Epilogue: Hope "It's nearly out!" Lash yelled over the painful cries of his wife. Lokka lay on her back on the low, rope-spring bed. Her knuckles were deathly white from gripping the bed frame, and she was soaked in sweat. The labor pains had become intense earlier that day. She groaned and drew hissing breaths as she toddled around the stone house until she couldn't stand any longer. Lash had stayed with her, patiently watching his wife.
The woman screamed one last time, and then a cry rang out. Not a usual baby cry - high and piercing - but it was lower, more of a growl. Lash held the baby high over his head. He smiled with much joy to see that it was a boy. Yarga, you will be remembered in more than just memory - he thought, then taking a rag, wiped the baby clean. Lokka was lying still, her breathing finally calming. Lash brought the baby to her in a clean blanket she had made. He placed the baby in her arms. "You have done well, wife," Lash said, wiping her face of sweat. "Do you need me? I want to fetch Canohando"
Lokka shook her head. "No, my kind Lash. We will be all right"
When Canohando saw the proud smile on Lash's face, he knew why. Though a baby girl would have been loved just as well as a boy, both orcs secretly hoped for a boy to take Yarga's name. "He has finally come into the world!" Lash proclaimed, running up to his friend. "Come to see him"
"It is good to hear I am allowed into the house again!" Canohando laughed. He had wandered the woods around their stone house from the time Lokka began to have birthing pangs. That had been two days ago. They made their way into the house with Lash leading - his joy teeming to no end. He knelt beside his wife, gaze not leaving the baby. Canohando stopped short at the sight. He never had a family of his own, at least, not a loving one. Lash and Yarga were his family after the Dark Lord fell. Then Ninefingers had come, and became a light of changing for him. But, never had he been apart of a family with a husband, wife, and child. He shook his head clear. The thought had not crossed his mind before, but somehow, it felt oddly painful to him.
Canohando pushed the thoughts away, and went to stand on the other side of Lokka. "May I see him"
Lokka looked at Lash, who nodded. She handed the baby to Canohando.
"Yes," Canohando said in approval when baby gripped his finger firmly. "He will be strong. He will do us proud"
Lash nodded, placing a hand on his son's head. "A new light shines for us. May we never walk in darkness again."