The journey home passed in a blissful haze for Elysia. Yet in her heart lingered a private hope—that perhaps the magic of that singular night in Sparta had borne deeper fruit.

Weeks slipped by as autumn deepened its gold-tinged grip. Then one morn Elysia awoke with a lurching stomach and knew. With trembling hands, she lit her home shrine's lamp and prayed fervently to mother Hera, begging for a blessed sign.

That eve, a knock came—Hestia, Elysia's lifelong kin and confidant. One glance at Elysia's wan face told the healer all she needed. Sitting beside her, Hestia examined gently and smiled. "The goddess has heard you, sister. You carry new life within."

Tears spilled down Elysia's cheeks, part joy, part fear. How could she raise this blessed spark amid such turmoil? But as always, Hestia soothed with calm assurances.

"Worry not—my skills will see you through well. And this babe need not mean tribulation, only more love in the world." She squeezed Elysia's hands. "You and Leonidas chose life amid darkness. Now another joins you to spread more light."

In weeks hence, the healer's discretion kept Elysia's glow contained. But inwardly her spirit flourished anew each day. Through palms pressed to her rising belly, Elysia felt her child's vital energy and rejoiced.

One frosty night by the hearth, she confided in Hestia the signs apparent now even to herself—the babe was a girl. As they laughed and dreamed of a daughter's future, Elysia glimpsed a ray of hope beyond the war's shadow. Could it be that from her and Leonidas' defiance of divisions would come a daughter representing all their peoples' unity? A child to help heal the bitterness sown through generations of conflict?

With winter descending in earnest, thoughts of Leonidas filled her more each day. She prayed he kept his strength through the cold, and that when spring's warmth returned, they might reunite as a family at last. Hestia added her prayers, willing the gods to see their innocent joys protected where armies and elders held only enmity. And so through the healers' blessings, mother and child found nourishment to see them through whatever trials lay ahead.