Chapter Text
“Alright, Talia, what is it?” Sherril asked after the group of women had been talking for about an hour. “Mero made all your favorites, but you mostly just picked at them, you’ve lost weight everywhere but your boobs, which actually appear bigger, and you’re quiet.”
Talia looked down, “I guess I should tell you—I mean you’ll find out sooner or later—and…”
Keren spoke up then, “You two, would you give us a minute?” She asked Sherril and Jeri, who nodded and left the suite, shutting the door behind them. “Little centaur, are you pregnant?”
***
Kris watched Dirk over the glass of wine. He needed to tell Dirk, and not just because Dirk was his oath brother, but because he needed to make sure that Dirk heard it in such a way that he didn’t get the wrong idea. “Look, there’s something else that happened on the Circuit. I didn’t want to talk about it in the dining room, even though I’m sure it’ll be all over the Collegium and Court within a week. And you deserve to hear it first hand: Talia’s pregnant.”
Dirk felt like he’d been sucker punched. “Wha—are you the father?”
“I am. She’s decided to keep the pregnancy and I’ll help her raise it. But Dirk I don’t want you getting the wrong idea or anything. We’re not exclusive—I mean we have been for the past while but that was more of a situational thing. What I’m saying is if you wanted to court her I think she’d be receptive to the idea. I know you like her. And she was pretty transparent that she likes you too.”
Dirk was feeling quite confused. “And you wouldn’t mind if I courted her?”
“Not at all,” said Kris with a smile. “I want both of you two to be happy and I think you two could make each other very happy indeed. I love you both you know,” he paused and then continued. “She and I were talking about getting a three bedroom suite, so we’d both be on hand for the baby. Even with the baby we’re not talking about sharing a bedroom.”
***
Talia looked up at Keren, and smiled with tears in her eyes. “Yes, and overall I’m happy, even if it wasn’t planned, it just seems so overwhelming coming back and telling everyone though! And I’m scared of how the Court will react.”
Keren hugged the younger woman. “The Court will deal with it. And the Circle will support you. Is Kris the father?”
“He is, we’re going to get a three bedroom suite so that we can both be on hand for the baby.”
“So it’s not love-everlasting?”
“I—don’t know. I like him. But I have very strong feelings for Dirk too. I’m just confused by the whole thing.”
“What do you want to tell the others?” Keren asked.
“Let’s bring them back in and tell them most of the truth.”
***
Dirk was really feeling confused, and decided to ask Ahrodie about it as Kris chattered on about the internship. :Well, what do you think? Do you think he’s being genuine when he says he wouldn’t mind if I courted her?:
:I do. And I think that he’s right that she wouldn’t mind either!:
:I—don’t think I know how to court someone. Not properly.:
:Why don’t you ask her if she wants to have a picnic with you in Companion’s Field? There are some nice secluded corners just in case things got heated, but no pressure for things to go further than you both want:
:Ahrodie you’re a genius.:
***
The three women cooed over Talia’s small bump when she showed them, and Talia found herself feeling more comfortable.
“Have you and Kris talked about names at all?” Jeri asked
Talia smiled, finally relaxed now that she was home and no longer keeping the pregnancy secret from her friends. “We thought about Andrean after my brother for a boy, but we don’t have any ideas for a girl.”
“You know with you and Kris contributing blood to this child it’s going to be good-looking!” Said Sherril.
****
“Dirk? You there, mate? Am I so boring your eyes have glossed over?” Kris asked
“No, not at all, I was just consulting with Ahrodie. So you really wouldn’t mind if I asked Talia to go on a picnic with me?”
“Hellfires Dirk, I wouldn’t mind if you moved in with her! As long as you two weren’t too noisy that is if I’m in the other room.”
Dirk grinned. “Ahrodie suggested asking Talia if she wants to go on a picnic in Companion’s Field with me, think she’d go for it?”
“Absolutely! Just be sure to pack lots of mild foods, her stomach’s been unpredictable, and the midwife said no wine either.”
