Interlude – Mother

I'm going to be a mother. The words are so strange, and I'm torn. On the one hand, I'm ecstatic. Just some bubbly happiness I can't explain, along with being happy that all my loved ones are also happy. Seriously, they're all smiling and happy, even if all of them have become mother hens.

At the same time, I'm terrified. I'm a Vessel. Will my child be a Vessel too? Will there be some sort of taint? Will they carry the brand? I'm scared. I'm so, so scared…

Libra became my 'official' healer fairly quickly after we returned to Ylisstol and we announced my pregnancy to the delighted populace. There were a couple of reasons for it. He was the oldest and most experienced of the three healers I knew, and he was also quiet and calm. Lissa giggled far too much, though I did love her cheer, while Maribelle would get sidetracked by fussing over everything the baby would need.

The third reasons was, of course, so that I could watch him casually flirt with Cordelia and then pretend to be confused when she started blushing and stammering. It was hilarious to watch.

"You two are so adorable," I laughed, once I was certain Cordelia had left. She'd been red to the roots of her hair and I'd shown a little mercy by asking her to let Robin know I probably wouldn't make it to our lunch. "I'm so happy for you two."

"It is a strange feeling, having such happiness," Libra murmured. He washed his hands in the corner, smiling. "But you know that feeling too."

"Yes, I do." To be so happy that you had no idea what to do… I felt it every day. "She's also just fun to tease, isn't it?"

"Extremely." He dried his hands, turning to face me. "So, how are you feeling?"

"Tired, nauseous, and I feel like my pulse is higher than a pegasus in flight."

"I see." He walked over and began carefully checking me over through staff and prodding. I had to fight to keep from squirming in my chair, and instead, tried to focus on the room. Unfortunately, it was just a plain room by the infirmary with no ornamentation. "You're still in very good health, so I believe it is simply your body still adapting to carry the baby."

"This is going to be a very uncomfortable few months, isn't it?"

"Very." He smiled kindly. "But we'll do what we can for you, okay?"

"Ugh." I made a face, and he laughed. "So, anyway, what do I need to…?" A knock on the door startled me, and I frowned. "Come in?"

"Sorry to bother?" Robin opened the door, smiling slightly. "I actually got done early, so…" he began, shrugging. "I can come back?"

"No, no, we just finished the checkup," Libra reassured with a kind, calm smile. "I was just about to leave."

"Oh, okay." Robin grinned. "Thanks, Libra. I think Cordelia was going to get something to eat."

"More like she was going to work. I'll get her." Libra shook his head, noticeably exasperated, but still, his smile was fond. "Until later."

"Bye!" Robin stepped out of Libra's way and closed the door behind him. "Now, I know you said you couldn't make lunch, but there's something I need to tell you!"

"Really?" I asked, curious. I thought about standing, but decided to just remain seated in the chair. It was by the window, after all, and had a pretty view of the courtyard. "What is it?"

"Well…" He fidgeted a little, blushing. "I… confessed to Oliva!" he blurted. He grinned as I stared. "And she said she felt the same! So, we're… what's the word? Dating? Courting?"

"That's wonderful, Robin!" I laughed, absolutely delighted by the news. "And here I thought you'd have cold feet forever!"

"I'm going to be an uncle. Nothing more terrifying than that. Save maybe becoming a father. Chrom's been fretting a lot." He flashed a grin, but let it fall for a serious look. "Happy news aside, I've also been worried. I don't think most have noticed, but I know something is wrong."

"Seriously? You don't have memories. How can you still read me well?"

"It's a skill I worked very hard to recover." He smirked and I rolled my eyes. "So?"

"I'm not going to be able to get out of this, am I?" I sighed when he shook his head. "I…" I hesitated a bit. It was hard to say. "…I'm scared."

"You'll be fine."

"Oh, I know that. I'm nothing if not durable, brother." I looked down at my still flat belly. "But I can't help but wonder if our lineage…"

"Oh, the Grima thing." He sounded so nonchalant, and I was tempted to smack him for it, but his smile was kind when I actually looked up. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"And the Grimleal?"

"Your child will be of Grima and Naga both, shadow and light." He stood up and hugged me. "Heir to a country, beloved by many. I dare anyone try to harm them. It'll be fine. They'll be fine."

"…I hope so." I leaned into him and closed my eyes. It wasn't quite what I was worried about, but it was close enough. I could explain the real reason. Even now, 'we are Vessels of Grima' was a sentence that choked me whenever I tried to say them. "So, tell me more about how you confessed?"

