The Warrior And His Emperors

Theirs

Eloy was overseeing the preparations in the kitchen. He loved spending time with the cooks and learning new things sometimes. He also spent time training with his husbands who never challenge him. He thinks it is amusing because the men think they will lose to him. He has more belief in them. He went over and checked the pie. The smell became too much and he rushed out with a need to vomit. He vomited in the garden and his husbands who were in a meeting with councilors in the outdoors saw him and ran over. They held him and Mithraos rubbed his back as Adharva ordered for water and healer.

"I am fine, really. Stop fussing over me," he said gently even as he leaned back against Mithraos. Adharva wiped the sweat off his face and they took him to the nearest room. He let them lay him down and was exasperated as both sat next to him. Mithraos took the handheld fan from the maids and waved it himself. Adharva made him wash his mouth and drink some water.

The healers arrived soon after that. Eloy was feeling a bit down for a couple of days. He had felt tender but he thought it could be because of the worrying. Thaveri was a hard nut and took 27 days to succumb and he didn't want a war now. Aeneas deserved a better childhood than that. Their family and their people deserved better than that.

The healers smiled after they checked over Eloy and looked at the three of them.

"High King Eloy is with child," said the healer.

At that all three of them looked at each other. Eloy felt like he was in shock. His mind reeling at what he just heard. He is carrying a child. He is pregnant. He felt his eyes well up. He didn't want to cry but he looked at his Emperors who were both glowing as they looked at him. They just hugged him tight.

---------------------------

Mithraos watched as all left to give them privacy. He looked at Eloy. He is now with child. He was going to be a father. That thought made Mithraos' head reel. Him- a father. That was the most wondrous thought. After seeing their nephew and the joy parenthood brings, he was sure that some day they would at least adopt a child of their own. Now, they were actually going to have one.

Adharva moved Eloy's hair from his face and tied it up. He was using the time to actually let the news sink in. Eloy is with child. He is going to be a father. They are going to be parents. It was the most joyous thought. Aeneas, their nephew is a sweet heart. The thought that they can have one of their own made him feel all sort of emotions, joy being the biggest one.

--------------

The journey to Karivaayis cannot wait now. They will have to be back before Eloy got heavily pregnant. They were in the carriages. His husbands did not trust anyone to lead the carriages and were doing it themselves to ensure that Eloy and their child have no inconveniences. He was sitting inside the carriage and one of them would sit just outside, thus keeping both him and the carriage drawer company. Eloy was so exasperated, he thinks it should be made illegal for the two to become anymore thoughtful and have him fall deeper and deeper each day.

He was also keen to see Aeneas and see how Samarth was faring with the pregnancy. He had wanted to go earlier itself and care for him. He knew Shikhar must be doing everything now. He also sorely misses Dhruv, his brothers and his father. Their family.

--------------------

They reached the Karivaayi land soon. The reunion was beautiful. All were excited about the pregnancy. Shikhar, Samarth, Eloy and Dhruv spent a lot of time speaking about pregnancies as it is while the Emperors interrogated the healers to no end, though they already learned a lot while Apaa was pregnant. Aeneas meanwhile was all of their joy. He has all his uncles and also his grandfather wrapped around his little finger.

They spent a month in Karivaayi before returning. Samarth and Ekalavya promised Eloy to bring and show him his nephew or niece as soon as possible. Dhruv was a bit teary eyed as he let his brothers hug him.

"Hey, What has got you so upset? You know Yagni will bring you to palace any time you want right?" asked Mithraos who was the last one to give him a hug.

"I know brother. But I don't like parting with all of you," said Dhruv and let Yagni hold him in his arms. Eloy smiled as Dhruv hugged him one last time, touching his stomach after asking Eloy's permission.

"Trouble maker, I am going to come meet you soon. Don't forget uncle Dhruv," said Dhruv with a small smile. He then looked up at Adharva who tried to not show how sad he was to leave his brothers behind. They- they mean everything to him. Every time they say good bye is difficult for him.

-----------

With Shikhar and Aeneas giving company to Eloy and Rishi joining in on the chariot riding, the journey back was easier.

When the travel got too tiring, Shikhar let Eloy sleep on his lap. He had his nephew pressed against his chest as they both slept.

Adharva and Mithraos alleged favouritism and Shikhar ended up letting them lay on his lap too. If Rishi and Shikhar saw a few tear drops, they never mentioned it.

Rishi looked at Eloy.

"It was a wise decision. How we dealt with Thaveri. Father would have been proud of you. I am," said Rishi.

"Brother, I believe we cannot afford another war. But our enemies do not know that. I do not say no to war looking at our strength. I do not doubt that we can bring down any kingdom. But I don't think our family deserve that kind of pain. We are all slowly healing and making something for ourselves. We cannot let the power plays of others ruin it for us," said Eloy.

"Spoken like a true High King," said Shikhar fondly. He looked down at Mithraos and Adharva, both asleep in a cushion in his lap, both grown men and emperors- always his children.

"For both of their high temper, you are the perfect equaliser. Incomplete without one another. I used to worry when Adharva was a child about the future that awaited him. I never thought I would say this- but I am thankful for the ill advised war these two embarked upon. It gave you three each other and everything else followed," said Shikhar.

There was silence. Eloy looked at Shikhar and then at Rishi who held Aeneas in his arm, eagerly watching the woods pass by.

"I hope he doesn't get jealous," said Eloy and joined his husbands in sleep, his head joining the cushion. Instinctively, two arms came to wrap around him.

This was their life now and it was good.

--------------

Okay! We Are Done!! There is going to be an Epilogue. Also a chapter giving brief glances at their lives after this.