Standard Disclaimer: I do not own the Earth's Children series, I am only inspired by it.
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Lanidar strained his eyes in the direction the women would come from, hoping they would arrive soon. It felt as if these last few moments before the Matrimonial were taking as long to pass as the whole previous moon. He tugged nervously at the hem of his white tunic, remembering the day Lanoga had given it to him.
"I have something for you," she had said in her soft voice, that day early in spring. Then she handed him the carefully wrapped package that contained the snow-white tunic. "I remember Jondalar wore something like this when he and Ayla joined. I wanted you to have something just as special."
He'd tried to thank her, but she stilled his words with a gentle finger against his lips. "You more than deserve something so rare," she said, "for your patience and support after what happened last summer. I'm just grateful for it, and wanted to do something special to say thank you." Then she dropped her other surprise. "Lanidar, ours will be a lucky joining… I've been blessed by Doni."
He'd dropped the tunic then, he was so startled by her announcement. "You… blessed… how?" he sputtered. "Are you sure? Does Zelandoni know? Shouldn't you be resting?"
Lanoga just giggled at his babbling. "Why should I be resting? I'm not tired. Yes, Mother knows, and yes, I'm sure. Mother thinks the baby will be born about a moon after the Summer Meeting, so there won't be a problem going for the Matrimonial. We can probably even stay for the entire time; Ayla will let me ride Whinney if I have trouble walking at the traveling pace." She picked up the white tunic and handed it back to him. "You probably should hang this so it doesn't get creases. I thought maybe you would like it for the Matrimonial… of course, if you do, every other woman of the Zelandonii will be envious of the handsome mate I caught." She grinned mischievously and he tweaked her nose lightly, then wrapped his arms around her and gave her a gentle kiss.
"I do thank you for the tunic," he'd told her, "but the best gifts you have given me are the ones I can't hold in my hand. Your love, and the knowledge of your child who will be born to my hearth."
Lanidar finally spotted movement. The women were coming! The men lined up according to Cave number, pairing up with his intended mate as they all moved to stand before the zelandonia. He looked at Lanoga, thinking that he'd never seen her looking so beautiful. She wore a loose woven dress, belted just below her breasts with a matching sash. Her heavily pregnant stomach swelled out before her, proclaiming their joining to be lucky even before Zelandoni said the Matrimonial words appropriate for a blessed woman. She wore her hair in an unusual fashion she had worked out for herself, the front hair braided into a crown, the back hair allowed to flow loose. And tonight, she had braided white starflowers into her shining chestnut locks.
It was their turn. Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave tied the thong around their wrists as she spoke the words that joined them A spontaneous cheer went up from the crowd as they stepped back to allow the next pair some space. Apparently, the Zelandonii as a whole had not forgotten last year's tragedy, and maintained a soft spot for the young couple who had been through so much already. They were bombarded by well-wishers during the Matrimonial feast, to the point of embarrassment.
Afterwards, they set off for their half-moon of isolation, happy to have the time to themselves. They spent much of the time talking about the future, their hopes for the coming child and their own plans as well. Lanidar confided that he would soon be learning how to properly use his Talent for Calling, and Lanoga spoke of her interest in learning at least some healing lore. They shared gentle Pleasures, careful of Lanoga's belly. The half-moon sped by.
As they walked toward the zelandonia lodge, to turn over their uncut thong and receive their necklaces of confirmation, Lanoga rubbed at her back. It had started bothering her last night, but that was to be expected, as far along as she was. She was carrying large as well, which probably didn't help. She rubbed at her back again, this time Zelandoni of the Eleventh Cave noticed and ordered her to sit down for a while. She did, but that seemed to make the pain worse. After a short time, she braced herself, took Lanidar's arm, and struggled to her feet again. But as she arose, a sudden gush of water startled them.
Zelandoni of the Eleventh Cave was surprised as well, but equal to the task. He sent an acolyte to find the First among Those Who Serve, or Ayla, or both. Meanwhile, he got Lanoga cleaned up and suggested that she and Lanidar walk outside for a bit. "First babies usually take their time to be born," he told them. "Walking helps the baby to find its way out more quickly." The young couple willingly took his advice.
