[True, but she'd rather not feed into it anymore than necessary. Which is why she insists on being able to walk, though she suspects he'd carry her if she'd let him. The last thing she wants is to be seen being carted around, and everyone jumping to the worst possible conclusions. Call it a matter of pride, and also striving to avert any unnecessary alarm.]
That would be best, I think. [She gets to her feet, placing a hand on his arm.] If you do not mind escorting me back, I can lie down and speak with the healer. You won't have to stay, we do have the petitioners to worry about.
[He wants to help her. He wants to be her hero. But he wants her to be respected and to know how much he trusts her.
So, carrying her is out of the question. But then she takes his arm. He draws her towards their chambers and nods to one of the guards. And then his attention is back on his wife.]
I want to be there with you. I know that we have petitioners, but I'd rather know if there's something wrong with you first.
[He is her hero! Every day. And the fact that he's respecting her wish while still being concerned about her makes him the best kind of hero... and husband.]
All right, since I know there'll be no arguing with you on this. [It's selfish, but she wants him with her. Hopefully none of the petitions are too urgent at the moment.] Hopefully this won't take too long.
[Once they reach their room, Riona gives his arm a squeeze before moving towards the bed. She steps out of her heels, sighing in sweet relief before climbing onto the bed. She leans back against the pillows, cracking her toes and stretching out her ankles.] I confess, this was all a ruse just to get out of those shoes. [Her tone and smile are teasing, but also a means to delay the conversation. She's suddenly nervous, now that they're alone.]
I don't care how long this takes. The petitioners will be there tomorrow.
[He watches her kick off her shoes and get in bed from the door of their bedroom. He knows she's kidding, but that's not necessarily a good thing. She deflects a lot and they both know it.]
[ Okay, now she's just being difficult and hes going to get annoyed soon if he isn't already. She lets out a shaky breath before motioning him to come over.]
So, um... well, all right I sort of do know what's going on. Or I think I do. I'm not completely certain - and I mean that, time will tell, but...
If I'm right, that was morning sickness. [There's a little nervous laugh. Wow this is harder than she thought.] I might be pregnant.
[She's not quite sure what to make of his reaction. He's clearly shocked, so maybe the rest will come through once the shock passes. This is, after all, pretty damn unexpected.]
Seems like it. I don't know what else to attribute it to. [She shrugs a bit, gnawing on her lower lip. There's so much up in the air about this. Will the pregnancy last? Will the child be all right? What about the taint? What if it does something to the baby? There's a million worries flying around her head, and she's not sure what to do about any of them.] I know we weren't... exactly counting on it, but maybe, maybe we got lucky?
[The corners of his mouth turn up until he is beaming, nonstop. And then he lets out a laugh.]
Pregnant?!
[He'd been ready to be childless for the rest of their marriage, leaving Ferelden to Anora, if she managed to outlive both him and Anora. But this.... this is something he's wanted. A family of his own, with her.
He falls to the floor beside the bed on his knees, taking her hands and looking at her adoringly.]
Let's make sure that this is true, but we'll have to make sure the healer stays quiet as well.
[He's so excited. Riona fervently hopes that their dream will come true and they'll be parents in time. But there's so much up in the air, and the taint makes things complicated, if not entirely uncertain. She tries so hard to remain optimistic, but her fear gets the better of her as her hands start to shake in his.]
Ah - yes, definitely. A premature announcement wouldn't benefit anyone.
[Of course he's excited. This is what he's wanted: A family, with her. Only, he's the one who told her about the risks and the possibility that conceiving any child would be next to zero.
But, Maker, he wants this. He knows that she does too, and even though he's excited at the possibility, he's terrified as well.]
Riona, even if... even if this isn't what we want, you know that I love you. So, we'll let the healer look at you and we'll follow all the instructions. Even if that means bed rest.
I love you too. There's just... there's so much that can go wrong and that we don't know about and-
[Before she can finish, or be promptly filled with dread at the mention of "bed rest", the healer swoops in, a bit out of breath from clearly having ran here. He closes the door behind him for privacy before bowing to them.]
"My apologies, Your Majesties. I was finishing tending to a wound one of the new guard recruits incurred." [He wipes his brow as he strides over to them.] "My queen, I heard you were ill. An upset stomach?"
Yes, I lost my breakfast. But, um... I think I know why. I was just telling His Majesty [She knows Alistair isn't fond of her calling him that, but appearances and all.] what's been going on. As hard as it is to believe, I think I'm pregnant.
