Rebellion and New Life

Chapter 17

With the growing needs of the baby, and so many cravings for so much food, aside from his going out into the wilderness to find that one special food on the plants, Chamberlain went to the Gourmand's kitchen one day to demand a favor.

Sil saw that the Podlings were going about in the kitchen, getting ready to serve the next meal. He found the Gourmand doing his job too, making new bowls for everyone.

"Gourmand." Sil spoke up.

"Chamberlain! What brings you here?" Ayuk asked.

"Have come to ask for favor. I have run into a time of needing extra food for myself. Servings right now are too small for me. Must have extra servings." Sil explained without giving away his real secret of why he needed the extra food.

"Everyone gets the same portions, Chamberlain. How can you say it's not enough? Even I'm hungry for more all the time too." Ayuk said. "All Skeksis are, and they go to SkekNa for scraps."

"I found special food out in wilderness that I can give to Gourmand if he gives me extra food." Sil offered. "Have some right now too." He took a few pieces out of his robe to give as payment if he could have these extra scraps. "I keep giving them if you keep giving me extra food. Certain demands need it right now."

"I must try this food to see if it's worth it first." Ayuk said. Sil offered him the ones he said he would. When he tried it, it became apparent why Chamberlain liked them. They were nice and juicy, and meaty. "Must have more!"

"Soon, Gourmand, soon. Do we have deal?" Sil asked.

"Yes! Yes. You keep bringing me those snacks and I'll give ya all ya want!" Ayuk agreed.

"Hmm. Good." Sil smiled. He knew how to get what he wanted.

The Gourmand let him have access to the whole kitchen and Chamberlain went around eating what he wanted. He ate a good deal before he felt sated enough.

The Podlings were amazed he was being allowed to do this.

And when the real dinnertime came, Sil ate some more. He had been gaining weight for a little while now. He just looked like he was getting fat.
...............

Another time, he and La were in the bathing room together. He was in the water enjoying his soak while La was having a massage done by one of the Podlings.

"We still need to think of what we are going to name our little one." La said.

"Yes. Know this." Sil agreed. He looked down at his bigger than normal belly. The little one was kicking him again. "Moving again. Not know what it wants now. Breasts feel tender too." he complained.

The Podling that was serving him was curious to what he was talking about. It sounded like something unfamiliar, but at the same time, he did hear what they said.

La noticed that her mate had some swollen ankles. "Have your feet always swelled like that?" she asked.

"No. Only started happening with carrying child." Sil said. He moved in the tub and groaned in pain.

"What's wrong?"

"Back hurts. Hate going without essence." Sil declared grumpily.

"Try to be patient, only for a short time now." La assured him.

"How much time is question?" Sil stated.

"I know." she agreed. Then she changed the topic to try and distract him from his aching. "Maybe we should wait until the baby is born so we see what he looks like before we name him?"

"May be best." Sil said.
................

After the bath, La went back to work and Sil was going to venture into the wilderness again when his arch-rival appeared. Ung.

"Just where do you go every day, Chamberlain?" Ung demanded furiously.

Sil gasped. "None of your business, Spithead! Chamberlain goes where he pleases, when he wants!" he spat at the General.

"Just because you work at the Emperor's side. You are not deserving of that title. It should be me."

"Never will I let happen!" Sil yelled at him.

"One day, you will face me, and you will lose, you big fat liar!" Ung snarled.

"You calling me fat?!"

"Yes! I am!"

"How dare you!" Sil snarled. He literally was ready to attack Ung, but then, the General slapped his face and knocked him down.

Chamberlain cried out in pain and he also felt the wind knocked out of him as he felt the baby crash into his internal organs. "OOH! AH!" he screamed. His hands went immediately to his stomach. He had immediate concern for his baby, and the pain it had caused him too.

"You big weakling! I didn't hit you that hard." General mocked him.

Sil's breathing got faster. He was in a panic. "Go... away!" he stammered.

"You are going to tell me where you are going first." Ung demanded.

"Not business!" Sil panted. He looked at his rival with hatred. It would be Ung's fault if he killed his baby. Then he would see to Ung's demise too. Killing his baby would mean revenge. "Not telling!"

"I will find out." Ung snarled. Then he left him alone, this time.

Sil managed to push himself up. His stomach hurt a good deal, but then, he felt some movement from within his belly. "Oh, close call, baby." He rubbed his belly. His feelings were also hurt, but he knew he had to be ruthless around his fellow Skeksis. He had tried not to show his vulnerable side, but while he was knocked down had made him more that way because he was near breathless.

He caught his breath and went on his way. He wanted to be alone anyway. He had to calm down before he could eat. But the food did sate his appetite for the cravings, and he got some for the Gourmand too.

He had been more worried about his baby than anything at this time. It was getting harder for him to get up so easily as he once used to. He couldn't be doing that, stressing himself out, or trying to pick a fight. Sil had no idea how much longer he had to be pregnant, but he wasn't taking chances like that again. He couldn't be pushed around like that in his condition.
................

By 32 weeks along, Chamberlain started feeling some cramps inside him, but they weren't bad. He kept an eye on them. He also began getting some heartburn and it made him slow down on eating a little bit. He began to eat smaller meals, and he still felt plenty of movements from the baby. La could feel them too.

When he and La would spend time together when they had the time, they would relax and wait for the baby to kick. They could see the movements move the skin on Sil's belly. It did give both parents a much softer feeling that their little one was alright after what Sil had told La what the Garthim Master had done to him.

"You need to back down from fights for now, Sil. It could harm both you and our baby." she said.

"Yes. I know. I felt it good when I fell. Promise. No more picking fights until after baby is born. But then, still be careful." Sil agreed.

"When and how are we going to tell the Emperor? We can't keep this secret much longer." La said.

"I know. But am still unsure how he will take it. Or others for that matter." Sil spoke worriedly. "Not want to lose position. Or would we be able to hide him?"

"Where could we hide him?" she asked. "The others would find out sooner or later. We can't just say we found a Skeksis baby here in the castle, or out in the wilderness. Scientist will know it is yours, even if you have not told him I am the other parent."

"We could hide him in our special area in catacombs. We go down to check on him throughout day. Bring him food we stash away at meals. Make sure we get a small makeshift bed and pen for him so he wouldn't wander or get hurt." Sil suggested his plan.

"SkekTek will want to see him too."

"When time is right. He is not to discover our spot. Our baby not an experiment. I let him have my Gruenacks, and Tek killed them. He not going to kill our baby too." Sil declared.

La was bewildered at that idea. "I don't think he would do a thing like that. Not to a Skeksis. Would he?..."

"Who knows, La. Not trust him. Baby will be small, and not know how to defend self. Depend on us for his needs." Sil explained.

She knew this too. They were both coming to final terms that they were both going to be responsible parents for this little life they had created, if not ever planned. And any others that came along.