The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara

Once upon a time. In a land far, far away. Far from the eyes of mortal men, lived the most 
beautiful Fairy Queen the Fae Kingdom had seen in a many a moon. Stories of Queen Shakira spread far and wide, stretching to the very edges of the Fae Kingdom. She was known for her incredible passion and grace, neigh a fairy in all of creation had ever been known to be as inspiring as she was to her kinsfolk.

Princess Kitara

Chirp-chirp, chirp-chirp, the morning chimes pierced into the very recesses of my mind to gently wake me from my slumber. I yawned very ungracefully, ruffled my hair more and finally got out of bed, stretching my wings ever so far. With a sluggish movement, I hovered to the balcony doors and with a deep breath, I pulled them open. I closed my eyes and smiled as the morning sun and scent
enveloped my senses. 

With a start, I caught myself and realized I had now hovered just over the balcony’s borders. I laughed, a triumphant laugh, today was the day. My 321st birthday, I was finally going to do it. For as long as I could remember, the only thing I had ever wanted in this world was to go on a great adventure, the kind that legends are made of, the kind that was both exciting and dangerous. Ever since I was little, I was taken to see every inch of Faeora, every kind of fairy and every moon since. Of course, the expeditions were planned by my mother, the Queen so the Fae Knights were always around me, suffocating my every move.

It was almost as if mother had tied them with an invisible tether to me. Knowing her, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

There was a soft knock on the door, three taps. Hoorah! It had finally arrived; I opened the door carefully and looked around nothing. Hmm, that’s odd, something pulled on my gown.

I looked down to find the tiniest and most adorable fairy girl. “Uhm excuse me miss, the master asked me to gives this to you. Uhm please don’t tells him I’m late, I like sweets you sees and well I uhm got distracted by somes.”

The way in which she talked was funny enough but looking into those big brown button eyes, how could I refuse such an honest request. “Of course, I will not (for one thing I had no idea who the master was), kindly convey my sincerest thank you to the master. And here you go.” I handed her a gold coin, “Go get distracted by a few more sweets from me, ok sweety.”

She skipped away with a large smile on her freckled face.

In truth, I really couldn’t wait to open the package. Years of befriending the right Fairies, and subtle hints, and of tiptoeing around the topic had finally yielded results. I carefully opened the package and in it, was surprisingly only two pages. I skeptically opened the first one with a frown. It was a letter from the ‘Master’.

“Dearest Kitty Kat.” (obviously a ridiculous attempt at obscuring my identity)

I venture not to think why any fairy would request such a ‘thing’ from me. However, be that as it may you once saved my favorite flower from a hardship and that I can never repay. However, consider this my attempt at such. The second piece of paper is a map to what you are looking for. Please do remember the following rules, as not doing so will most likely get you killed or worse (what was worse than being killed?):

The 1st and most important rule, do NOT fall in love with a mortal.

The 2nd and most important rule, do Not trust anyone especially those that claim to be Fae.

The 3rd and most impo-"

The rest of the letter was burnt off, hmmm that’s weird and why was every one of his rules the most important ones. But that was soon forgotten as I opened up the map, “I cannot believe it.”

It was in a place I had visited constantly but never thought to look. The bath and dress up was a breeze with magic, with a wiggle of my index finger, it was done. I grabbed my already prepared travel sack, which I disguised as a tiny ruby red ring to go on that very same index finger. Just as I was about to leave, an invisible hand stayed me. Sigh, thinking back to that day only a few days ago……

Kitara had just entered the dining hall to find her mother dearest at the window at the very end of the hall. Mother stood poised and direct, as a Queen should, most regal in her rule. With her dark and languid black hair, and piercing green eyes. Kitara would have been the splitting image of her mother had it not been for her father, The King’s icy blue eyes and deep dimples. She tried to remember a time when her mother was full of smiles and warmth; it seemed like eons upon eons ago, so much so that the memories almost seemed fake. No, the mother she knew, the mother she had come to know could never have been such a mother. 

It must have been memories Kitara had made up in her head to compensate for such happenstance. Although Kitara knew what had changed her, it was a story she had been told by almost everyone in the kingdom no one more so than by her Mother. It was the day her Mother had lost everything. You see a Fairy’s wings were her very soul and according to legend, her Mother’s wings were the most magnificent in its beauty. 

It was the day she had lost her wings and the day she had lost the King, her husband and Kitara’s father to a human hunter. According to legend, he was the only mortal to ever enter Faeora and on that day tragedy struck the Kingdom. Leaving her kinsfolk with a very healthy and pretty endless fear of the mortal world. Ever since then, Mother has been on a tireless campaign to ensure Kitara was never hurt or harmed in any way. She increased the Fae Knightship tenfold and ensured a detail of 7 Fae Knightship at all rotatable hours of any given day. They were called the Galicia and were comprised of the most heroic and stoic warriors in all the land. Sometimes you would only need those 7 to win a war and yet now they were stuck babysitting the already over-protected princess. Kitara approached her Mother reservedly, nervously fidgeting with her morning dress.

“Mother.” She bowed.

“You’re 7 minutes late Kitara, I would have taught you by now that a Queen is never late only ever early, would I not?” Her mother replied still looking out that damned window.

Kitara knew better than to retort. “Yes Mother, I am very sorry Mother.”

“Come, we will have breakfast quickly as your day is scheduled with many an endeavor.”

They sat in tensioned quiet, her mother very delicately eating while Kitara hadn’t the stomach for this morning’s scones with picanut fillings. She took a deep breath and said, “Mother, my 321st birthday is next week and you promised I would get to go on an adventure outside the Kingdo-“

A fist slammed on the table. The Queen regained her composure yet fire still burned in her eyes. “I promised you no such thing young one. You are my daughter and as such you have obligations to your kinsfolk before any such meaningless and immature adventures.” This time, she sighed and with gentler eyes said, “My dearest Kitara please do not start this again, I am only doing what a Mother must to protect her daughter. Her daughter whom she loves very much. But such a love comes with conditions; I could not bear to lose you too. Maybe in a few years or so.”

Now it was Kitara’s turn to fume, “You did not promise? You did not promise? You do exactly the same thing every time Mother; you try to guilt me with Father’s passing. I am not him nor you, I am but both of you. I want to go on an adventure! You’re not fair at all! Argggh.” She stormed off to her room vowing to follow her dream even if it meant disobeying her Mother, the Queen.

I was jolted back into the present by Sebastian, my dearest friend, and a changeling. Meaning he could transfigure into anything he so desired, his favorite form of which was a sea blue feathered sparrow.

~You best get a move on princess, we haven’t the time for regret~ he said through telepathy.

Of course, he could talk but it was his own private joke to talk into my head like we shared a secret. My ring got heavier the further away from the castle I became; it was as if a weight was on my shoulders. However my excitement at the adventure to come far outweighed my guilt. 

~Shh, you’re thinking too loud. We’re here.~

I paused at the giant white oak tree, the very tree I had spent many a day reading and sleeping under. According to the map, this was the spot, a keyword was labeled next to it “Aspermortantium.” She read aloud, suddenly the ground started to shudder and a wide arc opened at the base of the colossal tree. I looked around and with one final glance at the castle in the distance, slipped into the unknown.

Queen Shakira

Shakira stood at the very same window she had become accustomed to for the past three hundred and twenty years. It was at this very window that she had seen what had irrevocably changed her life forever. Lord Barathus, how she hated fighting with Kitara but if she didn’t be so firm, the girl would be frolicking with Mountain trolls! Such an adventurous spirit, which she cursed because it came from her. Yet she did not realize just how important she was, how vital her survival was for the Kingdom. You see Shakira was losing her Magical essence and would soon be very much mortal, ever since losing her wings the magic has been seeping out of her slowly but surely. Soon she would be no longer the Queen of Faeora, just another faceless mortal doomed to suffering and disgrace. She needed to make sure Kitara was read-

Something caught her eye; it was Kitara’s eye! At the very topmost hill with the great White oak tree. The portal had been opened! However did she?! “Captain Verhad! Captain Verhad!!!” Shouting at the top of her lungs.

The captain and a squadron of Fae knights stormed the dining hall with murderous purpose. “What is it my queen”, asked the captain.

