Disclaimer: Sherwood Smith is the sole owner of characters, places, and things mentioned in the book(s) Crown Duel. Some activities belong to her as well, although most interactions are of my own creation.

After Vidanric discovered that I was pregnant, it seemed that his strong love for me intensified several times over. I truly love my husband, and I am honored to carry his child. We plan to name our child Alaerec, after Vidanric's father if it is a boy, or Elestra, after his mother if it is a girl. It was common news that the Queen of Remalna was with child. Vidanric helped the news spread like wildfire. The day after his Name Day, Vidanric was ready and dressed before first green, gently caressing my face in an attempt to wake me. I began to stir and slowly opened my eyes to see his handsome face above mine.
"Good morning, my love. Are you well enough to be dressed?" he meekly asked.
My mood snapped instantly and I raised one questioning brow. "Why? I seem perfectly capable of wearing clothing to the best of my knowledge."
"The Healer warned me about mood swings," he mumbled to himself while still audible enough for me to hear. "I merely wanted you to be with me when I announced our good luck to the family. I assumed you would very much be angry with me if you were not present."
Well, I had something to say to that, but I did not want to start a quarrel with him. I smiled what I thought was a polite smile, but my face betrayed me because Vidanric's own face was gleaming with repressed laughter. "All right, Danric. Go and pick out a suitable dress for me to wear, and I will attend the family with you."
Vidanric smiled like a little child receiving a new toy and hurried over to the bed, kissed me quickly, and then dashed off to find a dress. A few minutes passed and he reappeared with a light blue gown with silver embroidery decorating the bodice. It was a perfect match to his own outfit. He was wearing a long, light blue tunic with beautifully embroidered wide sleeves, very flattering to his form. I slowly started moving my legs over the side of our bed in an attempt to waken myself. I suppose that I was not moving fast enough for Vidanric gently laid my gown on a chair and hurried over to the bed. He tossed the blankets aside, picked me up, carried me over to the chair with my gown, and gently placed me upright next to it.
"Hurry! Hurry! I cannot wait any longer!" he prodded.
"Hold your horses, Danric! I am moving, see?" I had begun stepping into the gown and soon, with my husband's help, had it pulled up over my shoulders and laced up the back. Vidanric quickly kissed my neck and darted off into my wardrobe again. I had started combing my long hair when Vidanric returned, this time carrying a pair of satin slippers and one of my fans. I sat in the chair next to me and Danric pulled my slippers onto my feet while I quickly tied my fan onto a cord at my waist. When we both had finished our tasks, Vidanric rose and pulled me to my feet up to his chest.
"You look beautiful, Mel. Spectacular!" he breathed into my hair. "Let us go now. I believe your brother and Nimiar, Russav, and my parents are waiting for us in the Drawing Room. I am so excited that I cannot wait any longer. Please, ease my tension and let us presently be off."
"I am yours to lead out the door," I said as I swept a graceful curtsey and flashed a smile at him.
"You know, my dear, each instance at which you smile causes me to fall in love with you all over again. Might I kiss you and feel the shivers that I still receive upon doing so?"
"I am yours to command," I giggled as he swiftly approached me.
He kissed me then, and I also felt the familiar shivers which graced my body.
Not perhaps even a second after his lips touched mine, Vidanric reached for my hand and quickly lead me down the hall towards the Drawing Room, myself laughing at his determination the entire way. Upon our entrance, the chatter abruptly ceased.
Nimiar rapidly paced towards me eager to find out what we were going to reveal, although I assumed that she already knew. I had been dropping hints for days, perhaps unconsciously for weeks. The Prince and Princess of Renselaeus were sitting in chairs by the fireplace and each had a knowing smile on their face. Bran, of course, was smiling stupidly and had no clue at what was going on.
Vidanric took a deep breath, squeezed my hand, and hurriedly blurted out, "Everybody, Mel's with child!"
The room filled with gasps and clapping. Russav charged across the room and latched his arms around Vidanric's neck. "I knew it, cousin! I knew it! You have unknowingly been dropping hints and I have had an idea for the past several days."
The Prince and Princess smiled at the two of us, three if you count Russav still attached to Vidanric. Elestra stood and kindly approached me saying, "My dear Meliara, congratulations! Might I inquire as to when my grandchild is to be expected?"
My cheeks colored slightly as I replied, "The Healer believes in six or seven months at the latest."
Nimiar was all smiles and wanted to hug me as soon as I had answered the Princess's question. "Meliara, I am so happy for you! You know, our children will not have much of a difference in age. I dearly hope that they will be great friends as you and I now are."
"Nimiar, I sincerely agree with you, although I know that they will be great friends. How could they not with all of our personalities mingled together. Life, they will be one ornery pair of children!" I exclaimed not knowing that Vidanric had moved to stand directly behind me.
"Are you saying that I was a problem child, my dear?" he asked mischievously.
"No, but I am saying that any problems in personality are not entirely my own fault," I retorted.
"Now, Vidanric. You very well know that you caused your mother and I a great deal of trouble when you were young," the Prince chimed in.
"As he still does," the Princess added.