[It's not often the steady and composed healer looks taken aback, but he is now. He blinks before opening his mouth once, closing it, then opening it again.]
"I - isn't that impossible, given your, ah, conditions?"
[Alistair is quiet as he holds her hand. This is really her show. He is there to be supportive, but until they know what is truly happening, he can only wait with her.
He frowns when she refers to him as "His Majesty", but it's his title, like his brother and father before him. How his rule goes is really yet to be seen, but he wants to be known for more than going off to die in a Blight.
At the healer's question, he has to step in.]
It's not impossible. The chances of it happening is slim, but not impossible.
"Then I stand corrected. What a fortunate stroke of luck. There's a way I can confirm, but it... might make Her Majesty a little uncomfortable."
[Riona tries not to squirm, instead forcing herself to be composes and calm. Though Alistair's hand does get squeezed tightly.]
What is it?
"Within the last few years, it's been discovered that a woman's... ah, nether regions, can reveal signs of pregnancy. Discoloration and swelling, mostly. It's far more accurate than some of the more 'traditional' methods of foretelling a pregnancy. That said, if Your Majesty isn't comfortable with it, I won't inspect. Alternatively, I can fetch the castle midwife and she can do it."
I'd prefer her, no offense meant. [Riona glances over at Alistair and shrugs.] If I am pregnant, she'll be looking down there eventually. I'm for it, though if you want to leave the room when it happens I'll understand.
[Riona is still a strong woman. And having her squeeze his hand is painful, but he would rather be here with her. For everything. Even if two high spots of color show up on his cheeks.]
Nope, I'm staying right here. And I agree that I'd prefer the midwife too.
[He's not a jealous man, but he doesn't want another man sticking his head up his wife's skirt either.]
"Of course. I'll go and bring her here, unless there's anything Your Majesty requires of me immediately? Are you still feeling nauseous?"
[Riona shakes her head.] I'm feeling all right for now.
"Then please excuse me. I'll return with her as soon as I can." [He bows to them both before turning and swiftly exiting the room, the door closing behind him, leaving the two alone again.
Riona lets out a shaky breath, leaning back against the pillows.] The suspense is going to kill me.
[When they're alone, all of Alistair's attention is focused on her.]
You'll be fine once we know, my love. Do you want more water? What about some watered down wine? Do you need your pillows fluffed? Would you be more comfortable if I left the room while the midwife is here?
[It's going to feel like an eternity, she just knows it. Maker willing, the midwife will be available and willing to come up.]
No! [It's a plea, rushed and hurried, as she gives his hand another squeeze.] Please don't leave. If you're willing to stay... I'd feel much better if you remained. [Her hands shake a little, and it's becoming obvious that Riona's honestly scared. Scared of what the midwife will find, and what it'll mean. Scared of what the future holds and the fate of their child, should she actually be pregnant.]
[He's a little surprised at the vehemence of her reply. He's not sure what she's declining until she continues, but by then he understands completely.]
Of course. If you want me to stay here, I will. Just let me send a messenger down to Eamon so that he can have today's session postponed.
[Just for a few hours. He can have the petitioners fed and entertained while they wait.
He gently tries to untangle his hand from hers, but if she doesn't let go, he won't fight her either.]
[What did she do to deserve him? Many men would be far away by now, not wanting to deal with an emotional wife and all this pregnancy hoopla. Or they'd bring in another woman to deal with her and make a hasty exit. But here he is, setting aside his duty, risking rumor and consternation, to be with her.
It's the least she can do to let go of his hand, giving him a smile before he goes to send a messenger. She curls up on the bed, tucked into a ball, trying to battle her anxieties and worry while she waits for him to come back.]
[She should know by now that he is nothing like most men. He's wanted nothing more than to have a family with the woman he loves. And now that they might have that chance, he's not going to run away and leave her to deal with this by herself.
And he's not going to send another woman to deal with his wife. Riona and he are a team, partners in every sense of the word. If he can trust her in his bed, with his heart and to guard his back, he can extend his trust to make sure that she's not alone. Ever.
It's only a small matter to signal to the messenger and relay the fact that he and the queen are indisposed. Should his uncle want to come and check on them, he would be more than welcome to wait in the damn antechamber like Alistair's valet.
When he's done, he comes over to the bed and sits next to her. He reaches out to pet her hair a bit.]
