An Heir?

[kayla]

Leshya had been put on bed rest, but that essentially had turned out to mean that she had run the Hold from bed. Occasionally, she was allowed to send a message down to her sick husband, and even more rarely did she get a message back - as he had been so sick that he was not conscious or cognizant for most the time.

Her father-in-law had also gotten mildly sick, but at his age, he was not only quarantined but kept from the stress of running a Hold, which meant that Leshya had completely shed her pretense of being the pretty trophy wife and showed what her husband had long known, her own intelligence and competence. While the healer had not been happy that her rest was only partial, his close checks on her had made it quite evident that she was not harming herself, and since there were few other choices, he kept his opinion to himself - mostly.

The Headwoman and one or two of her husband's Stewards had been her closest allies and helps during this time. Though it had taken time to convince the Stewards she could really do it, as she and Enald had kept her own work from them, something she'd come to regret. They had still managed to increase their tithing, but not as much as she'd planned or hoped before the illness hit, though she'd sent a missive apologizing and explaining their situation.

It was only when she was alone that Lesh had allowed herself to cry. This was not how it was supposed to be. Sure, everyone would fully recognize that she and Enald were partners, but for much of her pregnancy she had been forbidden from seeing her husband, and there had even been some question as to whether or not he'd survive. If anything caused her stress, it had been that.

Enald had been released from quarantine only a few days ago, and Leshya had been completely relieved that he was well and they were able to be together again. She had plead with him to do his work in the bedroom, as he still needed to recover and she could not help him catch up on everything elsewhere while she was still on bedrest.

This morning, she'd felt weird when she woke up. She was allowed to get up to dress herself and other ablutions, as well as to tend to herself on a small scale, as long as she was laying down most of the time. Yet she'd not gained much extra weight as she'd not had much of an appetite - something which seemed to greatly distress her husband. Leshya'd not felt dizzy since she'd been put on bedrest, but when she got up she did feel dizzy and caught the wall to steady herself.

Before she could wonder about it or say anything to Enald, she felt a sharp pain and whimpered. The baby was due any day, she knew, and when the pain passed she knew why she hurt.

[thedreamerlady]

Enald had snuck off to his office. He really shouldn't have been there, he knew that, but he had a list he needed. It detailed a list of favors that the other Lords owed him, as well as having his emergency planned written on the back.

If as many lives had been lost as he'd been told by his Stewards, and Headwoman, certain cotholds just opened would need to be closed, populations shifted around, so that productivity could remain high, despite losses. It would be Turns before the population would reach these levels again, and as it was, Enald would have to work hard himself to help the levels rise. Rewards for children would work, as well as hiring those Holdless who could be trained. His mind shied away from the idea of refusing Search- Leshya would skin him, but the truth was, they might need too. Both Igen and Telgar had the right to Search Telgar Hold, and they needed their teens more than ever.

He pushed the thought away, and tucked the hide under his arm, moving carefully back towards his bedroom- the spare one that he only used on the rare occasion that Lesh was asleep, and he didn't want to wake her. Before he'd gotten sick, he didn't think he'd used in it more than once.

Hobbling slightly faster, he hoped she wouldn't awaken before he arrived. Lesh was much better at telling him off than the Healer was.

[kayla]

Lesh was awake, forcing herself to ignore the pain. Fortunately, there was a bell pull in the bedroom, as well as the spare. She had decided, knowing that Enald was still recovering, that she would get herself into the spare room before using the bell pull to call for help. That way he would not try to be the wonderful husband he was and carry her when he shouldn't. And given the choice, she'd rather use the spare room for birthing then their bed, so she could be moved back to their bed while they cleaned up.

She smiled slightly as she slowly made her way to the door separating the two rooms. At least this part could be right. He could be there with her after she brought their child into the world and hold her and the baby and they could be a family. The smile stopped when she had to grab the wall for support as another pain hit. She whimpered, but bit her lip to keep herself from crying out. She needed to get to that bed first, then she could get help and cry out all she wanted.

When the pain passed she continued the way to the other door, it wasn't too much further, a few more steps. She loved Enald. She did not blame him for being sick. But right now, she really wished he hadn't so he'd be able to help her. Actually, she wished he hadn't so that they could have faced this crisis in the Hold with her on bed rest together. She knew she did well, but she would have liked to have done it together, to share the little milestones in the pregnancy together too. She brushed away a tear and reached for the door knob. They'd have more children, and he would be there for those.

[thedreamerlady]

Enald for his part was not pleased that Leshya was out of bed. He was recovering, at the very least. She was not. Not that pregnancy was a disease- far from it, but she had no reason to be staggering around the room.

"Leshya, what are you doing?" Moving faster than he thought was able too, Enald was by her side, sliding an arm around her waist, and looking at her worriedly. The hide he'd worked so hard to retrieve fell to the ground, completely forgotten as Enald devoted his energy to making sure his wife was okay.

