This is the sequel to chapter 1...a whole different story. not chapter 2. please understand that
The Birth of a New Life (Sequel to Marriage)
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters or places and I'm not trying to claim them as my own, nor am I trying to copy.
Keladry of Kennan (a/n: um...is that right? or does she still keep her Mindelan title?) layed shivering in bed. It was just before dawn and she was cold. A breeze came from the open window to fly over her. Still shivering she pulled the blankets higher up over her sholders. It was winter and the mornings were freezing. Cleon of Kennan came out of dressing room and smiled when he saw his wife.
"What are you doing?" he asker her cheerfully. Kel glared at him and replied, "Freezing to death."
"I can fix that." Smiling he climbed under the sheets wrapping strong arms around her and holding her tightly. "Better?"
Kel smiled and snuggled closer to her husband murmuring, "Much." They layed there until the sun was well up.Then sighing Kel got to up to dress and to use the privy.
Kel walked out of the privy worried. It was the end of the month and her monthly bleeding still hasn't come. It hadn't come the month before either. She bit her lower lip and decided to visit a healer after breakfast. Deciding that she was about to change into a pair of breeches when strong arms wrapped around her and Cleon's voice murmered, "Good morning, Love" into her ear. She giggled and turned around to kiss her husband. They had been married for two months now. Cleon kissed her eyelids and asked, "So, what are you planing to do today?"
"I think I'll go see a healer after breakfast," Kel replied, running her fingers through his hair.
"Why? What's wrong?" he ask her, worried. He let go of her and looked her in the eye. Kel ran her fingers through his hair once more and said, "My monthly bleeding hasn't come for two months now. I thought I should go see a healer about it." Cleon put his arm around her shoulders and said, "I'll go with you then." Kel shook her head and said smiling, "You mom is looking for you. Said something about teaching her boy how to sew." Cleon groned and pulled on a pair of breeches while muttering, "Needles! I'll lose about a pint of blood today, just you watch." Kel smiled but did not say anything. She was too worried about her problem at the moment.
After a small breakfast she went down to the healer's office. The lady looked up when she walked in and asked, "May I help you?" Kel nodded and told the lady her problem The healer listened quietly. Finally she said, "Come here and let's take a look." Kel sat still on a chair as the healer's magic ran through her body like water. Finally the healer said, "Your pregenate. That's why your monthly bleeding has not come."
Kel sat there with her mouth open for some time before she could gasp out, "Pregenate? Are you sure?" The healer nodded, handed her a thin book and said, "All you need to know about how to take care of yourself and your unborn baby is in here." The she push Kel from the room muttering about all the paper work she had to do.
Kel walked down the hallway, book in hand, in search of Cleon. She found him by the front gate. All his fingers were bandaged. He turned at her footsteps and smiled. "Is everything ok?"
"I'm-" Kel started, not sure how to phrase it. "I'm..........pregenate." Cleon looked completly shocked for a moment. Then his shock turned into joy. He laughed and kissed her.
"This is great!" he told her smiling. Kel smiled at her husband. "You think so?" she asked. She had hope not to have a baby so soon. But maybe this is for the best, she thought. The district would expect them to produce a heir soon anyways. He nodded, still smiling, and kissed her again. They were interupted by horn calls and the sound of approching horses.
Three people approched them on horses: King Jonathan, Prince Roald, and Princess Kalasin. Kel and Cleon both bowed and smiled. They had not seen any of their friends since the wedding. King Jon was not smiling though. He looked down at them from atop his horse and said, "Cleon of Kennan. War between Tortall and Scanra has broken out. You are to report to the army base with us. Keladry you are to come as well."
Cleon stared at the king wordlessly. Finally he managed to say, "Your Highness, We can not do that." He put a arm around Kel's sholders and looked stubbornly up at the king. Jon look down at him angerly. "And why not?"
"Becaused I'm pregenate," Kel said, taking a step forward. Roald smiled and them but the King's expression did not change. Finally Jon said, "So Keladry will stay here and run the fief. You on the other hand, Cleon of Kennan, will come with us. Every sword is needed at a time like this."
"But Father," Roald argued. "This is a time when Cleon will be most needed at home." Kel and Cleon both smiled at their friend but the King expression still had not change.
"I understand they are your friend but-" King Jon started.
"But Roald is right," Kalasin interupted. "It is not a matter of friendship father. Roald is speaking the truth. What you're saying is not fair."
