"How do you like it here?" Marreck asked curiously as he tasted a bit of his pasta. "I know the cold shocked me for a while. Still does sometimes." He added before taking a long drink of water.

~~~

"Plenty of fun. Too much fun." Ariala laughed as she curled into Dimitrius, giving his neck tender kisses. "I love you." She murmured before standing up and gathering their picnic things.

"It's a challenge... Especially when you can't find food at every turn like you can back home," Jessi said with a small laugh between bites of food. Piling more onto his plate, Jessi continued, "How did you two meet, if you don't mind my asking? Winterglade and Elimlee aren't exactly the best of friends, if you know what I mean."

--

"I love you to, Ari," Dimitrius said with a smile as he helped pack up their things and wrapped an arm around Ariala's waist, beginning the leisurely walk back home to Elimlee. "I wonder if Dimeria had fun today."

"Two of our friends met along the border one day and we met through them." Marreck explained. "Now they're married and we're engaged so I'd say that things worked out quite well." Marreck smiled at Emelaide before continuing to eat his food. "Do you have family here, Jessi?" Marreck asked.

~~~

"If she's with Liah then I'm sure she had plenty of fun." Ariala smiled as she leaned into Dimitrius, the picnic basket hanging from her hands. "I have my lessons for the next two days but I was wondering if you'd like to visit Winterglade someday after that. I feel awful that I've stuck you here in Elimlee when your family and friends are back in Winterglade." Ariala sighed.

Emelaide returned the smile as she sipped her juice.

"No, I'm afraid I don't. All of my family is back in Aultavia, the Autumn Kingdom. Well, what little I have left, anyway. My close family died in the fire.. The rest of my family is scattered. I'm sort of the black sheep of the family, if you know what I mean," Jessi said with a light blush upon his cheeks. "You see, I was dating a girl from the Summer Kingdom, but that ended horribly. Ever since I started dating her my family disowned me. You two are lucky to have such understanding families," Jessi added with a warm smile.

--

"Sure. Cindalina would love a visit," Dimitrius said with a warm smile, "And Dimeria would surely love being in the snow again. Why don't we plan it for this coming weekend? We can pay a visit to Emelaide and Marreck while we're over there, see how they're holding up."

"I'm very sorry to hear that." Marreck shook his head as he finished his supper. "I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories." He said politely as he finished his water in a small sip.

~~~

"That sounds lovely." Ariala smiled as she tucked closer to Dimitrius just as they reached the rope ladder. Ariala stepped ahead, balancing the picnic basket carefully before climbing up the ladder to the bridges above.

"No, don't be sorry. The past is the past. I just have to get back up on my feet, find work, and figure out how to cope in another Kingdom. Know of any place I can get some warmer clothes?" Jessi said with a laugh as he tugged lightly on his tattered outfit.

"Cindalina, my Godmother, should have something that will fit you. I'll send word and see if she has anything available," Emelaide said with a warm smile as she placed another scoop of pasta onto her plate and took a bite.

"Marreck, could you get me another glass of juice?" Emelaide asked as she finished off her glass and handed it to Marreck.

---

Following her, Dimitrius smiled, "Perfect. I shall send word once we're back home and have Dimeria settled in with dinner. Speaking of dinner, what would you like tonight?"

"Of course, love." Marreck smiled as he stood from the table and took Emelaide's glass, walking into the kitchen Marreck began crushing berries again for his famous berry drink.

~~~

"Dinner." Ariala rolled the word in her mouth as she thought over she led Dimitrius back to their home and stepped inside. "Maybe some pasta tonight. With pesto." Ariala determined as she set the picnic basket on the counter and gently rubbed the slight curvature of her stomach.

"What's that he's making?" Jessi asked curiously.

"It's a mix of berries from Elimlee and Winterglade. It's really yummy, but I honestly don't remember what's in it. I just remember listing off a whole list of berries that our twins were craving and voila! The juice was born," Emelaide explained with a laugh.

---

"Sure thing," Dimitrius said with a warm smile as he placed a light kiss upon Ariala's lips. "Why don't you go pick up Dimeria while I unpack and get dinner started?"

"Here you are, love." Marreck returned to the dining room and handed Emelaide her glass, now refilled with juice. "How are you with construction, Jessi?" Marreck asked curiously, leaning forward on the table.

~~~

"Sure thing." Ariala smiled as she slipped out of Dimitrius' arms and made her way through the bridges of her village to Erreminette's home.

"Erre!" Ariala called as she stepped into her friend's home, knocking lightly on the door.

"Right here." Erreminette's voice drifted from the living room where an intricate tea party was set up next to Liah and Dimeria.

"Ari!" Liah called, jumping up and into the blond elf's arm.

"I'm pretty handy with a hammer and nail. I helped our village construct some housing when I was younger. I don't think it'd take me long to get back into the rhythm of it again. Are there any job openings for construction?" Jessi asked eagerly.

---

Dimeria grinned as she looked up at Ariala, "Hiya Ari! Want to join us for tea?"

"Ariala and Dimitrius, the mutual friends that Em and I met through, are building a house along the border of Winterglade and Elimlee." Marreck explained. "I'm sure they could use some help in the construction if you're interested in staying in the area." Marreck proposed to the strange man at his table.

