Divinity: Chapter forty nine

The days went by slowly and most of them she spent it like this, asleep. This was the last trimester of her pregnancy and it was taking its toll on her. The rumors kept spreading like a disease and now it was starting to give problems on the internal matters of the northern kingdom, who ever made those rumors that person must hate her terribly.

Although there were people loyal to the new king and queen, there were others who fell for the lies someone was spreading and started to create chaos. As much as she wanted to go to see the southern king, there was always Aurea around to tell her not to. Eros on the other hand barely slept, he spent hours last night trying to figure out another solution to another new riot, it was like a bad disease.

Gaia opened her eyes slowly trying to adjust them to the light, sitting slowly in the bed she turned to find her husband's place on the bed empty.

"Dear child, you are making me sleep too much, but we need to do something to help papa"

A few moments later Aurea came in with a tray of food. "I'm glad you are finally awake"

Gaia smiled "Me too…but I don't fall asleep just because I want to, is because the baby wants to"

Aurea came to sit next to her and smiled "We must be prepared; it seems this baby has a very strong character"

Gaia chuckled a little and turned serious once again "Aurea, I need to go to see King Isra this time"

"I thought we talked about this Gaia…" Aurea's voice sound tired.

"I haven't seen any improvement to this matter…I can't stand see my husband so worried at nights" Gaia said slowly.

"I do not understand" Aurea said.

"He thinks I'm asleep but I've seen him up at nights trying to work something out to make this matter the way it was before all those rumors, I know he's worried about everything, his kingdom, myself and our baby" Gaia's eyes threatened to share tears.

Aurea gave Gaia a half smile and wiped the tears that fell from her eyes with her right hand.

"Please Aurea, help me go to talk to him…I'm feeling well today, please come with me…and I promise you, if I feel tired or sick we'll come back immediately" Gaia pleaded, her hands held Aurea's strongly.

Aurea lowered her gaze and after a few minutes of silence she nodded "Let me help you get dressed"

A deadly laugh echoed in the dark throne room. Her yellow eyes shone with happiness, Metallia tried to look herself the best she could for this 'wonderful day' as she called it, her thin silhouette was against one of the dark walls in the room. A smiled formed in her pale face.

"What is so funny?" Neherenia's voice was dry.

Metallia turned to see the dark queen walk closer, but as always she maintained her distance from the dark witch.

"Everything is going the way I planned…well, it would have been perfect if I killed the bastard…" Metallia trailed off.

"Bastard?" Neherenia asked.

"Gaia's unborn child" Metallia said.

Neherenia raised a brow "I see…"

"I can't let that child to be born!" the black witch said.

"What are these other plans you say are coming along well?" Neherenia's voice sounded distracted.

"The people on Earth are disgusted with their new queen" Metallia laughed.

"You promised me the lunar crown…do you think I'll be waiting for you for an eternity?" Neherenia's voice was dry.

"Once I totally destroy the terran queen it will be easier to break the lunar goddess and then I'll bring you your crown" Metallia said.

"I'm not a patient Queen" Neherenia said again.

"I will succeed..." Metallia's gave the dark queen a devilish smile.

Eros rubbed his eyes and yawned for the thirtieth time that morning, he stayed working in the studio alongside with Leonidas trying to find a solution to the problems that were going on in the kingdom.

People were acting with violence now, some of them threw wine bottles or rotten food to the front gates of the palace, others burned things down as a way to let them know they didn't approve Gaia as their queen because of the rumors of her being a witch.

Then, the negotiations with the other kingdoms were weakening and that also brought problems to the kingdom's commerce arrangements. King Odell and Queen Narella were beyond worried for their son, their kingdom and the now hidden queen; of course if people said she was a witch they also thought her unborn child was an abomination.

Leonidas yawned and covered his mouth with his hand "Eros, this is harder than we ever thought"

Eros gaze stayed fixed on the document he was reading "We knew this wasn't going to be easy to handle"

"I meant our Queen's situation" Leonidas turned to see the king.

Eros sighed "All this mess started because of that stupid rumor"

"Who could create such horrible lie?" Leonidas rubbed his face with both hands as a sign of frustration and exhaustion.

"I don't know anymore Leonidas…all I know is that I want to protect her and our child" Eros stood up.

"Eros?"

Eros turned to see Leonidas and shook his head "I can't continue like this…"

"You should go get some rest. It's almost ten o' clock in the morning…you've been up since yesterday" Leonidas yawned.

"And so are you. You too go to get some rest" Eros placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and walked out of the study.

