Dark As Coal

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 30th April 2007

Characters: Penryn, Ryalane
Description: Ryalane goes into labor
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 2, day 19 of Turn 4

Penryn rubbed his eyes tiredly as he leaned back in his chair. He had spent the morning pouring over yield predictions from each of the beholden holds. It was important to know just where they all stood so an accurate prediction of their tithe to the Weyr could be made, but on such a fine day, his office was the last place he wanted to be. Letting out a long sigh he stretched his bad leg out under his desk and closed his sore eyes.

Wouldn't it be nice if he could get up on a runner right then and just take a leisurely stroll through the fields. He could almost feel the warm sun on his skin, tempered by a cool breeze, fragrant with the smell of freshly turned dirt and spring flowers. That gentle, rhythmic rolling of the runner... He missed that. Riding on the back of a runner.

But now, it just wasn't possible. He doubted it ever would be again.
His leg just wasn't strong enough. He could swing up all right, but gripping it with his knees to hold himself steady... a quarter candlemark and it was painful. It just couldn't take that anymore.

Oh, but if it could... He'd be out there right now. Yield predictions would be piled up for another day as he just rode through the fields...
If he thought about it hard enough, he could almost feel it...

His daydream was interrupted by a hurried drudge. "Excuse me sir, but I have a note from the healer. He says it's of the utmost importance."

Penryn sat up quickly, wincing as he jarred his knee. "Give it here."

~*~

A healer met Penryn outside of his quarters, looking relieved to see him. "She didn't want us send for you until we were sure it was time, but things are going a bit quicker than expected. She needs someone with her now."

Penryn could feel his heart pounding in his chest. The healer had told him what would be expected of him, but he felt suddenly inadequate for the job. "It will be soon then? Things are going well, aren't they?"

"She's fine physically," the journeyman reassured him hastily. "It's just... emotionally. She could use your encouragement."

The steward frowned slightly. She had plenty of reasons to be emotionally torn at that moment, beyond the obvious emotional strain of birth. "I will do my best." Penryn took a deep breath before opening the door to his quarters. Muffled sounds could be heard from the bedroom. He carefully opened the door, not wanting to surprise anyone.
"Ryalane?"

"Penryn?" Ryalane's voice was strained and breathless, and her words were followed by a pained moan.

"Yes, I'm here." He hurried over to the bedside and reached for her hands. "The healers say you are doing just fine."

Her fingers tightened painfully around his hand. "I can't do this, Penryn. I can't do it. I can't--"

"Of course you can," he assured her, reaching up to smooth the hair back from her forehead. "Everything will be all right."

She closed her eyes and whimpered. "It hurts, it hurts so badly."

"It won't last forever. You just have to get through this and then it won't hurt anymore." Shards, he wished there was something more he could give her than just words. "Let's just get through this, Ryalane.
We can do this."

As the contraction subsided, her face relaxed a little, but her hand still clasped his desperately. "Don't leave me," she whispered, her voice sounding terribly fragile.

"I promise I will not leave your side."

In the end, Ryalane didn't have to long to wait. As the healers had told Penryn, things were progressing at a quick pace. The eventual result was a small infant boy who greeted Penryn with a hearty cry as the midwife wrapped him in a blanket while the healer tended to Ryalane. After the midwife cleaned the boy's face and head, she smiled at Penryn. "Would you like to hold him?"

"Yes, please," Penryn nodded in a hushed voice. The whole experience had left him awed and dumbstruck. He carefully received the baby, cradling him in his arms. "He's so tiny..."

The midwife smiled and tucked the blanket a little more firmly around the boy. "But he's got quite a pair of lungs! And what a head of hair... it's beautiful."

"Yes, he's gorgeous," the steward beamed as he gently stroked the soft downy head. "Look, Ryalane," he said, turning so the new mother could finally see her baby. "He's perfect!"

The midwife's apprentice was bundling up towels and sheets as the healer tugged the thick quilt up over Ryalane. "We'll give you two a moment alone. We'll be just in the other room if you need anything."

As they left, Ryalane turned her head to look at her son, her face drawn and exhausted. "He's all right?"

Penryn carefully laid the baby in his mother's arms. "Yes, he's just fine. Though maybe a little hungry."

She looked down at the infant, her stomach tightening as she touched his hair. She and Briton both had light hair--his reddish blonde and hers true red. The child's hair was as dark as coal. Like Meijah's.

"I can turn away if you want to feed him," Penryn assured her. He knew the baby should nurse, but it was quite possible Ryalane felt awkward feeding her son in front of him. For all that they were married, their relationship thus far had been purely friendship.

"Feed him?" Ryalane asked in a shaky voice. "I--I don't know--I mean, I know--" She broke off and looked up at Penryn. "Could you send the midwife back in, please?"

Penryn was surprised, but he nodded. "Sure. Is there anything wrong?"

Ryalane shook her head hastily. "No. I just... I've never had a child before, Penryn. This is all very new."

He reached over to give her arm a gentle squeeze. "I will fetch her for you."

Last updated on the April 30th 2007

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Dark As Coal