A new family for the Clan Chief (attn Aiel)

[Eqwina]

Covina sat her brush down and re-tied the dark brown scarf around her head. Sweeping her growing hair over her shoulder she sat staring in the mirror, examining her face. It was still a young woman’s face, but with knowing eyes. Far wiser than they had been during her days as a Maiden, and yet there was still much to learn. Groaning as she pushed herself to her feet, she cursed Ghaul for getting her into this position. Her midwife said she was due anytime and that the babes were strong, but even those joys were not enough to make her forget it protruding belly and aching back. She hurt more this last week than she had during all her years as a Maiden, and from what she knew of birthing the worst was yet to come.

 

But, like with everything else in her life, she would accept what came…

 

Sending her gai’shain to fetch her apprentices she instructed another to fix the tea and have it brought to the sweat tent. Stepping out into the chill of the night she didn’t dally as she made her way to the sweat tents. She could not have moved as fast as she once had, nor handle the cold, or extreme hot. She’d taken to spending her days at home, and making the other Wise One’s come to her.  Those that had bared children before understood, but many others made comment.

 

Seeing no other clothes piled by the low tent, Covina knew she was the first to arrive. Disrobing with as much grace as she could muster, she ducked in and chose her seat. She was thankful that no one else was around to see her groan and grunt trying to find a comfortable position. Her stomach had grown so large that even crossing her legs was a chore and she had to use her hands to accomplish the position.

 

Ghaul was sympathetic to her plight, but she saw his smiles as she waddled around and struggled with the smallest tasks. 

 

She was very proud of herself, that even through all her moods swings she had not revealed to him that she was caring two babes. Many times when her ankles were swollen, and her back ached she had wanted to scream it at him, but luckily he had left before the worst began.

 

Only her midwife took her temper in stride, everyone else was walking on eggshells or avoiding her all together. Even her apprentices seemed to abandon her at any given opportunity.

 

With weeks yet before she was due Ghaul had gone out to lead their people in battle. She would not have dreamed of keeping her Clan Chief from his place, but as one week passed and then two she began to grow anxious for his return. He had done this to her and left once, he would not be allowed to disappear again.

 

Picking up her staera she began to sleuth off the day’s grime as the others filed in to join her.  Runner had returned telling of success in their battle, but there was still much to discuss. Only a fool believed the battle over once the spears were down.  She and the other Wise One’s were intent on having decisions made before Ghaul returned with the others.

 

Turning to argue with Ardase, Covina felt a sharp pain in her stomach, and suddenly she was doubled over clutching at the ground to stay upright. “Get away from me!! I am alright!” Forcing herself up straight she refused to acknowledge the pains as they came every few minutes, growing increasingly worse. It wasn’t until her water broke that she had to admit to what she knew was happening. Sending one of the gai’shain to get word to Ghaul, she former Maiden was spurred by Covina’s cries of pain.

 

[Ghaul]

  Every once and again the Shadow launch a raid into the Three Fold Land, as if only to once again make sure it really does deserve the name they've given it - the Land of Death. Most of the times those raiding bands were small enough for the septs along the border to take care of them on their own. However, they were cases when the horde proved too big for one sept to handle on it's own. In such cases warriors from the septs deeper in the Three Fold Land came to aid the fight, and on rare occasions, the horde was so great that a Clan Chief took the trip up North to lead the spears in the dance. And now was such a case. But what was unique for Ghaul this time was that he was reluctant to go - Covina was about to give birth soon. However he had his duty to attend to, so he had to go. And it was Covina who personally saw him off, with Ghaul promising that he'll try his best to be back in time for the birth.

 

  When the warriors, among whose ranks Ghaul was, the Clan Chief requested to be told of what the current situation was. It turned out that initially the Shadow had sent in small squads, which were easily routed, but as the Aiel gave chase the a huge horde of Shadowtwisted had attacked them. The warriors were forced to withdraw and were comming this way via the Charenin hills. Ghaul knew of these hills. They were more like mountains that hills, and their northern slope being much much steaper than the souther ones. The easiest way pass them was a narrow pass that splited them unevenly. At this moment a plan began to shape in Ghaul's head. Yes, it would could work, after all, as the runner said - the group that was forced to withdraw is composed mainly of Shaen M'taal. Yes, this could very much work.

