Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: The sea has always been the Valiant's but when she sets out on a quest with her favored knight, Tarrin Peridanson, Lucy finds both danger and adventure. Will a quest set by Nereids bring Lucy and Tarrin together or tear them apart?

A/N: If you have not read the first eleven stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, Unveiled, Eclipsed, and Obscured), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can. Glistened takes place concurrent with the events of Brightened (post-chapter 20) so that story is not included in the summaries.

Chapter Nineteen – A Revelation

13 Fairdawn 1015

"Child, you have caused more grief in a single pregnancy than even your mother managed through six. And she had difficulty with you."

Alambiel couldn't help smiling at Tuulea's exasperated declaration as the Black Elder Nymph swept into the bedchamber. "I love you too, Tuulea. And none of my more…exciting moments were in any way planned or intended."

Tuulea gave her a stern look but amusement made her eyes twinkle. "Your mother said the same thing and Keziah before her as well. I shall tell you what I told them. Exciting moments during pregnancy are never planned but you must certainly try harder to avoid them."

"Yes, Tuulea," she intoned dutifully. She watched the older Nymph pull out the short wooden horn for listening to the baby's heartbeat before she asked softly, "How do you know the difference between centaur and nymph when the baby is constantly kicking too fast to determine by counting?"

Tuulea smiled. "That is where I help. Alithia said your little one turned so it hasn't been as easy to hear the heartbeat or feel the kicks. Let us see if that's changed today." She glanced at Neith who had draped her forepaws across her ankles then turned back to her. "Where is that husband of yours?"

Alambiel laughed softly. "He has meetings. Peter has been rather insistent although the why has been kept from me. Apparently I'm no use to strategy or meetings or the like when I'm too busy avoiding exciting moments."

"You have long said you find those sorts of things boring," Tuulea countered as she moved the nightgown back to expose her belly. "If you did not protest so hard, they wouldn't be so inclined to believe you. And those meetings have a habit of drawing you into high emotions even when you are not pregnant, so I approve of your exclusion."

"Everyone is being mean to me," she retorted, not bothering to hide her grin. She turned her gaze to the Leopardess still pinning her ankles. "Do you see what I must put up with, Neith?"

Ochre eyes shone with amusement as a golden head dipped slightly. "Most lamentable, my lady. Clearly you must take better care of yourself then you will be able to fuss at the General and the High King without falling asleep…or terrifying them with your tears."

Alambiel blinked at the Leopardess then focused on Tuulea as the Nymph laughed softly. "I feel as though I was scolded again." She wiggled a foot until the Leopardess shifted a paw to hold her still and lowered her chin, adding some extra weight. She rolled her eyes but didn't protest as Tuulea pressed the horn against her stomach. Her good mood dampened somewhat when the healer frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Your foal has merely inherited your flair for dramatics and teasing."

"I don't have dramatics…usually."

Now Tuulea laughed longer as she set the horn down. "Child, you have had a flair for dramatics from the day you were born. Sweet but most definitely dramatic." She rested her hands on Alambiel's stomach and began pressing. "Now. Let's see if we can coax your little foal into revealing an answer, hmm?"

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

"I think it would be best to consult Lune and arrange a meeting with Sisemaal," King Edmund stated firmly. "The matter of pirates and slavers needs to be addressed on all fronts. But we need to stay out of Calormen for at least a year in light of our…difficulties with Rabadash last year and the small matter of the Tisroc attempting to assassinate Su this spring."

Oreius flicked his tail but didn't speak at the reminder of the trouble that had come so close to stealing one of his fillies. Spring had proven more treacherous than even fighting Giants in more than one way. Instead, he watched the Four as the Gentle paled but raised her chin. Her voice was steady as she spoke. "Calormen prefers to avoid following our treaties as they should. Approaching them on the heels of such…unfriendliness between our countries would be unwise in any case. Lune is expecting a visit with news about Cor. Not to mention the return of young Corin to his court. And we should extend an invitation for Lune to visit Cair Paravel as soon as possible."

