- Chapter 11 -

:Mama-Afi!:  The desperate wail pulled her from a deep sleep.  Nico was standing next to her cocoon of blankets, his nose next to her face.

:What's wrong?:

Nico, taking her response as an invitation to snuggle he tried to worm under the blankets, falling on top of her as he did so.

Afiona moaned as she pushed his furry rump off her chest and pulled the blanket over his back, leaving his head free.

:Story?:  Nico stood to turn around so his head was nearest her, taking the blankets with him.

:Silly pup.:  Demon grumbled from the opposite side of Afiona's body.

:Patience.:  Afiona sighed as she helped the foal settled next to her and recover the three of them with the blanket.  :Go to sleep Nico.:

:Story!:

:Sleep.:  Afiona insisted firmly.  She had barely slept since the night before Nico was born.  If this kept up she would be forced to use her Gift to make him sleep.  It seemed barely a candlemark would pass before he would start begging for another story.

Nico huffed and stared at her out of a luminous blue eye. 

:No story.:  She repeated.  :Sleep.:

Nico huffed again.

She ignored him.

:Pee.:  He informed her.

"Oh, Nico."  She rolled on to her back and grumbled as she got to her feet.  :Come on.:

Nico and Demon scrambled to their feet and followed as she opened the door and stepped out into the still night.  Healer Geina had further reduced her duties to just what she could fit in around Nico's needs, which was barely enough to feed the animals a few treats.

She shivered as the cool breeze tugged at her cotton nightgown.  Nico happily pranced around the moonlit garden.  Demon was considerate enough to do his business quickly and head back to bed, grumbling about "silly pups" not letting him sleep.

"Come on Nico."  She hid a yawn behind her hand and settled on the stone bench to wait.

Nico paused to examine a leaf that was apparently fascinating and Afiona felt her eyes drift close.

It seemed only minutes later that someone was shaking her shoulder.

"Afiona?"

"Hmmm?"  She blinked and sat up.  Her neck and shoulders stiff from the uncomfortable position.  "Medren?"

Medren was kneeling next to her with obvious concern.  "What are you doing out here?"

Afiona quickly stood and looked around for her charge.  "Nico!"

"Who is Nico?"  Medren asked.  "If you found some one…"

"Nico is my charge, an orphaned Companion foal."

:Silly pup is here.:  Demon assured her from inside.

"Thank goodness, he is inside."  She ran across the bedewed grass to the still open door.  Inside she found Nico cuddled up next to the aged dog.  "Now he sleeps."

"How long as he been yours?"  Medren asked, standing bare inched from her.

"A week now."  Afiona flopped into her chair.  "It was an incredible surprise to suddenly become a mother of a newborn toddler."

"Toddler?"  Medren stared down at the foal.

"He is the equivalent of a human toddler in my opinion."  Afiona explained.  "What are you doing here?  I didn't expect you to come for another couple weeks."

Medren sat on the arm of the chair and smiled down at her.  "You would rather I left?"

"Hardly."  She returned his smile.  "I desperately need a babysitter right now."

"A babysitter?"  Medren repeated dubiously.

"Truly."  Afiona's face grew serious.  "But more importantly, I am concerned about your friend, Stefen.  I can't repeat what he said, but I want you to take this season and travel north with him."

"But I just got here.  Never mind.  If that is what Stef needs I will escort him north."  Medren grimaced.  "At least it won't be snowing."

"He needs a connection to Van and that forest is the best place to make a connection.  Use the chance to compose another song, preferably not one about freezing to death.  He also needs a friend right now."

"I already said I would go."  Medren assured her.  "Grandmother is coming, she is expecting me to dance attendance on her, I'll leave it to you to explain why I have suddenly grabbed my lute and run north."  He kissed her temple affectionately. 

"Thanks."

Nico finally roused and shook his head, his unruly tuft of a mane looking even more tangled than normal.  :Who!:

"He is adorable."  Medren observed.  "You have to tell me how he became yours, I get the feeling it would make a great song."

"Aiming to write a comedy and a tragedy?"  Afiona beckoned Nico over.  :This is Medren.  He is my friend.  He likes to tell stories.:

Nico nearly knocked the chair over at that bit of news. 

"What does he want?"  Medren asked as he tried to hold off the colt.

"He wants a story."

:Story!:  Nico agreed.

"I am going to have a bath, I have barely managed to wash my face since he was born.  Could you tell him a story and keep him occupied?"