"Sure."

It should have been simple. I'd just been walking to my study and had lifted my arms to stretch. But a sharp pang in my stomach resulted, and I got nervous. Perhaps I'd been overreacting, but I knew, from gossip, that miscarriages were most common during the first trimester. I was only three months in, and if I'd done something…

Libra taking it just as seriously soothed my nerves somewhat, but I didn't relax until I saw him smile. "I can find nothing wrong," he reassured me, resting a hand on my back. I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'd like you to stay near the infirmary today, though, just in case. If something happens, I can react far more quickly."

"Thank you," I murmured. I felt bad, taking up so much of his time. "In retrospect, I could have just moved wrong while stretching, or stretched more than I thought."

"Very true, and I think that's just what happened. But, again, you'll stay in a nearby room."

"Just in case."

"Libra, I heard Kestrel was in here!" Lissa swung into the infirmary then, bouncing on her toes. I'd sent Cordelia to let Lissa know I wouldn't make it to tea today. "Everything okay?" she asked, frowning slightly. "Looks like it?"

"A false alarm, we hope, but she'll rest for the day," Libra replied. He helped me stand up from my chair. "Can you assist with that?"

"I've got just the room." Lissa grinned and took my hand. "And a swing over here~!" She tugged me to a room only two doors down and ushered me inside. "You sit. I'll get the place clean and cheerful."

"Sorry about this," I told her, carefully sitting down in the lone chair. The only other place was the bed without sheets or a blanket. I almost laughed at how that lack bothered me; I used to just be grateful for a mattress. "Today is your day off."

"I see no problem with using it to help my sister-in-law!" she reassured, grinning. She darted out of the room briefly and returned with sheets, blankets, pillows, and cleaning rags. "Besides, all I really wanted to do was bug you about names for the baby."

"I haven't thought of names yet." I shrugged, watching her messily try to prepare the bed. My fingers twitched to fix it, but she looked so determined that I couldn't help but let her keep trying. "I just want them born without complications."

"Everything will be okay!" Lissa grinned at me before returning to her work. "So, names? Any ideas? You should come up with a whole bunch."

"Well…"

"My pardon." Libra poked his head in, carrying a piece of paper. I recognized it as where he kept track of my checkups. "I'd like to confirm something," he explained. "May I?"

"Of course," I reassured. It saved me from having to think of names. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing wrong, but something I need to confirm." He brought his staff over and carefully did another check up, frequently looking back at the paper. After a while, though, he smiled. "I'd like to keep an eye on it, but my queen…" His smile warmed. "I think you're carrying twins."

Lissa's squeal of delight nearly broke the damn window, but I couldn't help but laugh and laugh at the fact that I, a twin, was apparently going to give birth to more twins. What were the freaking odds?

"I'm not sure exchanging nausea for random bits of bleeding is a fair trade," I complained, spitting out a little more blood. "Ugh…"

"Libra said it was normal," Sumia helpfully reminded me. She pulled a coat around me and ushered me to a small table. "And the servants brought you a tea that should help."

"Ugh…" I half-glowered at the ground, feeling annoyed. "I'm just pregnant. I've endured countless injuries. Why is this enough to knock me down?"

"Because you're creating a life, remember?" Sumia giggled and adjusted my coat. "Think of it as being in battle constantly."

"Well, that'll explain why I'm so short of breath all the time." I growled a couple of curses under my breath, annoyed. Lissa even had to take over some of my work on orphanages and free lessons (with meals) for the populace. "This is going to get so much worse, isn't it?"

"Especially since you're carrying twins!" Sumia giggled and I just facepalmed. I had so much respect for my own mother at the moment. She'd dealt with the same while being surrounded by Grimleal. Though, she might've been just as spoiled. "Relax. It's okay."

"But you were supposed to be out on a date with Frederick today." She and Maribelle had the day off because I was supposed to be with Lissa all day today, and Maribelle had left late last night to spend the day with her father, introducing him to Lon'qu and the like. So, when I'd suddenly been unable to attend, Sumia had been stuck staying with me. Because Cordelia also had the day off, and was out with Libra.

"Frederick and I can go on a date another time." She smiled sweetly, but somehow, it only made me feel worse. "We were just going to have a picnic."

"Still, though…" Because Sumia was constantly with me, and because Frederick was constantly with Chrom, it took a lot of juggling to secure them a simultaneous day off. I hated it.