***
The next day when Elspeth greeted Talia, Talia hugged her back and whispered “I need to talk to you privately today.” Elspeth saw the seriousness in the request and nodded.
“After your weapons’ practice with Alberich?”
Talia nodded. They caught up for several more moments (all things they wouldn’t mind being overheard), and when Talia was getting up to put her dishes away Dirk dashed up.
“Uh Talia! I was—ah, well I was talking to Kris, and I was—ah, wondering if you’d like to go for a picnic sometime when your duties allowed with me in Companion’s Field? Just the two of us? And Rolan and Ahrodie of course.”
Talia grinned. “I would like that very much. I’ll be getting my schedule for the rest of the week and I’ll make sure there’s a few hours there for it.”
***
Vetoing the marriage offer from Allessender until Elspeth was out of training was no problem for Talia, though it was quite hilarious to see how many of the Councilors hadn’t realized yet that she had full vote. She told the Queen that she would take breakfast with her privately tomorrow to discuss things—she’d tell Selenay about the pregnancy then—and then went off for her appointment with Alberich.
Talia knew she needed to tell Alberich before she practiced with him for safety’s sake, so when she went down to her weapons’ work she asked the the Karsite Herald if she could speak with him. Alberich must have been able to tell that whatever it was was serious; he ushered her into his private rooms in the back of the salle.
Talia had never been back here before, but was enthralled by the stained glass window depicting a rising sun against a field of blue. “I um, I need to tell you something that relates to my weapons work. I’m pregnant.”
“How long?” Asked Alberich.
“Three months?”
“Asking or telling me you are?”
“I—haven’t seen a Healer, only a midwife,” Talia admitted.
“Then before today’s lesson you must. Kantor sending for one now is. Here wait, and return to the salle I shall.”
Alberich left and not long later Lady Myrim came into the sitting room. “Alberich was rather vague about why you needed a Healer, but since it’s at the salle I can assume it’s a training injury?” the older woman asked.
“Not exactly. Alberich wanted me to get checked out by a Healer because I’ve only been seen by a midwife on my internship—I’m pregnant.”
Myrim paused before speaking, “Are congratulations in order?”
Talia smiled. “Yes, I believe so. It wasn’t planned, but—well, what in life is planned?”
Myrim smiled, “I’ll just take a look then, shall I?” She sat next to Talia on the couch and sent her Gift through the Herald. “Do you want to know the baby’s sex?”
“I—yes. It would make picking a name easier, wouldn’t it?”
“She’s a girl, and she’s healthy. You’re about three months along. Have you been having trouble with nausea?”
A girl, how amazing! And unlike Talia she wouldn’t be raised on the Holds where being a girl was lesser. In fact Talia had no doubt that Kris would be delighted to hear he was having a daughter. “I thought I was getting over it. I wasn’t keen on eating when I first got back, but I think that was nerves, mostly.”
“Hmm, seems likely, you’ve lost weight on your Circuit, and you were thin before. You’ll need to try to eat a bit more. Did the midwife give you anything for nausea?”
Talia nodded “Candied ginger and ginger tea.”
Myrim nodded, satisfied. “If you need any more of either you can pick some up from the House of Healing.”
Myrim was just finishing up when there was a knock a the door from the salle side. “Talia? Alberich said you were in here?” Elspeth said. “Can I come in?”
“Yes, come in!” Talia called.
Elspeth looked quizzically at Myrim, who spoke up. “I’ll talk to you later than Talia,” and left, shutting the door behind her.
“Are you okay? You didn’t get injured did you?” Elspeth asked.
“No, it was actually about why I wanted to talk to you. Alberich found out I hadn’t seen a Healer for it yet and called her in. Catling, I’m pregnant. I wanted you to hear it from me before rumors start flying.”
Elspeth was shocked at this. “Wow, that’s—um. Congratulations?”
“Thank you. I was pretty shocked too when I figured it out.”
“Is Kris...?”
