3 Years Later

"Hal, you need to breathe." Mennes scolded, standing, as Hal did, waist-deep in the river. However, she was forced to squat, relying on the strength of her legs and the strength of the tree branch that had grown to hang conveniently over the water. A heart-stopping panic gripped her chest as pain ripped through her lower back, her muscles seizing as a result. The women of her village had warned her giving birth would feel like the cramps during her monthly bleeding but worse. But this felt like being run through with a sword up her —

"You're not breathing!"

"I'm trying!" Hal snapped.

"Well try harder," he snapped back, too old and accustomed to a pregnant woman's temper and Hal's temper to be fazed by a pregnant Hal's temper.

Hal burst into tears, feeling like she had made a terrible mistake as Mennes' words put her in a deeper state of panic. "I can't do this, Mennes. I can't do this. Please don't make me do this."

"Hal, if you don't breathe it will only get worse. Please, try. It'll all be—"

"Where's Murtagh?" Hal asked, cutting Mennes off to look over at Zola, who was standing beside her and gripping her hand. Or rather, Hal was gripping hers. Hard. At Hal's request, she had been staying with them in anticipation of this moment. "Why isn't he back yet?"

"He's coming, he'll be here," Zola assured her, but she shot a look to Tena, who stood on the other side of Hal, holding a flaming torch to provide them some light. Both women looked away before Hal could notice. Tena had sent Layla, who had sent Invidia, who had scryed Murtagh to tell him what was happening. But surely coming back on Thorn shouldn't take so long. Where the hell had he and the others gone in a matter of days? That had been an hour or so ago, and it had long since gone dark outside.

Hal let out a groan of pain, wanting to both throttle someone, and go into a corner and weep. The baby had to be at least a few weeks early. And on all the days it could've come, it decided to do so while Murtagh was out with Eli, Cado, Sam, Ayo, and Amon to play a bit of catch-up since he had been away for his duties, only arriving home a fortnight ago himself — after having retrieved Aunt Zola at Hal's request — to be ready for when Hal did finally go into labor. But they had time, she assured him. At least another month. And he spent every waking moment fretting over her health and well-being. Honestly it had started to get annoying. So, she had sent him off with his friends the first chance she got and begged them privately to do whatever it took to keep him distracted.

Now their unborn child was making her pay for that decision.

Another painful contraction cut through her body and Hal let out a cry, feeling like she couldn't breathe properly. Months of expectations had not prepared her for this. Her body was rejecting what she could not take back. She wondered how in the heavens she had ever thought she was ready for this. The thought of the pain, of possible complications, suddenly felt much more alarming than it had initially.

"Hal!"

Her ears perked up, her crying momentarily ceased as that all-too familiar voice cried out her name in the distance. But she wasn't sure if it was real, or if she had conjured it in a moment of desperation.

"HALEN!"

Suddenly he was there, her pain so intense she hadn't even felt Thorn's approach like she always did. Murtagh waded into the water, the sight almost humorous as the strength of the water was tested by Murtagh's desire to reach her. Hal knew she had to look quite the sight, covered in sweat, her gown both sticking to her body and drifting gently in the water.

He rushed forward and Tena smoothly stepped to the side, unbothered by this as she moved out of the way. Murtagh took Hal's face in her hands, leaning down close. "I'm so sorry I'm late. I'm so sorry, Hal. Thorn and I got here as fast as we could."

She shook her head, too relieved to be angry. Her lower lip trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm scared, Murtagh," she whispered. "I'm so scared. I can't —"

"Don't say that," he said, cutting her off before she could finish. "I know you're scared," he continued. "And I hate that I can't carry this for you. But don't you dare say you can't do this. You can, iet dunei. But I need you to breathe—"

"She needs to get ready to push," Mennes snapped, just as another contraction seized her, and Hal let out a wail of pain that quickly turned into a sob.

"Look at me, Halen," Murtagh urged her, turning her face slightly, pushing her damp strands back from her face. He felt so torn. Because she looked so frightened, brown eyes boring into his seeking his comfort. But there was a nervous excitement in him, the stunned realization that Hal was in the middle of giving birth to their child. Eight months had felt like nothing and everything, Murtagh seeing children differently for the first time in his life. Imagining what his would look like. His and Hal's. He was now only minutes from finding out. None of that anticipation even included Hal's difficulty conceiving or carrying to full-term. Years of additional heartbreak, of getting their hopes up only to be hit in the gut all over again by bad news. He didn't know what, if anything, had changed. But something had, and their son or daughter was going to be here any moment.

