FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 3 - Interlude

A week had passed since Dear had come into the household as the first of the Harem slave girls. To date, she had only fucked Master Aaran's dogs, and spent a lot of time with the dogs, getting to know them individually. But today, something was off for her. She felt lethargic, unable to move from her bed. Her stomach churned and heaved while she lay there.

Rea came in, looking at Dear, hoping that the older elf maiden was alright. "Dear? Aaran and I got worried when you didn't show up for breakfast this morning." The young Elidril moved gracefully to Dear's bedside, and sat down gingerly. Her babies were starting to show and she leaned back some giving the growing belly on her more room.

Dear groaned and gingerly put a hand on her stomach, rubbing it slowly. She looked over as Rea entered, and bit her lip, "Rea...I..." Her eyes went wide and then she closed them, leaning back into the soft pillow, pursing her lips tightly. Her hand grasped at the sheets and finally found Rea's hand, giving it a squeeze. Her eyes opened again, but she didn't move this time. "I tried to get up for breakfast and nearly retched... I can't move."

Rea held Dear's hand, letting the elf squeeze it. She nodded, thinking back to when she'd been sick, just a couple weeks before. "I know that feeling, Dear. Though I was able to get out of bed and did retch. And I had Voran watching me. Did any of the dogs push deeper into you, filling your womb?" Rea gave her a worried look, hoping that it was the same reason she'd been sick, and not another reason. She truly liked Dear, despite the rocky start they'd gotten off to when Dear had gotten here. She gave Dear's hand another squeeze, planning on calling for a maid to fetch her husband.

Dear nodded a tiny bit, pinching her eyes shut when the feelings in her stomach made her feel like she just might throw up right then. "Y-Yes. The..." She paused, "The Dalmatian, and... and maybe the Shepherd," she finally stuttered out. "I'm so dizzy Rea, and so nauseated... I need to get up and take care of the dogs." Ever since she had arrived, Dear had taken over the feeding and caring for all of the dogs, and also for Diablo, Aaran's stallion. It was her task to keep them all fed and watered.

"You stay right where you are, Dear. I think I know what the problem is, but I want to have Aaran send for Lord Granth to confirm what I suspect." Rea smiled and patted Dear's hand, then rose and waddled slightly to the door.

"But...But..." She stammered, trying to sit up, as Rea went to call a maid, "It's my job. I'll let everyone down if I don't do it - ooohhh.." she gasped as another wave of nausea took her and she leaned back again.

Calling to one of the maids, Rea said, "Go find Aaran, and ask him to please get Lord Granth to come see Dear. And don't dawdle, girl. Hurry, please."

The maid ran off, heading up the stairs fast and knocking on Aaran's study door.

While the maid was fetching Aaran, Rea went back inside and got a small bowl of water and a rag, using the cool water to ease Dear some.

Dear was breathing hard, but finally calmed as Rea returned and placed a rag of cool water on her forehead. "What's wrong with me, Rea?"

