Birth

The next few months passed uneventfully. They long refused to send aid to either Jutland or Thuringia stating that he could not spare resources for a petty squabble. The Kings of both countries were furious. Edmund concentrated on making his subjects happy and focused much attention on Rosette, Bethany and Rosalina. In the middle of the night the castle came alive. A doctor, the healers and midwives were rushed in. Rosalina directed and made sure the process was completed with military precision.

The Queen was in labor and the court held their breath. Before the sun rose in the sky the Queen delivered a healthy baby girl. The child was quickly taken behind curtains hung around the bathing tubs Rosalina had set up. The new princess was thoroughly cleaned and wrapped. The sun began to peek over the hills and a second child was born to the Queen, this time it was the male they had sought for so long. Bethany took the princess so that Rosalina could attend to the prince. The doctor and healer began cleaning the Queen up, and were shocked when a third child was born. The baby was a girl but she was very small and the doctor had doubts that she would survive.

Lady Lucilla took the prince so that Rosalina could have the baths changed again to clean the surprise arrival. The healer gave the Queen tea to prevent heavy bleeding and to fight possible infections that may occur. The children were presented to Rosette, she smiled and did not seem tired or weak. " Congratulations, Your Majesty. I believe we should see how much we can surprise his Majesty." Rosalina smiled slyly. " What do you mean?" Rosette questioned. " You hold the first born and when we hear the slight disappointment from him, I will step with the son and Bethany will follow with the second princess." Rosalina suggested. " That sounds like a plan they may make him faint. I agree we shall do that." Rosette approved. " Good, the Doctor promised he would not tell the King about the number or sex of the children." Rosalina said and the first daughter was handed off to the Queen. The women slid behind the curtain just before the King entered the room.

" Edmund, my love. I would like you to meet your daughter" The queen smiled. " Oh.." Edmund said as he approached his wife. He looked at the sleeping child, " She is beautiful." he said, trying to his disappointment. " Here is your handsome and healthy son." Rosalina announced as she emerged from behind the curtain. " And another beautiful princess." Bethany followed. " What? Three? A son?" the King was shocked. " Edmund, before I let you hold your son, maybe you should sit down." Rosalina suggested. Edmund sat on the bed next to the Queen. Rosalina smiled and handed the wide eyed boy to his father.

Edmund held the boy who smiled up at him. The King began to cry, " Sweetheart, please do not cry." Rosette tried to comfort him. " Rosette, I have to admit I am afraid," he cried. " Do not be afraid, love. This is a miracle and I have full confidence that history will not repeat itself." Rosette assured. " How can you not be afraid?" he asked. " Because we have Rosalina and her healers. They can beat poison. They will not allow anything to take these children away from us." Rosette responded and looked to the red haired young woman, who smiled. " Edmund, I promise to do everything in my power to care for them. I will find more power to keep them living." she promised. Somehow her words made his fears disappear.

The family kept to themselves for a few months while the children grew strong. It wasn't until their baptism did the court finally get to meet the new additions. They were shocked to learn that the Queen safely delivered three children on the same day. After years of heartbreak and loss she had been granted a true miracle. Rosalina's presence did not escape their attention either. They felt she was truly an angel sent from heaven to bless the Kingdom and the King and Queen. Rosalina stood in the church as the Godmother to the three infants, along with Edric as their Godfather. The eldest was baptized Tristana Valencia Annalise, the little prince was baptized James Montenegro , and the littlest princess was baptized Graciela Rosalina. The kingdom rejoiced at the newborns and the future seemed bright and hopeful. That evening a great feast was held to honor the prince and princesses.

The next day a joust in honor of the heir. The King entered the lists for the first time in years. He received the Queen's favor just before his ride. During the match the King's helmet was knocked and he nearly fell from his horse. The Queen ran down to the pitch to her husband's side. He went to reassure her that he was fine. " Edmund?" she cried. " Do not worry, my love. Nothing can hurt me today." he smiled. " Edmund, you are bleeding. Please, you do not have to compete. Our son is just months old. What would he do without a father? Our daughters need you as well." she pleaded. " I will be fine. I will not leave our children." he promised. " What of me? I do not wish harm on you. I certainly can not lose you, ever." she began to cry. He kissed her, " You will not lose me. One more match and I promise I will be content to watch the rest of the tournament at your side." he vowed. " One more, and no more bleeding." she instructed. " I promise." he responded and kissed her again. He returned to his horse. She returned to the stand wiping her tears away. She sat back down in her seat, Rosalina leaned over, "Do not worry, he will be fine." " Thank you, Rosalina, '' the Queen smiled. " I have to leave for a bit. I have to check on the children." Rosalina informed. " You can stay and enjoy the festivities the nursemaids can manage until after the King rides." the Queen said. " Alright when he is finished I will go to the children." Rosalina conceded. The king rode one more time and won, as promised he left the lists and returned to the Queen's side. Rosalina bid them both goodbye and returned to the palace. The tournament was finished and the garden party followed. Rosalina returned with the children and their nursemaids.