We continued discourse for about another hour or so until most of the party realized that Petitioner's Court would be starting fairly soon. Vidanric and I dashed off to our room, reflecting on the reactions of our closest family and friends. Vidanric quickly washed himself and dressed for Court, gave me a quick kiss along with orders to do something quiet, and rushed off to the Royal Hall. I began penning a letter to Ara, the young girl whose rooms I had occupied during my little revolt the year prior. I wrote about my happy news among other things, folded the paper up, and sealed it. I called Mora, my maidservant, into the room and instructed her to have the letter sent. Like my husband before me, I too descended the stairs into our private bathing room. The bathing pool was steaming and looked particularly comforting. I eased myself into the water, but not until after a group of bath attendants helped me remove my gown and other things. I relaxed my body in the water and asked that a book of poetry be read to me. As the attendant returned and began reciting, I started thinking about names for my unborn child. I knew the action to be futile because tradition requested the first child of a couple to be named after a family member, and naturally, Alaerec and Elestra were to be chosen. "They are beautiful names," I told myself.
I finished washing myself and then cleaned my teeth. My bath attendants helped me dry off and Mora appeared to escort me back up the private stairs. Mora and I selected a maroon gown with little cream-colored moonstones sewn in on the bodice to wear to Court. I knew that Vidanric would be angry when I appeared, but how could he expect me not to help him rule when I have not yet begun showing signs of a pregnancy? I then chose a matching headdress which Mora carefully nestled in my hair after deftly braiding the outer layer. I thought that I looked well enough to make a late appearance. I slipped on a pair of silken maroon slippers and began walking towards the Royal Hall where Court was currently being held. Each guard I passed bowed silently, except one.
"A bit late are we, Your Majesty?"
I quickly turned to see who had spoken. Nessaren stood at attention, grinning uncontrollably. "Captain Nessaren! How delightful it is to see you! Why, you have been gone from Athanarel for many weeks now, have you not? What mission did my husband send you on this time?" Nessaren was a member of my various escorts throughout the revolt.
"Oh, it was not a mission, my Queen. I was merely visiting my family. I am very gracious towards your husband for allowing me to do so."
I smiled. "If you wish, I shall inform him that, perhaps, your family ought to be guests here in Athanarel for a few weeks come spring? I would be pleased if they stayed in the city and visited for a while."
Nessaren smiled and bowed her head. "If it pleases you, my Lady."
We said our goodbyes and I eventually wound up at the doors leading into the Royal Hall. One of the guards was young and new. He practically gaped when I walked up, and I had to politely ask him to open the door for me. When his mind finally began working again, he blushed, mumbled apologies, and quickly opened a door. As the great door swung open, a curious Court turned to see who was arriving. The look on Vidanric's face was purely magical, the glare evident in his eyes. He was upset that I had not listened to him and was presently here, in the Royal Hall, when I was "supposed" to be resting or tasking myself with quiet things to do.
Vidanric instantly recovered his face and announced, "Court, please welcome my wife, and the Queen of Remalna, Meliara."
I whirled my fan around in Peaceful Discourse mode and, smiling, gracefully walked over to my cushion beside Vidanric, saying, "I thank you, my dear. My fellow courtiers, I am sorry for my extreme delay. My recent physical addition has made it necessary for me to take my time in my activities." I glanced at Vidanric, who was giving me one of his infamous assessing looks. I knew the last statement would soften him up, and sure enough, I saw the gleam of pure love and happiness appear in his gray eyes. I then turned my face to those of the Court, and my apology for the delay was returned by many friendly nods and smiles.
Court proceeded as normal, but afterwards when both my husband and I were again in our rooms, Vidanric was clearly irritated that I had disobeyed him. "Why did you not listen to me? I do not want you near anything that will cause you stress."
"Vidanric," I started calmly, "I did not want to disobey you. I never gave any promises, and besides, you should know me better than that!"
He just sighed and shook his head. "I know. I should have known you would never listen."
"Hey, now! I listen, sometimes. Anyway, you said yourself that the duties of ruling begin with a partnership, correct? I am not yet incapable of performing my duties as your wife and the queen of this land," I responded, holding my chin up high.
"I love you, Mel. I will say it forever." He continued stating that he loved me while stealing a kiss between each one.
"Okay! Okay! I get the point! You love me! I mean, how could you not? I am scrawny, quarrelsome, and moody now thanks to you."
"You forgot beautiful, amazing, thought provoking, and intelligent," he interjected.
Now, I could not but laugh at that. "I love you as well, Vidanric. So, what should we do now?"
"Well," he said thoughtfully, "I believe Russav invited us to a riding party before dinner, which Tamara is graciously hosting."
"That sounds nice," I said. "Should we ride separately, or shall we both share your gray like when we first met?"
"I do not know," he said, raising his shoulders. "You might weigh too much for my horse now-"
"How dare you insult your wife in that manner!" I laughed and playfully punched him in the arm.
"-but I think things can be arranged," he added, emphasizing the last few words.
"That sounds better," I responded while walking towards my wardrobe for the third time that day. "Come on in and help me find my riding clothes."
"You need help finding your clothes?" he asked inquisitively, raising a speculative eyebrow.
"No, not really. Still, you can help me if you want to," I said, hoping that he would get the hint.
He appeared in the doorway buttoning up his shirt, other riding clothes already on his body. "Ornery lady," he whispered in my ear. "I will send for my horse and be back in a moment."
I was already dressed and waiting at my dressing table when Vidanric returned.
"Shall we proceed, my Queen?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"Yes. I believe we shall," I said, flashing him a smile.
He placed my hand at his elbow and we proceeded out to where Danric's gray waited outside the Royal Wing.