A/n: Ok- so I found time to upload the next chapter. Sorry about the wait- I haven't gotten tired of this story, it's just that I've got a lot going on right now. As most of you are experiencing now- the school semester has started and of course I just happen to have the classes where teachers LOVE to make us read gigantic books and write scores of papers on them-
I've got the ending of this fic planned out- so I know where I'm going with it! So just be patient and we'll all end up happy!
Anyway- here's another chapter for you! Enjoy and thanks for the comments!
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"What's wrong with her?" A worried Parn asked the group of four elven healers. He had been pacing the room for nearly twenty minutes after they had finally made it to the suite. The wait for them to enter their bedroom seemed like forever. Parn's mind and heart were screaming at him- As he held Deedlit to him, he could only worry and belittle himself.
'I should have gotten up… of course she wouldn't tell me she was weak… Deedlit always tries to hide the pain… it's so like her… but I should have… please be alright my love.'
Peering over the shoulders of the elves that were tending to his wife Parn saw her slim figure in the dawn's light. She looked even paler, if that was possible in her green silken night garb. Her sickly color reminded him of the days after Marmo… 'No! She's strong… We'll get over this like everything else.' He told himself as he willed the image of her on death's door out of his mind.
"Please- tell me what's wrong!" He demanded trying to get someone to tell him what was going on. Everyone else was ushered out of the royal suite; even Deedlit's parents were waiting out in the hall. But he had demanded to stay. There was no way he was going to be shut out now. And the elves seemed to recognize that fact.
"Calm young human." One of the healers said as she turned around and put a slender hand on Parn's shoulder to try and calm him. "You have nothing to fear. She is resting now, and is in the best hands in the entire kingdom." The elf told him as she ushered him away from the bed where Deedlit was resting. "Let's go and see to the children." She smiled trying to take his mind off Deedlit.
Walking over to where the twins were slumbering, Parn followed waiting for her to tell him anything more. But when she didn't say anything Parn decided to.
"So she'll be alright?" He asked quietly as to not disturb the babies. "Why don't any of you give me an answer? She's my Wife! I have a right to know what's going on!" He finally shouted out in frustration. This of course sent both babies off, waking them from their naps.
"Please young prince!" The elf cried as she picked up Teseus. "We need to stay calm and quiet while the healers are working." She said as she handed the crying baby to his father, and then went to pick up the smaller of the two, little Ghim.
Collecting the tiny bundle in her arms, she began to rock the baby, and Parn followed her lead and soon got his son to calm and return to sleep.
"When we find out what is going on with her, you'll be the first to know." The elven woman, who he guessed must have been a nursemaid due to her gentle hand in attempting to calm the baby in her arms, told him. "Right now we need you to be patient. The princess is very weak. You should understand, the baby you hold is a lot larger then normal elven children…this must have cause her a great deal of stress. It should pass in a while." She tried to assure Parn as she slowly made her way with the new father towards the doorway. "Right now we need to keep things quite in here. Please do not take this as disrespect, but we'll tell you if anything changes." She gave an understanding smile as she opened the door and Parn stepped out still cradling Teseus.
As the door shut he turned and was greeted by the worried faces of Sheris, Orson and Deedlit's parents.
"How is my baby?" Deed's over protective mother asked.
"I… I…" Parn tried to get out, but was cut off by the elven queen's cries. Parn could do nothing as she blamed him for Deedlit's condition once again, until her husband quieted her.
"Let us know if anything changes my son." The king asked of Parn before patting him on the back and taking his wife off down the corridor.
"Well so much for a happy start to the family." Sheris smiled as she and Orson now approached the worried father. "So did they tell you anything?"
"No, I don't know what's wrong…" Parn whispered as he shifted his son to rest his little baldhead in the nook of his shoulder and neck. Holding the child securely in his arms, Parn closed his eyes and placed a kiss to the baby's head as he prayed Deedlit would be all right.
"They haven't told me anything." He sighed as he looked over at Sheris. His eyes searched hers for some kind of reassurance or anything that told him that the woman he loved wouldn't be taken from him now… now that they had everything the both wanted.
"I'm sure she's just tired. It's a common thing for women to be after bringing two children into the world." Sheris smiled and brushed the worry of the situation off like she usually did. Her smile was exactly what Parn needed to see. "Plus they were yours so of course they have to complicate things, like their father."
