"I vowed to keep you all safe, and I have failed." Dogun says, and Freya can't help but shake her head at him. "No, no. It's not your fault at all. Don't think that." She says, offering him another nuzzle. "These kinds of things happen. That doesn't make it your fault. You just need to persist," her lips curve upwards. "Things will get better soon, I know it. It's just a-"

She stops short. Suddenly, a white hot pain sears through her abdomen, and it takes all she has to keep from moaning and wincing. When it passes, she offers Dogun a tedious smile, blue eyes gleaming. "I think..." she trails off, squeezing her eyes shut as another contraction hits her. "Excuse me, please." She turns around, disappearing into a small thicket a ways away from Dogun's location. Although she loved Dogun dearly, she felt the act of giving birth was a private one, something that she would rather experience alone.

Settling herself into a small clearing, Freya prepares herself - both mentally and physically - for what is to come. The pain increases and the contractions become closer, until finally she is pushing and straining, struggling to expel the foal from her body. It feels like hours before it all ends. The dun mare lays there for several minutes afterwards, sides heaving as she tries to catch her breath. Her eyelids droop, and fatigue finally overcomes her as the adrenaline wears off. She feels she might fall asleep right then and there. Then, the cry of her son or daughter behind her jolts her, and she is up on her feet in seconds, turning to look at the child she had just birthed - all by herself.

When she first lays eyes upon her child - unsure yet of whether it is a son or daughter - she feels as if she might cry. It's a miracle, really. She can't believe it... she grew this child within her, and now it's finally here, her precious baby. Smiling to herself, Freya begins cleaning off the child, ignoring the pain that still radiates throughout her abdomen. By the time she is done, she discovers she is now the proud mother to a healthy young colt, who shares his grullo coat with his father, and has inherited her sabino markings. The perfect combination of both parents. Freya, although fatigued, forces herself to stay awake, gently encouraging her son to stand. Of course, it takes him awhile before he gets the hang of it.

While he nurses, Freya ponders her next predicament: what to name him? She had already thought of several names, but had never consulted Dogun to get his input on the matter. Given that he was the father... well, he deserved to have a say in their child's name. So, she decides, she will let him pick. It's only fair, given that this child will likely be the heir to the Inlet, should Dogun's reign continue until his dying day.

"Come along." She says to her son once he has finished, and although she's sure he doesn't understand her words, he still follows. As the pair emerges from the thicket, she sees Dogun in the same place she left him, and a smile graces her lips. "Forgive me." She says, nudging him lovingly before turning to their gangly-legged son. "Here he is. What would you like to name him?"

five. georgian grande. bay dun roan sabino
lead mare of the inlet. no children. pippa.