I suppose that it was because I had hoped for a daughter, that the gods gifted me with a son instead. Our son, Brandeth Nightstar was born on the 27th day of Marpenoth. And even considering he was born about a month too soon, I counted back and realized that I had gotten Rosealliele pregnant only a few months after we were married.
I have never attended childbirth before, and after witnessing one, I vow that I never will again. For though elven births are said to be the easiest of all races, they are still bloody, and my wife still screamed and was in so much pain that I was certain she was going to die. She did not die, however, though she cried piteously and made me feel like the worst sort of creature for having inflicted this upon her.
Thankfully I don't recall much of when my son actually came out of my wife, for I when I heard her flesh tear, and saw his head coming out, I started to feel dizzy and was told by the clerics to get out of the way and to sit down before I fell down.
By the time I felt strong enough to stand again, I could hear my son wailing loudly as he was being cleaned. My attention was completely on Rose, at that point, however, for she was the most important to me. She was quick to assure me that she was fine, just tired and sore. I think I was a little incredulous over her words considering the intensity of screams only moments earlier, but she assured me that she was all right. As soon as they handed Brandeth to her, I was forced to concede that she did seem much better, for though she was sweaty and weary looking, the expression of amazement that crossed her face when she set eyes on him seemed to change everything.
I confess, I was not overly impressed at the first view of my son. When Sera had hatched, she had come out looking impressive, even though she had been so small. Brandeth was…tiny. His head was about the size of the palm of my hand, and his hands and feet were smaller than my little finger in their entirety. His skin was so pale as to be nearly white, and it seemed to sag around him….as though he was wearing a tunic that was too big. His eyes were squinted closed, and his head was covered in blue hair that reminded me more of the fuzz on a peach skin, than of hair. And his ears were far too big for him, and folded over at the tips.
All in all, not very impressive…and so very delicate looking! Rose offered to let me hold him, but I declined, thinking that I might hurt him if I did so. That's the nice thing about Sera…she's fairly sturdy and had been since day one. Rose didn't complain or anything, as she seemed content to have him in her arms. I say that it's a good thing, for she best get used to it. I'd rather not pick him up too much anyhow…at least until he looks more capable of surviving it.
Rose was the one who came up with the name Brandeth, I might add. She told me that she was trying to come up with a way to honor my foster parents, knowing how much I loved them, and yet still keep the name sounding elven. Brandeth is sort of a combination of elven and human names. I liked it when she told me that was what she wanted to name him, so I didn't disagree. Brandeth Nightstar sounds fairly good, and at least it's easier to spell than Keledrial or Rosealliele!
Now while Brandeth was as unlike Sera in appearance as one can get, I soon discovered how much very like her he was when it came to certain things, and in learning so, I have concluded that all infants must act the same, regardless of race. The big difference is that at least Brandeth doesn't try to bite my fingers off when he's eating!
The first few days were fine enough, for he slept for the most part. Then, roughly a week or so after he was born, it was like he suddenly woke up. He started crying…often and loudly. When he wasn't eating or sleeping he was making a mess of his diapers. It was like Sera all over again, in that reverie was fleeting for both Rose and I, as he always seem to decide to be demanding the moment we laid down. And poor Rose seems to have less than no idea of what to do. My wife is always asking me if I know what's wrong with him, or what she should do, her expression so trusting and fearful that all I want to do is give her a definitive answer so that she'll smile, or at the very least be relieved.
The problem is that, Sera notwithstanding, I don't really know what to do. Brandeth's cries are different than Sera's were…and he eats differently and so forth. Sometimes I can puzzle out what he's making noise for, while at others, I'm at a loss. And while I know that babies are small and helpless, I also think that they are somewhat vengeful about being so, and that is the reason they choose the most inopportune times to declare themselves.
Now that he's a month old, Brandeth seems a bit bigger, and his skin seems to fit him better. The fuzz on his head is starting to grow out, and almost looks like real hair. The only problem is that it sticks up on top of his head like little silver-blue spikes, which makes him looks like a bird with ruffled feathers. His eyes which started as a muted bluish hue have changed to a distinctive violet color…like Rose's. Poor boy. I have never envied any of the elven men I know with violet eyes seeing as, in my opinion, it makes them look like girls. Violet really is a girl's color anyway. I hope Brandeth doesn't get teased too much when he gets older.
