They had jumped into Slipspace just an hour ago and Thel was still pacing across the Pelican hanger onboard the Forward Unto Dawn. John didn't pace, but he still appeared agitated. Every soldier sitting around or going on with their duties knew better than to ask either one of them what was wrong.
"Any word on her yet?" Sargent Johnson asked the Sangheili from his perch on a crate. Everyone onboard knew that the Arbiter was Shamrock's soulmate; the dark skinned man had done damn well in keeping the additional bond a secret.
"She's still in labor," Thel answered and continued pacing. Sasan is with her now.
She'll be alright, John reassured him despite his own worry. They had reached out over then bond as soon as they jumped and found out she'd prematurally gone into labor. She's strong. She and the baby will get through this.
I wished I had your optimism.
John wanted to say something more, but he and Thel both heard something over the bond. It was from Ailene; she was projecting the first cries of their daughter.
Ailene was well beyond exhausted by the time she held her daughter in her arms well after the sun had set. Her baby girl was smaller than the other newborn Sangheili she'd seen; she was larger than a human baby at least.
"Well done, sister," Sasan congratulated her as the new baby continued to cry out. "You're daughter is healthy and strong."
"We'll still keep a close eye on her," said S'Tar from her place at the foot of her bed alongside a younger female. The elder had been the epitome of calm through the entire ordeal, had Ailene settled back in the master room and had been quick to get everything ready for the delivery in a matter of minutes. Even now the old Sangheili was finishing setting up an incubator-like machine to keep the newborn warm and monitor her vitals. "We can't be too careful now."
"Sasan, could you get something out of the trunk for me?" she asked her sister-in-law, deciding to visit that memory now. "It's right under the dress."
Sasan did as she asked and held up the one thing she valued above all of her possessions. It was the last gift she received from her great-grandmother, and now it was part of her child's heritage.
"My goodness! This is beautifully made," said Sasan while laying the green quilt next to Ailene. "Why didn't you bring this out before?"
"It...It holds many memories for me." She held back her tears as she brought the quilt up to cover her daughter. "My great-grandmother made it for me before she passed away, and it has followed me for many years. I planned to eventually give it to my own daughter if I ever had any." The baby had finally quieted down by then and was now staring at her with wide amber eyes.
"Have you thought about her name?" the younger lady asked.
"Well, I was thinking of naming her Rasha; an elder had told me the story behind the name and I think it suites her."
"Ah, the name of our clan's first female warrior," S'Tar said with approval. "A name fit for the daughter of a Kaidon."
"Fit for the daughter of a hero," Sasan chimed in as well.