It was within the labor of my second son that Jericho’s voice penetrated the solitary world of my parturition. The pain of Drogon’s coming was immense, and my head was cast against the floor of my den, eyes squeezed shut against the pain as I tried to swallow the whines that threatened to erupt forth from me. I can feel his presence there, for my every sense is hyper aware of my surroundings; though there was nothing I could have done in these moments to protect my children, I would not be taken unawares. For a moment my eyes open, just a small slit to glance up at Jericho as he stood silhouetted against the morning sky. When last I had looked up, it had been dawn. At least two hours had passed since then, or so I surmised from the brightness of the sky behind my friend. If not for the blinding pain that followed, I probably would have laughed as Jericho had turned, finding the wall of my den in the way of his attempted speedy exit. But as he vanished from sight, Drogon pushed his way into the world and reminded me of my duty to him.

Sometime later, the birthing reached its conclusion, and I gazed dreamily upon my four pups. Nestled at my abdomen, all I could think was how completely perfect each of them was in their own way. Viserion, a ray of light. Drogon, so dark and strong. Rhaegal, a melding of father and mother. Kalseru, the first princess. I could feel the strength in each one, the way they pressed into me, demanding more sustenance. The tiniest noises escape them, mewls and yips that announce their presence to the world. The slightest movement outside my den caused my ears to flick back, and for the first time since all four had settled at my abdomen I peel my eyes away from them. My gaze flashes up to the entrance to my cavelike den on the side of the mountain, and lands upon the form of Jericho. I had nearly forgotten he was there, but at the realization he had stayed close by to make sure everything went well for me a tired smile creased my face. ’They are beautiful,’ he states, and my eyes fall back to them once more as they begin to grow tired from the exertion of being born and drinking such a hearty meal. “Aren’t they?” I say softly, eyes glued to them once more.

My ears prick then at the cacophony of sound coming from outside. A beautiful song lifts to the heavens, an announcement to the pack of the arrival of their first princes and princess. The voice of my brother echoes across the lands, and my heart swelled with insurmountable joy. To have ever allowed the notion that I was alone to enter my mind had been an utter falsehood. I dismissed the idea summarily. And as I look back to the den’s entrance to ask Jericho to invite my brother to join us, it is not his face that I see peering down at me, but my elder brother Swallowbane’s.

“Exhausted,” I answered with a half smile, for it is all that I can muster. “I wouldn’t say no to something for the pain, if you’ve got something handy?” Though I am beaming with pride and joy, the weight of what had occurred was beginning to crush me. My eyelids grew heavier by the minute, but I wanted those who had come to meet the newest members of Spirane. Part of me knew that it was in my best interest to stay awake for as long as I could, so that if something had gone wrong that I was unaware of at the moment I could tell my brother. I trusted Niviaq’s teaching, and believed he would know what to do if something went wrong.

I glanced beyond Swallowbane for a moment, unable to see Jericho or Talisesin. “Ask them to come, Bane.” I said softly, before motioning for him to join me. “Come, meet your nephews and niece.” Though my children might lack for a father, I wanted them to know every member of their family that they feasibly could. I wanted them to find value in the teachings of their Uncle Swallowbane, in the songs of their Uncle Taliesin. I wanted them to know my dear friend Jericho, and to learn the name of every wolf who called Spirane home. All in due time, of course.

Luckily the den MoonGlow and Alcide had called home was a rather large one, having housed any number of occupants through the years as they adopted family-less pups and added them to their own children. Only when all three of the gentlemen who had come to witness this event in Spirane’s history were within the cave did I introduce them to their princes and princess. I touched my nose to each pup’s head as I declared their names. “Viserion, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Kalseru.” And then weary eyes looked back to my brothers and my friend, happiness shining through the tiredness, before the weight of my head became all too much and I did my best to make the lowering of my crown to my forepaws look intentional.