The milder weather and relief at being safely at home suited Freya. She no longer vomited in the mornings and the dark smudges under her eyes slowly disappeared. Only Ewen and his inner circle could notice the growing swell of her belly and the corsets that were barely pulled in at the bottom of her dresses. It was decided then to make the announcement of the heir. As Ewen had anticipated, it was well timed. Freya looked healthy and the people could celebrate unreservedly as the future of their Kingdom seemed secure.

Ewen kept his fears close to his heart however. As the child grew and Freya became visibly pregnant he worried more and more over the birth. He was also aware that the news would have reached Augustus by now and he worried about his response. Until the birth, the situation was still most precarious.

Ruling two kingdoms was time consuming too and Ewen found himself so busy that he there were few days that he saw Freya. He knew that she managed the castle and he caught occasional glimpses of her as she moved through the halls but he really looked forward to the evenings when they could be alone in his private chambers.

Although custom dictated that with an heir on its way Ewen should stay longer at the evening meal, he found most nights he maintained the routine of an early departure from the Great Hall. Freya tired easily it was true but his main reason was to spend more time with her. There were enough young nobles to entertain the table at the hall.

As her belly grew, Ewen particularly enjoyed touching the growing bump that was his child. Convinced Freya was carrying a son, he spoke often to the baby of things they would do together. One memorable evening, Ewen had felt the first flutters of his child moving. He had made love to Freya with her lying on her side. He preferred this position as her pregnancy progressed as it didn't allow him to penetrate her too deeply. Instead he could gently stroke her until her body shuddered and she moaned with pleasure before he took his pleasure. It was after they had finished when he was holding her gently and stroking her belly that Ewen had felt the tiny bubbles of movement in her belly. Most nights after that, Ewen felt the movement of his child. It was as if Freya's happiness affected their baby too. Ewen enjoyed his intimacy with Freya because he also knew that as the pregnancy progressed there would be evenings when she would be too tired. He knew that he had been fortunate in having a wife who enjoyed his attentions in bed and he wanted to allow her some time to rest before the birth.

The birth still caused Ewen much anxiety. Although she was much better and Ewen was glad the horrible retching and vomiting had stopped, Ewen still worried about Freya's small frame and the birth. She was only a year older than her mother had been when she had died birthing Freya. Ewen also worried because he was tall and big and came from a line of large men. As much as a large son would please him, he needed his child to be small enough that Freya would survive the birth.

The birth held another complication. As it was the birth of the heir to two kingdoms, custom dictated that it should be a public birth. Over the years the tradition of a public viewing had been adapted and relaxed but custom still dictated that some witnesses were present for the birth of the heir. Ewen needed to decide who would be present as it was both a politically and personally sensitive issue.

One evening, Ewen broached the subject as they lay entwined, still slightly sweaty from their pleasure. As he had been so often in their marriage he was surprised by her answer. Freya agreed to the inner circle all being present at the birth and suggested that the old priest who had blessed their marriage bed be there too. The biggest surprise was her suggestion that the ambassador from Augustus court also be present.

'We cannot give any grounds ever for a challenge to the legitimacy of our son,' she reasoned. 'If Augustus' ambassador is present he cannot doubt that our child is the legitimate heir.'

Ewen had to agree with her reasoning. He had thought perhaps that as Freya was naturally reticent and reserved that she would try to reduce the numbers at the birth. Instead he was astounded again at her courage.

As she drifted to sleep, her belly moving sporadically as their child stretched and turned within her, Freya whispered sleepily to Ewen.

'As long as you are there, nothing else matters.'