Twenty trines later…
There was screaming in the bed chamber as Kira was delivering her first child.
Kira was now 41 trines old and was now old enough to produce offspring of her own. She had been all too excited when she found out she was pregnant. One of the ways she knew for sure was when she was told the spots on her legs had disappeared. It was a sign of a new first time mom-to-be.
Jen had gained much more experience with kids over the last twenty trines too, so he was ready for fatherhood when he heard he was finally going to become a father. He had been plenty nervous too, which wasn't unusual for especially first-time fathers.
The screaming had been going on for quite awhile. It was nothing unusual. Clan females were doing their best to look after Kira and her baby.
Jen was really worried and pacing the throne room, waiting to hear of news of his child. Chamberlain was in there with him. Other males could understand how he was feeling too.
Chamberlain had been quite a good leader over the last twenty trine as well. Things had been pretty peaceful mostly. There had even been more Gelflings found in the mountains and were willing to be part of this clan. And new babies had been born here too. So the clan had grown.
Gelfling numbers were now into the 60s here at the castle.
As Sil watched Jen pacing, he asked, "Have you thought of name for baby?"
"Yes. We think we know what names to think of, since we don't know what we're having." Jen replied.
"Chamberlain would like to know." Sil said.
"When we know what the baby is for sure. I promise." Jen stated.
Awhile later, a female midwife soon came to the throne room with news. "Master Jen." she said.
Sil and Jen turned to her. "What is the news?" Sil asked.
"Maudra Kira has given birth to..."
"What?" Jen exclaimed too fast before she could finish.
"Twins. Two babies."
"Two... babies?" Jen spaced out his words in shock.
"You have a son and a daughter." she said.
Jen was so shocked that he fainted. The typical new father reaction.
Sil put his scepter down and went to help Jen to his feet. He couldn't help but have a goofy grin on his face. The female was just the same to make sure he was alright.
"Jen, Jen, wake up." Sil stated.
"What happened?" he asked.
"You pass out from finding out you have two babies. One girl, one boy." Sil stated.
"How could I get so lucky?" Jen asked.
"Hmm. Not know. You go see Kira and babies now." Sil declared.
Jen was all too happy to. He ran down the hallways to his mate and new babies. He wanted to see her and them.
Sil followed, but slower. Other Gelflings stayed out of his way. They knew where he was going. When they had learned of their Maudras having a baby, they were beyond excited for them.
In the room, Kira was now resting and holding her twins. Jen appeared in the room. She looked up.
"We're finally parents, Jen." she said proudly.
Jen was cautious as he approached his mate. Sil appeared in the room shortly after. He stayed at the entrance.
One baby, the one on her right arm, had some dark hair on his head, like his dad's. The other had some creamy hair on her head, like her mom.
"So, what are names?" Sil asked.
Sil was still called emperor, but he was going to probably be like an uncle too since he was Jen and Kira's friend. And he had given them the highest Gelfling power they could have under him.
Kira handed her son to Jen, who was all too nervous, but took him. He and Kira had had practice holding babies over the trines. So had Sil. But he wouldn't hold them unless really necessary. He would leave care to the Gelflings.
"Our son is named Ira." Jen replied.
"It is very rare for more than one baby to be born at a time." Yayra announced. "You both must be proud."
"We are. Are you alright, Kira?" Jen asked.
"Yes. Tired and sore, but otherwise fine, Jen." Kira replied. "And our daughter's name is Sena."
"Ira and Sena. Hmm. Good names, yes." Sil agreed. He had never heard of those names before, but Jen and Kira were going to be the parents.
A thought did pass by him of what it would be like to be a parent of his own offspring, but it was probably not possible anyway. He didn't want any competition for his throne as it was, at least not from another Skeksis. He was glad SkekGra was still living at the Circle of the Suns. His brother was there again, visiting.
The Chanter had been happy for Jen too that he was going to be a father. He had wished them well in their efforts to have and raise the little one, but he would find out later that there was double the joy.
All the Gelflings looked in to see the new Maudra's twins. They all would do the best they could to raise the little darlings into fine Gelflings. It would take time to find out what they would be good at and what roles they would take on here in the castle.
Ira would probably become a soldier no doubt. Sena, there could be a number of things. Babysitter, librarian, cook, a knitter, and so many other choices. They would find their places as they grew up.
Chamberlain wanted these two dressed in clothes that would set them apart from other Gelfling kids because they were considered prince and princess as well. They would have the highest rank among the childlings. He didn't need kids of his own when he had his friends to have kids, however many they would have over the trines.
SkekSil was happy by himself. He had a happy, settled life here in the castle as the ultimate Emperor. No other Skeksis to boss him around, or pick on him. He still didn't regret healing the Crystal.
The Crystal of Truth was still itself, glowing and white, just like the castle that protected it. And all its protectors.
…..
Trines later, Ira did become Captain of the Guard, and Sena became both a healer and librarian. Their parents had also had more offspring too. Three more girls, and two more boys, but all of them were single children at a time.
Jen and Kira couldn't have been prouder of themselves that they had an awesome family to call their own now. And it was all thanks to their Skeksis benefactor.
And they would all still keep watch on possibly what to expect from the Beta Clan in the future too. If there would be any showdowns, that is.
Sil's clan had grown from 30 to well over 70 by now. He would keep on encouraging it to get bigger.
The Gelfling population was slowing growing again. If the castle got to be too small for them all, they could always go and make a village outside the castle walls. Perhaps it would be best one of these days. But for now, everyone had everything they wanted inside the castle walls. Friends, family, food, good times, and a great leader leading them. Ruling them as fairly as possible.
For Sil, diplomacy was a far better way to rule than by ruling in fear and force. He wanted to keep it that way, but he still had temper moments too. It was what got him more Gelfling willing to be here in the castle. But he tried to be truly honest and not such a manipulator like he used to be quite so much. It was a grand life for him to be their emperor.
The End
I hope everyone enjoyed this story. I like to see what you all thought of it. It was fun to write and get this off my mind, as it had been in my thoughts for many years, but just had to figure out how to write it.
The other sequel called Power of the Dark Crystal wasn't the most pleasing thing to read, what I could anyway. But I saw that if there were other Gelfling alive after just 100 trines, there had to have been others still alive because Jen and Kira couldn't have rebuilt the race that quickly.