Quickening 17, 851

 

“When we’ve been there ten thou-sand years
“Bright shin-ing as the sun…”

“Majesty?” 

I looked up from my writing to see Petra, one the youngest of Famina and Shream’s six pups. For the past few weeks, each of the pups had been paying me visits at my request because I wanted to get to know them. The Wolves were also learning guard duty under their parents’ tutelage, and their visits to me was the perfect time to teach them.

“Hello, Petra. How are you today?” I asked, putting my quill down.

“Excited for the new year, Queen Swanwhite,” she answered with a doggy-smile.

“Oh?” I moved so I was more comfortable in my chair. My big belly was putting a tremendous strain on my back, and I was thinking about moving to my rocking chair. “Why is that, good Wolf?”

“My brothers and sisters and I wish to see you train with General Kaymen, and we want to see the human pup!”

I chuckled as I rose from the table in the Royal Dining Hall. “You mean ‘baby,’ Petra. A newborn human is called a baby.”

“Oh yea, that’s the word Mother used.”

Petra followed me over to my rocker that was on a short balcony overlooking the Northern Gardens.

“So Petra,” I started as I carefully sat down in the rocking chair, “what do you plan to do when you get older?”

The she-Wolf pup sat at my side and tilted her head in thought. “I’m not sure,” she said looking back up at me. “I’m not even one year old yet!”

I smiled gently at her. “Your siblings have given me similar answers. Except Riker.”

“Riker? What’d he say?”

I continued to smile at Petra. “Riker said he wants to become a royal guard like your father and mother.”

“I bet he didn’t say it like that,” she stated. “Riker is always specific about what he wants to do.”

I chuckled. Petra certainly knew her brother. “You’re right, Petra. He said he wanted to be one of my and Amesh’s personal watchers.”

“Will you let him?”

“We shall see how good a guard he becomes.”

The young Wolf watched my overly large belly as I rocked. “He’s coming soon.”

I stopped rocking. “How can you tell?” I asked curiously with no bit of mockery in my tone.

Petra’s expression softened into one of caring – very much like Famina’s expression when she took care of her pups. “I can sense it. He’s too big for his home in your belly and must come out.”

I studied Petra as she watched my belly. Her words were very knowledgeable for one so young. And her words were said with a certain caring unknown to most youngsters I’ve been with. An idea for this young Wolf crept into my mind. “Petra?”

Said Wolf tore her gaze from my child that had yet to be born, and looked up at me. “Yes, Majesty?”

“Would you like to be my child’s personal guard?”

Petra tilted her head and gave a questioning whine. “Really, Queen Swanwhite?”

“Yes. Our son or daughter will need a guard, and I would like that guard to be from Famina and Shream’s family.”

“I…I don’t know what to say! Words escape me like a bunny that I chase.”

With a smile, I said, “You are welcome, my good Wolf.”

“Will King Amesh object to my being his child’s guard?” Petra asked.

“I doubt it, but I will discuss the matter with him.”

“Thank you, Queen Swanwhite! I cannot wait to tell my parents and siblings!”

“Well, your mother already knows because she’s hiding in the Dining Hall.” I smiled at the confused youngster. “She always hides when I wish to be away by myself. She does a fantastic job; I often forget she’s there.”

“Is that what I will be doing, Majesty?”

“That is something you should talk with your mother about – she’d know more about that than I do. I suggest you follow your parents and watch how they handle different situations.”

“Is Father here too?” Petra asked.

“No, he is with Amesh, and Riker is with them as well,” I answered. “And now,” I began as I rose from my rocking chair, “I will be going for a little walk before dinner. I shall see you later, Petra.”

Petra bowed. “Good day, Queen Swanwhite.”

I descended the small balcony’s stairs and picked a path on my left to traverse. The flowers were just beginning to bloom and the trees were budding. It was a pretty sight to take in. I was half way through the garden when two Wolves went flying over the rose bushes and sprawling to the ground.

“Mintier! Mesha! What in Narnia are you doing?” I demanded. The two eldest pups picked themselves up and bowed their heads guiltily. “Do you not know how hard the Nymphs, Dryads, and countless Talking Animals work to keep these gardens so beautiful?” I admonished.

“We’re sorry, Queen Swanwhite. We meant no harm,” said Mintier without looking up.

I couldn’t help smiling; I always had a soft spot in my heart for the Wolves. “Look at me, children.” Slowly, the young siblings brought their eyes to meet mine. “Just be sure not to do it again.”

Both Wolves nodded their heads eagerly. 

“So what were you doing?” I asked. “Practicing the hunt?”

“The hunt for the enemy, Majesty,” answered Mesha.

“The enemy, huh? I suppose you’re thinking about joining Narnia’s Army.”

“Most definitely, Queen. Mesha and I have always enjoyed attack and defense,” Mintier explain.

“Have you talked about this with your parents yet?”

“Yes, Majesty,” they both chimed.

“Then you both should talk to General Kaymen about training. I’d love to have both of you at my side in battle.” When I said “battle”, Mesha and Mintier snarled a bit and licked their lips. I had a feeling they’d be some of the Narnians who enjoyed fighting.

I glanced at the high sun and realized I needed to head back for dinner. I bid farewell to the Wolves and headed back to Cair – remembering that I needed to talk to Amesh about Petra.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Three days later…

“Waaaah!!”

Moaning in exhaustion and delight, I leaned back on the pillows in my sweaty nightgown as my newborn son loosed his first cries. The Nymph midwife wrapped him in a soft blanket while Gracia wiped the sweat from my brow.

I was exhausted, but I wanted nothing more than to see my son. As soon as he was wrapped, the Nymph brought him to me. He was so small in my hands! He looked at me in calm wonder. After a minute, however, he began to cry again, and I gave him what he wanted. When he finished, I sent Famina to get Amesh and Shream.

Petra sat in a chair next to my bed and watched as I rocked my son. “He’s so tiny!” she commented.

“Yes,” was all I could say in return – my attention was on the infant who was in my arms. He was a blessing and a miracle. I was so focused on my baby that I didn’t notice Amesh’s presence until he softly called my name.

“Swan?”

I turned to my right to face my husband, and I gave him a bright smile. 

He returned the smile when his gaze rested on our newborn son. “He is most handsome.”

“He is indeed,” I replied. “What shall we name him, Amesh?”

My King sighed and, after a moment or two of thought, he smiled.

-x-x-x-x-x-

I stood outside the throne room’s doors, waiting to be announced with Shream and Petra on either side of me. My child was starting to squirm in my arms because he wanted to lie down and refused to be held. After a few minutes, I heard Amesh call out for the doors to be opened. Unfortunately his call caused our son to start crying, but I was able to soothe the boy’s wails before the doors opened.

Shream, Petra and I started walking down the aisle slowly, towards Amesh. The Narnians who were gathered looked at the Prince in awe. 

I came to stand at my King’s side, and he called out to everyone, “Narnians! We are happy to announce the birth of our son, Bremton. Prince of Narnia.”

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