Naming the babies had been on her mind ever since they were born. She had never given any thoughts to maybe having daughters, and she knew that Ba'atar had given even less thought to it than she had. One name had finally stuck in her mind, but it was one that she would have to seek permission to use.
Name were an important thing to them, they were not given lightly. Life was hard among the people of the plains, and they did not frivolously bestow names on babies that might not live. It was one of the reasons that they did not name their sons. Sons were simply known by a number, such as First son of so and so, or Second son of so and so, and so forth. Sometimes nick names, or what some called, milk names were used, but a man's name was something of importance to him. Before a male child could receive a name he had to master all the weapons available to them, and had to learn to hunt. This had become Rook's main duties at their fires, to help Ba'atar teach the boys learn their weapons, and to teach them to hunt. So to a man, his name was something that he worked for, and that he earned.
Not so for daughters. They were given names at birth, or shortly thereafter. Sometimes they were named for omens or portents, others were named for ancestors long gone, and some were named for friends or family members, then there were some that were just given a name because they had to have one.
Her daughters were special to her, and because of that, they would have names that meant something. Or at least the one she was naming would, the poor thing that Ba'atar had decided to name, well........Sky help her. The name that she had in mind, belonged to the one that she considered her best friend, after her mate.
He was one that she had a special bond with. Not the usual bond that most think of when they think of a man and a woman. Not that bond of lovers, but something entirely different. A strong bond of friendship. True friendship is strong, often stronger than lovers and even of family. It had grown over time, blossoming from a seed of mutual need of having someone that you could talk to, that you could trust to be honest with you. Someone that would not shade their words to what they thought you wanted to hear. Their seed had grown into a friendship that they both found comfort and security in.
A friend was someone you could differ in opinions with, but not be angry. Someone you could tease, but not step over invisible boundary lines. Someone you could love, but not have to be in love with. Someone that gave you strength and happiness by just being there, and being constant. And yes, for all of his quicksilver moods, to her he was a constant.
Perhaps she saw deeper than some, or perhaps it is because she did not probe too much into things he wished to keep to himself. And maybe it is because they both know, that if they had something that plagued them, the other would listen. Sometimes that was all it took, was the listening, to simply be a vessel for thoughts that were swirling in your head, a sounding board that did not laugh, or get upset, or judge, or seek a way to use what was told for your own devices. A friend was someone you trusted, and that could trust you..
He had stopped by their fires, and was sitting comfortably having a bowl of blackwine, when she approached the subject of his name. How he had gotten it, did it choose it, or was it chosen for him, did it have a special meaning?
He explained that he thought his name was from an omen, a curse actually. Well, that had her brow furrowing and she succinctly told him that she did not think of him as a curse. In fact, she thought of him as the opposite. She did not mean to embarrass him, but she told him she had always seen strength and loyalty in him, and that was not a curse.
That was when she sprang it on him. She wanted to name her daughter after someone that was her friend, someone that she cared for and respected. She wanted to name her daughter........Fonce.
Now, he did not jump for joy. Quite the opposite, but she had expected this. She had known him long enough to watch the well spring of emotions that flashed through the dark eyes. It took time before he could speak. He told her that he wanted to tell her of all the reasons not to name her daughter for him, but then she did not know of those reasons, and that just perhaps the baby would the good parts of his name.
She had given him a gentle smile and lifted the baby from the basket, turning her tiny face so that he could see her, and said softly that she still wished to give the gift of his name to her first born daughter. Perhaps he did not even realize it himself, but there was a softening to his expression and his tone. He told her that he was more honored than he could even say.
He then added his own caveat of sorts and told her that if the child bore his name, he would feel connected, and protective of her. Well, why would that be a bad thing? She knew that there were emotions still smoldering beneath the surface of that calm exterior when he left, but she did not prod or question him. See, that is what true friends do. They let you come to things in your own time, and your own way.
Cuddling the baby close, she inhaled deeply of that sweets smell there is, and smiled. "You are now named Fonce. I will strive to teach you to always honor that name, for it belongs to a very special friend." The little dark eyes seemed to focus on her, almost as if the tiny child understood. She could not help but feel this was a good thing.
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