Eros walked towards his chambers and once he got in directed quickly to the bedroom hoping to find his pregnant wife lying on the bed. He missed her warmth and perfumed smell; he missed her raven hair and her soft green eyes. He missed everything about her; but seconds later he was surprised by not seeing her anywhere around.

"Love?" he called out loud, but got no response.

His blue eyes widened "No…please be inside the palace grounds love" he ushered outside the room looking for her.

"I wish you didn't have to see all that" Aurea's voice sounded full of sadness.

"I'm okay Aurea…" Gaia sighed.

"I just can't believe this is happening…" Aurea moved the curtain of the carriage's window slightly to the side to see the southern kingdom ahead.

"Everything will go back to normal…" Gaia trailed off and flinched.

"Gaia, what's wrong?" Aurea turned quickly.

"The baby kicked hard…I'm fine" Gaia breathed.

"You shouldn't be traveling in this state…your pregnancy is very advanced by now…you may give birth any day now…if the king finds out I took you here he'll fire me" Aurea said.

"Aurea, I'm fine"

"I'm just saying…July is almost over"

"Aurea…"

"But..."

"Hush"

"Did you just hush me?"

"Hush"

"I'm worried about you and the baby and you hush me?"

"The baby is very comfortable inside me; I highly doubt he or she would want to come out today"

"Hm…if you say so…I don't think there is enough room left for the baby there…but okay"

Gaia smiled. "I'm swollen, that's all"

"Yes, and crazy" Aurea shook her head.

"I think we're here" the brunette maid woman said.

Gaia moved slightly the small red curtain inside the carriage to see outside. Indeed, they had arrived to the southern kingdom, and unlike where she lived this one didn't hold the magic the northern had, it was more sober and with less colorful houses. It was still beautiful but in a very different way.

The carriage stopped a few minutes later inside the palace grounds. A couple of guards were there waiting for them and helped Gaia step down and after her was Aurea.

"I came to see King Isra" Gaia said with determination.

The guards nodded their heads and led the two women to the study where apparently the southern king was waiting for them.

The southern palace was decorated in darker colors, paintings were hanging from the walls of the big hall that lead to the study, candles were lit illuminating the cold hall.

Once they were there the guard knocked on the door and after hearing a 'come in' he opened the door.

"Your Majesty…they're…" he was interrupted by the king's strong voice.

"Let them in and close the door"

The guard bowed and let Gaia and Aurea in and as he was told to shut the door behind them.

King Isra was signing some papers and not raised his gaze to look at the two women standing there, a few seconds later he raised his head and made a shock expression.

"Queen Gaia" King Isra said surprised.

"Good afternoon King Isra" Gaia said.

Isra immediately stood up and walked towards her "I was expecting someone else…this is a surprise"

"This is my assistant, Aurea. I hope you don't mind if she stays while we talk…I need her to be by my side because of my condition" Gaia said politely.

"No, not at all, please…sit" King Isra motioned the terran queen and her assistant to sit in the chairs in front of his dark wooden desk.

"What can I do for you Queen Gaia? How come you came and not your husband?" the southern king's voice was cold and distant.

Gaia raised her face to meet his serious stare and smile a little "Because this matter concerns me, it's because of me those rumors started and the economy in our kingdoms started to be in danger. My husband, the King is unaware of my presence here before you"

King Isra remained silent for a few minutes and sighed "I don't want to put in danger my kingdom, war is starting to rise again and the villagers' life is going to be threatened by this once again"

"None of us are perfect; we all have flaws and because of that none of us are allowed to judge us for what we have done, none of us should believe what others say about us" Gaia's voice was determinant.

"You don't understand! You are too young, just because you carry a crown upon your head you think you know how to run a kingdom, you know nothing!" King Isra raised his voice, a mix of frustration and anger. How could this girl talk the way she did? How could she be so regal and calm, and in her condition come over here to face the problem?

Gaia's gaze was elsewhere but looking at the angry man in front of her, her hands were holding together portraying an ethereal picture. The light that entered from the window illuminated her soft features, her eyes looked more light green than golden, her hair was braided to the side, her skin was flawless. King Isra could tell she was extremely tired; her very large belly was hidden under a deep red gown.

"I may not know how to run a kingdom" this time she turned to look at him, her eyes were soft and almost shared tears. "But I do know that war isn't the solution to solve this problem, it is my turn to question your knowledge on ruling a kingdom when you believe a child can be brought into this world and believe this kind of life is the right one, to see his o her parents working until very late to bring a piece of bread to their table so they can eat, a child that if he's a boy he'll have to go to the army and prepare himself for war…" Gaia trailed off, her voice sounded hurt, broken; silent tears started to fall from her eyes, wiping them with delicacy with the palm of her hand she stood up carefully.