"Enough!" Jon snapped. "I'm sorry if you are about to have a baby, but times like this calls for every person we can get. So you are to come with us! That is my final decision!" He turned his horse and rode off. Princess Kalasin sighed and said, "I'm sorry for my father's behavior. Good luck with your new baby." Then she too, rode off after her father. They both stared wordlessly at Roald, who looked ashamed. He shook his head and said, "I am sorry, but there is no changing his mind once he says 'That is my final decision'. He said that to Kalasin when she beged to be a page. Good luck with your baby. I think I can make it so you'll be home in time Cleon." He nodded to Kel and said, "C'mon Cleon, let's go."
"Just a moment," Cleon said. He turned Kel into his arms and whispered to her, "I'll be back before you know it. You just be good and take care of yourself and the baby." He kissed long and sweetly. The he murmered, "I love you" into her ear and let her go. Kel's eyes started to sting with tears. She grabbed his hands and said, "I love you too Cleon. Take my necklace with you as a reminder of your home and family." She unhooked the necklace she wore and stuffed it into his hands. He took it and hugged her tightly. When he let her go his eyes too were soaked with tears. He kissed her on the cheek and went to saddle his horse.
"Sorry, Kel," Roald said from atop his horse. Kel wiped her tears and said, "It's not your fault Roald. I know you tried and I think you." Roald nodded to her and he and Cleon both rode away. Kel stood there for some time, watching the empty rode, before realizing she freezing cold and went inside.
Sitting on her bed she opened the book and began to read, trying to keep her mind off Cleon. What if something happens to him? What if he doesn't return in time for the birth of his first child? What if he doesn't return at all? What if she has to raise the baby all by herself? What if- Kel shook her head, clearing away the "what if" thoughts. She layed on her back and began to read.
"Exercise daily. Do not work yourself too hard. Eat healthy," she read out loud. "Expect morning sickness. Do not go riding. This can cause the infant's head to bump up and down causing brain damage." She sighed and put the book aside. Jump hopped onto the bed and licked her face. He whined and looked around.
"Cleon's not here," she told him patting his head. He whined again and nudged her belly with his nose. She smiled and told him, "He'll be back in time for the baby. Don't worry." He barked licked her face again. Suddenly the room sounded with peeps. Over a hundred sparrows flew into the room through the open window. They flew around her and flew back out the window. Only three birds remained. Nari, the sparrow who took over the flock when crown died, Arrow, and Peg. The small birds perched on her sholders and peeped. She rubbed their bellies and gave them some seeds, they then took off again through the open window.
* * * * *
Seven Months Later
Kel walked out of the privy feeling like she just threw up her whole stomach. Moaning she went downstairs to get something to eat.
After eating a small meal she went to sit in the garden, Jump and some of sparrows following in her wake. She had done this everyday for the last four months. The first three months she had been able to practice with her glaive, but after three months it became to hard. Now for the last four months she had sat in the garden with a book, in hope she might see Cleon riding back up the rode. She scanned the rode with sharpe eyes and sighed. There was no sign of a approching rider. She rubbed her back, sat on a bench and opened her book. The sparrows perched on nearby branched peeping to each other. Jump curled up next to her feet and fell asleep. Kel sighed again and began to read.
A hour passed and Kel was just about to get up and get a small snack when she heard hooves thundering up the rode. Was it Cleon? She turned hoping it was. It was not Cleon. It was three of her friends: Neal, Merric, and Owen. They rode up to her smiling.
"Well, well, well, I see you and Cleon have been busy since the wedding," Neal remarked looking at her. Merric and Owen giggled as Kel blushed. "When's the baby due?"
"About a week from now," Kel said, then demanded, "And how come you three aren't in the wars? If it's over where's Cleon?"
"Oh, he'll be around," Merric said. "He took a arrow in the sholder and leg and had to go to a healer."
"Is he ok?" she asked worried.
"Yeah. He'll be up and about in no time," Owen replied, drinking some water from his canteen. "Wanna have some practice?" he asked unsheathing his sword, heasitated, then sheathed the sword again. "Well, maybe you can't. Looks like it'll be to much trouble for you."
"Yeah, you're right. I haven't lifted a weapon for over four months now," Kel said sadly.
"Boy or girl?" Neal asked.
