The birth of her first child.
Another contraction was coming. She laid her head back and tried to stifle a cry of pain. As if morning vomiting and a ridiculously sized abdomen weren't punishment enough for pregnancy.
"You'll have to push again with the next one." the midwife instructed.
How could she push when it hurt so much? She just wanted to be out of this pain. She had been in labor for more than 10 hours now. The midwife and the town witch, Ivy, flitted about boiling water, giving instructions - she just wanted it to be done. For some inexplicable reason, she wanted Ged to be there. If he could take her hand and tell her that everything was going to be fine, then she'd believe it. She'd make it through this if he was there. But he wasn't. He was on Roke or off on an important adventure in the world of mages. What did he care about a farmer's wife giving birth?
She felt the next contraction and pushed as instructed, face contorted as she cried out.
"Good, Goha. One more."
Oh in the name of all things good, how could she last another? Sweat was pouring down her face. She could see the bloody rags the midwife was switching out for clean ones. What if she died here? As the next one came, she threw back her head and pushed, and in her mind she screamed Ged's name.
And then it was over.
"We've got her, Goha. It's a baby girl." The midwife wiped the infant down with warm wet cloths before bundling her and setting on Tenar's chest. It was then that Tenar looked at the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. Still breathing heavily, she barely noticed that Flint had come in. He had wanted a boy, but he didn't seem displeased with the girl as he held her.
It was several hours later, near midnight when the baby cried for a feeding. Tenar got out of bed, still sore, and scooped Apple out of her cradle. After nursing, Tenar walked her to the kitchen and paced back and forth. As the baby fell asleep, Tenar caught a glimpse of a large bird perched at the window, but at second glance, it had gone. She slipped back to the bedroom and put the baby back to bed before retiring herself.