Fatherhood Tyan Skyblade paced back and forth across the small bedroom. “Is there anything else you need, or anything I can do? “ The midwife stood up, her round face crimsoned with the combination of her duties and the amount of body heat in the room. “Tyan,please. You have to leave. I’m sure you’re wife will agree that if I trip over too many bodies while bringing your baby into this world, that will not be the best way to start his or her young life!” Though tall and broad shouldered as he was, Tyans insides churned at that simple command. He couldn’t leave his wife alone, not now! A gentle hand caught his wrist and he looked down at Marielle’s face. She was flushed and perspiration caused sheen along her forehead and neck. Her hazel eyes sparkled, and her smile calmed him somewhat. “I’ll be fine, Tyan. Maggie has done this countless times. She’s an absolute marvel at this.” “Aye,” Agreed the plump woman in a strong, and slightly exasperated, voice. “I brought you into this world and if I recall your father made himself scarce! Now, keep breathing!” Marielle squeezed Tyan’s hand and did as she was told. The elfin swords-maker exited the room. His stomach was still flip-flopping all over the place. He never felt this way before. Facing a horde of menacing trolls single handed with a dagger must be much better than this! “You look as if you swallowed an eel.” A good-humored voice sounded from the porch. “There’s no arguing with Maggie, Tyan. When she says to get scarce, she means it.” The snow white head of Marielle’s father, bobbed from the doorway, and he gestured for the elf to join him. Two rough hewn stools that normally stood by the hearth had been moved to the small porch. “I see you were anticipating company, Martin.” Tyan smiled as he lowered his tall frame onto the stool. “Of course. That’s no place for us to be, according to Maggie. Anna, Creator bless her, agreed at the top of her lungs as I recall. With a few good extra words that followed.” “How do humans tolerate this? Tyan cast another nervous glance inside the house, Does this always take so long?” “The one who you should be asking is in there.” Martin smiled, jerking his thumb towards the bedroom. “Are things different with elves?” Tyan nodded, as he rubbed his temples, “Babies are carried to term in six months, not nine. And I don’t ever recall an elf woman being in labour as long as Marielle.” “But this is different,Tyan. Martin dropped a hand on the sword-makers shoulder, Your little one isn’t going to be all elf. Right?” “That is true.” “You still look ghost white. And to say that about you is something. Let’s go for a walk.” As the two prepared to leave, another woman came running towards them.“Martin! Is there any word? We just heard that Maggie arrived this morning!” “Calm down, Gisella. Everything’s fine. Tyan and I are just going to have a walk and leave Maggie to her work.” “Now, don’t you worry ,”Gisella grasped Tyan’s hand. “She’s a strong girl, and everything will be fine. Won’t it Renn?” Tyan turned to the human male standing beside Gisella;he had all the confidence of a rice pudding. “Yes, dear,” he mumbled. Tyan groaned and nearly lurched sideways as his stomach kicked again. “Thank you for your inspiring words of confidence!” Martin growled at Gisella. A leafy canopy provided cool shade over the woodland path. Lost in his thoughts, Tyan moved mechanically over the packed dirt and by sheer instinct avoided the roots that occasionally rose up from the forest floor. In the last half century, his life had been anything but normal. After the loss of his father, his life became brighter again when he met Marielle. After their expulsion from The Capitol because of their disgraceful marriage, Tyan was prepared to carve out a living anywhere he had to. He was not prepared for the graciousness and charity of Marielles father. Tyan paused a moment, his sharp ears endeavouring to pick up any untoward noise from the house. Nothing. He sighed, and moved back into step with Martin. “We had always thought we would be prepared for raising a child, he began, But now I’m not so certain. What do I teach them? How do I explain why he or she doesn’t look like everyone else? Or why there aren’t any others like them around?” Martin turned to knock a stray pebble back down the path with his walking stick. “Well, at least here, that last question is moot. But no one’s ever ready Tyan. There’s no real set of rules. Even raising Marielle had some challenges now and again, and her mother was often the one who had to deal with them when I was off to war.” “Marielle? Challenging? I find that hard to believe.” The elfs dark eyes widened in surprise. “Where do you think she gets her temper from? Not me, I assure you! Trying to stifle his laugh, Tyan snickered, Of course not, She gave three neighbourhood boys bleeding noses for calling her names. Martin continued, unaware of Tyans comment, Three! By throwing rocks at them! Well she was often alone because no one wanted to be near her after that. She thought she was ugly, and even tried to cut off all that lovely hair because she hated the colour. And she ran away twice. Almost ran into a flock of hag-birds too, because of that.” “She never told me any of this.” “Probably never thought she needed to. And you were going through enough, so it would just be like her not to say a word. Shaking his head, Martin sighed, Her mother was just the same.” They came across a clearing and Martin sat down on one of the boulders. Humans age, you know, he laughed shortly, Cant keep up with you like I ought to. Thats alright, Tyan leaned against one of the saplings, My mind isnt really here to begin with. Tell