Rebirth of Kingdom

The windows were wide open as sunlight marked through them, and cast long shadows from the marble floors of Babylon's grand hall. Arms full of silken blankets and golden trinkets swept past, servants hurried by, taking their own hasty footsteps echoing off the ancient stone. "They would not do these decorations." An ornate tapestry had caught Lady Mira's fingers at their edges. "It needs more warmth, more life in the nursery." Queen Elena stretched her hand over her swollen belly, and smiled gently. "Mira, the baby won't care about tapestries." 'The entire kingdom cares,' but... the determination glowing in her green eyes; and she said, "This child is their future." The heavy doors opened, Sir Alaric striding into the room, the chainmail vest he was wearing picking up the morning light. "The people are gathering in the streets, Your Majesty," he said. Gifts and offers for the royal heir.” "Already?" Elena's hand moved in tiny circles across her belly. "It's still weeks until the birth." They hoped, my Queen. Alaric's face softened. “They say that this child will bring in a new golden age for Babylon." The voice of King Edward boomed from the corridor. “And how do you come to play, old friend?” Edward entered and all heads turned to him his blue joy filled eyes. The dark hair that it sat upon was natural, and the golden crown fit over it as easily as breathing. Alaric bowed deeply. "Any child of yours and Elena's will be blessed indeed, Your Majesty," he said. Edward crossed over to Elena's side, and laid his hand over hers. “How goes my heir now?” "Strong." Elena leaned into his touch. "Like their father." "They could be stubborn, like their mother." Edward's eyes creased with love. The hallway interrupted their moment with a crash. A young servant boy, stumbled in. "Forgive me, Your Majesties! 'The artisans have arrived.” "Bring them in, Edward said gently." Four craftsmen came carrying a carved wood and gold leaf masterpiece that they laid between them. In intricate detail the surface of the cradle told stories of Babylon's history. "It's beautiful." Elena's voice caught. Mira walked in wide sweeping circles around the cradle admiring the workmanship. There is a different legend for each panel." The tale of the First King, look, here it is." Alaric pointed to an elaborate scene 'and here, the Great Battle of the Rivers.' "Their child will sleep surrounded by their heritage." Every word was drowned in Edward’s pride. Elena let out a sharp intake of breath that brought everyone's heads around to her. Edward put his arm around her waist immediately. "Elena?" She laughed softly. Their new bed has been approved by the baby. They're quite active today." "Maybe Her Majesty should rest." The cradle needs to be placed nearby the window Alaric prompted the craftsmen. "I'm not made of glass, Alaric," Elena said. She sounded firm, but kind. "There's still much to do before." "The kingdom can wait." Edward's voice would not be argued with. "Since dawn you've been on your feet." Elena's step forward, and Mira linked her arm through her. 'We'll have tea in the garden, the roses are in full bloom. You need the fresh air." A guard burst into the hall as they all moved toward the garden doors. "Your Majesty! It is said that riders approach from the eastern provinces." "More well-wishers?" The guards stance was all tension... Edward straightened. "No, sir. They bear news of unrest. The villagers talk of a man called David, collecting supporters." The room suddenly felt colder. Alaric put his hand to his hilt. "David?" Mira went to read Elena's thoughts . That wasn't good; Elena's fingers tightened on Mira's arm. 'I've heard people say that name.” "Left unchecked whispers can become shouts." Alaric's voice was low. "Your Majesty, maybe we should hear these riders in private." Edward nodded sharply. "You're right. Elena, go with Mira. Try to enjoy your tea." He kissed her forehead. "Edward" "Please, my love. Let me handle this." His eyes met hers and he held them, saying nothing. Every inch was a queen as she squared her shoulders, though so weakened in body. "Very well. However, I will be informed later, I expect." "Of course." There was a garden door behind them that closed. Edward watched Mira lead Elena away. Alaric stepped closer, pitch of his voice low. "Your Majesty, if David is truly gathering support..." "Then we must be ready." Edward's jaw set firmly. Today, let the people celebrate, bring their gifts and share their joy. What it brings, will come tomorrow." "And the Queen?" "We are all weaker than Elena." Edward looked at the garden doors. "In the days to come there's going to be a lot she'll have to be." The streets of Babylon were still chock full of celebrating citizens, cheering outside the palace windows as if their prayers to the ancient gods reached the ears of the palace. Elena took her tea in the garden, her hand never leaving her belly while in the grand hall the golden cradle reflected the sun. * * * * Elena's private chambers were filled with moonlight stitching silver threads between the arched windows. She paced the length of the room, shuffling the length of the room in her silk slippers, her