His golden colt nodded. "Maybe we should send Peridan and Tarrin with the invitation. Prepare a summit, a small summit, here in Cair Paravel."

Queen Lucy stirred and he wondered if she was going to reveal all that had happened between her and Peridan's son. No, that seemed unlikely given her reluctance to even speak of her quest. Her gaze flickered to him before she spoke. "Tarrin is still helping me with my own task, Peter, and we will continue after my birthday. Will Cor not be returning to Anvard with his brother? And what of Aravis?"

The Gentle answered before his golden colt could do more than frown at his youngest sister's words. "I spoke with Kat yesterday. She is firmly against the idea of sending Cor or Aravis back to Anvard. She fears returning Cor too soon would leave Anvard to choke the life out of him before he even figures out what it means to truly live. And as a Tarkheena, Aravis is safer in our court."

That sounded very much like his Alambiel. If she were not still on bedrest, she would not doubt be here arguing the very same words. He hoped she wasn't attempting anything unwise. Alithia had only approved the return of the cordial to the Valiant that morn. There was still the possibility that she could overdo.

Realizing he'd allowed his mind to wander, Oreius quickly forced his attention back to the meeting. The last meeting of the day, thank Aslan. The High King was speaking. "What do you think, Oreius?"

"It is my belief that we should not invite a summit just yet. Calormen is not our friend but in the wake of the Tisroc's excuses for his son and soldiers' behavior, he will not look kindly on being excluded from a gathering as official as a summit." Oreius paused, debating the vulnerabilities of the Cair and her rulers, before he continued solemnly, "The matter of piracy, of continued slavery in the Eastern Sea and among Narnia's territories is a grave issue. As is the concern over the Ogres harassing our borders. We cannot invite strangers to enter Narnia, allies or no, under the current circumstances. We also do not know how long the drought will last through the summer. It will not harm Cair Paravel for some time even with lending aid to the nearest villages. However, we must move with caution."

His dark colt nodded. "I agree with Oreius. The situation with Calormen alone would be a nightmare on its own. We can't risk combining another war, this one aimed at Narnia and not Archenland alone, with our current difficulties. I propose that Peridan and I escort Prince Corin back to Anvard. There's been some uneasiness in the court about Lune's decision to send both sons with us last summer. And there's a Sisemaal delegation in Anvard for their Midsummer festivals and the fortnight after. Peridan can use his kinship ties to help facilitate further meetings. I'll consult with Peridan but I think it will be best if we arrive in time of Anvard's festivals."

"You can leave after Lucy's birthday," the Gentle interjected firmly. "We need at least one celebration where we are all present, which we have not managed since William's christening in Nor'Wind. We weren't even all present for the new year last month."

King Edmund raised his hands in surrender. "I yield, Su. I yield."

King Peter chuckled as he clapped his hands together. "All right. I think we have a suitable plan now. After Lucy's birthday party, of course. And unless someone has any other news to contribute, I think this meeting is over."

He hopped out of his chair and was already crossing to the door when his brother called, "Where are you rushing off to, Pete?"

"I promised Thalia that I would take William while she visits with her mother and Vedis over dinner. I intend to carry on the conversation we started last night before he fell asleep mid-word."

"He still isn't talking." King Edmund dodged his elder sister's reprimanding smack and hurried out in his brother's wake.

Queen Susan shook her head in fond exasperation before turning a gentle smile on him. "You will let us know if you and Kat need anything, won't you, Oreius?"

He bowed slightly. "Of course, My Queen. Thank you."

"Are you going to another meeting?" Queen Lucy asked as she rose with her sister.

"No, Your Majesties. Unless an urgent matter comes up, I will be spending the rest of the evening with my wife. If you will excuse me?"

They both smiled as they nodded their dismissal.

