Part Ten
Six Months Later
Credit for this part also goes to my big sis
Kel dismounted Peachblossom clapping him on the shoulder. She grinned and held their days catch as Little Kel got off her pony.
Wyldon strode out of the keep, a loyal courtier in tow. Kel watched as the men talked until a stable hand came with a mount for the courtier. She handed Peachblossom to the hostler and went to Wyldon as soon as the courtier was off.
"Who was that?" She asked, giving him a warm hug.
Wyldon shrugged and placed a hand on her ample belly. "Just an invitation to Corus for the Prince's child's naming day. Also a request to stay awhile and modify the training program for pages. How was the baby today?" he said, rubbing her belly.
She smiled good-naturedly, "I think she is getting too big for my stomach. Lots of kicking today. It was good of Roald and Shinko to wait until the roads thawed out."
"Yours is a happy nature. We'll be taking a wagon, for when riding gets too rough, and ," he declared, cutting off Kel's indignant gasp, "for our trunks. We will be in Corus for summertime I presume and we will need our finery. We leave tomorrow my love."
Kel relented seeing his point. It was good that Cavall's seamstress had made many maternity clothes for her; some were even spelled to hide her pregnancy.
She gave Wyldon a kiss and they went their separate ways. Wyldon went to the stables and then to the steward, Kel to pack for the journey. She had just finished piling the clothes into trunks when a knock came at her door.
"Come in," she called.
Tobe rushed in, his tan skin glowing in Cavall's colors. Kel had released him earlier. But it seemed that he had found a young maiden who enjoyed his attention at Cavall and had decided to stay.
"Milady! You're leaving? In your state? The baby's due in less that three months. Two once you get to Corus!" he exclaimed.
Keladry shook her head, "I'll be fine Tobe! I know how to protect myself and I have my knight in shinning armour," she joked as Wyldon entered the room. Tobe nearly jumped when Wyldon clasped his shoulder.
"A word, Tobe?" asked Wyldon. Tobe nodded, and they stepped into the hallway.
Kel stood by the door, out of sight, so she could overhear the conversation.
"Tell me now if you think me unable to protect her," Wyldon said softly.
She couldn't hear Tobe's mumbled reply, but she could guess it was probably a vehement no. Tobe still thought that Wyldon had snatched Kel from him.
She leaned against the wall, shaking her head slightly at the folly of her men.
Wyldon coughed slightly, Kel knew he was becoming irritated. He didn't like explaining himself to most people.
She opened the door and paused suddenly feeling wetness run down her legs. "Wyldon…," she said, her voice slightly panicked, "Wyl…I'm going to have the baby…NOW!" With that she collapsed onto the floor.
Many hours later Kel awoke to the sound of two children cooing on at her side. She opened her eyes to stare down at her beautiful and healthy-looking children. Wyldon turned from the man, who Kel recognized as the Fief's healer, he was talking to and dropped to the edge of the bed.
Before he could speak Kel asked, "How long have I been out? Are the children okay? Am I okay?" The last part coming out in a whisper.
Wyldon grasped her hand, "Yes, my love you are all okay and you've been out since yesterday afternoon. The healer tells me the babies weren't due for another two months or so. It took a good bit of magic to heal you after the babies were out. But don't worry, you are fine now." Wyldon smiled and smoothed the few hairs on one of the baby's head. "Rest don't worry about the trip. The healer says you and the children will be travel ready by the end of the week." With that Kel closed her eyes and fell back asleep.