"Thanks." Parn forced a smile. "Deedlit told me that same thing last night…"
"So where's the other one?" Sheris asked changing the topic seeing that it would be best for everyone to keep Deedlit off of Parn's mind- however this was Parn, and keeping him from Deedlit was nearly impossible. They had their work cut out for them.
"I guess he's not doing so well either… I don't think either of them were fully ready to be born yet, but compared to Teseus here, little Ghim is well… he's just so small."
Orson's serious face studied Parn's while the two talked. Although he could see the serious worry on Parn's features, there was also another emotion displayed as well. As the young man held his first born, the pride and happiness was clearly evident to Orson. Even at this moment in time, with all the serious circumstances going on at the moment, Orson could only wonder how it felt to be in Parn's shoes right now. He had but sketchy memories of emotions, and the void he felt right now- even to feel the worry that Parn was going through right now would be worth the pain.
"You could never just settle down and live a quiet life could you Parn?" Sheris joked as he handed her the baby. "Always got to cause trouble and do things the difficult ways." The red head shook her head at Parn. "Orson, what's wrong? You look even more serious than usual." Sheris smiled as she walked closer so the quiet man could see the baby.
Orson blinked away his thoughts as the baby was being handed to him. Making an almost frightened face he looked at Sheris about to question what she was doing.
"Well don't you want to hold him? I think he looks a lot like Parn… I'm still not sure if that's a good thing." Sheris smiled as Orson finally brought up his hands to hold the child. "See there you go. Don't look so ridged, relax you won't break the kid."
"But I…" Orson said looking over to Parn, who only gave him an encouraging smile.
"Isn't it something Orson, I mean Parn's got kids now…" Sheris smiled.
"Yes… what are their names again Parn?" Orson asked looking a little more at ease with the baby in his arms.
For the first time in what seemed like hours Parn was given a chance to sit down and relax on a chair in the hall. Rubbing the space between his eyes he tried to will away the headache that was coming on. 'How could the happiest time of my life cause so much distress and worry?' He asked himself as he looked over to where Sheris and Orson where. The sight of Orson holding the baby made him smile. 'I know you'll have your own one day.' Parn thought to himself seeing Sheris smile and Orson look at the baby with his serious face, yet he moved with gentle actions and hands.
Just as he was about to say something to them the bedroom chamber doors opened and the same elf from earlier peeked out.
"The princess is awake and is calling for you." She motioned for Parn to come. He stood up quickly and looked back at Sheris.
"We'll take care of this guy for a while- go and see how Deedlit is doing."
"Thanks guys." Parn said in a rush as he nearly sprinted to the bedside. However he was stopped by one of the healers as they made their way away from the bed.
"Young man, you need to keep her calm and in bed." The elderly elf told him quietly. "She won't listen to us, she's always been stubborn. But you can make her understand."
"Is she going to be alright?" Parn asked instantly.
"Go and see her for now- when she falls asleep come to the throne room. There is much we need to discuss with their majesties." Was all Parn was told before they exited the room.
Parn tore his eyes off the closing door and willed the man's serious words to the back of his mind as he turned towards their bed. Underneath the sheets, her legs were hidden. Her back rested up against several pillows as their youngest child fed hungrily from her. She looked up with tired eyes and forced a smile on her pale lips.
"I was so worried." Parn breathed as he sat down on the bed near her. She raised one of her hands and caressed his cheek. "Are you feeling better? Deedlit why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?" He asked her as he took her hand and kissed it. "The both of you had me so worried." He added as he placed a hand on the baby that now rested against his mother's breast like a boneless mass.
"I'm sorry. I thought it would pass. But I guess it took more out of me than I thought." She smiled once again and handed the baby to Parn so she could resituate herself to get more comfortable. With a free hand Parn brought the covers up to her shoulders as she laid down fully. Handing her the tiny child she closed her eyes and sighed.
"Parn, I love you so much."
"I know Deed. You need to rest. Just rest for a while, all right?" He told her after placing a kiss to her forehead. Soon he could hear the steady breathing that told him she was asleep once again.
After asking Sheris to sit inside the room with Deedlit to watch the twins, Parn began walking towards the throne room like instructed. He was so caught up in thought that he didn't notice Orson following him there. They stopped as they now faced the entrance to the throne room.
"I'm sure things seem bad now- but they will turn out all right in the end." Orson offered in his usual quiet voice.
