away in a manger

She closed her eyes tightly against the pain and said a silent prayer to Tor. Bless this burden that I bear so that my kin may thrive. Bless the not yet born. Bless our band. Bring us a glorious bounty come springtime. If these extensions of herself could find the same peace and happiness she had in her life, then it felt like some large, unspoken goal would be fulfilled. They would be closer to her than even her family - tied by blood and soul, whereas Ballad and Lament had taken her in as a child. Together they would carry their beliefs on to the next generation. Her children.

As her pain came to a crescendo, Eris passed her first child into the world. She turned and cleaned it diligently, bringing the small thing to nurse at her side. It was so, so tiny. Her heart swelled with intense love and it was entirely different from what she felt for Oxide. Setting eyes on the brown and white little babe, Eris knew for certain that she would gladly give her life for it. Scent told her that it was a boy. A little warrior. She prayed to Tor that none of her children would suffer from her own degenerative condition. They would look upon the world with wide, bright eyes and their vision would never fade. "Oh, Ballad. He's breath-taking..." She whispered. Muffled voices sounded nearby - had Oxide followed her? This was a burden she must bear alone.

Eris sighed as the contractions reached a steady rhythm. They were predictable now. It was stressful but she kept reminding herself that it was entirely natural. Her efforts would be rewarded with the most precious gift of all: new life. "Tell him I'm a-almost done," she panted. Once her children were nursing peacefully she would allow them to be seen for the first time.