Dragon Blood

Chapter 2

A few months had passed, and the Dragon War had only gotten worse. Val was no longer allowed to fight due to her pregnancy. Her stomach had grown to accommodate the life that was growing inside of her. She'd already felt it kick her, and the baby had even broken 2 of her ribs with a strong kick.

However, Val still loved her child, and even gave up various daily activities such as cleaning and training just to keep the young one safe. Val's eldest daughter was ecstatic to learn of her unborn sibling. She took care of her mother, bringing her food, cleaning the house, doing the chores and even helping her mother in and out of the bath when her back was in especially excruciating pain.

Suddenly, a few months on, Val began to notice some strange features about her stomach. It appeared distorted. Two small lumps protruding slightly from her lower abdomen and the feeling of something moving around inside her. She checked in with a Priestess of Kynareth. They declared the deformities normal under some inspection, and Val returned home.

A month later, Val felt a sudden sharp pain sear through her, and the bedding inbetween her legs grew wet. She knew she was going into labour, and despite her preparations, she was certainly not prepared for the sheer agony of bearing this child. It felt as if the devil was escaping her, but digging it's long, sharp claws into her insides and tearing them out along side it.

Val was taken to the Temple of Kynareth and prepared for emergency caesarean. The baby was born, and Val was stitched back up, but she was not allowed to see the baby. The priestess rushed the child away into a separate room and grabbed a small dagger, raising it above her head. Val was extremely weak following her agonizing childbirth, but she still managed to launch herself at the priestess, disarming her before clutching at her side in pain.

"This child is evil. She's evil! We must kill her immediately before she causes mass destruction amongst Tamriel!" She priestess screamed and attempted to grab at the bundle, which Val quickly snatched away in her arms, cradling it.

"She's an infant, you crazy bitch! Don't touch my child again, or I swear upon the Nine Divines, I'll have your entrails torn out and used as decorations on Gildergreen." She threatened lowly, and the lady stepped back and sat down quietly.

Val sat down and gently uncovered her child's face, but was shocked at what she saw. The baby had two small black horns, and deep amber eyes. Her eyes, despite terrifying, were surprisingly beautiful. They were most likely her distinguishing feature on her face, as the eyes glowed and the infant smiled at her mother.

A small tail hung from the blankets, and Val instantly remembered all that had happened with her and Alduin. She didn't remember it until now. After their mating session, she was in so much pain that she passed out, and he'd left her in the snow just outside Windhelm. She'd taken the memories of their mating and blamed it on her previous unconscious state, and had simply gone home.

It all came back to her, now, and she herself considered placing the child up for adoption. However, who else would look after her? Who else would feed her? Who else would love her? Except Val, nobody would. Her looks were too frightening to anybody who were to adopt, so she came to the conclusion that she'd keep the girl.

----------------------------------------

As she got home, she was instantly greeted by her eldest daughter. She was attempting to hold the infant, but Val intended to speak to her first in order to prepare her for the baby's appearance. She seemed a little confused, but still was eager to meet her new little sister. Val gently placed the 1-day-old baby girl in her older sister's arms. The baby looked up at her sister with a big smile. Her black tail curled up around her arm, and she closed her eyes as she was kissed on the cheek.

"Mother! I love her! She's so pretty. I'm going to keep her safe in my room, where you put the bassinet." She said breathlessly. Val nodded and smiled at her two children, before hugging them both lovingly.

"I love you two. You know that?"