"The healer said it'll be a girl, but you can never tell," Kel said. She sighed and rubbed her back. She lead her friends inside, happy to see them. She had been very lonely in the castle over the last couple of months, with no one to talk to but the servents and Cleon's mother, who would not stand by and watch Kel go through her pregenacy by herself. She sat her friends down at a table and beseiged them with questions. Then they asked her questions. How was she? Did she feel ok? How's the baby? Who will be the midwife when she gave birth? Can they stay with her at Castle Kennan? Was it easy living here pregenate by herself, without Cleon for the last seven months? She answered all their questions and showed them the guestrooms.
Kel tipy-toed down the stairs hoping not to wake anyone. It was late and she was once again heading for the garden. She opened the gate just wide enough for her to go through and entered the garden. Jump followed, his claws making a tap tap tap sound as he walked. Stretching her back Kel sat down on the bench watching the sadly empty road. She sat there for hours wondering where Cleon was now. Finally yawning she made her way back to her room.
Kel woke at dawn despite her late bedtime and ate breakfast before going down to the garden again. An hour later her friends found her. They watched the empty road in silence for awhile. All her friends kept peering over at Kel, a look of pity on their faces.
"We have to go," Merric said quietly, awhile later. "We were to come to see if you were ok, Cleon had said. But the king said to come back right after."
Kel looked down at her shoes and nodded. They all saddled their horses and bid farewell to her. Kel stood at the stable doors watching her friends prepare to go. Before mounting up Neal came over and handed her a stone in a shape of a heart that hung on a fine silver chain. On it were the letters "K" and "C".
"From Cleon," Neal replied to her silent question. "He told me to give it to you. He carved it himself."
Kel nodded, not trusting her voice. Her Yamani training kept her from crying. How she wished Cleon would come back! She bid good bye to her friends as she watched then ride down the road. Then slowly she went back to the garden, Jump following at her heels. The sparrows had taken off for a wamer home servral months before for the winter.
A week later Kel was once again in the garden, her heart full of hope. The baby was due yesterday but it had not come. She took it as a sign that Cleon was meant to come back before the baby was came. Sitting down with a new found hope she opened her book with Jump layed across her feet.
Suddenly she heard hooves pounding up the streets and looked up hopfully. She saddened a bit when she saw it ws only Neal and Yuki and not Cleon. Sighing, she smiled at them, happy that they come. It had been a lonely week. They rode up to her and dismounted smiling their hellos.
After they stabled their horses in the stable they sat with Kel in the garden. Silently they watched the sparrosws dart around here and there and Jump chasing a squirrel near by. Finally Kel broke the silence.
"The baby was due yesterday," she said quietly.
"What do you think that means?" Yuki asked, turning to look at her.
"I dunno," Kel replied quietly. "Maybe it means that Cleon is suppose to come before I give birth..."
Kel looked so hopeful that Neal and Yuki couldn't bring themselves to tell her that babies usually aren't born on the day the healers tell. Instead they remained silent and watched the empty rode.
Sometime around noon Kel suggestedd that they go inside for lunch. Neal and Yuki were both hungry and accepted happliy. But as Kel stood up Neal gasped in surprise.
"What is it?" Kel asked. Neals eyes were huge in his face and it took awhile for him to gasp out, "Your leaking!"
Kel looked down and sure enough he was right. She got scared and started to panic, but Yuki put her hand on her sholder and said, "Your water broke! That means its time for the baby to be born!" Jump hopped onto the bench and started barking as Neal and Yuki helped Kel inside. It was chaos. Servents came to help escort her to the midwife healer. Jump pranced around her feet whining. Her sparrows darted here and there frightening the servents. Finally they got Kel into a bed with stools for Neal and Yuki.
Laying in bed Kel felt a sharp pain and cried, "What was that?!" Causing Neal to back away. Yuki can over to wipe sweat off her forehead.
"It's just contractions," the midwife healer told her. "They come every 10 seconds or so until the baby is born."
"That's a great comfort," Kel muttered to herself. Neal was slowly making his way back to the bed when Yuki snapped, "Neal! Your best friend is about to have a baby and all you do is hide?! Get your bottom over here and wipe her forehead while I go get water!" Shoving a cloth in Neal's hand Yuki left the room in search of water. Shaking his head Neal came over to Kel and wiped her forehead. "I'm sorry I hid," he said meekly.
She was about to say it was ok but another contraction came and she sqweezed Neal's hand so hard that he yelp and gritted his teeth. When it was over she face Neal and said, "I can't have the baby yet! Cleon isn't here!!"
