All Things New: Chapter Thirty-One

After all the dreary and sad chapters I have made you read, we have some happiness!!

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: BABY, BABY!

Time passed, and in that time Artham’s wounds healed inside and out, for the most part. Much of his stress has increased, however, because Arundelle was going through the time when she was having many false alarms regarding the pregnancy. Every day, Artham could never focus on any meeting. Every time a servant walked in, he jumped.

One evening, when the Wingfeathers were enjoying their time in Madia’s sitting room, Artham seemed terribly distracted. Arundelle was not there, since she was not feeling well.

Esben was speaking on some topic in relation to a foreign dispute with Skree (which always happened) and he had an important question for Artham.

“So, brother, how should we go about negotiating the trade rules with the Skreean king? Artham? Artham? Arth? Arth? ARTHAM!”

Artham jumped slightly. “I’m sorry did you say something?”

“Yes. How should we manage the trade dispute?”

“I think it’s a girl.”

“What?”

“The baby. Because I have an instinct.”

“Oh. Right.”

“But it could be a boy because of the false alarms. Mom said she had a lot of false alarms with you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah…that had nothing to do with what you just said did it?”

Esben smiled. “No, it did not. But that’s okay. I know you’re stressed. But don’t worry. I’m sure you still have some time. In fact, I bet the next false alarm will happen righ- “

“Artham! Ari’s gone into labor!”

From one look at the woman’s face, which was completely white, with panic lines, Artham could tell it was happening. And it made his head feel faint. He jumped up and followed the servant blindly.

For several moments, there was nothing but chaos throughout the whole of the castle. Servants ran around, the family was in a panicked prayer session, and Artham was stumbling around the castle trying to clear his mind so he could focus on finding his room and get to Arundelle.

Servants bumbled in and out of the sitting room, giving updates. “It’s a bit difficult for her.”

“Artham’s giving her encouragement.”

“It’s taking some time, but no cause to worry.”

Esben was trying to stay awake, but that was difficult, as it was very near one in the morning, and there was still no baby. Finally, his iron constitution broke and he drifted…off…to…sleep…just as another member was added to the Wingfeather family.

“Oh my,” the mid-wife whispered, picking up a beautiful, small, crying, baby girl. “She looks like the perfect blend of both of you!”

Ari looked at the baby, and she couldn’t help but cry. Partly it was because of how exhausted she was, but also because the baby was so beautiful, and she was her first. Eventually, Ari fell asleep, and the baby was handed to Artham, who was barely able to register what was going on. But as soon as she was placed in his arms, her cries stopped. Her eyes opened and they were bright and blue. While yes, she did have many aspects of Arundelle, those eyes, that black hair, as black as a raven’s feathers, and that smile, they all were from Artham. The little smile she gave when she opened her eyes melted his heart. His eyes watered and a single tear fell on her rosy cheek.

“You beautiful little girl,” he whispered.

Then, his eyes grew so heavy that they slightly closed, and the good midwife picked the baby up.

“Ah, wee lass. You’ll be named in the morn. I’ll get ya a little food, and then ya’ll have to sleep like yer parents, my wee bairn,” the midwife said.

And Arthra is born! 🥳

Fluff!! Happiness!!! No trauma!!! YAY!!!!