The Blood Of Three Kings

This was a huge issue to Serenity. Everyone was pushing at her from all sides. She had never heard the words 'what if' and pregnant so many times in the same sentence'. Her mother was pushing her; her father was even starting on her case. Silvan was already there, he was just being more polite about the issue. She knew he wanted a baby but was she ready for one?

She sighed and walked down the castles long hall way slowly. She didn’t look at anything in particular except her stomach. Her fingers slid down and over the smooth silk material of her dress. She wasn’t large in belly; she still had a very tone and trim figure.

“Would he hate me if I wasn’t pregnant?” She whispered the words. Serenity had to think of how Silvan might feel if she was or was not. Her mother certainly made her opinion clear enough; she really wanted to be a grandmother. Her father had just told her he was there for her. Serenity actually appreciated that more than he knew. Silvan though, he was the tough one to figure.

“I’m only eighteen. I guess I haven’t been exactly using protection though.” Serenity sighed and leaned against the wall. Her head was swimming in deep thought right now. What did Silvan want? He never told her. He always danced around the question and said her wants were his. It was so frustrating! Serenity looked up at the high ceiling of the castle and sighed. Why did things like this have to be so difficult!?

“Guess I just have to leave it up to fate. If I am, I am and if I’m not, I’m not.”

She shrugged and pushed herself off the wall. Her feet reluctantly pushed off towards the chambers where a healer was awaiting her. Silvan had persuaded her to go and talk to them. She agreed under extreme duress. She also made the single condition that she would go alone. This was odd for her but she didn’t want to see Silvan’s upset face if she wasn’t pregnant. He really wanted it. He never said it but she could tell just by how he acted.

“Though I swear if I hear one more 'what if' question I’ll scream.”

Serenity grunted and looked up. She had reached the doors of the healers chambers. Her hand rose slowly and pushed against the wooden door. It was heavy to her. Serenity sighed and added her other hand to her first. With a very trudged demeanour she pushed open the door.

“Hello?”

The low candle lit room greeted her. It was a simply decorated room with few lavish possessions to add to it. Serenity smiled reluctantly at the plain room. It was one of very few this palace actually held. Most of the rooms were very opulent and looked as if they belonged in a grand castle such as this.

“Ahh come in my child!” The friendly face of a Healer, adorned in gray and white robes, appeared. “I have been expecting you.”

“Huh?” Serenity blinked and looked up.”Oh! Healer Jacard?”

“Yes that is me.” He smiled. “Come and have a seat.”

His hand motioned to the only comfortable looking seat in the entire room. Serenity sighed inwardly and forced herself to take the offered seat. The healer paused to note her reluctance. Something was obviously on his queen’s mind.

“Is something troubling you highness?”

“Not exactly but also yes.” Serenity looked up at him. “Does that make any sense at all?”

“Oh I think it does. Care to talk about it?” He sat down in a rougher, more uncomfortable looking wooden seat that was in front of her. “Or would you rather not?”

“I don’t know. If... I did, would you tell anyone?”

Serenity hated to keep feelings like this from Silvan because she thought she might break his heart if she spoke them to him. The healer smiled and shook his head. He pointed to the table beside her chair. A silver cup of water was poured and waiting for her.

“I will not speak of anything you do not wish me to My lady.”

“Thank you.” She pulled the cup hesitantly into her grasp. Serenity didn’t quite know how to begin. “You see I... Wasn't sure whether I wanted to come and find out if I am pregnant or not. I don’t know if I want to be so. Everyone else seems to want me to be and I’m afraid that if I am not then I will hurt my husband's heart. He doesn’t say it but I can see it in his eyes. He wants me to be. My mother wants me to be. I even think my father-in-law, Tamin, and my father want it too.” She looked up at the healer with a perplexed , helpless look in her face. “Am I wrong to think I am not ready maybe?”

“Of course not my lady. These are completely natural feelings that anyone should have. A child is a large step.” His words came across very comforting to her uneasy tensions. “And I am very sure that King Silvan will not be angry if you are pregnant or if you are not. He wants you to be healthy and happy, first and foremost. I am confident that every one else feels this way as well.”

“Wish I could be so confident.” Serenity shifted uncomfortably. “I guess we should get this over with though huh?”

“If you wish. Do you want me to tell anyone what we find out here today?”

“No... I... Can tell who needs telling if its important.” Serenity’s eyes shifted to a darker, more uneasy shade of jade green.”If that is alright with you.”

“I am here to help you. I will not break your confidence in myself.” Jacard stepped forward.”There will be a brief sensation of warmth. That is all you should feel Highness.”

“All right, I am ready when you are.”

Her hands gripped the chairs arms uncomfortably. This was it, wasn’t it? She would find out what the whole castle was dying to know.

“Relax Lady Serenity.” His voice lulled into a softness that made her feel drowsy. “I will not hurt you.”

Her eyes closed. Serenity could not discern how much time had passed. She only remembered him speaking and then she was asleep. She turned on a comfortable bed. Jacard smiled and placed a cold cloth over her forehead to try and help wake her. Serenity blinked at the feel of this. She gasped and sat up quickly in the bed.

“Huh!?”

She looked slightly shaken. Jacard chuckled and shook his head.

“Easy my lady. It is just me. You fell asleep when I used my sensing abilities on you.”

“O... Oh.” She paused. “Oh! That’s right.” Serenity forgot why she was here? That was rather mindless of her. Serenity shook off the dust from her apparent lapsing memory. “So... What’s the verdict?”

“Well.” The healer smiled. He pulled the more comfy chair up and sat down. "I must say you like to get right to the point don’t you?”

“Kind of,” Serenity mumbled it under her breath and looked down. ”So?”

“All right. Well I will begin with what I did. I used my sensing abilities. When a healer is born they are born with the natural gifts to sense certain aspects about people’s bodies.”

He was doing this on purpose. Serenity didn’t know whether she appreciated this or if she was ready to toss a pillow at him and say get on with it.

‘Oh well’ Her thoughts played on her mind as he rambled on about healers. ‘Guess I have to listen.’

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A/N : yes I know I am evil and I left it at a cliff hanger. :) . Soooo Should she be? should she not be? Oh my decisions, decisions. Let me know what you think. (I honestly can not continue without opinions.) Please read and review. I really want to know what people think.

This is Beta-d!

Starfyre