Eight months had passed since Queen Lili's departure from Eridoria. In the neighboring kingdom, she had found solace in anonymity. Donning commoner's clothes, she blended into the bustling town.
Lili's days began early, helping Innkeeper Jenkins with morning chores. Her companions, Royal Physician Elara, Assistant Evan, Guards Thompson and James, and the maid Sefa, worked alongside her.
Their routine was simple, and for the first time in years, Lili felt a sense of normalcy. No royal duties, no court politics, just hard work and quiet camaraderie.
Each morning, Lili and her companions would gather in the inn's kitchen, sharing breakfast and discussing their daily tasks. Elara would often venture out to gather herbs for her medicinal concoctions, while Evan assisted Jenkins with the inn's upkeep. Thompson and James took on various jobs, from blacksmithing to carpentry, using their skills to earn a humble living.
Lili, with her innate leadership, helped Jenkins manage the inn, ensuring guests were comfortable and content. The maid, still timid, found solace in helping with household chores.
As the days passed, Lili's belly grew, and her energy waned. But she refused to slow down, knowing her companions relied on her.
"Your Majesty, please rest," Elara would urge, concern etched on her face.
"I'm fine, Elara," Lili would reply, smiling. "We need every coin we can earn."
But on that fateful morning, Lili's determination faltered. As she opened the inn, a sudden pain seized her abdomen.
"Elara!" Lili cried out, clutching her belly.
Elara rushed to her side, helping Lili to a nearby bench.
"Get Jenkins!" Elara instructed Evan, her voice firm.
Within moments, Jenkins arrived, and together they guided Lili to a cozy room.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the inn, Lili's labor intensified. The small room, normally used for storage, had been hastily converted into a makeshift birthing chamber.
Innkeeper Jenkins had provided every available linen, which Elara and Evan had torn into strips and tied together to create a makeshift rope. Lili clutched the rope, her knuckles white as she strained against the pain.
Elara, though a skilled physician, had never assisted a birth. Her hands trembled as she tried to compose herself. "I-I've never done this before, Your Majesty," she stammered.
Lili's cry of agony cut through the air, and Elara knew she had to act. Gathering her courage, she entered the room with Evan by her side.
As the hours ticked by, the sky outside darkened. Innkeeper Jenkins paced outside, gazing up at the stars, praying for a miracle.
Suddenly, four stars in the constellation of the Great Bear shone brighter than the others. They converged, their light merging into a single, blinding radiance before vanishing.
Jenkins gasped, awestruck. "The gods are with us!" he exclaimed.
In Eridoria, the Kaleeki priests witnessed the celestial spectacle. They had gathered at the ancient temple, praying for guidance.
As the stars aligned, Elder Kaelin Darkhaven's eyes sparkled. "The prophecy is fulfilled!" he declared, his voice echoing through the temple.
The Kaleekis erupted into jubilation, their shouts of joy carrying across the land.
Back at the inn, Elara guided Lili through the final stages of labor. With one last push, a tiny wail pierced the air.
"A girl!" Elara exclaimed, beaming.
Lili smiled wearily, cradling her newborn daughter.
As the night deepened, the innkeeper knocked softly on the door. "All well?" he asked.
Elara nodded. "A healthy baby girl."
Jenkins smiled. "The gods have blessed us indeed."
Unaware of the prophecy unfolding around her, Lili gazed lovingly at her child, her heart filled with joy.
"What shall we call this baby girl?" Physician Elara asked, smiling at Lili.
"Ava," Lili whispered, her eyes locked onto her daughter. "Ava."
She repeated the name, her voice filled with emotion. "She is my last hope of survival."
The room erupted into joyous murmurs. "Thank you," Lili added, her gratitude encompassing everyone.
Just then, one of the bodyguards burst in. "It's the crescent moon!" he exclaimed.
Everyone marveled as they gazed out the window. The moon, now a silver crescent in the night sky, seemed to glow with an otherworldly light.
Elara and her assistant hastened to clean the blood-soaked linens and tend to Ava. Anna, the maid, assisted, her hands shaking with excitement.
"Please, gentlemen, wait outside," Elara requested, gently ushering the bodyguards and Jenkins out of the room.
As the door closed behind them, Lili reached out, her fingers tracing Ava's tiny features.
"Ava, my little one," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
Elara smiled, her eyes shining with warmth. "You have a beautiful daughter, Your Majesty."
Lili's gaze met Elara's, a silent understanding passing between them.
Ava's arrival marked a new beginning, one filled with hope and uncertainty.