Natasha Medveden, High Elf, Empress of Lenisily

Life, Birth

Nadya coughed from her bed when Anessen walked into her room. She was under a pile of blankets meant to help fight whatever ailment had come over her. It was probably the latest flu virus but she had been growing weaker and weaker by the days and was growing worried about the child inside her. He was also growing weak and it broke her soul to feel him suffering so.   "Nadya," Anessen said as he gave her a soft comforting smile and sat down next to her on the bed. "How are you? How is he?" he asked as he hand caressed her swollen belly. "He's..." cough, "okay," she said as she offered Anessen a small frown. His rich royal blue eyes crinkled with pain as he took one of her hands. "Have the clerics-" "They've already been here six times today," she cut him off. "They still think it's the flu. You probably shouldn't be in here," she said woefully. "I'd risk every plague in the world if it meant I could remain at your side," he said lovingly. "I wish I hadn't had that stupid meeting today. I swear my sister has been packing my schedule full to the brim," he huffed. "As if she doesn't understand that now is not exactly the best time." "She keeps visiting me for tea," Nadya said between a few more coughs. "I think she's trying to convince me to admit that you... well, you know." "I didn't!" Anessen spat as his face filled with fury. "I don't know what she wants from me!" he exclaimed as he rubbed his temple. "I have told her time and time again that I didn't kill them. She won't believe me! I should force her to return to Flottenheim soon. Get her out of my hair." "It's probably best," Nadya agreed as she rubbed her belly. Her son was in pain. She could feel it and it crushed her soul. "What's wrong?" Anessen asked as he noticed her pain. "Is Ru okay?" he asked worriedly. She gave him a small frown. "He's in pain. But so am I," she said as tears brimmed her eyes. "I'm so sorry I'm failing you, Nessy," she said as she looked into her husband's eyes. He shook his head and scooted closer to her as he took her face in his hands. "You aren't failing me, my love," he said as he gently kissed her forehead. "Nothing you could ever do would fail me," he promised as he gently kissed her lips. "We'll be okay. You're going to get better. You'll see," he tried to assure her. "I promise I won't let anything happen to you," he said with another kiss, "Or our son." Nadya started coughing again and Anessen crawled into the bed with her and wrapped her up in his arms. She sighed as she weakly leaned her head back against his chest. "Is Korovila punishing us?" she asked sadly. "Why would he punish us my love?" Anessen asked as he nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck. "I don't know," she said woefully. "I don't know. I just feel so lost," she croaked before she was taken over by another rigorous fit of coughs. Anessen held her tightly and she nestled into him and the feeling of their sjelevyn. "We weren't ready to lead this country yet," she whispered. "I know," Anessen agreed. "Trust me, I know," he said woefully. "I wish my mother was here. She would have been able to help you. She was one of the best healers and sorcerers in the land." "