Shakira turned her cheek to the window to avoid giving away any further concern. “I said Captain Verhad, had I not?” She waited for the footsteps to die out before turning to the Captain, fool of worry in her face. Tears now streaked her perfect face, “Kitara has found the portal!! I do not know how but whoever told her will be severely punished. You MUST go after her, I would go to but only true Fae or Mortal may pass through and since I am neither I will only hinder you by such trivialities. Please captain, save my one true daughter.” The captain was out the hall without another word, he had already staked his life on protecting her many years ago, there was no need for a remittance. Oh Lord Barathus, please do not let her know the same pain that she did all those many years ago.

Johnny Padelaki

Man, I hate this shop, I hate the smell, I hate the books, I hate my grandfather for making me work here and I hate my father for letting him make me work here. It was an antique for Christ sakes, nobody hardly ever came to an antique bookstore to buy a book, why, when you can read the latest game of thrones novel at exclusive books. Arrggggh it was so suffocating.

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to go on an adventure and as soon as I get my Anthropology and archeology degree, I am as good as gone from this squeaky old place. I could almost hear my rackety old grandpa now, “Young man, this shop has been in our family for generations. Why my father owned it and his father before him and his father’s father and his father’s father’s father. It is on sacred ground and must be preserved.” Sigh, I hated to disappoint the old man but I needed to get out of here and live my life. I was so going get a job at the archeology society of great London and volunteer for any and every expedition there was.

Crash!!!! A loud thud followed by what sounded like a mountain of books falling (yes it had happened before unsurprisingly in this heap of tattered old books). I followed the sound to the study in the back, noticing that the books had fallen to reveal a long forgotten family heirloom. The Mirror was something he was told to never ever touch. Oh well, I only had two more days before graduation, what could one-touch do. Although it felt like an uncontrollable urge, like a gravitational pull. As my fingers roamed the ceremonial engravings on the frame, it started to warm up to the touch. A force knocked me off my feet and into a shelf. I came to at the smell of lilies, my vision blurred but my curiosity of that heavenly scent pulled me forward. I blinked several times before I saw her clearly. I girl who looked no older than I did, was lying on the ground unconscious from my observations. Dark black her and the kind of beauty that would make a man’s, this man’s heart stop beating. She opened her eyelids and from them the most dazzling eyes he had ever seen.

They were a piercing blue with flakes of green, no almost whitish blue in them. It was almost as if they were dancing in her irises. I am left speechless, even as a puzzled frown formed on her beautiful face as she looked around taking in her surroundings. Wait, what the hell was going on, there is no way just no way had she come out of the Mirror right? Right? No that’s absurd.

“Good day kind sir. Forgive me but I seem to be out of sorts. Is this what is called the Earthen lands? Ouch, it seems I have hurt one of my wings, no matter it will heal shortly”.

Now it was my turned to do the puzzled frown although I imagine I looked quite foolish to this goddess from the Mirror. From a frickkin mirror? Things like this can’t just happen. “Earthen Lands? If you mean Earth, then yes. Wings? I’m sorry but what wings?”

Now it was her turn to frown again, she glanced behind her back and so did I. “Do you not see them?” I shook my head. “-hmm that is most peculiar. I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen Shakira, protector and savior to all the Fae, successor to the throne and protected by the Galicia. And who might you be kind sir?”

I blinked a few times trying to remember and understand that. “I’m Johnny Pedalaki and uhm no title,” I said nervously hoping I didn’t have soot all over my face from the explosion or whatever it was that brought this girl into my life.

The front door was pushed open with such force that the bell on it rang then broke, then fell to the floor, “Gimme all yo money!!- wait, hey no one is here. I thought you said there was always some kid here Henry.” Said the first guy.

“Dammit man don’t use my name! He’s always here. Be careful, he knows some kinda Kung Fu shit I ain't never seen.”

I rolled my eyes and looked down at Kitara, holding out my hand and muttering, “Mirror explodes and beautiful girl pops out then the store gets robbed by anti-geniuses, man when it rains it pours.”

Kitara piped up, “I am not familiar with that expression Johnny Padelaki no title”.

I put a finger to her lip, marveling at her and said: “It’s just Johnny, whoever are you?”

“I am princess Kitara, daughter of Queen-“

I smiled and interrupted “Never mind, come with me and you have to be quiet.” I pulled her towards a very old closet, she was behind me now, and God she smelled good. I felt dizzy but at the same time, I was not going to let anything hurt this undeniably beautiful creature. I motioned for her to stay put. Henry and his partner entered the room looking around. Firstly they only had a baseball bat and each of them had no protective clothing on, what morons. I burst out of the closet like a barbarian, man since when did I get this reckless. I threw myself at Henry, I knew this guy, he grew up down the block from me and now here he was trying to steal from me and hurt what is mine. I don’t know where this rage came from, maybe it was from all those years in the shop who knows but I pounded fist after fist at his face. A loud pop rang in the air followed by a sharp pain at my side, which was only superseded, by the most excruciating and exploding pain I had ever felt, I toppled off to the side off of Henry’s bloody face. Clutching my own side in agony and to avoid losing any more blood. Damn this frickkin hurt, no one ever says how much it hurts. The guys in the movies always make it seem like nothing and get up. I couldn’t even see straight let alone move.

I heard the closet door open again and Kitara stepped out, I tried to get up but cursed, I was useless I couldn’t even save her. Man, why had I been so reckless? Henry’s accomplice, let’s call him DonkeyFace said: “Well looky what we have here, damn you look fine baby come give daddy some sugar.” I could see enough to tell

Kitara was pissed. She rushed the guy, no not rushed actually flew at the guy and grabbed him by the throat with one hand lifting him up. DonkeyFace was choking for air, then she wiggled her index finger and he crumpled to the ground like dead weight. She turned to me with concern in her gorgeous eyes, man what I would give to never have to see that worry in her eyes ever again.

“Arrgggh, sorry I’m so useless,” I grunted, disappointed in myself.

Kitara knelt down and gently hovered her hand over my wound. Miraculously I watched in awe as the wound closed, I felt the bullet inside me dissolve into sweet nothingness. “I am so glad you are in good health Just Johnny, you have been so kind to me and I like your eyes, I wish to see nothing ever bad happen to you” I chuckled, She liked my eyes? I frickkin loved her eyes! She placed her hand over my heart and closed her eyes; wow was she going to heal my soul or something now. Her eyes popped open with delight, she smiled and it just melted my heart “You have Fae blood in you, it’s faint but still there.” Again it was my turn with the Willy Wonka puzzled frown,

“Uhm that’s weird, maybe it was a transfusion or something. Am I in trouble?”

She laughed, it was the most entrancing sound I had ever heard, “No silly, it cannot be transfused it is part of who you are. And no you are not in trouble and now neither am I hahahah.” Kitara stood up and magically produced a large ivory colored sword that shone like the moon. “Dearest Johnny Padelaki of no title and my savior. By your forefather the Fae Bronson (Hey! That’s my great granddad's name), and by my Mother before me, I dub thee Fae Knight of the Royal

Bloodline. Do you denounce all in the name of your Queen and kinsfolk? To swear only to serve and protect those you are charged with in innocence?”

Silenced prevailed, my mind was so jumbled but hey if it meant I got to see more of her what the hell. “Uhm I guess so.”

With that, she plunged the sword so deep into my chest that I’m pretty sure it came out the other side!

*************

Authors Note

Sorry! No Zemlja Dosta Chronicles this week, giving you some time to catch up on the story.
Here are all the chapters:

Chapter 1 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Chapter 2 - The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

Chapter 3 - The Samurai: Eru's Origin

Chapter 4 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

The Fairy Tale Adventures of Princess Kitara was written as a bedtime story. I asked my big sister what she wanted for her birthday, told her she could have anything and she said she wanted a story. So, abra kadabra, voila here's the bedtime story I wrote.

Part 2 of this story will be released next week as it was just too long to put in one blog post and hopefully, it's entertained you enough to look out for next weeks release.

Photography by AlfonzoWords

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

Mommy Blogger: How I found out I was Pregnant Part 2

Inspire. Create. Write.TM

Read  Part 1 

Last week was Daddies & Mommies week on The Blog Tag.

