[SpringsSong]

"Ah, there you are!"

King Darrinvale sat on his throne as Miselya and four others came before him some time later, bowing low and waiting for him to speak again.  It was several moments before he did so, and when he did, Miselya already knew what he would say; they were to escort Lady Talimra to Isnoth so that she could report her findings on the dragon's rage to the guild there.  Upon their safe return, they would be paid the customary 200 gold.  He even offered their two newest companions, Gnolgmir and Ruric, positions as arbiters...

...but the gnome had declined, while the rogue had been too drunk to give a coherent response.

Here, Darrinvale dismissed the party to make preparations for their journey.  Miselya, however, remained in her spot, her eyes fixed upon the ground.  She stayed there until she heard Darrinvale clear his throat.

"Miselya?  Is something wrong?" he asked.  Hearing those words tore into the woman's heart, and she began to sob as she fell to the ground.

"Darrinvale... I--we... I mean... I'm..." she tried to say, but the words stuck in her throat.  After several moments of her sobbing, she took off her copperish medallion and passed it to him, and as soon as he put it on, a singular thought from Miselya rang across his mind.

I'm pregnant, Darrinvale.

[SpringsSong]

The words hit the young king like a ton of bricks.  It had only been a month since they had been out to Ulhaven... a month since their emotions may have run away from them slightly.  However, he merely wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as she continued to sob quietly.

"Are you certain?" he asked, and she nodded.

"Lady Talimra... she examined me last night, as per my request.  She... she said that she could not ascertain the number of children within me at this time, but she said that, without a doubt, I am expecting," Miselya said, her body trembling.  "What am I going to do, Darrinvale?  I won't be able to hide the fact that I am pregnant from Azule and the others for very long..."

"It's not that I am worried about," Darrinvale said.  "I'm worried about the strain that the duties of being one of my arbiters will put on you and the baby.  I don't want you to put too much strain on yourself, Miselya..." he said, but she shook her head as she took her medallion back from him.

"I've already had Talimra place an enchant on me so that I can still fight without endangering the child," she said, but Darrinvale still looked concerned.

[SpringsSong]

"I am not certain that I am all right with the thought of you being in constant danger!" Darrinvale said.  "With the dragon's rage, and being wanted in the Tarbash Empire, and everything else you've endured... such stress and strain on your body could cause you to lose the child!"

"Darrinvale... I will be fine," Miselya said, smiling brightly.  As she did so, Darrinvale could not help but smile back at her, noticing how the smile brightened up her countenance.  After another few moments, he placed a hand on her cheek, and the black-haired Elf smiled as she placed her hand on top of his.

"I really will be fine, dearest," she said, kissing the palm of his hand.  "Now, I should go--Azule and the others will be looking for me so that we can plan the best way to get Lady Talimra to her destination."

"Please... have her put more wards on you, for your own safety--and the safety of the child," Darrinvale said, and Miselya smiled as she kissed his cheek.

"I will, dear," she said, and then, she left the throne room quickly.

[SpringsSong]

It was about three hours before the company was ready to leave, and when they did, Darrinvale was there to see them off.  He bowed to the first three, but he stopped when he came to Miselya.  He looked at her for a few moments, and then, he lowered his head.

I'm sorry, Miselya.  I'm so sorry that you have to go through this right now.  If I could have someone take your place, I would... but you are my best arbiter.  Please understand, he said, and Miselya smiled as she nodded.

"I know, milord.  I will do my best to fulfill the task that you have set before us.  By Heironeous' power, I will complete this task."

"I know that you will, Miselya," Darrinvale said, bowing to Miselya as she returned his bow with one of her own, and then, speaking in the draconic language, called her paladin mount to her, leaping up onto it before clicking her tongue, signalling it to move on.

[SpringsSong]

It took the company about a week to reach the city of Yelg, where they stopped to rest and resupply.  Before the company could even set foot into Yelg, they were stopped by the guards of the city.

"What is your business here?" one of them cried down from the wall.  Miselya looked back up towards them, her eyes unyielding.

"Royal arbiters of his Majesty, King Darrinvale, escorting the Lady Talimra to the city of Isnoth!" the paladin cried.

"Arbiters, eh?  Let's see your royal seals, then," another guard retorted, and both Miselya and Azule took out their royal seals, and the guards lowered their heads slightly.

"Very well.  Come in, arbiters of King Darrinvale--can't be too careful these days; not with the number of people that have gone missing because of the werewolf," one of the guards said as he opened the gate, and Miselya could almost feel Skyrkmir hum within its sheath.

"A werewolf?" she asked, her eyes and tone of voice severe as she said this.