Tucked away beyond the towering, frost-encrusted peaks of Snežni Nordtop, the refuge lay nestled in a snow-draped valley that seemed almost suspended in time. The valley was encircled by ancient trees whose gnarled branches stood upright like sentinels, their silent vigil lending an air of timeless mystery to the landscape. Silver-bright streams meandered through the white wilderness, their cold, sparkling waters twisting like delicate ribbons that caught the sunlight and fractured it into a thousand shimmering shards.
Beside one of these crystalline streams, Jingfei—a woman whose swollen belly testified to the life blossoming within—reclined against a mound of animal furs. Her eyes swept over the chaos of laundry spread out before her, a calamity of fabrics that included delicate linens and rugged armors, intermingled in a disordered display. With a commanding tone that brooked no argument, she barked, "Lori! You missed a spot again! That's linen, not armor—don't stretch it! You'll tear the whole hemline!"
Nearby, Lorianthel, his sleeves rolled up and soaked through from the relentless effort, muttered under his breath as he repeatedly dunked another tunic into the frigid, rushing river. His voice, heavy with exhaustion and a trace of bitterness, murmured, "I used to have a squire for this..." When Jingfei's sharp retort cut through the air—"What was that?"—he quickly replied, "I said—I'm on it!" His words were swallowed by the lapping of the icy current as he prepared to rinse yet another garment.
In that moment of mundane task and banter, Jingfei's keen gaze suddenly snapped to the horizon. She sat upright, eyes narrowing as the low-angled sunlight caught the snow, transforming it into a dazzling, almost blinding radiance. In that brilliant interplay of light and white, subtle movements stirred in the distance—first a shift of shadows, then vague shapes emerging until, with a cry that shattered the stillness, she screamed, "MEI-LING! It's HER!"
Lorianthel, startled, dropped the overflowing laundry basket. "Don't run, you're pregnant!" he protested, his tone mixing alarm with concern. But his words were lost as Jingfei, propelled by an urgency and fierce determination, began waddling forward with her gravid belly leading the charge.
Across the open, snow-covered field, Mei-Ling halted mid-stride, her eyes wide with disbelief as she caught sight of her long-missed friend. "Jingfei?" she breathed, the single word laden with wonder and relief. In a flurry of arms and laughter, the two embraced tightly. Jingfei, her voice choked with emotion, sobbed, "I thought I'd never see you again!" while Mei-Ling, blinking rapidly before breaking into joyful laughter through her tears, teased, "Oh my gods—you're pregnant! You're actually going to pop!"
From behind, Lorianthel staggered forward in a clumsy yet heartfelt rush. Half-tripping and tangled in a disheveled sheet, he clutched a lone sock between his teeth and murmured in awe, "By the gods... she has returned." One by one, members of their quirky group—Hoki, Miyx, Fror, Gror, Gui, Xueyi, and Yueli—appeared over the ridge, their faces lit with smiles, and voices raised in spirited cheers and heartfelt welcomes.
Jingfei's face softened into a radiant beam of joy. "You're all here!" she exclaimed, her voice mingling with delight as Gui padded over. The massive creature emitted a deep, resonating purr, gently nudging her side with his oversized head. She knelt to ruffle his soft, downy fur, murmuring fondly, "Good to see you too, fluffball."
With arms draped lovingly around each other's shoulders, Mei-Ling and Jingfei began their slow, assured walk toward the safety of the sanctuary. From within its welcoming walls came the warm glow of firelight, the peals of children's laughter, and the unmistakable, comforting sound of home. Once inside, the friends gathered around a long, sturdy table to exchange stories over steaming bowls of Jingfei's famous—and notoriously fiery—chili soup.
"So where's the red-headed one?" Jingfei inquired after a thoughtful pause, blowing carefully on her spoon as she sought relief from the steam. Hoki smiled gently and replied, "Feredis? He's staying behind. He joined the Monastery of Wizardry." The unexpected revelation made Jingfei's eyebrows lift in wonder, "Didn't know he had it in him. Good for him!"
As Mei-Ling's laughter quieted, her tone took on a hushed gravity. "What happened to the outpost?" she asked softly. Exchanging a meaningful glance, Jingfei and Lorianthel braced themselves to recount a tale of loss and rebellion. In a low, measured voice, Lorianthel explained, " It was abandoned, long after the raid, My title was stripped from me, and I was branded a rebel to the crown. So I left, gathering a few loyal men... and Jingfei along with me. We came here to start over."
Mei-Ling leaned in, her curiosity and concern mingling. "Is the king alive?" she whispered. Lorianthel's response was cautious yet revealing, "Yes, but... there's a new king now." Shock rippled through Mei-Ling as she froze, demanding, "Who?" Meeting her gaze steadily, Lorianthel replied, "Aelric." Her heart pounded: "He's alive." Yet Lorianthel's measured nod was tempered by a somber note: "But something's changed. He's not the same elf anymore."