"It's ok," Neal whispered, wiping her forehead. "He'll come. You'll see."
Yuki came back with a glass of water handing it Kel before sitting down on the other side of the bed. Kel smiled wearly at her friend. If Cleon doesn't come, Kel thought sadly, At least I have my friends with me.
Four hours past and Neal dozed off in a chair nearby. Yuki was glaring at him when suddenly the midwife healer, who was checking on Kel, said, "It's time. Time to start pushing." Kel gasped and said, "No! Cleon isn't here yet! It can't be time!" But the healer shook her head and said, "I'm sorry. The baby isn't going to wait for Sir Cleon." But as the words came out of her mouth the door to the room banged opened and there stood Cleon. He was dirty, sweaty and had a bandage on his sholder, but he ran to the bed falling on his before grabing Kel's hand. Behind ran a frantic looking servent.
"Sir, you can't possibily come in here in those clothes. And you can not leave your poor horse out there in front of the castle all sweaty and-" the servent babbled. But Cleon ignored him and kissed Kel's hand. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner."
"It's ok," Kel whispered, smiling at him. "You made it right on time."
Four more hours pasted and Kel gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The healer had taken the baby to be bathed, clothed, and fed, and to leave Kel and Cleon alone. Neal and Yuki had left after the baby was born, both having a silent agreement that they were not need and Kel and Cleon would want to be alone.
The moment the healer had left Kel had thrown herself at Cleon's chest. Burying her face in his clothes she started to cry. Cleon stroked her hair and said, "What is it? Why are you crying?"
"I thought you wouldn't make it back in time," she whispered into his chest. He wrapped strong arms around her and murmered, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Some time passed and Cleon broke the silence by asking, "What will we name her?" When Kel didn't answered he looked down and saw she was asleep in his arms. So delicate she looks, he thought to himself and realized something. Ever since Kel had been a page she had never been delicate. She was always tough and could beat up anyone who messed with her. Never had she showned a delicate side to any of her friends. But now, she had showned it to him and he felt honored.Softly he kissed her forehead and murmered, "Rest now, my sunrise. I'm here for you."
The End (for now ^_^ )
The Birth of a New Life (Sequel to Marriage)
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters or places and I'm not trying to claim them as my own, nor am I trying to copy.
Keladry of Kennan (a/n: um...is that right? or does she still keep her Mindelan title?) layed shivering in bed. It was just before dawn and she was cold. A breeze came from the open window to fly over her. Still shivering she pulled the blankets higher up over her sholders. It was winter and the mornings were freezing. Cleon of Kennan came out of dressing room and smiled when he saw his wife.
"What are you doing?" he asker her cheerfully. Kel glared at him and replied, "Freezing to death."
"I can fix that." Smiling he climbed under the sheets wrapping strong arms around her and holding her tightly. "Better?"
Kel smiled and snuggled closer to her husband murmuring, "Much." They layed there until the sun was well up.Then sighing Kel got to up to dress and to use the privy.
Kel walked out of the privy worried. It was the end of the month and her monthly bleeding still hasn't come. It hadn't come the month before either. She bit her lower lip and decided to visit a healer after breakfast. Deciding that she was about to change into a pair of breeches when strong arms wrapped around her and Cleon's voice murmered, "Good morning, Love" into her ear. She giggled and turned around to kiss her husband. They had been married for two months now. Cleon kissed her eyelids and asked, "So, what are you planing to do today?"
"I think I'll go see a healer after breakfast," Kel replied, running her fingers through his hair.
"Why? What's wrong?" he ask her, worried. He let go of her and looked her in the eye. Kel ran her fingers through his hair once more and said, "My monthly bleeding hasn't come for two months now. I thought I should go see a healer about it." Cleon put his arm around her shoulders and said, "I'll go with you then." Kel shook her head and said smiling, "You mom is looking for you. Said something about teaching her boy how to sew." Cleon groned and pulled on a pair of breeches while muttering, "Needles! I'll lose about a pint of blood today, just you watch." Kel smiled but did not say anything. She was too worried about her problem at the moment.
After a small breakfast she went down to the healer's office. The lady looked up when she walked in and asked, "May I help you?" Kel nodded and told the lady her problem The healer listened quietly. Finally she said, "Come here and let's take a look." Kel sat still on a chair as the healer's magic ran through her body like water. Finally the healer said, "Your pregenate. That's why your monthly bleeding has not come."
