Chapter 27 - Emilia

"Lilas I'm fine. There isn't anything else the Healer can do. Just pass me the potion and this will soon pass." I complain waving him away from where he's hovering around me. Ever since I first started feeling sick he's been watching over my every move and it's only gotten worse after Healer Fayeth came to examine me. She gave me the most wonderous news though, I'm pregnant.

We'd immediately written a letter to Kor and Bel telling them the news but we don't know if they've got it yet. The last letter we sent them Lilas had insisted on including that I hadn't been very well, it turned out to be morning sickness, even though I hadn't wanted them to worry. It's been a few weeks since we sent the letter out and by the Council's reports of the army's route and progress they should be near the town where we sent it. That hopefully means we'll be getting a reply soon as the Council will be due a report.

"I know Emmy. I just can't stand watching you being so ill every morning. Even though your weight is better than when we first met you Healer Fayeth still wants you to try and put on a bit more now that you're pregnant. All this throwing up every morning isn't going to help with that." He frets handing me over the potion Healer Fayeth has subscribed to help with the nausea I feel in the mornings.

"I'll be fine my love." I reassure him after I've taken the potion. Sitting for a while I wait for the potion to take effect before standing up and going to sit over by the fireplace. The weather is starting to get colder now so I'm grateful for the fire that's been started in our room. "Maryam is keeping a close eye on me as well; she'll make sure I eat well today."

That's part of what makes him worry, we're apart during the day and he can't keep an eye on me personally. We haven't told the entire court about my pregnancy yet instead we're waiting until I'm a bit further along before making the announcement. At the moment none of my ladies, not even Maryam, know about my pregnancy. We want to wait until we know that Kor and Bel have received our letter, it doesn't feel right to tell everyone before Kor and Bel know themselves.

For Lilas's peace of mind though my ladies have been told so they can monitor me on his behalf and can make sure that I don't get too stressed which Healer Fayeth says could cause problems. The Council have also been told as they started noticing Lilas not being completely focused on meetings due to his worry for me. He's been better lately but I think he'll still be worried until after I've given birth.

It's strange seeing one of my ancient mates so worried about something but this is something that even in their long lives they've never experienced. There is also the chance that this baby is Lilas's own child, although even if it is biologically Kor's the baby belongs to all of us. It makes me sad knowing that I'll likely give birth before Bel and Kor return, they won't be here for any of the pregnancy perhaps not even the first months or years of the baby's life.

Like most days Lilas will be busy with the Council for at least this morning, possibly longer, so while he's occupied with that I'll be spending time with my ladies. After spending the last several days convincing Lilas that everything will be perfectly fine we'll be visiting an orphanage in one of the poorest areas of the city today. Since Healer Fayeth told us about my pregnancy he's been even more protective so getting to him to agree to the visit took a lot of persuading and has only come about due to him assigning me a few guards.

Selecting the guards took him a few days as Lilas was determined to interview them all before hiring any. He's apparently hired four guards and two of them will be with me at all times while the other two will have the day off, they'll alternate the days like that so none of them are over worked. I'll get to meet the first two guards after breakfast before Lilas leaves for the meeting. Tomorrow he'll introduce me to the other two guards although I'm not planning to go into the city again tomorrow, instead I'll be spending some time tomorrow at court and then the rest of the day in the palace.

The potion settles my stomach getting rid of the horrible nausea that's been plaguing me every morning for the last few weeks. Healer Fayeth says that it should ease off at some point but that every woman is different, I pray that it stops soon. With Lilas's help I stand back up moving away from the pot I'd been throwing up in, a maid will take it away once we've left the room.

We dress simply before heading downstairs to the dining room for some breakfast. I'll have to go and get changed with Talindra's help before leaving but I don't have the energy to dress up in the manner that's become expected of me as Queen, not until I've eaten something.

To my relief there are no eggs being served from breakfast, they've been banned for the time being after just the smell of them had me running back to a pot almost a week ago. I miss that taste of them but at the same time just remembering them makes me feel slightly nauseous so eggs are best forgotten until after the baby is born. Instead there is toast, bacon and sausages available along with some porridge and fruit as it's easier on my stomach.

"Are you sure that you want to go to the orphanage today?" Lilas asks again as we start eating.

"Yes, I'll be fine Li. I know that you worry but everything will be fine. If I start feeling unwell I'll come straight back home."

"Okay, if you do feel unwell please send someone to let me know. And call Healer Fayeth." He adds concern clear in his eyes. I think that all the throwing up has thrown him off, he's never had to deal with a sick mate before so it's entirely new territory. Sure they've been injured before but illness is something that happens incredibly rarely for elves and dragons, vampires don't get ill at all unless they've been deprived of blood for an extended period of time.

"Of course." I agree giving him a reassuring smile, "I will be fine though. We're just going to visit the orphanage and spend a few hours there playing with the children. I'm really looking forward to it."

He smiles and we start discussing the visit which I'm hoping will bring some much-needed funding to the orphanage. At the same time though it's sort of a practice run for me in gathering support, and money, for a cause before any fighting starts and we need to raise money for hospitals and the care of wounded soldiers returning from the front. I'm glad that Maryam came up with this idea as it is not only giving me a chance to be around children but to ease my way into charity work.