"I love you," he told her, bringing his forehead to hers. Hal smiled despite herself.

"I love you, too," she said. "Even if I also kind of hate you right now."

He grinned, feeling his own eyes burn with unshed tears. "That's fair. That's completely fair." He kissed her forehead quickly. "Now please, Hal, breathe."

She nodded and looked to Mennes who nodded to them both. He had prepared them countless times for this moment — more than he normally would have, but Murtagh seemed to have channeled his wife in the number of questions he had. He took a deep breath, momentarily ducking his head under water, before coming back up. "I see a head. Push Hal. And for the sake of the heavens, breathe."

She looked frantically at Murtagh, her eyes growing wide again. Murtagh planted a sweet kiss on her lips, then took her other hand in his. Hal squeezed it tightly and he balked at the pressure. But he didn't flinch.

"If you need to cry," he told her, "I won't judge you."

Hal burst into laughter, a swear on her lips before a cry was torn from her throat. "Push, Halen!" Mennes instructed, hands out and ready to catch the newborn. "Push!"

Murtagh leaned forward, tenderly kissing her shoulder, her hand, her cheeks. I'm right here, he was telling her. I'm not going anywhere.

Hal felt the pressure between her legs and cried out, but she pushed, hunching forward a bit, her hand barely able to hand on to the branch. As if realizing this, Murtagh place himself under her arm, his weight supporting her so that she could focus on the labor. And she would inhale sharply, then lean forward and push again until she was dizzy, her entire lower half numb, her mind completely empty. And she pushed, and she pushed, until Mennes raised his hands from the water and a wail that was not her own filled the air.

"It's a girl," Mennes stated, and he chuckled.

Hal's face went slack, her chest heaving like she had fought in battle. "A girl?" she whispered, watching them fiddle with the umbilical cord. A girl. A daughter. Mennes carried the tiny creature, smiling so hard that his face was a beacon of light. No matter how many times he'd seen it, he'd never tire of that tiny infant, fidgeting and wailing with life. He walked towards Hal, Tena and Zola stepping back as they peeked into Mennes' arms, their faces softening as they moved out the way. Tena burst into tears while Zola closed her eyes, praying under her breath, her cheeks wet.

"Say hello," Mennes crooned, leaning down. Hal felt her arms move before her mind could catch up to her, the medicine man carefully transitioning the child into Hal's expectant embrace. And as Hal moved the newborn to her chest, she got a good look at the small face. Hal's vision blurred instantly, stunned and enthralled.

"Come," Mennes instructed with a gentle hand on Hal's elbow. He and Murtagh led her back to her hut, their paces patient at Hal's slow gait. Hal didn't even think she raised her head to see where she was going once.

Mennes took the child once more to run a few quick checks as Murtagh got Hal changed and settled comfortably in bed. Zola and Tena remained, and Hal laughed quietly over all the fuss. "I'm alright," she assured the women and her husband, the three of them almost competing for who would spoil Hal the most. "I am comfortable, I promise."

Not even five minutes later, Mennes came back. The child was cleaner, now wrapped in a blanket, and Mennes looked infinitely more pleased as he said, "Everything looks to be in order. Hal, you will remain on bedrest for the next day or so just in case. But the child is usually awake for an hour or two, so now's a good chance for you to get to know her. We'll give you some space, but we'll be one room over if you need us."

"Mennes —"

Her words got stuck and he looked at her, able to pick up on her cues as easily as anyone else. The man's face softened as his eyes became downturned with sadness. "He would've been so proud of you, Hal. So damn proud. I know I am."

He didn't have to say who. Hal was overcome with grief, despite such a joyous moment. For every milestone she and her family would achieve, the ache of missing Denu, her parents, her sister, would always follow. "Thank you. For everything."