So let me start by saying #MadRespect to all the Daddies & Mommies out there! For all the love, support and magical wisdom you provide to your kids.

The writing prompt is...

What does it mean to be a Mother?

Last week I shared the beginning of a short story I wrote, titled The Lady in Blue Heels.Thank you for all the amazing feedback received on the first part. It means so much that y'all loved the story.
Today is #WednesdayWisdom and I will be sharing the Second part of the story.

Let's catch up shall we:

Grace Annalise Scott has just graduated college with flying colors and to top it all off the love of her life, Lancelot Archibald proposes to her right then and there!
Weeks later, while attending a fundraiser hosted by her hated soon-tobe mother-in-law, Grace becomes extremely nauseous. Surprisingly Mrs. Archibald is the one to comfort her and offer her the shocking news that she's pregnant!
Lance is overjoyed at the prospect of being a dad while Grace is unsure as to how she feels about it all.

Find out what's in store for Grace as she comes to terms with her pregnancy & how she finds a connection to the child now growing within her womb.

****

Model: Cosplayer Taz Noble

The next day went on as normal with the same routine: breakfast, shower then campus. At least today was just to pick up the stuff from her locker and then sign all the forms for her release from this academic prison. The pregnancy hung over her head like a giant time bomb.

“Grace! Grace!" Her friends Ashley and Nicole called. Ashley was a tall and lean blonde supermodel looking girl with lightly sprinkled freckles over her nose and cheeks. Nicole was as short and feisty as she was honest and loyal. Her heart shaped face always had an inviting smile.

"Are you ready to go? I have a 2 o'clock mani\pedi scheduled and Antoine is going to be there, you know he's the best stylist around. I'm not in the mood to take the jet to see Marcus, he always talks about his poodle." Said Ashley, tossing her already flawless hair over her shoulder.

Grace smiled, "Angels, there's something I need to tell you.”

Nicole smiled her smile, "What is it Grace? You look stressed and pale.”

"Oh god don't tell me you're pregnant now." Ashley drawled.

"Actually, yes, I'm pregnant!" Her friends’ mouths hung open for a few seconds.

Nicole was the first to break out and hug Grace tightly. "Oh wow! Congratulations! That's just perfect. You and Lance would make awesome parents!”

Ashley uncrossed her arms and squared her eyes, "Grace are you sure about this? Have you thought this through? Have you considered abortion or adoption?”

Nicole wrinkled her nose, "Why can't you just be happy for her?”

Grace laughed, "Its ok Nicole, no Ashley I'm not sure, and as much as I am, I can't consider abortion I would never do that. Lance is so sure of this and we have discussed it before. It just came a bit early that’s all. Look, you two are my best friends for life and I can't do this without you. I need my sisters.”

"Fine, I'm in but nobody ever, EVER, calls me Aunty Ashley."

Nicole giggled then replied, "Yes we will all just pretend the wrinkles aren't there. Of course you have us Grace. We love you." Grace and Nicole shared a tear-filled hug.

"So how'd the old ding bat, mama Lance, take the news? Bet she's already planning how to off you so she'll have Lance’s heir all to herself." Ashley said crossing her arms.

Grace chuckled, "Actually she helped me the night I found out, she even sounded sincere." Ashley scoffed at the reply. "Ok I have to go now, Lance and I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”

"Oooohhh, can I come?" Nicole was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet now.

"Not this time Nikki, I think this is something I have to face with Lance, at least for the first time.”

"Ta bitch." Ashley said in her signature nonchalant manner as she walked off dragging Nicole with her.

"Please lie on down on the chair for me Miss Scott." Instructed the sweetly nurse. Grace settled in the chair trying to make sure her gown didn't fall off. Lance stood there with his hands in his pockets looking 7 kinds of uncomfortable. It would be hilarious under normal circumstances but she didn't feel like smiling. Dammit why did having a baby feel like the end of the Grace she'd spent her life trying to find and accept?

"Hello Miss Scott, My name is Dr. Rampasanth and I'll be doing your check up today." said the caramel skinned, petite doctor who stepped in and hadn't looked up from her clipboard until she finished reading. The Indian lady slowly averted her eyes from her notes and smiled at Grace mysteriously as if reading her mind. "Shall we begin?”

The gel was indeed cold. The sonogram took a little time to form an image. "Hmmmm let's see, a little to the left. Ah there we go, say hello to your baby." None of them said anything, just stared at the screen in awe. Until now Grace had felt detached from the thing growing inside her. She felt like she had no connection to it, like it was just there growing apart from her. But now, now there was her baby, in front of her very eyes. Grace could see that this baby wasn't growing apart from her, it was growing inside her, with her, dependent on her to survive, to be cocooned and kept safe until it was ready to enter this world. "Would you like to know the sex of the baby now? Or would you like it to be a surprise?" Dr Rampasanth asked, with that same tranquil smile on her face.

Grace couldn't imagine anyone who didn't mellow out in the doctors presence, she exuded peace. Grace looked at Lance, the big monkey’s eyes were filled with tears almost at the edge ready to fall down his cheeks. He looked to her and they both nodded. "Ok let's see here, by the looks of it I'd say 4 weeks along. Hmmmm....ahhhh a beautiful daughter awaits you at the end of this journey.”

"A daughter." Lance whispered into her ear as he squeezed her hand and stared at the screen in awe. Everything somehow seemed perfect, even with a future obscured and unsure. The doctor frowned at something but it disappeared almost instantly and was replace by that smile again. "I'm going to get my nurse in her to take some x-rays and blood tests, standard procedure, nothing to worry about". Why did that make Grace worry all the more? In her family when anyone said "No need to worry", that meant to worry all the
more. Lance had to step outside to take a call from the office so Grace was left to pushy nurses with sharp needles. An hour later, Grace and Lance sat in Dr. Rampasanth's office holding hands, patiently awaiting the good doctor and her ‘news’. Grace sighed, something seemed very wrong. It was a feeling she had, like a tightness in her stomach, a pull, something she couldn't explain. The door opened, jarring her from her thoughts. The doctor walked in with another doctor. A redheaded spectacled woman in high heels. Her face just screamed "I'm a bossy and straight forward, no BS woman who has hadn’t sex in 6 months.” Something about the woman made Grace agitated, like she should just take Lance and leave right now while they can.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, this is my associate, Dr. Burnstorm. She'll be....sitting in with us." Lance looked suspicious but didn't say anything. Like her, he was going to wait for the answers rather than ask the questions.

"As you know, we took x-rays and blood samples of you Miss Scott, now we've doubled checked the results and-".

"Miss Scott, I'm an oncologist and you have stage 2 lymphoma..... It’s a type of cancer that attacks your lymphocytes but with treatment I believe you will go into remission.” Dr.rampasanth was cut off by Dr.Burnstorm. The woman finished her abrasive statement to a shocked and silent room.

Grace whispered, "Cancer.”

Lance got up to ask, "I'm sorry, did I hear you right? Did you just say cancer?! That my Gracey has cancer?!" Lance was shouting now.

Dr Burnstorm waved her hand in annoyance, "Why is it that people always hear cancer but not the part about treatment and good odds? Those psychology children upstairs
would have a field day with that one. Mr. Archibald is it? Yes your ‘Gracey’ has cancer but with the right chemotherapy and radiation therapy there's a high percentage of her surviving this. During the course of the therapy I will prescribe monoclonal antibody treatments that will give her body a better chance at fighting the cancer.”

Lance slumped back in his seat and palmed his face, "Bloody hell."

Grace put her hand on her stomach then frowned, she looked up suddenly, "What about the baby? What is going to happen to our daughter?”

This time Dr. Rampasanth spoke up, with a grim look on her face, "I'm sorry but under the extreme conditions of your treatments the fetus cannot survive. The only course is abortion. I will provide hormone treatments when you are ready to try to conceive again." Grace almost passed out, she felt like she was flat on the floor with a concrete block laid across her chest.

"Ok fine, what exactly is the way forward from here? I'll not sit by and watch my Gracey die." said Lance, a fire burned in his eyes.