With breakfast over Lilas and I head into the drawing room where Tehlmar had informed us my new guards are waiting for us. Just as we were told they're stood waiting for our arrival, greeting us with bows. I'm slightly shocked at the sight of one of the guards, at first I thought he was a dragon but I've never met a dragon that half shifts. He's tall with dark brown hair, gold eyes and tanned skin scattered with dark blue scales but most shocking are the large wings sprouting out of his back. The other guard is clearly an elf who is just as tall as the first guard with blonde hair and green eyes.

"Emmy allow me to introduce you to your guards, Volethe and Khidell. They're some of the best men who've been left behind to defend the city, both have trained with Kor many times. If Kor and Bel were here they'd probably have been chosen to defend you by them as well."

"Your Majesty, it's an honour to meet you." Volethe, the guard with the wings says. Next to him Khidell elbows him in the side. "Khidell says 'Hello' and that it's an honour to be chosen as your guards." I can't help looking between them confused, Khidell hadn't said anything at all to Volethe and why hadn't he spoken himself.

"Khidell almost died in the last war. He survived but lost the ability to speak." Lilas informs me as the two of them step forward taking turns to bow in front of me taking hold of my hand and kissing the back of it. Smiling gently Khidell steps back pulling the scarf he's wearing down slightly so that I can see the scar along his neck that took away his voice and almost his life. Putting the scarf back in place he returns to standing next to Volethe who leans over placing a brief kiss on Khidell's temple.

"Luckily we've been together long enough that I can pretty much read his mind." Volethe grins at me which I can't help but return even though I desperately want to ask about his wings. Perhaps he notices my staring because his smile seems to widen more as he laughs slightly. "Is this the first time you've met a half-dragon, your Majesty?"

"Yes I'm sorry." I can't help the bright blush that comes to my cheeks, "Forgive me for staring."

"It's no problem your Majesty. I'm used to it half-dragons aren't that common, and they are very impressive wings." As if to make the point he steps slightly away from Khidell giving himself space where he stretches out his wings to their full length. "If we were outside I'd fly around a bit for you. Dell says I'm a show off." As if to prove it Khidell nods although he's watching fondly.

"Well, I need to get to the Council meeting so I'll leave you in their capable hands. I'll see you later my love." Lilas says giving me a kiss before leaving the three of us alone.

"So what are we doing today, your Majesty?" Volethe asks getting an elbow to the side again, "What I'm only asking!" He retorts getting a pointed look from Khidell.

"I'll be visiting an orphanage in the lower part of the city. Lilas is just worried about me going without protection." I tell them, "We should only be there for a few hours. Before we leave I just need to get changed, there is some food left over from breakfast if you'd like any while you wait."

"Thank you. Food is always welcome." Volethe grabs Khidell's hand pulling him out the room and I can't help but giggle at the action. I make my own way out of the room heading upstairs to the bedroom, Lilas and I have moved back to sleeping in there after a week of sleeping in one of our personal rooms. As hard as it is we're adjusting to Kor and Bel's absence, at least enough to be able to sleep in our shared room without them.

Talindra is waiting for me there with my dress for today already laid out so that I can get changed quickly. It's simpler than some of my other dresses but it meets the fine line that I need for today, it's suitable for a Queen but at the same time is simple enough that I can move easily while playing with the children. And at Lilas's insistence the outer layer of the dress is lined with fur making it perfect for the colder weather now that we're on the edge of winter.

Once I'm dressed I sit down while Talindra styles my hair, pulling part of it back so that the rest flows down me back. I forgo a crown for today deciding instead that the only jewellery I'll wear today is the necklace containing my Stone. It wouldn't feel right to wear lots of expensive jewellery while visiting orphans in one of the poorest parts of the city.

Ready for the day I head back downstairs to find Khidell and Volethe. They're sat in the dining room picking at the food leftovers from breakfast although they quickly jump to their feet when I enter. It amazes me how Volethe manages to manoeuvre around places without knocking anything over with his wings, it's probably just practise. Lilas had mentioned that they fought in the last war which was around 500 years ago so they must be at least over 500 years old which would mean he's had plenty of time to learn to move with his wings.

"Ready to go your Majesty?" Giving them a nod they fall into step a few paces behind me as I head for the main door. Stopping briefly at the door they grab their weapons which had been left there when they arrived out of respect, Volethe wields a pair of swords and Khidell grabs several daggers that disappear as he quickly sheaths them in various places. He manages to hide a startling amount of daggers on himself.

As we'd arranged previously I meet my ladies-in-waiting at one of the public gardens. From there we split it up into the carriages that'll take us into the city where the orphanage is located. Ladies Pyzitt and Tiana join me in my carriage while the rest of the ladies divide themselves up into the other two carriages. With so many ladies-in-waiting I've been trying to spend time with all of them rather than just favouring a few however I've found it easy to bond with Lady Pyzitt as we'd both recently found our Soulmate, or mates in my case, and now they've gone to war. Similarly Ladies Tiana and Holcene have loved ones marching to war.

