Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Written: 2012. Rewritten: 2014. Found: 2018.- Licia

Three Months Later,

Arjiki Encampment,

1864

She sat among the furs, trailing her fingers over the stretched skin of her belly. The new year had come, and with it, anticipation. Everyone in the tribe awaited the arrival of her child, of Mulhama's child as well. It was an air of excitement, similar to when she'd had Irji.

She looked up as the flap of the tent was lifted, and Mulhama poked her head in. Without a word, she nodded for her sister to join her; the children were playing with friends, and Fiyero was in counsel with the elders. Her confinement- as well as Mulhama's- had begun a week ago as both sisters prepared for birth. They were allowed to see each other, but other than that- and with both being of high status- they were watched more. Looked out for more.

Slowly, the eighteen-year-old lowered herself to the furs of her sister's bed, releasing a breath and resting a hand on her belly. She was carefully watching out for any sign that her pains would begin, but so far nothing. Elphaba had grown used to watching for the signs of labor beginning, but she'd grown careless in the last few days; her focus was no longer on the babe within her, but on something she could not voice, or even understand. She didn't know what it was, but it was important, she knew that much to be true.

A mild pain passed through her womb, and she gently pressed a hand to her side. Her husband had taken her as gently as allowed that morning, for she'd awoken aroused and desiring him greatly and refused to allow him to leave for counsel until she had him within her, to which he'd obliged, bringing her over the edge more than once, making sure she was truly satisfied and satiated before slipping away for counsel.

But that had been two hours ago, and the mild pains had not stopped.

"Elphaba?"

She looked up, pulled from her thoughts to meet her sister's gaze. "Cos'è?"

Mulhama simply shook her head. "Sembri... Distratto." The teenager had quickly picked up the language, and was near fluent in Arjiki now. Though she still occasionally spoke English with her husband, or when she couldn't think of the correct word for something.

The chieftess furrowed a brow at her, before averting her gaze and pressing her hand to the side of her belly. Her sister watched the action, worry niggling at the back of her mind. Something was wrong with her sister, but she couldn't figure out what. The young tribeswoman was horribly distracted, that much was clear, but by what, she couldn't tell. And the fact that she kept pressing against her belly- "Elphaba?"

"Hmm?"

Another press, a barely concealed wince. The teenager had been learning from Sarima the signs of labor so she would know what to watch for when her time came, but now, she was starting to sense that perhaps her sister's time had come. "Stai bene?"

A nod. "Mhmm."

She raised an eyebrow as her sister averted her gaze, the niggling in the back of her head that her sister's time had either come or was fast approaching refusing to let go. Elphaba shifted, lifting the skirt of her buckskin dress up; it was no longer comfortable and she could not even handle the softest of buckskin upon her sensitive flesh. Mulhama watched as her sister's belly shifted slightly, and Elphaba pressed against the side of her belly, wincing. "Elphaba?"

"... hmm?"

The teen bit her lip; she had to ask, whether her sister liked it or not. "Ho... Penso che i tuoi dolori siano iniziati, Fabala." The chieftess shook her head, wincing as the pain continued to throb within her lower back. Mulhama nodded, biting her lip. She herself had been feeling mild pain in her lower back all morning, but she figured it was from the weight of the babe she carried; yes, she and her sister had conceived at the same time, and were due to birth any day, but there was no way such a thing could occur. Yes, women often birthed at the same time on the same day, but sisters? No such thing had ever happened, nor would. "Si, Fabala."

For such a thing to occur, after a period of hardship, meant that a new dawn would quickly approach for the tribe, as Tibbett had told her that morning after they'd made love. But sisters, going through the process of childbirth together, at the same time...

Only Great Mother would allow for such a thing to happen. Her husband's words faded away, and she sighed. Her sister was stubborn, and would most likely deny her pains starting up until the babe came into the world, so she let her be, shifting her position. The movement caused the mild pain to come back, and she reached behind her, placing a hand on her lower back. Elphaba looked up from her daydream.

"Mulhama?" The girl shook her head.

The sisters settle in silence, the noise of the village outside barely distracting both from their own thoughts, or the pain radiating for both. Elphaba shifted, moving onto her knees, hands moving to cradle the great swell before her, and she released a slow breath. The pain in her back had gotten worse; she could no longer ignore it. She pressed hard against her belly, lifting her head and slowly releasing a breath. Mulhama watched her sister; it was evident now that what Elphaba was experiencing was her pains, meaning her time was close- if it hadn't already come. "Fabala?" The chieftess slowly looked up at her sister, releasing a breath as she did so. "I tuoi dolori sono iniziati. Vado a prendere mia madre."

This time, the young woman simply nodded; there was no point in arguing, for it was evident the pain working its way through her body now had to do with the impending birth. With difficulty, Mulhama got to her feet and left, hurrying to fetch Sarima, Tibbett and Fiyero. By the time the four returned, her pains had gotten worse; she had gone from her knees to curled up in the furs, her arms around her belly as the pains grew.

Fiyero was by her side instantly, concern for his wife loud and clear in his blue gaze; as they helped the young chieftess sit up, as Sarima managed to get her to spread her legs so she could check the young woman's progress, Mulhama backed up in attempt to get out of the way, when a sharp pain cut through her womb. She choked out a cry, reaching down to press against her belly, and the others turned, momentarily distracted.

"Mulhama?" Tibbett was by her side instantly, but she waved it away.

"Nothing, marito, niente." But her lie was quickly uncovered as she doubled over, letting out a startled cry.

"Niente?" Tibbett repeated, and she glared at him. He wrapped an arm around her waist, helping her towards the entrance. "Dobbiamo riportarti alla nostra tenda così puoi mentire."

But she shook her head. "No. No! Voglio... per stare con il mio... Sorella..."

Tibbett didn't fight her, as he helped her to return to her sister's side. Once seated beside the older woman, Mulhama rested her head against Elphaba's shoulder. The woman brushed a kiss to her head, before biting her lip as another pain caught her in its grip. The other three shared a glance. Two women going into labor at the same time was common, for women often had children at the same time, but sisters...

Sarima sighed, for she knew that this was only the start, and that it would be a long, difficult night, for both women. But no one knew exactly how long and difficult, or exactly what surprises were in store.