"Orson? Oh, yes, I know they will. Thanks." Parn sighed and opened the doors. As the two men walked up the main isle towards the front of the room, both noticed the number of elves discussing something before the king. As they got closer and were noticed by the elves all talk stopped. Parn got an anxious feeling as they stood there tall and stoic looking at the two humans.
"Is my daughter sleeping now?" The King Elf asked.
"Yes, she fell asleep. I told her to get some rest." Parn informed him. "What is going on? Please… you know something is wrong. I can see it on your faces."
"Parn, please try and calm down. This is hard on all of us. We were just discussing the ceremony for the children to be preformed as soon as possible. Traditionally it is done outside where nature is free of our structured city, but since Deedlit… since she is in no ability to walk, we will have to make do inside the palace. The children will both be welcomed fully into the community of the Elven kind." The King told Parn as he walked closer to his human son.
"There's more than just that." Orson spoke up suddenly. Something had been bothering him from the beginning. They were keeping something big from them.
"You're berserker friend is right. There is more to our discussion. You best have a seat."
"What? What is it?" Parn asked getting more paranoid by the second.
"Deedlit, her body took a great beating during the birthing…" The ancient elf started looking away from the human that he had welcomed into his family.
"I know this, but what is wrong with her? What can we do to make her better?"
"There is only one thing we can do my son. And I know you will do all you can to accomplish this new task I will ask of you." Deedlit's father looked up into Parn's eyes. They were even more saddened and troubled than usual for elves. "She is slowly bleeding, there is no way to stop it that we know of... However, there is a root that just might work to help her."
Parn felt like he was hit with a ton of bricks. He blinked not wanting to accept the diagnosis they had given her.
"Well then let's go get it. What are we waiting for?" Parn forced himself to think positive otherwise he knew he would break down in tears. "I'll leave right away… there's nothing to worry."
"Wait, this is not going to be an easy task… and even when you accomplish it there's no guarantee." A healer interrupted Parn.
"This root is said to be able to heal souls and mend all physical aliments… but it is highly rare and extremely dangerous to get." Another elf informed him. But Parn didn't care. He knew Deedlit's life was worth everything, and he would do anything for her.
"I don't care, I'm going. Tell me where and what it looks like. I'll get it and be back in no time."
"And I will accompany you." Orson said speaking up once again looking at Parn who nodded.
"Alright, it's settled then." Parn said looking back as Deedlit's father.
I've got the ending of this fic planned out- so I know where I'm going with it! So just be patient and we'll all end up happy!
Anyway- here's another chapter for you! Enjoy and thanks for the comments!
-
"What's wrong with her?" A worried Parn asked the group of four elven healers. He had been pacing the room for nearly twenty minutes after they had finally made it to the suite. The wait for them to enter their bedroom seemed like forever. Parn's mind and heart were screaming at him- As he held Deedlit to him, he could only worry and belittle himself.
'I should have gotten up… of course she wouldn't tell me she was weak… Deedlit always tries to hide the pain… it's so like her… but I should have… please be alright my love.'
Peering over the shoulders of the elves that were tending to his wife Parn saw her slim figure in the dawn's light. She looked even paler, if that was possible in her green silken night garb. Her sickly color reminded him of the days after Marmo… 'No! She's strong… We'll get over this like everything else.' He told himself as he willed the image of her on death's door out of his mind.
"Please- tell me what's wrong!" He demanded trying to get someone to tell him what was going on. Everyone else was ushered out of the royal suite; even Deedlit's parents were waiting out in the hall. But he had demanded to stay. There was no way he was going to be shut out now. And the elves seemed to recognize that fact.
"Calm young human." One of the healers said as she turned around and put a slender hand on Parn's shoulder to try and calm him. "You have nothing to fear. She is resting now, and is in the best hands in the entire kingdom." The elf told him as she ushered him away from the bed where Deedlit was resting. "Let's go and see to the children." She smiled trying to take his mind off Deedlit.
Walking over to where the twins were slumbering, Parn followed waiting for her to tell him anything more. But when she didn't say anything Parn decided to.
"So she'll be alright?" He asked quietly as to not disturb the babies. "Why don't any of you give me an answer? She's my Wife! I have a right to know what's going on!" He finally shouted out in frustration. This of course sent both babies off, waking them from their naps.
"Please young prince!" The elf cried as she picked up Teseus. "We need to stay calm and quiet while the healers are working." She said as she handed the crying baby to his father, and then went to pick up the smaller of the two, little Ghim.