"Well she'll have to be admitted tonight and a biopsy will be taken of her lymphocytes to determine the actual concentration count of the cancer. Then it will be analyzed and from there we will decide on the correct course of treatment." As Lance and Dr. Burnstorm talked about how to save her. Grace felt like she was a million years away, everything went quiet, and then in her quiet darkness she heard the most amazing sound she'd ever heard. Lub-dub, lub-dub, Lub-dub, lub-dub, Lub-dub, lub-dub, Lub-dub, lub-dub, Lub-dub, lub-dub. It was a heart beat! Her daughters heart beat! It was glorious! A perfect symphony of rhythm and magic.

She snapped back to reality. "No", she said softly at first. "NO!" She stood up holding her belly protectively. She looked to Lance's confused face.

After a moment, understanding dawned on his face. He fell to his knees putting his face in her hands, "No Gracey, please don't do this!”

"Do what? I'm sorry I don't understand." Dr. Burnstorm looked back and forth between the pair, utterly clueless.

Grace sighed, then lifted Lance's face so that his eyes met hers, "I'm going to have the baby. Our daughter must be born.”

Dr. Burnstorm crossed her arms just the way Ashley did, "Are you sure? Have you thought this through? You'll be giving your life away in exchange for something that can be postponed. You'll be giving away your life for-".

"For a life... a life for a life. No doctor, I'll be giving my life to my daughter, my daughter right now, right here, who's growing within me seeking my protection and love.”

After a few moments of scrutinizing stares, Dr. Burnstorm waved her hands in frustration and swore, in Russian maybe? "Very well girl, I will collaborate with Dr. Rampasanth and come up with a suitable treatment plan to get you to your due date.”

Grace stood at the edge waiting for clarity, clarity, that this all made sense. Lance had stayed behind with the doctors to discuss a reasonable treatment for her. She needed air and somehow even the air outside the hospital seemed sterile. So she walked and walked, without thinking about anything in particular, until she came upon a huge oak tree. A young man leaned against the tree's base. He seemed scary yet he looked bored and hadn't even noticed her. He took a long pull from his cigarette, it seemed to stretch on forever, she watched in fascination. On his exhale he said, "You're far from the rabbit hole Alice." The shadows hid his eyes from her. 

"I just needed some air, besides who are you?" She said defiantly, chin raised. 

"And you couldn't get this so called air somewhere else, like for example oh I don't know, away from me." He said sarcastically. Grace felt annoyed now, her world had just been torn out from under her and here was this obnoxious, obtrusive, ignorant- "How long did you get?" He said still hiding those eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"Me, I got about a year if I'm a good boy."

Now she understood, without having to see his face. "They gave me 2 years and a dose of BS hopefuls."

His face rose from the shadows. Tears had streaked his cheeks. "Yeah I got that too, lung cancer's a bitch." A hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"You should try lymphoma. Hey! Wanna trade? I'll even throw in one year for free.” He laughed and then she laughed, it was a glorious relief, something she needed
so desperately. They stood there against the tree in silence for a while neither needing to say anything.

"Now what?" She said looking at this kid for an answer that she should have for him.

He grinned, "The hell if I know, all I know is my parents are probably freaking out. If I don't go calm them down, I'm going to hate getting stuck with a needle every month and stuffed full of toxin. They deserve better."

"Would you-“

He cut her off by putting a finger to her lip. "Don't play the what if game with me, firstly you'd lose and secondly whatever it is you've already made the choice firmly in your heart, you just want to understand it. But some things aren't meant to be understood, some things are just meant to be what they are, a beautiful mistake."

She spent the rest of her day wondering who the silly boy, with spikes and the grim reaper shirt, was. Everybody had called and stopped by to offer their condolences and when that was done it was followed by an hour-long session by her grandma telling her she was a putz. Life was never going to be the same and by the tone and looks on peoples’ faces nobody understood her decision. But she did, she now understood her choice, led by an undeniable vision she couldn't quantify nor compartmentalize.

In a week Lance looked like hell, his hair unkempt, his eyes pale and dull, in a month he looked like a broken man, a shell of his former self. Grace was afraid for him and hated herself for what she had done to him. Forced to watch the person she loved wither away before her very eyes. But she knew within the depths of her soul that he was going to be ok somehow, some way. Mrs. Archibald moved to a nearby hotel and pitched up almost every day to take care of Grace. Apparently a pregnant cancer patient suffered way more than a pregnant one did, who would’ve thought? Lance began recording her every waking moment, saying he was going to keep hours and hours of footage of her, just being her...

Her nights were spent on the Malibu pier bench, staring up at the stars and writing in her journal. Which she intended to be read by both Lance & her daughter when she's gone, in the hope that they will find comfort in those trying times.

All Grace wanted was to survive long enough to bring her baby girl's beautiful soul into this world and hold her in her arms for the first time. No matter the sacrifice. 

7 years later.....

Gwendelyn stood her ground, the sun was tormenting her, with its bright light and annoying warm glow. Which meant she loved the way it glittered off her skin. She laughed and ran in zig-zags to catch a blue-black butterfly.

"It’s time snugglepuff." Her father called from the bench, doing the same thing he always did, reading the Sunday newspaper on a Tuesday afternoon. She shrugged and trounced off to her daddy.

They came upon a single white stone in the ground, "It’s always so pretty daddy, can we say the prayer this time?" Gwendelyn pouted and tugged on her dad’s suit pants. 

"All right honey, go ahead." Her father replied.

She cleared her throat and straightened her tie, "Our Father, who art in heaven, Halloween be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily breath. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

Her father pulled her close to him so that she hugged his waist, "I love you more than the world.”

"Do you think mummy can see us daddy? Will she know who I am?" She said sadly.

“Of course she does angel, and hey if you ever, ever feel like you're forgetting her-“ He knelt down and placed his hand on her chest “-Remember that she lives on right here, right here within your beating heart Gwendelyn. And if that fails, you'll always have her embarrassing journals to read." Her father said with his ‘smirky-daddy-grin’ on his face. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his strong neck. There they stood, father and daughter before their
beloved’s white stone, he placed a single hand on her shoulder and together they braved the sunset to enter the new dawn.


THE END.

*************************************

Authors Note

NB* I know the other mothers out there know that you can currently only tell the gender of the baby in utero at about 16-20 weeks. But well this is a fictional story after all and technology is changing all the time so that's how the Doc was able to tell the gender of the baby at such an early stage in the pregnancy. 

I've also written two blog posts as prequels to this story of Grace in her Formative years:
Confessions of a Teenage Blogger Queen
The Script: Interview of a Teenage Blogger Queen

Noticed the Big Sign/Badge on the right-side of my blog, did ya? Yes, The Blog Tag. An amazing community that supports & encourages bloggers by providing them with weekly themes & daily writing prompts in reference to those themes.

That being said, How was it? Please let me know your feelings on the second part of the story or the story as a whole. All are welcome.

Loved it? I'm always looking to build my reader base so if you genuinely enjoy my writing style & stories, kindly pass on my blog/posts to your friends & family. A recommendation from you would mean everything. 

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles: Chapter 6

Chapter 1 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Chapter 2 - The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

Chapter 3 - The Samurai: Eru's Origin

Chapter 4 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

The brutally battered, bloody and bruised bodies laid strewn all across the beach front. Ari was sickened at the sight of it. In the center stood, Kcin tall and blood with a wicked grin on his face as if to say "Here I am! Slaughterer of Elves, look at my masterpiece."

Eru was no help to Ari's sheer rage, she was beside herself with the scene and had crumbled to here knees. "You Distrosted MONSTER!!!" She shouted at the top of her lungs not caring who heard.

After a moment Eru piped up, her face lowered in defeat "How could you kill your own kind like this? With no remorse."

Then Kcin did the one thing that sealed his despicableness, he laughed. He began pacing, giving them sideward smirks while swaying his massive onyx sword about. "Do not presume to judge ME Eirumas! Or what was it they called you in the Old Tongue,-" His eyes darkened in victory, "Ah yes, 'KinSlayer' was it? The bloodied bodies of your fallen folk may be laid bare before you feet in the thousands! And all that at the behest of your Father? That's, that's where we discompare. You killed for your kingdom and your unworthy title holder of a father. Whereas, I, no I kill for myself."

Unheld tears streaked down Eru's cheeks now as she shook her head, Ari could tell that she did not believe his words, so kind was her heart to believe in the best of folk. She sighed deeply and asked, "What do you get out of this Monster?"