 

  "Split into five groups. Two of the groups are to take position on the hills along the need to position. The other two are to be position along before the hills, on the flanks of the horde. The fifth group is to be composed of Shaen M'taal." - Ghaul proceeded to explain his plan. - "I will be joining the fifth group. We will reinforce the retreating forces, and will make a stand. As the horde approaches will will shoot arrows at them, and pretend to flee as they approach. At that time, the group on their left flank is to approach and pester them with arrows, get them to chase you. Again as they aproach you're to pull back and our group will once again get their attention Once they get close to us, we shall again pull back and the group on their right flank. The same things is to happen as the other group. This whole process is to repeat as we pull back towards the pass. If the Horde does not take the bait and keeps on chasing us, both groups are to rain arrows on them. As we come in range of the two groups up on the slopes around the pass they are to open fire too. Once at the pass is where the Shaen M'taal are to make a stand. This group is to bear the blunt of the Shadowtwisted as the others groups keep them under fire until the horde breaks and takes flight. Then we are to persuit and make sure they will not think of turning back. That is the battle plan. Once the groups are ready we move out. Time is of the essence"

 

    And so he was now on his way back. The horde was beaten off, with relatively low casualties than compared to other such raids. The new tactic seemed to work. Usually Ghaul will be wondering how much longer will this tactic work, and working on ways to improve it, but right now he was in a great hurry to get back that he did not even had time to replace his cadin'sor with a new one, the dragon tattoo now reflecting the rays of the sun. As he neared Deep Shade Hold he was met by a messenger, who told Ghaul that Covina's waters have broken, and the birth have began. This spurred Ghaul further. He flew into the Hold, ignoring the curious looks of people wondering what has gotten Ghaul in such a hurry. Clan Chief he was, but he was still young, and about to become a father. Right now Ghaul could think of little else than wanting to be next to Covina and try to ease the pain. So he wasted little time. He only stopped to wipe the dust off his face, torso and arms before rushing in the roof where Covina was, already in labor. Ghaul ignored the shouts of the midwife, another Wise One, to leave, walked over to Covina and placed his hand on her shoulder.

 

  "I am here, Shade of my Heart"

 

  Ghaul

About to be a father

 

  P.S. Again unfinished! And this is turning out to be much longer than I expected

[Eqwina]

Covina was rushed from the sweat tent to her own roof, being carried between two Maiden’s. She had fought and struggled, insisting that she could walk on her own, but finally gave in the second time she collapsed from the pain. The Maidens that had run with her when she still carried the spears cringed every time she cried out; knowing that the pain would have to be fierce to make a Maiden yell.

 

Being in her own roof did not ease her pain, but she felt more comfortable on her own blankets, even without Ghaul at her side. She had known she should not have let him leave to lead the raid. One of the sept chiefs could have done as well. Ardase tried to comfort her until her midwife arrived, and her apprentices were gathered around as well. Each one staring a little wide eyed and trying not to meet her eyes. Twice Covina had to swat away a leather wrapped stick that Ardase kept trying to force upon her. “If I want something to bite, it will be you not a stick!” Flinging the stick across the room she tried to focus on not pushing. She remembered what Dian her midwife had said, never to start pushing without her around. The woman lectured her as if she had never assisted in births before.

 

Dian choose the moment of her tantrum to enter, and the rotund woman laughed. She was the largest woman in their hold and perhaps all of the Aiel, and it made her commanding nature even more overbearing. On a normal day, even being 15 years her junior, Covina could run rough shod over her, but ever since Ghaul had gotten her with child she’d found the task all but impossible. “I see that our future mother is a bit cranky.” With a clap of her hands the woman had the room cleared of everyone but her and the apprentices.

 

Another contraction hit and Covina was still screaming as the Shade of her Heart rushed into their bedroom. Her scream turned into a furious growl and she lunged at Ghaul clawing at him. “You!! You did this to me!! This is all your fault!!” Another one hit and she was reduced to screams as Ghaul held her hand. They were coming closer now, it would not be long.

 

[Ghaul]

  “You!! You did this to me!! This is all your fault!!”