“Yeah, he’s the father. We were talking about maybe getting a three bedroom suite. You know, so he could be there more easily to help.”
“So you two aren’t going to get married?” Elspeth asked.
Talia smiled. “No, I don’t think so.”
Elspeth was glad Talia had told her before she heard it from someone else, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about Talia having a baby. Part of her was excited for her friend, and part of her felt jealous, why should she feel jealous of the baby? She shook it off, she’d deal with it later. “Thank you for telling me before I heard about it from someone else. Have you told Mother yet?”
“Not yet, I’m taking breakfast with her tomorrow, so I’ll tell her then. And I imagine a Court announcement will happen at some point.” She sighed then, “I wish I didn’t have to deal with all the Court nonsense, but between my position and Kris’ heritage—it’s going to be a nightmare.”
“That’s putting it mildly, his family is not going to be happy that you’re not getting married.”
***
“Mother, Father, thank you for having breakfast with me. I know you’re both incredibly busy.” Kris’ parents were seated across the table from him in the family dining room of their townhouse in Haven.
“Of course, you hardly ever come visit us, so we figured whatever you had to say must be important,” his mother said. “Not that we’re not glad to see you, just surprised.”
“No, I did want to talk to you about something important.” Kris took a deep breath and continued, “I’m going to be a father.”
There was utter silence. Finally his father spoke, “Who is the mother?” His voice was low and even.
“Herald Talia,” Kris said, not letting his nervousness show.
“When is the wedding? You probably don’t have time for a full Court affair, but we can plan something nice still, before she begins to show,” his mother said.
“Actually—we’re not planning on getting married.”
***
“Selenay, thank you for meeting with me,” Talia said. They were alone in Selenay’s chambers with a breakfast spread before them.
“Of course! You have the right to wake me up in the middle of the night if you think it’s important enough! A private breakfast is nothing! And I didn’t hear nearly enough about your internship yet. Though did I hear you’re planning a picnic with Herald Dirk?”
“I am, but that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. In a way it’s about my internship, or rather a result of it. I’m pregnant. Kris is the father.”
“Congratulations!” Selenay said, a huge smile stretching across her face. “I assume that since you’ve accepted Dirk’s offer of a picnic you will not be marrying Kris?”
“That is correct, but we were talking about getting a three bedroom suite together in the Herald’s Wing, so that we could each have our privacy and both be there for the baby too,” Talia was quite relieved at how well Selenay was talking it. She relaxed tremendously and even began eating some of the food on her plate.
“A fine idea! And really who needs marriage if it isn’t a lifebond anyway? Oh, I’m sure the Court would prefer you two got hitched, and Lord and Lady Peregrine will probably have a field day, but take it from me: marriage is over rated.”
***
“I’m sorry, I must have misheard you,” Kris’ father said. “I could have sworn you just told us you got the Queen’s Own pregnant and now aren’t going to do the honorable thing and marry her.”
“No, I got Talia pregnant. And the two of us discussed it and decided neither of us thought it was a good idea to get married. If she wanted to get married we would already have done so. As it is, she doesn’t. This is not me failing to do the honorable thing, this is two adults making a decision together that you disagree with.”
“I recall my brother suggesting that she came from an unhappy home,” his mother said. “She is probably letting that influence her unduly. Kris, if you have any feelings of duty or love toward her and the baby you must convince her to marry you, before the baby is born!”
“Thank you for breakfast,” Kris said getting up. “I didn’t come here for your opinions. I really just thought I should tell you before you heard it from someone else.”
***
That night Talia had both Kris and Dirk over to play music and eat dinner in her suite. Both men brought their harps and arrived at about the same time.
“Shall we eat first?” Talia asked. “Then we can clear this stuff away to make more room for the music.”
The men agreed and settled down.
“I saw a Healer yesterday, it’s a girl! She seems healthy. The midwife was right that I’m about three months.”
Kris smiled, “So I guess Andrean won’t work as a name, huh?”