Wren of the East *Complete*

Chapter 12: Joyous

The bird song filled the bay, and the cool ocean breeze blew into the bedroom. The sun shone brightly, and flower petals drifted across into the palace. The lords were chatting in happy hushed tones. For the first time in a year, the kingdom was filled with joy.

Rumors had begun to swirl that soldiers were making their way home. Though none of those rumors contained whispers of Farrow. My heart had darkened months before, but I had reasons to try and let it heal. The people of Kikon deserved a happy ruler and had only the best intentions.

A commotion drew our attention to the palace gates. Soldiers. I stood and watched as they poured into the courtyard. I scanned the men but couldn't locate Farrow's horse. I descended the stairs and waited for the men to settle. I smiled and looked over the men as they returned home. They looked worn and tired. Many were missing pieces of armor and their weapons. They looked up at me and did their best to smile in return.

After a moment, the soldiers parted. My heart leaped, and I didn't fight the tears that streamed down my face. Farrow stood among his men and beamed with pride. His arm was in a sling, and he had a bandage around his eye, but he was home.

I pulled my zori off and handed them to Ruka, and she held them for me. I also pulled the tabi off to avoid slipping on the stone steps. I didn't care what those around me thought or about protocol and tradition. I hurried down the steps and into the courtyard.

Farrow smiled and headed toward me. Instead of simply embracing me, he picked me up with his uninjured arm and twirled me around. He set me down and kissed me.

"My Little Bird, how I've missed you." His words broke.

"And I you, my Lord of Iron."

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I laid on the bed and waited for Farrow to finish cleaning up. I curled around the surprise I had for him. I was excited to share it with him.

"I didn't realize how much I would miss a bath." He stood at the foot of the bed and pulled the towel away from his face.

His eye went wide, and he winced. "Akira?"

I smiled and looked at the sleeping babe next to me. "You left me with a very precious gift."

Farrow came around the side of the bed and sat beside his child. "Our child?"

"Yes, Farrow. Your son." I reached out and put my hand on his knee.

Farrow reached out and ran his finger down the babe's face. He let out a little yawn, and his tiny eyes fluttered open. He stretched and grunted, and my heart melted.

"What did you name him?" Farrow's voice was quiet.

"I didn't."

He looked up at me. "Why?"

Our baby turned, looked at me, and smiled. I took his little hand in mine and kissed it. He laughed.

"I didn't name him because I wanted you to name him."

"Akito." He didn't hesitate.

"Are you sure? Name him after me?" I pushed myself up.

Farrow looked at me, and his eye was filled with tears. "Yes. You are the light of my life Akira, now we have our own little light."

I picked the baby up. "Well, your father thinks you need to be named Akito. Do you like it?"

He grinned and shoved his hand in his mouth. We both laughed. Farrow moved to the head of the bed and leaned against it. He patted between his legs, and I moved to sit between them.

I leaned against his chest. "Am I hurting you?"

"No. Now tell me everything."

"About?"

He wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed gently on my stomach. "I want to know about your pregnancy, his birth, everything."

"I only knew I was pregnant for a short time. When I realized, I wasn't even sure when he'd been conceived. I could have been a month or two pregnant before you left. He's almost four months old."

"I think I would have wanted to be here with you when he was born." He reached up and tickled Akito's toes, and he giggled.

"I would have liked that, but his birth was long and hard. They were afraid that both of us were going to die. He was facing the wrong way, and it was not pleasant. When he arrived, his voice was loud and clear."

Akito reached for my chest, and I knew he was hungry. So I pulled him to my chest and let him nurse.

"You're nursing him?"

I grabbed Farrow's arm and tucked it under Akito's body. "He is my connection to you; I did not trust anyone to tend to him. I want him to be strong and happy. He's happy with me, and I know I'll make him strong."

Farrow kissed my head. "My Little Bird, you will make our son strong as iron."

I rested against Farrow. "Lord of Iron, you will teach him how to bend."