Finally taking his leave, Oreius was more than a little relieved that the meeting had not ended with a request from the High King to immediately leave on patrol. The border was filled with more rumors than ever of Ogres and he knew it was only a matter of time before he would need to join a patrol to determine their truth. The previous scouting parties continued to bring back conflicting reports filled with more hearsay and rumor than actual proof. It needed to be addressed. He knew it and yet he would far prefer to delay leaving until the healers were truly certain that Alambiel and their foal were well.

Sobek and Amun, a black Leopard normally assigned to the Queens, stood guard inside the sitting room. Both bowed their heads at his entrance with Sobek muttering, "Neith is close but only Tuulea and Leeta have visited today."

Oreius gave a curt nod. "Very good. You may consider yourselves relieved."

"Aye, General." The Big Cats stalked out into the hall.

Pushing open the door to their bedchamber, he was surprised to find Alambiel awake and frowning at paperwork. "You are supposed to be resting."

"Someone has to update the limited duty roster," she muttered, still looking at her papers. "And do it correctly." She looked up then to grace him with a frown. "Stop giving the limited duty roster to the swordmasters. They have no idea what they are doing. Even though I clearly label the sections, they still make a mess of it. If I can't handle the roster, give it to Caia or Alithia or Leeta if she's here and I'm not. They at least can follow my system."

He studied her then looked at Leeta as she accepted the paperwork from his wife with a faint smile. He supposed he should be grateful Alambiel wasn't in a truly poor mood. Still it would be wise to placate her. "I will make certain the roster goes into the proper hands. Caia or Alithia may take care of it until you are able to resume your duties."

Alambiel rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue in tacit disapproval. "I can handle a little paperwork while pregnant and even while on bedrest. I don't obsess over it like you do, a chara." She set her quill down on the nightstand next to the bottle of ink then held out both hands. "Now, come help me up."

Neith moved from where she had been lying across Alambiel's legs, allowing his wife to wriggle around and swing her feet down. She gave him the enigmatic smirk of all Cats but said nothing before bowing her head and leaping off the bed. Oreius allowed the Leopardess to take her leave as he approached the bed and gently pulled Alambiel to her feet. She waved him off when he tried to escort her into the bath, leaving him to gather more documents and reports from their bed.

He frowned as he carried them to their shared study. Alambiel willingly doing her paperwork normally indicated she was troubled in some way. Had the visit with Tuulea not gone well? Leeta looked up at his approach and extended her hand for the papers. "I'll take care of those, General."

"How long has she been doing paperwork?"

"Only two hours." The Nymph paused, once more looking amused, as she continued, "She said that if no one could be bothered to visit her, she might as well distract herself while waiting for your return."

His brow furrowed. "Tuulea's visit was not enough?" She could not have been left to her own devices for more than a few minutes at a time between Leeta and Neith's presence. He had made it clear to them that his wife was not to be left alone and he knew they would never willingly allow Alambiel out of sight in her current condition even if he had not requested it of them.

Leeta smiled, a mix of amusement and fondness lighting her black eyes. She carefully laid out the paperwork into neat stacks on Alambiel's desk as she replied, "My aunt gave Alambiel much to consider as well as several lectures about the varying degrees of wisdom she's demonstrated of late. I don't know if my lady enjoyed those quite so much but she was happy enough when Tuulea took her leave…two hours ago."

Now he allowed himself to smile as some of the tension left his body and he could breathe a little easier. "Ah, I see. Thank you, Leeta."

The Nymph dipped a slight curtsey. "Shall I have supper brought up now or wait for her cravings to be determined again?"

"Have they changed since last night?"

"Not yet."

Oreius hesitated. "Perhaps waiting would be best. I should check on her."

Leeta's smile widened before she busied herself with the papers once more. No doubt she was as relieved as he was that Alambiel's visit with Tuulea had clearly gone well. And she was in a bright enough mood to exaggerate and tease. That was a good sign.

His own relief vanished when he returned to their bedchamber to find Alambiel bracing one hand against the doorframe and the other against her back. Her head was bowed as she breathed out slowly. "What is wrong? More pains?"

