Big News (Brady)

[Queen Nalaac Bravenrest]

They'd told her the night they'd bestowed her power on her. She hadn't believed them. How could they know so immediately after? She'd scoffed, and gone about her business, coming home to the King and resuming her marital duties without complaint. Watching Brady train when she could find the time and not arouse suspicion. Life had resumed, but she'd missed her courses three times in a row now, and she knew that the elders had been right.

She was pregnant.

She and Brady had created a tiny miracle, and she wasn't going to be able to keep it a secret much longer. The king had already begun to give her a few sideways glances, and her ladies in waiting were already whispering. She was sick in the mornings now, and was forced to cut back on the duties she performed simply to make it through the day. And worst of all, Brady had been moved to the regular guard. Nalaac was sure that it was the King's doing, and not the strange world they lived in, but either way, she would find a way to meet with him, and do it before the doctor arrived on the morrow to confirm what she now knew.

A baby.

Once the King found out, he would be overjoyed. An heir. She prayed for a strong child, a healthy child, a boy child. She wanted something tangible to keep with her as Brady passed in and out of her life through the years. She could watch their son grow up, and show him off when Brady came through the kingdom, showing him how well she was raising their son. But first, she had to tell him.

Nalaac bundled up in an old serving woman's gown, hid her hair beneath a wig, and then put out that she was indisposed. She snuck from her chambers and out to the sentry wall, hoping to find Brady at his post. Luck was on her side, and she moved into the little tower at the corner and called his name quietly.

"Sir Brandon, I must speak with you."

[Brandon Emmerson]

Braydon had very little of the Queen's attention since he'd been transferred to guard. Instead he was expected to pretend nothing happened between them. He hadn't really expected the two of them to be able to meet up in this world so cold and devoid of any real emotions. Something Nalaac had said had reoccured in his head over and over and over again. He'd leave. In a few month he'd leave. Though it had been nearly six months now and he was still there. He was grateful of course, but it made it all harder.

He'd pass places where she'd been and her scent would fill him so deeply that he'd have trouble even breathing. It was outstandingly hard to keep a straight face when he heard her voice but at least Craven was making it better. He'd heard that Craven was in love with a young mutant from his world too and that love had grown to a hellish extent making Craven depressed about being here. Gia. Her name was Gia. He knew the two of them had kinmanship in lost loves.

Braydon shifted from his possitions when he heard the rustling of fabric and turned his head to the sound of it. Then that smell hit him and his empty eyes widened.
"You shouldn't be here. You...."
It was out in the open, he reminded himself. He had to be careful. Careful and cautious. Braydon held out his hand to her and his face softened.

"I am yours. I'll listen to everything you need to say. Lead me..."
He said softly making sure to listen for any intrutions to their time together but he knew that no one was at the current base except for him and now his lovely queen.

[Queen Nalaac Bravenrest]

Nalaac took his hand and pulled him deeply into the shadows. Though she was disguised, he was giving her game away. And truthfully, the disguise would only work from a distance. She shushed him with a finger against his mouth, and then stole a desperate kiss from his lips. It was simply irresistible at that point. It had been four long months, and she knew this might be the only chance she got.

"I am disguised, but it is not a good one, just an old servant's clothes and a wig. I have important news to impart, but if you hear someone coming, you must warn me. " Nalaac took a deep breath to steady herself, her hands moving up to cup his cheeks as bright eyes stared into his sightless ones. "My dearest knight, I am with child. It is your child."

It was a bombshell, and she continued quickly. "It will be put about that it is the King's child of course, and the announcement is likely to be made on the morrow, but I needed you to know the truth." She took his hand and placed it on her still flat stomach. "Our child, made on my birthday, with our love."

She shook, knowing she'd really picked a bad time and certainly far from the best way to tell him such a thing, but it was all she had. Her knights were all picked by the King now, and there was simply no way of telling them to fetch Brandon to her chambers.

[Brandon Emmerson]

Brady was taken off into a darker area and he frowned. Suddenly her finger was pressed to his lips and he grinned when she shushed him then kissed lightly at her finger. Her scent instantly filled him and he gave a soft sigh of contentment at something so familiar bringing him easy and comfort. Suddenly her lips were pressed to his and he cupped her face bringing her closer and deeper into the kiss. Then she pulled back and explained herself. There was a rushed almost nervous tone to her voice and he stroked at her cheek worriedly.

Brady nodded when she told him she had important news. Why was she so nervous? What was wrong? He was instantly nervous himself and his thumb brushed her cheek worriedly as she took a deep breath to steady herself, listening intently to what she had to say. He nuzzled the side of his face into her hand when she cupped his face between her palms and then she told him. His hand dropped from her cheek and all he could do was stare, his lips parted and his face growing pale.

His eyes widened slightly when she said that she would annouce that it was the King's child. She was going to give that bastard HIS child? His hand was placed on her stomach and he abruptly pulled back and shook his head before moving to grip her hits between his hands firmly, his face now serious.
"Come away with me. Please. Don't stay here. Nalaac? we can go back to your home. They'll never find us there."
He begged her almost breathlessly.

No, this couldn't be happening! His child... in a place that was not his home. This would be a chlid with mutant powers and she wanted the child to live under the rule of the king? No, it wouldn't be safe! Didn't she think? No.... she didn't... He'd never told her.
"I have something to tell you too... about the child. It won't be completely elven or human or even a half breed. "
Brady had a power in him right then.

Craven's power. He closed his eyes and when they opened they were pitch black. It took several moments but a flock of crows flew into the area where they were and landed all around them, bringing with them trickets, gold pieces, silver, precious gems they'd stolen and the gifts were lain out completely surrounding Nalaac and Brady. His unblinking black eyes stared in Nalaac's direction.

"I copy powers. Any mutant I touch. We're the Gods of our world, the mage, wizards, whatever word you have for them. Nalaac. Our child will have the mutant Gene. I can almost gaurentee it. Please please come away with me. The king won't be understanding... "
Brady begged of her in a hushed tone of voice praying she'd accept.

[Queen Nalaac Bravenrest]

She'd had a feeling he'd take it badly.

"Brady, you know I can't! No matter where we go, in another three months, you will be gone. Perhaps sooner. This world won't allow you to stay with me." Tears traced down her cheeks, but otherwise she was still. Nalaac knew what was in store for the two of them, but she also knew that giving her child a stable life was far more important than anything else.

She listened carefully when he spoke of their child not being completely human or elven. Well she'd known that. He was a traveller, and there were all types that came through this realm. She gasped at the beauty of the black eyes in his face, and then smiled as the crows came with their presents.

Although she didn't need to, for his distress was written clearly on his face, Nalaac opened up to her power, letting it ripple through them. Her joy mixed with a touch of sadness, along with his panic and fear. Her emotions were positive, and slowly, they calmed his. He would still feel them, but he wouldn't be controlled by them.

"My sweet knight, my own Brady...I cannot. The child will be brought up in the lap of luxury, first in the Elven village where I spent my youth, and then here at court. Anytime you are in my realm, I will make sure you have time with him or her." She paused, her voice breaking slightly. "If the King finds out about us, then we are both dead, and the baby besides. The elders will teach the child how to control the powers it is given. The King expects a powered child, that's why he married an Elven queen. It will be fine, my love, I swear it."

There was a harsh call, and a figure began to approach. "I must leave you now. Speak of this to no one. I love you." Nalaac kissed him, her heart breaking in her chest, and moved to go back to her quarters.