The Tagatha Story

Chapter 5: Not a dream

Agatha was in her chambers, writing to other kingdoms, desperately trying to explain that Camelot was doing all that it could to save their kingdoms. Tedros had gone off with his knights on a hunt. Agatha's wrist ached. She put down her pen and fell back in her chair. She missed Tedros. She missed Sophie and Hort who had gone back to school. She missed Anadil and Hester who had gone back to their ginger bread cottage. She missed Dot who had gone back to Sherwood forest. And for once she allowed herself to think I miss my mother, who she would never see again.

She clutched her slightly rounded stomach and thought back over the last few months when she had thought that her dreams were reality. She thought about how stupid she must've sounded but Tedros had still listened to her. He was going to be a great father.

Hopefully Tedros would be back in the next couple of days and they would go an see a healer to discuss the baby's health and hopefully find out the gender. She smiled thinking of her wonderful family, when she heard a crack on the balcony. Agatha grabbed the envelope knife from her desk, and braced herself for an attack as she peered round the door.

On the balcony stood...the woman from Agatha's dream! Agatha's scream caught in her throat as she dropped the knife in surprise and it clattered on the floor.

"You naughty girl" she said in her metallic voice "I remember specifically telling you not to tell anyone! I think you deserve a little punishment" her voice trailed off. She raised her hand and Agatha was suddenly filled with an indescribable pain. She grasped her stomach, her face scrunching up in agony but not a sound escaped her lips. "You're a strong one"

"I don't care what you do to me, but don't touch my baby!"

The woman sniggered.

"I think you need a little...motivation to fulfil this next task. I'll tell you everything you need to know about me, but you tell one person, one soul, your husband and your baby will die." Agatha's chest was rising and falling. "Tell me. Tell me everything" said Agatha.

The woman grinned. "My name is Melody. I am the daughter of the sea witch from the tale of the little mermaid. I am the person causing havoc in the Ever and Never kingdoms. I lulled you morons into a sense of security. I need you're child to achieve my goal and you will give it to me when it is born, I am 17 and I will kill your King if you tell anyone what I am telling you now".

Agatha had uncontrollable tears sliding down her face. Pain was flooding her heart. She thought of her beautiful Tedros fighting the forces of evil to stop the one person that was standing in front of Agatha, and she could do nothing about it.

"Now you know this is not a dream, you will do as I say. I am going to call off the attacks on the other kingdoms. You will act as if everything is ok. You will reassure your king that you are fine. How heavily pregnant are you?"

"I'm-I'm three months" whispered Agatha.

"Damn." said Melody "I've still got 6 whole months of waiting to do...what can I do to speed that up a bit? Hmmm..." she pulled out a wrist watch then pulled the button on the side and twisted it forward 5 times. A pain worse than before exploded inside Agatha's stomach as it got 5 times bigger.

"I've made it so no one will notice the time difference. You're just 5 months ahead in your pregnancy. If you think about it I've done you a favour, you get 5 months less of morning sickness."

Agatha glared at the monster threatening her child and husband. "I hear a horse, I think your king has returned. She twirled her cape and vanished.

Tedros rushed into the room and scooped Agatha up bridal style and kissed her passionately on the lips. "I've missed you so much!" he exclaimed. He set her down on the bed then gently kissed her stomach. "I've booked an appointment to see a healer tomorrow to discuss the health and gender." Agatha said trying to disguise her inward pain.

"Brilliant!" he said.

"Tedros I-" she swallowed "love you so much" she smiled as best she could but it probably came out more like a grimace.

The next day

Tedros gently shook Agatha awake. "Morning sweetheart" he said "how are you feeling today?"

"Just perfect" replied Agatha. Tedros missed the sarcasm.

They got ready and then headed into Camelot to meet the healer.

She was a young woman with a kind face, she was rather plump and when Agatha arrived she, went into a low bow before asking Agatha to take a seat.

"So you about 8 months pregnant" she said in a strong accent.

"Yes" said Agatha rubbing her belly.

"And you want to know gender of baby?"

"No" Tedros stepped in, "we want to leave it as a surprise". He grinned at Agatha who tried her hardest to smile back.

"Now let me feel you stomach for health of baby". She raised her hands and moved them over Agatha's stomach.

"Very strange. Baby appears healthy. But baby looks almost stretched out as if pregnancy was sped up. Baby is showing signs of prematurity."

Agatha flushed red and Tedros's brow creased his eyes welling.

"Not worry King and Queen. I not always correct. Baby is very healthy. You will be great parents." A tear rolled down Tedros's cheek and Agatha wiped it away with her thumb.

When they left and had boarded their carriage, Tedros looked Agatha in the eye. "You will be an amazing mum". Agatha held onto Tedros's arm as hard as she could. If only he knew. She sighed and drifted off to sleep, one hand on his waist, the other on her belly.