Rea nodded, soothingly stroking the cool wet cloth over Dear's face and chest. "I think you're pregnant, Dear. Your symptoms are just like mine were. If I moved suddenly, I got nauseous. But for me, it went further, and I threw up. And Aaran would rather you take it easy if you are pregnant now. At least until the pups are born."

~~~~~

Upstairs, the maid waited for Aaran to answer her knock, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

Aaran was in his study, several books on his desk and a pile of papers scattered across it. He was pacing back and forth, his fingers pressed together, trying to concentrate on the work before him. All of this mess was for a single purpose, he was reviewing letters and responses in regards to his breeding program. He already had several other lords that were interested in possibly owning one of the puppies after Dear conceived and gave birth, and he had yet to decide, or talk with Voran and Rea, about selling or giving away the wolf-pups from Rea. He picked up the most important letter on his desk, one that he had to speak with his father about, a letter to the King himself, and was reading it, when there was a soft knock at the door. He brusquely stepped to it and opened it, seeing a maid standing there, looking a bit nervous, "Yes? What is it?"

The maid got flustered a bit, even though she'd been working here for a while now. "M..Master Aaran.. Miss Rea... Miss Dear.. Lord Granth.." Her nervousness came through in her stammered words, then she took a deep breath and started over. "Master Aaran, Miss Rea sent me up. She said Miss Dear isn't feeling well and would you send for Lord Granth to see Miss Dear?"

Aaran smirked, inwardly amused at the maid's stuttering and stammering, but became serious instantly when she told him what Rea had asked for. He nodded sharply, "Thank you, you may go now." He left the study, locking the door behind him, and his firm steps took him down to his Father's room, where he stopped and knocked on the door, "Father?" He realized that he had the letter in his hand still, and chuckled, then continued to read it while he waited.

Father answered his door at Aaran's knock. "Aaran? What's up? Is Rea okay?" By his question, the first concern he had was for his adopted daughter, and Aaran's bride.

Aaran lowered the letter when his Father opened the door, asking him about Rea. Aaran nodded, "Yes Father, Rea is perfectly fine, it's Dear. She's feeling sick and Rea asked if I would send for Lord Granth. Please send the falcon, I'll be down with Rea and Dear."

He turned from the door, then back, "Oh, take a look at this letter for me please, I'm writing to the king about the breeding program and something doesn't sound right. Thanks."

Father nodded. "I will, Aaran." He started to turn to get the missive paper when Aaran stopped and mentioned the letter. He stopped himself, taking the letter from Aaran, then nodded again. "I'll get the missive off first, then I'll read the letter to the king." He turned and went back into his room, writing the missive to Lord Granth.

Aaran headed downstairs, to the Harem Quarters, pushing the door open and entering. His eyes quickly took in the situation, Dear in the bed and Rea next to it. It reminded him of a time some years back, when Rea had sat by the side of his bed when he was very ill. The memory brought a small smile to his face, and he strode over to the other side of Dear's bed looking down at her, then at Rea. "Is she alright?"

Rea still held Dear's hand and cooling her down with a fresh wet cloth that the maid had brought upon returning. Rea smiled at her husband. "Honestly, I think she's going through what I did, Aaran. But I want to get Lord Granth's word on it too."

Aaran picked up Dear's other hand and held it, listening to Rea. He smiled. "Father has sent for Him. He'll be here shortly."

Dear looked up at him, her eyes showing her stomach's unease. "I should get down to the dogs and Diablo.... They need to be fed...."

He rubbed Dear's hand in his and looked at her kindly. "You're staying put, Dear, right here in bed. The servants will take care of the dogs and Diablo. I won't have you moving and hurting yourself or getting more sick."

Dear settled down at Aaran's words. While she listened to and usually did as Rea asked her to, Aaran was her Master, and she obeyed him fully.

He sat gingerly on the side of the bed across from Rea, reaching over to pat his wife's leg. "Rea knows what she's talking about, I think, but we'll see soon enough."

Rea smiled at her husband as his hand came to a rest on her thigh. "Dear said she woke up, nauseous, and every time she tried to get up, her stomach rebelled against the slight movements. Sound familiar, Aaran?"

"Familiar...um.. Yeah," he said, smiling. "I had to deal with it for a week before you came here, Dear," he said, addressing her, then leaning up to kiss Rea on the lips, "Lord Granth told Rea exactly what she should eat to settle her stomach, and it worked, so I'm sure it will only be a little while longer that you have to feel this way."

Rea kissed Aaran back, a twinkle in her eyes as she looked at him. It took her a moment to tear her eyes from her husband's and turn to Dear. "Why don't I send the maid to get the same types of food I was told to eat while I was sick? That way we might get it under control before Lord Granth gets here."

Aaran nodded, "An excellent Idea Rea... but I'll call the maid. You're pregnant too, and you've already been up and about a lot this morning." He stood with an air that said he would take no backtalk, and headed for the door into the Hall, where he knew the maid would be waiting.

Rea smiled, then nodded, staying put as well as Dear. One thing Rea wouldn't do was argue with her husband on this matter. Of course, she argued over everything else, but she knew he was concerned about her health, as well as Dear's.

Aaran opened the door and looked out, clearing his throat, "Maid. You remember the types of food that Miss Rea was eating a couple of weeks ago? The special ones that Lord Granth specified?"

Outside the room, the maid was cleaning the hallway. She looked up as Aaran opened the door, and as she was the Harem's private maid, she did know about Rea's diet after Lord Granth had left the last time. "Yes, Master Aaran. I'll run and get some for you."

The maid hurried to the kitchen, telling the chef what Master Aaran was requesting for Dear and Rea, then waited to take the tray up to the Harem Quarters, watching as fruits and bread were put on the tray.

Nodding as the maid ran off, Aaran returned to the bed. He sat down, this time behind Rea. "I think also that if we could get her into a bath later that It might help her relax. It helped you."

