Numair winced as another of Daine's screams pierced the room. She squashed his hand in hers as another contraction ripped through her. His wife looked up at him, panting.

"Breathe, magelet. The healer will be here soon." She gave him a quick nod, then scrunched her face up again in another scream. The wildmage had gone into labour five minutes before. Thankfully, the baby had stopped shape-shifting. But that didn't stop it being painful. Numair looked up as the Queen's personal midwife and her team of healer women entered the room. They assembled themselves in their positions around the room, the midwife taking her place at the end of the bed.

She bent down for a moment to prepare Daine for the birth, then looked up at her. "You're in for a long night, girl. Prepare yourself. Will your man stay with you?"

Daine swallowed, then nodded, looking at Numair. "Yes." She croaked, then screamed again. "Don't leave me don't leave me Don't…" Her face was scared.

"I'm not going anywhere. Promise." Numair stroked her hair away from her face, and pressed a soft kiss on the back of her hand.


"Alright. Push. NOW!" The midwife snapped at Daine. At the next contraction, Daine tightened her grip on Numair's hand and pushed with all her might.

"Good" The midwife nodded. "Again!"

After several exhausting minutes of this, a baby's cry pierced the room. The midwife cut the cord between Daine and the baby, and stood slowly, a small, pink child in her arms. She smiled at the amazed couple, and said softly. "You have a daughter."

Numair stooped and kissed his sweaty wife sweetly as the midwife handed the girl to a healer to clean her. The healer wrapped her in a soft blanket once she was done, then handed her to her mother. Daine took her gently in her arms, staring at her child in awe. Numair reached out to his new daughter, and smiled tearily when she clenched one long finger in her tiny hand. "She's beautiful." The baby scrunched up her face and let out a loud cry.

Daine looked at the midwife, panicked. "Did I do something wrong? Why's she crying?"

The woman chuckled. "She's hungry, most likely. Try nursing her."

"Oh… right." She did, and giggled a little when her child started to feed. Numair looked at her, bemused, and she sobered up quickly.

A healer looked over at the new family. "Have you a name?"

Daine and Numair looked at eachother, and Numair nodded.

"She's Sarralyn. Sarralyn Salmalín."


A/N- aaaaah! Sarralyn! 3 I adore this child. 'nother short chapter! Will post next one tomorrow! Would post it now, but I haven't written it yet! Hahaha! Reviews? ^^