The weight of his words settled over Mei-Ling as she lowered her gaze, urging, "Tell me everything." And so, as the fire crackled in the hearth and the wind whispered secrets through the eaves, Lorianthel began to narrate a saga of loss and silence—a tale of a king who had seemingly forgotten the very elf he once was. Mei-Ling listened intently, her heart heavy with sorrow even as a spark of hope flickered within her.
She had come home, yet the story, it seemed, was far from over. In the quiet that followed his revelations, the warm firelight danced against the encroaching shadows of silence, though a subtle chill crept steadily into Mei-Ling's chest. Suddenly, Jingfei shifted, one hand resting protectively on her rounded belly while the other curled around her soup bowl. "There's something else. About Aelric. He doesn't remember you," she confessed softly.
Mei-Ling blinked in astonishment. "What? What do you mean he doesn't remember me?" Jingfei sighed deeply before adding with painful resignation, "He acts like you never existed—like our entire past is wiped clean. It's as if he is merely a phantom wandering in a memory. I believe... no, I know it's a curse."
"A curse?" Mei-Ling's voice was barely above a whisper, laden with disbelief. "Aurelia," Jingfei spat the name as though it were a bitter herb, her words dropping with venom. "She's always shadowing him—day and..." Her voice faltered for a heartbeat before she continued, wrinkling her nose in distaste, "...night." Mei-Ling's face fell, the sorrow of the revelation etching itself deeply into her features.
"Just the thought of her sharing his bed makes my blood boil," Jingfei added darkly, and in that very moment, her entire belly gave a sudden, involuntary spasm. Wincing, she remarked, "See? Baby hates her too—and it's not even born yet." Despite the tempest of emotions, Mei-Ling found herself releasing a soft, shocked laugh. Staring deeply into the crackling fire, she murmured, "How could he forget me?"
Lorianthel, standing with arms folded and an expression marred by grim resolve, finally spoke. "It's dark magic—a mind-binding enchantment crafted with subtle cruelty. Aurelia's specialty. The Aelric you knew still lingers within him somewhere, but he's trapped beneath layers of twisted magic." Burning with determination, Mei-Ling's eyes blazed as she vowed, "Then I'll have to go to him. Somehow... I'll break the spell. I have to."
Before anyone could object, Lorianthel opened his mouth, his voice resolute, "Then I'm coming with you." But Mei-Ling gently shook her head, placing a tender hand on his arm as she said, "No. Your place is here—with Jingfei." A look of inner conflict flashed across his face when a sudden, jarring crash interrupted the moment.
Jingfei had dropped a precarious mountain of dishes. Clutching her belly in anguish, her face twisted in pain and alarm, she managed a strained, "Jingfei?" before she steadied herself against the sudden onslaught of pain. Her voice tightened with worry, "Stomach... hurts. Pressure. Oh gods—" In the midst of her distress, a loud splash reverberated through the room as slick, warm liquid trickled down her legs. Lifting her skirt in disbelief, she finally murmured, "Well. I think we've had enough excitement for one day."
Lorianthel, who had just risen to assist, tumbled backward over his chair in a clumsy heap. "What?! Now?!" he exclaimed. In a flurry of exasperation, Jingfei snapped, "Yes, now, you stupid elf!" as she gripped the sturdy table in frustration.
Without hesitation, Mei-Ling sprang into action. "Fror! Gror! I need hot water, now!" she commanded. Immediately, the twins responded in unison with a spirited "Yes ma'am!" as they vaulted over one another in their urgent scramble. Hoki was already at Jingfei's side, his voice calm amid the chaos, "Let's get her to her chambers. Come on."
Flanked by the silent but steadfast presence of Yueli and Xueyi, who moved with deliberate precision, the group gently escorted Jingfei from the room. Each step was punctuated by her painful contractions, which hissed and snarled like a rudely awakened beast. Amid the tumult, Jingfei's anguished cry echoed, "WHY did I eat that chili?" to which Hoki shouted back, "It's not the chili!" only for Mei-Ling to interject helpfully, "It could partially be the chili!"
Lorianthel stood frozen for a moment, his disheveled hair and awkward posture accentuating his uncertainty as he clutched a towel in one hand and hovered uncomfortably with the other. "Should I... should I boil something? Get a healer? Faint?" he stammered. Over his shoulder, Xueyi barked sharply, "Sit down and breathe," and so he did—sitting and breathing, even if only kind of.
The corridor beyond soon rang with Jingfei's screams, chased by the frantic scramble of fox spirits and the echoing, thunderous stomps of dwarves hauling steaming buckets. Through it all, one truth became starkly clear.
the baby was coming.