Kel sat there with her mouth open for some time before she could gasp out, "Pregenate? Are you sure?" The healer nodded, handed her a thin book and said, "All you need to know about how to take care of yourself and your unborn baby is in here." The she push Kel from the room muttering about all the paper work she had to do.
Kel walked down the hallway, book in hand, in search of Cleon. She found him by the front gate. All his fingers were bandaged. He turned at her footsteps and smiled. "Is everything ok?"
"I'm-" Kel started, not sure how to phrase it. "I'm..........pregenate." Cleon looked completly shocked for a moment. Then his shock turned into joy. He laughed and kissed her.
"This is great!" he told her smiling. Kel smiled at her husband. "You think so?" she asked. She had hope not to have a baby so soon. But maybe this is for the best, she thought. The district would expect them to produce a heir soon anyways. He nodded, still smiling, and kissed her again. They were interupted by horn calls and the sound of approching horses.
Three people approched them on horses: King Jonathan, Prince Roald, and Princess Kalasin. Kel and Cleon both bowed and smiled. They had not seen any of their friends since the wedding. King Jon was not smiling though. He looked down at them from atop his horse and said, "Cleon of Kennan. War between Tortall and Scanra has broken out. You are to report to the army base with us. Keladry you are to come as well."
Cleon stared at the king wordlessly. Finally he managed to say, "Your Highness, We can not do that." He put a arm around Kel's sholders and looked stubbornly up at the king. Jon look down at him angerly. "And why not?"
"Becaused I'm pregenate," Kel said, taking a step forward. Roald smiled and them but the King's expression did not change. Finally Jon said, "So Keladry will stay here and run the fief. You on the other hand, Cleon of Kennan, will come with us. Every sword is needed at a time like this."
"But Father," Roald argued. "This is a time when Cleon will be most needed at home." Kel and Cleon both smiled at their friend but the King expression still had not change.
"I understand they are your friend but-" King Jon started.
"But Roald is right," Kalasin interupted. "It is not a matter of friendship father. Roald is speaking the truth. What you're saying is not fair."
"Enough!" Jon snapped. "I'm sorry if you are about to have a baby, but times like this calls for every person we can get. So you are to come with us! That is my final decision!" He turned his horse and rode off. Princess Kalasin sighed and said, "I'm sorry for my father's behavior. Good luck with your new baby." Then she too, rode off after her father. They both stared wordlessly at Roald, who looked ashamed. He shook his head and said, "I am sorry, but there is no changing his mind once he says 'That is my final decision'. He said that to Kalasin when she beged to be a page. Good luck with your baby. I think I can make it so you'll be home in time Cleon." He nodded to Kel and said, "C'mon Cleon, let's go."
"Just a moment," Cleon said. He turned Kel into his arms and whispered to her, "I'll be back before you know it. You just be good and take care of yourself and the baby." He kissed long and sweetly. The he murmered, "I love you" into her ear and let her go. Kel's eyes started to sting with tears. She grabbed his hands and said, "I love you too Cleon. Take my necklace with you as a reminder of your home and family." She unhooked the necklace she wore and stuffed it into his hands. He took it and hugged her tightly. When he let her go his eyes too were soaked with tears. He kissed her on the cheek and went to saddle his horse.
"Sorry, Kel," Roald said from atop his horse. Kel wiped her tears and said, "It's not your fault Roald. I know you tried and I think you." Roald nodded to her and he and Cleon both rode away. Kel stood there for some time, watching the empty rode, before realizing she freezing cold and went inside.
Sitting on her bed she opened the book and began to read, trying to keep her mind off Cleon. What if something happens to him? What if he doesn't return in time for the birth of his first child? What if he doesn't return at all? What if she has to raise the baby all by herself? What if- Kel shook her head, clearing away the "what if" thoughts. She layed on her back and began to read.
"Exercise daily. Do not work yourself too hard. Eat healthy," she read out loud. "Expect morning sickness. Do not go riding. This can cause the infant's head to bump up and down causing brain damage." She sighed and put the book aside. Jump hopped onto the bed and licked her face. He whined and looked around.
