Chapter 14

"On three!" Diana screamed to the army full of men. They all let out a war cry once she signaled on 'three'. Holding their weapons high in the air she smiled at them. She never thought she would train an army full of men or an army for that matter. She understood why Amayn wanted their army to be prepared for anything but why so sudden? Maybe it was because King Cuzar wasn't as politically active as Amayn hoped he would be. The Amazonian army trains every day to remain vigil so she never questioned Amayn about his decision to make her general of his army basically.

She suddenly felt like General Phillipus teaching her when she was a young girl all the way up until she was a young adult. Inwardly smiling she pulled her weapon in the air to demonstrate how to hold it properly when the opponent is too close to them and so forth.

A short man appeared next to the dais she was standing on and she paused her lesson. He handed her a note from which seemed to be Amayn.

"Thank you," Diana sheathed her sword and opened the envelope. She read it with a raised eyebrow but then folded it up and tucked it inside her breast plate.

"On three!" she yelled once more.

Three hours later she returned to their bedroom and grabbed a gown to change into once she showered. Her hair was drenched in own sweat. After showering she sat at the mirror brushing her wet locks getting the knots out. A knock came to the door, "Enter", she said quietly.

In the mirror she saw Princess Xedea at the bedroom entrance. She turned and smiled at the young red headed princess.

"Xedea, what brings you to my room?" Diana asked of the girl in a calm voice.

Xedea seemed to look at her with confusion. She never really took a liking to Diana, but she knew that she had to be nice to her for her brother's sake.

"My brother wishes to see you for dinner in an hour, your highness."

Diana looked at the girl in the mirror, "My name is Diana, please call me Diana."

Xedea said nothing, "My brother is also asking how you are feeling. Any better?"

It had been almost a week since that odd situation in the conference hall. Diana didn't want Amayn to worry about her so she lied to him most of the time saying she was alright, when she really felt horrible on the inside. She put on a smile for his sister.

"I am feeling better," she put a hand on the princess's shoulder. Xedea looked at her hand and then back at Diana. She wasn't sure how to react to this kind of behavior of a Queen. She was not her mother and sometimes her mother never really paid much attention to her. Diana released her hold on Xedea's shoulder.

"Well I am glad," Xedea choked out. "Let me know if you need anything your highness," with that she turned and left, closing the door quietly. Diana sighed, thinking of that poor girl. They were now the only two women in this palace and they weren't the best of friends. Actually they weren't friends at all. Perhaps that should change, Diana thought.

Diana arrived promptly at eight for dinner. Everyone was sitting at the table waiting for her. Xedea said an hour right? Looking around they seemed they had been waiting for a long time. She took her seat next to Amayn.

"Am I late?" she said hoping that she wasn't.

"No, you are right on time. We just arrived here a few minutes ago," Amayn said to her and kissed the top of her hand. Diana simply nodded and plates were handed to them. She looked at the food and felt a wave of nausea hitting her. Oh gods, I thought this was over with already. Everyone started to eat and Diana put the cloth on her lap still staring at her food, not wanting to come near it. Amayn chewed a piece of his food and eyed Diana. He raised an eyebrow.

"Diana, eat," he pointed to her plate with his fork. She looked up at him and smiled nervously. Everyone now had their eyes glued on Diana to see what she was going to do especially Xedea.

She was sitting across from Diana and next to Shufa. There were now two empty seats with their parents being absent, well one exiled.

The new Queen took her fork and breathed in deeply and put a piece of food in her mouth slowly chewing it several times and breathing in and out. Amayn smiled at her and put his hand on hers. "Here Diana, have some wine." He poured a glass for her. That strange blue-green wine. Just looking at it she didn't want to drink it knowing what was going to happen, but with eyes on her she took the glass and drank a bit of it.

Barely able to keep the drink down, she swallowed cautiously. Moving the food around with her utensils Amayn had asked her a question and she didn't really hear it as she was trying not to think about throwing up in this nearby flower vase.

"Diana?" he looked at her and she snapped her eyes up out of her daze.

"Oh I am sorry. What did you say?" she blinked a few times.

"I asked how the training went today. I know you almost passed out the last time. I hope it went better today." He wanted to know everything about the lessons she was teaching. He would ask her every other day trying not to be too eager about the army's progress.

Diana thought of today's training and nodded, "It was really great. They are fast learners. It reminds me of being back hom….on Themyscira." He liked this answer and watched her toy with her food on her plate. Worried about her health he encouraged her to eat.

After dinner Amayn followed Diana shortly after into their room. She was about to get in bed before he appeared behind her wrapping his arms around her. She stiffened and her eyes widened. His head leaned against hers and she eyed him, but didn't say anything.

