Author's note:
WARNING: Labor scene . . . still . . . I'm so very sorry.
Chapter 12: Gaping Cats, Babies and Caterpillars
It hadn't been long before the White Queen's contractions took a turn for the worst.
Chessur had almost fainted when Mirana did something she was thought never to even be capable of doing . . . she did one of the very most, un-queenly-like, things he's ever seen her do . . .
She had gripped the bedcover tightly, her nails most likely tearing into the sheets, her knuckles pure white at the strength of her grip . . . and then she threw her head back . . . and swore. Rather loudly.
She swore through gritted teeth and said something that made Chessur pale so drastically, he looked like a white cat with baby-green stripes.
She may be the White Queen, who can do no one any harm . . . but boy . . . she has one very large vocabulary . . . and an even sharper tongue, which in that moment, had spewed out one of the most deadliest curses he'd ever heard.
Chessur had barely been able to keep conscious during the whole process.
Sure, he's helped deliver before, but he's never seen Mirana in this much necessary pain . . .
At least she didn't curse after the first time again . . .
Nor did she really do anything else other then try to hold back her screams for that matter . . .
Three hours after noon and both were fairly exhausted.
Everyone can guess why the queen was . . .
Chessur on the other hand would be a mystery to many, but if you had been in the room, you would understand that he had a very wonderful view of a very deadly (at the time) and a very much in pain White Queen and what she could do to someone if not for her vow scared him to no end.
He had paled drastically when her nails ripped right through the bed-cover.
She was biting down on her lip and had drawn a lot of blood.
No screaming or any more curses, no, he was extremely lucky in that category, but he was quite certain her nails were sharper then even that of the Jabberwocky . . . not to mention her teeth . . . how hard was she even biting down?
After a long three hours of torture on both of their parts, it was finally over with and done for.
The White Queen had given birth to a very healthy and . . . surprisingly curious, little baby girl.
She was so tiny, but seeing that this was Underland after all, children's minds developed a little faster . . . so did their senses.
The child had light blond hair, only a few shades darker than that of her mother's and the deepest of brown eyes.
If anyone were to guess they'd say the child either had no father, or that she just shared a lot of Mirana's features.
Mirana's daughter looked a lot like her, but no one would argue or say any differently if you told them the child had her mother's eyes, for it was without a doubt, the most and very truest thing anyone could ever say.
The little baby was tucked away safely inside a white blanket with light silver trimming, sleeping soundly within her mother's arms.
Chessur had left to put away the bowl and towel, leaving mother and daughter alone for a bit.
Mirana couldn't help but stare at the small wonder in her arms.
She was her little wonder, her little miracle.
The moment Mirana's eyes fell on her daughter, the small baby had already stolen her heart . . . no . . . she IS her heart.
In that moment Mirana wanted to do nothing more, but keep her safe, love her with every fibre in her being and protect her against all dangers . . . but she knew no matter how much she would like, she'd never get the chance to see her grow up.
Placing a soft and loving kiss to her daughter's forehead, Mirana placed the baby in her crib.
Sighing heavily as she stroked the side of her daughter's face.
"I wish I could keep you . . . this is all, my fault . . . if I had just listened, none of this would have ever happened . . .
You wouldn't have a bloodthirsty vengeful aunt and I would have never been queen and . . . and you wouldn't have to grow up without me by your side."
Mirana felt tears fall over her cheeks as she watched her sleeping daughter.
"Nothing is ever accomplished with tears . . ."
Mirana's head shot up at the new voice.
Then her eyes landed on a blue caterpillar, surrounded by blue smoke on the windowsill.
"Absalom . . ."
Mirana said looking at the caterpillar as another few tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Yes, it is I; now tell me Mirana, what will you do now?
You have your daughter, you have an heir to your throne, but you have no crown."
Mirana slowly wiped away her tears as she looked back at her daughter.
"I have a plan . . . but if I go through with it . . . I'll very well never see her again . . . she'll never know me, and she'll never know her heritage . . . then again, perhaps it is for the best . . ."
Mirana said sadly.
"I have consulted the Erakulum . . ."
Absalom stated as though he had not heard the Queen's answer.
". . . It states that one day another Champion will arise and set free Underland from the Red Queen's rule and reign of terror."
Absalom said, almost with an absentminded and bored tone.
"It also says that she will restore the White Queen to power.
After that she will continuously return until one day she learns the truth about her past and the secrets of her heritage.
It's a rather silly prophesy really."
Absalom said with a slight bored tone, but dared to take a peek at the White Queen's expression.
Mirana looked from the caterpillar to the sleeping blond haired, brown eyed bundle under the white and silver blanket.
Stroking the baby's cheek slightly as to make sure this was reality and not just a dream.
"So, in truth, I've always been destined to be the selfish little princess that stole that tart . . . to become queen and lose my crown . . . as well as my daughter."
Mirana said with a slight sigh.
Feeling sympathy for the new mother, Absalom sucked up his pride and tried to at least reassure her.
"Nothing is set in stone.
We may not be able to change the past, but we can change the future, it is all up to us and the choices we choose to make.
Fairfarren Mirana, I hope you choose what is best for all of Underland . . . as well as for your daughter."
Absalom said before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
As Mirana watched the blue caterpillar disappear, she soon turned her gaze back to her daughter.
"Oh my little Flower, what am I going to do?"
Mirana asked exasperatedly as she stroked her daughter's hair, but even though she asked the question out loud, she internally knew the answer . . .
Ohhh . . . what do you think Mirana's going to do? Review, and maybe you'll be right! Till next time.
– Lyrical-Light