Mennes bowed his head and left. Zola stayed behind long enough to assist, helping Hal to lower her gown, exposing part of her chest, so that the girl would rest on directly on her skin. The child squirmed a bit, but then soon grew settled. "Talk to her," Zola said to the new parents. "Let her hear your voice. If she starts getting fussy, she's probably ready to eat. Just shout for me and I'll show you how to make sure she latches properly to your breast."

"Thank you," Hal and Murtagh said, grateful.

When they were alone, there was a moment of silence where neither knew what to say.

"I have waited such a long time to meet you, little one." She cooed, sniffing and trying to wipe the remnants of her earlier tears with her shoulder without shuffling the child. "It's me. I'm your mama." As if recognizing Hal's voice, the child turned her head towards her mother's voice and opened her eyes. Hal began to laugh. "Rider…Murtagh, oh, she has your eyes. Look!"

The man had been rather quiet the last few minutes, and Hal glanced over at him to see that he was standing abnormally still, his eyes red with unshed tears. He'd looked less stressed going into battle, and the thought made Hal chuckle as she looked back down at their child. Light brown skin, the color of copper, and stormy grey eyes. "She's beautiful," Hal whispered, her fingers tracing the smaller hand before letting the girl's fingers attempt to grip her." She raised the small bundle a bit, as if trying to give her a better view of Murtagh. "That's your papa, little one. Say 'hello' papa."

Murtagh shot her a look but Hal only spared him a wicked smile, knowing the effect it would have on him. Sure enough, he stepped forward with nervousness and excitement, unable to take his eyes off the newborn.

"Can I —?" Murtagh began, but his voice cracked, and immediately he began to cry. Hal recognized the pain on his face. For how could you become a father and not think of your own? They were both feeling the absence of their parents tonight, albeit in different ways.

"Of course. Come here." Lifting her arms, he quickly wiped his eyes before reaching down. He stared at the girl for a brief moment, his face beginning to twist as though he were in agony. He let out a sob, lifting the girl as if to bury his face in her tiny body. In Murtagh's arms, she looked even smaller, so fragile and so very precious. And the sight of her husband weeping was all Hal needed to see to burst into more tears, his love emanating off of his entire being.

"Hello, my love," he whispered, leaning down to press his forehead to hers. "I'm so happy to finally meet you."

…

Agitated and impatient, Thorn huffed. "Easy now," Amon assured the red dragon with a knowing smile. "They'll be out soon."

It hadn't yet been a full day since Hal had given birth, and the child had remained in close quarters with her parents while Mennes inspected her and Hal, making sure there were no sudden complications. Thorn was anxious to see Hal, but he was most eager to see the child, having felt the parents' surge of emotions throughout the night at her arrival.

"Ahh, at last," Ayo said, his expression lifting as Layla held the front door open. Hal was holding on to Murtagh, still walking slowly and carefully. Murtagh carried the child, beaming with a light that Thorn had not seen on his rider since his and Hal's first wedding — and Thorn had to specify, because in addition to the Sani wedding they'd held before the group departed to the eastern lands with Eragon and Saphira, the Tenari had also demanded a wedding, furious that the couple had dared elope rather than wait. While each one had been special, magnificent, and joyous in its own way, there was something about that quiet, intimate ceremony they all still loved the most.

Hal looked equally radiant, but with a slight tinge of exhaustion in her face. Thorn had fretted in worry the entire night, aching at the cries of pain emanating from the river. But he was glad to see her smiling now. She wore a loose-fitting dress, and Thorn could see there was still a soft roundness to her stomach, although it did not look as prominent as it had when she was with child.

They stopped in front of the dragon, smiling up at him with light in their red-rimmed eyes. Thorn nuzzled Hal's cheek, happy to see her well. He did not want his concern to worry her. She was okay, and that was all that mattered. That and the well-being of the child. Hal touched his mind, her gratefulness almost overwhelming. Thank you, for bringing Murtagh home so quickly. I don't know if I could have done this without him by my side.

Anything for my rider's mate, Thorn assured her. Anything, for you.

Hal kissed his nose as Murtagh stepped forward, beaming with pride and excitement. "Thorn, I would like for you to meet Nina," he said, turning so that Thorn could gaze upon the child's face. The girl was nestled deep into her father's arms, her eyes landing on Thorn's. The dragon was struck with awe. She has your eyes!