Still, one good thing is that Brandeth has shown no signs of poor health. According to the clerics, he is as fit as a fiddle…which is an odd statement seeing as how would one know if a fiddle is fit? But the point is, he seems to have no trouble with his breathing…he certainly cries enough to show us that there is no problem with his lungs, after all. And thinking back to the stories I had heard of when I was a child, I recall my parents having said that I rarely cried as a baby…and perhaps that was the first indication that something was wrong with me. I should like to speak with them about, to ask what other things they noticed before realizing that I was sick. I have written to them, and sent several magical messages, but there has been no response from them yet. I'm rather concerned about it, seeing as you'd think they take enough time to write me back, or at least show some interest in their first, full-blood, legitimate elven grandchild! And Rose's grandparents haven't responded either. I know she's upset about it, seeing as she told me so. She thinks they're angry at us, but I rather think that's ridiculous. After all, she was engaged so young in part because there is a need for the Silverspear house to try to recover their numbers with new children. And though Brandeth will be a Nightstar, he being the first born, there is every chance that someday down the road…hopefully far, far down the road…Rose and I will have other children, and some of those children will be Silverspears. They should be happy, I told her, as Brandeth is proof that their house will be continue on, through her. Rose is not convinced. Sometimes she seems so sad and gloomy lately that I'm the one cheering her up, when usually it is the other way around. I don't understand why she still seems to cry for no apparent reason. Maybe she's been around our son too much! Still, the clerics told me that it's normal for her to behave this way, although they couldn't explain to me why it's normal. Still, I hope she goes back to being the way she was. I rather miss the woman I married.
On the bright side, Sera is handling things well, which is better than I hoped for. Initially I had feared that Sera would break down into another fit of hysterics, like when she had learned about Kelly. Strangely, though, she never did…even though having Brandeth, a "real" elven child was one of the things Sera had been afraid of. She was very intrigued during Rose's pregnancy, and was always touching Rose's belly so that she could feel the baby. I was worried that she might resent Brandeth once he was born, however, good nature notwithstanding…especially seeing as Brandeth takes up a great deal of our free time. But Sera has yet to complain. In fact, the problem is…although I don't know if it should be termed "problem""…that Sera is…possessive of Brandeth. In fact, after the first time she was allowed to hold him, she declared that Brandeth was her brother and that she was happy to have him…with a great deal of emphasis on "her's."
Now she will try to carry him with her whenever she allowed, and whenever she has him, getting him away from her is the hard part. She is very protective of him, and talks to him like he is grown enough to understand her, but with her usual draconic nature she thinks that because he is "her's" that no one should be allowed to hold him but her. She won't let her friends hold him, and will almost never give him up to anyone but Rose or I. It's a little unnerving, to tell the truth. But I don't suppose I can blame a dragon for being a dragon. At least she doesn't hate him, as she did my brother Kedriel. It's just that she treats Brandeth as though he were a living doll for her to play with. And while that's fine now, I can already foresee trouble once he gets older and develops a will of his own.
Still and all, despite the fact that I am growing a bit more comfortable with my son's presence, despite the fact that I really do wish he would learn to rest at proper time of night, I still can't help feeling somewhat apprehensive. After all, I haven't done such a great job with Sera, spoiled thing that she is, but at least I know how to deal with her. Brandeth, I believe is going to be a far different story, and I do not think it will be nearly as easy to deal with him as it is with Zelairwyn. After all, he is related to me and the gods know I have never been an easy sort to for anyone to handle.
I cannot believe it! How they managed to arrange all this and coordinate it all so well is well beyond my comprehension. I had no idea what any of them were planning! And I must say, when I walked down stairs this morning, the last thing in the world I expected was to see the majority of my friends and family waiting for me in one of the larger entertaining rooms of the Sunstar mansion!
Perhaps I should have caught on quicker…especially given Tobias' odd statement that he would be seeing me again soon. I thought nothing of it at the time, but in retrospect, perhaps I should've. I have a feeling that he, perhaps, was the driving force behind this, for he is about the only one who could have located, gathered and plotted a gathering of this magnitude.
And it wasn't until I saw them all, and they cheered at my surprise that I recalled what day it was: the twentieth day of Nightal, in the year 1396. In short, today was my 110th birthday, the day that I officially become an adult. I had completely forgotten about it, but then, after so many years, a birthday becomes just another day…and in my case, a particularly cold and wintry sort of day.
