The day has been fast approaching that Fern would bring the young gray couples first litter into the world. As the time drew closer, Rudyard’s hovering had also increased and, with each passing day, the pregnant wolf had to keep reminding him that women had been bringing pups into this world long before her. It is endearing that worries so much but the gray woman is not worried as she knows that their pups and herself will be fine. Still, she knew he will continue to worry so she has been sure to offer him bright smiles and warm reassurances whenever she could.

With her swollen belly growing more uncomfortable each day, Fern had decided to give up sleeping on the bed and instead moved to the pile of furs that was in front of the roaring fireplace. The space was normally used for naps but, as it became clear that it was more comfortable for her to sleep there, Rudyard had given up his spot in bed to join her. He made the space as comfortable as he could by finding, what felt like, every pillow and fur in the castle until she had a warm nest to sleep in.

The night’s chill does not keep them from opening wide the balcony doors and a fire crackles merrily in the hearth. It spreads its warmth and light through their room as the couple lay slumbering in the plush fur nest, dreaming of the pups that are to come soon. Sleeping had become difficult for her since finding a comfortable spot to rest seemed almost impossible these days but, right now, she has found the elusive sandman and drifts along the currents of dreams. Fern dreams of holding her pups, laughing and squeezing them as they happily squirm in her arms.

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierces through her mind, shattering her joyful dreams and bringing her back into the waking world with great haste. Blinking open her sleep-filled eyes; Fern’s sluggish mind tries to figure out why she is awake. Her answer is quick to arrive as another sharp pain makes her abdominal muscles contract painful. A knowing smile appears on her pale lips and she gently shakes her mate awake, calling softly, “Rudyard wake up. It’s time to welcome out children into this world.”

A bright smile is on her lips and joy sparkles in her eyes even as another painful contraction rolls through her and causes her to let out a soft whine.


"Fern Carpathius"

Rudyard was well enough known for his ability to fall into deep sleep and sleep later in the day but not as of recent. Fern’s pregnancy had him waiting for any soft noises or touch. His mind was alive with the need to help Fern in a moment's notice. As if that wasn’t enough reason to be ready, he had recently ended up bitten by a snake. He wasn’t being clumsy this time, it had aimed for Fern and the motley protective wolf had jumped in the way.

The snake had been one with fangs that curved to the back of its mouth, made to grab and pull prey in. Luckily it appeared its venom was milder. It had certainly left a pair of holes in the leg that had to heal, along with pain and some swelling but it didn’t seem to be any more dangerous than that. Thank goodness. This was no time to be badly injured with Fern so close to due. Fern shook him and there was no need to speak though she did, the antlered head rose, eyes widening at the words he had waited so long for. It still seemed like an amazing surprise when it happened. Rudyard moved to the door first, howling and calling for Gwyn. It was time!

With that done Rudy proved how quickly a wolf could move even with a mild limp as he rushed to get the herbs that Gwyn had prepared, placing them before Fern’s head. “Gwyn told me these would help. I’ll grab the water and furs also.” He’d been ready. Overprotective Rudyard made sure there was fresh water in the room daily, along with some smaller furs just for whipping down the pups. There was a mix of excited nerves running through his spine making him want to bounce off the walls but instead he used the energy to focus on every sound and scent, even as his eyes obsessively watched Fern’s every movement. “Gwyn will be on her way. How do you feel?” Rudyard made himself stay composed, ready to see a new sight. He hadn’t watched pups born before and now, the first time, it would be his and Ferns.

"Rudyard & Fern"

Gwynevere was tucked into Ysmir's embrace, sleeping with her head resting in the crook of his neck, when her brother's howl shook her awake and she blinked open bleary eyes as her head popped up to listen. There was a beat where her mind had to catch up with the present and she glanced around the mostly dark room for a few moments before her mind connected the sound with what it meant. Rudy and Fern's pups were on the way! She glanced down to a slightly roused Ysmir and gave him a gentle smile before telling him to go back to sleep while she carefully worked her way out of his arms, quietly stepping over to her bag of supplies and picking it up to carry with her out of the room. After closing the door to the small library that she had made her room, she trotted down the hall to Rudyard's room, nudging open the door with a gentle knock.

As she stepped inside, she noticed that Rudy had already gotten to work collecting the supplies she had told him about, even putting the pre-prepared herbs down for Fern to take. Gwyn chuckled softly at her brother's nervous energy, seeing so much similarities between how he was acting and how Artorias had acted for his and Briar's litter. It seemed that men were simply always going to be worriers when it came to their pups being born and it made her wonder how Ysmir would be if they ever decided to start a family of their own. Slipping into the room and gently closing the door behind her, she walked over to where Fern was laying and gave her a smile, putting the bag of supplies she had kept at the ready just in case there ended up being anything else they needed. She had come in just as Rudy was asking her how she felt so Gwyn let her answer him instead since she was going to ask the same thing while she went to rest her paws on Fern's belly, feeling for the contractions and timing them to see how far along she was.

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

The contractions have begun and Rudyard is quick to bolt upright, moving to howl for his sister before limping swiftly to collect the prepared herbs that Gwyn had left for them. Fern cannot help but chuckle at how nervous he is and she is hasty to take the offered herbs before catching his cheek with a paw and pulling him down for gentle kiss. The presence of Gwynevere does not go unnoticed by the gray woman and, as she finishes the soft kiss, she says to both of them, “I’m fine.” Eyes flick over to where the healer is and she gives her a small, almost imperceptible shake of head as she thinks, ‘he’s more nervous than I am!’

The paw she had been holding his cheek with drops as her abdominal muscles roll, causing Fern to pant in pain and breathe through the worst of the contraction. Once it finishes, she says, “Okay, so those hurt but I can handle it.” A smile is offered to the wolves around her before another contraction rips her attention away from them as the pups inside work to get out. She listens to Gwyn’s instructions and Rudy lays beside her so that she can lean into him and she begins to push in time with the contractions and stops to breathe as they pass. It does not take long for the first of the gray couple’s pups to enter the world.

A mighty squeal fills the chamber as Gwynevere presents an earthen girl to them and tears immediately spring to Fern’s eyes. It is guided to her belly and a paw reaches down to tenderly touch the pup as she whispers softly, “You are perfect.” Another, stronger contraction rips her attention from the pup that reminds her so much of her mother and Fern concentrates on what Gwyn is telling her. The second pup soon appears, another mighty squeal filling the air and a grin pulls at the gray woman’s lips. Panting from the exhausting process, she casts her blue eyes to the dark hued girl as she placed against her belly.

With a soft chuckle she gently rubs a paw across the girl’s back and says, “Welcome home little one.” But Fern’s work is done as another pup seeks to make their grand entrance into the world. Another girl is soon to appear and she squeals her displeasure at the world as a hodgepodge earthen and gray girl is pressed into Fern’s belly. The tired woman smiles warmly at the pup and whisper, “Hello there.”

The strongest contraction yet pulls a grunt from the gray woman as she slumps to the side, taking comfort from her mate as she is thoroughly and utterly exhausted. Still, she focuses on bringing another pup into the world but this one is not as easy as the others. Panting against the rolling waves of pain, the gray woman remains calm as she knows Rudy will be doing enough worrying for them both. Ears perk up as she listens to Gwyn guide her on.



OOC: Birth order is Meadow II, Elowen, Caladia, and (when he isn’t being stubborn) Kipling!


"Fern Carpathius"