Annoyance flashed on Kcin's face for a moment and then it was gone, "Simple, I deliver unto the Queen of the North, that there Looking Glass and one, how did she put it? One Green Haired warrior princess. And I get a lifetime supply of Opium from her mines." His smile at the last words told her that this "Opium" was valuable to him.

Ari balled her fists in outrage, no one was taking Eru from her not as long as she held breath within her breast. She moved forward to charge when he appeared instantly before her and backhanded her to the ground, her whole body shook from the force of such a simple gesture on his part and her neck felt loose upon her head. "Do not dishonor yourself my thinking you have a chance fighting me woman. Eru was my only challenge today. It's why I sent her through the Trials. See the kicker, isn't the Mountain Troll you faced, it's what that idiotic place does to you afterward. Saps all your strength it does."

Eru was on her feet now, sheer rage reflected in her demeanor but the spell's toll could be seen on her skin, her once earthy glow no longer reigned true, a dull pale white now took its place. Kcin sensed this and snapped his fingers. Time literally began to slow all around them, even the ocean's powerful waves were halted in their beauty.

An old decrepit man appeared, unshrouded ever so slowly by a swirl of mist. His face held no emotion. He wore only a simple dark gray cloak with long nailed toes sticking out the bottom. Pure white hair draped across his head, flowing as if under water.

Ari tried to move, well anything at this point and nothing happened it was like her whole body not her own anymore and nothing worked as it should. She could tell Eru had this very same problem, except Eru seemed to be moving just a tiny little bit. She was reaching for her Katana! The one Ari had never seen her use no matter how dire the situation. The old man regarded her with a raised eyebrow, the furtherest extent of his expressions so far. Still, it seemed it would take Eru eons before she could do anything worthwhile.

Kcin looked down at Ari with a smirk of victory, "It would appear your escort has arrived your majesty. Meet Father Time."

Art Credit

***

Ari felt completely exhausted and defeated as she was forced to trail behind the old man. He walked with painstakingly slow movements, then again he did literally possess all the Time in the world. No matter how much she screamed, how much she struggle, nothing could stop the sight of Kcin leaving with Eru in golden chains, her beloved katana now thrown to the ground behind them. Thankfully the old man, who called himself Pilav by the way, had allowed her the solace of taking the katana with her. 

Even though they seemed to be moving at a snails pace, before long she noticed that they had passed Thorumdawn's tavern, the very same tavern she'd met Eru. How had they traveled so far, so quickly?

"Time moves for no man but I you see, everything slows and flows, blows and tows where I wish it. Thus is you confusing on the distance covered." Was he reading her thoughts? He frowned.

"You are on a quest to free the one you love yet the love I just watched being taken from you is not the love you quest to free. Peculiar, very peculiar. Tell me spriteling, what does love mean to thee? For such things are a mere blink in mine eye. Seen it once, seen it a thrice, 'tis all the same. Ends with such brutal tragedy or such boisterous victory."

In that moment, with her personal time zone affected by Pilav's presence, Ari was caught completely unawares at his unexpected burst of conversation with her. "Love is all." That's it? That's all she could manage to say to the Father of Time?! Yet he nodded & stroked at the saggy and aged skin of his chinny chin chin, deep in thought.  

"Where are you taking me? Why was I not taken to this Queen?" Ari began an internal dialogue not bothering with words anymore, seeing as he could read her mind and all. 

"That queen is a mere mortal pawn. It would seem this self-proclaimed Toad King, mistook his value of you and wants to possess you once more-" Pilav winced at the outburst of Ari's thoughts. She was beyond furious now. Since when did that slimey tadpole possess her?

She calmed her thoughts enough, "Why not let me go then? What could the all-powerful father of time have to gain from bringing him what he desires?" A part of her cried out, this could be her one chance to see Hterag once more. But no, no she couldn't leave Eru at the mercy of that usurper of a Queen. She had to go back for her friend, her Sister.

Pilav sighed and palmed at his face, "I was there at the birth you know, of all things but before this, I existed too. Eons upon Eons of footfalls upon all realms, none have proven above or before me. So I invite you this; of what heed would you take to should a mere passingly of a breath had it asked you for a favor? This Toad King has me bound by unspeakable and ancient magic that I thought lost to the ages. Thusly you nor I have a choice in the matter."

All Ari could do, was pray, pray to all the Asoscia Gods in sincere, pleaded and bended-kneed requests.

***

Art Credit

Hocirne pushed through the air with annoyance in his wake, calling over his shoulder "-alls I'm saying Merly, next time you want to send me to alternate realms and spheres atleast remember to mention the toxic mud or dragon's nest we might stumble into!"

Merlin's laughed echoed through the air behind him, "Oh laddie, such is not within my power. Old Wizzie was that sole owner and now you as well."

"Mother toad, you drive me bonkers. Then let's be glad I'm leading this time, and no-" Hocirne was cut short when the appeared before an OLD man and his charge. And he thought Merly was old but this guy was seriously beyond imagination old. Ancient was a more profound word, how could anyone look this old? His charge appeared more clearly as if shrouded in mist before and Hocirne's breath caught. 

"Ari!" He exclaimed. Ari opened her eyes in bewilderment and was almost toppled over as Hocirne barreled into her for a hug. 

Catching himself, he backstepped and palmed at his now shaggier hair. "Heh, sorry about that. It's just been 400 years since I last saw you! Merly wasn't kidding about the time difference."

The overcasted clouds began to shift and he felt a tugging sensation in his gut, it emanated from the old man. Ari grabbed at his arm, "Please, please do not anger Pilav." Hocirne squinted down and now noticed misty chains attached from Ari to this Pilav, stretching through his belly explaining the cold pit that filled there. All that made him do was think of food, decadent, and mouth watering food. 

Pilav raised an eyebrow, he thought the wrinkles in his face were going to crack at the strain. "What mysterious being are you? My presence seems naught but to make you hungry. Peculiar, very peculiar."

Hocirne rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah I get that alot gramps. The name's Hocirne. Now may you please release my friend here so we can go fill my belly with aunty M's best homemade cafflewaffles."

Pilav began pacing, but so slowing he must have not moved an inch in ages. Hocirne tapped at his feet.  "Hmm Ho'rin, familiar with this name Time has not been. Where reign thee?"

He got tired of this charade instantly, 400 years was a long long time and no amount of patience had been wasted so the thought of spending a second here irked every fiber of his being. He mentally shifted through Ari's memories of her time with Pilav seeing that the blasted Toad Kings hand had been played. He concentrated on the misty chains tethering Ari to Pilav, silently conjuring forth the Old words, the chains shattered as well misty chains could shatter he supposed. 

Pilav moved then, so fast it appeared a blur. Red misty now flew out at Hocirne, hitting him square in the chest with the force of a boulder. He was thrown into a nearby tree demolishing it in his thrust.

Art Credit: Tira Owl

He got up, dusting the splinters of his newly washed wizard robes the princess of Amdala had made for him. Annoyance flashed and he chuckled, "You call that hit old man? A baby mountain troll hits better that you!" He thrust out a hand, no flashy sparks needed. Pilav was sent up into the air, while there, he swayed his hand hoping the old man would get vertigo and thrust back downing, sending Pilav hurtling to the ground so hard that it left a crater once the dust settled. 

He grabbed Ari's hand and in a flash of lightning, the three of them stood in his now completely destroyed barn. 

Ari touched at her nape, breathing heavily. "How, how in the seven pointed kingdoms did you do that!?" 

But Hocirne couldn't think, he could breathe in fact when he saw Eru's katana. Her one, truly prized possession now on the back of Ari. "Don't....no...Don't tell me..." All the energy sucked out of him, the ground beneath him fell away and his knees landed soundly below an abyss. 

She came over in hurried exclamations, "No, No! She's not dead Hocirne, she's not. She's just been taken by a vile dark elf named Kcin. To the Queen, the very same queen that ordered your mother's dea-"

What was left of the barn was completely leveled, destroyed with but a thought from Hocirne. He got up with murder ablaze in his oceanic eyes. 

"Kcin is a dead man."

