Nyssa awoke in the small tent she shared with Hedir to see him sitting to the side of her, watching in the low light. She could not see his face, but he could see she was awake.

Hedir moved to her clothing and gently lifted to tuck it under her breasts. The air was cool. His hands took her now larger belly and he moved to lean over her. He bent and kissed lightly the top, finally resting his forehead to her skin. He stayed there a long while, like he was communing with his son within.

Nyssa moaned when a strong flutter moved across her midsection, startling her, but Hedir simply kissed it lightly. It fluttered again and Hedir’s hand met hers. He kissed it again.

“Do you feel something?” he whispered to her. Nyssa bit her lip and shut her eyes; the fluttering continued. She nodded.

She heard a sob escape and she saw her husband bent to the side, his hand still resting on top.

“I love you, child of mine,” he whispered, “and your mother who carries the most precious of gifts. I will love you both and hold you like this, in my hands and in my heart, for all time.”

She felt his hand warm on the side of her face.

She knew she was unwell and unprepared now for this baby. The trip had been unavoidable but gruelling and Hedir was terrified for her condition. She saw his contentment where he cradled her belly now, but also his concern and his fear, which she knew he was trying to hide from her. She gripped his hand strongly to encourage him.

“Do not fear, Nyssa,” he said to her and close, he put his head to hers now. “The Wood sees you coming, and bids you welcome home. He will come to us there, safely, you’ll see. I am here now. I will never leave you, love you!”

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The sound of their horses’ hooves changed as they passed the border of the Wood, lowering to a deeper, muffled clomp and the occasional sweep of leaves that were always across the road. The sunlight danced in the spaces in the canopy and shafts twinkled in and out throughout the vast forest floor, as far as her eyes could see.

The smell was so encompassing, she found herself closing her eyes to take deep breaths of it. She hadn’t noticed she was slipping in her saddle until Jara cleared his throat beside her, and she startled awake.

“You need to rest before we go on with the king and queen,” Jara said strongly to her while he helped right her again.

“Our arrival here is paramount, Jara,” she said sharply.

“Your survival is paramount, my Queen,” he barked back in return and she whipped her head around to look at him. The pain in her back had grown to encompassing, tortuous levels, and she was irate and waspish with it.

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“Is it now?” she said mockingly. “Well, I am well aware of that, Sir Guardsman, and hence why I wish not to doddle out here on the road. We will get our answers here from Keerie, and I,” she held the vowel long to emphasize it, “will do what is necessary to defeat Dascus. End of story. Everyone goes back to their lives.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” he asked her, annoyed. She ignored him and kicked her horse into a run.

When they approached the stables, a full hour’s walk still from the village, the soldiers were greeted efficiently, and directed to a temporary camp made up for them around the side. Dorn took charge of them, and left Nyssa, Brack and Jara. In the mass of horses, Roan pushed his way to the front and knocked everyone else’s mount out of line for the groom. The master groomsman, who had been off to the side providing direction and talking to Brack, came over immediately.

“Roan, my friend,” he said strongly and reached out for the bridal, which the big destrier allowed him to take. “You seem upset. Come, come, let me help you,” he said soothingly and he shot a curious glance at Nyssa, who sighed in defeat.

Her back was cripplingly sore, and the burn down her legs was a numbing ache that made her distrust her balance, but she refused to show or tell anyone. Mounting that morning was a searing fire brand across her hip bones and cramps sparked constantly across her midsection and she was almost unable to sit. Her belly at six months was bigger now, undeniable and out front for anyone to see the mess she’d put herself in. She wore her robes or cloaks to hide it as much as possible, but she felt its weight now and in the saddle, it was especially uncomfortable. Always.

When she could dismount, Jara had to slowly lower her, which he did without a harsh word. He offered kind encouragement, and she thanked him quietly, too much in pain to be mad anymore.

Under her cloak, she put her two hands under the bowl of her tummy and lifted it a tiny bit, trying to see if it would ease her back and it did a little. When a hand touched her shoulder, she removed her hands too quickly and felt the pain shoot across her hips again and down both legs, nearly causing her to fall. The groomsman was alarmed and held her at her elbow.

“I’m fine,” she said and waved him off, trying to smile to pretend it was really alright, but her steps away from him were slow and measured, and she had to stop and lean against a tree.

She heard the sound of a carriage, and absently made her way toward it. After over a month on the road, she would submit to a soft seat and covered cabin.

The carriage door opened and Nyssa went to step forward, but instead, she was met by Queen Keerie, her face absorbing every inch of her, and obviously not liking what she saw.

Behind her, Nyssa saw Hedir, sitting silently on the bench. He’d branched off from them after crossing the border without a word save a nod. Now she understood why. Keerie came completely down from the coach and directly faced Nyssa, who tried to smile, because she was so overwhelmingly happy to see her, but she was also conflicted.

Tired to the bone, physically from the journey, emotionally because Keerie was her ultimate destination and she had succeeded; physically because she was pregnant, emotionally because she was pregnant, and more emotionally because she was so relieved to see Keerie, but if she didn’t sit down in the next minute, she was likely to fall down.

Nyssa just shook her head and stared at the ground. Keerie looked visibly upset and Nyssa felt she couldn’t handle that too. But she felt gentle hands take her by the shoulders and guide her into the coach. She only briefly looked at Hedir, who, despite it all, looked obviously worried and full of love, and she felt it was too much. She sighed when she slowly sat down but averted her eyes to the window, letting her head rest on the glass.

“You should have sent a bird, Hedir,” she heard Keerie say.