Epilogue, part 2
These quiet hours turning to years
We still pray for sons and daughters
For now we're still young, just building our kingdom
It's all to come
("Sons and Daughters" Allman Brown)
That the ailing High King of Skyrim attended their wedding was a blessing in and of its own. When the High King had declared during the post-ceremony festivities that Brynjarr, his adopted son and heir, was to inherit the thrown before his birth-daughter Bera, a choice she alone had made, everyone but the royal family and Nehenarah's family was surprised, shocked even. Some doubted Brynjarr's legitimacy, being adopted and not born to Ulfric, but no one would dare doubt the claim Nehenarah, firstborn of the Dragonborn Fjornir, had to the throne, particularly after what she and her father both did for Tamriel. Ambassadors from Hammerfell had attended the wedding, and were quite pleased with the news of Skyrim's future monarchs.
Nehenarah's diamond ring, Brynjarr's inherited gift to his bride, reflected the light from the candelabras as the couple danced. Princess Bera, with Dezserahhe at her side, was noticeably more interested in watching the musicians play than dancing to their music.
Ralof let go of Ulfric long enough for the King to share a dance with Nehenarah. As they danced, Ralof took a rest at the side of Eirin, who held her infant son close the entire day. The past lovers, now friends, felt nothing but happiness as they watched their joined families flourish. Eirin did not let herself wish for Fjornir to be there, to see his eldest daughter wed to her childhood friend, for fear of breaking down in tears in the middle of the main hall, the very place where she first met her husband.
The gurgling baby reached out to Ralof, and Eirin let the man hold little Hungaar. His tiny, chubby hands grabbed all that he could, mainly Ralof's ever-present braid, and his recently-grown beard. Hungaar gave the beard a fierce tug, surprising Ralof and eliciting giggles from all who were watching.
Eirin wondered if Ralof saw as much of Fjornir in her child as she did. Hungaar's velvety eyes had faded into a similar grey-green that Fjornir had boasted, and his big baby head was readily becoming covered in a dark brown-red tuft of hair.
Hungaar finally settled in Ralof's lap, braced against the man's chest, looking out on the festivities. The babe happily let Ralof clap his little hands in time to the music, and Eirin could hear her son giggling non-stop. Ralof, too, was enjoying himself. Eirin figured he likely hadn't been around an infant since Brynjarr was born, and, back then, Ralof barely wanted anything to do with the child. He had been busy grieving for Brynjarr's mother, Brynja, who had died in childbirth.
Eirin couldn't help but smile. Her children were not only alive and well, they were thriving. Nehenarah was beyond happy. Dezserahhe was in love. Iilahaan and Kenlaas were living their childhood, going wild on the dance floor; they would grow up in a time of peace. And Hungaar…. Eirin looked again to her youngest, and laughed when she saw that Ralof had stood the still-giggling child on his knees, helping him dance.
The music ended, and Ralof sat Hungaar back down onto his lap for a rest. Ulfric walked over to them and sat next to his husband. Eirin watched Ralof maneuver the child around so that Hungaar could gaze upon the King. "See that, little Hungaar?" Ralof asked the babe. "That's your King, your… uncle? I suppose…." Ralof laughed and held Hungaar up on his knee. "He's going to have to get used to babies, isn't he? Yes, yes he is…." Ralof turned to Eirin with an inquisitive look – he wanted to know if it was alright that Ulfric hold the boy. Eirin smiled her consent, and Ralof handed Hungaar over to Ulfric.
The King looked upon the boy, studying him, perhaps searching for Fjornir, his friend, in Hungaar's pudgy face. Hungaar wasn't nearly as comfortable with Ulfric as he had been with Ralof, and stared at the King wide-eyed. He then reached out and grabbed Ulfric's nose.
Brynjarr smiled at his wife when she returned to him after dancing with the King. "How was he?" he asked, chuckling. "It looked awkward."
"Mm, yes," Nehenarah answered as she sat down to rest her weary feet, "but only because the entire time he kept suggesting names for the baby." She wrapped an arm around her swollen belly. The priestess had claimed that being with child on one's wedding day was the utmost of blessings, but Nehenarah did not feel particularly blessed. She knew she was, she knew that the gods were smiling down upon her family, but she felt like a gassy, clumsy horker who had to pee all the time. She was wholly convinced that the only blessing pregnancy offered was the child that arrived later. Just two more months, she reminded herself.
Brynjarr leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Does he not know it is futile? You were dead-set on a name the moment you found out you were pregnant."
Nehenarah smiled, and looked across the hall to see Ralof playing with Hungaar, and moments later he handed the baby to Ulfric. The baby grabbed at the King's nose. A smiling, laughing Eirin then met the eyes of her eldest daughter. She spoke some words to Ralof, stood, and walked across the hall to the bride.
Eirin cupped her hands around her daughter's cheeks and bent down to kiss her forehead before sitting at her side. "How are you fairing tonight? Is he still kicking?"
"She, and yes, a lot tonight."
"'She'," Eirin repeated. "I suppose Akatosh wouldn't be wrong, but you're carrying her like I did my boys, low and narrow."
"The midwife says there's no truth to carry position, Ma."
Eirin smiled. "Alright, alright. We'll just have to wait and see."
Nehenarah reached out and grasped her mother's hand. "Ma, do you think…." She turned to Brynjarr, who smiled and gave a single nod. "Would you…," she turned back to Eirin, "would you stay here, for a while, just until… well, for a while after the baby comes? The children can stay here, too. I know Ulfric would not mind. I just… I'm…."
Eirin leaned in and wrapped her arms around Nehenarah in the tightest of hugs. "Of course, 'Narah. Of course."