Gardens of Meridian
Summary:
"One day Meridian will be knowm for its gardens."
A/N:
Because I felt like writing something about Phobos.
This is a place where I'll post my Phobos drabbles. It'll be updated sporadically
Characters and other tags will be added later, rating may change
This chapter was originally posted on AO3 (2017-03-30)
o0o
Chapter 1: Born Under An Unlucky Star
The sun was slowly disappearing behind the horizon, painting the sky in colors of orange, red and violet. The day seemed to flee before the night, heat of one of the one last hot days of the year slowly changing in a warm night. It was the time between time, when the dark and light were mingling together - a perfect moment for a strong magic user to be born.
The Queen always loved to watch the sunset, to smell the scents of the garden and to observeg the lights appear in windows in the city below the palace. She loved the peaceful atmosphere, the calm joy of a day full of work coming to an end.
Yet today she wasn't standing on the balcony of her room. She was resting on her bed, her fragile body covered with a soft blanket. Two maids, her mate and a healer were standing around her bed, observing her as she was breathing deeply, slowly calming down. She could hear a second healer take care of the newborn child nearby, but she kept her eyes closed. The baby was crying loudly - a good sign. She needed a healthy, strong heir. The queen took a deep breath, trying to as royally as she could with her hair fanned out on her pillow and her cheeks still red after giving birth to her child.
"So? Is it a girl?" she asked, grasping the edge of the blanket. Just as she collected her thoughts this one question came to mind, filled it entirely. She needed a daughter, her succeson. For so many years she had been waiting... "A girl?" it was more like an order than a question. Her blue eyes were focused on her mate and advisor now. Why was he quiet? "A girl? Answer me! Is it an heir?"
It had to be. Meridian needed to have a princess, a powerful ruler to come after her. Her people needed to live in peace and she knew it was her duty to maintain the prosper of her kingdom and give birth to at least one girl. For so many years she could do the latter...
"It's a beautiful, healthy boy, Your Highness," the second healer spoke as he approached the bed. He held the child wrapped in white, soft towel. "Would you...?"
The Queen took a deep breath and bit her bottom lip. So this was the reason for the rest to remain quiet. Her hopes were crashed, faded faster than candlelight in a strong wind. No heir. The future still full of uncertainty. She felt she failed and that made her tired body tremble.
"Leave me."
"My love..." started her mate. "We can..."
"Leave me. I need to rest," she said, her voice softer now than it was a second ago. There was no reason to be angry at him or anyone else. It was but bad luck. It was her fault she brought to this world a child who wasn't a girl.
"Should I leave the Prince beside you, Your Highness?" asked the healer, still rocking the child in his arms. She replied immediately.
"No. Find someone in the city or among the palace staff to take care of him," she shook her head. The healer left the room, following everyone else. He looked down at the baby in his embrace, pale eyes looking up at him sleepily.
"You're born under an unlucky star, my Prince," he said softly to the child and realized that the Queen didn't give him any name. "But I will take care of you, I promise."
The Queen remained quiet, closing her eyes again. A boy. A child she would care for and love, but one who wouldn't never make her feel fulfilled, who wouldn't ensure the peaceful future of Meridian. Fear was growing in her heart. Was that the fate of her beloved land - to lose its serenity? There was no way the boy could rule it after her, not like a girl would do. Would he be her only child?
