by Jana LaPelle
Chapter 24
(Alaric)
The drive to Lough Neagh was uneventful. In fact, we have been here for over two weeks with no break- through as to how to reach The Lady of the Lake. After the first couple of days here we decided to acquire a place that would accommodate us all. Tarron was able to acquire two vacation homes on one of the islands on the lake. This time of year, the vacation homes were just sitting empty, and the rental place was thrilled to lease the property to us. We have them for the foreseeable future. None of us have any clue as to how long it will take us to figure out how to contact Nimue or if we can. Along with the homes, we have also acquired a boat that we take out daily. It has become our preferred choice of transportation while we are here. Ashlinn has become very frustrated in the last several days as we have attempted to unlock the mystery of the lake to no avail. We know that we are in the right spot as we have gone from east, west, north, and south around the large lake. Each time we attempt to find our location only to be pointed toward the center of the lake. It never changes. Each time we make our way toward the center of the lake, we find nothing that will lead us to Avalon.
With each passing day, Ashlinn has become more surly and temperamental. I can’t blame her. The twins are growing at a rapid rate. In the last couple of weeks, her baby bump has more than doubled in size. Tolin was teasing her yesterday as he came up to her, his brotherly affection for her is endearing. He placed his hands on her belly and said, “I swear Ash, it looks like you swallowed a small soccer ball.” That got him a swift punch to the gut knocking the air out of him as we all erupted into laughter. If I had to compare her to a normal human twin pregnancy, I would say she looks to be at least four months along. Which is rather incredible since Morgwais and Ashlinn are both in agreement that she is only a little over two months, if the twins come early, which more than likely they will, she could be close to halfway through her pregnancy.
The babes are constantly active in their movement as they seem to have an internal struggle as to who is positioned where and I have been guilty of just sitting next to my kindred with my hand over her belly mesmerized by the movement within. I’m not really sure how much longer I am willing to allow this quest to continue as the twins continue to grow and thrive. Ashlinn seems to constantly be hungry and always tired. Several days ago I woke early as Ashlinn still slept only to find that the rapid growth of the twins and the coinciding expansion of her belly was causing her discomfort and she was whimpering in her sleep. Never once has she uttered the first complaint of the toll this pregnancy is taking on her small frame. I have taken to pushing my healing majic toward her daily since then. I don’t like seeing her in pain. I know that the twins are not intentionally inflicting her discomfort.
This morning I wake to see to Ashlinn, she looks so peaceful in her sleep. I take her in, and I see the dark bruises beneath her eyes, she’s not getting enough rest, and the only weight that she has put on is baby weight. If I had to guess, I would think that she has even lost weight if that is possible. I’m worried about her. She needs to eat more. I vow that I will see to it. I will talk to Morgwais before we leave out today. The energy that we seem to now constantly share is most potent when I’m making love to my mate. I nestle up behind Ashlinn, and the evidence of my arousal and need for her has made itself known. My kindred’s reaction to me is instinctual. Before I have time to over think our union I find that I’m buried deep within my kindred from behind. By the gods! I cup her breast and relish in her blossoming form. As I push into her, the energy that our combined mating creates is cosmic and Ashlinn arches back into me. Our rhythm increases as our need for one another grows and intensifies until my inner beast is growling in our need to claim Ashlinn once again, she shutters around me, and we both shatter as we come to together.
Leaning back, I pull Ashlinn with me as I cradle my family in my arms and allow the humming energy to surround us, and I whisper, “Good morning, álainn.”
“Good morning, Elf-Man. Can you promise me something? Can you always greet me in the morning just like this?”
Smiling, I pull her closer if that is even possible before responding, “It would be my pleasure to wake you every day just like this, mo grá.” Holding her close, I run a hand over the twins, and I’m rewarded with a staccato of thumps. I lean in to capture Ashlinn’s lips with my own. She turns into me deepening the kiss before pulling away. Looking down into those beautiful amber eyes, I say, “I have a confession to make. It’s later than you wanted to be woken. It’s around ten, so we’re getting a late start to the day. I thought maybe we could explore the island today. Take a break from trying to locate Avalon. It’s not like we’ve uncovered anything that will help us in that endeavor. What do you say?”