Everyone in attendance stopped at the royal table to see the bundles up close. The entire royal family was all smiles, including Rosalina.

Another guest just arrived, a surprise the Queen had arranged for the King. The King of Alcantara and his wife Bethany approached the table, accompanied by their children. "Your Majesty." the arrivals said as they bowed. " When did this get decided?" he questioned. " I am sorry, my love. I wanted to surprise you with a visit from your sister." the Queen explained. " Thank you, Rosette. I love your surprises." he smiled and kissed her hand. " I am glad." she smiled back. " Edmund, I have missed you." Queen Bethany said. Edmund rounded the table to hug his sister, " I have missed you as well, Betsy." he responded. " I have not heard that name in years." she smiled as they parted. " Your Majesty. I would like to present our children." announced King Maximo, " this our eldest, Prince Edmund James," a young man stepped forward and bowed and stepped back, " Our daughter, Princess Rosaline Astoria," A young woman with golden auburn hair, like Rosettes, stepped forward and curtsied. Rosette knew at once this was the daughter she had sent away all those years ago.

The young woman looked at the Queen and felt a connection, she ignored the feeling and stepped back, " and this is our youngest, Princess Tristana Rosette."

A child no more than five years of age stepped forward, bowed and handed the Queen a bouquet of flowers. " Thank you, little princess." Rosette smiled. The family sat and talked a while. Maximo took Rosette's hand and they walked around the field." It does my heart good to see you, brother." Rosette said. " Me as well. Have I done you proud?" he asked. " What do you mean?" she questioned. " With my eldest daughter?" he questioned. " You have raised her well. I thank you. Why did you choose now to bring her?" she asked. " She saw a painting of you and asked if it was her. I said that it was my sister. She asked why she looked just like you. I tried to tell her it was because you are her aunt. She said it had to be more. She is very bright. I think as does Bethany, that it is time this was revealed. Rosaline deserves the truth." Maximo explained. " You are right, I just hope that Edmund is not too angry." she conceded. " Bethany and I will be there when you tell him. From what you have told me Rosalina will not allow him something like this alone. How is Rosalina?" he asked. " You are right, Rosalina will be the rock that she has been since she arrived for me to break against. She is doing fine. She had been through much more than anyone her age should ever have to deal with. Her father contracted her marriage and that had upset her greatly. Just before we arrived here she received word that it has been postponed because her future husband had to go to war for his country and that lifted her spirits. She does not know when she will marry but it will break her heart when she does. She will have to move to Jutland and leave the only real home she has known since she was eight years old. She has been a great ally to me these past years.

She helped Edmund and I work out our marriage and we are happier than ever. She watches the children as if they were her own. She gets up with them and brings them to me instead of the nursemaids. I am not sure she even sleeps most nights. I know it is because she is doing all possible to prevent our heartbreak again." Rosette explained. " I am glad that she found comfort and purpose here. I hope that she will be able to take all she has learned to her marriage. What do you know about this man?" Maximo asked. " He is a general in the Jutland army. He is a friend of her father's. He had had two previous marriages, both died in childbirth. He has four children and is very well off. That is all I have been told." the Queen responded. " I will try and find out more. She may be Fenris' daughter but she is our niece and I will not allow her to marry a man who will not treat her the way she deserves." Maximo vowed. " Thank you. Edmund and I told her to let us know the slightest problems and we will bring her home immediately. She also got her father to agree that if he proves undesirable that he is to support her leaving the marriage but she is supposed to give it at least one year." Rosette informed. " Who came up with that deal?" he asked. " Rosalina, the one year was added to appease her father." she responded. " She should marry a king or a prince that would be King. She would make a great Queen." Maximo commented. " I agree, she does not want it though." Rosette responded. " Why not?" he questioned. " She knows how Kings act and she doesn't want to go through what I have. Also she just wants a loving family without the stress of state." Rosette explained. " She is even smarter than I thought," he said. " She is very brilliant.