Stone and Fire [Thurion]

[Coci Heavenshield]

Tháinbroek​

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The day of Midvinter​

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Time had marched on since the day of the wedding and winter is deep with the blood of the Valkyri. The ground solid, some would say frozen to the very core of this majestic planet, and meters of crisp snow blankets the ground. The Maw is not even mighty enough to stop the great freeze and lakes on the land set to stone. The Valkyri had prepared long into the spring for the coming winter, filling up their homes with food, mead and fur to see them through. The coming of the Thaw, but many weeks again and then there will be renew.

But on this day of Midvinter, destined is one to be brought into this world as a child of the winter, born to the Prince [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] and Lady Heavenshield and grandson to the King and their father, [member="Thrand Dawnbringer"]. The Oathkeeper had landed upon the field now cleared for offworlder ships to land just out side of the capital, Tháinbroek, the wooden and iron gates closed after Thurion and Coci had entered the city and made their way to the Grand Hall, there to be greeted by a proud King.

Coci adores her father and the sight of him had eased her worried mind, he had also assured her everything had been prepared and the birthing room awaited her at her convenience. Also awaiting Coci and Thurion is the elder woman that had performed the fertility ritual the day of their wedding, she will be on hand to help deliver the child. Nothing was left to wanting.

"I need to sit down", she whispered through laboured breath and Coci found her way to one of the long seat in the Hall. The contractions had already began, but there is still time. She felt the warmth issuing from the hearth, the fire ablaze and crackling in its grill. Coci sat for a moment and allow her body to warm before she would go to the prepared room.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"It's okay - take your time," her husband told her with slight panic in his voice. He was almost as out-of-breath as Coci just from pure stress. Concern for Coci, concern for their son, worry that something would happen to either of them. His own birth had been a complicated one, claiming his mother's life in the process. Taking every precaution to grant her some comfort, he'd broken off a piece of icicle to apply to her forehead in an effort to combat the heat. "Whenever you're ready, baby. Just remember to breathe." He then proceeded to follow his own advice, and his hands never let go of her.

Thrand, meanwhile, was off to see that the royal birthing chambers had been prepared to the fullest, not leaving anything to chance. Several midwives had been brought just to speed things along and make it as painless as possible for his daughter-in-law. Nina had gone with him, sitting atop his right shoulder as if a well-dressed pet, holding onto his greying hair for support. He said nothing to the midwives within but merely offered a sharp nod, letting them know it was happening. Stepping back out into the large hall, he rejoined the expecting couple. "Everything is prepared. They are awaiting your arrival." He pulled Thurion aside for but a moment. "Did you tell her to breathe? Breathing's important, you know. Big breaths, deep breaths--"

Thurion gave his old man a pat on the cheek. "Thanks, dad." Nina smiled in amusement at the two, still sat atop her grandfather's shoulder.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

As the two men took solace in each others company for the moment, Coci pushed herself up off the long seat to stand. "Father thank you", she said in a soft voice, a natural reaction to conserve energy. For the moment Coci is fine, although the contractions are painful it is nothing to what is to come. She made her way over to them, and placed a hand on Nina's arm and smiled up into their beautiful daughter's face. "You will have a brother soon, but in the mean time take care of your grandfather for me? keep him out of trouble, yes?". She spoke aloud as well as telepathically to her, Coci does this to aid Nina in her understand of the spoken word and to give her the added talent of lip reading. A talent that would be handy for anyone to have.

Coci turned to Thurion and held out her hand for him to take so he could lead her to the birthing rooms and assist her progress. "Are you ready? I think I am .. ", she lowered her voice ".. but I am scared. I have never been so frightened in my life".

The fear she felt comes not for fear of her own life, more then once she has laid that on the line for those she loves, but for the life of their son. The birthing will be difficult enough but they are bring into this galaxy an innocent child, which will face extraordinary things over his life, saddness and love, loss and gain and a loss of innocence which will never remain, it never does. They will shield him as best they can, but they will not be around forever and that is what scares her.

However, there is an overwhelming paradox to this fear and that is the emmence joy she feels at the impending birth of their child. A child conceived with pure love between two that have become one and this union is realised through this child. "I once told you, I would walk into the gates of hell and all you have to do ask me. Now I ask you to walk beside me in this .. unknown". Coci took Thurion's hand firmer and they walked to the birthing room.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Hearing those words uttered by the woman he loved inescapably caused no small amount of concern, but he also found it endearing that she would admit her fears so readily. "I will never leave your side, Coci. I'll be right here, I promise." Grabbing her arm he put it over and around his neck for support, with his other hand holding her firmly by the hip. "Slowly, now. As soon as you need to stop, we'll stop." It took them a while, but when they finally entered the birthing chambers Thurion was able to breathe a sigh of relief. The midwives all gathered around Coci, assisting in whatever capacity. "Easy, easy..." he spoke while lowering her onto the bed.