So many of the people I knew had come. My parents were there, as were Rose's Grandparents…no wonder we'd not been able to contact them! Also there was my aunt and uncle, my siblings, my cousins, Lita and Allianna, Kelly, Ranon, a goodly number of both teachers and students from the school, and even Elaith…although how they convinced him to come, I have no idea.
I have admit that I was a bit overwhelmed to see how many people had come…how many people I knew...and more importantly how many friends and family I have that I truly care about. I suppose it was a good thing that my parents approached me in short order and demanded to hold Brandeth, else I fear I might have dropped him, just out of sheer shock.
The day wore on in a whirlwind of music and laughter, and dancing, well into the evening. I was pulled aside by one person after another, as they all wished me well on my birthday.
When she arrived, Rose appeared to look shocked at the gathering, as I had been, but a smile in her eyes gave away the fact that she had known what I would find when I went downstairs.
Tobias beamed when I finally got around to speaking with him later that evening, asking if I had been surprised.
"If I had been any more surprised," I assured him, " I fear my heart would have stopped beating from the shock. He laughed and moved off in a swift manner as my sisters approached.
Elaith did not stay long, telling me that he had only stopped by long enough to say hello, and that he'd been attending to business in the area. I am not entirely certain if I believed his reasons, but let him keep his secrets. I was glad to see him, no matter the reason.
At one point during the evening, Kelly had managed to get a hold of Brandeth and was studying her half brother, when Sera bit Kelly, demanding Brandeth. I was about to intervene when Kelly actually bit Sera in return. When Sera came screaming to me about what had happened, I hard pressed to keep from laughing as I told her that she should be careful about biting, seeing as you never know who's going to bite back. She seemed rather miffed that I was not going to scold Kelly, nor demand that the half-elf girl give Brandeth to Sera. It will probably be good for her…a learning experience and all that.
Just after midnight, as the party was wearing down, I was cornered by my cousin, Sylthas. After thanking me profusely for saving his hide, by having Brandeth, Sylthas proceeded to "faint" with relief…in actuality, though, I rather think it was more that he passed out after he, Bran, Ranon, Scully, and Rogan had tried to out drink Magnar. Who would have thought that the dwarven blacksmith could drink more than his weight in ale and still look sober, while the other dropped like flies around him? At least that is one contest I was not stupid enough to enter!
So now I have been officially declared the heir of house Nightstar, with Brandeth being next in line to inherit after me. When my mother and aunt pass from this world, or if they should tire of the responsibilities of running the house, I must take their place. And while it is something I have always known, it never truly seemed real until that point. I had thought that such massive responsibility would leave me quaking, yet the fear and the sensation of being trapped never surfaced…only a sense of pride that even after all of the incredibly foolish things I have done, they still trusted me enough to name me their heir.
And beyond that, I know I have time left. Plenty of time, if I can manage to curb some of my more idiotic tendencies. Time to travel…time to teach…time for my family, and time for myself.
And I as I sit here, the sounds of the party are silent, as everyone has gone to their rest. My wife is in reverie beside me, her body is warm and comforting next to mine. Brandeth is sleeping in her arms, and Sera joined us a few hours ago, and sleeps next to Rose. Watching them, I no longer feel anything but love for them…my family. And I know that I am neither the greatest husband, nor father…but I also know that I do and always will try my hardest to make them happy, and see that they are safe.
I never imagined I would ever have anything like them…not even before Ruathym. Thinking of all those who had come for my birthday, I never imagined that I would ever have so many people that I cared about…so many people who call me "friend." I never even thought I would live to see my 110th birthday at all. And knowing that I have all of them…well…lets just say that I think I can face what life has in store for me, so long as I have all of them, and know that I am no longer alone.
And now, while everything is still, and only the sounds of falling snow, and the scratch of quill against parchment to distract me, I think about a piece of advice Lita once gave me. Lita has always given me good advice, though it always seems to take me a great deal of time to accept her words, and follow them…and it has taken me a bit of time to realize this, as well.
So now, I think it is time to follow Lita's words once more. I've been writing down my story for a long time now. I never thought to ever get this far, but now that I have I'm thinking that I will take less time writing about my life, and spend more time living it.
Keledrial Nightstar
Brandeth Nightstar set the heavy book down with a thud, wiping the grit from his eyes, catching his breath. He looked out the window, and realized how dark it had gotten. He had been reading all day!