"I am going to be a mother Your Majesty…and I don't want my child to see that. I don't want my child to sleep in fear; I don't want my child to think that this is a way of living. I may not know how to run a kingdom like you, but I do know how to fight and if I need to fight to get peace I'll do it" Gaia didn't hold her tears any longer and didn't bother to wipe them away with her hand.

She was upset and frustrated, she remembered Eros at nights worried about this situation, she remembered King Odell trying to interfere although his health is decreasing with each day, she felt her baby move inside her and placing a hand over her belly she sighed and regained herself. She was going to fight for her baby.

King Isra remained silent, surprise by the girl's character. When he first met her he thought she was going to be another weak kind of princess, just adored by her beauty but King Eros was married to a jewel.

"The Northern and the Southern Kingdom have always been in discordance, both are used to this" King Isra said running a hand through his thick brown hair.

"You've been in discordance since forever, and just because of that you prefer to keep living this way? Your Majesty, this is an opportunity of a new beginning, a fresh start. It's time for us to forget our past problems and continue moving towards the future. The Northern Kingdom has its new King and Queen and we want a change, a change for better, why don't you join us in this new project, join us. Let the rumors pass us by without affecting us, without affecting you and our kingdoms" Gaia came closer to the stubborn king and looked at him straight in to his eyes.

"She's nowhere to be found Eros, I looked for her in the kitchen, the gardens, the living room and the throne room. Not even Obelix knows where she is. He thought she was with you" Leonidas voice sounded worried.

Eros ran a hand through his hair and sighed in frustration "She must be somewhere…" he trailed off, his eyes widened in fear and turned to see Leonidas.

"What are you thinking?" Leonidas asked.

"I don't want to think she went to see Isra…" Eros said.

"No…she can't, remember the doctor said to her she had to take her precautions and rest" Leonidas said.

Eros sighed in defeat. "It's Gaia we're talking about"

"I see…" Leonidas nodded.

Eros passed him by leaving a startled general "Oy! Where are you going?"

"To get my wife and child back safe"

Leonidas ran to catch him; standing in front of him he stopped him with his extended hand. "Wait"

"A fresh start?..." King Isra's words fell from his lips.

"We can change the way to rule our kingdoms, we can work as one and make a better world" Gaia smiled at the confused king.

"You are trying to convince me to give you my crown" King Isra turned his back on her.

Gaia sighed and turned to look at Aurea who was surprised by her strength in this matter and his bold character.

"Your Majesty…do you really believe in those rumors? Do you really think I am some sort of a witch and want to take all over the world? Wouldn't be easier to just try to do it without coming here and try to reason this matter with you first?" Gaia questions the king.

"If you truly believe that you can continue to rule your kingdom this way, denying a different future to the next generations, continuing this silly war…if you truly believe I am a person who doesn't have anything else to do than to create lies, then I'll step aside and never bother you again"

King Isra turned to look back at a very tired Gaia. They have been talking for the past three hours nonstop, Aurea knew her queen was feeling extremely tired but couldn't interrupt what she came to do, all she could do was support her and be there for her.

"Why are you really here Gaia? Is it really because you want to convince me to think otherwise I heard from you?"

"I'm here, because I believe this world can do better" Gaia half smiled to the king.

"Eros couldn't find a better queen" King Isra smiled at her.

Gaia blushed "What is going to happen then Your Majesty?"

Isra walked towards the window and stared at his kingdom silently, like if he was taking all in what she told him over the past hours, a few minutes later he smiled to himself, he turned to look at the worried queen and her assistant and smiled once again.

"This world definitely can do better, I ask for your forgiveness Queen Gaia"

Gaia smiled "I have nothing to forgive you, are we at peace then Your Majesty?"

"Tell Eros I'll be there visiting you in a couple of days to talk to him and to sign the papers there are need to be signed to continue our treaty" Isra smiled.

Gaia nodded and gave a small curtsy to the king.

Aurea was blown away by what just happened, what men normally resolved fighting she did it talking and being patient, she knew the southern king was not an easy person at all and that his character was one of the strongest, she heard from several conversations between Eros and Gaia that this king didn't fall for any women's delicacy, it was exactly one of the main issues when she asked him to let her come here, Eros was afraid of his reaction towards her and in her very pregnant state she could either cry or get angry and that wouldn't work out fine.

But her presence did wonders; she not only convinced this king to stop the war he started once again against their kingdom but convinced him to be allies and made him smile.