Then came the moment he feared above all. One of the midwives turned to him and asked him to leave the room. This only made his grip Coci's hand even firmer, shaking his head in refusal. "I will not!" The elderly woman was about to say something when Thrand entered the room, prompting her to instead drop to her knees. "This is your Prince, crone. None of us would be here were it not for him. He will stay." Thurion turned to his father and offered a nod by way of thanks. Thrand managed a faint smile, but it didn't last long. Without a word he merely turned around and exited the room. With everything going on Thurion didn't think much of it and turned his attention back on Coci. One of the women handed him a wet cloth to dab her flustered forehead with. "You're safe, sweetheart. Everything will be fine." His hand never left hers.

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

With Nina still sat upon his shoulder, Thrand exited the chambers and slumped down to the floor right beside the door. The hallway was empty with no-one around to witness their King in this moment of frailty. For such a large man, his pain ran deep. Unable to keep composure even in Nina's company, the old man began to quietly weep. They were a mixture of joy, fear and regret: joy for his son's sake, fear of what could happen during childbirth, and regretting his shameful actions after his wife died. He'd felt nothing but sheer grief at her passing, so much so that he somehow felt justified to leave his two boys to fend for themselves so long ago.

But to Nina it didn't matter for what reason her grandfather broke down into tears. She merely pressed her tiny body against his in an effort to console the elder. It didn't take long for her to become engulfed in Thrand's trunk-like arms, and from afar it would've looked like he was suffocating the poor child. But it was a gentle embrace brought on by joy and sorrow both. It didn't take long for his tears to wither away and instead focus on the little girl in his arms. "You... are stronger than I ever was, little one." Nina paid little mind to his words and merely lost herself in playing with his beard, which caused him to smile. "Love you, too."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

King [member="Thrand Dawnbringer"] | Father-to-be [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

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The pace was slow to the room, and with Thurion's aid it helped her greatly, to be able to take some of the weight off her feet. Just having him close to her was more than enough to ease her soul and troubled mind. Coci took great solace in him, she always does. Words she has at her disposal so inadquate when she wishes to describe her love for Thurion, the only true and pure way is through her feelings along their force bond. Like a smooth ocean wave, her love edded along their shared force thread.

Coci look the time to look at the woman in the room, so many? Only one who's face she knew, the Elder from the ritual. "Thurion I do not want all these woman here", her eyes not leaving the Elder as she too took in Coci's gaze, fixed set in knowing and knowledge. She did not wish to sound ungrateful but in these moments manners fly the coup. "Only the Elder, I want the Elder to help you deliver our child", if he was not nervous before he would be now.

Thurion eased Coci to the bed, she slid her legs up and over the bedding and pulled herself up toward the bed head where many pillows awaited her for comfort. She laid back and let her body relax with eyes closed, keeping her energy level consistance until the next contraction. They are getting closer with passing time. Thurion did not have to dismiss the other midwives, the Elder with one simple flick of her wrist commanded them to leave. The Elder would not speak at this point but allowed the couple their time to prepare, she busied herself with preparing the oils, water for cleansing and herbs to aid the senses of both of them.

Coci caressed Thurion's hand as he held her's, she raised it to her lips and placed the softest of kisses upon his fingers. "We will be fine, all of us", she referred to the entire family.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

An audible *gulp* left Thurion. Not because he had never delivered a child before - he had, but because this time it was his own child and his own wife giving birth. He knew full well the number of ways childbirth could go awry or flat-out prove disastrous to both the baby and the mother, especially in a place like Midvinter where there was no access to fancy equipment. Mustering his courage, Thurion began by rolling up his sleeves and dip his hands and wrists in a prepared bowl of clean water. He exhaled slowly before turning back to Coci on the bed. She looked far braver than he did, and he found comfort in the fact.

He kneeled at the foot of the bed. "Coci, I want you to place your feet on my shoulders. Can you do that for me?" Meanwhile the remaining midwife had prepared a sweet-scented cup of tea. While never speaking a word, she handed it to Coci and gestured for her to drink, then patted her own belly to symbolise that it will help ease the pain.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The face of the Elder looked down upon hers as she handed her the prepared tea of herbs to ease the pain. She nodded for Coci to take it as she looked back up with a questioning face. "Thank you", she said softly, however Coci would have more aid to help her in the time of need, the Force. But not yet.

