Ileus: The Dark Prince

Haldir had proudly carried his baby in his arms even as two nannies waited to take him. It was one of the days when his son had given both of them a sleepless night. Inyanga was so tired that by the time it was morning, she had given up. Haldir had quietly taken his son with him out of his palace in Level one. He had straightaway come to the East Wing to Anastasia and Ileus. And Anastasia was swooning over him. 

"Gods, he is so cute!" she breathed as little Ruvyn grabbed her hair in his fist and tried to chew them. Seeing Ruvyn, she hoped that the time would pass soon and she had her own baby. Ileus had said that they could detect the child's sex in womb in the human realm, but she didn't want to know because she was least bothered about it. All she wanted was a healthy baby. Ileus had kissed her. 

She was four months pregnant and was extremely excited about it. Iona had visited them along with Rolfe for a few days and was totally loving to be in her home, in her room.. Both she and Anastasia were spending time talking and talking. Sometimes Darla would join them. Yes, pregnancy was a hot topic in the palace of Draoidh. 

Aidan and Darla ended up marrying and even though Darla had thought that she wouldn't quit her position as one of the soldiers in the army of Silver Vales, she gave her resignation. According to her, one soldier was enough in the family. Aidan had welcomed her decision because now the love of his life was at home, pregnant and barefoot. Gods, he felt he was the luckiest man in the world. 

"He is a brat!" Haldir said as he grinned as if grinning at his piece of art. "He keeps us awake most of the night and is just too demanding and hungry!" 

Ileus narrowed his eyes. Hungry and demanding? He didn't know why, but Anastasia's pregnancy bothered him a lot, and it was not because of the baby, it was more because he didn't want to hurt her. She was too young. When Haldir had mentioned that Inyanga had been in labor for over fifteen hours, his knees became wobbly. Would Anastasia be able to handle that? Every time she puked, he just became all the more concerned. He didn't know how Rolfe was so calm about it. Rolfe was so mature about the pregnancy and so cool that Ileus would feel strange about him. 

Though Adrianna and Dmitri hadn't come, Ileus had still announced that Draoidh would be celebrating the return of its princess and her husband, the King of Galahar. Netizens of Draoidh had erupted into the festive spirit and it was the third day today. Iona was called for numerous functions and Rolfe accompanied her to all of them. At first, people were scared of his horns, but the demon was so handsome even with those horns with his stunning fae features that the witches drooled over him. There was a time when he was practically surrounded by young witches when he had visited the wizard academy with Iona. Rolfe enjoyed all the attention, and Iona was least bothered. She giggled and laughed at his plight. 

"Awww," Anastasia cradled Ruvyn in her arms. 

Iona entered the room and joined Anastasia in playing with the child. Ruvyn seemed to enjoy the company of the girls because the moment he looked at Ileus, he cried. 

Haldir watched the two girls playing with his son as his chest swelled with pride. He had this permanent smile etched on his face nowadays. Ileus took the opportunity and called him to the corner of the room where he was studying certain documents that were spread on a table. He asked, "You said that the child is always hungry. What do you mean?" 

"Well, Ruvyn is half elf. What do you think his diet would be? He is stuck to his mother's breasts most of the time," Haldir replied, understanding Ileus' question. Then he placed his hand on Ileus's shoulder and said, "Man, forget about your wife for several months after the baby is born. And when I say that it means you can't think of having sex with her." He sounded… miserable? Antsy? 

Ileus exhaled heavily. Not have sex? That was the most insane thing he had heard. His gaze turned to his wife. She looked so happy with Ruvyn that he wondered what would happen when his baby would come out. A surge of jealousy cruised through his heart and his chest tightened. "What do I do?" he blurted. 

"You have done what you had to, Ileus," Haldir replied, shaking his head. "You should have been more careful. Now just wait for your baby and have fun till then." Haldir advised his friend based on his experiences. 

"Ouch!" Iona laughed. "He has wet my gown!" The girls laughed as the two nannies rushed to little Ruvyn who was now crying. 

"I think he is hungry," said one of the nannies who was changing his nappy. "We have to take him back to his mother." 

"Don't you have a nursemaid?" asked Anastasia. 

The nanny shook her head. "His mother doesn't want to keep a nursemaid." 

Anastasia stared at the nanny and then at Iona. She watched the nanny bow to them and leave with Ruvyn. She turned to Iona and said, "I will also not keep a nursemaid." 

"Nor would I," Iona agreed. 

Ileus stared at his wife. And Rolfe, who was now standing at the door, gaped at his wife. 

Haldir said, "But you know what?" 

Ileus raised an eyebrow. 

"I think I will go for another baby. And guess what—Inyanga has agreed." There was a huge smile on his face. 

"I heard Theodir is coming to visit you," Ileus enquired. 

Haldir tensed immediately. He gave a tight nod. 

Ileus frowned and narrowed his eyes. "Why? Is something wrong about it?" Theodir was going to come for the first time to Draoidh and Haldir should have been happy. 

Haldir took a deep breath. He looked at his son who the nanny was rocking in her lap and singing a lullaby. "I know his intentions of coming here. He will try to take Ruvyn from us."

"What?" That was a terrible thing. 

Haldir's lips pursed. "Ruvyn is the heir to the crown of Evindal, born after thousands of years. Do you think Theodir will leave this chance? He would never let Evindal get out of his hands. And now that Inyanga has given birth to a baby, he will claim my son." 

"Gods!" Ileus was aghast. "Inyanga will not allow it!" 

"She won't be able to do much… Theodir is too powerful and Evindal needs an heir. His wife hasn't produced him an heir. He will not let this opportunity go to waste." 

"What if his wife gives birth to a baby after he announces Ruvyn as the heir to the throne?" 

"Ruvyn will remain the heir until others challenge him in a battle to death." 

"This is insane!" Ileus blurted. 

Haldir let out a sad chuckle that reached his eyes. "That's our law, Ileus. His destiny is written…" 

--- 

In the mountains of Tibris, after cutting the spells one by one, she was now surrounded with just one very thin veil. That veil made the fortress invisible. Siora laughed. "I am coming, Rolfe…"