Fear threatened when she didn't respond but he pushed it aside as he focused on his wife. Swiftly closing the distance between them, he wrapped both hands around her shoulders as he ducked his head to look at her. Her eyes were closed. A fresh coil of fear struck and he barely kept from tightening his grip on her shoulders. "Alambiel? Do I need to summon Tuulea?"

She shook her head. "No." Opening her eyes, she offered a rueful smile. "Nothing's wrong. Our little one just kicked the breath out of me again. Revenge for allowing Tuulea to be more aggressive in the examination, I think. Or at least a strongly worded protest."

A sigh escaped him and he pressed a kiss to her temple before he straightened. "Allow me to help you back to bed, sweet, then I shall remind the foal to be more gentle with you."

Her soft laughter was a welcome sound. "As interesting as that conversation is bound to be, I'm not ready to go back to bed just yet." She smiled up at him, invitation making her eyes shine, as she added, "Walk with me?"

Oreius couldn't help the frown that leapt to life. Their last walk in Cair Paravel together had ended with her abduction. Not that he would remind her of it. Though there would be no more walks outside the protective walls of Cair Paravel for a very long time. He took care to keep his tone gentle, however. "You are on bedrest. There is to be no walking about without an express purpose and it is to be kept to a minimum."

Alambiel blew out a breath then reached up to pat her braided and pinned hair. "Oreius. Tuulea said that I can spend an hour out of bed and moving as long as it's sedate. She offered to let me walk this afternoon but I decided to wait for you. Don't spoil it, a chara. I'm sure I'll find something to throw at you if you do."

"Throw what you wish, I will catch it. However, I will not agree to a walk," he stated firmly. At the hint of hurt in her eyes, he softened his tone slightly as he continued, "It is too warm for you in our quarters when you are still, my star. It will only grow worse if we go walking. Perhaps if you are able to spend an hour out of bed, you would prefer a bath being drawn for you now it is no longer forbidden. Would that suit for tonight?" He hesitated then added, "I will speak with Tuulea tomorrow about the rules for this walking hour and plan accordingly. Just not tonight, Alambiel."

His wife clicked her tongue then offered a slight nod as the hurt faded from her gaze, thank Aslan. "I'd rather walk but a bath would be nice and cooling." She glanced at him. "Perhaps while the bath is being filled, you'll come with me into the nursery. An acceptably brief walk, yes?"

He hesitated but there was an earnestness in her gaze that forbade his denial. "Very well." He bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead then murmured, "Give me a moment to inform Leeta that our supper will be delayed until after your bath. Do not move."

Leeta was waiting patiently in the sitting room but merely smiled when he informed her of the change in plans. Fortunately, Alambiel hadn't moved for once as he closed the bedchamber doors and crossed the distance to her side once more. She wrapped both hands around his proffered arm and grinned as they walked into the nursery. "I intend to wear something other than my nightgowns when I'm awake beginning tomorrow. A few more days of bedrest as a precaution then I can start doing more. There's still so much to be done to prepare for the baby."

Oreius chuckled as he motioned to the room around them. "You have already prepared the nursery. Our little one will not be wanting even if you do nothing else save rest until their arrival."

Alambiel released his arm in favor of walking to the crib positioned against the far wall. "Not wanting but it's not truly ready yet." Before he could ask her meaning, she rested a hand on the crib's railing and turned slightly to look at him. "Would you move this for me? I need it to be turned so it sticks out."

"I thought you wanted space?" Still he hurried to do her bidding before it occurred to her to attempt to move it herself. Lion above knew Tuulea and Alithia would have his head if he were to give Alambiel a chance to overdo because he was slow to react. Gripping the foot of the crib, it was easy to turn it so it now jutted out into the room.

"We need to adjust for more furniture in here," came her thoughtful reply as she placed a hand on her stomach, her attention apparently focused on whatever changes she was planning.

"We do?"

"Mmmhmm. Definitely need more furniture." She turned and counted her steps as she walked from the newly adjusted crib to the window.