He put his arm around Rea's waist and his other hand on Dear's arm, patting it gently. "Just try to stay calm."

Dear lay waiting for the food to come up, or rather, for Lord Granth to arrive to confirm Rea's suspicions of why she was feeling so poorly.

Rea leaned back against Aaran as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "It might help, Aaran, but I know the food will help, especially the hard bread crackers to settle her stomach. I know it helped mine."

Aaran smiled and kissed Rea's neck, smelling her familiar scent as he did so, feeling their connection as he held her. He kept a steady hand on Dear though, letting her know that her Master wasn't going to forget her, or leave her either. He wondered just how long it would take for Lord Granth to get there, each time before, he had arrived with startling swiftness.

A slight whisper suddenly was heard through the room, and through the small gap under the main doors, a flash of light pierced through, then disappeared. Aaran's brow furrowed, but then the doors opened, and Lord Granth stepped through, his cape billowing behind him as he strode in with an apologetic smile on his face. "I'm sorry that I am late. A servant had to fetch me from the fields after your falcon arrived. What seems to be the trouble?"

Rea smiled up at Lord Granth, still leaning against Aaran. "Dear is suffering similar symptoms to what I had a few weeks ago. But she can't even get out of bed. If she moves, she's nauseous. Aaran sent a maid to get some of the food like you'd recommended for me to settle my stomach."

Lord Granth nodded. "Well, let's have a look at the young lady here," he said, smiling. He sat on the side of the bed and took Dear's hand, his fingers finding her pulse. His other hand slid over her belly, gently, feeling and poking a little bit, his expert fingers knowing exactly what to look for. His hand left her wrist and he placed it on her forehead.

"No fever..." he muttered, "that's good."

He leaned over suddenly, and laid his ear to her belly, his hand moving to push a little more persistently on a particular spot. "Hmmm...yes..."

He smiled and then took her tits in his hands, feeling them gingerly, seeing if they were tender or filling with milk. After another minute or two, he looked over at Aaran, then Rea, then back to Dear.

"Yes...you are pregnant."

Dear looked at Lord Granth then at Aaran, a slow, wide smile crossing her full lips. "How many puppies am I carrying, Lord Granth? I know that I'm not carrying any babies."

"Your quite right, Dear... you have no elven children in your womb, and no matter what you may be feeling, you are the picture of health. From all indications, you'll have six pups..." he smiled broadly at her, "I recommend the same food and exercise that I had prescribed for Rea, it will nourish the pups and ensure they are all strong and healthy."

Dear's eyes widened. "Six?" Her mind was a little amazed by how many she was carrying. She was only two weeks behind Rea in pregnancy if the timing of conception for her was the day she came here, which is what she thought, and, from Rea's words earlier, what Rea thought as well.

Aaran looked up at Lord Granth, "Any other special instructions, My Lord?"

Rea smiled at Dear, then turned to look at her husband. "Two girls carrying puppies, Aaran. It looks like the breeding program is a success."

Aaran's face was alight as Rea spoke, "That it is...I never imagined that it would work out so well, or that my dream of running a breeding program such as this would come true." He gave Rea a gentle squeeze, and then kissed Dear on the cheek.

Rea leaned back against Aaran giggling at Dear's exclamation of how many puppies she was carrying, smiling at her. "Between you and me, ten puppies and a baby, within weeks of each other. This wing of the house is going to be noisy!"

Aaran laughed. "We'll have to hire babysitters!"

He kissed Rea's neck. "I can put up with the noise though, as long as my girl is here." His hands slid over Rea's large belly, caressing the skin.

Lord Granth smiled and cleared his throat, snapping Aaran out of his thoughts, "Oh! I'm sorry Lord Granth."

Rea giggled and settled against her husband.

The Lord laughed, "It's quite alright my boy. No other special instructions, though I would like to keep a closer eye on Dear than I have Rea. With six pups, she has quite a road ahead of her."

Aaran nodded, "Of course. In that case, I will re-extend my invitation to you and your wife, we have plenty of extra rooms. Will you please stay with us?"

Rea nodded in agreement with her husband's words. "Please, Lord Granth. I know Aaran, Dear and myself will feel more at ease if you decided to stay with us."

Dear waited for her Master and Rea to finish talking, and gave a wide-eyed look to Lord Granth. "A... long road, Lord Granth? It's not going to be dangerous, will it?"

Lord Granth looked at the three of them, and smiled, "Ah, my wife and I have been wanting to get away from our estate for a while. So I accept your invitation, with my thanks." He reached over and patted Dear's arm. "And to answer your question, my dear Dear, what I meant was, with six puppies in your womb, you will be quite large eventually, and the extra weight may put more strain on your back. If you aren't careful, you may pull something, or fall. Plus with six pups, I may need to make changes to your diet for the babies."

Dear relaxed at Lord Granth's words, understanding that it wasn't any more dangerous than a normal pregnancy.

Rea smiled and nodded. "I'll have one of the maids set up a room for you and your wife, my lord." She rose carefully to her feet, then walked to the door, a slight waddle in her steps. Opening the door, she saw the maid standing there with the tray of food. "Could you please have one of the maids make up a room for Lord Granth and his wife to stay in while they are our guests?" she asked the maid as she took the tray from her.

The maid bowed and hurried off, going to make up the blue rose room for the lord and his wife.

Aaran watched her go to the door, but stood and followed, intercepting her as she turned around with the tray. He gave her a smile and put his arm around her, helping her carry it back.

Lord Granth proceeded to tell Dear about what she would need to be eating and doing, letting her know what each food did. After he finished, he stood and stretched, saying, "I left my wife at home. I'll go get her, and return presently. We will see you at dinner, if not before." And with a kindly smile, he strode from the room.