 

Well technically she was correct. It was him who got her pregnant. And it was also him who make her go through a 5 months long torment when he was thought to be dead. And to say that Ghaul was surprised by such a welcome would be an understatement. For the first time in his life, the young Clan Chief was at a lost of what to do. His beloved wife was screaming in great pain, Apprentices were rushing around and hot towels, Wise ones were all around Covina, one on her other side, telling her to keep breathing, two others were standing at her waist while one was between Covina's spread legs, obviously ready to take the baby. And there were a few other Wise Ones who were trying to shoo him out. It was the chaos of a battlefield and ... wait, that's it! This was indeed like a battlefield, though a different kind. And the Clan Chief was no stranger to battle. The moment of confusion has passed and Ghaul gave the Wise Ones trying to shoo him off an icy stare that would make Covina proud.

 

  "My place right now, Wise One, is here by my wife, and my duty is towards her. And I would suggest that instead of trying to get me to leave, you find something useful to do, like finding something to easy the pain the Shade of my Heart is right now. Or leave!"

 

  It was not the Wise Ones turn to be stumped. For a moment all was silent before Covina's scream made it clear that another contraction has hit her. Ghaul used this moment to wash his hands. Then he took his place at Covina's side, took out his knife and quickly made a small cut along the width of his palm. The he put his hand in Covina's mouth.

 

  "Bite my hand, Shade of my Heart" - his free hand was on her forehead, gently stroking it. - " The more it hurts the stronger your bite, let your pain flow into me"

 

  Ghaul

About to be a father

[Eqwina]

Tears leaked from Covina’s eyes as the pain redoubled its efforts to split her clean in two.  Her head was pounding with the beating of her own heart, and sweat glistened on her face. Her dark tanned skin was red with strain and her nearly white blonde hair was plastered to her face. Never before had she experienced a pain such as this, even her worst wounds as a Maiden paled next to the pain of giving birth.

 

The whole world seemed to lurch each time the pains hit, and through her haze she could hear Ghaul’s raised voice and harsh words. That was never the way with Wise One’s, Clan Chief or no. If he tried to bully Dian he would soon realize what angering a Wise One other than his wife would mean. She would not call him down for this now, but later they would speak of….

 

Sharp pains began to stab at her again, and all thoughts of discussing proper treatment of Wise One’s faded from her mind. Covina could taste the blood, bitter and metallic in her mouth, and she bit down hard. All the aggression and anger at being left alone, at being with child, at thinking the Shade of her Heart was dead boiled over as her teeth sunk into his flesh.

 

Dian’s disapproving frown took them both in, but she turned her attention to the children that were to be. “You may push now Covina, but remember what you tell others…listen and head and I will see you through this.” The rotund Wise One had a small smirk on her lips, but Covina’s relief was so great that she did not make mention. After what felt like hours of waiting she was finally able to push. It did not lessen her pain, but it made the pressure slightly less and in battles such as this it was considered a win.

 

The world spun in those last moments, before she truly became a mother, and then like a gift from the Light she could hear the first cry. Ghaul’s hand had long sense fell from her mouth, and she could only just now look to see the deep fissures she ’d caused in his skin. But his eyes were only for the small child in Dian’s arms. It was a boy! Light she had hoped for a boy!

 

All too soon her revelry was cut short as the pains from the second child began to grow. The time for secrets had passed…Ghaul sat only a few feet away cradling their child in his arms. It seemed strange for her fierce warrior to seem so natural at a paternal task, but there it was. He looked as at home with the babe as he did with his spears.

 

“Shade of my Heart..” Covina said through clenched teeth. “I have toh, I must tell you…” Her voice strained from the effort to keep from pushing. “We are not having one child..we are having TWO..” The last came out as a shout and there was again no time for thought. Her daughter was born only moments later, leaving a stunned Ghaul and exhausted Covina to figure out their new lives.

 

[Ghaul]

  If Covina's pain was eased even by a bit by biting his pain, then Ghaul did not mind if she tore a chunk of it. It might cause some discomfort later, when the adrenaline rush subsides, but he could not care less about now. Covina was pushing, and hard. From what little he knew about delivering babies, he though that this must mean that it will soon be over. His free hand went to Covina's forehead, stroking it gently. It will soon be all over. It just had to be.