He heard plenty about his father's youth, and adventuring days, but never the whole story. Whenever he'd asked his father for details, Keledrial would always tell him that it was better to live in the present and not the past.
Still, it had never occurred to Brandeth just how amazing a past his father had had. Oh, to be certain Keledrial still went adventuring now and again, still fought drow in the forests. But there had been so much in the story that Brandeth had never even heard whispered about!
Brandeth thought about how different everything was now, from how it had been when the last entry in the journal had been written. Almost a century had passed since that day, and in a few more years, it would be Brandeth celebrating his 110th birthday.
His sister, Sera was grown up. Brandeth could still remember the day that she brought home her boyfriend to meet everyone. Brandeth had been much younger then, and thought it funny that their father had casually warned the very large silver dragon, Trissendeyon that if he hurt Sera that Keledrial would mount his head on the wall. The silver dragon had seemed so shocked at the statement…and especially by the fact that Keledrial had seemed so serious about the threat. Still, after a few hours and a few drinks, Keledrial and Trissendeyon were laughing and talking like old friends. Brandeth had thought it especially amusing when Keledrial gestured to an old, battered black dragon head on the wall, and told Trissendeyon that Sera had once used it as chew toy. Sera's face had turned absolutely crimson in embarrassment.
Now Sera and Triss would soon be hatching their first clutch of eggs. Most of the hatchlings they planned on bringing to Evermeet to be raised by foster parents. Sera thought that restoring the number of dragons in Evermeet could only be a good thing, and that being raised by non-draconic surrogate parents hadn't done her any harm.
Still, Brandeth was amused at how things had turned out with Sera…especially after having read that she had had a crush on Zelairwyn when she was younger. He would have to tease them about it later, seeing as Zelairwyn had become Sera's rider after he'd come back from training in the Moonshaes, once he'd learned all that Keledrial had to teach him.
His uncle Kedriel had attended Everall, just as Brandeth did, and once finished, often went adventuring with Sera, Zelairwyn and the rest of their group. Brandeth wanted to adventure someday, but at the same time, the idea of leaving Everall made him a bit nervous.
His aunts had both gotten married, and he rarely saw them, and his cousin, Sylthas was a captain in the aerial guard of Evermeet.
Brandeth had met his half-sister Kelly when he was younger, but she had died several years ago while traveling with her husband Bran. Brandeth went to school with two of their grandchildren.
And Tobias had wed none other than Sylthas' sister, Orianna. They had a little boy, and traveled al throughout Faerun.
Brandeth got up, to put the book back on the library shelf where he'd found it, when he suddenly heard a voice behind him.
"See. I told you he was in here, Daddy," Brandeth heard his younger sister, Sylvianna say. Sylvianna, born some 35 years after Brandeth, was a royal pain, Brandeth decided. At least Sera was only overprotective of him…Sylvianna, on the other hand, followed him everywhere, and always managed to get him trouble…whether she meant to or not.
Brandeth froze, and turned around. Standing in the doorway, was his father, and his sister. As always Brandeth was struck by how much he looked like his father…their height was very nearly the same, and their faces all but identical...all except for the eyes. Brandeth had the same violet eyes as his mother…although he preferred to describe them as "indigo" as that hue seemed less girly than violet. Keledrial's green eyes chanced upon the book Brandeth held.
"Sylvianna, why don't you go see if your mother needs help with Elairwyn?" Keledrial suggested. Elairwyn was Brandeth's only brother…and at only 3 years old, he was far too small to be interesting. Still, Sylvianna darted off, leaving Brandeth alone with Keledrial.
His father took the book from him and set it down on the table.
"I'm sorry, father. I didn't mean to pry…"Brandeth began.
"So what did you think?" Keledrial interrupted. Brandeth answered before he thought.
"It was amazing! I can't believe all that stuff you did, and everything you went through!" Brandeth exclaimed. Keledrial chuckled.
"Sometimes, neither can I."
"Why did you stop writing, though? You've done lots of other things since then," Brandeth wanted to know.
"Did you read the end of the journal?" his father asked. Brandeth nodded. Keledrial smiled.
"Let's just say that I learned living my life was a great deal more interesting that writing about it. And someday I might pick up where I left off…but I have a feeling it will be a very long time from now."
The End