"Relax, Kestrel. Frederick and I are both glad to serve, and you don't really want to be alone right now, right?" She grinned and I reluctantly nodded. It was almost amusing how much I hated being alone, but then again, even at the worst, I'd had Robin with me. "See? Besides, the weather looks like it's turning bad anyway, so we'll just read. There's a new Ribald tale out, you know."

"I find it so funny that those books skip the pregnancy part of things." I grinned and finally reached for my tea. I paused, though, as my instincts flared. Something about this tea… it smelled off. It looked off. I couldn't even explain why. It was just… "Sumia?"

"Yes?"

"What tea is this?"

"It was made by the cooks, to help you?" Sumia frowned when she noticed how stiff I was. "We've the pot right here. You want me to see what's in it?"

"…Yeah." I leaned back in my chair, staring at the tea. "Something feels off."

"I'll be right back. Don't touch it." Sumia disappeared down the hall, tripping only once that I saw, eyes blazing with determination. I waited stiffly, focusing on keeping my breathing as even as possible. I prayed that I was just paranoid, but I couldn't take that risk. I really couldn't take the risk.

Thankfully, Sumia returned fairly quickly, Tharja and Gaius in tow. Both Tharja and Gaius looked a little disheveled, with the hickeys on Gaius's neck hinting that they'd been in the middle of making out, but both didn't seem bothered by the interruption. Gaius even gave me a reassuring pat on the back as Tharja carefully shifted through the herbs in the pot and ran magic over the cup. It turned out that I'd need that reassurance, and that my instincts were more than correct.

"Herbs that induce miscarriage?" I whispered, feeling horrifically cold. If I hadn't already been sitting, I would've buckled. As it was, Gaius gripped my shoulder and Sumia brushed my hair back. "Really?"

"Quite a few, truthfully," Tharja confirmed, frowning over the herbs. "Granted, they're not all that effective on their own like this anyway, only about a fifty percent chance, and that percentage decreases significantly once you're out of the first trimester."

"That's…"

"Some of these, though, are poisonous. Not in this dose, but it could mess you up for a while." She looked at me, expression somewhere between blank indifference and quiet sympathy. "It's certainly a message, if nothing else."

"Someone isn't happy about the birth of royal heirs," Gaius murmured. He tightened his grip on my shoulder, and smiled when I looked up at him. "However, I'm sure they were careless. I'll track down who arranged this. Some of these herbs have to be expensive, right?"

"To get them in Ylisse, certainly," Tharja agreed. She crossed her arms, eyes narrowed. "A sloppy effort, but one nonetheless."

"That leaves tracks. May take a few months, depending, but I can track them. And I will. I promise." His smile faded. "But until then, you be very careful about what you eat and drink. No offense to your cooks, but have someone watch them."

"I can place a few curses, if need be." Tharja crossed her arms and smiled slowly, eyes glinting in clear threat. "I detest such sloppiness, and I detest such petty targeting."

"It'll be a busy few weeks, Sunshine." Gaius grinned back. I decided I'd at least try to be reassured. "We'll take these and get started. Servant brought it?"

"Yes, a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a scar on her neck," Sumia explained. She shifted to half-hugging me. I was still in a little bit of shock. "That's all I can remember, sadly. I only remember the scar because I wondered if she got it during the attack."

"It's enough to get started, Stumbles," Gaius reminded. He gave me another pat on the shoulder and removed the still-full teacup from the table. "Shall we, Sunshine?" The two left and Sumia shifted to hugging me outright. I clung a little to her, glad that I'd listened to my instincts and a little bitter that someone had wanted to hurt me that much.

It made sense. Not even the gods liked me, after all.

"My bras no longer fit," I grumbled, wincing. I'd been told that my breasts would swell up thanks to the pregnancy, but it was one thing to hear it, and it was another to realize there was no way I was stuffing my boobs into my normal bras, and not just because of the size. "I hurt…"

"Aren't you staying in bed today anyway?" Chrom asked. He hugged me from behind and kissed my temple. "You could barely get up today."

"This being too short of breath to do anything thing is really getting old." I sighed and leaned into him, sulking. "Seriously."

"You're carrying two babies, remember? That's a lot of work." He kissed my cheek and helped me back into my nightgown and under the covers. "You should rest."

"But I feel useless…"

"You're caring for our unborn children. That's far from useless." He sat on the bed and brushed the hair out of my face. "You're just frustrated."

"I am. Very." I hated being in pain. I hated feeling swollen. I hated feeling like I couldn't do anything without gasping for air. "This just sucks."

"I'm sorry." He kissed my forehead, my cheek, and my neck. I squirmed at the ticklish feeling, gripping his sleeve. "I'd take it away if I could."