~~~

"Maybe another time, Dimeria. I came to get you for supper. Dimitrius is cooking for us." Ariala explained as she bent down, giving Liah a small hug so that the smaller elf tucked into her shoulder.

"Yes, I would very much like that! Do they have quarters for their construction men? Or is there any cheap living around here that I could get and promise to pay once paid from the job?" Jessi inquired as he sipped his water.

--

Dimeria nodded as she stood and brushed off her dress. Curtsying to Erreminette, Dimeria smiled, "Thank you for the fun tea party Erre. I really enjoyed it!"

Running over to Liah, Dimeria gave her a hug before taking Ariala's hand with a smile. "We'll play again soon?"

"I don't believe there's any housing since everyone working on the house lives nearby. Em, do you know of anyone with cheap housing?" Marreck asked, turning in the direction of his fiancee.

~~~

Liah nodded at Dimeria before giving Ariala a quick hug goodbye. "Thank you for playing Ria. You'll come back soon right?" The small elf asked as Erreminette stepped up to her best friend.

"Of course she will, Li." Erreminette said as she picked up Liah.

"Not that I know of... All the housing that's around here costs as much as this house did, if not more. There may be a few less pricy houses out along the roads to other villages, but I'm not quite sure. I'm afraid the only apartments are in the College and only Winter Elves are allowed to live there. Speaking of, Marreck, I'm determined to start my training back up, or at least use my magic. I hate being so confined and not being allowed to," Emelaide added with a frown.

---

"Of course!" Dimeria said happily before looking up at Ariala and tugging on her hand lightly. "I'm hungry.. What's big brother making for dinner?"

"If you're feeling up to it Em I think its a great idea. I need to get some practice in as well, there's a rainstorm coming up and I hope to be one of elves chosen to help in it." Marreck said. "Should we consult the doctor fist though? Just to make sure that you're able to start using your magic again?" He asked.

~~~

"Pesto pasta." Ariala smiled as she led Dimeria away from Erreminette's house and led her towards her home with Dimitrius.

"He'll just say no..." Emelaide said miserably as she took a sip of her juice. "He'll say it'll bring on another fever and slumber. He'll be completely against it."

"I'm sorry to be forward, but... may I ask what this talk is about?" Jessi asked hesitantly, shyly.

--

"Bleck," Dimeria said with a frown. "Papa makes us eat that all of the time at the Palace. It's his favorite, you see, and there's rarely a day that doesn't go by that we don't have it for either lunch of dinner. May I have something else? Something without pesto?"

"Em, if its going to make you sick." Marreck sighed, shaking his head before turning to face Jessi. "Emelaide is pregnant and when she uses her magic the pregnancy makes her ill yet that doesn't faze her." Marreck explained before turning back and giving Emelaide a pointed look. "I know its fustrating to not use your magic and maybe you can find a way to start small and maybe- maybe work your way to more powerful magic."

~~~

"Sure, Ria. What are you hungry for?" Ariala asked as she opened the door to her house and led the younger elf inside to the kitchen.

Emelaide frowned as she returned the pointed look with a icy glare of her own.

"He is right, you know. I know it's none of my business, but you should listen to Marreck. It is better to weaken your magic for the time being and take care of yourself and your baby in the meantime," Jessi commented gently between bites of pasta.

"I know.. I just.. I still get very jealous of Ariala and hate how much better than me she is at everything.." Emelaide said softly as she picked at the last bit of pasta on her plate. "It would be nice if I could measure up to her at least once in my life..."

---

"Ummmm... Regular pasta with tea?" Dimeria inquired as they walked towards the kitchen.

"Why did I have a feeling you'd say that," Dimitrius said with a grin as he set a plate of pasta on the table, pesto free, "Our father still forcing everyone a daily serving of pesto pasta?"

"Yup!" Dimeria said with a laugh as she skipped over to Dimitrius and threw her arms around his waist. Resting her chin on his waist, Dimeria grinned up at him. "Thank you for the pasta!"

"You're welcome," Dimitrius said with a warm smile, "Now go eat before it gets cold."

Doing as she was told, Dimeria climbed into the chair and sat patiently, waiting for the rest of dinner to be served.

"Why are you trying to compete with Ari?" Marreck asked softly, feeling a tad bit jealous as he thought about both of the girls' history with Dimitrius. "Is this about..." Marreck began to ask yet trailed off when he realized Jessi was at the table and stood up. "Nevermind." Marreck frowned as he gathered his dirty dishes and walked into the kitchen to begin washing them.

