Perfection from Nose to Tail

Ever the dutiful and caring husband, as soon as he was given a task, Artorias was immediately upon it, scooping up all the soiled cloths and moving them out of the way for Gwynevere to work, grabbing a couple fresh ones from the armoire to give to her and replenish her supply. Then he scooped up the bowl of water Briar had drained and returned over to the sink, filling it swiftly with cool water before carrying it back over to his in-labor wife, careful not to spill too much as he went. He set the bowl back down at her paws and then returned to his position cradling and supporting her body while she continued through her labors, birthing their second litter into the world. Briar clung onto the foreleg he offered her as her contractions resumed, and after more pushing and straining, the smallest pup of all had been born. Artorias marveled at the tiny girl, awestruck by his beautiful cream-furred daughter as Gwyn placed her at Briar's belly. Gods above, he would need to protect her with all his might!

The next pup proved to be another challenge, and Artorias held onto Briar, whispering sweet encouragements to her as she and Gwyn brought another large boy into the world. It seemed like Art was forever cursed to produce big baby boys and dire-sized sons for as long as he should live. There was a bit of a panic when the boy was born silent, alerting both Briar and Artorias until Gwynevere assured them that he was breathing and fine, he was just quiet. Art breathed a sigh of relief, his hammering heart slowly calming down. He didn't know if he'd be able to handle the trauma of losing one of their children in childbirth. There was a momentary lull as Gwyn checked to see if that was the last of them, another set of five to add to their family of ten children—except it wasn't the end. Briar's contractions started one last time with Gwyn declaring this was the last of them. Artorias couldn't help but laugh incredulously at their fortune. Of course they would outdo themselves by one pup!

Artorias held Briar and supported her through her final sets of labors, holding her upright until their final child, another large son, was born. He cradled Briar's exhausted body against his own, wrapping a strong foreleg around her side to cuddle her close while their newborn pups fed at her belly, covering her face and neck in affectionate licks and kisses. "You did amazing, Briar!" he whispered to his mate while she rested against him, barely even able to keep her eyes open. With the births now finished, Gwynevere collected her supplies and gave Art some medicine for Briar to take when she could. Art nodded to his sister, looking up at Gwyn with nothing short of grateful love in his eyes. "I will. Thank you, Gwyn. We never could have managed this without you."

Once the new parents were left alone with their new children, Artorias simply held Briar in his arms, petting her sore sides and nuzzling and grooming her neck and forehead where he could reach. Briar asked if the last boy at least looked like her and Art peeked over her swollen side to spy the pup in question down at her belly. He was an almost perfect half-and-half split of their fur colors, with Briar's tawny tans on his underside and his dark blues across his back. "Actually, he kinda does!" Art reassured Briar with an amused chuckle. "He's like a perfect split of us." A happy murr rumbled deep within the dire wolf's chest as he held his wife and marveled at his family around him. Truly no wolf had ever been as blessed as he was. "And just like that, we're parents again," he echoed Briar's words with a chuckle, planting a slow, tender kiss on his queen's crown. "All thanks to you. You're amazing Briar. I love you so, so much."

"Artorias & Briar Carpathius"