#and i can finally present an oc of mine that is absolutely a dom top

[lucaanis]

i think taash and my (vague undeveloped) adaar would hang

[tornbetween2loves]

A Story Worth Telling

Part 7: Stubborn Foolishness

This series takes place after the ending of TCATF in an AU where Kenna and Val are married and rule as queens of Stormholt. Michael is an OC who is a writer. He has written biographies of many of the leaders of the five kingdoms and now wants to write Kenna and Val’s story. But he must first earn their trust by getting to know them and making them feel comfortable. Thank you to @kinkykingliam for creating this awesome mood board for this series.

I’m tagging my MHTA people for this story in case you all are interested in the back story that is being discovered from reading the journal they found at Stormholt. If you’d like to be removed, just let me know. You can catch up on this series here.

Disclaimer: all characters belong to Pixelberry. Except for my OC, I claim him as my own

Taglist: @kennaxval @boneandfur @bobasheebaby @drakewalkerwhipped @femmeshep @hhiggs @lizeboredom @pb-boeboe @klaudiana-beaumontkkreal @tmarie82 @hhiggs @speedyoperarascalparty @darley1101 @blackcatkita @katurrade @lodberg @bella-ca @indiacater @hopefulmoonobject @missevabean @walkerismychoice @eileendannie @museofbooks @jared2612 @h3llostrang3r @ooo-barff-ooo @alesana45 @debramcg1106 @stopforamoment @carabeth

Michael paced back and forth in front of the queens’ chambers. It seemed they had been in there with Madeline for hours, but in reality it had only been about 20 minutes. He stopped and leaned against the wall next to the door, his gaze drifting out the window across the way. Poor Kenna had been sick for days. She could barely keep any food down. And for the past 3 days she had not left her chambers the entire day. Michael and Val had both wanted to summon the royal healer last week, but Kenna wouldn’t hear it. “I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow,” she would say weakly. But tomorrow was never any better. In fact, it was always worse. Kenna was turning into a ghost of her former self, her slight frame appeared to be wasting away.

Two days ago, Val had knocked on Michael’s door before dawn. He had been sleeping apart from the queens at Kenna’s insistence, she said she did not want to make them ill. She tried to have Val join him, but she of course wouldn’t have it. “If I fall ill, so be it,” she said softly as she wiped Kenna’s brow with a damp cloth. “I will not leave you alone in your suffering.” Michael opened the door to a sight he hadn’t seen before. Val was distraught, tears streaming down her face, a lost look in her eye. Michael wrapped her in his arms and pulled her into his room, closing the door behind her. He steadied her body as it shook from her sobs, gently stroking the back of her head. “Shhhh, my love,” he said quietly. “It’s going to be all right.”

Val pulled out of his embrace and glared at him. “How can you be so sure? I’ve never seen her like this. She looks so frail. So pale and weak. Like a shell of her former self.” Michael nodded. “You’re right. But what can we do about it? She refuses to see the healer.” Val sighed shakily, a determined look on her face. “I think I know someone who might be able to help her,” she said. “And I believe Kenna would agree to see her. I must dispatch a messenger to the Foundry. Hopefully Whitlock will fly Madeline here on his airship to tend to Kenna.”

“Is that really necessary? Don’t we have healers here at Stormholt?” Val nodded. “Yes of course we do. But they don’t do us any good if Kenna refuses to see them. Madeline is a friend. She helped save Dom from Hex’s clutches and practically ran the infirmary here during the final battle with Azura. Kenna trusts her. She will allow her to examine her, I know it.” Val left and went to the other side of the castle to make arrangements.

Jackson insisted on traveling to the Foundry himself. He rode all day, resting his horse only when necessary. The labyrinth surrounding the Foundry was now simply a unique way to enter the city. Whitlock had decided it was unnecessary and unwise to keep the technocrats isolated from the rest of the world. So Jackson was ushered into the city rather quickly and was standing before Whitlock before the sun went down. He sprung into action immediately, readying the airship and summoning Madeline. “We will take off at first light,” he said. They were back by mid afternoon the following day.

