(no subject)

[calledmegentle]

The King of Narnia is heading home from a battle when his daughter is brought into the world.

He had been so good about staying close to home, as his wife had gotten closer to the time when Rilian and Errian were to enter the world. And they had both believed that this trip away, this close to their third child's birth, would be a brief one. Neither of them had anticipated he would have gotten caught up in a battle with dark creatures that had crept their way into Narnia. Neither of them had thought he'd be forced to stay away for two weeks to ensure the danger had passed.

Neither of them had thought she was quite so close to the her due date that he was so entirely at risk of being able to be there for her as he had for their previous children.

But the world, apparently, had gone pear-shaped for this particular span of time. He's at least close enough that a fast-flying griffin is able to come to the front, tell the king the queen is giving birth and that things don't look good for her or the baby. He won't get there in time to welcome the child.

But he'll get there. And, when he undoubtedly bursts through the door, he'll be relieved to see that-- at least for the moment-- both Queen and babe are alive, if not quite entirely well yet.

Susan, sweat-slicked and paler than she's ever been, can barely force her eyes open to see who slammed the door wide with such force. Still somehow manages to call a smile to her face at the sight of him.

"Caspian. We-- we have a-- a daughter."

Comments

Rilian Peter, Errian Edmund, and I'm p. sure it was Lucy Amaryllis. o/

[calledmegentle]

What a blessing, to see her husband touching her daughter. It has her smile more properly sliding into place.

"I've a feeling she wouldn't, regardless," she answers him .

Might as well have a name that matches her clearly unique self.

And now it's saved here. Excellent. /o/

[navixator]

"Probably true."

Which is wonderful. Rilian and Errian are far from identical as it is, of course; but there's something that feels very right about knowing their daughter will be her own particular self.

Like her aunt had been--and likely still is, no matter how far away. Like her mother is, here before them.

It's amazing, really, how little time it takes to become completely enamored of one's children. There's already nothing in the world which could induce him to stop holding Susan close and smoothing his fingers against their daughter's cheek. "Lucy it is, then."

\o\

[calledmegentle]

"Lucy," she affirms with a contented nod and a soft kiss to his cheek, "What about a middle name, then?"

[navixator]

It isn't difficult to lean slightly and catch her lips briefly, properly with his own. It's a completely normal thing--when coming home, when holding their child for the first time, when letting go of the shadows of war. It's necessary now.

"Something softer, I think."

[calledmegentle]

"Something more Narnian than the boys', maybe?" she queries him softly, "I'm certain Lu would appreciate that."

[navixator]

"More Narnian?"

There's genuine hesitance in his entire being before he shifts just a hair, curling just a little closer.

"My-- My nanny's name was Ianthe." And, for such a crucial moment in his life, she had been the entire definition of 'Narnian' in his life. "And-- her niece was called Amaryllis. I always thought that was-- rather pretty."

[calledmegentle]

"Amaryllis."

The echo is thoughtful.

"That is quite lovely. Lucy Amaryllis."

She seems to enjoy the way it sounds.

[navixator]

"Lucy Amaryllis," he echoes softly, a pleased little grin on his lips as his fingers drop gently to the little one's new tiny fingers. "It suits her."

A strong, beautiful name for a strong, beautiful new child in the world.

[calledmegentle]

The little girl's fingers twitch as if reaching for her father's. Susan smiles at the sight, looking much more hale than she had minutes before.

"It does." A careful shift so she can press a kiss against the girl's hair, "Welcome to the world, Lucy."

[navixator]

Of course his fingers curl gently around their daughter's. Of course there's going to be mutual delicate clinging.

It's just as amazing now as it had been the day Rilian was born.

"Welcome to our family."

[calledmegentle]

It's so wonderful to see Lucy's fingers curled around Caspian's. It's so wonderful to hear him welcome the new baby to the family.

She can't help the entirely bright laughter that escapes her lips in response, her forehead pressing briefly against her husband's temple as her eyes shut contentedly.

"We're so blessed."

[navixator]

"We are."

His arm, still gentle and delicate around Susan's shoulders, pulls a little tighter now. She's seeming much sturdier now, after all; much more like herself.

"We've done well by Narnia, Susan. We walk at the side of the Lion."

[calledmegentle]

"We do."

And she can't help but thank the Lion and every star that it's the case. That they're so blessed as to have known the Lion and been able to follow in His path. That they've been able to extend that kind of serenity to their people, as well.

[navixator]

The best part of the blessed life they've lived, of course, is that it's extended beyond just themselves. It's enveloped their children. It's enveloped their entire nation.

It's so much more than he could ever have dreamed of, to have all this joy with such a wonderful partner as Susan.

"And now, so is the kingdom, mm? To still have its Queen and its perfect new little princess."

[calledmegentle]

She smiles even more at that, pressing a kiss against his cheek.

"They are."

And she's lucky to be here. So blessed to be able to enjoy these moments so fully.

[navixator]

"Should I go get the boys, then?"

The poor children had been reassured their parents and new sister were fine, yes, but they were both still of an age where actually seeing worked far better simply hearing.

Which didn't mean Susan didn't still need to rest more before adding all that energy to the room.

[calledmegentle]

"Do, please."

She'd need to rest soon enough, likely, but it was important she see her boys and reassure him before she did.

[navixator]

His chuckle is soft as he ducks his head, pressing a kiss first to his wife's cheek and then to their new daughter's fingers.

"You'll have to promise poor Agnes you'll get proper rest after, you know."

Which doesn't at all mean he isn't tearing himself away from the women in his life to go get the young men.

[calledmegentle]

"I will," she promises.

And she will. She'll greet her boys with joy and love. Will assure them she's well. Will, absolutely, be getting rest once things have calmed somewhat.