After thinking all this, Aurea admired her more, she really was a true Queen, after all, she's the Goddess of this planet, and she knows how to fight with grace to protect her planet.

Standing up she went to her side, getting a hold of her left arm she got close enough and whispered in her ear.

"I know you are tired, we need to get going before His Majesty starts looking for you"

Gaia nodded and turned to the now smiling king.

"Has the doctor told you when is your child going to be born?" King Isra asked.

Gaia nodded "He says that maybe in two more weeks if not three"

"You need to rest" the king said.

"Yes, I'm afraid we must go now…" Gaia smiled.

"Yes, of course, of course…I'll guide you to the entrance and to your carriage" King Isra said.

"Did you find her?" a very worried Eros asked his friend and general.

"No…" Leonidas lowered his gaze. "My men are still looking for her outside in the village"

"It's been over two hours! I shouldn't have listened to you in the first place, you told me to wait" Eros ran a hand through his hair.

"We are all tired and because of the situation we are in we are on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but you have to calm down!" Leonidas said.

One of Leonida's men showed up interrupting both men discussion "General Leonidas, the royal carriage has arrived"

Both, Eros and Leonidas exchanged glances and went to the entrance immediately.

The driver opened the small door of the carriage helping Aurea and a very tired queen step out of it.

"Thank you Roland" Aurea said.

Gaia supported herself on Aurea and started to walk back to the palace when a very worried and apparently angry king was waiting for them in the entrance hall.

"I guess your plan of being unnoticed didn't work out" Aurea whispered.

Eros started walking towards his wife "I'll take my wife to our chambers Aurea, your assistance is no longer required for today" his voice was low and dry, yes, he was upset.

Without any more words Eros took Gaia to their chambers and before closing the door asked Leonidas to tell another maid to bring them their supper to their room.

Gaia sat on the red couch in their chamber's living room. Minutes full of silence went by either Gaia or Eros could say a word. She was too nervous for what he could say and he was scared for what could have happened to her.

"Why did you do that Gaia?" Eros broke the heavy silence, his voice sounded tired and full of worry.

"I needed to do something…I …" she trailed off.

"For heaven's sake Gaia, you could have been hurt! I was worried about you, I searched for you in every corner of this damn palace and only to find out that you were out" for the very first time Eros raised his voice at her.

Gaia lowered her gaze "I couldn't stand any longer to see you worried at the window at night trying to think of an answer, in a way to solve this…I cried every night I saw you sitting here, worried for what would happen, worried for me and for our child"

"That's my job Gaia! My job is to be worried! I was more worried to find you gone and not knowing where you were than the problems we are having with the other kingdoms! You have to be resting instead of doing what you did! It's not just your life now Gaia, why can't you understand that?" Eros kneeled before her, he couldn't take it anymore, covering his face with his shaking hands she heard him sobbing softly.

Gaia widened her eyes in shock, was he crying? She thought. She kneeled next to him and tried to take his hands off his face.

"I'm sorry Eros…" she breathed "I too was worried for everything and I didn't feel at ease resting while knowing you are there alone trying to think of a solution…and more when I knew this problem was something that was in some way because of me, the rumors were about me and that was one of the main reasons of the problems between the other kingdoms…I was afraid for you, for our baby…like if our baby knew I felt fine today and that's why I decided to do what I did…Aurea wasn't happy at all and I had to convince her to let me go and the only way I did was letting her go with me"

Eros looked at her with teary eyes "Don't you understand Love?... my life doesn't work well if you are not around, if I lose you I won't stand it, you are my everything…I was very worried about you, about our baby"

Gaia smiled "But you don't have to anymore"

Eros frowned "What do you mean?"

"Isra will support us once again; he asked me to forgive him for judging me and believing those stupid rumors…and said he was going to stop the war as well"

Eros's eyes widened in shock "What?"

"This matter involved me and I needed to set the record straight, fortunately I was able to do it" Gaia smiled.

"Gaia…" Eros trailed off.

"He asked me to tell you that he will be here in a couple of days to sign the papers that are needed to sign and to finally be at peace" Gaia smile widened.

"I'm still upset for what you did Gaia, but, I'm very proud of you" he came closer and kissed her softly on her lips.

"I'm sorry" she whispered.

Eros nodded "You are my everything"

Gaia placed a hand on his cheek and smiled "And you…are mine" she breathed.

A/N: I think this chapter will do perfectly fine for yesterday's and tomorrow's update :) I have to hurry up and write the final chapters of Divinity and...(suspense music) start editing the first chapters of it's sequel "Deity" I hope you like this chapter :)

I don't own sm, just the plot, the story and some of the characters. Thank you.