"I noticed that you barely touched your food again at dinner. I am concerned for you."

Diana took in a deep breath and let it out. The aromas of his scented body oils were not agreeing with her body right now and she tried to control herself.

"I'm fine I promise you. It was probably that wine." She concluded, knowing that's not what it was.

He eyed her and let go of her. She inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

"You've had that wine before and nothing has happened to you."

She shrugged her shoulders, "With all that traveling I am sure I picked up some kind of illness. It does not seem too serious. It is very common among people traveling away from their home."

He nodded agreeing with that and climbed into bed next to her. Diana sat up reading her book she had been reading for the past few weeks now. She was able to grab a few books from the Themysciran library before she left to return to Arrakus. Suddenly she felt a hand on her stomach and she looked down and Amayn's slender hand was there.

"What are you doing?" she asked unsure of what he was exactly doing.

He smiled up at her as she was looking down at him with a perplexed face. "I don't mean to pressure you or anything…" he trailed off worried of what she might say.

Oh here we go, Diana thought. The sex issue again. She had put it off for months now and after her time with the Kryptonian prince she wasn't really in the mood for anything especially with her own husband. All of those thoughts came rushing back to her and she feared she was blushing. Her heart started to race and the nausea hit her again.

"But…you are immortal and I am not. How will I bring an heir into the world if you will not allow this…ah...relation to happen?" He was still looking at her and Diana seemed to have the same expression except her cheeks were a bit pink now.

She shook her head and put her hand on her cheek, feeling the heat radiating off her face. "Amayn I…"

"I know what you're going to say, you're not ready. Diana, I have waited a long time for you to be ready."

"I am sorry. I am afraid if you do not have my consent then it would be wrong of you to force yourself upon me and that will not happen." She looked back into the pages of her book. He slid off her stomach and he sighed heavily.

After an awkward goodnight the lights were off and Diana was still awake while Amayn was fast asleep. The storm outside was really bothering her this time and she didn't know why. Perhaps it was all the nerves cooped up in her body. Slowly she got out of bed trying not to disturb Amayn and she left the room. Searching the halls trying to avoid the guards she went into the study a few halls down. Closing the door as quietly as she could she came to the chairs they sat in a week ago discussing about her training the Arrakian army.

She noticed that Amayn came in this study at least three times a week looking at his tablets. She flipped on one of the tablets and many screens came up. She found files on the Amazons which was not surprising. Her mother kept documents of the Arrakians in her chambers. She scrolled through the screens and found a history of all the wars and tiffs Arrakus has had with many other planets besides Ischa, Jehas and Krypton. There were other planets like Almerac which was very far from their galaxy and even…Earth? Diana gasped. They would go so far out of their galaxy for an attack? These Arrakians are crazier than she thought. Continuing to snoop she found information on who started each battle and why and also who lost.

Although the Arrakians are a strong people she noticed almost half the wars they have lost and lost badly, losing many, many men in the cost. Maybe that is why they are so ornery.

Diana heard someone coming down the hall and she closed the screens and hid behind one of the chairs, hoping they wouldn't open the door. She saw the footsteps in the light beneath the door and they thankfully passed the study and she breathed a sigh of relief. Now opening the tablet documents again she read everything about each war. Stumbling upon the Themysciran Arrakian War/Treaty she scrolled through everything. She recognized her mother's handwriting in the document. She read what she had to say, simply agreeing to the treaty but on certain conditions.

Looking through more of the Themysciran files she found a picture of herself, Donna and someone else that looked very much like her, but not quite. Puzzled she clicked on the hand drawn photo and examined it. There was not much on the photo, but it still baffled her. Who is that? She said to herself. She zoomed in on the picture and saw that she (herself) was not in traditional clothing regarding her Themysciran or Arrakian attire but wearing something different. Also she wore a cape and a black circlet on her head. The girl in front of her had almond blue eyes and wore something similar. Diana furrowed her eyebrows, trying to figure out who that could be or maybe…this girl was not here yet. She is a prophecy, yes that's it, Diana gathered. She tried to look for more information but found nothing.

Losing track of time she realized she had been in the study for almost two hours. Quietly sneaking back into the bedroom she saw Amayn was still asleep and wasn't sure why they had all those files and possibly the Amazons had no access to it or didn't know anything about it at all. She stared at him hard while he was breathing. Their faces were close and she kept staring at him. What is his game? She turned the other way and fell asleep fifteen minutes later.

Two days later Diana stepped out onto the dais again to give another lesson. She looked up at the sun and it was beaming hard today. She was already sweating from the heat and her army didn't seem to be fazed at all. Today was judgment day to see if Diana had been up to par and Amayn sat with his brother and sister up on a balcony watching her demonstrate the style of combat they would be using.