Sweetheart, no matter what, it'll be okay. I promise.
[It's not something she expected to have when she was growing up. Sure, her father was a good husband to her mother, but even he sometimes left her to her own devices, especially if it involved something he didn't feel comfortable with. And she heard her mother's friends complain about their husbands throughout her life. They told her the same would likely happen to her. Eleanor insisted she got lucky with Bryce, and hoped the same for Riona. But she didn't expect it.
No, Riona got even luckier.]
A thousand scenarios are running through my head. So many worries and ways things could go wrong. What if the taint kills it in the womb? Or after it's born? What if it makes it something not human? What if- [She sucks in a breath, clearly trying not to cry.]
[Well, the Maker did break the mold when he set Alistair down to terrorize Thedas with bad jokes and an unnatural love of cheese.
So, Riona has a one-of-a-kind husband. Isn't she pleased?]
My dear, sweet wife, we both knew that this could happen. I mean, there are stories of Wardens giving birth to perfectly healthy children, free of the Taint, even before the Calling takes them. They're rare, but... it happens.
So, let's concentrate on that. We'll drive ourselves crazy thinking about what could go wrong.
But it seemed so remote that I never really... [She shudders out a breath. It's really her fault that she didn't take the possibility seriously. Now she's left reeling with all the hypothetical scenarios.] I'll... try. I just - it's -
[He hadn't really relied on it being a possibility. He'd been contemplating who he could name as his heir since Conner was away at the Circle in Ostwick, Teagan was as of yet married and Anora was older than him. And unliked by a few of the Bannorn still for what her father and Howe had done during the Fifth Blight.
He pulls her into a tight embrace when she admits her fear. It's so rare that his wife is anything but the cool, self-assured rock he adores, but she's not a golem.]
It's okay to be scared, but I'm here with you. So, if you want to cry, cry. And if you want to yell, you can yell. And if you just want to lay here for a few hours, we can do that too. After the midwife leaves, of course.
[There's nowhere else she feels safer and more loved than in his arms. She leans into him, eyes closed as she tries to shut out the world for a minute. He's warm and safe, a rock solid presence she relies on.]
I'll... let's see what she says, and then we'll go from there.
[She remains curled up against him, wishing she could draw on his strength. Him being there helps beyond words as they wait for the midwife.
Finally, she and the healer arrive. Riona nuzzles Alistair before pulling back, sitting up as the mid wife approaches.]
"He," she jabs a thumb at the healer, "tells me you're with child?"
Possibly. He said there's a way you can determine...?
"Aye. You'll need to pull your skirts up, majesty." [She then casts a look at Alistair, expectant.]
He's staying.
[A raised brow, but nothing is said as she nods. The healer takes that as his que to turn away respectfully.
Riona scoots back, rucking up her skirts. She slides off her underwear, setting it aside. As the midwife sits down and begins to examine, Riona grimaces at the feel of cool fingers on her.]
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momijizukamori
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Date: 2018-02-10 12:40 am (UTC)That would be best, I think. [She gets to her feet, placing a hand on his arm.] If you do not mind escorting me back, I can lie down and speak with the healer. You won't have to stay, we do have the petitioners to worry about.
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Date: 2018-02-12 06:29 am (UTC)So, carrying her is out of the question. But then she takes his arm. He draws her towards their chambers and nods to one of the guards. And then his attention is back on his wife.]
I want to be there with you. I know that we have petitioners, but I'd rather know if there's something wrong with you first.
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Date: 2018-02-14 12:52 am (UTC)All right, since I know there'll be no arguing with you on this. [It's selfish, but she wants him with her. Hopefully none of the petitions are too urgent at the moment.] Hopefully this won't take too long.
[Once they reach their room, Riona gives his arm a squeeze before moving towards the bed. She steps out of her heels, sighing in sweet relief before climbing onto the bed. She leans back against the pillows, cracking her toes and stretching out her ankles.] I confess, this was all a ruse just to get out of those shoes. [Her tone and smile are teasing, but also a means to delay the conversation. She's suddenly nervous, now that they're alone.]
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Date: 2018-02-14 10:34 am (UTC)I don't care how long this takes. The petitioners will be there tomorrow.
[He watches her kick off her shoes and get in bed from the door of their bedroom. He knows she's kidding, but that's not necessarily a good thing. She deflects a lot and they both know it.]
Riona, my dear, honestly, what's wrong with you?
