| TIGERLILY FAR FROM THE FJORDS AND THE ICE-COLD CURRENTS SHE IS BOTH THE SHIELD AND THE SPEAR |
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At the sound of Bjӧrn’s voice, Tigerlily mustered the willpower to lift her head. “Ástin mín,” she murmured softly, her blue eyes bright as she drank in the sight of him. Knowing that he was here served to soothe some of her budding anxiety. For all the pain she had experienced – in strenuous journeying and the bone-deep aches she willingly bore after a fierce spar – nothing really compared to the pangs of childbirth. Despite herself, she could not keep the memory of her two previous birthings to creep into her heart like a frost, turning her numb. But, the buckskin mare did not give in to her old fears. She had promised her babe that she was no longer afraid, and she would keep that promise. The filly came without much trouble, and, with tears welling in her eyes, Tigerlily craned her neck in order to tend to the squirming child. “Look how she fights for life already, my Konungur,” she breathed in amazement, voice husky with emotion. Hastening to tend to their beautiful daughter, eager to get her on her feet and nursing, Tigerlily attempted to rise, but a sharp, shooting pain rippled through her torso, and she gasped in alarm. (It reminded her of that clearing, in the Ridge, after she had lost her second.) Fear rose within her and ran rampant, clawing its way up Tigerlily’s throat. But, it was not fear for herself so much as it was fear of being taken from her daughter so soon, and her beloved Bear King. There was no doubt in her that, if something were to befall her, her filly would be loved and cared for. Bjӧrn would protect the girl – he was fierce and loyal to his own. Siobhan would take care of her – Tigerlily had never known any other that matched the compassion the red blanketed mare carried with her always in her soul, in her heart. So, with these thoughts of peace soothing over her fears, Tigerlily shifted slowly, finding that the pain eased immensely when she lay back on her side. After several moments with no sign of discomfort returning, the labouring mare attempted to get up yet again, only to wince as a new wave of contractions started. Mind clouded with pain and confusion, she lay, restless and silent, only for a second child to come to a rest beside the filly, squirming and alive. The exhausted mare heaved herself up, eyes wide in disbelief, heart thudding so loudly in her chest. An exhalation of pure wonder slipped past her lips, and she bowed her head to clean the colt. A daughter and… “A son... We have a daughter and a son.” The breath trembled in her lungs as she nudged them both to their hooves, hesitant and more than a little uncertain – she did not want to rush them. “I’ve been so blessed, Bjӧrn,” she whispered, managing to tear her eyes from the pair of foals to seek her mate’s face. “All that was taken from me… You gave me life, and love, and now them…” Tigerlily reached for him, pressed her muzzle tenderly to his. “What can I do but love you for every moment of my life?” |