Amayn watched Diana as she gracefully swiveled the sword in the air as if it was light as a feather. He smiled just thinking of what a fabulous job she was doing –having no idea that she was training the army to attack her fellow sisters. We will wait and see, he nodded to himself. Princess Xedea was being fanned as she sat next to Shufa. He seemed to be bored out of his mind but he sat there patiently watching Diana demonstrate.

Thirty minutes in Diana stopped and drank some water, feeling a bit off. She was getting a bit dizzy, but put it off that it was just the sun. It was a very hot day on Ammos and some were told to stay inside.

Shufa started to notice Diana faltering in her steps and he tapped his brother on the arm. "What's wrong with the Queen?" he didn't like calling her that, because that wasn't her title that was his mother's but he didn't have much of a choice now did he?

Amayn's eyes shifted from the army to Diana and saw she was moving slower in her steps and she held up her sword and then it dropped to the ground. His men looked at their Queen in question. They didn't know what she was doing as this was not part of their drill and so they waited to see what she was doing.

"She's falling!" Xedea stood up and pointed at Diana beginning to fall backwards. Amayn stood up and leaned against the railing and watched Diana, to what it seemed like, in slow motion falling backwards on the dais.

The soldiers stood there motionless as she was falling. Amayn screamed at them, "Go help her you fools!" he left his throne and quickly ran down the steps to see Diana.

Two men came to her side and saw her eyes were still closed beneath her helmet. Amayn came to her side and grabbed his scarf that was wrapped around his headpiece and took off her helmet and veiled her face so nobody could see her. It wasn't a thick veil so he could still see her breathing. The veil was also mesh so he saw her eyes were still closed.

"Have her brought inside immediately." The two men gathered Diana's weapons and one picked her up and carried her to the palace.

Shufa and Xedea stayed in the balcony and watched what just happened. "What is wrong with her? Did you see that?! She just fainted like bam! Just like that! Wow!" Shufa couldn't believe it. He fell back in his chair and rubbed his chin.

Xedea raised an eyebrow at her older brother. "I will go see if she is alright."

He looked at her funny and she didn't respond. Since when did she start caring for her?

Diana was stripped from her armor and was now in the royal bedroom in bed with a cold cloth on her head. Several maids were assisting her even though she was not yet awake. She had been in the bed for about twenty minutes and Xedea came in.

"Disperse," she told the servants and they bowed and quickly left. She too wore a black veil, but only covering her red locks. Her gown was bright blue and she sat on a chair next to Diana, watching her breath in and out slowly.

The more she watched Diana the angrier she got, but also the sadder she felt as well. She knew that her brother and Diana did not love each other but they were married anyway. This was her parent's room after all and now Diana was in her parent's bed, in their room!

Finally Diana began to open her eyes and she looked around the room wondering how she got here and why she was here. Diana sat up and looked next to her and saw Xedea sitting there staring intently.

"What am I doing here? I do not remember coming here. I was outside…" her head started to hurt and she groaned.

"You fainted, your high –Diana." she told her. Diana looked at her and shook her head.

"I fainted?" not believing what she was hearing.

"It must have been the sun. Are you alright?"

Why was this girl being so nice to her all of a sudden? Diana didn't want to question it so she simply answered, "Yes, I think so. What are you doing here if you don't mind me asking?"

Xedea sat back suddenly becoming a bit embarrassed to be here. "I am just checking up on you. I can leave. It is my job to tend to the Queen when she is ill or in need."

Diana put a hand on the princess. "You do not have to leave. Did you do that when your mother…" she didn't want to finish that sentence.

"Yes I did." Luckily she didn't have to as Xedea knew it was already uncomfortable.

"I see." She tried to sit up but her head felt like it was forming a bruise on the back of it. The wave of nausea hit her and she rubbed her stomach, hoping it would go away.

"Are you sure you are alright?" Xedea asked once more, a little bit more concerned. Diana just nodded trying to smile to hide her pains. "Perhaps you should see our physician."

Diana shook her head, "I am fine!" she said defensively and this startled the teenager. "I mean…I'm alright, you do not to worry about me, Xedea."

Xedea stood up and was going to leave now to tell her brother it was safe to come in and that the Queen has awoken. "If you say so. I am sure my brother is going to pester you until you go, though. Just keep it in mind. Rest well, Diana." she left and closed the door behind her.

Not long after she left Amayn came rushing in and sat on the bed looking at Diana and her pale complexion.

"Diana! You fainted, how are you feeling?"