"I'm just being whiny." I disliked all of this, really. Why couldn't that old story about 'the bird brought the baby to waiting parents' have been true? That would've been far too easy. "I'm sorry."

"Kestrel, you get to complain as much as you want." He smiled at me and ran his hand through my hair. "But you should really rest today."

"I've done nothing but rest." But he was also right. If I could barely get out of bed today, then I really couldn't do much else. "You have work."

"I do." He made a face and I laughed, unable to help it. "I'd rather be here reassuring you."

"You are the Exalt, and I will be most vexed if you put off work for me."

"I know." He sighed and got off the bed. I fixed his shirt and he smiled. "I'll try to swing by during lunch."

"You'll eat first and then if you have time. I don't want you cutting things short for me."

"I know; I know." He caught my hands and kissed them. "I'll be off."

"Have a good day." I smiled at him as he left and rested a hand on my stomach. As soon as I did, though, I felt a small 'fluttering' movement and gasped without thinking.

"What's wrong?" Chrom was instantly at my side, reassuring hands on my shoulder. "Do I need to get Libra or-?"

"Chrom." I took one of his hands and placed it on my stomach. A couple seconds later, his eyes widened. He'd felt that 'flutter' too. "Hee… they're moving about. That's going to keep me up, huh?"

"…I love you." He kissed me sweetly, and when he pulled away, his smile was bright and warm. "I love you very, very much."

"Remember that in later months, okay?" I couldn't help but tease, and it got me another kiss. "Get Cordelia in here for me, will you?"

"Okay." He left then with a definitely skip to his step. I laughed and laughed, amused.

Maybe this would all be worth it after all.

Strangely, in my sixth month, I no longer got quite as short of breath. I wasn't sure why that was, but Libra confirmed that my health was still 'perfect for a pregnant woman', so I went out to the market for the first time since I learned of my pregnancy.

"They're so loud," I murmured, flushing from all the cheers. Practically everyone had a bright smile for me. "I'm getting overwhelmed."

"Do you need to sit down, darling?" Maribelle asked. She had a firm hold of my arm, mostly to make sure the crowd didn't steal me away. Today, I insisted Sumia finally go on that date with Frederick, so it was just her and Cordelia with me. "There's a lovely café not far from here."

"I fear if I sit down, then I won't get up." I made a face and she laughed. "But if we could get a little more space?"

"Cordelia?"

"I'm on it," Cordelia reassured. She began gently pushing people back, citing that I was finding it hard to breath. The children looked disappointed, and the man looked confused, but the women in the crowd… their eyes were filled with understanding sympathy. I smiled at them, and quite a few actually winked back. "Better?"

"Much," I murmured, already feeling a little less like I was about to drown. I glanced around the crowd again and smiled, noticing something. "Is Lon'qu following us?"

"He is?" Maribelle asked. She frowned and stood on her tiptoes, but smiled brightly suddenly. "He is! Silly man. He mentioned he was worried. Gaius hasn't found who tried to give you those herbs yet, and this is the first time you've been out."

"He can come join us, you know."

"He's bad with crowds." She giggled, hand coming up to muffle it. A ring I hadn't noticed before sparkled on it. "Very bad."

"…Why did I not see this ring before?" I pointed at it, frowning slightly. "You're engaged?"

"No, not yet. It's…" She giggled again, a pretty blush spreading across her face. "Think of it like a promise? He wants to move past his trauma a bit more before officially asking. Having a wedding as he is now… well, I can't elope. My father would cry."

"I see." I grinned and turned my attention to Cordelia, who eyed the ring with sparkling eyes. "And what of you, dear Cordelia?"

"Huh?" Cordelia yelped. She went bright red, and Maribelle and I laughed. "W-well, Libra and I have talked, a little, but…"

There was a flash of movement behind us. Cordelia reacted instantly, lunging to block. Shrieks echoed through the crowd, even more when Lon'qu burst out to assist Cordelia. Maribelle wrapped herself around me protectively as someone with a blade darted close. But Cordelia skewered them through the head before they could get too close, and Lon'qu literally disarmed another two.

The next couple of hours were a bit of a blur, mostly because so much happened at once, and I felt a little lightheaded. I was escorted back to the castle, to Libra for a checkup. Robin and Chrom both fussed. Actually most of the Shepherds did. Gaius took charge of the surviving attackers. It wasn't until Tharja peeked in on me that I found everything kick back in, and that was mostly because of what she said.