Zelandoni of the Ninth Cave arrived. She spoke quietly with Zelandoni of the Eleventh Cave, asking for his observations about Lanoga. Ayla followed soon afterwards and was quickly drawn into the conversation. They were all worried; as nearly as they had been able to figure, this child should not be arriving for at least another moon, possibly as much as two. They all hoped that this particular couple would be spared any further tragedy.
As afternoon wore on into evening, Lanidar was shooed away from his mate and the women who surrounded her. "Childbirth is no place for a man," they told him. But he couldn't bear to go far. He hovered around the area of the zelandonia lodge, flinching every time Lanoga cried out in pain. As the twilight faded to full dark, activity within the lodge increased dramatically.
Within the lodge, Lanoga struggled to birth her child. Leaning back against her adoptive mother for support, she pushed with all her strength while Ayla stood ready to guide the baby out. She shrieked and bore down hard as Ayla spoke encouragement.
"One more like that, Lanoga. The head is out, once more for the shoulders… now!"
Lanoga pushed again, and the infant slid into Ayla's waiting hands. She gasped in relief as the child wailed, then asked, "What is it?"
Ayla quickly cleaned the newborn and tied and cut the cord. "You have a daughter, Lanoga. She's small, but she seems to be in good health."
Suddenly, Lanoga groaned. "It hurts again! What is it?"
"You still need to deliver the afterbirth," Zelandoni told her.
Ayla handed the baby to one of the other women and hurried over to check on Lanoga, then made a startled noise. "No wonder you are in labor now. Lanoga, when you feel the next pain, I want you to push again."
Zelandoni looked up sharply at that, as did the other women. Lanoga, already tired from her labor, simply did as she was told. Before long, a second baby girl joined the first. The women got Lanoga and the babies cleaned up, while Ayla fixed a poultice to help prevent infection. Lanoga whispered the names she picked out to Zelandoni, who took the birthing blanket out with a pleased look. When she returned, she brought Lanoga two enigmatically marked stones. Lanoga tucked them into a small pouch with her donii; proper placement would have to wait until they returned home. Finally, Lanidar was summoned inside.
He hurried over to his mate's side. "Are you all right, love? And the baby? It's awfully early, you thought it wouldn't come until after we were home again. Please tell me you are all right!"
Lanoga smiled at the man she loved, and stroked his hair. "We're fine, I promise. And now I'd like you to meet the daughters of your hearth, Lanada and Zolena."
He gaped as not one, but two babies were placed in his arms.
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Jerekal and Bologan were just setting up camp when they were startled by the sound of thundering hoofs. They scrambled out of their tent to see several horses galloping towards them. Only, these horses carried people! Acting on a hunch, Bologan stepped forward, hands out in greeting. "I am Bologan of Zelandonii," he said in his broken Mamutoi. "This is Jerekal of Zelandonii. We are on Journey. Look for Lion Camp of Mamutoi. And find, I think?"
The riders halted their horses as Bologan spoke. Two of them, a man and a woman, dismounted and handed their reins to others, then stepped forward. "You have indeed found members of the Lion Camp, " the man replied. "Has word of our horses spread so far, that you know us by them?"
"No, not hear stories of horses. Bring greetings from Ayla." Bologan smiled, "Not think anyone not know Ayla try riding horses."
At Bologan's words, the tall young woman broke into a wide grin. "I am Latie of the Lion Camp of the Mamutoi," she said, holding her hands out in welcome. "This unmannered lout is my cousin Druwez," she indicated the man beside her, "and these others are Rugie, Tusie, Brinan, Crisavec, Tasher, and Nuvie. In the name of Mut, Great Mother of All, I greet you." The mounted figures smiled and waved at the travelers.
Druwez spoke up, "We are traveling to our Summer Meeting. We would be happy to guide you to our Camp, and our people will be happy for news of Ayla. Will you accompany us back?"
"Need pack tent first. Not want delay you. Horses faster than walking," Bologan said.
"You won't delay us," Druwez replied. "Not all of our Camp can ride. Many prefer to walk. We came this way to give the horses a chance to run. We can help you pack, then you can ride back with us if you wish. The horses can carry two."
"Then, would be grateful for help," Bologan answered. "Come, we pack." He nudged Jerekal, who had been uncharacteristically silent throughout the exchange.
Jerekal started when Bologan nudged him in the ribs. He'd been too busy gazing at the tall confident woman to pay attention to the conversation. Like a man in a dream, he helped repack the tent, continuing to watch Latie out of the corner of his eye. Druwez handed their gear out to some of the youngsters to carry, then looked around.
