The King and Queen returned home and found themselves facing each other in their bed chambers, the pouch containing the mysterious mixture between them. The copper dog happily bounded around their feet. The Queen took a deep breath and untied the strings holding the pouch closed. She waited for the King to move first, the signal that he had accepted what they had to do. Moving quickly so he could not change his mind, he reached in the bag, pulled out a pinch and sprinkled it into his cup. They watched it dissolve in the water, turning the liquid brown. The Queen followed his lead, watching her own drink turn brown. The royals met each other's eyes and raised their glasses in unison.
"For our child." They toasted and drank.
Within a week of their mysterious midnight visit to the woman in the woods, the Queen came to her King, the puppy faithfully trailing at her heels. The mixture from the Witch had run out the night before. And still there had been no change, the King thought to himself. The copper dog bounded over to the King and excitedly looked up at him. The King reached down and scratched behind the pup's ears. He had to admit he enjoyed having the dog around. He looked up at his wife from his desk. She had a strange look he could not read on her face.
"What is it, my love?"
She smiled at him. "I'm pregnant."
The King froze. "Truly?"
She nodded, caressing her stomach. He came around the desk and the couple embraced, ecstatic
The next nine months were filled with happiness and bliss for the couple. The time passed quickly, preparing for the baby. Doctor's visits became a regular occurrence, the King being very concerned about the Queen as any first time father would be. Midwives were found as soon as the Queen's stomach began to grow. A grand room was furnished at the top of the tower for the baby with connecting apartments for the King, Queen and nursemaids to stay while the child was too young to be left on its own. Nine months passed by quickly and now it was a waiting game. Waiting for the moment when the baby decided it was ready.
The King entered the tower bedchambers after another day of waiting. The only advantage was it gave the crafter time to finish the project the King had requested. He could not wait to show it to the Queen. He found his Queen stroking her pregnant belly, humming her lullaby softly to it. The copper dog, that had grown thrice its normal size, was lounging beside her on the bed.
"I have a gift to show you."
She looked curiously at him. With a smile, he presented an ornate music box. It was a circular and had a detailed golden pattern on the outer edge. The lid had the look of a crown and needed a key to unlock and open. The key also served to wind the mechanism. The King wound up the music box and it played the melody the Queen's soft melody. The Queen smiled contentedly.
"The child will love it," she praised the King's gift.
"It will be played for them every night as they sleep."
"Rather than me singing?"
"For the nights when you are tired," he explained. Suddenly, the Queen gasped and the puppy sat up quickly. "Are you alright?"
"It's kicking. Quick, give me your hand." She placed the King's hand under hers so he could feel the faint bump underneath her skin. Luckily, the baby was compliant and pushed at the place where its parents' hands waited. The King smiled, amazed at the sign of life inside his love. He caught her in a kiss and the baby kicked again. The Queen gasped again, this time in pain. The King backed away concerned. Breathlessly, she told him, "I think it's time."
The dog jumped off the bed and took off out the door.