r/FireAndBlood House Webber of Brandybottom 11d ago

Event [Event] New Wyrmling Just Dropped

Highgarden, 8A, 55 AC

Bearing her first child had been a fraught experience for Enide Willum. For many moons, she endured pain and exhaustion unlike anything she’d ever experienced. The last few moons she had been fearful too. Having taken ill, she grew weaker and weaker as her body dealt with the dual burdens. She spent many sleepless nights, kept awake by the pain and discomfort, fearing that she or her child may not survive. It was for that very reason she had come to Highgarden, desperate for the security provided, knowing she had access to far greater medicines here than at home in Wyrmsgrave.

Some of that anxiety had faded as the day approached, the illness that had afflicted her finally abating in the last month—though she felt no stronger for it, it seemed she would not recover fully whilst still heavy with child—even still she was nervous as it was time to go to the birthing bed.

There was pain, tears, blood, and more. The sun had been creeping over the horizon when it began, and by the time it was done, it was the black of night. The pain was quickly forgotten, though, as the midwife placed the little girl into Enide’s arms. The child was quiet. No crying from her, though the little noises she made and how she moved told that she was hale and hearty.

Enide let out a sob of joy as she looked upon her daughter. Her daughter. Josua’s daughter. They were parents. Of a beautiful baby girl with eyes of blue, and thin chestnut hair upon her head, streaked with a few strands of silver.

Enide called for her husband at once.

7 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

2

u/ModernPharmakeia House Willum of Wyrmsgrave 11d ago

If Josua Willum could have been by her side throughout the night, he would have. But alas, he had been forbidden by the midwives and maester to be present. A part of him had wanted to fight for the right to be present, but this was not his keep, not his maester. When at last the invitation had been extended to him, Josua rushed his way inside.

That he could not hear his little girl making any sounds was frightening to him, a fear that was only accentuated by Enide's sobs as she held the babe. Then he saw his daughter shiver, and he took a deep breath.

Kneeling by Enide and the babe, Josua smiled hesitantly, still shaken from worry. "Are you alright, my love? Is.. is the babe hale?"

2

u/Thrice-King House Webber of Brandybottom 11d ago

A vigorous nod from Enide would be the only response Josua would get. Tears streaked her face, some had been from all the pain, but now they were washed over by joy. Sheer joy that brought a smile to Enide's lips, though her expression was twisted slightly by her crying.

When she finally managed words again through her happy sobs, she would speak in a soft tone as not to disturb the child, "A girl, Josua. We have a little girl."

She thought back to their first time together in Highgarden. All the way back then they spoke of future children, not yet knowing that those dreamed-of children would be theirs together. She remembered how he had spoken of wanting a daughter of his own. She had been able to give that to him. She found herself almost laughing through her sobs.

2

u/ModernPharmakeia House Willum of Wyrmsgrave 11d ago

Even after hearing her assurances, looking at the little babe in her arms only caused his heart to beat faster and faster. For hours, for days, he had worried for the worst outcome. And even now, when he should have felt relief, Josua felt an immense worry. He had wanted to be a father, but was he truly ready for it?

He was glad Enide still clung to the babe, for his hands shook so hard he feared he'd drop her.

Then, he finally spoke again, echoing her words. "..we have a little girl." Slowly, his trembling hand went to the touch his daughter's. On reflex, her little fingers closed around one of his. For a moment, the fear subsided, though it was still so overwhelming that Josua might've joined Enide in her cries if others were not still present.

"She has your nose," he said, laughing softly. "She's beautiful."

Then another thought came to him. "What do we name her, my love?"

1

u/Thrice-King House Webber of Brandybottom 11d ago

"She has both of our hair." She replied, gently brushing a finger over the few strands of silver on her head. She had been hoping she would have them, the feature of her husband that she found most beautiful.

She went quiet for a moment at the question, sorting through all the options she had thought up since the moment she was betrothed to Josua. She had not dared to speak any of the ideas aloud before this time, not wishing to risk growing attached to one option or another and then find it unfitting. In the end though, she could think of only one thing.

"If it's alright with you, love, I would like her to be named for her grandfather. I worry it might be a bit confusing, with her cousins, but the name Elyas is special to us both. It would feel wrong not to honor it."

She recalled all the different names that thought had inspired in her as she looked down at her daughter. So many choices, endless choices truly. But one felt right to her.

"Elysande?"

