Thank you all reviewers. This might be a spoiler for TC.
NazgulQueen: I'll always update fast if I get Numair!
Disclaimer: All of the characters belong to the brilliant Tammy, as always.
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Daine sighed as she silently closed the door behind her. Who knew that a six-week-old could be so much work? She had only just gotten her daughter to sleep so she could get ready for the naming celebrations. Did everyone have this much trouble?
Well, Daine admitted to herself, most people don't have shapeshifting babies.
She sighed again as she took off her comfortable clothes and pulled on her silky, baby blue dress. Next she pulled on her blue dress shoes and draped a silk, blue shawl over her shoulders. Lastly, she put the blue drops that had been on of Numair's first gifts to her in her ears and died her hair in the latest style of the Court ladies.
She smiled as she heard Numair fumbling in the bathroom. Finally he came out wearing his Mage's Robe, his hair pulled back perfectly.
Daine grinned and walked over for a kiss. He dropped one lightly on her lips.
"We're all set then?" he asked smiling back at her.
"Of course! Sarralyn Salmalín." She pondered the name she and Numair had agreed on for a moment.
"I like it a lot," she said finally.
He clapped his hands together, "Well, are we ready?"
Daine nodded before her expression sobered, "You haven't found any trace of her have you?"
They both know who 'her' was. Alanna's daughter had gone missing a month ago and Numair had been scrying for her.
He shock his head. Daine looked down. Jonathon had told Alanna about Alianne two weeks ago. The lioness had not been the same since. Not only that, but she liked her adopted niece. The girl was a very odd mixture of Alanna and George.
Strong arms pulled her into a tight hug. "It'll be alright magelet," he said. "Now come. We have to go if we are to be on time."
Daine grabbed a heavy blanket on her way out. The blanket would be used to hold the baby while the ceremonies went on.
They walked outside where a lovely cart stood to carry them to the courtyard where the naming would take place. Daine gave their daughter to Numair while she climbed into the cart. The small baby was dwarfed in Numair's careful arms until it turned into a young lioness. It swiftly turned back into a human. Numair sighed but smiled at his daughter as he gave the child back to Daine so he could get into the cart.
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They arrived to a bundle of familiar faces, all awaiting them happily. There was Coram, Baron of Trebond; his wife Rispah; Lindhall with Bonedancer perched on his shoulder; Onua Chamtong; Buri; her new husband Raoul of Goldenlake and Malirie's Peak; Alanna; Lord Wyldon of Cavall; Eleni; and Myles.(A/N: I got that right from the book TC on page 227, so HA! You can't say I'm missing someone)
Daine and Numair stepped out and spread out there blanket. Each of them picked up a side as Eleni gently placed the babe in the center. It instantly started shifting.
Eleni jumped back surprised.
Daine smiled apologetically at her, "Sorry. She's a bit of a handful."
Eleni nodded, her eyes still on the blanket.
George rode up on a lathered horse. He kissed Daine's cheek and clapped Numair's shoulder.
He then walked over to his wife. Alanna looked at him coldly. Daine, however, didn't have time to worry about her friend before the babies latest shift caused her knees to buckle.
She gasped wishing her parents would arrive.
Eleni eyed the blanket as if it were dangerous.
"Baby river horse," Daine explained with a blush.
"I can't imagine beginning to nurse her," Eleni said.
"It's a challenge," was the reply as Daine tried her best to stat cheerful.
"I'm sure they'll be here soon."
With that a bright silver light shown in the corner of the courtyard revealing Daine's parents.
The Green Lady took one look at her Grandchild and shock her head. She raised her veil and said, "Now this will not do. Really, dear, you must be firm with children."
Daine sighed, "It's hard to reason with a six-week-old, Ma."
Numair turned to his mother-in-law sharply, "We did try; every way we could."
Sarra walked over and reached into the blanket, pulling out a wolf baby. It instantly turned into a young giraffe, then a gosling. Whatever shape it took, Sarra held it firmly.
"Now see here, youngster," she informed her grandchild, "you ought to be ashamed, wearing out your parents all the time. And this kind of thing isn't good for you. You'll wear yourself before you're ten. Enough. Choose a shape and stick to it, right now." She listened for a moment, then shook her head. "Five years at least. Learn the limits of one body. Then, if you're good, you may try others. Now choose."
A moment later she held a human baby girl in her hands. The child looked up at her with wide solemn eyes. Sarra gave her to Daine. "She'll be good now," the goddess told her daughter. "And in the future, don't shape-shift while you're pregnant. It gives them the wrong idea."
Daine grinned taking her baby back. "I won't Ma," she promised.
Numair came over and wrapped an arm around his wife. "Are you ready?" he whispered in her ear.
She nodded and they stepped up to Goddess's Temple. They placed the baby on the alter and stepped back.
Numair stood next to her and opened the book to the page with the words that Daine had practiced so many times in the last six weeks. He smiled down at her and took a breath.
They began the sacred words of naming, "Great Mother, we present are daughter, Sarralyn Salmalín of Tortall, in that your most blessed name protect her and guide her."
A light shown on the baby for a few seconds before disappearing. The newly named Sarralyn began to cry. Daine and Numair came forward to collect their child.
Daine couldn't stop a huge grin from spreading on her face if she tried. She looked out at the small audience around them as they walked back out into the courtyard. The only unhappy face was Alanna's when she looked at her husband. Daine knew that George had been hiding the facts of Aly from the knight. Now that she had her own daughter she knew what Alanna was thinking.
"Magelet?" Numair brook her concentration.
She looked up at him.
"Are you alright sweet? You seem worried."
She looked back at her friend. Numair followed her gaze to ware Alanna was standing.
Numair pulled both her and Sarralyn into his arms.
"She'll be alright, Sweet. Now, we must go celebrate with are friends."
Daine nodded and smiled up at him. He smiled back and they walked into the Courtyard, their newly names daughter in their arms.
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That night Daine settled Sarra into her crib. The baby fell asleep quickly, exhausted from the naming the past afternoon.
She then walked into the bedroom where Numair waited for her on the bed. She crawled in and naturally folded herself into his arms.
"She's a lot easier now that she's human."
Numair grinned, "Yes I have to say that."
The couple fell asleep soon after that since they, too, were exhausted.
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Soooo… What do you think? Go ahead; review!