Collecting the tiny bundle in her arms, she began to rock the baby, and Parn followed her lead and soon got his son to calm and return to sleep.
"When we find out what is going on with her, you'll be the first to know." The elven woman, who he guessed must have been a nursemaid due to her gentle hand in attempting to calm the baby in her arms, told him. "Right now we need you to be patient. The princess is very weak. You should understand, the baby you hold is a lot larger then normal elven children…this must have cause her a great deal of stress. It should pass in a while." She tried to assure Parn as she slowly made her way with the new father towards the doorway. "Right now we need to keep things quite in here. Please do not take this as disrespect, but we'll tell you if anything changes." She gave an understanding smile as she opened the door and Parn stepped out still cradling Teseus.
As the door shut he turned and was greeted by the worried faces of Sheris, Orson and Deedlit's parents.
"How is my baby?" Deed's over protective mother asked.
"I… I…" Parn tried to get out, but was cut off by the elven queen's cries. Parn could do nothing as she blamed him for Deedlit's condition once again, until her husband quieted her.
"Let us know if anything changes my son." The king asked of Parn before patting him on the back and taking his wife off down the corridor.
"Well so much for a happy start to the family." Sheris smiled as she and Orson now approached the worried father. "So did they tell you anything?"
"No, I don't know what's wrong…" Parn whispered as he shifted his son to rest his little baldhead in the nook of his shoulder and neck. Holding the child securely in his arms, Parn closed his eyes and placed a kiss to the baby's head as he prayed Deedlit would be all right.
"They haven't told me anything." He sighed as he looked over at Sheris. His eyes searched hers for some kind of reassurance or anything that told him that the woman he loved wouldn't be taken from him now… now that they had everything the both wanted.
"I'm sure she's just tired. It's a common thing for women to be after bringing two children into the world." Sheris smiled and brushed the worry of the situation off like she usually did. Her smile was exactly what Parn needed to see. "Plus they were yours so of course they have to complicate things, like their father."
"Thanks." Parn forced a smile. "Deedlit told me that same thing last night…"
"So where's the other one?" Sheris asked changing the topic seeing that it would be best for everyone to keep Deedlit off of Parn's mind- however this was Parn, and keeping him from Deedlit was nearly impossible. They had their work cut out for them.
"I guess he's not doing so well either… I don't think either of them were fully ready to be born yet, but compared to Teseus here, little Ghim is well… he's just so small."
Orson's serious face studied Parn's while the two talked. Although he could see the serious worry on Parn's features, there was also another emotion displayed as well. As the young man held his first born, the pride and happiness was clearly evident to Orson. Even at this moment in time, with all the serious circumstances going on at the moment, Orson could only wonder how it felt to be in Parn's shoes right now. He had but sketchy memories of emotions, and the void he felt right now- even to feel the worry that Parn was going through right now would be worth the pain.
"You could never just settle down and live a quiet life could you Parn?" Sheris joked as he handed her the baby. "Always got to cause trouble and do things the difficult ways." The red head shook her head at Parn. "Orson, what's wrong? You look even more serious than usual." Sheris smiled as she walked closer so the quiet man could see the baby.
Orson blinked away his thoughts as the baby was being handed to him. Making an almost frightened face he looked at Sheris about to question what she was doing.
"Well don't you want to hold him? I think he looks a lot like Parn… I'm still not sure if that's a good thing." Sheris smiled as Orson finally brought up his hands to hold the child. "See there you go. Don't look so ridged, relax you won't break the kid."
"But I…" Orson said looking over to Parn, who only gave him an encouraging smile.
"Isn't it something Orson, I mean Parn's got kids now…" Sheris smiled.
"Yes… what are their names again Parn?" Orson asked looking a little more at ease with the baby in his arms.
For the first time in what seemed like hours Parn was given a chance to sit down and relax on a chair in the hall. Rubbing the space between his eyes he tried to will away the headache that was coming on. 'How could the happiest time of my life cause so much distress and worry?' He asked himself as he looked over to where Sheris and Orson where. The sight of Orson holding the baby made him smile. 'I know you'll have your own one day.' Parn thought to himself seeing Sheris smile and Orson look at the baby with his serious face, yet he moved with gentle actions and hands.
Just as he was about to say something to them the bedroom chamber doors opened and the same elf from earlier peeked out.
