Chapter 317: Pregnancy
"Really?" Kael's eyes widened in disbelief, his expression more animated than it had ever been.
Arwen, radiating maternal brilliance, smiled warmly and nodded. "It's been a month now. I only realized it yesterday."
Hearing Arwen's words, Kael was both shocked and overjoyed. He carefully reached out to touch his wife's still-flat belly, using magic to sense what was within.
Then he felt the faint wave of life—very weak, but undeniably real.
Kael was overwhelmed by endless joy. A silly grin spread across his face as he cried out in exhilaration. "I'm going to be a father! I'm going to be a father!"
He directly lifted his wife up in his joy, carefully yet excitedly spinning her around in place, repeatedly saying that he was going to be a father.
Watching her husband smile like a fool, Arwen's expression was gentle and full of love. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him vent his happiness.
After the initial exhilaration passed, Kael became troubled by his own rough movements. Like someone protecting a fragile treasure, he carefully helped his wife sit down, muttering to himself.
"This won't do. You're pregnant now and must rest properly. Set aside all other work. I must stay by your side without leaving. We need to notify Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel—and hire a few attendants. Allensis's potion skills are quite good, Amanda's healing magic is also quite proficient. I'll call them to the castle—"
Listening to her husband ramble on, Arwen had to smile helplessly and comfort him. "Kael, I'm merely pregnant, not transformed into fragile crystal. There's no need to be so nervous. When my mother carried me, she even crossed the Misty Mountains to visit my grandparents in Lothlórien."
After comforting him for some time, Arwen finally managed to calm her husband down somewhat. He agreed to stop insisting on arranging attendants and other such things.
But Kael still planned to set aside all matters in hand and stay by her side without leaving.
Moreover, he called Lady Amanda, who had the best healing magic skills, and Allensis, who had the most excellent potion expertise, to the castle as a precaution.
Amanda and Allensis were both among the first batch of students from the Magic Crash Course. Amanda had displayed exceptional talent in healing magic. In the ten years since graduation, she not only thoroughly mastered various healing spells but also received a recommendation from Arwen to study medicine in Rivendell under Elrond, Middle-earth's finest physician.
Her medical skills were now highly refined, earning praise from Elrond himself. Even Kael could not compare to Amanda's healing magic expertise.
Allensis, on the other hand, was the student with the best potion talent from that batch. After graduation, he continued studying potions in the castle and received Snape's potion notes from Kael. His progress was rapid.
His potion level was now just one step away from becoming a Potion Master.
The standard for becoming a Potion Master was not merely being able to craft various advanced potions to perfect quality, but being able to create and invent new potions or improve existing ones.
Allensis could now craft perfect-quality potions and had even successfully made a batch of Felix Felicis.
He was only a single innovation or improvement away from becoming a Potion Master.
That time was not far off either, for Allensis was now developing a potion with similar effects to the Ents' drink, referencing it in her work.
Besides calling over physician Amanda and potion master Allensis, Kael also didn't forget to share the good news of Arwen's pregnancy with Elrond of Rivendell, as well as Celeborn and Galadriel of Lothlórien.
Upon receiving the news, Elrond immediately came to Hogwarts Castle through the Vanishing Cabinet.
Galadriel and Celeborn followed closely behind, arriving from Lothlórien.
As Middle-earth's finest physician, Elrond examined Arwen's condition upon arrival.
As a loving father, Elrond was both delighted by his daughter's pregnancy and somewhat worried.
However, after examining her, he finally relaxed.
Seeing the nervous anxiety in his son-in-law's expression, Elrond's eyes softened with compassion as he comforted him. "Arwen's physical condition is excellent, and the children are fine as well. You need not worry so greatly."
"That's good!" Upon hearing Elrond's words, Kael finally let the stone in his heart fall. But the next second, he reacted, his eyes widening. "Did you say children?"
Arwen also showed a surprised expression.
Elrond smiled and nodded. "You're right. Arwen is carrying twins. It's just not obvious yet because she's still in the early stages."
Kael was both shocked and delighted upon hearing this.
Twins? He hadn't expected to have a pair of children so quickly. This was truly a double blessing!
But thinking about it carefully, the Elrond family really did have a tradition of twins. Like Elrond and Elros, the first King of Númenor, who were twins themselves. And Arwen's two older brothers, Elrohir and Elladan, were also twins.
Now, Arwen was carrying twins as well.
This really was strong genetics.
Elrond then became serious and grave, instructing Kael. "Elf pregnancy takes longer than human pregnancy—it lasts three years. Moreover, the children continuously absorb the mother's nutrition and magical power. Twin pregnancies place an even greater burden and stress on the mother, leaving Arwen weakened.
Therefore, during pregnancy, any accidents must be avoided, and the mother's nutrition and energy must be constantly replenished. After returning to Rivendell, I will prepare medicines suitable for pregnant women. When Arwen is further along, you must ensure she takes them regularly."
"I've noted it. I will definitely do as you say!" Kael nodded very seriously, committing Elrond's words to memory.
"I will stay here during this time until Arwen successfully gives birth," Lady Galadriel said, having just arrived.
Upon hearing Galadriel's words, both Elrond and Kael showed pleased expressions.
"Thank you very much, Lady Galadriel," Elrond said sincerely.
Galadriel shook her head slightly, her tall figure sheltering Arwen in her embrace. "Arwen is my granddaughter. Since her mother, Celebrían, is no longer by her side, I can only care for her now."
Kael and Arwen, first-time parents, should have had elders to teach them about pregnancy. But Kael had no parents, and Arwen's mother, Celebrían, had long since sailed over the sea to the Blessed Lands.
Only Galadriel, her grandmother, could take her mother's place in caring for the pregnant Arwen.
Thus, Galadriel stayed at Hogwarts Castle, taking responsibility for Arwen's care.
Celeborn, after confirming his granddaughter's health, did not linger long. He returned to Lothlórien to stand guard, but frequently sent various elven foods, nutritional supplements, and other provisions.
With Galadriel's care, Elrond returned to Rivendell with peace of mind to prepare various medicines and nutritional tonics. He came to the castle regularly to examine Arwen's condition.
Elrohir and Elladan, who were traveling abroad, quickly came to the castle after receiving the news to visit their sister.
Friends like Bilbo and Gandalf also came in person after hearing the news or sent gifts.
The subjects within the territory, upon hearing that the Lord's wife was pregnant, hung lanterns and streamers to celebrate, rejoicing that Hogwarts Castle now had heirs.
The wizards within the territory were even more enthusiastic, raising their wands to release magical fireworks into the sky and sending various gifts.
For a time, Bree, Hogsmeade, and Isengard were all bustling with celebration.