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As the days passed, the weather outside grew warmer, the ground dryer, and the world around them became greener and more lush and full of life. Spring was in full display.

Elnara however didn't get to enjoy as much of it as she would have liked ... rather than spending her time on the couch, where she could at least have a view out the large picture window, she was spending more of her time in bed, where she couldn't see much outside at all. The couch had begun to give her back pains, and the bed was just about the only place where she could lay comfortably.

The muscle spasm that she had first experienced had become something common of late, and it was rare that more than a few hours went by without her feeling something. She was sleeping even less than usual, but despite her exhaustion she remained in a cheerful mood.

The babies also seemed to have quieted down a bit in the past several days, which helped - though it had also made Elnara worry until both her mother and Ulani had assured her that it was perfectly normal for their activity to quiet down as the time of their arrival approached.

There was, however, one more problem that Elnara had discovered ... and that was leakage. Her body was already preparing for her to breast feed her children, and with no children yet to take her milk, she had to change her shirt several times daily, until it got to the point where Alyse was having to wash her clothes every day.

On the other hand, both her mother and Ulani assured her that this was also perfectly normal, and that it meant only that she and the children were ready for their birth.

She sighed softly and ran her fingers lightly over her belly. She was more than ready ... she wanted to meet these two little beings ... she wanted to spend more time with Lore, she didn't want to be cooped up in bed all day every day ...

Elnara was dozing on and off, and though she was grateful to Lore for staying as near her as he was, she also knew what a sacrifice it was for him to stay in the same room all the time when there was no physical need for it on his part.

"You should go out," she smiled at him during a moment of wakefulness. "Really, Alyse is here, I'll be fine ... you should go for a walk or something, get some fresh air ..."

Elnara smiled and nodded, reaching up with one hand and brushing her fingers along Lore's cheek.

"I'll probably just sleep on and off," she murmured softly. "I don't think I slept at all last night ... I don't know why but I couldn't get comfortable ... I'm sure everything's all right. You need air, though, I'm sure - or exercise if nothing else."

She laughed softly. "Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to join you later."

Elnara smiled and rolled onto her side so that she could watch him leave the room.

"Then I'll head out to the living room in a while and look for you there," she replied. "You should go outside for some air ... I'll just take a nap first."

She winced as a particularly nasty muscle spasm shot across her stomach, but as it subsided, she relaxed and smiled again, nodding at Lore to go.

Elnara watched Lore as he left, and once he was gone she tried to get comfortable again. Her stomach was aching a bit still from the last muscle spasm, however, and it wasn't as easy as usual. Still, she didn't want to call for Lore and bring him back for what was probably a false alarm - he needed fresh air and exercise more than he was letting on, and she didn't want to keep him cooped up if there was no reason for it.

She rubbed her belly absently, tired but now also thoughtful.

"Besides being tired as usual she's doing fine," was the answer given, "It's just really hard for her to become comfortable, but she insisted I get out for a bit."

He chuckled, she was thoughtful in that way.

"She said she might make it down to the living room, though at the moment it seems like she's dozing on and off."

"Thank you," Lore murmured, "I won't be long."

Which was no surprise, as he walked away towards the direction of the river. His eyes took a while to adjust to the bright sunlight, and no doubt things were going to be quite dim when he went back inside as well.

Alyse had just begun preparing dinner when she heard Elnara call for Lore. She didn't know whether or not he had returned from his walk, or where he was, so she used her gift to send him a thought rather than look for him.

Lore, Elnara is calling you ...

The message sent, she went to see what Elnara needed.