"You're going to use curses on them?" I asked, startled. And worried, because I knew what curses could do. I've seen them. Hell, I've used them. Rarely. I hated my magic. "That's…"

"Relax," she reassured. She even came over to gently touch my cheek, more gently than I would've expected. "I just know a curse that makes it so that they cannot lie. It'll speed things up."

"…Okay." I smiled slightly. I knew of that one. Mom had used it, once. "Sorry…"

"You're of Plegia. You know how dark these curses can go. It's fine." She smiled back and she actually had a pretty smile herself. "For now, rest. Let Gaius and I handle the dirty work."

"Right…" I glanced around, noticing that I was in my room, sitting in front of the fireplace. "Ah, this is a mess."

"You're a queen. People are always going to be threatened by you." She shrugged and her smile both warmed and grew a little wicked-vicious. "I'd say let them. You're no sheep to be shepherded about like your people. You're a Shepherd. Lead the flock. Or burn and eat them. I don't care."

"Tharja!" I laughed, unable to help it. "Ah, maybe I'll feel better when I'm through this pregnancy."

"Probably. My own mother mentioned that she was terribly emotional when pregnant with me." Tharja shrugged again. "Regardless, I thought you might sense dark magic and thought to warn you."

"Thank you." I smiled up at her. "Really, thank you. And pass my thanks to Gaius as well."

"Of course." Tharja left them, but I wasn't alone for long.

Olivia, actually tentatively poked her head in. "Hello," she murmured, smiling shyly. "Do you mind?"

"No, come in," I urged, waving her over. She closed the door behind her, and quickly sat down beside me. "What is it?"

"Well, I realized I didn't know much about you, and yet, I'm dating your twin brother?" She smiled shyly. "Though if you're too tired…"

"I am all for getting to know you better, Olivia." I smiled back. "All I really know about you is that you make Robin happy. Which, admittedly, is amazing in its own right."

"Oh, goodness!" She colored, but laughed. "Well then, let's talk?"

"Sounds good."

"Ugh… my back aches…" I muttered, shuffling oddly. Maybe I could've walked 'properly', but honestly, thanks to my rather sizable baby bump, a shuffle just felt appropriate. "This sucks…"

"Easy, my lady," Frederick urged. He was escorting me to the throne room, mostly because Cordelia had wanted to give the area one more good patrol to make sure everything was safe. "I apologize that you have to tend to this when you should be resting."

"No, I need to. I just feel awful."

"You look lovely."

"I damn well better. Sumia and Maribelle spent nearly an hour." I gave him a sly look. "Gave me plenty of time to tease Sumia about her ring. It's nice, by the way."

"I'm glad you approve." Frederick tried to act nonchalant, but the flush on his face proved otherwise. "I'm allowed to be happy."

"Of course you are." I giggled, just… glad. I was glad he was able to move on, and I was glad he was happy with Sumia. I knew she was happy with him. "Ah, the throne room…"

"Here, my lady." He opened the doors and helped me inside. "You'll be fine."

"For once, I'm not worried about me."

"Everything will be fine."

"Better."

Robin met me then, and helped me to 'my' throne, the seat next to Chrom's. It was apparently custom made for each queen, unlike the Exalt's throne, which was a timeless piece of pale whites and golds that just looked horribly uncomfortable to sit in. The previous Queen's Throne had been a pretty thing of whites and blues. Mine was more silver and whites, and, unlike the previous one, was actually the same size as Chrom's.

Chrom took my hand when we reached the dais and kissed it, before helping me actually sit. Thanks to the bump, it was a little odd doing just about anything. Once I was settled, Chrom sat down as well, and looked over everything with an impassive expression. Robin moved to his side, giving me a small smile before letting his face go blank. Frederick stationed himself just behind Chrom. A flash of red hair told me Cordelia had done the same as Maribelle moved to stand beside me. It was a slow, deliberate process, and it was all to hold the court's attention for a very specific reason.

"Gaius, if you'll come forward," Chrom requested softly. Everyone else in the room held themselves at rigid attention, save for the group of five nobles on their knees before us. "You were looking into this for us."

"I was," Gaius confirmed. He was dressed a little finer than normal, though I caught sight of a little lollipop peeking out of a pocket. I had to fight to keep from smiling at the sight. "These are the idiots who tried to force a miscarriage, poorly, on Queen Kestrel and also the ones who, poorly, tried to have her attacked in the marketplace." He gave us a droll look. "Not sure if you should be more insulted on the attempt or how badly of a job they did, truthfully."