me something, Leaning forward, Martin gave the elf a pointed look, Why didnt you leave sooner? When you arrived here, Marielle was already three months into pregnancy. She wasnt certain at first, and I think that has to do with the fact the baby is of mixed blood. Her signs,if you have to put it that way, were noticed by an elfin healer. And that is what delayed everything. When it was confirmed she was pregnant, the Elder Council began to convene. Tyan looked back towards the direction they came, and his voice softened. I knew we had to leave. Im not proud of what I did to get us free, but I regret nothing. What would have happened if you stayed until she carried to term? Looking up at the sky, Tyan closed his eyes, “If we were in the city , they would have taken the baby from her. “What? It gets worse, Tyan assured him, There is a vote cast to see whats to be done. If the child is unhealthy or too...human, quite often its put to death. Thats horrible! They cant just send them to an orphanage or some such place? By the time the child makes it from the mountain stronghold, if they are not cared for, death is imminent. Tyan explained, And no one would think such a journey is worth the effort. So our little one is blessed for being here. He or she held off long enough to arrive in the right place. Nine months is a blessing after all.” Hmph, yes it is, agreed the older man, Have you decided on a name? Marielle decided on Calista for a girl. I remember that name,laughed Martin, That was from one of her favourite stories, when she was a little girl. Suddenly Tyans tapered ears twitched at the sound of a shrill noise. I think we had best make our way back,Martin. The pair crossed down off the pathway, only to meet a very impatient looking Maggie. “Gentlemen!” she huffed, “When I said make yourself scarce, I didn’t mean for the entire day!” Tyan hurried up to the porch. Maggie’s warm smile told him all he needed to know. Practically sprinting down the hallway, he skidded to a halt in front of the bedroom. Marielle lay back on the pillows, a small bundle in her arms. “Say hello to your new son.” “Just slip your arm, there. That’s right. Support his head. Now you’ve got it.” Maggie coached. “You’re a natural.” “He looks so much like you,” Marielle laughed. “Even right down to the little ears.” The small little bundle just nestled into the crook of Tyans arm. Instinctively, he sent his thoughts, a gentle elfin blessing to welcome his son into the world. Behind him,he heard the click of Martins walking stick on the floorboards. The older man slapped him on the shoulder. Congratulations,Tyan. Do you want to hold him? Do you need to ask? Now youve done it, love, Marielle scolded, Youll never him back now. Youll not complain when you need a babysitter, retorted her father as he rocked the baby carefully in his arms. So much for that pretty name you said earlier. You never did tell me what the name was if you had a boy.” Tyan exchanged a look with his wife, and she nodded. “He wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t taken us in. We want to name our son after you.” he said. The older man stood there in stunned silence. “Oh dear,” Maggie clucked, “I think he’s gone into shock. I’d better take this little fellow away from you Martin, before you drop him on his head.” “You’ll do no such thing.” he grumbled at her. “I don’t know what to say,Tyan. I-I’m honoured.” He felt a slight wiggling in his arms and he looked down at his new grandson. “Well look who’s awake. Welcome to the world, little one.” He gently settled the baby into Marielles waiting arms. “I’ll go and make the announcement, or if you’d rather…” “You have the honour. I’m still…” “…basking in the glow of new fatherhood? I understand.” Martin finished. He headed for the front porch, a wide grin spread across his face. Maggie shook her head. “You’ve just reduced the most stoic of men into a jibbering pile of mush. I’m getting Marielle some soup and tea,Tyan. I’ll fix up something for you too. I’m sure you’re able to eat now.” With that, she left the two alone. Nudging a chair over as close as he was able to the bedside he finally sat next to his wife. He reached for her hand,kissed it gently “Are you alright? How do you feel?” “I feel as if I could sleep for a week.” Marielle sighed. “I don’t blame you, Tyan laughed as he leaned over to kiss her on the lips. He pulled away slightly, looking into her beautiful eyes. Human lives were short enough; he couldnt bear the thought of losing her too soon. I dont know what I would have done if anything were to go wrong.” Marielles slender hand brushed against his cheek, “That’s all past now, my love. It’s just the future from now on.” Excited voices sounded outside. From the small window Tyan could see his father-in-law talking to the many curious visitors. Some of the elfin parents arrived to hear of the newest arrival to Triah. Their smiles and good wishes spoke volumes to Tyan; everything was sincere. He looked down at the baby resting in the cradle of Marielles arm. Dark eyes, full of innocence and awe, looked up at him. Tyan gently lifted a tiny hand, and felt a squeeze as the miniscule fingers clenched. He couldn’t help but smile. Their son would have a place here. He would grow up with children who would not see him any differently. He would simply be another playmate to them and that was more than Tyan could ever ask for. “Yes, all we have now is the future.” Tyan said at last. “And for the first time in a long while, I feel content with what it has to bring.”
Posted on: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 04:31:03 +0000
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