"I'll try."  Medren took her place on the chair and rested his arms on his knees so he was eye to eye with Nico.  "Once there was a great Herald named Vanyel…"

"Nothing too bloody."  She warned as she made her escape.

Less than half a candlemark later she returned to find Medren and Nico playing a game of tag.

:Mama-Afi!:  Nico called when she reappeared.

"How's my little boy?"  She knelt and scratched his ears.

Nico buried his face in her chest and she could feel his relief at her return.

Medren was huffing when he knelt next to her.  "He's fast."

"Tell me about it."  She grinned.  "I finally feel human again.  Thanks for watching him."

"Since you are fully awake and in a good mood, I brought a gift."

"Oh?"  Her curiosity was peeked. 

"And it seems you will appreciate it even more now with this little fellow to keep up with."  Medren took her hand and led her from the walled garden towards the stable.

Nico stuck to Afiona's side, watching the new surroundings eagerly.

"Is it in your saddlebags?"  She asked.

"You'll see."  He said enigmatically. 

He didn't stop at the stall where his gelding waited for treats.  Afiona promised to return later since she couldn't stop.  Two stalls down he stopped.  Afiona could see only a dapple-grey rump at first, before the horse turned to examine its visitors.

"She's for you.  One of the best of the Ashkevron stables."  Medren said proudly.

The horse raised her head with dignity and eyed her three visitors.  :Who?:

:I am Afiona.:  She answered.  "What's her name?"

"Whisper."  Medren stood aside to allow her closer examination of her new mount.

Whisper was of the warhorse line.  It was obvious in the thicker legs and neck, but intelligence and patience shone in her eyes.  Her mane was nearly black and her hide a medium grey with pale dapples.  Her powerful hooves were mostly covered by her feathering.  Every line of her body was elegant and powerful.

"You heard about Karse I take it."

"Aunt Lissa wrote to Grandfather about her concerns.  Since he can't read I read it to him."  Medren explained.  "The last thing I want to ever hear is that one of my closest and dearest friends fell because she didn't have a suitable mount to escape on.  I know you, you will go to the front if you believe you are needed.  You would even take your little friend."

Afiona stroked Whisper's nose, the mare sighed in contentment.  Nico, jealous, head butted her leg, nearly sending her to the ground.

"I love you too, don't worry."  She assured him.  "Thank you Medren.  She is wonderful."

"You are most welcome."

:Story?:  Nico asked eagerly, bored already.  :Play?:  He mock charged at Medren.

Afiona laughed and stepped back before she was knocked over.  Little Nicodimus was growing stronger every day and he didn't know his own strength, as many of Afiona's bruises proved.

"Afiona."  A familiar voice haled her and she grinned at the approaching Herald.

"Lance, coming to check up on Nico?"  She asked lightly.  "Medren, this is Herald Lance.  Lance, this is my friend Bard Medren.  I believe I mentioned him."

"You did."  Lance smiled as he extended his hand in greeting.  "I am pleased to meet you.  I hear you are a formidable swordsman."

"Lance is one of the Weapons masters."  Afiona explained.  "We should get out of here before Nico decides to knock us into a dirty stall."

"Come quietly and I will tell you a story."  Medren promised.  Nico ignored him.

"He doesn't understand human speech yet."  Afiona explained.  "He just loves to hear you talk."

:Come and let Medren will tell another story.:  Afiona invited the frolicking colt who froze at her words and returned obediently to her side.

"Is he ever growing."  Lance observed.  "Carmia says they couldn't be more pleased with your care."

"I am honoured.  Just remind them that it is up to them to teach him how to be a Companion."

Nico walked looking back over his shoulder at Medren.  Afiona could hear his thoughts, completely focused on the promised story.  "I think he is about to learn a wonderful lesson in watching where you are going."

Seconds later Nico was sprawled on the stable floor after a close encounter with an open door.

:Owwie!!:  Nico wailed in her mind.

:It is only a bruise.  That is why you should watch where you are going.:  Afiona knelt to soothe the tender nose.  If she didn't know better she would say those were tears in his eyes.

The two men knelt on either side of her and together they help Nico back to his feet. 

"It seems only his pride is hurt."  Lance observed.

"He bruised his nose but his pride is firmly intact."  Afiona corrected.  "He is insisting next time Medren will walk in front of him where Nico can see if he runs away.  He thought you would resume the game of tag."

"Tell him tag is an outside game."  Medren suggested and obediently started walking in front of them as they headed back outside.