"Cleon's not here," she told him patting his head. He whined again and nudged her belly with his nose. She smiled and told him, "He'll be back in time for the baby. Don't worry." He barked licked her face again. Suddenly the room sounded with peeps. Over a hundred sparrows flew into the room through the open window. They flew around her and flew back out the window. Only three birds remained. Nari, the sparrow who took over the flock when crown died, Arrow, and Peg. The small birds perched on her sholders and peeped. She rubbed their bellies and gave them some seeds, they then took off again through the open window.
* * * * *
Seven Months Later
Kel walked out of the privy feeling like she just threw up her whole stomach. Moaning she went downstairs to get something to eat.
After eating a small meal she went to sit in the garden, Jump and some of sparrows following in her wake. She had done this everyday for the last four months. The first three months she had been able to practice with her glaive, but after three months it became to hard. Now for the last four months she had sat in the garden with a book, in hope she might see Cleon riding back up the rode. She scanned the rode with sharpe eyes and sighed. There was no sign of a approching rider. She rubbed her back, sat on a bench and opened her book. The sparrows perched on nearby branched peeping to each other. Jump curled up next to her feet and fell asleep. Kel sighed again and began to read.
A hour passed and Kel was just about to get up and get a small snack when she heard hooves thundering up the rode. Was it Cleon? She turned hoping it was. It was not Cleon. It was three of her friends: Neal, Merric, and Owen. They rode up to her smiling.
"Well, well, well, I see you and Cleon have been busy since the wedding," Neal remarked looking at her. Merric and Owen giggled as Kel blushed. "When's the baby due?"
"About a week from now," Kel said, then demanded, "And how come you three aren't in the wars? If it's over where's Cleon?"
"Oh, he'll be around," Merric said. "He took a arrow in the sholder and leg and had to go to a healer."
"Is he ok?" she asked worried.
"Yeah. He'll be up and about in no time," Owen replied, drinking some water from his canteen. "Wanna have some practice?" he asked unsheathing his sword, heasitated, then sheathed the sword again. "Well, maybe you can't. Looks like it'll be to much trouble for you."
"Yeah, you're right. I haven't lifted a weapon for over four months now," Kel said sadly.
"Boy or girl?" Neal asked.
"The healer said it'll be a girl, but you can never tell," Kel said. She sighed and rubbed her back. She lead her friends inside, happy to see them. She had been very lonely in the castle over the last couple of months, with no one to talk to but the servents and Cleon's mother, who would not stand by and watch Kel go through her pregenacy by herself. She sat her friends down at a table and beseiged them with questions. Then they asked her questions. How was she? Did she feel ok? How's the baby? Who will be the midwife when she gave birth? Can they stay with her at Castle Kennan? Was it easy living here pregenate by herself, without Cleon for the last seven months? She answered all their questions and showed them the guestrooms.
Kel tipy-toed down the stairs hoping not to wake anyone. It was late and she was once again heading for the garden. She opened the gate just wide enough for her to go through and entered the garden. Jump followed, his claws making a tap tap tap sound as he walked. Stretching her back Kel sat down on the bench watching the sadly empty road. She sat there for hours wondering where Cleon was now. Finally yawning she made her way back to her room.
Kel woke at dawn despite her late bedtime and ate breakfast before going down to the garden again. An hour later her friends found her. They watched the empty road in silence for awhile. All her friends kept peering over at Kel, a look of pity on their faces.
"We have to go," Merric said quietly, awhile later. "We were to come to see if you were ok, Cleon had said. But the king said to come back right after."
Kel looked down at her shoes and nodded. They all saddled their horses and bid farewell to her. Kel stood at the stable doors watching her friends prepare to go. Before mounting up Neal came over and handed her a stone in a shape of a heart that hung on a fine silver chain. On it were the letters "K" and "C".
"From Cleon," Neal replied to her silent question. "He told me to give it to you. He carved it himself."
Kel nodded, not trusting her voice. Her Yamani training kept her from crying. How she wished Cleon would come back! She bid good bye to her friends as she watched then ride down the road. Then slowly she went back to the garden, Jump following at her heels. The sparrows had taken off for a wamer home servral months before for the winter.
A week later Kel was once again in the garden, her heart full of hope. The baby was due yesterday but it had not come. She took it as a sign that Cleon was meant to come back before the baby was came. Sitting down with a new found hope she opened her book with Jump layed across her feet.
Suddenly she heard hooves pounding up the streets and looked up hopfully. She saddened a bit when she saw it ws only Neal and Yuki and not Cleon. Sighing, she smiled at them, happy that they come. It had been a lonely week. They rode up to her and dismounted smiling their hellos.
