965 A.D. Nordmark (What is now Germany)
"You're so beautiful." A mother crooned in her tongue, a dialect so far dead by our accounts it hardly even has a name. The babe in her arms gurgled, his pale fingers pulling at her dark hair. There had been no crying when he was born, his bright, red eyes already tried to make sense out of his new world. But as the woman felt something seize in her chest, she knew she didn't have much time, especially when a tall man with long blonde hair pushed aside the flap of the hut and walked in.
Eyes wide and fearful of the very presence of this man, the child's father, she shook her head vigorously, her heart practically tearing itself out of her chest. The man, a person whose name she never even knew, knelt down by her and pried her dying fingers from the curious infant. She croaked her defiance and tried to inch back from him, failing to do so.
The blonde lifted the child from her hands, cold and uncaring to the plight of the human he found so far beneath himself. He paid no mind as her movements and words ceased, he was enraptured and captivated by the very presence of the tiny, wrapped bundle in his arms.
"Nordmark…" He named the child, knowing that if he thrived as he hoped he would, his name would change many times over the course of history. Eventually, he wouldn't even have a name that reminded anyone of his father. Germania was no fool, he knew that some day he wouldn't be around anymore and so chose to do something the humans did. Chose to give him something that even he did not have. "Gisilberht." Came to his lips, a bright oath indeed, there was such promise in his beautiful son. Deep in his stomach, he felt that this name too would change. But it had to be kept within reason of his original name at least
The infant reached up then and grabbed a tiny fistful of his long, blonde hair, tugging at it with a big smile. Just out of the womb and already growing… A smile cracked Germania's stoic face and he gave the babe a small kiss upon his forehead.
"Your name is Nordmark to your people, but you are also my Gisilberht." According to the annoying Roman wandering around the area somewhere, nations could speak after birth. Then again, the man was so stupidly proud of his grandson that might have been an exaggeration. "Can you say your name?" he asked anyway, just in case.
"Nowdmawk." Germania blinked, surprised that had actually worked, his smile grew and he answered.
"Can you make the 'rrr' noise?" The tall blonde asked, making the noise two more times after that. It was adorable to watch the small one try to make the noise. Amazing for the humans to watch who had to wait months before their children even began to make comprehensible syllables.
"Rrrr." The babe managed to make the noise, Germania, brushing aside a silver wisp of hair as he noticed they were being watched. A quick glare sent most of the humans bolting back to their work.
"Good, now what is your name?"
"Nordmark." Gisilberht giggled when his father smiled down at him.
"Yes, now what is the name only your family shall ever call you?"
"Gilbert." Close enough.
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Notes:
Nordmark-Also known as the Northern Marches, earliest form of Brandenburg/Prussia.
Gisilberht-Earliest form of the name Gilbert.
Thinking of Gilbert as a baby makes me smile :) Also thinking of Germania as someone else other than the stoic-faced badass. Now he's a stoic-faced badass dad!