She considers my request and slowly begins to nod, “Okay, I think that may be a good idea. I’m tired of going out on the lake day after day and not making any progress. I would love to explore the wooded area behind the house. We can see if any of the others want to come with us.” She moves to get up and awkwardly rolls to a sitting position, “I swear these two have grown over night again. This belly is more in my way than I remember from yesterday. If Tolin tells me one more time that I look like I have swallowed a ball of any sort, I will not be responsible for my actions.”
Chuckling I join her, “Ash, you know he was only teasing. You’re beautiful, and what they say is true. Pregnancy becomes you, you’re literally glowing. Besides, Morgwais continues to fuss over you and twins. She still thinks you should be showing way more than you are.”
“What does the old witch know anyway?” Ashlinn says rather grumpily.
Laughing I pull her to me and kiss her forehead and say, “Come on, let’s get dressed. We have an adventure waiting for us today.” We go about getting ready for the day. Ashlinn’s majic leather pants give to accommodate her. I swear her small belly is front and center. She has even maintained her waist as the two are being carried right up front. As per my morning ritual, I lean down and talk to the two, asking them to go easy on their máthair. I’m rewarded as the two move beneath my hands. Smiling, I stand up and watch as Ashlinn pulls on her long sleeve cable knit turtleneck sweater. It fits snugly over her belly molding around her curves. She leaves her hair down before making to the chair to sit and pull on her combat style boots. I can see that she is struggling, just a bit, to lace them up and I quietly watch as she completes her task.
Leaning back in her chair, she looks up and sighs, “I think in the next month, or so you may have to help me do this. I’m tired Alaric... I just want to find the Stone of Fál and go home. I know that this will be the last quest for me for a while. I have to say that I’m not so sure about the prophecy at this point. I’m confused as to how we are to defeat the darkness in The Realm if I’m fated to become a mother within the next few months. Don’t get me wrong. I love these two with all my heart and soul, but they have become my priority, not this quest, not the war. My whole perspective on everything is changing. I think that if I’m to fight a war, it will not be for some time to come and that means that the war within The Realms will not be fought for a while yet.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing, mo grá. We just need to finish this here and head home. I want you back safe and sound at Glenndale Loch Keep before the twins are born. I trust that we’ll figure it out. Come on now, let’s get you three fed and then we can go on a little adventure. Have you thought of any names for our two little rebels?” Holding hands, we exit our room and make our way down the stairs to the kitchen.
“Actually, I want to run a couple of names by you. What do you think of Lillie and Lachlan? I’m not sure about middle names but I really kind of like the sound of those two names.” Her eyes are bright as she looks up at me questioningly.
I can’t help the smile that tugs on my lips as I lean down to capture her lips in mine for a brief kiss and say, “I think that’s perfect. Lillie and Lachlan it is.”
We enter the kitchen to see a concerned Declan and a rather green looking Lexie, just before she races from the room. Ashlinn and I watch Lexie’s retreating back. Ashlinn turns around and squeals, “By the goddess, Lexie’s pregnant! Sweet baby Jesus, my vision is coming to fruition. That means that my mother should also turn up expecting as well. Alaric, you know what that means? That only confirms my thoughts on our discussion from earlier. Once we obtain The Stone of Fál, we head home and focus on saving The Tree of Life. If we can do that, I believe that it will be enough to weaken The Morrígna. If that happens, that will buy us time before the war is to be fought. Declan, what are you waiting for? Go tend to Lexie.” My kindred pauses to take in Declan’s face before she realizes that she has just shocked the crap out of him, “Oh… oh my…, you didn’t know, did you? Well, now you do. You’re going to be a father, congratulations.” She says smiling brightly, “And I’m going to be an aunt.” She squeals again and does the cutest little dance as she bounces around the kitchen, all the while Declan is sitting in stunned silence.