After they stabled their horses in the stable they sat with Kel in the garden. Silently they watched the sparrosws dart around here and there and Jump chasing a squirrel near by. Finally Kel broke the silence.
"The baby was due yesterday," she said quietly.
"What do you think that means?" Yuki asked, turning to look at her.
"I dunno," Kel replied quietly. "Maybe it means that Cleon is suppose to come before I give birth..."
Kel looked so hopeful that Neal and Yuki couldn't bring themselves to tell her that babies usually aren't born on the day the healers tell. Instead they remained silent and watched the empty rode.
Sometime around noon Kel suggestedd that they go inside for lunch. Neal and Yuki were both hungry and accepted happliy. But as Kel stood up Neal gasped in surprise.
"What is it?" Kel asked. Neals eyes were huge in his face and it took awhile for him to gasp out, "Your leaking!"
Kel looked down and sure enough he was right. She got scared and started to panic, but Yuki put her hand on her sholder and said, "Your water broke! That means its time for the baby to be born!" Jump hopped onto the bench and started barking as Neal and Yuki helped Kel inside. It was chaos. Servents came to help escort her to the midwife healer. Jump pranced around her feet whining. Her sparrows darted here and there frightening the servents. Finally they got Kel into a bed with stools for Neal and Yuki.
Laying in bed Kel felt a sharp pain and cried, "What was that?!" Causing Neal to back away. Yuki can over to wipe sweat off her forehead.
"It's just contractions," the midwife healer told her. "They come every 10 seconds or so until the baby is born."
"That's a great comfort," Kel muttered to herself. Neal was slowly making his way back to the bed when Yuki snapped, "Neal! Your best friend is about to have a baby and all you do is hide?! Get your bottom over here and wipe her forehead while I go get water!" Shoving a cloth in Neal's hand Yuki left the room in search of water. Shaking his head Neal came over to Kel and wiped her forehead. "I'm sorry I hid," he said meekly.
She was about to say it was ok but another contraction came and she sqweezed Neal's hand so hard that he yelp and gritted his teeth. When it was over she face Neal and said, "I can't have the baby yet! Cleon isn't here!!"
"It's ok," Neal whispered, wiping her forehead. "He'll come. You'll see."
Yuki came back with a glass of water handing it Kel before sitting down on the other side of the bed. Kel smiled wearly at her friend. If Cleon doesn't come, Kel thought sadly, At least I have my friends with me.
Four hours past and Neal dozed off in a chair nearby. Yuki was glaring at him when suddenly the midwife healer, who was checking on Kel, said, "It's time. Time to start pushing." Kel gasped and said, "No! Cleon isn't here yet! It can't be time!" But the healer shook her head and said, "I'm sorry. The baby isn't going to wait for Sir Cleon." But as the words came out of her mouth the door to the room banged opened and there stood Cleon. He was dirty, sweaty and had a bandage on his sholder, but he ran to the bed falling on his before grabing Kel's hand. Behind ran a frantic looking servent.
"Sir, you can't possibily come in here in those clothes. And you can not leave your poor horse out there in front of the castle all sweaty and-" the servent babbled. But Cleon ignored him and kissed Kel's hand. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner."
"It's ok," Kel whispered, smiling at him. "You made it right on time."
Four more hours pasted and Kel gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The healer had taken the baby to be bathed, clothed, and fed, and to leave Kel and Cleon alone. Neal and Yuki had left after the baby was born, both having a silent agreement that they were not need and Kel and Cleon would want to be alone.
The moment the healer had left Kel had thrown herself at Cleon's chest. Burying her face in his clothes she started to cry. Cleon stroked her hair and said, "What is it? Why are you crying?"
"I thought you wouldn't make it back in time," she whispered into his chest. He wrapped strong arms around her and murmered, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Some time passed and Cleon broke the silence by asking, "What will we name her?" When Kel didn't answered he looked down and saw she was asleep in his arms. So delicate she looks, he thought to himself and realized something. Ever since Kel had been a page she had never been delicate. She was always tough and could beat up anyone who messed with her. Never had she showned a delicate side to any of her friends. But now, she had showned it to him and he felt honored.Softly he kissed her forehead and murmered, "Rest now, my sunrise. I'm here for you."
The End (for now ^_^ )