"The brew will remove some of the pain you will have in birthing", she said turning to look at Thurion with approval and a gentle nod, "And these oils will help calm your soul, and his too", referring to the father. The Elder moved to the table and began to prepare the heating oil, setting a small bowl above an open flame. She moved to the side to allow the couple to proceed, she would be there on hand if her Prince required her assistance.

The first sign of the next contraction began and Coci quickly put the hot brew aside on the table, it was her turn to gulp and prepare for it to pass. "Just tell me what I need to do", she said to the only man that would ever live in her heart. Coci trusts Thurion in all things, without question without hesitation, with herself and her life and the life of their child.

She raised her legs and placed her feet on his shoulders, it felt more comfortable to have her legs elevated and the pain of the contraction began. At this point in the labour Coci could suffer them, they hurt but bearable.

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Several long hours had passed and Coci lay on the bed in a pool of sweat and laboured breathe. Her energy level had dropped and she is exhausted. The pain and exertion sapping her, but her mind remained determined, defiant even as she pulled strength from the force. The contraction are close, under a minute between them and the child's head now began to show.

Coci lifted her head from the large pillows, ringing wet with her body fluid as is her hair and beside her stood the Elder mopping her brow with cool water, only her lips would show of her emotion, as the corners ceased upward, everything seemed fine.

Coci could not take her eyes of her beloved, using his handsome face as a focus to concentrate and to glean any sign of trouble. "Give me strength Thurion, our son is near". She manage to say, her body telling her Théo will be born and resting in his father's arm in minutes.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Thurion reached for Coci's hand. "I'm here, baby. Take my strength and don't let go until it's over," he told her while managing a smile to ease not only her spirit, but his own as well. "Now push!" The loud cries of his wife was almost unbearable to have to listen to. The miracle of birth was as painful as it was beautiful, only in the end the reward for all the pain came in the form of a new little life.

"I can see the head! You're doing great, Coci - keep at it!" Her grip of his hand grew ever firmer as time went on. With his free hand he made ready to catch their son. Once the tiny head touched his palm he smiled wide. When the entirety of the small babe finally left his mother, Thurion smiled even wider as newborn cries sounded his arrival. "Coci, it's over - you did it," a very relieved and exhausted husband informed his wife. The elder woman helped hold the little one while Thurion cut the umbilical cord, and just like that it was well and truly over.

Covering the babe in warm blankets, Thurion finally got up after many hours on his knees and cradled their son for the first time. He found a chair and sat down next to Coci. Joyful tears rolled down his cheeks as he showed her the crying baby. "It's our son, Coci... Our little Théo..." Mesmerised by the tiny life in his arms, Thurion eventually handed him over to his mother. He placed a palm against Coci's forehead to wipe away the last of the sweat, caressing her in the process. "You did good, sweetie. You did great."

 

[Thrand Hearthfire]

Meanwhile...​

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As several hours passed, Thrand and Nina did the best of the situation just by enjoying each other's company. Nina showed her grandfather a couple games she'd learned while Thrand imparted his wisdom unto her young mind. He told her about the gods, of the history of Midvinter and the Valkyri people. Nina tried to listen as intently as possible, but in time her tiny body went limp in her grandfather's arms and succumbed to sleep. Thrand meanwhile stayed awake to listen to the exhausted cries of his daughter-in-law. Back in his day he verged on having to physically force his way inside the small clinic on Pelagon to be with his wife when giving birth to their firstborn. When it was time for their second son, the clinic staff knew better than to refuse him.

While doing his best to remember a lullaby his mother would sing for him, as well as not sound terrible while doing so, Thrand eventually gave up moments before the newborn cries reached his ear. He got up with Nina still asleep in his arms, yet hesitated when about to enter the birthing chambers. The mother and father would both be exhausted by now, and having him and Nina barge in would do little to aid their recuperation. He quietly sat back down, continuously cradling Nina as if nothing had happened. A smile was ever-present on his lips from this moment on, knowing that his grandson had been brought to the world.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She had held her breath with the final push, as their son's head passed through and the rest of his body emerged from the birth channel, Coci let out a rawr in the final effort. The sound coming from her would be enough to wake Tháinbroek entirely. She did not take her eyes of Thurion, her hand released her strong grip and all she could do was look at her most beloved Thurion holding their son.

When the sound of his cry met her ears, Coci began to laugh .. laughter of pure joy.

