The past few months flew by after their return from the Defenders of the Wing. Iris celebrated another birthday, quietly. Dagur had tried to insist on having a big celebration but she didn't want that. All she wanted was to enjoy the time with him instead. He was disappointed but promised a late celebration once their child was born.
Her belly grew like crazy as the child inside her grew. It was hard to get out of bed or up from a chair so often Dagur had to help her. Of course it didn't help that the little one was an active babe. They constantly moved, shifted, kicked, punched, stretched, everything they could do. Dagur loved it since he could feel the baby move more but Iris' insides would rather they be still for a moment. Especially her ribs.
Her parents were completely settled in. Jon was better at speaking Norse and could hold long conversations with the other guards. His skills with weapons and leading others got him promoted to guard captain finally. No one argued against it since he had the guard in better shape and order than they had been in years.
Of course Vivian was constantly busy. She took some time off to fly to Berk on Silvia to meet Gothi, their healer, and learn from her under the guise that the medical plants in their homeland were different than most here. Gobber spent quite some time as an interpreter during Vivian's stay. Not that it seemed to bother the blacksmith. If anything he seemed to enjoy the excuse to not work.
Speaking of family, Heather finally settled in. She and Windshear joined the Berserker Riders. Eventually she began showing them different flight styles, battle formations, and soon observed the different Riders in mock battles under her instruction. It gave Dagur a break from training them. It also gave Heather a sense of purpose.
She still went on the odd adventure here and there with Hiccup and his crew but she never lingered long. Afterwards she'd always race home. Everytime she was greeted with open arms and happy faces.
Iris and Astrid kept in touch through Terror Mail. The blonde Viking had mentioned in one of her letters that Heather didn't seem interested in Fishlegs anymore. Instead she treated him like a good friend. No more sidelong looks or sighs of longing. Astrid tried to talk to Heather about it but Heather just said she was too busy to think of romance anymore. Iris didn't have any answers either.
Vikings didn't have baby showers but that didn't stop the tribesmen from bombarding Iris with things for the baby. Already she had a baby wrap, various blankets, cloth diapers for days, multiple rattles, and even a small wooden sword and axe. Plus she was swamped with clothing from the other moms that their children long outgrew but they held onto.
Everyone was excited to meet their future chief or chieftess. Bets were being placed on not only gender but looks again. Iris just ignored them the best she could. Which was hard when Dagur was making bets of his own. She gave him an earful when she found that out.
"Everything looks good," Vivian remarked. "You are measuring about thirty nine weeks. So any day now."
"Great," Iris groaned. Vivian had to help her sit up after laying on the cot to be examined. "I'm ready to meet the little Berserker. They'd been sitting on my bladder for the past two days and nothing I do can get them to move."
"You enjoyed that too," Vivian teased. "Or you'd wait until I was almost asleep before shoving a fist into my ribs. Talk about a charlie horse!"
"The only plus side is I can get them to kick Dagur when he's sleeping," she giggled.
"You are so mean." That didn't stop Vivian from laughing though.
"Hey its not fair he gets a restful night sleep when he helped make this."
"I heard that," Dagur commented behind the screen that seperated where Iris was being examined from the rest of the room. "Can I come in?"
"Sure," Vivian said.
"How's my little Berserker?" he cooed, crouching down to hold Iris' large belly. "Active today! Just kicking away!"
"Always when you come around," Iris teased.
"They know who their daddy is," he said. He looked up at her with a warm smile. "Who's lucky enough to have their mom in his life."
"Save the sappy stuff for when you leave," Vivian drawled. "Expect contractions to start any day mister Dad. She's far enough along in her pregnancy to safely deliver baby here anytime. The moment you feel contractions send this knuckle head to get me. I'll be damned if anyone else gets to deliver my first grandchild but me."
"I'm not a knucklehead," Dagur grumbled.
"Yes Mom," Iris answered. "Can you help me down? Please?"
Holding her back Iris slide off the cot with help from Dagur. She couldn't see her toes anymore which caused her to start wearing thinner slip on style shoes. Armor was impossible after her belly really started growing so she wore a oversized tunic, shirt, and pants she could lace up below her belly. Which was where the oversized tunic helped to keep her covered.
"Bye Mom," Iris called as she headed out.
Vivian just waved, already heading to her next patient who needed to get stitches taken out. She was always busy with the adventurous Berserkers about.
With Dagur next to her they headed to the new market. The old one was too small and couldn't handle all the traders who stopped in as well as the tribesmen who started their own work. So under Dagur's instruction they dismantled the old one and built a new one closer to the docks. Overall it worked out nicely.
"Do you need anything?" Dagur asked. "Maybe we should get them a sword. Oh maybe a knife!"
"I will stab you with either if you try to give that to our infant child," Iris said mildly as she looked at some yarn a merchant had. Her words caused the merchant's face to pale slightly as he looked between them. "If you want one that's fine but don't use our baby as an excuse."
"Of course not," Dagur said quickly.
"Can I get all this yarn here?" Iris asked the merchant. He quickly nodded and took her coin before bundling it up. "Thank you."
"More yarn?"
"I won't be able to do much so I might as well get things to keep me busy until the baby is born. Afterwards I'll be recovering from childbirth so I don't think I'll be able to go off on any adventures." Dagur chuckled. "What?"
"I just imagined you riding Enigma, sword in one hand and a swaddled baby in the other, flying into battle. Imagine how our enemies would react!"
"I wouldn't be carry the baby. I'd probably carry them against my chest in a baby wrap. Remember? Mom showed us how to do it."
"Hm that is a better idea."
"Still, not going to happen."
Dagur just snickered as they continued about. She got a few more things, some tanned hides she could make something with and some heavier duty needles and thread. Dagur took the hides before she could ask and carried them easily. At least he didn't have a belly to fight with when it came to carrying things.
Finally they both agreed to head back. Iris was getting tired and Dagur wanted to check on the guards before going to his meeting with the clan heads. Everyone was getting antsy about the delay in snow and he needed to keep everyone calm.
They parted ways after Dagur placed her hides inside and gave her a quick kiss. Iris watched him leave before heading inside, her back still aching. It had started aching halfway home.
"Hey girl," Iris said to Enigma who was curled up against the far wall of the living room.
The female Fury Howler looked up and gave a purr, not moving from her spot. Iris walked over to scratch her chin but Enigma instead drew her head closer to herself. That was unusual. She moved closer only to stumble forward from Enigma nudging her with her tail.
"Be careful girl! I could have fallen over. I'm not that stable."
Enigma whined softly but lifted her wing. Iris stared at her side in awe. Nestled next to the Fury Howler was a white and tan egg. It was smooth with little textured bumps all over it. Perfectly tucked up against Enigma.
"Well congratulations my lovey. You're a mom now too!"
16 July 2021: Y'all who've been sticking with it know the drill. Its Friday, I'll see you Monday.