Thorn could tell instantly how much joy his rider took in the immediate observation. Nina stared back at Thorn with curiosity, then tilted her head that then made Thorn proclaim, And now she looks like Hal!

Hal giggled, amused as Thorn moved ever closer. She is so very small, he added, continuing to project his thoughts into both Hal and Murtagh's minds.

You were not that much bigger, you know, Murtagh teased. And look at you now.

Thorn didn't immediately respond, brushing his nose against the girl's forehead. The child stared in wonder, letting out a gentle coo as she raised her tiny hands to touch the dragon's warm scales. Thorn felt a ripple throughout his body at the girl's touch, a fierce protectiveness surging through him as familiar as when Murtagh had first touched his egg. To look at this tiny human, and see his rider's eyes and nose, the shape of Halen's eyes and her mouth. Two people Thorn loved more than anything in this world, and they had come together so beautifully to create something that was so glorious and innocent.

Propelled by some unseen force, Thorn gently and carefully reached out to the child, touching her mind. He found an explosion of light and sound, overwhelming and, at the same time, fascinating. The girl had no semblance of all she was taking in. She didn't quite understand him. Yet he felt her curiosity reach out to him, and he answered in kind, finding her mind gentle and soothing. The child cooed quietly, and Thorn removed himself. But he touched his nose to her forehead, and that ripple he had felt before returned, this time up his body, down his nose, and towards the child.

There was a brief glow where his nose touched her that quickly disappeared. He didn't quite understand what he had done, but he hoped for the prosperity and happiness of this child that was his rider's firstborn. Thorn would love her with his own ferocity, shield her from whatever harm he could, make her laugh, let her curl up against his side when she was cold or tired. He would care for her as he cared for her parents, and he hummed with affection.

She is beautiful, Thorn told Hal and Murtagh, who had both begun to cry as they had quietly watched their child be blessed by a dragon. And she will be raised by the two greatest humans, I have ever known. I am so very happy for you both, my precious ones.

Thank you, Thorn, Hal said.

Thank you, Murtagh repeated. For everything.

It is an honor, Thorn said. I love you both.

We love you, too.

When they finally turned to the others, Cado threw his hands in the air and let out a low bellow so as not to startle the baby. The others threw their heads back and followed suit, beating on their chests twice before converging with red eyes and bright smiles towards their friends.

"You look exhausted," Amon said to Hal, his worry obvious. "Did you get enough rest? I know the first one is hard."

"I'm okay," Hal told the group. "Still a bit sore, more than anything. But Mennes said a bit of walking will help. I'll sleep when I can."

"Uh-oh," Eli said, waggling his brows, "Murtagh doesn't look too happy about that."

"Murtagh would like for Hal to sleep when she needs to, not when she can," Murtagh said, his expression plain as he looked at Hal.

Hal knew he was worried. He had spent the last eight months worrying. "I will make sure to rest," she assured him, and she was happy to see the crease vanish from between his brows.

The group took turns holding Nina, everyone laughing and fawning over her. A few villagers passing by came up to Hal and Murtagh personally to congratulate them, noting that they had left gifts back at the hut. For that, Hal was eternally grateful.

"Hal! Murtagh!" It was Eren, who came running towards them. "Mennes says it's time to come back inside so that Hal can rest some more."

"Gods, I almost miss 'em when they're that small," Amon grunted, looking a bit put out as he handed Nina back over to Murtagh.

"Almost?" Hal repeated teasingly.

"They defecate in a way that defies reason and logic," Amon admitted, looking almost horrified just thinking about it. "There were some nights…" Rather than finishing his sentence, he simply shuttered in horror.

"Thanks, Amon."

He blanched. "No wait, that's not what —"

"Relax, old man," Hal teased. "You forget I have handled my share of infants. Also, between your wife and my aunt, I have been fed every unsightly scenario imaginable. I imagine that even through her filth and cries, I will muster up the energy to love her even more."

The man chuckled at that and leaned forward to kiss Hal on the cheek. "We'll give you both some time to adjust. But we'll find time to hold a proper celebration. Take care and we'll see you soon. I love you."

"We love you, too," Murtagh said. Then, he looked to Hal, waiting until she looped her arm back through his before turning to lead his little family back inside.