"Are you okay? Do we need a healer?" And then, a guilty expression framed his face. "You didn't get up to look for me, did you?"

In the meantime, he was propelling her towards his bed, since it was closer to them at this point, and would be easier to get on since it was lower to the ground. Also, the bell pull was closer to the bed, meaning he wouldn't need to move as far once he'd moved Leshya, and the adrenaline had stopped coursing through his body.

[kayla]

Before she could explain he was bombarding her with questions and guiding her to their bed. She whimpered slightly but did not fight him since she knew he was still weak from being sick. "I was trying to get to the spare room before you got here. So you wouldn't try to carry me. Didn't want to mess up our..."

She didn't get to finish what she was saying as at that moment her water broke, followed by another contraction. She got through the pain and then smiled at her husband, "Our child is ready to be born."

"And yes, I'd like a Healer, please." Her smile was real and genuine, though there was definitely pain etched in her eyes too. It hurt!

[thedreamerlady]

Enald had helped Leshya into bed, and was ringing on the bell pull before he processed what she was saying.

She was having their baby right then.

Enald, who had been coming down off of his adrenaline high was boosted right back up again, his heart pounding. He looked down at his wife, who was clearly in pain. He pulled the rope again, in the sequence that requested a healer. He did that twice, before returning to his wife's side.

"Would you like me to open the shutters for you?" He asked, sounding very normal, considering he felt like his heart was about to burst from his chest.

"Or should I request some water for you? Or ice to cool you?" Telgar could request that a dragonrider get them ice. After all, they tithed better than most, and Leshya's sister was Weyrwoman at Igen.

"Just say the word, and I'll bring you anything," Enald vowed, practically babbling.

[kayla]

Lesh watched her husband process what she'd just told him. She couldn't help but smile. Her mother had told her what her father had been like when she was giving birth. And even Enald's mother - who could actually be quite intelligent when it came to such "female" issues - had told her stories. And now she was watching her husband, and she found him even more endearing than normal.

"The shutters open would be nice... and water." But she grabbed his hand before he could go do any of that. "But I mainly just want you." She knew men weren't supposed to be present for births, but he'd missed so much of the pregnancy. "I want to share this with you, our baby is coming, and I want you with me, please."

Those tears threatened her eyes again, though Leshya did not let them fall. She did not want Enald to feel guilty, but she wanted him with her so very much.

Even with the healer moving quickly, the two would have a few moments before he arrived, though he'd be there shortly.

[thedreamerlady]

He sat down with her, still twitchy from the amount of energy running through his veins. Needing an outlet for at least some of the energy, the young Lord Holder started stroking his wife's hair, gently, watching her with eyes bright with love, and amazement.

His wife was giving birth to his child.

The Healers entered, the one mostly responsible for Enald, and the other responsible for Leshya, looking worried. Apparently pulling the bell like that could get a Healer to run.

"She wants the windows open and a glass of water. Also, my wife is going into labor." Enald smiled. "I trust you guys know what to do from here?"

[kayla]

Leshya was glad that Enald didn't try to argue with her. She knew she was asking a lot by asking him to stay, but that he did without arguing, did so very much for her. The young Lady of Telgar leaned into her husband as he stroked her hair, just relaxing, though another pain hit her as the healers entered and she couldn't help it. There was no longer a reason to restrain herself, so she let herself scream in pain - freaking the healers out more though making Enald's statement pretty obvious.

"Has her water broke yet?" A servant was right behind the two and was sent to get water while Enald's healer opened the shutters. After opening the shutters, Enald's healer moved to him and gently put his hand on his shoulder. "Come with me. You can come back when the baby is born. You still need to rest."

Leshya looked to Enald and reached out for him, "Stay, please." She looked to her healer then, "He can stay. Please, I want him to stay. You've said he's not contagious, he can't make me sick or the baby. Please..." She turned back to Enald, "Please, you will stay, right?"

[thedreamerlady]

Leshya's scream bit through the fog that was starting to cloud over Enald's worn out mind and body. He was awake again as the Healer started to move to hustle the Lord to the other room. Leshya's plea was hanging in the air.

Enald didn't like breaking tradition. If it had stuck around this long, than there was probably a reason for it. And the look the Healers were giving each other were not exactly making him feel like a good guy for refusing to leave.

"It won't do any harm, right?" Enald questioned, unable to convince himself to just tell them that he was saying. The healer who mostly cared for him, shook his head.

"You'll have to promise to do what we say, and if you agitate her, I'll throw you over my shoulder, and haul you out myself." Enald blinked, and shrugged.

"I'll be quiet." He promised and smiled at his wife, hoping she wasn't going to start screaming again.

