After the War... There is Peace

Look Who's Here

Tired. Yrene was so completely and utterly tired, but she had to keep going. She had been controlling her breathing for the past few minutes, trying to ready herself for the next big push. She had never known giving birth would be this painful and tiring, but she kept reminding herself that it would all be worth it in the end.

Beside her, Chaol's breaths were coming out as quickly as hers. She would have never known in a million years that Chaol's reaction to giving birth would be this. She smiled slightly despite the pain, thinking about how much she'd tease him over it. It was comforting, though, to see him anxious and worrying about her and the baby's health.

They had been at it for almost 3 hours. Chaol had stayed by Yrene's side, never straying, even though the nurse had told them it might take a while. Constantly, Yrene had been pushing, then taking breaks, and back to pushing. He could tell she was exhausted. He hated to see her in so much pain, and he refused to leave her side, until she softly smacked him on the arm.

"Go stretch your legs, Chaol. You heard her: it'll likely be a while, enough time for you to go inform Dorian that everything's alright."

"If I know Dorian, he's probably reading a book somewhere, waiting patiently for someone to deliver the news."

"Well, what better person than you", Yrene replied, smirking.

"I'm fine",Yrene said, noting the wariness in his eyes. "Trust me, I'll let you know as soon as we're ready to go again"

"I love you", was all he said as he kissed her softly and walked out of the room.

Well, at least  some things never change.

Right in the middle of the hallway was Dorian, slouched in a chair that he obviously had stationed there. In front of him was a table (placed there as well) brimming with books of all sorts. Across from Dorian was another chair, which Chaol knew was designated for him. He plopped down in the chair and ran a few fingers through his hair.

Dorian looked up from his book, "How's it going?"

"It's going, but the nurse said it'll be a while"

"I never knew giving birth would take so long"

"Yea, me neither"

"You know, Dorian, you don't have to stay out here the whole time. We'll get you when it's time."

"Nonsense, I'm fine right here. Besides, I could go all day just reading my novels.

"I know", Chaol said with a hint of amusement.

It was only a matter of minutes before the nurse came out of the bedroom saying, "She's about to make the big push. Come quickly!"

Chaol leaped out of his seat and hurried into the room. There was Yrene on the bed, her breathing labored, and sweat dropping from her brow. He knelt by the side of the bed, and grasped her slender hand, while wiping the sweat off of forehead.

"Chaol, it's time", Yrene breathed as she struggled to look up at him. He could not express in words the amount of love that shone brightly in her eyes. Chaol just kissed her brow.

"Ready when you are, my love"

So Chaol sat beside his king's bed and watched with tears in his eyes as his wife pushed their newborn daughter out into the world.