Healer's Wedding (Fiction)

Chapter Sixteen

Deciding to become pregnant is fascinating, muses the Queen Ransomed, because she has perfect control over when she conceives, and what she wanted her future child to be. This was true power of the Change, and from the moment she wanted the Emperor's child, she noticed her body listening to her, giving her time to discuss with the Emperor what sort of child they should have and how much is left to chance. That the Emperor agreed that they should have a daughter, and one capable of the shapechange, was a revelation in and of itself.

In that vein, it felt right to have the Ambassador's child have the make up of his home, including some of the Gentle Guide's willows.

Returning to Ontine for a dinner and conversation with Sediryl had segued into brushing each other's hair, with her incredulous at how long Sediryl's is. Sediryl asks if she really can determine her future child's traits, and the Queen agrees, comparing it to the process on the Vault. Sediryl asks if Lisinthir has any thoughts on the process, and the Queen says that he left that choice up to her, so Sediryl asks if the Queen is going to have a boy or girl. Musing briefly that her newest children would have Eldritch hair, the Queen asks about the Eldritch's lack of population, guessing that her children would not be considered Eldritch no matter how many she had. Sediryl muses that the children themselves may end up thinking themselves as Eldritch, if they're raised on Escutcheon. Asked again if she wants a girl or boy, the Queen shrugs, guessing that females have more power, but in light of the revelation of how Thesali turned out, Sediryl is no longer so sure. Much later, in bed, the Queen Ransomed thinks about that conversation, about power, population, identity.

The next day, the Queen meets a horse in person. Baffled at the size of the creature that she is expected to ride, she lays a hand on it and feels the horse's pattern leaping up to meet her touch. Her Knife is much less sanguine on riding the animal, asking the Ambassador if it will be difficult to ride, and he responds that sitting on the animal is easy, but riding well is difficult to master. In the end, only the Knife, the Twelveworld Lord (enthusiastically), and his Attendant choose to ride with the Ambassador along the trail behind Rose Point. While initially nervous, the Queen trusts her read of her mount's pattern that the animal was content to follow the Ambassador's mount and becomes soothed enough by the motion to shift to her Eldritch shape.

Noting that Lisinthir seems distracted, the Queen asks him about it, guessing it's about Sediryl's sire. Lisinthir notes that he's in surgery again, and that Sediryl is waiting for the second procedure to finish. In addition, he can't say whether or not Haladir will die, but notes that the doctors have hope. The Queen, after attempting to imagine loving her own sire, guesses that the Ambassador did not love his parents, which he admits to without hesitation, but with some resignation that she wishes she could soothe. But the Ambassador also notes that the situation is abnormal, since the Queen loves her daughter. And, if they love their children, the Queen and the Ambassador's children will love them back.

Abruptly, Lisinthir starts thinking of names, and what they should name the child the Queen intends to bear for him. He tells her that names are important as those names will be recorded in the registry when they are presented as his heirs. The Queen reflects on the culture she was brought up in, wherein they do not name children until after birth, and then by a tag. But as the Ambassador has asked her to choose the sex, she asks him in turn to come up with the name of this child and all his others. This sparks a digression into sibling issues, which makes Lisinthir think of Jahir's current problems with Amber. He contrasts that with Vasiht'h's large family. Finally he comes up with names: if a boy, Kolvin, after Jahir's father. If a girl, Niriel, because he likes it. The Ambassador then asks if the Queen likes riding horses, which she does. She also guesses that if raised Eldritch, they will need to learn to ride well, and wishes them to be good at everything Eldritch consider necessary and suitable for people of their station. Lisinthir lists the things they'll need to know which include dressing for riding. Since she has no confidence in not accidentally directing the horse should she look herself, she asks the Ambassador how the other two are doing, and he reports their disposition without sending signals to turn the animal as well.

The Queen is surprised at the ache her body feels after the ride, and Lisinthir tells her that practice will make her body stronger and more limber. Then, he surreptitiously directs her attention to the comical sight of her counselors and guards dismounting. Speaking of, the Twelveworld Lord has asked for a tour of the stables and invites the Queen, who says she'll be along. The Queen asks after what the Ambassador is going to do, and he's off to check in with Jahir and Sediryl at the hospital. The Queen decides she'll go to the nursery. They end up discussing the baby, if she'll mind the lack of her own parents. Lisinthir then asks her directly if the Queen will take Lunet back with her, as the Breath of the Living Air