Rimilda
"Her room looks perfect," I whispered as I nuzzled my head back into my husband's chest. His arms wrapped around under my arms and bent at the elbow so his hands rested on my enlarged stomach. I rested my hands on his and laced fingers with his.
"What makes you think our baby is a girl? I'm hoping for a strapping young lad!" He whispered into my neck before he kissed it gently. He reminded me everyday he wanted a son. I leaned further back into him and closed my eyes. We haven't had a peaceful moment together for awhile. Since he was the mighty King Frerbin of the kingdom of Asindis. And I was his queen, Rimilda. We were an unusual kingdom; as I was human and he was a dwarf. Our kingdom is hated by many others in spite of this.
"Stop worrying about it my Queen, these kingdom walls are strong and have never been breached, for they have been built by dwarves!" He said as he spun me around slowly as he was talking and kissed my forehead. His arms wrapped around me, giving me a warm hug. I nearly jump out of my skin as a guard bursts through the doors and into the nursery.
"Your Majesty, there's something you need to see, immediately," he gasped, out of breath. Frerbin looked at me with a sorry look in his eyes. He leaned forward and pecked my lips before letting go of my hands and running out of the room, closing the door behind him. I take a deep breath and plop down in the nearest chair to me. I begin sewing more clothes for my unborn child. After a few moments of silence I hear a light knock at the door.
"Come in," I commanded as I lift my head up to see who was coming in, "Evangeline! My dear, I've missed you!" She walked in with two guards behind her. She was my best friend and my top maid. She did everything for me, especially now more than ever since I was pregnant.
"Hello my Queen, how are you feeling today?" Her high pitched voice chirped. I set my stuff down and look up at her.
"I feel huge! I just want her out of me!" I whined as I heaved myself from the chair to greet her. As I stood up I felt a pressure drop down in my stomach and a sudden wetness dripping down my leg. I hunched over in pain as I let out a scream. Evangeline ran over to me and lifted up my dress.
"Your water broke miss, we need to get you to the healers," she spoke sternly. She was lying, I could tell something else was wrong. But it hurt too much to argue. One of the guards swept me off my feet and carried me down the halls quickly.
"Here you are your majesty," the guard spoke gently as he set me in a fur covered chair. I hadn't a clue of where I was, I was in such pain. I looked up at him as he stepped away. The entire front of his clothes was covered in blood. Was that me? I thought, horrified. What was wrong with me? I began to scream more as another wave of pain hit me.
"Hey you're doing great," Evangeline whispered as she pulled my bloomers down and flipped my dress up. She then stood by me as the healer burst into the room. Evangeline held my head comfortingly and with her other hand she held my hand.
"How're you feeling your majesty?" The healer asked politely as he sat down in front of me.
"It hurts more than I thought," I healed as I gripped Evangeline's hand harder, "Where is Frerbin? I want him here, now!" I hissed at the guard to my right who had carried me.
"On our way over here Barr ran to find him, my Queen, he'll be here soon," the guard, Trevon, spoke gently. I breathed heavily and felt the pool of liquid beneath me grow.
"I'm sorry your majesty, but your bleeding is getting worse, there's nothing I can do to help. This is common when the race of men mate with dwarves," his voice saddened as he spoke.
"Do whatever you can to save my baby," I was willing to do whatever to save my child. That's a mother's love for you.
"Yes m'lady," he looked down, "The baby is crowning, I need you to start pushing." I laid my head back and screamed in excruciating pain as I pushed. I heard a loud crash to my right. I looked over and saw him.
"King Frerbin!" Evangeline moved off to the side to make room for him. He ran over and held me. I saw him glance down at all the blood and bit his lip.
"Hey, Hey..." I could see tears in his eyes, "You're going to be okay, I'll make sure of it." I felt a huge pressure and then all at once the pain was gone. I fell back onto the makeshift pillow on the chair and breathed deeply. I felt relieved when I heard a tiny cry. I felt my legs and arms going cold and numb. I reached up and ran my fingers through Frerbin's long hair.
"I'm so sorry I have to leave you, dear friend," I tested up as my vision became blurry. He kissed my forehead and sobbed.
"P-please. We need you...I need you! Don't leave me..." he hugged me tightly. I held him back as I felt everything become light. And all at once, everything, became nothing.
Frerbin
"Noooo!" I screamed as I lifted her limp body further off the chair. Tears streamed down my face as I bury my face into her neck, her scent wafting into my nose.
"Your majesty," I heard a small voice behind me. I turn around without losing contact with my Queen. My child, I have a child. "I think you should hold her." I wiped my tears away and let go of Rimilda. I stand up and grab my baby from Evangeline's arms gently.
"You have your mother's eyes," I whisper as a tear falls down as I kiss her soft, fragile forehead, "Your name shall be Threda, princess of Asindis, daughter of Queen Rimilda and King Frerbin. One day, you'll make us proud." A knight burst into the room, making Threda cry. I turn around and see one of my soldiers breathless from running.
"We need you," his urgent voice filled the room, "It's the intruders. They've broken into the village, making their way to the castle walls." I take a deep breath and look down at Threda, who had calmed down.
"Baby, my sweet Threda, you will be safe. I shall return to you before sunrise," I kissed her gently again and turned to Evangeline and the two guards standing in the room, Trevon and Barr, "I want you to take her. Protect her with your life and never leave her side. I'm entrusting you with the only thing I have left to love. If anything happens to me, I want you to take her to my brothers kingdom, Amerete. He'll take care of you there. Trevon, Barr, you will follow and protect them. I must go now. Bye my lovely."
I handed Threda over reluctantly and ran out of the doors without looking back. I needed to focus on the intruders. I needed to protect my kingdom, my Threda. I continue running until I reach the castle's lookout tower. I looked down at my village. I hear people screaming as I watch men on horseback pouring in through the wall like water trickling into a bowl.
"Blow the war horns. Make sure everyone gets into the castle and hold off the intruders. Do not let anyone into the castle," I sighed heavily and ran down to the stables. When I ran into the stables I saw everyone was saddled up and ready for battle.
"Sir, your horse is ready for you over there," someone pointed him out to me. I thanked him and walked over to my magnificent black stallion, Clyde. I mounted him and made sure I had everything. Bow and arrows, sword, daggers, etc. I turn Clyde around to face everyone and raise my voice to what sounded like a roar.
"Line up in front of the gates to the castle, defend it with your life. Fight with all your might! Be brave my men!" I shouted. I then screamed and pushed Clyde to run out of the stables and stood back to watch my men. They flooded out and formed rows in front of the gates. I went to ride up to the front but someone yelled in my ear.
"Your majesty, you cannot! You are the King, Kings stay behind and watch," I growled at them and rode away without haste. I stopped in front and turned towards the advancing troops racing towards us. They were howling and screaming. The hooves of their horses and the clink of metal filled the air. I raised my sword in the air and began yelling in dwarvish. We clashed into battle like thunder and lightning.