"Well, this is a court of law, so we must focus on the former." Chrom struggled to hide a smile, though. Gaius winked, hinting that it had been on purpose. "So, you five…" Chrom looked right at them. Two were defiant; the rest were looking down. "You have already given your defenses. I will not repeat the idiocy here." Chrom glared as one of the defiant ones opened their mouth. "I said I will not repeat the idiocy here. You have already been judged guilty, by your own peers at that. This is not a trial, but a sentencing."

"So, we ask the court their input," I murmured, shifting slightly to appear a little more vulnerable. This was my part. I knew it. I was the most offended party in this, and even those who hated me would likely show sympathy that I was attacked while pregnant. I did desperately search the crowd for friendly faces. I caught Virion's eye and he winked and mouthed 'magnificent', or so I guessed. It did wonders to reassure me. "Please, weigh in."

The gathered nobles hesitantly called out their thoughts. Most fell to two options: execution or exile. The defiant two continued to glare, and struggled against their bindings. The remaining three held perfectly still, except maybe to shrink further into themselves. Gaius kept a close eye on them all, while Chrom continued to watch impassively.

One tried to snarl at me, but I wasn't afraid. Even if I couldn't attack in this condition, I knew I was safe. Cordelia was behind me. Frederick was behind Chrom. Maribelle was beside me. Robin was just on the other side of Chrom. Chrom had the Falchion. I knew Shepherds were scattered through the crowd. Lissa wasn't here, sadly, since she was handling some diplomatic things for us. But everyone else was. I was safe.

Finally, Chrom held up his hand to stop the noise. "Well, it seems most of you fall in two camps," he murmured. He kept his eyes firmly on the guilty nobles. "What of you, my love? What is your thought?"

"Well, their attempts failed, and thus none were harmed, technically," I replied. I spoke slowly, mostly trying to gather my own thoughts. I'd been warned of this, but even now, I still wasn't sure I had my answer. "Emmeryn, I know, would've shown them mercy. I am inclined to give them a lesser punishment for the attempt, since they did so very poorly." I looked over the nobles, noting the defiant ones. "However, I remember the last time you gave mercy, Chrom. Some set fire to the capital, hurting innocent people. More attempted, and failed, to kill me." I focused my attention right on the defiant ones, and did my very best to school my expression into 'regal indifference'. "Those two. I do not think they can be trusted to not hurt innocents."

Murmurings from the crowd, and the two defiant nobles finally paled. They paled further as Chrom stood up. "I agree, my dear." He drew Falchion as he calmly walked down from the throne. The two defiant ones tried to retreat, but Gaius seized them. Robin followed Chrom and took one from Gaius. "What of the other three?"

"They certainly seem mortified enough to be repentant." I fixed them with a cold stare, but none of the three looked up. "Let them be exiled, and watched."

"Yes, that sounds appropriate." Chrom gestured and Sully and Stahl stepped out from the crowd, dragging the three to the side. The two formerly-defiant ones stared in horror. "But you two… your lives end today."

Chrom swung twice, cutting off their heads with ease. I watched their heads roll and kept my posture. I was the Queen and I'd given my judgment. I'd see it through.

"Last weeks of pregnancy really freaking suck," I groaned. I was seated in a chair, too uncomfortable lying on a bed now. Everything was uncomfortable, really, and I was so incredibly tired. It was almost hard to breath again. "Ugh…"

"It'll be over soon," Maribelle reassured me. She brushed out my hair for me, strangely full and thick considering everything. "The babies due in a month, right? Since they're twins?"

"Libra says that's typical, yes." I winced as I felt a kick. One of the twins was going to have strong legs, clearly. "I feel horrifically swollen."

"Well, your abdomen did stretch to accommodate the babies."

"I know that. I've more stretch marks now." I'd always had a few, of course, but my stomach was lined with them. Any more, and I might as well call myself a 'tiger'. "I just feel…"

"You feel like you've been carrying two children for eight months." Maribelle leaned down to kiss my head, continuing to brush my hair. "I must say, as much as I would love my children to have a sibling, I hope it's not a twin."

"I don't think it's much better. Just some things are more exaggerated." I laughed as a mental image bubbled into my head. "Oh, goodness, Lon'qu would freak out so much."

"He would." She giggled too, eyes very fond. "We've talked about children a bit, but he's quite adamant in waiting. I think he's worried about how his trauma would affect a daughter, and while that potential is there…"

"Mmm… I was certain he wouldn't be afraid of his daughter." But I could see where his fear would come from. After all, I was still afraid for my children. For all I knew, they'd be born with dragon claws and scales. I was a Vessel for Grima. Anything was possible. "Children, huh? Have Miriel and Kellam talked about it?"

