Part Eleven
Parents, Friends and Children
"Welcome to Corus, milady, milord. I'll be showing you to your respective suites," remarked the page, bowing respectfully.
Kel and Wyldon exchanged glances, they had not informed anyone, besides those at Cavall of the twin's birth or of their marriage. Wyldon had wanted to let Kel's parents know at least, but Kel had talked him out of it. She shifted Gerek to her other arm and fixed his hair, smiling at him. Wyldon held Miralis, his finger in her grasp.
Kel sighed; they would have a lot of explaining to do. She had thought that they'd be in Corus before the twins were born, saving one explanation, at least for a while.
"Excuse me, Lady Keladry; will you be having a wet nurse with you?" inquired the page, once they reached her suite. "My Lord Wyldon, your suite is right here, across the hall. My lady, your parents wish to see you as soon as possible."
"No, no wet nurse," she replied, drawing a small shocked glance from the page; most ladies with babies had a wet nurse, but Kel found the practice irriting, she was fully capable of nursing her own children.
She dismissed the page with a thank you and entered her suite with Wyldon. It was rather spacious, having a sitting room, two bedrooms and a showering area. She put Gerek down on the bed next to Miralis and rubbed her temples. Wyldon caught her up in a hug, kissing her softly. "Don't worry so. Why don't we go present ourselves to your parents? They haven't seen you in over a year."
She nodded, resting her head on his chest. "We should change our clothing," she murmured, observing their wrinkled and baby-slobbered outfits.
Keladry took a deep breath and knocked on the door of her parent's house in Corus. She jiggled the antsy Miralis as the door opened, revealing Amira, the head servant. "Lady Kel! It so good to see you again. Come in, come in; bring your man friend with you," she announced, leading Kel and Wyldon to a brown and gold decorated sitting room. Ilene and Piers of Mindelan sat conversing over cups of tea. Amira showed them in and then left them alone. Ilene was the first to notice them.
"Keladry! It's so good to see you! Your father and I have missed you," exclaimed Ilene, who moved to give Kel a hug, stopping when she saw the bundle in her arms, "And who is this adorable child?"
Wyldon stepped forward, clearing his throat. "That would be Miralis, but her naming day isn't for another month or so. This is Gerek; they're twins," he said.
"Wyldon, it's nice to see you as well. Are they your children? They don't look more than a month or two old..." Piers asked as he came to see the babies.
Kel and Wyl looked at each other and then Kel said calmly, "Uhm, actually Da, they're ours." She slid her free hand behind Wyldon's waist, his around her.
Kel's parents looked stricken for a moment, then Piers chuckled and then laughed, "That's a good joke there, isn't it Ilene?"
Ilene looked them over for a while, watching closely as Kel and Wyldon exchanged looks; each one holding a child and the other as if they were the most precious items in the entire realm. She met Kel's eyes and then nodded.
"Piers, I do believe they are serious. May I hold him?" Ilene asked Wyldon. He nodded and handed over Ilene's grandson. Piers stopped laughing, looking bewildered and venomous.
"I don't believe it. I can't. I won't. Keladry," his eyes left Kel as he rounded on Wyldon, "You! You rotten, womanizing piece of filth! Did you witch her and rape her? I'm going to bring you up before the magistrate!" growled Piers, his face flushed.
"Da!" Kel cried, aghast at the smear on her husbands honor, "He did no such thing! By the Gods!" Her hands trembled, Wyldon took Mira from her and then Gerek from Ilene and frowned.
"Piers!" exclaimed Ilene at the same time.
"We should go now; we just got in an hour ago and it's been a long trip," said Wyldon heading for the door, "We'll see you tomorrow at Tieron's reception."
Only Roald's and Shinko's family and closest friends had been invited to the naming celebration.
Kel nodded at her parents and headed out the door with Wyldon.
"Nicely done Piers," huffed Ilene; resisting the urge to run after Keladry and comfort her. She figured that Wyldon could do so better then she could.
"What? Was I supposed to think that our Kel did so willingly? He's twenty years older than her!"
"You know very well that girls as young as twelve marry men much older than that and not for love. And they love each other very much, if you couldn't tell."
Piers scowled and then relented under Ilene's icy stare. "Oh, fine...I'll go make amends with them. It'll take some getting used to though."
Back in their suite Kel sat by a window feeding Gerek while Wyldon rocked Miralis to sleep. Kel ignored the tears that were running down her cheeks; she hadn't expected her father's reaction to be so...harsh. It hurt. A warmth on her shoulder made her look back.
"What's this? Tears?" Wyldon murmured, wiping them away, "You knew they might be shocked. It's a lot to take in."
"I know...but I didn't think he'd be so un-accepting of us. I thought--" she stopped at the sound of knocking on the door. "Enter," she called.
Piers walked in and strode over to the window. "Keladry, Wyldon I must apologise for my rash reaction. It was a tad overwhelming. I hadn't thought of my little Keladry as a grown woman ready to start a family. And I know that Wyldon would never abuse a woman. But I must admit, I thought you were married..."