Oreius frowned, trying to decipher why she was changing the nursery's layout. Not to mention moving the crib. She had been perfectly happy with it and hadn't mentioned making any further changes. Unless… "Alambiel, what furniture are you adding? Is it… Do you require another crib?"

"We need a cradle, yes."

Lion preserve him… His grip on the crib's railing tightened as his mind raced with the new information. He hadn't expected . . . Shouldn't such a development have been detected sooner? However, she still hadn't truly said… "Alambiel." When she turned to look at him, he held up two fingers. "Two?"

She stared at him, head tilted with puzzlement written across her face before it vanished in a burst of laughter. "Oh! You think… No!" She laughed again as she approached him, a smile still dancing across her lips. "I realize that I appear huge already but I am not carrying twins. I would be even bigger if that were true. As terrifying as that must seem," she added drily.

He frowned. Confusion accompanied by a relief he would most certainly not be sharing with his wife no matter how amused she appeared. The guards were not prepared to tend to the arrival of twins as well as protecting Alambiel. He looked down at the crib then met his wife's still laughing gaze. "Then why do we need a second?"

She grinned at him. "We need a cradle to keep in our room at first. Oh and a changing table for in here and I want a rocking chair. Maybe two." Her eyes lit with a mix of pure joy and excitement as she clapped her hands. "We should get one of the hooded rocking cradles, the ones Riverstone makes are beautiful. Silverstone and Deianeira purchased one when they had Shayna. He makes each one unique though so we can't wait too long to commission one. No later than the week after our anniversary. Oh and we'll need dangles!"

Oreius stared at her. Her words were nearly swirling through his mind. He closed the scant distance between them and caught her hands in his. "You… You carry a filly? We are to have a daughter?"

Alambiel stilled save for wrapping her fingers around his. Her eyes were wide and a hint of uncertainty crept into their blue depths as she searched his. "You're not disappointed I told you, are you? I just… I wanted to have something good to share."

He couldn't speak only shake his head, a wave of unlooked for emotion choking him. Slowly a grin creeped across his face until his cheeks ached. "We are to have a daughter," he pronounced with deep satisfaction as he pulled her into a tender embrace. "Alambiel, I am so grateful you told me."

It was all he could do not to shout for all the palace, no, all of Cair Paravel and half of Narnia to hear. He had not thought his excitement at Sweethearts' Day when Alambiel had first revealed her pregnancy would be surpassed before the birth of their foal. Yet somehow knowing the foal was to be a filly made it all the more precious and real, just as it would have to learn she carried a colt. He could plan specific protection for their little one now. Another good thing to learning this news though he knew better than to retreat to their study to begin adjusting the guards accordingly…at least not until after Alambiel was asleep for the night.

His grin, foolish as it was, lingered through Alambiel's bath and then supper (which had not changed from the night before) and even through the process of helping his wife settle comfortably in their bed. A task that had grown far easier now they no longer needed to work around her wounded back. Her hair was still pinned up and she insisted on putting the coverlet away but she allowed him to stay close tonight. Even knowing he was likely contributing to her feeling overly warm, he couldn't quite bring himself to move away. Not yet.

While Alambiel relaxed against the piled pillows, he murmured to their foal…to their daughter. He felt Alambiel's fingers comb through his hair as he placed an ear against her stomach. She'd stopped chattering about her plans for making the nursery perfectly suited to their daughter some time ago and was now oddly quiet instead of teasing him over the attention he lavished to their filly. "Does something trouble you, my star?"

Alambiel's fingers paused before resuming threading through his hair. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, as she murmured, "It doesn't bother you, does it? That we will have a filly first and not a colt?"

Keeping one hand on her stomach, he straightened to look her in the eye. "No. I am pleased we have been blessed with a foal. We will have a colt another time. For now…" He grinned. "For now, I am very happy to welcome our little filly this Sunbend or Twirleaf." Movement beneath his hand distracted him and his grin somehow grew as he dared to press against Alambiel's stomach. An action immediately rewarded with rapid taps. "Our little one is most pleased to make her presence known, I think."

