Bha'mak and Cha'rai walked hand in hand towards the Sessailaine village. The sighting of the Nereus had created quite a stir and the entire Skyfolk population was heading down to greet them. It wasn't certain that Aeronwyn was on board, but it was hoped she was. Cha'rai was clearly pregnant and so Bha'mak insisted he walk with her.
"I am only about six months along, beloved. I am not an invalid, I am just pregnant!" Cha'rai rebuked him gently.
"Only pregnant?" Bha'mak and Cha'rai, from the moment they first made love, were inseparable. Bha'mak had been concerned about what the children would think but he quickly realized that they had just assumed the two older Skyfolk would end up together. The Sessailaine had built them a small home of their own so they could have time alone. That was fortunate because even though they loved each other, they still fought. When Cha'rai had expressed her concern over their occasional arguments to one of the Sessailaine women, she had laughed and explained that this was to be expected. "Passionate people always fight, they just fight fair. Stick to the issues, avoid name calling and, afterwards, enjoy each other. It is normal."
When Cha'rai realized she was pregnant, she was thrilled. The first of her people to be born free in thousands of years would be her child! Bha'mak had become like a mother hen until Cha'rai read him the riot act. Now he was calmer but still wanted to treat her as an invalid from time to time. They had compromised. Cha'rai had agreed not to climb the rigging and swordfight until the baby was born if Bha'mak wouldn't comment on anything else she did.
They Nereus was docking and Cha'rai could see Aeronwyn was on board. She waved to her and Aeronwyn waved back, smiling and pointing her out to Keri and Bron. They waved as well. It took a few minutes to secure the ship then the gangplank was lowered into place. Bha'mak and Cha'rai were at the back of the crowd as the rest of the Skyfolk and many of the Sessailaine were on hand to greet the ship.
After Aeronwyn had, personally, greeted everyone that was there she made her way over to where Cha'rai was standing. Seeing her condition, she smiled and, taking them both in her arms, said "Well done, you two. I am so happy for you!" Bha'mak grinned proudly and Cha'rai smiled up at Aeronwyn.
"May I?" Aeronwyn asked. Cha'rai nodded and Aeronwyn placed her hand gently on Cha'rai's bulging tummy. "Do you want to know?" They nodded. Aeronwyn gently reached out with her magic.
"Six months or so?" Aeronwyn asked. Cha'rai nodded. "Are multiple births common among your people, Cha'rai?"
"Multiple...I don't know. I don't think so. Am I having twins?" Cha'rai looked down at her belly. "I don't seem big enough for twins."
"How far along do you think you are, dear heart?" Aeronwyn asked.
Cha'rai shrugged. "I figured six months, based on the first time we...uh..."
Aeronwyn shook her head. "Four months, perhaps. It's not twins."
"Not twins!" Bha'mak exclaimed. "Then why is she showing so much at only four months. Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing is wrong. I do not have the experience and skill that Cadeyrn has, but I can assure you your children are growing normally. All three of them!" Aeronwyn grinned as she watched Bha'mak and Cha'rai's mouths drop open.
"Three? Three? How is that possible?" Cha'rai was shocked.
Aeronwyn shrugged, "Cadeyrn might be able to explain but it seems to me you two are determined to set a good example of how to rebuild your race quickly! When the time comes closer I will have Cadeyrn and Moiril come so he can be here to help. He is the best Mage-healer we have and it will make your birthing easier."
Aeronwyn walked with the young couple back towards the Skyfolk village. Bha'mak pointed out to her what they had accomplished as behind them Bron and Keri followed with the rest of the children. When they arrived at the practice field, Aeronwyn asked about the rigging and nodded her understanding as Bha'mak explained the intention.
"Thank you. You have made a great deal of progress, which brings me to why I am here." Aeronwyn said. She waved Keri over to join them, then asked everyone to gather close.
"People of the Sky!" she began as she looked out over the two hundred and six free Skyfolk. "You have been robbed of your inheritance. I look at Cha'rai, pregnant with the first Skyfolk children that will be born free as long as your people can remember." When Aeronwyn said 'children' there was a buzz of noise. She waited for it to die down.
"I have been given a gift for you but you must decide to accept it. I know some of you are quite young to make this decision but I must have your consensus. So I will tell you what the gift is and you can decide, together, what you would like me to do with it. The gift, from one of the Old Gods, from the Goddess Althene, She of Mercy and Healing."
Aeronwyn paused. Even the youngest of the children stood still, waiting for Aeronwyn to finish. She looked down at Cha'rai's swollen belly and smiling, looked out over the faces of the crowd. "Cha'rai's children will be born with the ability to grow wings. By the time they are seven or eight years old, the wings will be strong enough to support them and they will regain the sky that you all have lost. This is the gift that the Goddess of Healing offers to you all: You can have your wings back if you choose, today, now!"
Pandemonium broke out. Some were asking others to repeat what Aeronwyn had said, because they weren't sure they had heard them. Others were crying. Most were cheering. Aeronwyn held up her hand and waited until everyone had settled down and was looking at her again. They were agitated, excited and, Aeronwyn could see, nervous. "I am The Great Lady Rhiannon. Through no choice of my own I was tasked with restoring your peoples glory. You glory is not in buildings, or things made with hands. It is the gift the Gods bestowed on you. Artlethain. Shari somm a le Artlethain agan to! Bareh! Bareh! No Kal! Most of you don't know what that means anymore. It is a command, to me. What we call Arlethain was a people, builders and warriors. It means: 'Skyfolk! Take the winds again Skyfolk! Rejoice, Rejoice and fly!' You must decide. When you have decided, seek me out. I will honor your decision."
Aeronwyn stepped down. "Bha'mak, Cha'rai. It seems an easy choice but your people have not flown for many generations. Growing up in the air will be very different that learning to fly and being at home in the sky. I urge you to temper the emotions of youth with wisdom and make sure everyone agrees. This will result in you relearning every skill, including walking. Choose wisely."
"What do you mean, learning to walk?" Bha'mak looked confused.
Cha'rai smacked his arm gently. "Bha'mak, you know how you have joked about me getting as big as a whale and waddling around? Now instead of a bulge in the front of me making me clumsy and ungainly, consider what an additional thirty or so pounds pulling on your back every step you take will make. Think about the weight of a child pulling on each of your shoulders in different directions. We have learned to walk, to run, to fight, to climb all without that."
Bha'mak looked at Cha'rai thoughtfully then said, "I understand. Still, can there be any other choice?" Turning to Aeronwyn, he nodded at her. "Great Lady, we will consider your words. Can you return here in the morning for our response?"
Aeronwyn smiled. So, he was learning to become the leader he will need to be. Good. How long before he understands the burden that comes with his role? Not long, I suspect. "Of course. I will leave you to your kinfolk."