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Date: 2018-02-14 04:34 pm (UTC)[ Okay, now she's just being difficult and hes going to get annoyed soon if he isn't already. She lets out a shaky breath before motioning him to come over.]
So, um... well, all right I sort of do know what's going on. Or I think I do. I'm not completely certain - and I mean that, time will tell, but...
If I'm right, that was morning sickness. [There's a little nervous laugh. Wow this is harder than she thought.] I might be pregnant.
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Date: 2018-02-18 01:50 am (UTC)The same can be, and probably is, said about me.
[He tries not to fidget and worry too much as she talks. She's rambling. She doesn't ramble.
And then what she's saying sort of breaks through.]
Pregnant? Really? [It'd been one thing to try but another to possibly have it happening.] Pregnant?
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Date: 2018-02-18 02:24 am (UTC)Seems like it. I don't know what else to attribute it to. [She shrugs a bit, gnawing on her lower lip. There's so much up in the air about this. Will the pregnancy last? Will the child be all right? What about the taint? What if it does something to the baby? There's a million worries flying around her head, and she's not sure what to do about any of them.] I know we weren't... exactly counting on it, but maybe, maybe we got lucky?
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Date: 2018-02-18 06:40 am (UTC)Pregnant?!
[He'd been ready to be childless for the rest of their marriage, leaving Ferelden to Anora, if she managed to outlive both him and Anora. But this.... this is something he's wanted. A family of his own, with her.
He falls to the floor beside the bed on his knees, taking her hands and looking at her adoringly.]
Let's make sure that this is true, but we'll have to make sure the healer stays quiet as well.
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Date: 2018-02-19 12:31 am (UTC)Ah - yes, definitely. A premature announcement wouldn't benefit anyone.
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Date: 2018-02-19 07:25 am (UTC)But, Maker, he wants this. He knows that she does too, and even though he's excited at the possibility, he's terrified as well.]
Riona, even if... even if this isn't what we want, you know that I love you. So, we'll let the healer look at you and we'll follow all the instructions. Even if that means bed rest.
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Date: 2018-02-20 01:22 am (UTC)[Before she can finish, or be promptly filled with dread at the mention of "bed rest", the healer swoops in, a bit out of breath from clearly having ran here. He closes the door behind him for privacy before bowing to them.]
"My apologies, Your Majesties. I was finishing tending to a wound one of the new guard recruits incurred." [He wipes his brow as he strides over to them.] "My queen, I heard you were ill. An upset stomach?"
Yes, I lost my breakfast. But, um... I think I know why. I was just telling His Majesty [She knows Alistair isn't fond of her calling him that, but appearances and all.] what's been going on. As hard as it is to believe, I think I'm pregnant.
[It's not often the steady and composed healer looks taken aback, but he is now. He blinks before opening his mouth once, closing it, then opening it again.]
"I - isn't that impossible, given your, ah, conditions?"
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Date: 2018-02-23 07:22 am (UTC)He frowns when she refers to him as "His Majesty", but it's his title, like his brother and father before him. How his rule goes is really yet to be seen, but he wants to be known for more than going off to die in a Blight.
At the healer's question, he has to step in.]
It's not impossible. The chances of it happening is slim, but not impossible.
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Date: 2018-02-24 07:44 pm (UTC)[Riona tries not to squirm, instead forcing herself to be composes and calm. Though Alistair's hand does get squeezed tightly.]
What is it?
"Within the last few years, it's been discovered that a woman's... ah, nether regions, can reveal signs of pregnancy. Discoloration and swelling, mostly. It's far more accurate than some of the more 'traditional' methods of foretelling a pregnancy. That said, if Your Majesty isn't comfortable with it, I won't inspect. Alternatively, I can fetch the castle midwife and she can do it."
I'd prefer her, no offense meant. [Riona glances over at Alistair and shrugs.] If I am pregnant, she'll be looking down there eventually. I'm for it, though if you want to leave the room when it happens I'll understand.
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Date: 2018-02-28 05:34 am (UTC)Nope, I'm staying right here. And I agree that I'd prefer the midwife too.
[He's not a jealous man, but he doesn't want another man sticking his head up his wife's skirt either.]
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Date: 2018-03-01 03:59 am (UTC)[Riona shakes her head.] I'm feeling all right for now.
"Then please excuse me. I'll return with her as soon as I can." [He bows to them both before turning and swiftly exiting the room, the door closing behind him, leaving the two alone again.
