[13]

Walking through the small village of humans and beast folk, River entered the small Adventurers' hall. "Hello, I was wondering if anyone was interested in purchasing medicinal herbs. I came across a large patch and don't need so many." The older woman asked to appraise them. After a good look, she offered four large silver coins for the whole lot. He happily took them, and with this money, he bought a new blanket and a few infant gowns before returning to the small house on the edge of the village. Hannah was to give birth any moment now, and in another cycle or two, he would also give birth. Rowan crawled over to him as he entered the home, the Knights were out hunting, preparing for winter. "Papa, Astra, and Cleo finished making the baby cradles, and Uncle Pyro made the cradle mats," Elios said happily, Sophia was smiling as she braided more yarn together, a small blanket forming. "Perfect, and I see you and Sophia have taken good care of Rowan, how is Hannah?" He asked as he put everything down, Elios frowned as he looked toward the open door. "She has been feeling pains, but not close yet,"

The next morning they welcomed a young Prince, Pheonix, who looked just like his father. "Such a big appetite for a newborn," He said quietly, Hannah smiled as she nursed the boy. "You did well, and minimal bleeding, that is good," River hummed as he took the wet cloth to wipe her face again, she tiredly looked down at her son. "Oh if only your father were here..." River left to allow her privacy, Sophia still at her mother's side. "Papa, when will Dad return? when can we go home?" Elios asked, eyes sad as he stopped writing. "He will join us soon, and I am not sure, we have to rebuild..." He said with a soft sigh, the boy accepted his words with a soft nod.

A fortnight passed, and in the early morning, they all felt the air around them change. Coming over the hill they spotted a small group, and as they got closer they spotted their family crest. Philo smiled tiredly as he dismounted his horse, his brothers following his lead as the knights that remained with them kept a short distance. "My Queen," He whispered as he took Hannah into his arms. His eyes watered as he was introduced to his son, and he happily lifted his daughter who cried for him. Pyro hugged his brothers, Rowan on his hip. Elios crashed into Geordos legs as he sobbed, Astra hugged him, but she gently beat his chest as tears ran down her face. "Dad! we- we were so worried!" She said as he collected them both in his arms, they were snuggled against his chest far off the ground. "Da, you lost an eye," Elios pointed out, Geordo chuckled as he nodded his head. "I did, I am just glad to have returned to find my family safe, the rest of the surviving Knights and warriors are back home, cleaning and preparing for a rebuilding, where is your Papa?" he asked as he sat them down, Cleo stepped forward to inform him that River was out trading medicine for food.

everyone was soon settled inside, all the knights made camp around the home. River came in from the back, unaware of the knights in the front yard. "I think it is time- ah," He dropped the basket of bread and meat as he caught the door frame, his other hand cupping under his large stomach as he took deep breaths. "Papa!" Elios shouted, Pyro hurried to help him in as Astra picked up the basket. "My love," Geordo exhaled, his eye wide as he took in his partner's large belly. "Cleo, fetch water, Astra, begin to warm it as you fill the tub," Hannah said as she ushered the younger children out of the way, Philo took Rowan and Pheonix as he asked his daughter and Elios to draw for him. Geordo lifted River, then followed his brother to a bathroom with a large wooden tub. "Geo, my dear, you are alive," He said as he panted, Geordo smiled softly as he nuzzled his face against his cheek. "If we were any later i would have missed this, i had no idea when we parted that you were with child," He said, eyes filling with sadness, River kissed his lips gently with a smile. "I had no idea i was... ah-" He gasped, water gushed from him as he felt the baby try to move inside. Soon he was in a warm tub, hands squeezing Geordos hands. Astra warmed a few rags as she kept a bucket of clean water warmed, a knife freshly cleaned and clean twine sat ready. One final push and a girl was born, black tuff of hair on her head and dark purple eyes wide open. "A girl," Hannah said with a smile, River held her on his chest with a tired smile. His relief of momentary, soon another pain hit and he felt the need to bare down again. "Another child- Philo, take her," Hannah instructed, and the baby was passed off to him to be cleaned.

River cried out as his claws dug into Geordos hands, he did not complain as he worriedly watched. "A boy, small, but he is healthy," Hannah sighed with relief, River trembled tomuch to hold the boy, Geordo held the baby to his husbands chest as he whispered how proud he was of him. The boy was small, he had a tiny tuff of white on his head, and when he opened his eyes he had dark red little orbs. "Twins, oh my light, they are perfect... Astra, come see your new brother," He said as he looked up, She was finishing helping Philo clean her sister. "They are both so small... smaller than Pheonix, is that because they had to share a womb?" Hannah agreed, River smiled as he kissed his eldes on the cheek. "You were a great help," He whispered, and soon his son was whisked away to be cleaned. As Geordo helped his brother attened to the twins with Astra, Hannah made sure that River passed the after birth and then helped him get dressed. Once settled in bed, the twins in his arms, the family all came in. "Meet Princess Lyra, and Prince Castor," Geordo said with pride, Elios stepped forward as he looked at his new siblings. "They both fit in your tummy, i guess would move alot too if i had such little room, the must have been so cramped," River chuckled as he agreed, Sophia cooed, and the uncles hummed, but Pyro was misty eyed. "They are beautiful, i- i did my best to insure River and Hannah did not have to take command all on their own- i tried to lead-" Philo patted his back gently, Hannah smiled as she hugged him. "And you did well, you kept them all alive, the Knights stayed, you did well, brother," He said, River smiled as leaned back. "He was the one that got us this small home, and he found this village all on his own, quite the adventurer and leader," He said with a small yawn.