*****************

Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out.
Thusly, we chose to name this forthcoming collection - The Zemjla Dosta Chronicles.
Zemlja Dosta means "The Land of Plenty" in Bosnian. Thanks Sumarie-chan :-)

Hope you enjoyed reading chapter 6!

Tune in next week for chapter 7 won't ya :-)

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

Mommy Blogger: How I found out I was Pregnant

Inspire. Create. Write.TM

This is Daddies & Mommies week on The Blog Tag.

So let me start by saying #MadRespect to all the Daddies & Mommies out there! For all the love, support and magical wisdom you provide to your kids.

The writing prompt is...

What does it mean to be a Mother?

So today I will be sharing the beginning of a short story I wrote, titled The Lady in Blue Heels.

*************

Click-clack-click, click, clack, click, clack, was the sound she made as she hurried along across the granite floor, one which she was sure could be heard by all assembled in the auditorium this very moment. "Oh well", she thought, daring to pick up her pace, she raced on to the auditorium. ClickclackclickclackclickclackclickClack! She came to a halt outside the door, gathering her wits and taking a deep breath. Grace opened the door. Cheers rang out in the air, as Rachel Patinson was called up. In the excitement she slipped into her seat knowing everyone had noticed her late arrival. "God I hope mother is here." She sent up a silent prayer and waited for her name to be called. She was finally here, she'd made it. Ghandi had once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world...and Not the change the world wants to see in You”. She was going to live her dreams unbridled by the shackles of society's expectations. "Miss Grace Scott!"

An hour later she escaped the auditorium to find the pandemonium of families all cheerful and excited for their graduates. She found hers waiting to scream and shout in the very same manner. There was her mother at the very back, unassuming and beautiful. There she was, exactly like one of the few precious memories Grace held dear. Standing there with her arms stretched as far as they could reach with the most serene smile she'd ever seen. Her eyes, god her eyes, they just said "I love you." Tears stung her eyes as her father gripped her in a fierce embrace. "I am the proudest man alive today-“ He paused to swing her out widely and bellow. "This is MY Grace! My Grace!"

"Oh James put the girl down, she's not a child"

Grace chuckled, "It’s ok grandmummy, I don't mind". Everyone had pitched up, Uncle
Dan, Uncle Owen even Aunt Maurice, who was a renowned recluse! Everyone except one..... A blue rose appeared in front of her face, she turned around to be greeted by a soft kiss on the cheek. "See, I told you I'd find one Miss Gracey."

“Ahhh I see you have found the impossible Sir Lancelot, a blue rose in honor of my dastardly insane love for blue, where ever did you find such a delectable piece?" Grace replied as she wrapped her arms around his strong neck. His curly hair parted to the side to reveal piercing green eyes. Her day was made more special by the fact that it was Valentine’s Day! An odd day to have a graduation ceremony though.

"Hmmmm now see here woman, you can't know all my secrets, I'd prefer it if-" He paused right there with a huge ‘smirky-Lancey-grin’ on his face, then ever so slowly began to lean down.

"Lance what are you doing!?" She gasped.

"- I was saying, I would prefer it if you spent a lifetime with me discovering all the secrets this world, our world, has to offer. Will you marry me, Grace Annalise Scott?” He pulled out a small silver box from his breast pocket and revealed its content. A silver diamond encrusted ring with a sapphire, her birthstone, in the middle. She was too stunned to speak, she tried to answer but couldn't it was like her voice box had taken a vacation.

Someone shouted, "Answer him!" but Grace couldn't think, she couldn't breathe, she couldn’t- A hand was placed on her shoulder and yet somehow it didn't matter who it was but rather what it symbolized, a silent "I'm there for you."

"Yes you big goof! I'll marry you!" She watched in awe as Lance slipped the ring onto her finger.

Lance had the biggest, cheesiest smile on, "Say that again, baby please I want to hear it over and over". She howled with laughter and giggles as he picked her up and twirled her around.

"Yes! Hahaha! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Ye-mmmmf." The rest was muffled by their greatest kiss so far. The chaos died down after all the well-wishers had moved along, especially her ecstatic best friends. 

Her father, Captain James Earl Scott placed his hand on her shoulder. "If only your mother were here to see this....she'd be so proud, her baby girl, a graduate from college and a fiancé, ha! Gwendelyn would’ve been picking out your wedding cake already." For the first time Grace noticed tears in her father’s eyes. The captain had never been one for emotion, discipline and moral fibre were in his DNA. In his daddy and his daddy before him.

"Oh daddy! I miss her too!" She sobbed into her father’s chest.

That night Lance carried her over the threshold of her apartment then gave her puzzled look his ‘smirky-Lancey-grin’ "What? I'm just practicing."

She laughed all the way to the bedroom. That night they made mad passionate love to each other, the kind that makes your toes curl, the kind that makes you smile when you think about it, and the kind that had them super lazy to ever get out of bed. Yet she still woke up to the sweet aroma of cinnamon. Lance loved to make her breakfast in bed even if it was jam toast with green tea, he'd do it without fail, no matter what. He was terrible with dates and never closed the toothpaste but dammit that man just melted your heart every morning when- "Good morning gorgeous, I thought I'd be a bit spontaneous today and make you breakfast in bed."

"Hmmm, if only there was some spontaneous action I could take to thank you..." She leaned up and wrapped her arms around his strong neck and kissed him for the longest time. They settled on the bed with her gobbling down her French toast like a hungry lion.

Lance sighed, looking guilty, he handed her this morning's daily star newspaper.

"Have a look at this morning's paper love.”

"Oh my God! Your mother is coming! Lance! You promised we would tell her together!" She said frantically.

"Darling, how was I supposed to know? The woman is a ninja, honestly. My mother has people everywhere it’s rarely possible to surprise her." Lance raised his hands in surrender.

"Oh trust me, she's surprised all right, surprised you haven't dumped my gold digger ass." She said grumpily.

"Sweety, there are many ways I'd describe your ass and gold digger will never be one of them."

"This isn't a joke Lance!" Though she smiled anyway. Geez! It was impossible to be mad at him. With his cute dimples and ridiculously charming accent.

Lance took her hands in his, "I am not a man, a man I am not. For without a woman I am no man, no man I am. Without her soul, I have none. Without her heart, I have none. Without her body, I have none. I am no man because no man deserves her.”

The next week went by with Grace feeling like she'd been given just a little bit of heaven and had been giddy all week for it. Lance and Grace always seemed to share this secret smile, wherever they were at one of her dreaded soon to be mother-in law's ridiculous and pointless dinner parties. The woman always went out of her way to introduce Lance to all the successful bachelorettes she could lay her claws on. The daft old bat, when was she going to learn that Lance was utterly and completely in love with Grace? That Grace never had to worry because she knew they shared a connection natured by years of love and commitment. Grace felt terrible this particular evening, she'd been getting cramps all day and felt like she'd been hit by a bus! This gave her a one-way ticket to the bathroom, kneeling in front of the toilet pan throwing up the Mexican chicken she'd had, strange because it was her favorite.

"Grace? Grace? Are you up here darling?" Came the last voice she needed to hear right now. That damned woman must be a witch! How else would she know the perfect time to strike? And the way she says ‘darrrrrrling.’ Humf! "Oh you poor thing, did you have more than your fill tonight?” Grace rolled her eyes then saw nothing.

She came to with a cold sensation against her skin, it felt so good like a rainstorm after a draught. In a horse whisper she said, "What happened?”

Lance's mother Tsk’d her then said, "It’s obvious isn't it sweety."

"What is?" Grace asked totally confused.

"You're pregnant Grace". Grace laughed, she laughed and laughed at that joke until it wasn't funny anymore because Mrs. Archibald’s face said it all, she smiled politely waiting for it to sink in. Grace shot up, too sudden maybe because the earth disappeared before her, surprisingly the old bat caught her with a strength she never imagined.

"I can't be pregnant! I'm on the pill and Lance used a condom!...I mean uh, uhm, sorry I just can't be pregnant!" But just like that she saw it...a moment of clarity, a baby girl welcomed into their home, she had his emerald eyes and those endearing dimples. Her hand reached down to her belly, imagining a little person growing in there. Anxiety hit her wave after wave until she couldn't think anymore, she threw up all over again. She wasn't ready to be a mother, to be responsible for a life, a life dependent on her.

