Happy Birth-Day

Fred wasn't sure how to answer. A roar of thunder outside made his silence a little less awkward.

"Ah, cat's got your tongue!" smiled the double genuinely. "No matter, I am glad that you can celebrate this wondrous day with me!"

"What wondrous day?" asked Fred, even as more thunder rumbled from somewhere not-too-far.

"Why, the birthing day of my very first son!" said the double. "After seven daughters I am ready for a son."

Indeed, the King (the true King) had had seven daughters in the last ten years. Of course, it was his beautious wife the Queen who was actually having them (let's not get into any kinky stuff here!). The eldest was Phaedra (named after a maternal great aunt) who some called Exotica behind her back, then there was Elvira, Elvia, Halle (who had the nickname Elle), Eres, Emona, and lastly little two-year-old Ebony (she was different from her sisters in both demeanor and look and there were rumors that some traveling gypsy had had a tryst with his wife, but the King had come to peace with that issue).

With another rumble of thunder and a peel of lightning illuminating a window from outside a servant entered the throne room. "Your child is born, m'Leige." With that they went up to where the Queen lay with her newborn in her arms...

"A GIRL!??!" said the King. "The Witherwoman said I'd have a son!"

"She goofed, Darling," said the exhausted Queen. "But look into her eyes, she is beautiful."

Indeed she was... for a newborn.

Another crack of lightning lit up the room as the King (or his double, anyway) took the newborn into his arms. "And what is your name, little girl?" he cooed. The thunder boomed much closer now and within seven seconds another peel of lighting shot through the atmosphere. "I know!" said the King, "You shall be named Elektra!"

Fred was very confused. Why was this happening? What is the deal with the constantly changing room below that may still be the King's Throne Room or may have morphed into the gods-know-what? And what of this replica King, Queen, and... baby?

1. Then Elektra spoke... in perfect, adult, Allarian!
2. Then, with another peel of lighting and boom of thunder, this room morphed into...

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