[kayla]

"Thank you." She smiled to her healer and then to her husband. It meant a lot to her that Enald was going to be there. It might be different from the norm, but she was elated and comforted to have him there.

For the most part the labor was not that difficult - as she had obeyed the healer's orders and rested during the pregnancy. However, right after the baby had crowned, there had been a very painful, not surprisingly, contraction and while pushing through it, Leshya screamed again.

After that, everything was blur for the young woman. There was pain and pushing and screaming and then finally it was over and she heard the cry of her baby. Leshya watched as the healer cleaned the baby and wrapped in a cloth after examining it. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, her baby was laid in her arms, and she heard her healer say, "Congratulations, its a girl."

Leshya smiled and cooed at the little one and then looked up to see Enald and smiled, "Our little girl. Isn't she beautiful?"

[thedreamerlady]

Enald wasn't sure when he'd passed out. He knew that the last thing he'd heard was Leshya screaming, and then he was getting slapped quietly, and then his child(a daughter?) was being placed in his wife's arms, and the healer who had helped him through the sickness gave him a grin, and Enald pulled himself together.

"She is stunning, and so are you." Sure, the words were a little slurred, but he was exhausted. How did women do this again and again?

He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. He saw the servant creeping around, and decided to be nice to the drudge. She probably wanted some gossip to spread around, and in light of the sickness that was passing slowly, even more slowly than the first had been, some pleasant gossip would be a nice change for everyone.

"You," Enald called out, sounding a lot stronger than he felt. "Go tell the Headwoman that Lady Leshya has given birth to a healthy girl, and that we need her to witness our child's name." The drudge scampered away, and Enald fell back slightly, smiling around dazedly.

[kayla]

Lesh smiled and leaned into Enald when he kissed her briefly. She was tired, but she was happy. In her arms she held the most perfect little girl she could have ever imagined, and yes, when she looked back down at the little one, she counted fingers and toes - 10 of each, good!

Leshya looked back to her husband after he sent for the headwoman, "Love, I know you're better, but its been a long morning, why don't you come sit with me until they move me to the other bed." She knew they'd need to clean up soon, and then she'd want to see if she could feed the little precious girl.

She was tired, and while she had a lot of questions, they'd wait for now. However, there was one pretty big one. "We haven't gotten to talk about names, Enald. If we're going to have her name witnessed, we need to decide on a name..."

[thedreamerlady]

Enald nodded, agreeing to wait until the other bed was prepared(he was pretty sure they were just going to stack some pillows so Lesh could sit up, and grab a few different types of blankets for the baby.

But this was his first time he'd ever been the father of a child. But a name? He looked at the child some more. She had only the faintest indication of hair, and it looked to be her mother's blond, though Enald knew enough about babies to realize anything could change.

"Let's call her Kimlye." He said to his wife softly. He wasn't sure where the name came from, but it seemed like the right name.

After his wife told him what she thought of the name, he was hustled out of the room. His Healer was carrying his daughter, and refused to hand the girl over until Enald was sitting safely in a chair that would allow no risk if Enald's knees were to suddenly buckled.

As he held his Daughter, his Healer explained what was going on.

"Your wife will be looked over by her Healer, then her maid will help her change, and then her Healer and her maid will move her into this room, you'll pass the baby over- she'll be hungry by this time, and by then your Headwoman- Tascha? Yes, Tascha will be here to witness the name, and then all three of you can get some rest."

Enald didn’t really pay attention, carefully holding his daughter, aware that his hands were trembling, and he really ought to hand her over to the Healer.

[kayla]

"Kimlye." She tried the name and smiled. She looked down at the baby girl and smiled, "Are you a Kimlye, sweetie?" The baby kind of waved her little arms and made a sound that was a gurgle.

"I think she likes it. Its a beautiful name, Enald." And then the Healer was taking the baby and her husband. Leshya understood why, but she didn't want them to leave, even for a moment. Well, post birthing hormones, one can't really blame her for being less than totally rational after just giving birth.

Her healer checked her over, and assured her that everything was fine, and then she was cleaned up and dressed in a silk sleeping gown. It was one of her more luxurious ones but modest, made for cooler nights and a pampered lady. When she looked at her maid questioningly, lately she'd just been dressing in a simple cotton that was not flattering but was comfortable for sleeping with her baby belly, she smiled, "My Lady, you just gave birth. I think even you have to agree to a little bit of pampering right now." Her hair was quickly brushed and then the two brought her into the spare room.

When she was settled on the bed, propped up by pillows as Enald expected, she looked over at her husband holding their baby and smiled, "You're a wonderful father, Enald."

"Well! Its true! How wonderful. Not an heir, but a beautiful princess. Congratulations, Lord Enald, Lady Leshya." Tascha had grown more comfortable with the pair during the pregnancy and Enald's illness, but she still insisted on calling them Lord and Lady.