~~~

"Thank you for cooking, Dimitrius." Ariala smiled as she walked up and gave his hand a light squeeze. "Anything you need me to help with?" She offered.

"I think... I'm going to leave you two alone for a bit... Marreck, let me do the dishes. You two need to talk, it's obvious," Jessi said softly as he stood and placed a hand on Marreck's shoulder.

Emelaide simply frowned into her juice as she sipped it.

---

"Could you get the silverware and drinks while I cut this bread?" Dimitrius asked as he got down the bread basket and began cutting the garlic bread into semi-thick, semi-thin slices.

"Thank you." Marreck frowned as he dried off his hands and walked slowly back into the dining room. Still standing, Marreck placed his hands on the back of his chair as he looked over to Emelaide. "Does this have to do with Dimitrius?" He asked bluntly, not bothering with skipping around Emelaide's feelings. "Ariala got Dimitrius so now you have to beat her somehow?" He asked though it wasn't really a question.

~~~

"Of course." Ariala said as she walked over to the cupboard and took out two plates and two cups. "What would you like to drink, love?" She called over her shoulder to Dimitrius.

Emelaide blushed a deep scarlet as she stared into her drink. "It's not so much that she had Dimitrius... but more so that I was left for her.. I was left to rot for another girl.. And it's not hard to see why... I just... I don't measure up. Even you wanted Ariala. And you cannot deny that, Marreck. You merely settled for me when you saw you were never going to get Ariala and saw that I was a pathetic creature stranded and lost. It was nothing more than pity...

"I mean, I can't control my temper, I can't have a flawless pregnancy, I can't have a flawless disposition, I can't work my magic completely right, I'm weak, and I'm the complete opposite of Ariala. I would just like, for once, to be able to over come her at something.. But that will never happen for as long as I live," Emelaide explained softly as she froze and unfroze her juice, the temperatures around her starting to fluctuate from her pregnancy.

---

"Hmmm, I think I'll have some lemon iced tea if we have any made up. I can't remember if I got to it or not," Dimitrius said with a laugh as he placed the bread in the basket and set it on the table.

"Do you want hot tea or cold tea, love?" Dimitrius inquired as he looked at Dimeria.

"Hot Mint please!" Dimitrius said with a grin.

Dimitrius chuckled with a smile as he patted her head, "Of course."

With that, he went about boiling the water and preparing Dimeria's tea.

"Em." Marreck sighed as he saw Emelaide's magic and he stepped around the table to kneel beside her. "Emelaide you listen to me. I love you and I only love you. I didn't fall in love with you because I pitied you, I fell in love with you because you're beautiful and you make me happy. I don't want Dimitrius or Ariala to come between us." Marreck said as he laid a shivering hand against Emelaide's stomach. "This relationship is just us, love. No one else." He said softly.

"I know I loved Ariala and I won't deny it but it seems unfair to hold every past love against each other when we're together now. And as for this pregnancy, it may be troublesome now but when we have our babies with us then its going to be worth it." Marreck said softly as he looked up at Emelaide. You're the one I want to share my life with and you're the only one making these standards for yourself. I just want you to be you." Marreck finished.

~~~

"Yes we have some but you've used up the last of it. Remind me to make another batch after dinner." Ariala said as she poured a glass for Dimitrius before pouring water for herself and moving to the table with Dimeria.

"But me being me isn't good enough," Emelaide whispered softly as her abdomen shot with pain. Clenching where the pain was coming from, Emelaide nearly dropped her glass as she hissed in pain. As the pain started, her magic ceased with a sharp jolt.

Rubbing her abdomen, Emelaide continued through slow breaths, "I promise, I am not holding past loves against you.. And I'll be damned if Dimitrius or Ariala come between us. I just... I don't understand how you could choose me after loving her. She's perfect, and I'm anything but. I'm a failure.."

---

"Sure thing, darlin'," Dimitrius said with a warm smile as he brought Dimeria her tea. Sitting down, Dimitrius took a bite of his pasta with a smile, "I forgot how good this was. It's been awhile since I've had it. I sort of banned it from my house after I left the Palace," Dimitrius added with a laugh.

Dimeria grinned as she dug into her pasta, "It's yummy! I've never had pasta without some measure of pesto before."

"Emelaide." Marreck started as he moved closer to wrap his arms protectively around his fiancee as if he could will away any pain. "Love, you've always been perfect for me I just didn't know it. I've known Ariala for a long time and I know she is not perfect. Where does it hurt, Em?" Marreck asked as his hand covered her's.

"Jessi! I need you to call for a doctor!" Marreck turned his head to call into the kitchen before facing Emelaide again. "Do you need to lay down?" He asked softly.

~~~

"I've always loved pesto." Ariala grinned as she took a bite of her pasta. "And you are quite the cook." She smiled at Dimitrius before taking a few more bites.