Kenna had actually seemed in better spirits that morning. Michael and Val had enjoyed their breakfast of oatmeal and fruit in bed with her. She actually had a bit of an appetite for the first time in days and ate a little. But it didn’t last long. Soon Kenna’s head was in her wash basin, throwing up her breakfast as Val held back her hair. Michael stood at the foot of the bed, unsure of what to do. He answered the knock at the door. It was Jackson and Madeline. “A pleasure to meet you. You must be Mad-“ Michael extended a hand to Madeline, but she cut him off. She entered the room, pushing him out into the hallway. “There will be plenty of time for pleasantries later. Right now I have work to do.” She slammed the door in his face. Michael turned to Jackson, who shrugged. “She’s good at what she does. Let her work. How is Kenna?” Michael sighed as he rubbed his eyes. “It seemed she was doing better this morning, however she just lost her breakfast.” Jackson frowned. “There has to be some explanation. Kenna is a tough woman. It takes a lot to bring her down.” Michael agreed.

Jackson left to see if Whitlock needed assistance with the airship and Michael began pacing. Several times he pressed his ear to the door to see if he could hear anything. But the room was quiet. What if something was seriously wrong with Queen Kenna? How could he live without one of his queens?

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“Madeline, I’m sorry I wasn’t expecting guests,” Kenna said as she shot Val a dirty look. “If I’d known you were coming I would’ve made myself presentable. Madeline sat on the edge of the bed next to Kenna. “Hush you foolish girl,” she said as she pressed the back of her hand to Kenna’s forehead. It was damp with a cool sweat. “No fever, that’s a good sign,” she said as she pulled out her medical kit and spread it on the bed in front of her. Val could see the frustration growing on her wife’s face. “Madeline, while I am delighted to see you, I think you’ll find that this visit was unnecessary,” she said softly. Madeline snapped her head up to meet Kenna’s eyes. “Unnecessary? Have you seen yourself lately? What’s unnecessary is for a woman in your condition to suffer so. There are remedies to ease the sickness.” Kenna’s eyes widened as a confused look crossed over Val’s face. “I don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head. She sat next to Kenna on the bed, grasping her hand. “All this time you’ve known what’s wrong and you’ve said nothing? I’ve been beside myself with worry.”

Kenna sighed and smiled at Val. She stroked her cheek softly. “I am so sorry my love,” she said softly. “I can’t say for certain what’s wrong with me, but I have an idea. And I thought it would pass. But I was wrong.” Val kissed Kenna gently, the happiness that her wife was not seriously ill overcoming her anger. “So if you’re not sick, then what is going on with you? Obviously you’re not normal.” Kenna and Madeline exchanged a look. Madeline smiled brightly. “I think it’s pretty obvious. The Queens of Stormholt are going to have a baby.” Val’s mouth dropped open. She sat in stunned silence as Madeline continued talking to Kenna. “I’m going to leave these herbs here with you,” she said as she set several bottles on the nightstand. “These will help with the nausea immensely, these you should take each morning. They will provide vital nutrients to the baby.” She rambled on as Kenna glanced at Val, who was still shocked.

“My love, are you ok?” Val snapped her head up to meet her wife’s gaze. Her eyes traveled down to Kenna’s midsection, a look of wonder overtaking her face. She placed her hand on her wife’s stomach as she smiled widely. “You’re going to be a mom,” she said softly, almost a whisper. Kenna smiled and covered Val’s hand with hers, pressing both into her stomach. “No Val, we are going to be moms,” she said happily. “And Michael is going to be a dad.” Val jumped up suddenly at the mention of Michael. “Oh I must tell him. He is beside himself with worry,” she said as she hurried to the door.

