews while he was scouting for new sites to mine.
“Did you hear the news?” Avery asked Edric as he took a seat across from Lord Avery.
“Of course he’s heard the news!” Princess Clara poked Avery in the side making him jump. “Princess Elizabeth will have told him.”
“She might have forgotten,” Avery told his betrothed as he rubbed the spot where she had poked him.
“Do you really think that Princess Elizabeth would forget to tell Lord Edric that his sister is pregnant?” Maymar couldn’t stop laughing.
“Well if she did, you just spoiled the surprise.” Avery picked up a piece of bread and tossed it in Maymar’s direction.
“I already know!” Edric told them, hoping to divert an all-out food war.
“MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!” a voice shouted from the center of the chamber. Everyone turned to see Lord Fredrick with his hands raised, waiting for those present to quiet down and look in his direction.
“The king and queen would like to make an announcement.” Lord Fredrick held out his arm toward the doorway leading to a private chamber off of the Great Chamber.
Everyone watched as King Lifiel and Queen Eve appeared through the doorway followed by Lady Shaylee and Lord Lark. All gathered stood in the presence of their king and queen awaiting the announcement.
“Queen Eve and I would like to announce that our son, Lord Lark, and his wife, Lady Shaylee, are expecting their first child,” King Lifiel said proudly. “It will be the first royal birth since that of Princess Elizabeth.”
The crowd all cheered and applauded the joyous announcement. Lark stood with his arms possessively around his wife while the king and queen beamed with happiness.
“Announcements will go out to every castle later today,” Queen Eve told everyone. “The child should be born around the time of Dragon Castle’s Spring Festival.”
There was more applause and cheers. Edric and Elizabeth made their way to the center of the chamber to officially congratulate Lark and Shaylee.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Shaylee whispered to Edric as he embraced her.
“I’m thinking how thankful I am that Elizabeth will be there to make sure that you and your child will be perfectly fine,” Edric whispered back.
Shaylee pulled back and looked at her brother for a moment and then threw her arms around him in a loving embrace. Both of them had the same fear, but both felt safe in the knowledge that Elizabeth’s magic could overcome any difficulties.
“Congratulations brother.” Elizabeth kissed Lark on the cheek. “You must be so very happy.”
“I confess that I didn’t think that it would happen quite this quickly,” Lark smiled.
“Hoping for a male or a female?” Elizabeth smiled at her brother as she waited for his answer.
“I really don’t care as long as Shaylee comes through it alright.” Lark glanced over at his wife. Elizabeth could see a flash of concern on his face. As much as everyone laughed about Lady Nixie hovering over the pregnant Lady Alvina, it was a worry that all fairies shared. The percentage of fairies dying in childbirth was far higher than that of humans or elves. Lark’s mother had died in childbirth. She had been his father’s second wife, his first wife having succumbed to an outbreak of the fever. Even though Queen Eve had been the most loving and understanding of step mothers, staring at his pregnant wife he couldn’t help but think of the mother that he had never known.
Elizabeth took her brothers hand and squeezed it. “I promise that they’ll both be fine.”
Lark smiled back at her and nodded.
“Let’s eat!” Edric was anxious to get back to his plate. “Pregnant females are always hungry aren’t they?” He looked at his sister for confirmation.
“He’s right, I’m starving,” Shaylee chuckled as they made their way to the food.