"Hush girl, it’s going to be ok, shhhhhh everything’s going to be fine." said Mrs. Archibald, her own emerald eyes burning with sincerity. "I don't think you'd want anyone to see you like this, you need rest, tomorrow is another day and you may decide then. Come on get up, I've got you. Easy now." Who was this woman? Surely not the woman she'd come to loathe....

The next day she felt much better, Mrs. Archibald had stayed with her through the night and told everyone she wasn't feeling well and didn't want to see anyone. Oh poor Lance he must be so worried. She'd heard him through the night coming to the room, sitting against the door and asking his mum how she was doing.

"Ww-Water…" Her voice was so croaky. She had sat there for an hour maybe? It felt like days, not sure what to do. Life had become very complicated, very fast. Sure she had thought about kids, Lance loved kids, he would make a great dad. But she'd hoped to work herself up to it, make a mature decision...

As moonlight began to fill the room’s darkness, Grace felt strong enough to get out of bed. She walked over to the door and slowly opened it, Lance greeted her on the other side. Sitting with his back against the wall, he had fallen asleep. He looked so peaceful, unaware of how drastic his life would change. She brought a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around him. She could do with a shower before she changed their lives forever. She dropped her robe and entered the sweet embrace of warm water.

"Lance, honey, wake up," Grace said as she knelt beside him.

His eyelids fluttered slowly open. "Baby? Baby! How are you feeling? Is everything ok? You scared me half to death!" He was wide awake now fussing over her. Cupping her chin, he moved her head left to right checking for god only knows what.

"Stop it you silly man, I'm ok now but uhm well we need to talk." That shut him up, Lance always associated the "we need to talk" phrase with the apocalypse of conversions. "I don't know how this happened, I mean we were careful and we both agreed to wait yet still it happened and now I don't know how we're going to do this but- wait hahaha
I'm rabbling. Lance, honey, I'm pregnant." Grace finished.

He just sat there for a while not saying anything like his brain was still trying to absorb what she had said. Then ever so slowly a grin spread across his face, "You're pregnant!...you're PREGNANT! WE'RE going to have a BABY!!" He picked her up in his arms and whirled her around.

"Hahahha wait, wait!" She giggled as he settled her on the ground, that ‘Lancey-grin’ still on his face. "So you're ok with this? It’s a big change Lance we'll have to make a lot of sacrifices and be more stable if we're bringing a child, our child into this world..." 

"Yes! Of course, I'm ok with this! I'm going to be a Dad. I've always wanted children and I know we can handle it. You're going to be a great mother. No one has a bigger heart than you." 

He was so excited, she could see the excitement and joy all over his face, down to the depths of his light green eyes. He was ready to be a father, to take on fatherhood with all of the good and the bad times that came with it. Why didn't she feel ready? Why did she feel like she wanted a way out? Why couldn't she be as overcome with joy as he was?

Mommy Blogger: How I found out I was Pregnant Part 2

*************************************

Authors Note

Want to read more?

Find out what's in store for Grace as she comes to terms with her pregnancy & how she finds a connection to the child now growing within her womb.

Or if you'd like me to finish the story here on the blog, let me know!
Read the full story of The Lady in Blue Heels on Wattpad, Click Here.

I've also written two blog posts as prequels to this story of Grace in her Formative years:
Confessions of a Teenage Blogger Queen
The Script: Interview of a Teenage Blogger Queen

Noticed the Big Sign/Badge on the right-side of my blog, did ya? Yes, The Blog Tag. An amazing community that supports & encourages bloggers by providing them with weekly themes & daily writing prompts in reference to those themes.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles: Chapter 5

DeviantArt Cred: ignisfatuusii

Chapter 1 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Chapter 2 - The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

Chapter 3 - The Samurai: Eru's Origin

Chapter 4 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Ari looked out as the sun set over the horizon, she pondered at the spot where the tormented Hocirne had been just a moment ago. To be so young and to have lost his mother in such a brutal fashion, she felt such heartache for him. 

"We should head back to the nearest tavern for now, they might have rooms to lay rest for the day." Eru looked defeated as she gathered up what remained of their supplies. 

A sharp sound caught Ari's attention, the baby dragon was beside her. Looking up at her with mournful slitted yellow eyes. Sigh, another motherless child for her to deal with. "Little one, what shall we name you hmm? Tarlock? No that's doesn't sound right. I know! I will name you after your mother begone. Brieme."

Without their horses, they were left to walk alongside Brieme towards the tavern. "That's a wonderful name Ari. Say, what ever did you do back there with the guards? The last thing I remember was you singing a most ethereal song." Eri asked as they picked up pace with the wind's tide. 

"My papa called it the Maiden's Melody, not heard in a hundred centuries prior. They had thought the gift lost to the ages until I began singing on my 200th centenary. The melody manipulates the emotions of others, meaning I can make them feel whatever it is I want them to feel." Ari frowned at that admittance and Eru's bewildered reaction, in her land it made her special, an outcast. Here it made her more so. Ari closed her eyes and pictured her realm once more. 

DeviantArt Cred: Nagatuki

***

Ari and Eru walked into the tavern, weary of the road they had traveled, longing for a moment of peace where they could each reflect on what had just happened.

“Why do we have to wait for him? I thought you said he’s some sort of great wizard that could help, not a stumbling block to get Hterag back.” Ari continued her rant as they searched the busy tavern for an open seat. 

“I said he is a great wizard. He is. But he needs training. Did you see the havoc he can create with untamed magic? Be patient. Things will work out as they should” Eru walked toward an open table and sat down. The air in the tavern was foul, reeking of breaths soaked in ale and humid bodies tired after a hard days work. 

“He will be back in due time, and then we will continue on our mission to find your Hterag.” 

Ari acknowledged the waitress walking in their direction with a fresh ale on her tray, the waitress made her way over. “Oh my, what brings such fair ladies to a tavern such as this? Be careful who you meet in places like these ladies, there are a lot of wolves in sheep’s clothing. But then again, I guess there’s a lot of sheep in wolves clothing ey?” The perky waitress gave a slight chuckle and started to turn around. Ari looked at Eru with disbelief, it was the first mortal in this realm that freely spoke to them. The waitress swiftly spun back to the two and whispered, “You might want to cover your hair, you're gaining a lot of attention from some dangerous folk.” 

On that note she was called away to another table. Eru immediately covered her hair with her cape and looked around the room. One by one making a summary of the collection of mortals, their weapons and a guess at their agility and combat ability. Once she summarized everyone, she felt at ease with herself. She would be able to defend herself, Ari and the waitress if need be. Finally her gaze fell to Ari, looking back at her with a questioning look “I’ve finished my ale, you haven’t touched yours or said a word about our situation. What will we do?” 

Eru sighed deeply and wiped tiny beads of sweat off her brow “I wish I had all the answers Ari, I truly do. But we have to be patient. Have you seen anyone looking at us?” 

Ari smiled guiltily and glanced around the tavern “Who is sitting there at the far corner? She can’t keep her eyes off of us.” Eru smiled, so Ari noticed and took in her surroundings even though she did not show it. Pride. It was a feeling she had long forgotten, left behind in a land far away, a land she was starting to think she’d never reclaim. Eru pushed back the thoughts clouding her view of reality in this moment and looked at the woman sitting in the corner. She was dressed neatly, the difference between her surrounding and attire was striking. She was out of place, but somehow Eru thought this woman was right where she wanted to be. “Don’t stare at her Eru! It’s rude” As if the woman had heard their conversation, she slowly lifted her head, and looked right into Eru’s eyes. 

Ari stood up “I’m going to go talk to her” Eru and Ari have only been a team for a few days at most, but Eru knew how this would end. There was no stopping Ari when she had her mind set, so the best she could do was hastily down her ale and make her way over to the woman to make sure that Ari didn’t get herself into a sticky situation by losing control of her emotions.

"Oi, why are you staring at us mortal? I demand answers." Ari stood there hand on hip ready to take on the world. 

The woman chuckled, her big beady neckles danced upon her ample bosom. "Verily, I apologize. I am named Valencia, I hail from the southern kingdom and I was told to wait for your here."

"Wait for who? Us? Why?" Eru asked in perplexion. 

