All Will Be Well

She was on the balcony when he found her, staring out across the citadel with a pensive look on her face. He could see the tension in her shoulders and her hands that were tightly gripping the cold balustrade. Her body relaxed slightly as he approached her and he knew that she had sensed his presence behind her.

He stood close behind her, allowing their bodies to touch as he slid his arms around her waist and placed his hands gently on her swollen belly. She placed her hands over his and leaned back against him, letting her head rest against his chest.

"I think that you will bear me a son", he said, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.

"You hope so", she chuckled warmly.

"I know so"

Serena pulled him closer, wrapping his arms tighter around her, wanting only to be with him alone like this. But she knew that it wasn't possible and she couldn't pretend that the exchange with her mother in the dining hall had never happened.

"Ivar, I am sorry that I caused a scene at dinner tonight"

"You have nothing to apologize for. Do not let it trouble you"

"But I...", she started to say when Ivar interrupted her.

"I said to not let it trouble you. You have something more important with which to concern yourself"

"Very well", she sighed and closed her eyes.

"Come inside, it's time for bed", keeping his arms around her, he walked her inside.

Ivar helped her to bathe and dress, noting that as her belly grew, she was becoming thinner and more frail. He helped her into bed and pulled the covers up around her, making sure that she was warm.

"Will you come to bed shortly?", she asked, stifling a yawn.

"Not just yet. I have some matters to attend to but you, my sweet Queen, must rest now"

"Will you stay with me for a while? Until I fall asleep?"

"Of course. Now sleep, my love"

It wasn't long before she had fallen into a deep slumber and Ivar continued to watch her for a little longer while listening to her slow, steady breathing. Her stomach was growing faster than he had expected and draining her strength. She was always tired recently and slept longer than she normally did but yet, she remained overjoyed at her condition and looked forward to the birth with much enthusiasm.

He carefully stroked a few wayward strands of her hair away from her face and tried listening again to her thoughts. But he heard nothing, just the deafening wall of silence. In the hall outside their chambers, he could clearly hear the thoughts of his guards and then Rathgar as he walked by. Rathgar chose to share his thoughts with him but he could easily conceal them if he wished, a rare gift, bestowed only on those of his bloodline.

Quietly Ivar rose from the bed and left the room, making his way to the parlor on the ground floor. When he entered the room, he found Serena's parents anxiously waiting for him in front of the fireplace. They hurriedly rose to their feet but he quickly gestured for them to sit down as he crossed the room to pour himself a drink.

Taking a sip from his glass, he went to stand in front of the fireplace and looked down at the couple in front of him. The sound of their rapidly beating hearts was almost deafening and he had to restrain himself from draining them both, there and then. Lord Kerrigan attempted to apologize for his wife's behavior at dinner but Ivar stopped him.

"That is not what I wish to discuss with you"

They glanced at each other, confused, before turning back to look at him with questioning looks.

"What happened to your sister, Orla?", he addressed the question to Lady Eire.

"She died not long after she was born", she replied, looking at her husband and back to Ivar.

"She was born? But were you not twins?", Ivar caught a brief flash of something in her eyes but she quickly masked it.

"Yes we were"

"And you are absolutely certain that she is dead?"

Again he caught that fleeting look in her eyes just before she answered.

"Well yes, my nanny told me so and she had no reason to lie"

"Had?"

"Gretchen passed away when Serena was still a baby"

"Tragic", Ivar murmured before taking another sip of his drink.

"Your Majesty if I may ask why you are interested in Lady Eire's lineage?", Lord Kerrigan interjected.

"Just curious. Do I need a reason?"

"Not at all, Your Majesty", he placated, attempting a smile.

"Good. Unless....you have something to hide?", Ivar was deliberately nonchalant but he observed them carefully.

"Nothing at all Your Majesty", Lady Eire smoothly replied.

"It is late. You have traveled a long way, you should rest", Ivar gulped down the rest of the contents in his glass.

"Thank you Your Majesty. We will take our leave now", Lord Kerrigan replied as they both rose to leave.

***************************

Not long after they left, the door opened again and Rathgar strode into the parlor, immediately heading to the liquor cabinet to pour himself a drink.

"What are your thoughts?", Ivar asked him, as Rathgar sank into one of the many comfortable chairs in the room.

"She's lying, of that much I am certain"

"To what end?"

"I could easily find out", Rathgar shrugged, sipping his drink.

"I don't think that Serena would appreciate your methods being employed on her mother", Ivar chuckled.

"My methods are effective", Rathgar grunted.

"True but I need to use finesse this time or I risk upsetting Serena"

Rathgar gave a slight nod and sipped his drink while staring silently into the fireplace as Ivar came to sit across from him. The room grew quiet as both vampires became lost in their own thoughts and time stretched out between them. A knock at the door disturbed the silence and they both turned to look in that direction.

"Come", Ivar called out.

The door opened and Dr Aylard stepped inside, bowing his head as he walked toward them.

"What brings you here so late Dr Aylard?", Ivar asked.

"Forgive me for the intrusion Your Majesty but I felt that you would want to hear what I have to say tonight rather than the morning", the doctor replied, his eyes flicking to Rathgar.

Ivar remained quiet and gestured for him to continue.

"It is Her Majesty, I fear that the pregnancy is progressing too rapidly and she may reach full term before long"

"How long?"

"Three weeks at the most"

Rathgar glanced quietly Ivar but if he was alarmed, he didn't show it.

"Is there no way to slow its progress?"

"I have done everything I can"

Ivar rubbed his chin thoughtfully while the two men waited for him to speak.

"Thank you Dr Aylard, you may leave", Ivar dismissed him and the man left as quietly he had come.

"The coronation is in two weeks, we should postpone the date", Ivar shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"It's too late for that, we can only prepare for whichever comes first"

"It's too risky", Ivar argued.

Rathgar stood and proceeded to refill both their glasses before handing one to Ivar and sitting back down. He watched his king, knowing that he was considering all the possibilities and outcomes before he would come to a decision. Rathgar sipped his drink and waited patiently for Ivar to speak.

The flames in the fireplace had burned low having consumed most of the wood causing the temperature in the parlor to turn chilly. Holding his glass, Rathgar moved to kneel in front of the fireplace and place more logs on the fire. He stayed there, watching as the flames grew higher and danced hungrily over the wood.

"There is another way", Ivar murmured.

"What do you suggest?"

"Perhaps we just need a.....more qualified doctor"

Rathgar visibly stiffened and he stopped prodding the fire with the poker. A feeling of apprehension settled in his chest as he waited to hear Ivar's next words.

"Bring him to the palace"

"There has to be another way"

"There is none and we are fast running out of time", Ivar shot back.

He stood up and turned to face Ivar, seeing something in his eyes that Rathgar had not seen for many centuries.

"Are you certain?"

"No but what choice do I have?", Ivar snapped, already growing impatient with the conversation.

"As you wish"

"Make clear to him my conditions. None of which are negotiable"

Rathgar nodded curtly and finishing his drink, left the parlor without another word. Ivar remained in the parlor, staring into the fire and nursing his drink. His mood had turned dark and he needed to bring his emotions back under control before he went upstairs to retire for the night.

Outside Rathgar stood outside the palace gates and looked around at the streets that were almost empty. Having decided, he strode out into the thinning crowd and weaved his way through the buildings until he reached a deserted alley. In only a few seconds he disappeared through the iron grate that led underground beneath the citadel.