"Mirelle and I were never really married, not my most standards. It was an alliance between two rivals. She left last summer," Wyldon said gruffly.
Kel adjusted the blanket over her chest and Gerek before saying, "Da, I knew what I was getting into. We agreed on this, and we chose each other. I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner...but I was worried."
"I understand...have you told anyone--" He was interrupted by Mira's wailing, "I see you're going to be busy. Goddess bless you both." He gave Kel a kiss on her head, clasped Wyldon's left hand and exited the room.
"I present to you, Prince Tieron, son of Princess Shinkokami and Prince Roald, heir to the throne of Tortall," announced the priest, holding Tieron up for everyone to see.
Kel, Wyldon, Neal, Merric, Cleon, Faleron, a number of Shinko and Roald's other friends and their Majesties and their closest advisors stood up and clapped as Tier's beaming parents accepted him from the priest. Kel made her way over to Shinko, bowing Yamani-style, careful to not displace Gerek from the sling-wrap.
"Keladry! Welcome back!" cried Shinko, giving Kel a gentle hug. Gerek shifted in the sling and Shinko moved back. "Taking care of more small creatures?"
Kel smiled at the joke and shook her head. "This is Gerek," she said softly, removing the baby from his sling. "He's my son."
Shinko stared at her for a moment and then smiled. "That's wonderful! The father...?" she asked, only to be interrupted as Wyldon came over with Miralis. He bowed respectfully to Shinkokami and then again as Roald came over with Tieron.
"Your highnesses," greeted Wyldon. Mira took the lull in conversation to as an invitation to start bawling. Wyldon rocked her and murmured softly to her for a while as Kel conversed with Roald and Shinko. Kel finally excused herself, whispered in Wyldon's ear and then they switched children. Kel left the room, stopping once to bow to the King and Queen.
Wyldon stood up and made his way over to Shinko and Roald saying, "Keladry gives you her apologies; Mira is quite fussy."
Shinko smiled at him and nodded at the sleeping Tieron and Gerek. "I understand my lord. Is Miralis your child?"
"Yes," he replied simply, "As is Gerek."
Shinko looked confused for a moment. "Forgive me, but I could have sworn Keladry told me the Gerek was her son."
"Oh yes, he is and Mira is her daughter."
"My lord, you just told me that Miralis was your daughter. I do not see how... Oh! Oh my. You and Keladry, my lord. You are married?"
"Yes, Keladry and I were wed over the winter..."
Meanwhile out in the garden, Keladry sat on a bench swing with Mira, listening to the chirping birds. Flowers had blossomed and hunny bees glided over the flowers, intent on their business. She sighed and closed her eyes, it felt so nice to relax. Footsteps disturbed her peaceful silence, they stopped abruptly and Kel opened her eyes at a cough. Neal stood with his back to her, the tips of his ears red. Kel blushed and placed her tunic over her shoulder; covering her exposed chest.
"Neal? You can turn around now."
Neal turned around and sat down next to her on the bench, scowling.
Kel bit her lip, waiting for Neal to come out with whatever was bothering him, even though she figured it had to do with her and Wyldon.
"The Stump? Kel?" Neal asked, sounding somewhat desperate.
Kel's hazel eyes flashed and her voice was serious when she said, "Don't ever call him that again."
Neal looked slightly taken aback, but nodded. "Why didn't you tell me? Did you tell anyone, well besides Shinko and Roald. I read their lips. They're happy for you, as are their majesties, Cleon, Faleron, and the whole lot. Some are confused but," he stopped and cleared his throat, "Well... why?"
She sighed and then said quietly as she handed him Miralis, "Will you hold her for a moment. Be careful...gently now." Kel closed up her white shirt and then slid her blue and black tunic back on. She looked back at Neal, who was staring intently at Mira, an odd look in his eyes.
He glanced up at Kel and smiled lopsidedly. "I never really thought of you as ever being a mother. But you, well it just clicks."
She grinned at his compliment and replied dryly, "Thanks Neal. I suppose you want the story now. We went through a lot together, his injuries before the tournament, mine after the Scanran raid, when his wife left, Little Kel's injuries. There's a lot more to him than meets the eye. It was as if we were meant for each other. You should see how much he loves the twins. Mirelle it seems didn't let him help with their children, ever. We didn't really have time to tell anyone, we were married about two months before the twins were born. They weren't due until next month, but I suppose they got cramped up."
Neal watched Kel closely as she talked, noting her eyes as they traveled through pain, sorrow, joy and love. He nodded when she finished talking. "I see," he said slowly, knowing how he felt bout his wife, Yuki, "It might take some getting used to, but only a fool wouldn't see how much you love him."
"Kel? Keladry?" Wyldon called, he spotted Kel and Neal and walked over to them. "Queenscove," he nodded, "Some of the guests wish to see Mira and you." Kel took Miralis back from Neal and clasped his shoulder.
"Thanks for understanding Meathead."
"Thanks for telling me Kel."
She nodded and went back to the reception, arm in arm with Wyldon.