"No, but I've noticed Miriel taking notes about what she hears about your pregnancy, so I think the topic is going to come up soon." Maribelle giggled again and moved to braid my hair. "I must say, though, the kingdom is excited. They're practically giddy with anticipation."

"Why?"

"Chrom's well loved, and the last royal birth was Lissa's, during a time of… well…" Maribelle fell quiet. "I obviously don't remember anything. I was a baby. I know my mother had been slain during it, and I know that things were rough for quite a few years."

"Did you know Clara?"

"I know of her. Father talks kindly of her even now." Maribelle laughed. "My father, actually, gave her a ridiculous request. A 'if you happen to see this' thing. My mother's wedding ring had been stolen. And, can you believe it, she actually did find it."

"Why do you think she ran?"

"Honestly, I wonder if she ran so that Emmeryn wouldn't have to order her execution." Maribelle continued braiding my hair. "She would've had to. Though that might've calmed the people's anger faster, it would've hurt Emmeryn so badly. I'm told she was always doting on Emmeryn and Chrom."

"I see." I remembered that woman I'd met. I was almost certain that had been Clara. I wished I'd talked to her more. "Will the nursery be done in time?"

"If not, I'm going to have quite a few words with the decorators." She muttered something very unflattering before going into details for how the nursery would be set up. I did my best to pay attention, but found myself drifting off before long. I was very tired, after all.

April 20th. I'd remember that date always for many reasons, not the least being, of course, that my twin girls were born that day.

"You two are the worse, making me be in labor for a day," I mumbled without heat. I smiled as one gurgled and curled into me. "Misshapen blobs." Yet, they were mine. They were my daughters. I loved them so very much already. I wondered if Mom had felt the same when Robin and I had been born. If that feeling had been why she'd left with us. Or maybe it had happened later, as she tended to us, fed us, watched up grow. I'd never know, sadly.

They shifted in my arms again, and I smiled, focusing on them. Both had blue eyes, though I'd been told that their eyes might darken as they got older; it wasn't uncommon for babies to be born with grey or blue eyes, but have them darken to brown or something. The older one, marked by the blue ribbon tied around her pudgy little wrist, had the Mark of the Exalt in her left eye, and Chrom's blue hair, already falling out a little. The younger one had it on her hand, and my auburn hair stubbornly clinging to her scalp. Both were sleepy, though.

A knock on the door made me look up, just in time to see Chrom step inside the room I'd been moved to. Lissa and Maribelle had insisted on it, so that I could be clean. I still felt grimy, but it didn't really matter at the moment. At the moment, there was just my two girls, and my husband who simply stood in the doorway awkwardly, just staring.

"Well, come in here, silly," I teased. My voice was still a bit breathy, and I was still exhausted. But I didn't want to sleep just yet. I wanted to hold them a little longer before I did. "They're your daughters too."

"I am memorizing this very beautiful scene, love," he replied, voice incredibly sincere. He carefully shut the door behind him and walked to sit next to me on the bed. He kissed my cheek and temple before hesitantly taking the older one's hand. She latched on instantly, eyes not quite focusing on him. "They're beautiful."

"They're rather squishy looking to me!" I laughed. "But yes, they're beautiful. They're our girls."

"Yes, they are." He tapped the ribbon curiously. "What's this for?"

"She's the older one. Technically, the older one would be your heir."

"Oh, right, the throne exists." He made a face and I laughed again. "Well, they can decide among themselves who gets to be heir. They'll get the same training, same lessons."

"Same opportunities to play?"

"Always." He smiled gently and carefully reached around to take the other's hand. She didn't latch on quite as tight, but she managed a smile for him. "I want them to have a happier childhood than either of us."

"Gods, I hope so. Mine was happy, until Mom died."

"I barely remember anything besides Emmeryn being the Exalt. But we'll make it so that they have a happy childhood. I know it." He kissed my cheek again. "So, their names?"

"Names?" I paused a bit before laughing. "Oh, goodness, I don't have any picked out. We've been so busy. It slipped my mind."

"Mine too, until Robin asked while you were giving birth." He laughed softly and leaned into me. "Pick some now, then."

"Mmm…" I gave him a playful glare. "All on me."

"You birthed them. I'd say you get first choice on names."

"Well, no complaining, then." I studied them both, trying to think of names that just sounded nice. Eventually, I settled on two. "Lucina and Victoria." I smiled at him and he smiled back. "Let's name them Lucina and Victoria."