“We were taking precautions,” He says.
Ashlinn’s laughter bubbles up out of her, and she doubles over in a fit of giggles and says, “So were we and look at me now.” I have to laugh as she straightens up to place her hands on either side of her baby bump to emphasize her point.
Her laughter is infectious, and Declan smiles sheepishly and shakes his head at her antics as I walk over to clap my hand on his shoulder, “Congratulations, my friend. I’m feeling better now about my impending fatherhood now that I know that I’m not alone in this new adventure. Now get up off your surprised ass and go tend to your kindred.”
Declan stands and looks over to where Ashlinn is still reveling in the moment and asks, “Are you sure Ashlinn?”
“Pretty sure, has certain smells and foods made her queasy lately? Has she been more tired lately and sleeping more?”
“How did you know?”
“Because I’m pregnant, you goof. Now go tend to Lexie. I’ll see if there is some ginger ale in the fridge. That should help settle her stomach along with some toast. Go along and bring her back once she is feeling a little better. It shouldn’t last long. Then a bit later, we’re planning an excursion on the island today, the fresh air will do her some good. Have you seen Jasmine today?”
Before Declan exits the kitchen, he turns and says, “I believe that she and Cam left out a little earlier, something about going ashore to pick up some supplies with some of the others.” Then he leaves to go see to Lexie.
Before I can move to look in the fridge for something to fix for lunch, Tarron enters the kitchen carrying six large steaming hot pizzas. Over the last couple of weeks, we have begun to put our differences aside, and we have even found some common ground. “Hey man, where did you find a place on the island that does pizza?”
“It’s not far from here. It’s a small mom and pop, Italian restaurant. I called ahead, and these were ready when I got there. If we need more, we can place another order. I sent some of the others to the mainland to restock the pantry. It would seem that it takes quite a lot to feed this group.” He shifts his focus from me to Ashlinn as he deposits the pizzas on the counter-top and asks, “And how is mo solas today?” I watch as he bends to kiss her cheek and place his hand on her belly and I struggle to contain the growl that is rumbling in my chest to be set free as he asks, “And how are the wee babes? Not giving you any trouble I assume?”
Ashlinn laughs and stands on tiptoes to kiss his cheek in return and turns to give me a saucy wink as she says, “They’re Alaric’s offspring. So what do you think? The two are in a constant battle of wills that has a tendency to keep me up at night. The only thing that settles them down is either being fed or Alaric’s touch and soft words. I swear if that behavior continues after they’re born I’ll be the one on the training field and Alaric will be stuck on baby duty.”
Tarron laughs and says, “Come on you two, I know you're both hungry, there’s two cheese, two with the works, and two all meat.”
About that time Lexie and Declan come back in the room, and Ashlinn hands Lexie the ginger ale to sip on as we gather plates and drinks to the table. We go about our meal, and as Ashlinn eats her fill, we let everyone know about our day off and invite them to tag along if they want. Ashlinn and Lexie are chatting amongst themselves in an animated conversation, and Declan looks as if he’s still shell-shocked over the revelation that Lexie is expecting. I can’t help but think, welcome to fatherhood dear friend.
Chapter 25
(Ashlinn)
The temperature has dropped, and as we venture outdoors, I see that it has begun to lightly snow. I’ve pulled on a black fluffy toboggan knit cap that covers the tips of my ears, a matching scarf is wrapped around my neck, and I don black leather gloves. I’m wearing a gray princess style coat that has three black buttons at the top and flares in an A line below my breast to mid-thigh and the belt ties just below my breast. For a moment, I just stand there in the cold, looking out over the lake watching the snow fall and my breath vaporize as it leaves my mouth in a cloud to rise above me. I’m caught up in the scene, and the majical feel of a winter wonderland that I have never encountered before and I spin around like a child with my arms lifted to the skies. The need to embrace my childlike abandonment is palpable until I notice that everyone is waiting for me before heading into the woods.