"I know, Xedea told me, and a little better." She rubbed her temple as her head was seriously hurting now.

"I want you to be checked by our doctor."

She rolled her eyes. "No."

"Diana, you fainted and you are obviously not well. You are going to be examined. I shall bring her in here if you want?"

"I think it would be better if I went back home to my healing isle. I feel much safer there." She concluded.

"They have physicians there on this isle?" not sure he wanted her to travel all the way there by herself. He couldn't leave the palace so she had to travel alone.

"Of course. I will leave tomorrow morning."

"And you will get checked out?"

"Yes."

"You swear to me?" he eyed her and Diana tried to keep her temper in check. He was very adamant.

"Yes, Amayn I swear."

The next morning Amayn had a smaller ship prepared for Diana to travel to Themyscira. He was worried for her after all she was his wife. She was escorted by him to the ship. On the side of her head was a bandage and her veil luckily covered it. Seeing her off she waited in her private quarters until the ship landed four hours later on Themyscira.

Amayn had briefly advised Hippolyta that Diana would be visiting the healing isle to be examined as she had been ill since arriving back from her travels. Hippolyta, of course, did not oppose and gladly would like any excuse to see Diana again. She hardly got to speak with her.

Finally arriving on her home land Diana stepped out and was greeted by several Amazon guards, her mother and little sister. Her mother lifted the veil to set atop her head and saw a bandage on her left temple.

All gasped, "What is this? What happened to you my child? Did he hurt you?" her eyes flashed and Diana could have sworn they turned a darker shade of grey and she shook her head 'no'.

"No mother, I fainted yesterday afternoon."

"Fainted? By the gods what are you doing outside that has made you faint so?" she looked over her daughter and saw no other injuries.

Diana smiled, "That is why I am here." She reminded her mother the reason she was here.

Hippolyta stopped and then realized why Diana was here, "Of course. Epione has been waiting for you."

Donna accompanied Diana to the healing isle as their mother was in the middle of a meeting with the Senate, still debating over Queen Aline's arrangements. Diana thought they had all of this settled, but apparently not.

Epione was changing the sheets on the bed near the open room. A nice breeze filled the white marble room –not like it was yesterday, blazing hot! She saw the two sisters come in and smiled at them both.

"Princess and Queen," she smiled at Diana as she remembered her new title.

"Good morning Epione. It has been such a long time since I have been here." She looked around at the forest beyond the room and thought of all the wonderful times she has had in those forests.

"I'll be waiting outside, Diana," Donna smiled and left the room far enough to where she couldn't hear what the two were discussing.

After Diana changed into a simple white gown she laid down on the bed. She sighed as she lay down on the soft fabric. She missed this kind of fabric. They didn't have this kind of sheets on Arrakus. Epione came next to her and was looking over her body for any other injuries besides the cut on the side of her head.

"So, I have only been informed that you have been ill since you came back from your travels is this true?" she started to put her hands on Diana, trying to relax her muscles.

"Yes. It was so sudden though. It's been bothering me for at least two weeks now."

Epione eyed her carefully. "Have you been eating properly?"

Diana sighed, "Not really. Food is so unappetizing to me right now. If I just get a waft of it I will run to the bathroom or at least have an urge to."

"I see." Epione rolled up Diana's dress to examine her legs and abdominals. She placed her hands around Diana's thighs and found nothing abnormal there, same with her arms, neck glands, chest area and no tension in her shoulder muscles. She looked at Diana and saw she was staring at the ceiling peacefully and had one leg crossed over the other. The physician placed her hand on Diana's abdomen and put a tad of pressure there.

"Does that bother you?"

"It's a bit uncomfortable." Diana lifted her leg slightly from the minor discomfort.

Epione used two of her fingers to examine the rest of Diana's lower abdominal area and then rolled Diana's back down to her knees and smiled.

"What's wrong with me?" Diana asked not sure why the woman was smiling.

"Nothing is wrong with you, your highness." She washed her hands and called out from across the room.

Now Diana was even more confused than ever. Nothing wrong? Yes there was, this was not normal for her.

"You are pregnant." The blonde Amazon smiled and Diana had a look of shock and fear in her face.

"W…what?"

"Yes, you are pregnant. Shall I go alert Donna?" she asked and almost left.

"No! I….ah…will tell her myself, thank you." The healer left the room and retreated to other patients across the hall.

Diana continued to stare at the ceiling and suddenly she felt even sicker before she arrived here. She placed a hand on her stomach and held in her breath for a moment, hoping it was a dream and she would wake up.

"No…." she said in a low meek voice.

AN: exams over! Finally! Yeah, Diana finally knows now, dear lord save her lol. Until next time people!

RR (: