Chapter 13: A Child

Dilandau and his loyal Dragonslayers scoured the forest and area surrounding the massive floating fortress, the Vione. Setsuna had gone missing and her guymelef was nowhere to be found. Had she deserted the Ziabach military?

The Slayers searched with heavy hearts, hoping that she hadn't abandoned them, for more than one reason. She was one of the more skilled soldiers and was probably the only one whose ability could possibly surpass their commander, Lord Dilandau. But also, if she had deserted, if found she would face severe scrutiny and punishment.

As Dilandau searched the forest he came across an abandoned campsite. He jumped out of his crimson red guymelef to further inspect the area. He sniffed the thick air, which still smelt of campfire. His eyes scanned the forest floor carefully. The site had recently been abandoned so there would still be fresh clues.

As he inspected the site, his eyes caught sight of a dagger lying on the ground. He knelt down and picked it up to examine it more closely. His blood red eyes widened. It belonged to her. There was no mistaking it. He had supplied her with that very dagger. All the Dragonslayers had a similar one. She had been there. So the Asturian forces have her…. He clutched the dagger by its hilt.

Millerna walked out of the room in which Setsuna slept in. She brushed her long golden locks of hair over her shoulder as she walked down the hallway towards the throne room. The two soldiers guarding the large doors bowed down to the woman and opened the doors for her. She smiled at them and entered the room.

Inside the room waited her husband the King of Asturia Dryden, the heavenly knight Allen Schazar and the young Fanelian king Van Fanel. "Well?" Allen asked the young queen as she approached.

"She does have the mark." A silence loomed over the men. "I also discovered something else." the three men looked at her curious. "It seems as if this young warrior has been doing more than just fighting." She told them with a wink. The three men looked at each other not knowing what she was trying to imply.

"What do you mean Millerna?" Van asked on behalf of himself and the other two men.

"She is with child. At first I didn't believe it but after doing numerous tests, I got the same results." The news was a bit of surprise for the group. "She' not far a long, but she just seems so young." She turned to Allen with a serious look in her lavender eyes, "Allen, did any of your men-"

"No." He answered quickly.

Setsuna tossed and turned in her sleep. A look of fear could be seen on her face as her tossing increased. She sat up right in the bed and let out a scream. She panted as she laid back down on the bed. No way, that that didn't happen. It just couldn't have. She killed herself; he didn't kill her. She thought to herself as she reflected on her nightmare.

She had just dreamt of her mother's death, a very common dream that she would have, but this one was different. Instead of seeing her mother take her own life she saw him, Dilandau. He had cut and scared her fragile body. The dream seemed too real for a dream. Tears welled in her eyes.

Millerna ran into the room and over to the young girl's bedside. "Are you alright? What happened?" She asked immediately. Setsuna stared at the woman confused.

"Who are you and where am I?" Setsuna asked, ignoring the woman's question.

"I'm queen Millerna Aston and you're in the Asturian castle in Palas." She answered the frightened girl's question. "Now, tell me what happened? Don't worry, I won't hurt you." Setsuna studied the woman in front of her carefully. She stood there so regally, smiling gently. A smile she hadn't seen in so long.

"I…I just had a bad dream, that's all." Setsuna answered hesitantly.

"So, what's your name?" Millerna asked as she sat down on the edge of the bed, folding her hands neatly over her lap.

"Setsuna, Setsuna Kimiwo." She answered and paused. "How did I get here?" Millerna smiled at the young teen.

"Allen and his men brought you here because he didn't feel that you were a threat anymore and to protect you." Setsuna was stunned. Wow, this is surprising, blondie knight trusts me, she thought to herself still in shock. The two women talked for hours on end.

It was a relief for Setsuna to finally have another female to speak with. On the Vione, women were scarce. The only women were maids and they were to be seen and not heard. The two young women felt like they were connecting in a strange way. Setsuna had expected Millerna to hate her for being with Ziabach, the very country that was in the process of trying to take over Asturia.

As the days passed, Setsuna learned to trust her former enemies. It was awkward for both in the beginning. Van still didn't trust her fully but he tried his best by request of Millerna.

Setsuna and Millerna became quick friends within the first few days. But days soon turned into months and as the months went on, Setsuna's belly began to grow, making it more obvious of her current state. She was, of course, in disbelief when Millerna had initially informed her of condition.

Millerna helped her through the whole nine months. She knew exactly what Setsuna was going through. She had gone through the same thing two years prior when she had her first daughter Marie. Being pregnant wasn't the most joyous experience. There were the ups and downs.

The nine months of her pregnancy seemed to pass quickly and soon she was in labor, the final struggle. Setsuna sat upright on her bed surrounded by healers, physicians and the queen herself, Millerna, who would be delivering the child.

Merle stood by Setsuna's side coaching her as Millerna had instructed. The healers stood off to the side and waited for the child to be delivered. Setsuna pushed with all her might. "Come on Setsuna! I know you can do it!" Millerna yelled at the girl, trying to encourage her to push harder. Merle held Setsuna's hand tightly, continuing to coach her. A healer wiped away the sweat from Setsuna's forehead.

"I…can't…do it…" Setsuna told Millerna panting, tears streaming down her cheeks. Millerna shot her a stern look.

"Setsuna, I know you can! You just got to believe you can!" Setsuna shook her head. She never expected labor to hurt so much. "The harder you push the less it'll hurt. Now push!" Setsuna pushed harder than before, screaming and cursing. Merle joined in on the screaming as she felt her fingers being crushed.

Millerna smiled and told her to push yet again. Setsuna clenched her eye shut and pushed once more. There was a short silence in the air that was quickly followed by the cries of the newly born child. One of the healers went over to Millerna's side and wrapped the child tightly in a warm cotton blanket.

Setsuna rested against the pillows pilled up behind her. She breathed heavily. She was exhausted. Training with Dilandau was less tiresome than giving birth. Millerna walked over to Setsuna and handed her, her newborn child. "It's a girl." She said with a smile. Setsuna cradled her newborn daughter in her arms as more tears rolled down her cheeks.

"She's beautiful," Setsuna breathed. "Absolutely beautiful…"

Merle sat down beside her and asked what she going to name her daughter. Setsuna wondered, she never really thought about a name. She sat there in silence wondering what her daughter's name would be. Then it hit her as she noticed the silver hairs on the infant's head. She knew the perfect name. "Her name will be…Dilandra." Merle looked at her confused.

"Why Dilandra?" She asked her simply.

"Because, she reminds me of her father." Setsuna answered as she caressed the young child's face.