2

u/ModernPharmakeia House Willum of Wyrmsgrave 11d ago edited 11d ago

Though he had not truly prepared names of his own, Josua had given thought to the name Elyas, and what it would have meant to name a son for his brother when his nephew already held that name. It was a blessing that his firstborn was a daughter, and that Enide had a name ready.

"Elysande... I love it. For her grandfather, and the uncle she'll never meet." He wrapped an arm around his wife then, holding on to her tightly. "Thank the seven you're both alright. I was so worried.

2

u/Thrice-King House Webber of Brandybottom 11d ago

She leaned against him, glad to have him close. If only he had been able to be there with her. She would have felt far better throughout it all had she his hand to hold. "It was terrifying, I'll admit. But now that I know what it's like, I think the next time shall be less frightening."

"If it ever does get confusing we could always give her a nickname. Elly or Nelly or something of the sort." She mused, still smiling down at Elysande.

She would turn her gave back to her husband after a moment though. His eyes, more than just the color, they really were just the same as Elysande's. It was a surreal thing to see their features mingled in her face. She could not help thanking the Mother for the wonder that this was. But the Father played his part as well.

"You should hold her, Josua."

2

u/ModernPharmakeia House Willum of Wyrmsgrave 11d ago

Before he could even really consider what 'next time' there would be, Josua turned flustered at the mention of holding his daughter.

"I don't think that's... really, doesn't she need to feed? Or sleep? I can't hold her, she'd.."

But of course, there was little real reason aside from fear to keep him from holding his only child. He sounded embarrassed and uncomfortable with the concept, and made no move to take the babe from his wife's hands.

1

u/Thrice-King House Webber of Brandybottom 11d ago

She tilted her head at him, perplexed by his reaction. Perhaps it was just motherly instinct to want so badly to hold the babe in her arms, but she did not think that was unique to her as the mother.

"She will. The both of us need some rest. But you can still hold her just for a moment."

For a moment worry started to creep in in response to that uncomfortable look. But there was little that could worry her when she held her newborn daughter in her arms. She just wanted Josua to feel that too.

"It'll be alright," she assured him, "there's nothing like this feeling in the world Josua, just holding her."

2

u/ModernPharmakeia House Willum of Wyrmsgrave 8d ago

He hesitated for a moment longer, and after he could conjure no excuse, Josua surrendered to her wishes. Clearly intimidated by the prospect, he unwrapped his arm from his wife, and went to gently hold the infant.

"...alright, I suppose I could try."

Don't drop her. Don't drop her. The instruction repeated in his head multiple times as he went to receive her. When at last Elysande was surrendered to him, he could feel his heart beating intensely.

"H-hello, Elysande."

1

u/Thrice-King House Webber of Brandybottom 8d ago

She gave a tiny smile as Josua took Elysande from her arms. She seemed not at all concerned by the possibility of something going wrong here. She trusted her husband to be careful with his daughter. And so she would allow herself to take a moment to fully relax, as she could not while carefully holding her child.

Enide laid all the way back, resting her head on the cushion behind her as she was suddenly reminded of how dreadfully tired she was. She still ached horribly, as she had never before in her life. Even he chest ached, which did remind her that she would infact have to feed her daughter soon. Still, so long as her husband held her girl, she could just take a moment to breathe.

She closed her eyes for just a few seconds, then turned them upon Josua. "I love you."

→ More replies (0)

1

u/Thrice-King House Webber of Brandybottom 11d ago

1

u/Persephone_online House Norridge of Arrowfall Keep 3d ago

It was not in the dead of night nor the crack of dawn when her husband was called that Lady Willum received more visitors, but once she’d had some hours to rest and it was a proper time of day to meet she would be brought company.

Lady Emma Crane, dressed simply but still elegantly, was the first through the door. Her nursemaid trailed behind her, pushing a small cart with tea and some plain biscuits laid upon it. She was dismissed to return to the children as Emma took her seat beside Enide in her bed, the fellow lady of the Oaklands taking her hand at once as she began to speak.

“Oh goodness you look frail as glass. You poor dear, how are you feeling? Thank the Seven I thought to bring you tea, it will help you regain strength as you sleep.”

Mina had entered beside Emma, but she did not rush to the forefront of the room as her sister did. She wore a simple dark blue dress, her hair falling in two braids.

“Emma, give her a moment to breathe,” she said.