Nine Moons
Rolan grunted and came with a strength to which he'd never felt the like; bright spots dancing before his eyes and breath wheezing down his throat. Not even on that very first night when he and Eyliron had bonded, had it been this intense.
"I hope," he panted, trying to rise up off Eyliron as not to crush him, "that was to your liking."
Eyliron was equally exhausted, flushed and sweating. But there was a slight, tired smile on his lips. "I believe it was."
His right hand was gripping Rolan's shoulder, while his left was clenched in Fael's hair, holding their young lover close to his side. Fael was wide eyed and quiet, but he too seemed drained by the intensity of their passions. His erection had softened and judging by the way he was cradling his hand, he'd come too.
Rolan rolled off Eyliron and settled on his other side, reaching across his chest for a taste of Fael. The young man smiled almost shyly at him as he licked the long fingers and palm clean.
"Our young meyly should be tended too," Rolan murmured by way of explanation, and apology. By necessity, and according to Eyliron's wishes, Fael had not spent himself inside Eyliron this time, not even entered his body. Rolan had been the one to take Eyliron tonight and would be for a while to come. Fael had gracefully yielded his position in favor of Rolan having his fill, or rather Eyliron having his fill of Rolan. Sometimes it was best not to ask, or argue.
"Do you think it will take?" Fael asked.
Eyliron sighed and stretched luxuriously, his smooth skin coming in contact with both his lovers'. "I think it might. All we can do now is wait and see."
~*~
Nearly a month passed before Eyliron came into their tent one morning after emptying his bladder, looking solemn and cautiously excited at the same time. Rolan sat bolt upright in their nest of furs and blankets at the look on his lover's face. Fael leaned up on an elbow, his eyes shifting from Eyliron to Rolan and back.
"I'm with child."
~*~
Eyliron had the strangest cravings for food. He claimed he wanted none of the sweet cakes and rolls he usually stuffed himself with, even refusing a mug of Rolan's spiced brew, to Rolan's astonishment. Instead he hounded his lovers to bring him fruits and berries, nuts and roots. This, at least, when he wasn't too sick to his stomach, threatening to throw up at the mere mention of food.
Rolan and Fael looked at each other and could only cater to his fickle needs the best they could.
~*~
Ti shook her head and watched as Fael hurried off on some errand or other, glancing back at Eyliron seated on a pile of cushions outside their tent. She couldn't quite say if she was amused or appalled at their behavior, the two clan leaders were running themselves ragged on behalf of their very pregnant lover.
She'd certainly been shocked, even outraged, when she'd first found out what they'd done. Or rather, what Eyliron had made them do. Now, as she looked at him, belly growing and mouth turned down in male misery, she thought he'd only himself to blame.
~*~
Rolan kept a watchful eye on Eyliron as he slowly waddled along in front of him. They were on yet another trip into the woods to relieve his bladder. It went slowly, Eyliron's belly growing heavier by the day, making his hips and back ache, and his feet swollen every evening.
For once, Rolan thought his complaints to be justified.
~*~
Fael sat cross-legged beside Eyliron, carefully stroking the extended skin of his belly, mesmerized, amazed, slightly shocked still, if he was to be honest. "Does it hurt?" he murmured quietly, as if afraid of disturbing the occupant inside, who – for once! according to Eyliron – was sleeping peacefully.
Eyliron smiled and laced his fingers with Fael's. "Not in the way you mean. But I must say it's getting to be a bit uncomfortable."
"Getting to be?" Rolan snorted where he sat mending his leather satchel. "You've been complaining of discomfort since the first moon."
Eyliron pouted and sniffed, guiding Fael's hand higher towards his nipple; it seemed not even pregnancy could kill his libido. "You try carrying a child and then we'll see who is complaining."
"No, thank you." Rolan deftly tied off a waxed leather string. "That's you prerogative, meyly. In fact, I'm glad I cannot get with child if your mood swings are anything to judge by."
Eyliron sniffed again and pulled on Fael's hand, wanting him to shift and shield him from Rolan's verbal abuse. He was in a fragile state, thank you very much.
Fael obliged, dislodging the blanket around Eyliron's hips, and his eyes fell on the sleeping length of Eyliron's sex. He sat staring at it for so long Eyliron wondered if something had at last broken inside his head; the whole situation was very puzzling to their young lover.
Fael finally opened his mouth. "How will it come out?" His fingers strayed along the edge of the blanket, through dark curls, before he pulled it up over Eyliron's stomach.
Eyliron shrugged. "The usual way, I suspect."
Fael looked positively nauseous.
~*~
Eyliron shook them both awake in the middle of the night, cursing and yelling at them, and making them nervous and annoyed in turn. Then he shouted in surprise and the blankets were suddenly wet. They all sat staring at the damp cloth for a moment before Eyliron gritted his teeth together in pain.
"I'll get Ti!" Fael shot out of bed, hardly bothering with clothes before he left
"I'll get hot water!" Rolan scrambled out of the tent, only wearing his schouran.
"Get back here, you idiots!" Eyliron yelled after both of them, before cursing and biting the heel of his hand against another shot of pain.
~*~
Ti kept a straight face at the sight of the moaning, writhing lump of man. She was precise and efficient, giving Rolan and Fael short orders only, and helping Eyliron to sit with gentle hands.
"It's not time yet, my friend," she murmured to him when he could hear her between pains.
"What do you mean 'not time'!" he growled, sweat beading on his forehead and upper lip. "It wants out, and now!"
"Yes, but you've only just begun your labor and you're not open very wide yet. We don't want you to tear." At this Fael paled. "Trust me, after four children of my own and numerous births in the tribe, I know what I'm speaking of."
Eyliron seemed to slump. "I don't want to do this anymore."
Ti chuckled, earning herself twin glares from Eyliron's meylies. Ah, best put those two to work.
~*~
Rolan sat with Eyliron between his legs, supporting him with his own body, letting his fingers be squeezed to the point of damage. He glanced up at Fael once and saw the amazement warring with shock on his face. The young man was holding a cloth ready, a bowl of warm water by his knee and fresh blankets folded at his side.
"Now, Eyliron," Ti urged where she sat crouched between his bent legs. "Push!"
Rolan wondered what would happen first, the birth of his child or the breaking of his hands.
Eyliron stifled a scream behind his clenched teeth, sweat pouring off him, his whole body trembling with exertion. Nearly eleven hours on and now the real labor began.
"Push! You can do it." Ti did something and Eyliron gasped, then bore down again.
Rolan bent his head over his lover's flushed face. "Push, meyly. Come on, you can do it!"
Eyliron blinked up at him for a moment, new strength kindled in his eyes. He pushed with all he had, a scream tearing from his throat and then only fast, harsh breaths.
A slap. A hiccuping gurgle and then a small, new voice cried out.
Thus, their daughter was born.
~*~
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