Riona lets out a shaky breath, leaning back against the pillows.] The suspense is going to kill me.
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Date: 2018-03-01 06:22 am (UTC)You'll be fine once we know, my love. Do you want more water? What about some watered down wine? Do you need your pillows fluffed? Would you be more comfortable if I left the room while the midwife is here?
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Date: 2018-03-03 11:41 pm (UTC)No! [It's a plea, rushed and hurried, as she gives his hand another squeeze.] Please don't leave. If you're willing to stay... I'd feel much better if you remained. [Her hands shake a little, and it's becoming obvious that Riona's honestly scared. Scared of what the midwife will find, and what it'll mean. Scared of what the future holds and the fate of their child, should she actually be pregnant.]
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Date: 2018-03-07 01:35 am (UTC)Of course. If you want me to stay here, I will. Just let me send a messenger down to Eamon so that he can have today's session postponed.
[Just for a few hours. He can have the petitioners fed and entertained while they wait.
He gently tries to untangle his hand from hers, but if she doesn't let go, he won't fight her either.]
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Date: 2018-03-10 01:55 am (UTC)It's the least she can do to let go of his hand, giving him a smile before he goes to send a messenger. She curls up on the bed, tucked into a ball, trying to battle her anxieties and worry while she waits for him to come back.]
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Date: 2018-03-14 12:18 pm (UTC)And he's not going to send another woman to deal with his wife. Riona and he are a team, partners in every sense of the word. If he can trust her in his bed, with his heart and to guard his back, he can extend his trust to make sure that she's not alone. Ever.
It's only a small matter to signal to the messenger and relay the fact that he and the queen are indisposed. Should his uncle want to come and check on them, he would be more than welcome to wait in the damn antechamber like Alistair's valet.
When he's done, he comes over to the bed and sits next to her. He reaches out to pet her hair a bit.]
Sweetheart, no matter what, it'll be okay. I promise.
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Date: 2018-03-15 11:15 pm (UTC)No, Riona got even luckier.]
A thousand scenarios are running through my head. So many worries and ways things could go wrong. What if the taint kills it in the womb? Or after it's born? What if it makes it something not human? What if- [She sucks in a breath, clearly trying not to cry.]
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Date: 2018-03-17 03:36 am (UTC)So, Riona has a one-of-a-kind husband. Isn't she pleased?]
My dear, sweet wife, we both knew that this could happen. I mean, there are stories of Wardens giving birth to perfectly healthy children, free of the Taint, even before the Calling takes them. They're rare, but... it happens.
So, let's concentrate on that. We'll drive ourselves crazy thinking about what could go wrong.
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Date: 2018-03-18 04:02 am (UTC)But it seemed so remote that I never really... [She shudders out a breath. It's really her fault that she didn't take the possibility seriously. Now she's left reeling with all the hypothetical scenarios.] I'll... try. I just - it's -
[And here is something she rarely admits:]
I'm frightened.
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Date: 2018-03-20 07:04 am (UTC)[He hadn't really relied on it being a possibility. He'd been contemplating who he could name as his heir since Conner was away at the Circle in Ostwick, Teagan was as of yet married and Anora was older than him. And unliked by a few of the Bannorn still for what her father and Howe had done during the Fifth Blight.
He pulls her into a tight embrace when she admits her fear. It's so rare that his wife is anything but the cool, self-assured rock he adores, but she's not a golem.]
It's okay to be scared, but I'm here with you. So, if you want to cry, cry. And if you want to yell, you can yell. And if you just want to lay here for a few hours, we can do that too. After the midwife leaves, of course.
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Date: 2018-03-21 09:45 pm (UTC)I'll... let's see what she says, and then we'll go from there.
[She remains curled up against him, wishing she could draw on his strength. Him being there helps beyond words as they wait for the midwife.
Finally, she and the healer arrive. Riona nuzzles Alistair before pulling back, sitting up as the mid wife approaches.]
"He," she jabs a thumb at the healer, "tells me you're with child?"
Possibly. He said there's a way you can determine...?
"Aye. You'll need to pull your skirts up, majesty." [She then casts a look at Alistair, expectant.]
He's staying.
[A raised brow, but nothing is said as she nods. The healer takes that as his que to turn away respectfully.
Riona scoots back, rucking up her skirts. She slides off her underwear, setting it aside. As the midwife sits down and begins to examine, Riona grimaces at the feel of cool fingers on her.]
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