"I was beseeched to wait for the green haired gaijin and her pinked haired companion. You see I am on a grave mission from my queen. It is urgent that I must speak with thee." Valencia's heavy set golden bracelets jingled as she moved to make room for them as her rather large frame took up most of the room of the booth. 

In a surprising turn of events, Valencia told them her mission. To retrieve the Looking Glass from an Elven clan in the mountains. In exchange, her queen was prepared to offer them a way to Ari's realm. Eru regarded the woman suspiciously, who did this queen know of their plan to visit another realm. What was more disturbing was the lack of stories Eru had heard about the southern queen. Every other kingdom was afresh with gossip on their royal rulers, yet not a whisper of this one. "I thought the elves went extinct a millennia ago."

Valencia smiled politely, "I know not of such things but my queen has arranged an escort for you."

***

"Do you trust her Eru? You ought to be more careful in your deals youngling, I've only been a short time in this land and your fellow mortals have had terrible behavior." 

Eru sighed, "I am cautious Ari, but this is our only option at the moment. Take heed, our escort should be arriving shortly."

Eru and Ari waited beside the Spirit waterfalls, the vapor of falls carried to them dampening their hair. Thunder and storm brewed in the east, an iron stoned castle in its wake. Brieme who had been playing gleefully in the falls, came galloping to tuck his head under Ari's arm as the thunder boomed in the distance. A time later when the storm hit them, they took cover at a near by ledge, looking out into the storm for their assigned escort who appeared to be frustratingly late. 

Suddenly, though not entirely like, an elf appeared in the same way that Merlin did. As if through the very fabric of the air. He glanced back at the iron stoned castle and pulled at his obsidian cloak. 

DeviantArt Cred: Martaemilia

His was long and dark, with the sudden contrast of piercing ice blue eyes framing his eyebrows. The armor under his cloak almost swirled with the storm as it connected. 

Ari regarded him coldly but Eru could not help but stare. He did not look like any man she had seen before, then again this was no man before her but an elf, an elf in blackened armor. "You must be the escort, well don't just stand there. Introduce yourself."

The elf smirked at Ari's demand as if a child has just asked him for a sweet. "The name's Kcin of the Remerb clan. Forgive my lateness, those mountain trolls can be a pain to deal with."

"Mountain trolls? First elves now mountain trolls. I was told the mortals ruled these lands and that such beings were driven to extinction in eons past." Eru inquired, unsure as to why her heart beat loudly as he stepped closer to them. Something about him resonated with her at her very core.

Kcin chuckled heartily, "It's true the humans do outnumber us fair folk but alas our extinction has been the subject of political hogswash, meant to give a sense of safety. Come, we must journey a day's trek towards the eastern mountains if you wish to reach the entrance to the Elven lands."

Kcin gestured for them to follow as strode off into the storm without a care. 

The trek was long and hard, through sleeted snow and burnt rock. Kcin had no intention of stopping even they struggled through the harsh conditions. Worse still was his insistence on climbing a damned mountain top. It took them longer than a day to reach its zenith but alas the survived. The view from atop the peak, was breathtaking. Lush greenery sprawled out as far as the eye could see, decadent waterfalls streamed through the burnt rock of the distant mountains. Upon their descent, Kcin held up a hand and hurried them behind a boulder. 

Thundering footsteps could be heard, the noise of armor echoing as it did. Before Eru, a marvelous yet impossible sight awaited her. Golden warriors marched in complete unison as if of one mind. In the lead was an Elven woman with luminescent blue-purplish eyes.

DeviantArt Cred: jasontn

Kcin grunted, "Hellfire! Varda has decided to go ahead then."

Ari pushed at Kcin's shoulder, "Decided on what exactly?"

Kcin palmed at his face in tiredom, "The invasion plan, they attack at dawn. The dawlish clan will march unto the east pointed kingdom in full force and annihilate its ruler."

Eru clutched at her chest, remembering all to well the carnage war always brought. "I don't understand, the stories, elves are supposed to be naught but peaceful delicate beings. Recluse and in tune with nature." 

"It's true we elves descend from the fairies of old but alas these later generations have evolved beyond those limitations. They are bred for nothing but war and war is what they will bring unto this world. We must hurry to their vault before all is lost."

Kcin led the way towards the shoreline, and presented to an eastern facing mountain side. 

He took out a piece of white rock and began drawing intricate symbols upon the bare rock. 

"What is this elf doing now?" Ari whispered whiling absent-mindedly patting on Brieme's scaly head. His tail wagged out in furious appreciation. 

Eru shushed at Ari as they watched Kcin finish off the symbols with an appraising glance. "Ah, that should do it. Eru, you're up."

"What do you mean. I'm up? You've brought us this far. You go."

Kcin eyes glazed over as if he was encircled in an altogether unpleasant memory. 

DeviantArt Cred: takeyourhatred

"The trials within call for a warrior of pure heart and fierce loyalty. It will not allow an elf from another clan to enter." He explained. 

Eru sensed that that wasn't the entire story but lamented on completing the task. As she got up to stand before the symbols, Ari stood beside her with a determined expression. "Warrior or not, I didn't come this far to sit out here like some pampered queen. We do this together." Eru's chest inflated, never had she experienced such friendship before nor had anyone been willing to risk their life with her outside of battle. 

Kcin uttered an incantation and a doorway erupted through the rock sending debris everywhere. Eru and Ari stepped into the narrow cavern, startled as the doorway closed loudly behind them. Even though Eru had been trained to fight in the blind, even her vision could not pierce the darkness around them. Ari began to literally glow, every inch of her became illuminated in glorious white light. "That's a new one." Eru marveled. 

Ari shrugged and urged them forward, until the happened upon a large dome like cave. Surprisingly the floor beneath them was all made of glass, it bottomed out into an abyss below. "Great, how in the transenoble tails are we suppose to find a Looking glass amidst all this other-"

"BBBRRRRRRROOOOAR!!!" The rocked ceiling above them quivered and splintered as a massive sound erupted from the gloom of the cave. A gigantic monster came pounding towards them, it's heavy footfalls causing cracks to appear in the glass. 

Ari shrieked and shrunk back in terror, "Who the hell leaves that thing to guard a place where the floor is made of bloody glass?!"

From Kcin's earlier descriptions during their trek, Eru summed that this was a mountain troll. Green blistering skin and all. It had on a sheer loin cloth for cover around the midsection with a belt made out of skulls. Eru didn't miss a step, her body taking over in muscle memory. This is what she knew, this is what she was chosen for. She pushed Ari out of the way and sidestepped the beast as he went barreling into the cave wall, sending chunks of burnt rock flying out around him. 

She lifted off her heels, calculating now that her speed would win them this. Eru danced around the giant to an attempt to anger and disorient him further. This time when the beast came barreling towards her, she effortlessly scalled the far cave wall, defying gravity as she went. Just as the giant was to reach her, she flipped out curving her body in the air as she landed upon the giant's shoulders. She withdrew two hunting knives from the small her back in quick succession and drove them into either side of the beast's pulsing neck muscles. It took but a minute for the beast to feel the acid and poisonous touch of her blades. A gift from her father of course, dipped in manticore venom and fermented in summer sun. The giant went crumbling down causing large fissures to appear in the glass floor. Eru bent over, breathing deeply from the exertion. Those muscles were thick and had stripped much of her strength. She turned to notice Ari smiling broadly with a piece of glass within her hands. 

"I found it!" She exclaimed. 

***

Ari had to practically haul Eru out of the cave, she was completely drained from more than just that battle yet they did not know from what. All Ari cared about was getting them out from there. As the door to the vault opened, they both gasped at the sight before them. A legion of elves, all....dead. Bloody bodies were strewn across the beach and in the center of them stood Kcin with a dark expression that now claimed his face. 

DeviantArt Cred: arsinoes

"No, it cannot be." Eru said as she fell to her knees. "He's a dark elf."

Kcin smiled sickeningly, "The Baboon Queen will be most pleased at your success."

*************

Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out.
Thusly, we chose to name this forthcoming collection - The Zemjla Dosta Chronicles.
Zemlja Dosta means "The Land of Plenty" in Bosnian. Thanks Sumarie-chan :-)

Hope you enjoyed reading chapter 5.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres