Another Chance

When she asked if they had been ‘trying’ for a babe Calista nearly coming to tears was enough to tell her that they had been, without success. Once more the queen set her tea down then went onto a knee to take Calista into her arms. “Oh Calista...sometimes these things…” She began but then she pulled back. In a moment she shifted and placed her hand upon Calista’s belly. She closed her eyes and uttered the elvish words that brought upon the lesser healing powers she had come to learn over the years. This one allowed her to ‘see’ inside of Calista, to see the tangle that prohibited her eggs from dropping unfettered. She kept her expression neutral though Calista seemed to look worried.

“We need to see the healers,” she said softly. “Will you come with me? There is a problem with you that will not correct itself and I do not have the skills to heal it,” she said as rose to her feet then extended her hand.

Meanwhile Eldarion was practicing carrying wounded men. All the men were but Eldarion hadn’t done this in years. He groaned as he was forced to carry only the larger men. Being who he was he was able to but with difficulty. The King supervised this drill himself and it appeared Eldarion was getting the worse of his admonishments to how poorly they all were doing.

Calista had been trying to keep her worries about not being able to conceive to herself, but when the Queen asked her about it she very nearly broke down. She felt as if she was failing at her duty to provide Eldarion with an heir. She had been expecting it to have happened by now, but every time she had thought she might be she was disappointed very quickly. She felt the Queen put her hand upon her belly suddenly and for a moment she thought that maybe she sensed that she was pregnant, but immediately she noticed the Queen's expression and furled brows and knew something wasn't right. When she then told her that they needed to see the healers and that something was wrong with her she felt her heart nearly stop in her chest. Would she be able to give Eldarion an heir? What would happen if she could not? Would their marriage have to be dissolved? Would he have to marry someone else? She slowly stood and allowed the Queen to escort her out of the room and to the healers to be examined.

The healing house wasn't very far just a few blocks from the palace one level down. It was a large, white structure modestly adorned with effigies of people Calista did not know. Inside there were mostly women in white robes moving here and there hastily as if they had some urgent business somewhere else in the building. Araless had seen them come in immediately and quickly she moved from behind her desk to greet them. She bowed to the queen and to Calista. 

“Ara,” Nauriel said in surprise then hugged her. “It is always good to see you my queen,” she replied reverently. “Ah, Princess Calista, I am Araless Stromheim, Chief Mendicant here,” she said with a small bow. “How can I help you?” She asked but caught the queens eye and nodded knowingly. Wordlessly she led them into a small room accessed by a door down the hall a few paces. There was a single examination table there, a shelf with all kinds of apparatus on it and several chairs. 

“Please, tell me what is the issue?” She asked and now that they were alone the queen explained everything and immediately Calista was asked to disrobe and get on the exam table.

Calista was unsure of everything, but felt better knowing that her mother-in-law was there with her. She had been into the Houses of Healing before, but she had never been as nervous as she was today. If she could not get pregnant then she would never be able to bear Eldarion an heir and that thought was more than heartbreaking to her. She slowly followed her mother-in-law and Ara into the private examination room. After the Queen explained the issue Ara asked her to disrobe. Calista felt somewhat uncomfortable, but did as instructed and laid down on the table. She felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest and she had to hold back her tears.

The examination didn’t take long, she pressed her fingers in certain places and seemed to be chanting something that Calista didn’t quite understand. After a few minutes she motioned for the queen to step away toward her but leaned over to address her. “You can get dressed, Princess,” she said and then ducked back to speak with the queen. After what seemed like ages the queen turned and stepped back to where Calista sat on the table. When she did Ara stepped out of the room and disappeared.

“I won’t keep you in suspense Calista...there is a problem with the organs that help protect your eggs for reproduction,” she said honestly and then put her hands on her shoulders and maintained a hopeful expression. “However there is a remedy that will allow your body to react properly when an egg is released. You will need to copulate soon after you ingest it, it is quite potent but there is another issue. It tends to work too well and forces your own body to release too much of its resources to help the baby grow. It is dangerous Calista, to you and sometimes even to the baby. Alchemy is not an exact science but I felt you should be made aware of everything. It is up to you if you decide to inform Eldarion of this, he is your husband and thus, it is yours and only your right,” she added and then kissed her cheek.

Calista had to force herself to relax during the actual examination. She was obviously scared, but was trying to be strong. She desperately wished Eldarion was there with her in those moments to tell her that everything was going to be alright. Finally, the examination was over and Ara and the Queen stepped away to speak. Calista dressed, nervously waiting for the results. After what seemed like an eternity, the Queen approached her and confirmed her worst fears. Calista felt several tears slip down her cheeks as she began to think that she would not be able to remain married to Eldarion. However, the Queen suddenly told her that there was a possible solution. It was dangerous, possibly for her and the baby, but it was her only option. She sat there quietly for a long moment before finally speaking.

"And if this doesn't work...?"

The queen was prepared for this question and she put a hand on one hip and looked annoyed at Calista. “If that is how you are going to think than you have no hope Calista. Eldarion must have an heir!” She repeated and not in a friendly voice. “You will provide him with one...and that is that,” she said with eyes that could stop a wild bear in its tracks. Ara came back with a small satchel that clinked when she handed it over to the queen.

“Take one of these prior to your copulation once a day for 4 days straight. This will give you the best chance for conception. Added in are herbs and other things to heighten your...uh, libedo, make certain to allow his seed time to work and more than once is always better,” she said with a neutral tone but blushed slightly out of respect for the queen. “Thank you so much Ara,” The queen said and hugged her once more. “Ara smiled and bowed her way out hastily as the queen motioned to Calista that it was time they got back. For most of the way the silence between them was deafening but it was the queen that finally spoke up.

“Is there anything else Calista that you would like to say? If so, now is the time. I am still quite furious with you and Eldarion,” she said coldly. “I think 2 weeks under house arrest will be good enough punishment, yes?” She added.

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