Taking Alaric’s hand, we begin our little adventure into the woodland winter scape. We’re off to a late start. It's well after three. We waited for Jasmine and the others to return and put away the fresh pantry supplies. I have begun to notice that my center of gravity is changing and I find that although I can see my feet, it is around the swell of my belly. “Well, that’s just awesome sauce.”
“What’s awesome sauce, Ash?” Jasmine asks.
“I just realized that I now struggle to see my feet.”
Lexie and Jasmine both laugh thinking that my predicament is funny. “Just you wait, Lexie. I can’t wait to see you as big as a house and then it will be my turn to laugh at you.” I say as I stumble on a tree root that I did not see and Alaric rights me as he wraps his possessive arm around my back and waist. “Next it will be Jasmine’s turn.”
“I hate to disappoint you Ash, but Cam and I are taking precautions.”
Lexie, Declan, Alaric and I just laugh at the two as we hear her proclamation. “We’ll see how that works out for you both,” I say laughing as we make our way into a clearing in the woods to find a pair of wood sprites playing hide and seek. They are so caught up in their game that they don’t notice us for a few moments. I look around our little group questioningly and say in a hushed voice, “I didn’t think that sprites lived here in The Mortal Realm.”
“I’m not aware of any that have in a very long time,” says Jasmine quietly.
“What should we do?” Lexie asks.
“I don’t know. Maybe try to talk to them?” I whisper. In a louder voice, I move forward and say, “Excuse me, hello? Do you mind if we have a word with you?” I ask, trying to gain their attention. As soon as they take notice of our group they look at us in shocked disbelief and start to flitter away flapping their tiny sparkly wings as fast as they can, dodging snowflakes as they seek to evade us. “Please, stay, we just want to talk. We’re all friends here.” I call after the two and instinct kicks in as I break away from Alaric to run after the two through the clearing. I pull up short realizing that rushing headlong into the dimly lit, tangled brush of the woods, may not be a very good idea as the fear of losing my footing takes hold. Alaric comes up beside me and captures me around the waist as we begin to run after the two wood sprites, my feet rarely touching the ground as Alaric hauls me alongside him. I call after them again as we catch sight of the two and our entire group is now crashing through the woods chasing the two as they attempt to evade us. I call after them again, “Please stop, we won’t hurt you.
We just want to talk. We have a water sprite with us. Please?”
The female pulls up short and following suit so does the male as he comes up protectively by her side. The two are dressed for winter in their tiny winter clothing as they hover in mid-air before us. She says, “You tricked me. You don’t have a water sprite with you.” Her eyes flash in anger as she looks our group over.
I look at Jasmine, and she nods her understanding as she shrugs out of her coat, in the blink of an eye, she is back in her sprite form as she introduces herself, “My name is Jasmine, and I’m a water sprite. These are my friends, and we are on a quest to find Avalon and the lost Stone of Fál. As soon as we accomplish our objective we are heading back to The Otherworld to Faerie, are you lost? Do you want to come with us?”
“No we are not lost, just temporarily stuck here.” The tiny female wood sprite says.
I pipe in, “What do you mean? By the way, my name is Ashlinn, and this is my kindred Alaric. You’ve met Jasmine. The satyr is her chosen mate, Camoryn and the other two are Lexie and Declan. Why do you say that you are temporarily stuck here?”
“The veil between Realms is thin here. I’m not really sure why, but sometimes we can pass from one Realm to another. It happens in the mist. It’s easy to become lost in the mist, and sometimes we end up on this island in The Mortal Realm we just have to wait until morning to see if the mist will follow dawn. That’s when we will be able to find our way back home. My brother and I are not the only ones that have found our way to this island,” She says.
I have to ask, “Have you ever found your way to Avalon?”
“The only way to be granted entry to Avalon is through The Lady of the Lake. She must greet you and welcome you to the isle. It is a sacred place. Everyone knows that.” Her brother joins in the conversation.