hands tracing circles over her swollen belly. "Can't sleep again?" From the doorway Edward's voice drifted. Free of his crown, hair awry from an own restless night. Elena smiled softly. "I thought night was the best time for acrobatics, apparently your daughter thinks the same way." "My daughter?" The ceremonial robes came off, and Edward crossed the room to stand before them. A kick rippled across Elena’s belly, and she winced. I guess she got it fair and square. There was one king that I remember, who couldn't sit still during last month's trade negotiations." Edward’s warm hands took her hands, their fingers twining across where their child moved below. "She's strong." "Like her father." "Like her mother." Edward's eyes met hers. I've seen you in court, you have handled disputes with more wisdom than my advisers." Teaching the children of the lower city to read. To stand up to Lord Blackthorn and its failed attempts to raise grain taxes." The sleeping city below, Elena faced the window. "I worry sometimes. About the kind of world we're bringing her into. "What do you mean?" "The whispers in court. The eastern provinces the tension." She faced him again. "I have not failed to see that Sir Alaric's brow furrows when messengers arrive, or that you've doubled the palace guard." Edward's jaw tightened. 'You should be focusing on the baby, not' "She is not going to inherit the kingdom?" Soon I will be leaving Babylon with you, to carry the future of Babylon. I'm not blind to its present, that doesn't make me. There was only silence between them, the distant call of night birds in the palace gardens the only sound. "Tell me about David." Edward's shoulders stiffened. "Who told you" Walls have ears, my love. “I hear that one's network of gossip rivals the best your little spies have ever done. Remember, we promised no secrets between us?” 'He's bringing followers to the east.' Edward's voice dropped low. "Anyone with a grudge against the crown, Alaric says; he's building an army.” "To what end?" "What else? Power. The throne." Edward curled his fingers into fists. "Everything we've built." Elena took a box from her dressing table. A silver pendant, worn smooth by generations of touches, when I became queen, my grandmother gave me this.' It began with a pervasive being of Russell's' and 'gold is not a ruler's strength, but rather his heart.' She lifted it up so that it caught the moonlight. We've given peace, prosperity, justice to our people. "They won’t forget that easily," she said. "And if they do?" "Then we'll remind them." Elena's voice softened. 'Beginning with this little one.' We’ll show him what true power means: That a kingdom is its people, not its palace. Behind her, Edward wrapped his arms around her and laid his chin on her shoulder. "Why so wise, when?" "You were so worried around the same time." She leaned back against him. "We handle whatever challenges come together." Her words were punctuated by a sharp kick, and both of them laughed. "Speaking of trouble," Edward said, "have you thought more about names?" "A few, Elena turned in his embrace. I don’t want it to be harsh, but I want it to be strong. That's something that speaks of hope." "Like Jennifer? In the old tongue it means 'fair spirit'." Elena's eyes lit up. "Jennifer." She felt its weight as she rolled the name on her tongue. "Jennifer, of Babylon, Princess." "A name for a warrior queen." Elena's hand found her belly yet again. "Maybe she'll be ready if she does," though something tells me she will." The baby kicked again, more gently this time in consent. "Can you recall what you told me on our wedding day?" Elena asked. Edward's smile softened. "You were the sunrise of my heart." "You hopeless romantic, after that." He swatted her arm playfully. "Legacy of peace." Our wish to create a place where our children could grow up without fear." "I remember." Edward, what I want for her is that." This was not just a throne for me to inherit, but instead something I had to fulfill. A kingdom worth protecting." Her lips was kissed by Edward. “That's what we'll give her. Whatever it takes." Queen Elena turned back again to the window, where the first signs were showing themselves on the dawn of the sky's lavender and gold. All the city below was beginning to stir, merchants prepared their stalls, children running down narrow streets. She whispered, 'Our little Jennifer.' "Daughter of Babylon, and daughter of hope." "She was already keeping her parents up all night." Edward chuckled rumbled against her back. "Come back to bed, my love. In the morning the kingdom will still be here." Allowing him to lead her away from the window, her mind however didn’t stop; The wheels were already turning in her mind, plans forming quickly. She would do whatever was necessary to assure her daughter would be able to weather whatever storms gathered on the horizon. She didn't just have power through the force of her birthright, she had the wisdom of her heart. The future of Babylon kicked once more beneath her heart, a reminder of all they had to protect, all they had to build. Elena was ready to meet tomorrow’s trials. For her kingdom. For her family, and for Jennifer.