"Good morning your Majesty." Lady Tiana greets as we settle into the carriage. Outside I see Volethe and Khidell mount horses that have been provided for them then position themselves on each side of the carriage.

"You seem to have acquired some shadows your Majesty." Lady Pyzitt quips taking notice of my new guards. Volethe even leans forward giving her a little wave having heard her comment.

"Yes, Lilas was worried about me going into the city. These are Volethe and Khidell, Lilas has arranged for two other guards so that they can switch off between the four of them. We'll likely be seeing a lot of them from now on." They nod in understanding leaving the subject alone for now. I don't mention that Lilas has hinted that once I'm further along in the pregnancy that I'll be guarded by all four of them at the same time.

The ride into the city doesn't take too long despite the crowds surrounding the carriages. People come out to watch us drive past but at the sight of the guards they stay out of our way so we can pass by easily. During the ride I mainly talk with Ladies Pyzitt and Tiana but make sure to wave to the crowd as we go past them, I've been advised that simple things like this will keep the goodwill of the people. Something that we need to maintain with the ongoing war especially when soon reports of injuries and deaths from front could start arriving at any time.

Arriving at the orphanage Khidell helps me, Pyzitt and Tiana out of the carriage while the rest of my ladies climb out of the other carriages. I get my first look at the building while I'm waiting for the others to organise themselves, it's not much different from the homes I'd grown up around in Stowu only bigger. Around me I can see that my ladies are all shocked at the state of the building likely never having seen anything like it but I'd lived in worse.

My home in Stowu was little more than a hut, a barely liveable one at that. It's not something that I've spoken to my ladies about but my lack of reaction to the building, and the surrounding ones, is getting me some curious looks from my ladies. They'll likely have questions later on after this visit is over.

"Your Majesty, welcome. Thank you for coming." The matron of the orphanage greets coming out of the building to meet us. She's an older human woman with greying hair and brown eyes, overall she looks like a kind woman and is genuinely happy that we're here.

"We're very glad to be here matron." I reply smiling as she leads us inside. We walk straight down a corridor until we enter a large hall which is filled with children of various ages, all seemingly dressed in their best clothes and have been told to be on their best behaviour.

"Your Majesty." Sounds out from around the room as the children call out the greeting all of them bowing or curtsying the best they can, likely something they've been practising. I can't help the smile that spreads across my face, they're just so adorable I can't help it.

"Thank you all for that lovely greeting. Please don't stand on ceremony though, my ladies and I are here to get to know you and spend some time with you all." Those seem to be the magic words as we're soon swarmed by excited children all wanting to say hello and speak to us.

Around me the children reach out touching my clothes, it's likely the most expensive and softest clothing they've ever felt. Crouching down I bring myself face to face with the children, being closer to them I can see that they're well fed. It seems the money that the orphanage does have goes to feed and clothing the children, as it should, but it hasn't left much for building repairs or even toys. I hope that this visit can change things for them.

My hair seems to fascinate the children but they seem reluctant to touch it until I give them permission to do so. In no time there are small hands buried in my hair coming from every direction, ruining the careful hairstyle that Talindra had achieved before I left. Not that I really care as the children seem so happy and are looking at my hair in wonder.

"Pretty." A little girl whispers looking at my hair, some of my hair held in her hand which she lets go off watching it fall back into place. The movement as the hair goes from straight when she was holding on to it to curly again once its released.

I'd thought that once I came to towns and cities that I'd see other people with red hair but so far it seems just as rare here as it was in Stowu. At some point I'll ask Lilas about it as none of my mates appear to find my hair to be as odd as other people have, maybe they've seen it before. Thinking about it it's been mainly lower-class people who have been staring at my hair, my ladies haven't said anything about it so maybe they know something I don't.

We spend hours talking and playing with the children before heading back out to our carriages. I along with the rest of my ladies give personal donations to the orphanage as we leave, even Volethe gives a donation on behalf of himself and Khidell. They'd been playing with children as well not having much to guard against while I've been inside, the children had loved Volethe's wings and he'd even flown some of them around outside with the matron's permission.

Walking back into the palace I'm not surprised that Lilas is already home and that lunch is waiting for me. I'd spent longer at the orphanage than I'd initially planned to but I struggled to make myself leave the children, especially when the matron had shown us the nursery where the babies were. I spent quite a bit of time there with the babies imagining holding my own baby in my arms.

"Ready for lunch my love?" Lilas asks as I take a seat next to him in the dining room. I give a brief nod but focus on loading my plate with food finally realising how hungry I am. Lilas lets out a short laugh shaking his head slightly in amusement. "Did you have fun?"

"Yes, the children loved having new people to play with. We even got to see the babies; I can't wait for our baby to get here. Although the orphanage does need more funding to do some building repairs. Hopefully our visit helps and they'll get more donations. How was the meeting?"

"It wasn't too long. We spent the meeting estimating where they are at the moment but we should have more information soon, they're next report should be arriving soon. From the map and our estimate though Kor and Bel should have the letter by now or should get it in the next few days." I can't help grinning trying to picture their reactions to the news. We'd thought that it'd be years before this happened instead we've been lucky enough to be blessed with a child so soon.