"She may be a Nymph but she kicks like a Centaur," Alambiel groaned. But she still smiled. "I'm glad you're not disappointed… I fear all those conversations with the imposter baroness made more of an impact on me than I originally believed."

"The words of an imposter are as valuable as counterfeit coin," he stated bluntly. "Dismiss them into the refuse where they belong." He smiled at her once more as their little foal, his filly kicked against his palm. "Shall I tell our daughter another story tonight or would you prefer to discuss your plans for the adjustments to the nursery some more?"

Alambiel hummed softly as she settled deeper against the pillows. "Maybe a lullaby. See if you can't sway our little girl into calming down enough for her mama to sleep? At least for a few hours before I have to visit the bath again."

"Do you hear that, daughter? You must cease your dancing for a little while and allow Mama to rest." The taps lessened against his hand and he nodded. "Thank you." Meeting Alambiel's amused gaze, he chuckled. Reluctantly withdrawing his hand, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I will bring you a damp cloth then I shall continue persuading our daughter to behave herself."

"Try not to hurt yourself carrying around that swollen ego of yours while you're at it," came her dry retort.

Getting to his feet, he made a point of puffing out his chest and strutting into the bath. Alambiel's laughter was more than enough reward for indulging in such foolishness. Returning to the bed with a bowl of cool water and several cloths, he met Alambiel's raised eyebrows with a shrug. "I thought you might welcome having more than one cloth at a time. If not, it will be faster to change them out this way. Should I adjust your pillows first?"

"Would you add another one under my feet? I think I can feel my ankles swelling again."

After adjusting the pillows to ensure she was as comfortable as possible, he settled beside her. Wringing out the cloth, he started to hum a lullaby. Alambiel closed her eyes with a small smile as he began running the damp cloth from her wrist down to her shoulder. She didn't tease him further, though. Instead, she hummed along with him for a little while. Whenever he drew the cloth along her cheeks and temples, however, she would lean into his touch with a soft sigh.

He was still humming when he finally draped the damp cloth across her throat. She had fallen asleep far sooner than he'd expected. But it was for the best. Despite the cordial's healing, she was still easily exhausted. Something Tuulea kept assuring him was to be expected given the circumstances. Turning his attention back to her stomach, he placed a hand there and was immediately rewarded with a series of kicks. He gave a low chuckle then pressed a kiss against the crest of her stomach before murmuring, "Gently, my little filly, gently. Let your mama rest."

The kicks continued unabated.

Oreius shook his head but didn't laugh for fear of disturbing Alambiel's much needed sleep. "I am beginning to fear you shall mind only as well as your mama. And that will not do. At least not until you are old enough to have learned how to defend yourself. Which shall be well past twenty, young lady."

As the kicks continued, he sighed, "I see. You are arguing. However, you will see Da is right in this matter. But perhaps you would like another lullaby, my sweeting?"

There was a slight pause between the kicks and he nodded. "Ah, you are interested in Da's offering. But you are unsure. Listen to Da and perhaps you'll find this song to your liking, hmm?"

He started humming the lullaby that had soothed generations of centaurs and their centaur-kin daughters. A wave of contentment and joy threatened to overwhelm him as he felt the filly's kicks slowly lessen until she too was calm within her mother's womb. He pressed another kiss to the silk-covered swell before checking on Alambiel. She slept with a smile still curving her lips, not even stirring when he pressed a kiss to them or changed out the cloth on her throat for a freshly damp one. Praise Aslan, they were to have a little filly…and now he knew why Leeta and Neith had been so amused at everything. They had no doubt been present when Tuulea confirmed the foal was a filly but he was glad they had left the telling to Alambiel. It was far more precious to hear from his wife's lips than any other's.

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

A/N: Please Read and Review! I couldn't help bringing some baby joy and fluff into the story after all the turmoil Kat and Oreius have been through in these last two stories. I hope y'all enjoyed it!