She stopped and turned to face Kenna. “I’m sorry. I should let you tell him. It’s your big news to share, not mine.” Kenna shook her head. “It’s our news, my love. I think it’s a great idea for you to tell him.” Madeline turned to face Val. “Yes, go tell him. I need to examine Kenna and administer a treatment for her nausea. I will come get you when we are finished.” Val and Kenna smiled at each other. “Are you sure, my love?” Val asked as she walked back to Kenna’s side. She smiled and nodded and Val kissed her gently on the top of her head. “I love you so much,” Val said as she wrapped her arms around Kenna tightly. Madeline cleared her throat and tapped her foot impatiently. Val jumped up and headed for the door. “Sorry. I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

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Michael snapped out of his thoughts as the door opened and Val walked out with a big smile on her face. Relief swept over him, he could tell by the look on her face that everything was fine. He wrapped her in a hug and they held each other in silence for a few moments. Val backed up to meet his eyes. “Aren’t you going to ask about Kenna?” Michael shook his head. “I can tell by the look on your face that everything is fine. Although I am a bit curious.” Val smiled widely and took both his hands in hers. “It is more than fine. It’s absolutely wonderful.” Michael smiled at her. “Well don’t keep me in suspense, woman! Tell me what’s going on.” Val’s eyes sparkled as they met his and her smile widened. “Kenna is pregnant, Michael. We are going to have a baby!” Michael’s mouth dropped open and his arms fell to his sides. “P-pregnant,” he stammered, looking past Val to the window again. She watched him eagerly as he began to process the news. His lips curled into a slight grin as he murmured, “Pregnant.” He looked at Val expectantly, tears stinging the corners of his eyes. “I’m going to be a dad,” he choked out, overcome with emotion as the tears overflowed.

Val wrapped her arms around him tightly as he sobbed tears of joy. She looked up into his eyes and wiped away the tears from his cheeks. “You will be a wonderful father Michael,” she said softly. He smiled at her. “And you will be a wonderful mother, my dear Val.” They held each other close for a long while, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Until the door opened behind them and Madeline strolled out. She smiled at Michael. “Congratulations, dad,” she said and Michael swept her into a hug. “Thank you so much Madeline. For everything.”

“No thanks is necessary my dear,” she said as she patted him on the cheek. “Kenna will be just fine. I gave her some herbs to help with the nausea, which should pass in time.” She looked back and forth between the two of them. “I have told her she needs to summon a midwife, just to be sure all is well.” Val’s smile faded. “But I thought you said she was fine.” Madeline smiled warmly. “She is fine my dear. However, a midwife has more expertise in these matters and will be able to ensure Kenna and the baby stay strong and healthy.” She took a step forward and waved a finger in each of their faces. “Now you two must put your foot down. Kenna is stubborn. She must see a midwife before the end of the week. Do not allow her to put it off any longer.” Michael shrugged and glanced at Val who nodded. “Of course. I will summon a midwife to the castle myself if necessary.” Madeline smiled at her. “Good. Now get in there,” she said, gesturing to the door of the chambers. “She wants to see both of you.”

Michael practically ran to the door, entering the room with excitement. He stopped short as he caught sight of Kenna, sitting up in bed. She looked much better, the color was back in her face. In fact, she appeared to be glowing. Michael’s mouth hung open as he stared at her, mesmerized by her beauty. Kenna smiled at him when their eyes met and he dropped to his knees beside the bed, taking her hands in his. “My queen, you are absolutely radiant,” he said as he brought her hands to his lips. He stood up and sat on the edge of the bed next to her. He cupped her cheek as his love for her shone bright in his eyes. “You have never looked so beautiful.” He placed a hand gently on her stomach and leaned in to kiss her.

Val walked around and sat on the other side of Kenna. “I am so happy you are ok. I was so afraid you were sick.” Michael gave Kenna a stern look. “Yes. This has been the longest week of my life. Please, don’t do this again my queen. Next time I will ignore your wishes and summon the royal healer.” Kenna gave him a sheepish grin. “You’re right, and I apologize to both of you. I’m so sorry my stubbornness caused so much worry.” She wrapped an arm around each of them, pulling them close, each of their heads resting on a shoulder. Michael locked hands with Val and they rested their joined hands on Kenna’s midsection. She smiled. “We are going to be parents,” she said softly.