She remained in an upward position not daring to move for fear of loosing sight of Théo, her eyes looking him over as the Elder held him while Thurion cut the cord. Breathing hard still, she had no energy for words just yet, but she is eager to look upon his face. The Elder worked on her as Thurion moved to wrap Théo in a warm cloth. As soon as she was able, Coci laid down among the pillows as Thurion brought Théo to her. Slowly her breathing returned, her body ached but the pain of the birth all but forgotten.

It is truly amazing the body of a woman, it's purpose and design had been illustrated this day with the birth, and the bond between mother and child now eternal. The bond between father and son, also established as she looked into the face of her most loved Thurion as he gazed down at his son, that too is eternal. "We did it, my love", she finally spoke softly and with clipped breath. "You are the most wonderful person I have ever known, you did great too", she smiled, tired but she looked at Thurion and smiled to him.

As Thurion handed Théo to her, she pulled back some of the cloth to see his face better. Underneath some of the signs of birth, is beautiful pale skin, his eyes closed and now he is content, the experience not without pain for him as well and he slept. Coci pulled back the cloth a little more to find his hands, long curled up fingers, so tiny and pink with life's blood, Valkyri blood, pumping through him. She reached for him with her other hand, caressing his face before placing a finger for him to grab, and immediately he did, the warm little fist gripping her finger. Nothing could take the smile off her face at this moment.

"He has black hair", she looked up at Thurion, her eyes sparkling as her love for Thurion evident within them. "He is so handsome".

The Elder approached Coci, and looked down upon her with a smile and informed her Coci would need to feed Théo in a few hours from now, and she would return then to help her if required. "Thank you Elder, please tell me your name".

"Ellanora". She bowed to the Prince and Lady Heavenshield before departing through the side door.

As Théo rested on her chest, Coci's hand searched for Thurion's face, her fingers gently caressing his skin through his beard. "I love you, and I thank you for giving us our child". Then she felt the presence of their father and Nina close by. "Thurion your father and Nina are close by, go let them in please".

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The back of his hand kept caressing her damp forehead as both parents now wore a permanent smile. Thurion then carefully placed his remaining palm atop the babe's tiny head as he rested against his mother's bossom. "He has his mother's beauty," he spoke softly for fear of waking up the little one. Leaning forward to give Coci a well-deserved kiss, he embraced them both in the process. "I love you, too. Both of you." When the elder now known as Ellanora left the room, Thurion managed to tear himself away from the sight of his newborn son to go fetch Nina and Thrand. "Hey, you two - get in here," he told them in hushed tone upon noticing the sleeping Nina.

Returning to his wife's side, he was soon followed by the two remaining members of their family. Nina groaned lightly as she stirred in her sleep, now passed over to Thurion to hold. "Good morning, Snowflake. Look who's here..." It didn't take long for the girl to stare wide at the tiny babe covered in blankets. Now sat in her father's lap, Nina very gently reached for the toddler's cheek and placed a careful palm against it. He was so warm compared to her, and she couldn't help but smile. "Your little brother, Nina. His name is Théodred."

Meanwhile Thrand was sat opposite of Thurion and Nina at Coci's remaining bedside. For the longest time the old man could not tear his eyes away from the little one. In time, however, soft whimpers one would never expect to come from such a giant were heard. Tears ran down the length of his cheeks as he went for Coci's hand and gripped it with both of his. "I'm so happy for you," he finally said. "All of you." Once Nina had reached out and made contact with Théo, Thrand figured it was his turn. A large, single digit reached for the boy's forehead, easily covering it. "This one will become greatness. Just like his old man." A look was shared between him and Thurion, one of respect between father and son.

 

[Théodred Heavenshield]

[member="Thrand Dawnbringer"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]​

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Théodred Heavenshield wrapped in cloth of the Valkyri stirred. He could sense them all, two very familiar people, his mother and father both present throughout his birthing, and now connected to them in the physical world through the force. He did not understand this yet, but to have them close felt reassuring and protecting. Two powerful people, now with only his life and wellbeing at the forefront of their hearts and minds. Another there, a girl, a radiant girl full of love and one day he know her as sister. He can feel them touching him, the gentle nature of love with each caress and his body calmed and the pain in his lungs began to wane and his breathing became lighter and easy.

And yet...

Another, reaching for him, saddened and joyous with love lost and gained, a sense of failure, pain and renewal, as if a bad journey had ended with a release of palpable emotions. Théo felt it all, strange as it was.

As a larger finger came upon his forehead and regained there as if not daring to leave, Théo, who small hand was resting near his own cheek lifted and his tiny pink fingers wrapped around the finger of a King. His grandfather's finger and gripped it tight.

The first of many times Théodred Heavenshield would embrace his ancestor.

The End.​