 

  He felt it more then he saw it. His eyes were concentrated on Covina, and he felted as the baby left her body. It was only when he heard the baby crying that he turned to see their child in Dian's arms. It was the same that had tired to chase Ghaul off earlier and got told to shut it. Ghaul walked towards her, eyes fixed on the baby. It was a boy, he had a son!! Without saying a word, Ghaul waited for the baby to be cleaned and wrapped in a soft towel before taking it the baby, holding it with his clean hand. It felt ... well it felt natural. Never until now has Ghaul held a child. Nor had he ever thought of being a parent. He also doubted that any of the men or women Ghaul has danced along side with ever though that the Clan Chief will become a father so soon. And yet here he was with his son in his hand who was currently crying out quite loud. Ghaul smiled - well, the boy had good strong lungs. That will come in handy for when he begging training for ...

 

  “Shade of my Heart..” Covina said through clenched teeth. “I have toh, I must tell you…” Her voice strained from the effort to keep from pushing. “We are not having one child..we are having TWO..”

 

  ... Was today "Stun Ghaul" day in the Hold? If it was, he would appreciated if someone warned him in advance of such events. He just sat there and stared as Covina once again went into the birth pains  before a second baby cried out as it took it's first breath.

 

    What a day!! It began with the clash of weapons and blood, with Ghaul using himself as bait to make a new battle plan work, something he made a mental note not to tell Covina, a long run back home and now the twins!!! Ghaul left his son in the care of a Wise One for a short while, as much as to do a quick emergency dressing on the cut in his hand before taking both children in his arms. He brought them to their exhausted mother. When Covina was Far Dareis Mai, he has led her in the dance many many times, but never was he more proud of her.

 

  "Look at them, Shade of my Heart. Look at our children."

 

  That was all Ghaul could say as his mind raced to make sense of this eventful day. One thing was for sure now - he had to make some changes in his habits. No longer did he have a duty only to the Car'a'carn and the clan. He now had a duty to the two little humans he held in his hands.

 

 

    Ghaul

Just became a Dad

[Eqwina]

Covina, like all Aiel, embraced death, but she’d learned in her experience as a Wise One that is was nothing to covet or look forward too. For a time, when she’d thought Ghaul was dead she’d considered waking from the dream, but there was no honor in that. It would have disgraced family and clan, something Covina would never do.

 

As her child was born into the world, there was a moment of such intense agony that Covina would have begged for death If she’d been able to breathe. Even her daughter’s joyful cries couldn’t totally erase the memory of her disgraceful thoughts. Once Dian was gone and Ghaul had both of his children in his arms Covina pushed herself up to a seated position and admired the sight. She never thought she and Ghaul would have children; as much from her own prejudice against them as of his. He was the leader of the Clan, and she the guidance. It was expected that they produce offspring, and so they did. She had been unsure that either would find joy in it. There was too much warrior in Ghaul and still too much Maiden in her, but somehow now that they were born she couldn’t picture their lives without them.

 

“It is funny how lives change. Isn’t it Ghaul?” Covina was still covered in sweat and naked besides, but she had their blankets pulled up to her chest. “I never thought you and I would be here. With two children… a happy family.” Smiling up at her husband she let the tears she’d been restraining fall. There was no shame in these tears, they were well earned and deserved.

 

“I have been thinking on names. I have no thoughts on our daughter, but I do have a suggestion for our son.” Our son The words exploded on her tongue and Covina smiled through the tears. She did not think she would ever grow tired of speaking of her children with the Clan Chief. “I know how close you are to Cor, and in your absence he was a support to me and to  the Clan. So I was thinking we would name our son Cor Targaryen, in honor of him?”

 

[Ghaul]

  Cor Targaryen - yes that was a good name, a good name of a good man. Ghaul was indeed a great friend with Cor, the Shaen M'taal society leader. The two have often hunted together and fought together. Cor never hesitated to lead the Shaen M'taal where Ghaul needed them to be, often serving as the anvil, while Ghaul and the Hama N'dore were the hammer.

 

  "Cor Targaryen" - he smiled at the boy in his arms. - "You're bearing the name of a great name, little one. Hopefully that man will be back soon so you'll have the actual example to lead you, not just your parents words"

 

  As his gaze turned to their daughter, Ghaul alredy knew what to call her.

 

  "And you, young lady, you are none other than Rhianna Targaryen. Yes, your granny Rhianna will be very very proud to have you bear her name. I just hope that you'll not be as stubborn as she is"

 

  Ghaul laughed as he said that. Rhianna was the most important woman in his life, after Covina. He was Rhianna's adopted son, and she has taught him a lot of things. She even taught him the art of the warrior before she left the spear to become a Wise One.

 

  "Cor and Rhianna, welcome to the Dream!"