Muroki paced, his pawfalls silent on the smooth stone floor. So much had happened in such a short space of time. Victory, prayers to Jua, clearing most of the Temple clean, purification rituals, weddings, hunting, weddings…All good things, his own wedding to Johari out on the lake island the most wonderful of all, but all stressful, keeping the new king on his toes. But now Johari lay in the next room and Muroki couldn’t help.
Kainda had been sent in as a midwife, he stood as a priest of Life but was useless for now and he wasn’t sure which if the jackal priests waited nearby in case – Jua forbid – they needed a death priest. All he could do was pace and wait until Johari called for him.
*
It had been a drawn out process, more than she'd been prepared for but all things considered she did feel she'd handled it well. It was largely in thanks to Kainda and, no doubt, her own experience with childbirth. With the cubs cleaned and suckling now Johari rested her head on the ground wearily.
"Thank you, Kainda," She smiled tiredly but scincere. The maned wolf who was like a sister to Muroki was also like one to Johari, even if they hadn't had a chance to spend as much time together as the King had. If it hadn't been for Kainda though, Johari was sure this would have been a lot harder.
Four beautiful girls, oh but she couldn't wait for Muroki to meet them!
*
“I’ll go tell Muroki to come in?” Kainda’s tail waved happily and she waited for a sign yes before bowing her head to her queen. She too had grown fond of Johari, the female on Muroki’s other side and a good beloved besides. The maned wolf was beyond happy to see the four cubs safe and sound – though she was now anxious to be off and back to her own two girls. One day soon, they’d come meet these four and hopefully, two pairs would bond as she and Muroki had…
As soon as Kainda come out, looking so happy, and nodded, Muroki ran down the corridor and stopped in the door to look round into the den-room with a smile.
“Beloved?”
*
"Mm, yes, please." Johari confirmed, watching as Kainda left them alone in the silence again.
Well, relative silence. The tiny sounds of their daughters nursing at her side were like music in the young queen's ears. Eyes sliding shut, her ears in fact, would twitch every so often as she listened attentively to the children protectively encircled between her hind legs, tail, and front, which was curled in somewhat to offer a wall of warmth for the four infants. When Muroki came down the corridor Johari lifted her eyelids so that she could spot her husband in the doorway.
"We're over here, love. Come say hello to your daughters..."
*
“Daughters?” Later, Muroki could reflect that he should probably be disappointed. His uncle had raged when his high queen, his first wife, ha taken so long to produce his male cousin. It had been before Muroki’s birth but it had been legendary rage. There were clawmarks in stone in one Temple room that were supposed to be left over from that rage. But Muroki didn’t, couldn’t care about heirs and succession looking at Johari and the small bundles of fur at her side.
“They’re just as beautiful as their mother. How are you feeling?” He came to sit nearby, head low and smiling a silly crooked smile. Four daughters!
*
The thought had crossed Johari's mind, but watching the four bundles once they had first been set at her side she realized, these four girls would grow up strong, and regardless of gender, she was sure that one would make a fine heiress, what was more, if the need for a son they could just try again later, he'd not find her complaining about reaffirming their bond.
"Tired, but it's a satisfied exhaustion, well worth it..." She purred heavy with affection, beckoning him closer with her eyes. "Strong and healthy, just like their father, as well." She smiled.
*
“They’re wonderful, beloved, as are you.” He reached over to nuzzle his mate and purred, laying down to make a protective circle around the children and to be closer to her.
“Any idea of names? It’s so late it’s early, the dawn will be with us in a few hours.” Muroki asked, pleased. He’d been born a few hours later than his girls. Hence his name. He came with the dawn.
But what could they call these dear little ones, hm?
*
Johari was glowing with exhausted happiness, looking back over at her mate as he settled down in front of them so that she might meet his eyes with her own. Their daughters hungry feeding only reassured her that all were healthy, and she felt so glad, so joyed she didn't know if there were words.
"I still favor your suggestion of Tesni for one of them..."
She looked to the four slightly squirming, warm bundles, leaning to gingerly lick the palest's back.
"Perhaps the oldest?"
*
“Tesni. Warmth of the Sun. Yes, I think you’re right.” He reached over to nuzzle his beloved queen again, quite moved by this little scene. All this time waiting for the cubs to arrive and knowing he was going to be a father and yet none of their talking or his day dreaming had quite prepared him. He knew without a doubt he’d do anything for the small bundles of fur that were his daughters. Anything. Starting with picking out their names of course!
“If she’s anything like her mother, the name will suit her well. And from your suggestions, do you still like Soa? It’s grown on me a lot. Soa.”
*
Johari smiled warmly, purring gently at the occassional mewl from one of the little ones. She moved to the second cub. "Yes... for her, I think." Once more her tongue traced the cub's back, a squirm being her answer. Johari chuckled.
*
“Lets see…our other names were after our mothers, naming them beloved of one of the goddesses…” Muroki pondered, remembering all the names they’d considered leading up to this.
It’d become a regular conversation, trying to imagine the young ones and talking about names and hopes for them. But all the male names they had chosen were no good now unless modified into the female equivalent and while Muroki would readily honour their own mothers and the goddesses…he kind of wanted new names for these daughters, who represented a bright future.
“And didn’t we consider Jani?”
*
"We did, love. I think that suits this little one rather well. Who knew that would come this easily?"
Naming them? Birthing them? Loving them? All of the above, she was eager to see them open their eyes, curious to get to know each of them, to nurture them together with her husband, and see them learn the pride's ways. As she wondered if anyone knew it would come this easily, so she wondered if she could possibly love them any more than she did now.
"And Acenath..."
Full of affection still she groomed the last two girls as well in turn of name.
*
“Tesni, Soa, Jani and Acenath.” He moved just a fraction closer, if that was possible, and smiled down at their daughters before looking out of the hole in the den – the window, had he known it’s name – and remarked.
“Your first dawn comes, my little ones. Welcome to the world.”
END
