Greenroof 15, 850; Thirdday
I woke to the sound of Amesh’s gentle snoring. He was laying on his right side, facing me with his arm draped over me, and I lay up against his chest. I twisted gently beneath the covers so I could see my husband’s face. He looked so peaceful. I shifted the rest of my body so I could watch Amesh sleep.
When I did this, I noticed I was in my sleeveless white silk nightgown and not my wedding dress. I wracked my brain and was able to vaguely remember changing before I fell haphazardly onto our bed. Amesh must’ve moved me into a more comfortable position before he lay down next to me. What a sweetheart.
I couldn’t stand it anymore. I felt the need to have my King consciously present; my only problem was how to wake him. Like always, Amesh fixed my predicament by rolling onto his back. I smirked, knowing the perfect way to wake my sleeping King. I leaned over and kissed my Lord full on the mouth. I heard Amesh take a sudden deep breath of surprise, but I didn’t stop kissing him. We stayed lip-locked until Amesh managed to gently push me off of him.
He gave me a puzzled look as I lay next to him. “Was that necessary, Swanwhite? I was sleeping absolutely well.”
“Yes, it was!” I said, accenting each word. “I couldn’t lie next to you while you slept any longer.”
“Ah well, you could’ve said so,” my King smiled as he pulled me closer to him.
I gave him a playful smile. “Nah, I liked my idea better.”
Amesh put his hand on my cheek and neck and moved my head so I looked him straight in the eye. “Then let me show you, my dear, how Calormens greet their loved ones.”
Our faces were so close that our lips were mere centimeters away when I closed my eyes and awaited the kiss. Amesh was just about to press his lips to mine when there was a frantic rapping at our door. The two of us jumped, for the knock was unexpected. I quickly got out from under the covers, grabbed my robe, and quickly tied my hair back. Amesh followed in suit, though he needn’t tie his hair back.
I threw the door open and found Gracia nervously standing on the opposite side. “What is it, Gracia?” I asked as I tied my robe.
“Famina has gone into labor, and she has requested your presence.”
“What about the healers? Are they with her?”
The Dryad shook her head. “She wants you there, Majesty. She does not trust the healers in her state. No She-Wolf ever has. They always desire a female they trust completely to help deliver their pups.”
I nodded understandingly. “It’s a good thing I was taught everything the healers know.” I gestured to Amesh. “Come with me, my King. I might need you to keep Shream from getting too worried.”
“Yes, my Queen,” my husband replied with wide eyes – he was as anxious as I was.
“Lead on, Gracia,” I said.
We ran through the halls to the den-like room that my Wolf guards lived in. Shream was pacing outside the entrance to their den when we arrived – Famina had kicked him out.
“How is she doing, Shream?” I asked as I recovered my breath.
“My mate is in pain and desperately desires your presence,” the He-Wolf answered.
“Alright, Shream. You stay out here with Amesh, and good Wolf. Gracia, I will need you to help me.”
“Yes, Majesty,” they both replied.
I turned, got down on my hands and knees, and crawled into the Wolves’ den. Gracia followed in after me. Famina was pacing back and forth near a specially made bed of heather, which I guessed was for Famina to lie on when she was giving birth. There was also a bed made for the pups when they came.
“How are you doing, Famina?” I asked, not waiting to be noticed.
“I wish for the pups to come now so I would not have to go through this any longer,” she growled.
The soon-to-be-mother paced until I had had enough of her wasting her energy and strength.
“Famina,” I said in a no-nonsense tone, getting on the ground in the Wolf’s path. “Stop. Lie down and rest. It would not be good for you to be tired when the pups decide to show.”
Sighing with a growl, Famina lay down. As she did so, she shuddered in pain. Her contractions had been getting closer together ever since Gracia and I entered the den.
“Gracia, we will need towels and a knife to cut the umbilical cords, just in case Famina is too tired to do it.”
“Yes, Queen Swanwhite.”
Famina shuddered in pain again; her contractions were getting closer together. The pups would be here in a matter of minutes. I hoped they would be alright. I sent a quick prayer to Aslan to guide me, for Famina and for her pups.
The She-Wolf gave the harshest shudder of all and began pushing. The pups began to come.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Famina licked the six puppies as they squealed, and she guided them to her nipples so they could drink their fill. I let Shream and Amesh in to see the pups. Amesh, Gracia, and I didn’t stay too long, for we didn’t want to be a bother to the Wolves.
When we made a move for the door, Famina spoke up. “Gracia, Majesties?”
We all turned to face the new mother.
“Thank you.”
“You are most welcome, my good Wolf,” I answered for all of us.
“If you wish, Famina, I will come in and check on you every hour or so,” Gracia offered.
“Thank you, Gracia, though it might not be needed,” she replied.
The three of us bid our farewells and departed from the den. I leaned my head on Amesh’s shoulder as we walked back to our rooms, a bit tired out from delivering the pups. Gracia was accompanying us in case we desired anything.
During the walk back to our chambers, I glanced up at my husband and a strange feeling stirred inside me. I wanted to be with him, alone, for the rest of the day. But I wanted something more than that at the same time. I wanted to…
“Gracia,” I said, pausing when we were halfway to our rooms.
“Yes, Queen Swanwhite?” the Dryad asked, stopping with me and my King.
I turned to Amesh and gave him a mischievous grin. “Please have some food delivered to our chambers. And please make sure we are not to be disturbed until further notice. Depending on the problems – if any – go to Deanna or General Kaymen. Only if it is absolutely necessary, should we be disturbed.” I turned back to Gracia with the grin still glued to my face.
The Cherry-blossom Dryad gave a nod and a small smile of comprehension. “I understand, your Majesty.” Turning to head for the kitchens, Gracia went to obtain some victuals for the two of us.
Amesh made me face him again, and he gave me a questioning look. My grin grew, and his lips turned up into a smile. “What are we waiting for, wife?”
I gave a soft laugh. “Our food for when we desire to eat, husband.”
I led him in a slow walk to our rooms. When we arrived, Gracia was waiting with a platter.
“Thank you, Gracia,” I said taking the platter from her.
She curtsied. “My pleasure, Majesty.”
Amesh opened the door for me, and we didn’t emerge from our chambers until past midday.
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