She had finally pushed the dreams, visions and fears away and struggled to sit up. Grasping kasra's arm she moans, but manages to bring herself up, rasping out........I cannot give birth lying down. Help me to my knees. This was kasra's first birthing. At the birth of little master Tug, she had been hiding outside on the platform, and she was terrified. Offering her shoulder, she motions to juneau to take the other side, and they help this woman they both worship to her knees, then into a squat.
The pains intensified, came quicker until the point it was one entire sensation of pain. Bearing down, it finally happens, the most intense of the pains and she screams.
When it was over, she fell back into the furs, panting with tears rolling down the sides of her face. Both girls were crying, along with her, both of them knowing they had just witnessed something amazing. It was kasra that had tenderly cleaned the baby off, wrapped it in a blanket then lay it to its' mothers arms. Her voice was almost reverent.........Mistress it is a boy. A beautiful, strong warrior for the people.
Exhausted, she cuddles the bundle closer to place soft kisses to the perfectly shaped little head, her heart filling with love. The long hours of pain were immediately forgotten as she holds and kisses him, tears of joy washing over him. Whispering, her first words to him are........Welcome to this world first son of Lochlan, your father cannot be here, but he is watching, and he is proud.
One of the girls told her that Rook and Ba'atar were waiting outside. She made herself as presentable as she could then told kasra to let them in. The elder warrior seemed satisfied that she was well,the baby was well. One gnarled hand reached out to first stroke her head, then to trace a finger along the baby's brow. When she looked up into that old face, giving him an exhausted smile he simply nodded and said that he would go pass the word that a son had been born.
As the old warrior stepped out, she saw Ba'atar step aside to allow him to go, then he stepped back to look inside. A multitude of emotions swirled around her as she watched him standing there framed by the entrance to her wagon, the lights from the lamps casting shadows along his features. She beckoned him closer, and at first he seemed reticent, but finally approached her and the baby. He lowered to the side of the sleeping platform and leaned in closer to see the child. Carefully she handed him the child to hold and quietly made a request of him. He looked at her and asked if she was sure, and she nodded.
Lifting up, he carried the babe out onto the platform and raised it high over his head, offering it to the skies for their blessings. Again tears pooled in her eyes as she watched. It just seemed so right. There was this moment of clarity and she knew. There was this moment, when he held the baby close to his chest in the most gentle and protective manner. Laying there, she watched as he held the baby, speaking softly to him, telling him of all the wonders of life that he planned to show him. It was at that moment, that any reservations that she might have had concerning her and Ba'atar, flew out between the flaps of that wagon, up into the skies to never be seen again.
In that moment, her heart was not filled with fears, sadness or misgivings. It was only filled with love. Love for this man who had pledged to take care of her and her sons. This man who promised to treat them as if they were his own, but to also teach them of their fathers, what brave warriors they were. Love for this man who had come to her in her time of need as a friend. A friend that was concerned for her. That friendship had grown through many late night talks of their people, of themselves. Their thoughts on the old ways were similar, and both had seemed pleased to find that in another. So were their thoughts on many children to be brought up in those traditional ways. It was a time of finding out how much they had in common, a time of becoming acquainted, of becoming friends.
The friendship had grown quickly, perhaps too quickly for some. When he had told her that he wanted her to be his, in some ways she was shocked, but not so much in others. And now, sharing this special moment together, she realized that no other would make her happy but him. Love had slipped in, made itself at home, and was there to dwell in her heart.
When he had come to lower down, to place the baby back into her embrace,he had leaned over, kissed her brow and told her that he was proud of her. Such simple words, but they meant so much. He made to leave, to allow her to rest and she looked up and spoke to him quietly. Stay. Those dark eyes watched her, and he asked if this meant she was ready, and she nodded. Nothing more needed to be said.
He lowered down onto the furs, reaching out to bring her and the baby into the protection of his arms. Quietly he whispered to her that the price would be paid to Trilock, but from this moment, she was his.
No other words were needed. They both knew this was their destiny......being together. As her eye grew heavy, she smiled, snuggled in closer with the baby, lifting one hand to softly stroke his scared cheek as she whispered. Good night my love.
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