"There is a rock big enough to help you mount. Have either of you ridden before?" he asked.
"Once only," replied Bologan. "Ayla let people try, if not scared. But slow, never fast."
Druwez smiled, "Well, you'll get a chance to ride fast today, if we're going to make it to Camp by dark." He mounted and guided his mare to the rock. "Here, you ride with me, Bologan. Latie can take your quiet friend." As soon as everyone was mounted, he set off at a rapid pace back to where the Lion Camp had set up for the night.
Jerekal couldn't believe his luck. He wasn't sure what it was that attracted him to this woman so strongly, but there was something. He was impressed by her easy confidence and friendly straightforward manner, so different from the reserve shown by most Zelandonii women. And she was pretty as well, tall, with long blond hair and a wide friendly smile. He realized he had seen that smile once before, which gave him a good way to start a conversation with her as they rode. "On way here, we met man called Danug of Lion Camp," he said. "Is he kin? You look same in smile. You prettier though."
Latie blushed at his compliment. "Danug is my brother," she answered. "Mother will be especially happy to know he was making good time on his Journey. But you should wait and tell everyone your stories after the meal. That way you won't have to repeat yourself."
"Is good idea," he said. "But want hear your stories too. Like how you get horses to ride."
She laughed. "I can see we're in for an interesting evening… and probably a late start tomorrow. No one will want to sleep early because of you two and the stories you will tell." She noticed Druwez signaling them to hurry and pulled Jerekal's arms more tightly around her waist. "Hold on," she said, and urged her mare into a gallop.
Jerekal reveled in the twin sensations of the wind in his hair and the woman in his arms.
The children raced on ahead, their lighter weight allowing their horses to make better speed. They shouted excitedly for Talut and Tulie and Mamut to come and greet the visitors that Latie and Druwez were bringing. The co-leaders and old Mamut came to the edge of the encampment to offer the formal welcome as the horses carrying two riders approached them.
Bologan and Jerekal slid down a little awkwardly to face the welcoming committee. They were instantly put at ease by the resemblance of the big headman to the young man they had met along the way. Bologan, as the marginally better speaker of Mamutoi, stepped forward to make the greetings. "In the name of Doni, Great Mother of All, I greet you. I am Bologan, son of Zelandoni of Ninth Cave of Zelandonii. This is Jerekal, son of Bethona of Nineteenth Cave of Zelandonii, born to hearth of Berikal."
Talut stepped forward and took the young man's hands. "I am Talut, headman of the Lion Camp of the Mamutoi. This is my sister Tulie, headwoman of the Lion Camp. And this is Mamut, One Who Serves the Mother. In the name of Mut, I welcome you to Lion Camp."
The visitors were brought into camp, introduced around, and given a spot to set up their tent. They joined the members of the Camp around the fire and accepted a meal. When everyone had eaten, Talut asked, "So, how is it that two men of the Zelandonii find themselves at the Lion Camp of the Mamutoi?"
"Is long story," Bologan answered. "We have common friend, Ayla. When we chose to make Journey, she said, if get as far as Mamutoi, give Lion Camp greetings. She and Jondalar mated now, she has daughter, Jonayla. Jondalar teach others to heat stone as he learned here, from Wymez. And Ayla is acolyte of Zelandoni, our Mamut. All happy, all healthy. They send love to all here."
Jerekal spoke up as well, "And Danug say to tell his Journey good so far. We meet on steppes west of here. He plans to stay with people near glacier until winter, so he can cross glacier to get to Zelandonii." He grinned, "Like we did, going this way. Cross glacier in winter, stay with people near glacier until warm enough to travel. But Danug wait until cold enough to travel over glacier."
Lots of happy and excited chatter arose from all the members of the Lion Camp at the news brought by the visitors. Jerekal was somewhat surprised at how many people asked after Wolf. Bologan half-expected the questions though, after seeing how many mothers of the Ninth Cave relied on Wolf to keep their children entertained. But Jerekal was perfectly happy to answer Latie's questions about Whinney and Racer. His eyes glowed every time he spoke to her.
Bologan just smiled. Especially the next morning, when Latie offered to let old Mamut ride her horse, and instead walked beside Jerekal, talking.