He was unable to sleep.
All the Gods were his witnesses that he has always been able to rest well ever since he did not have to spend the nights alone.
Tonight was different though.
His mind was still processing everything that has happened just a few hours ago.
The excitement because of the birth, the fear for his son's life on the edge of the cliffs, a fear he had never felt before, the strange encounter with the wolf…
No wonder he couldn't rest.
Leonidas envied his wife dearly for being able to rest so peacefully. He was not experienced with children, but he knew for sure that they did not sleep the night through.
He rested his gaze on the infant in Gorgo's arms
Even Morpheus mocks me…
He mused watching Pleistarchos sound asleep. He touched the face of the boy with the tip of his finger. The skin was warm, smooth and rosy. He listened to the short breathing of the baby, taking his time to truly appreciate the new life he had been gifted with. He ran an index finger carefully over his son's head, feeling the soft dark hair there. He lingered briefly before pulling his hand back, letting it return to his wife's waist.
He froze and held his breath when Gorgo shifted slightly at his touch. Thankfully she didn't wake and soon he exhaled silently.
He remembered her face as she turned away from him after the labor was over. She didn't want to see the baby then and at that time he wondered why.
Now I see…
She could have taken a look, it was not forbidden to hold the boy briefly before he had to go, but that would have given a chance for them to bond, making it more difficult for her, if he returned without the baby.
He sighed pulling her closer to him.
The rain has stopped. It was still dark; Leonidas was expecting the jug of the nightingale to start anytime now.
He hoped to gain a few days of tranquility before he would be consumed again by policy. If he could choose between fighting on a bloody battlefield or listening to the cacophony of the Council Chamber than he was all for the battle.
The past months have been quite hectic in every sense of the word. Ever since he has taken his place as king he could count the days he had spent in peace on one hand.
It had been almost a year ago that he was standing in the Chamber watching the Gerusia deliver his half-brother's death sentence.
He closed his eyes as the memories overcame him one by one.
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-THE SENTENCE IS UNAMBIGUOUS!
Leonidas opened his eyes. The strange feeling running through his body was gone. He couldn't suppress a silent sigh of relief.
It was finally over. The great tension of the past days came to an end.