A month or so after giving birth, there was a party celebrating Lucina and Victoria's birth. After the official announcements, I found myself with very little to do besides sit around and look pretty. No one expected much from me, except that I should continue to rest for a while longer. I couldn't wait to get back to work, though. If nothing else, I wanted to have those usual spars with Chrom again, and get myself back in shape.

"Your daughters are absolute delights, my dear." Virion appeared with a glass of wine for me. I took it with a smile and sipped it, enjoying the taste. There had been quite a few things I couldn't have while pregnant, alcohol among them, but since I wasn't breastfeeding my children, rather letting a wet nurse take care of it, I didn't have to worry much anymore. "You, however, seem lost in thought."

"Sorry, I'm still a little tired," I replied, smiling. It fell, slightly, when I noticed how tired he looked. "I didn't see you much during my pregnancy, and now… well, you've done well to disguise it, but…"

"Alas, I have been quite busy. My dearest Cherche got a message to me and…" he trailed off and shook his head, sipping his own wine. "No, this is a happy day."

"I'd rather know now, and warn Chrom sooner." I looked out over the crowd, smiling at how Robin and Lissa were cooing over their nieces. Robin's eyes were practically alight with cheer, and Lissa laughed with ease. Not far away, Chrom talked with nobles and the Shepherds made rounds, laughing and joking. It was so relaxed that I'd urged Cordelia to take a short break, and so, she was cuddled up with Libra in a corner. They were far from the only couple. "It's clearly important. I know you well enough for that."

"Indeed, you do." Virion fell silent again, but this time, I simply waited. "Walhart has successfully conquered all of Valm."

"And, thus, surpasses even Emperor Rudolph. Perhaps even Saint-King Alm?"

"There's debate on that latter one. Technically, the Saint-King conquered Rigel, but only the half with the capital. He worked very hard to gain Rigel's good favor, and secured Zofia's by marrying Empress Celica. Though, Zofia likely would've taken him as king anyway. It's a complicated mess."

"History always is. Legends like to streamline it."

"Indeed." He took a large gulp of wine then. "However, it's not only that. There's evidence that Walhart is amassing a very large fleet of ships."

"Of ships?" I stared blankly for a moment, not because I didn't get the implication, but because I knew very well what the implication was. "I recall asking what was stopping him from crossing the seas, but I didn't think…"

"I know I hoped that he'd stop with Valm, even as I knew there was very little to stop him."

"Right…" This was beyond troubling. "Have you warned Flavia and Basilio?" It took a moment to find them in the crowd. It was the first time I'd seen them since the trouble on the border, and now, both looked happy. Flavia was kicking people's asses in a drinking contest, while Basilio teased Robin silly over courting Olivia. "They'll likely be first hit, if Walhart leaves from Otrela."

"I did, and I've Cherche keeping an eye on things for me. She'll give us some warning ahead."

"Why did she not come with you?"

"I ordered her not to. I didn't want her to suffer the people's hatred." He smiled slightly, and I found myself curious about this Cherche. But that was a topic for another time and, honestly, I'd probably meet her before long. "You and Chrom need to plan for a war, dear."

"…Yes, we do." And I didn't like it. I didn't like it one bit. I'd seen what war can do, what battles could do. My memories told me very well the fate of children during a war. Only now… now, two of those children were mine. "But let's chat of lighter things for now. Can you give Robin tips, for instance, on proper dates with Olivia?"

The world became a lot scarier when you were a mother. I wondered if Mom felt this, before she ran with us. I could only hope I'd have half as much strength as she did.

Notes on Olivia:

A shy dancer from Ferox, affectionately dubbed the 'princess' of Ferox due to being Basilio's all-but-adopted-daughter. Close to Lon'qu as well.

Possesses the rare Dancer's Gift, a powerful magic that gives energy to those who sees her dance. Useful for battle strategies.

Dating Robin and the two are rather adorable. Sadly, duties and pregnancy keep me from really interacting with her, but I hope that'll change soon.

Author's note: So, if we're going into gameplay terms, Victoria is Kestrel's 'attached' child, and an OC. Male!Morgan won't be making an appearance (this is mostly for my own sanity; there are enough characters as is). I went with 'twin' just for the different dynamic than what you'd see in game. Maribelle mentioning that her mother was killed comes from Shadows of the Exalt.

Each scene more or less deals with a month of Kestrel's pregnancy, with symptoms fairly typical for those months, though I didn't mention some other typical ones.

Next Chapter – The Seacomers