"The princess is awake and is calling for you." She motioned for Parn to come. He stood up quickly and looked back at Sheris.
"We'll take care of this guy for a while- go and see how Deedlit is doing."
"Thanks guys." Parn said in a rush as he nearly sprinted to the bedside. However he was stopped by one of the healers as they made their way away from the bed.
"Young man, you need to keep her calm and in bed." The elderly elf told him quietly. "She won't listen to us, she's always been stubborn. But you can make her understand."
"Is she going to be alright?" Parn asked instantly.
"Go and see her for now- when she falls asleep come to the throne room. There is much we need to discuss with their majesties." Was all Parn was told before they exited the room.
Parn tore his eyes off the closing door and willed the man's serious words to the back of his mind as he turned towards their bed. Underneath the sheets, her legs were hidden. Her back rested up against several pillows as their youngest child fed hungrily from her. She looked up with tired eyes and forced a smile on her pale lips.
"I was so worried." Parn breathed as he sat down on the bed near her. She raised one of her hands and caressed his cheek. "Are you feeling better? Deedlit why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?" He asked her as he took her hand and kissed it. "The both of you had me so worried." He added as he placed a hand on the baby that now rested against his mother's breast like a boneless mass.
"I'm sorry. I thought it would pass. But I guess it took more out of me than I thought." She smiled once again and handed the baby to Parn so she could resituate herself to get more comfortable. With a free hand Parn brought the covers up to her shoulders as she laid down fully. Handing her the tiny child she closed her eyes and sighed.
"Parn, I love you so much."
"I know Deed. You need to rest. Just rest for a while, all right?" He told her after placing a kiss to her forehead. Soon he could hear the steady breathing that told him she was asleep once again.
After asking Sheris to sit inside the room with Deedlit to watch the twins, Parn began walking towards the throne room like instructed. He was so caught up in thought that he didn't notice Orson following him there. They stopped as they now faced the entrance to the throne room.
"I'm sure things seem bad now- but they will turn out all right in the end." Orson offered in his usual quiet voice.
"Orson? Oh, yes, I know they will. Thanks." Parn sighed and opened the doors. As the two men walked up the main isle towards the front of the room, both noticed the number of elves discussing something before the king. As they got closer and were noticed by the elves all talk stopped. Parn got an anxious feeling as they stood there tall and stoic looking at the two humans.
"Is my daughter sleeping now?" The King Elf asked.
"Yes, she fell asleep. I told her to get some rest." Parn informed him. "What is going on? Please… you know something is wrong. I can see it on your faces."
"Parn, please try and calm down. This is hard on all of us. We were just discussing the ceremony for the children to be preformed as soon as possible. Traditionally it is done outside where nature is free of our structured city, but since Deedlit… since she is in no ability to walk, we will have to make do inside the palace. The children will both be welcomed fully into the community of the Elven kind." The King told Parn as he walked closer to his human son.
"There's more than just that." Orson spoke up suddenly. Something had been bothering him from the beginning. They were keeping something big from them.
"You're berserker friend is right. There is more to our discussion. You best have a seat."
"What? What is it?" Parn asked getting more paranoid by the second.
"Deedlit, her body took a great beating during the birthing…" The ancient elf started looking away from the human that he had welcomed into his family.
"I know this, but what is wrong with her? What can we do to make her better?"
"There is only one thing we can do my son. And I know you will do all you can to accomplish this new task I will ask of you." Deedlit's father looked up into Parn's eyes. They were even more saddened and troubled than usual for elves. "She is slowly bleeding, there is no way to stop it that we know of... However, there is a root that just might work to help her."
Parn felt like he was hit with a ton of bricks. He blinked not wanting to accept the diagnosis they had given her.
"Well then let's go get it. What are we waiting for?" Parn forced himself to think positive otherwise he knew he would break down in tears. "I'll leave right away… there's nothing to worry."
"Wait, this is not going to be an easy task… and even when you accomplish it there's no guarantee." A healer interrupted Parn.
"This root is said to be able to heal souls and mend all physical aliments… but it is highly rare and extremely dangerous to get." Another elf informed him. But Parn didn't care. He knew Deedlit's life was worth everything, and he would do anything for her.
"I don't care, I'm going. Tell me where and what it looks like. I'll get it and be back in no time."
"And I will accompany you." Orson said speaking up once again looking at Parn who nodded.
"Alright, it's settled then." Parn said looking back as Deedlit's father.