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Olumphia’s face was gleaming with joy when Arundelle handed the gift over. Shaking her head in wonderment, Olumphia drew a golden replica of the Hollish emblem against a bold, dark wooden backdrop from its wrappings. On the back, Arundelle had inscribed,
<p style=”text-align: center;”><i>What a joyous occasion! Although I never had much time </i></p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>to get to know either of you, tales of Ban Rona’s guild reached into the Blackwood</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>on a regular basis. I knew Nia’s friend, and despite the fact that I</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>never had the privilege of meeting you, Olumphia, until now, I feel that</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>I already know you from everything Nia has told me.</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Maker bless your marriage.</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>ARTHAM & ARUNDELLE</p>
As thanks were passed around, Arundelle noticed the trees. She loved the graceful sweep of their boughs, and she could almost feel their roots caressing the soil as they burrowed beneath it to unearth hidden nutrients. Closing her eyes, Arundelle imagined the feel of birds in her branches, singing soft tunes in her ears. She swayed without realizing it, remembering the whisper of wind in her leaves. Although she didn’t miss being part tree, there were parts of it that she had enjoyed.

Artham caught her hand, his encircling her waist, and together they swayed, the birdman and cloven queen at the wedding of the temporary Keeper to the Head Guildmadam.

Thus the dancing began, couples weaving back and forth on the green grass beneath the starlit sky. Arundelle smiled at Artham, and he smiled at her, and they remembered their wedding. And Arundelle remembered her news.

Coming closer to her husband, Arundelle whispered, “I have some news, Artham?”

“Oh?” Artham’s voice was deep and strong, not the high-pitched twitter of past years. “Do tell.”

Arundelle paused, savoring the moment. “I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a child.”

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