-I-

There it was again... the swelling pressure and then, the kick: the stirring of her unborn child, just under her heart. Taiev rested a hand on the swell of her belly, smiling gently to herself. The afternoon breeze stirred the silken drapes that hung from the great white pillars of the orchard-bedroom where she spent her lazy days now.

In the mornings, she would walk with her eldest daughter, Amana – so beautiful, at the start of her second century now, and her studies in the temple were going so well. She was as intelligent as her mother, and as dedicated as her father. She would go far, Taiev knew.

At noon, she would retire to the great terrace overlooking the lake and spend long hours with the twins. They were not even half a decade yet, but already so curious. She was teaching them both to read: dark serious Gythio with his black hair, and his sweet sister Fayiana, always able to make her brother laugh. Both of them competing to be the better, though Taiev loved them equally and laughed with pleasure as the light of understanding grew in their eyes day for day.

That was perhaps the greatest pleasure for her, she thought, seeing the world open up before their eyes.

Her beloved husband Illithio would be back come sunset, returning from the groves he tended, returning to pander her, bringing with him sweet fruit and the delicacies he knew Taiev so adored.

For now, however, she was alone with her child – growing inside her, but already so anxious to meet the world...

Taiev leant back against the soft cushions and turned her face to the setting sun, a hand returning to the smooth curve of her belly.

With a tiny smile, she closed her eyes savouring the last warmth, and the scent of the great orchards and gardens of the Court of Queen Azshara.

Her world was perfect...

(( Continue this or die. ))

(( Awww a glimpse at Taiev's past. Sweet. More please. *begs* ))

(( *didn't realise Taiev was *that* old, crikey...queen azshara's court though......this bodes ill news, and something for Aerie to look into ))

(( I DEMAND MOOOOREEE!! ))

...you have kids?! JESUS i've been a long time away! What's the next? Arrina has become Tele Tubby and Delvar king of the world!?

*I think it might just be symbolic, who knows? * Personally i never knew Taiev was that old...


and Varn......Arrina is *not* a TeleTubby, K? -.-

Only if you give the tubby rabies and set it on fire..then you got something like Arri.....

Though the scary thing is that she'd be a "Telarrina" AAAAAAAAA!

*snicker*
*tries to suppress urge to sketch Arri as a teletubby*

And on topic: Sounds very promising, T. Looking forward to where you're going with this.

wow .. sweet kids .. more please

More kids??

yesss that to .. I think .. yup .. sweet!

More is coming...

*Imagines Kyndras children*
*Gets diabetes*
Insulin for the people!!

-II-

The sun had slipped below the horison, and the first full, pregnant, moon was cresting the mountaintops. Taiev stood, a lantern in hand, watching the boulevard that lead in from the orchards. Then, with a flutter she saw him, recognising him from the way he moved, even in the gathering dark: her Illithio.

From within the terraced house she could hear Githio and Fayiana chattering, as they prepared. She smiled to herself – the celebration of Moonrise was still a great novelty for them. Although to be honest, it was a novelty for her too... this would be the first time Amana would lead their ceremony, and say the ancient words of praise. Her daughter, the priestess...

She walked down the steps to meet Illithio half-way... her robes floating about her in the slight wind, though her child was close, her elegance and grace belied her great age.

Illithio was tall, his moonlight hair catching the light, his eyes glowing as he saw Taiev. He was as handsome as he was young - far younger than Taiev, in fact, but a good man and a fine father. "I missed you, my moonrise" she whispered, slipping into his arms, embracing him gently, kissing him, reassuring herself that he was real.

And then the bells began to sound, the great warning bells that had not rung out of the Queen's City since the fall of the barbaric Two Empires...

Taiev´s blood turned to ice even as Illithio hugged her tightly and spoke, his voice determined, "Go inside, comfort the children, my love. I will find out what is going on."

She nodded, swallowing, sick anxiety gathering in her throat, "Be careful..." she managed to say.

Illithio kissed her a last time, turned and moved quickly down the boulevard in the gathering dusk. Taiev watched him until he was lost in the gloom, before hurrying up the stairs to her children and their terraced home, suddenly so flimsy and insubstantial in the dark...