July 15, 2001
Firemoss' big day arrives and her long-awaited for cub is ready to be birthed but where is the father?
Part 1
A cold crisp scent gently entered Nettle's nostrils as he dozed in the warmth of his tree den. The scent was not that of any being in particular but rather the smell that winter was here. Nettle dismissed it momentarily and tried to nuzzle closer to his lifemates Lark and Foxears, in an attempt to warm himself and ward off the thought of cold. He briefly found comfort before the scent of winter began to nag at him once again.
Generally, winter did not bother the barterer, but for some reason, this time it did. Something was very different about this winter and Nettle couldn't quite put his finger on why it was so different. Almost as if something was very special and very important about this exact season, this exact moment in time.
Like a blow from a troll's hammer it finally hit him and he awoke with a jolt. "The cub! He's coming this winter!" He spoke to no one in particular but his lifemates just happened to hear him. Lark was the first to acknowledge his new found wisdom while Foxears just rolled over.
"Of course the cub is coming this winter. Did you forget it has been two turns of the seasons since you Recognized Firemoss?" Lark spoke with a bit of contempt in her voice, but Nettle was unsure if the contempt was because of the unfortunate Recognition or because he woke her up.
"No, I have not. I-I just didn't realize how much time had passed." Sitting upright Nettle began to think to himself so as not to upset his lifemate any more than he already had. His first cub was going to be born any day now and he had tried not to think much of it until now.
He glanced at his lifemate Lark who had returned to sleeping. 'If only my first cub were to be our cub, Nlis.' He spoke to himself as he watched her sleeping. Then, he glanced over at Tendril's childhood headband that was now wrapped around Lark's delicate wrist. The small keepsake reminded him of his lifemate's daughter and mused to himself again, 'Tendril, my sweet child, you should have been mine as well.' Pausing for a moment he returned his thoughts to Lark, 'Soon beloved, we will both have a child, but neither one of them belonging to both of us. Nlis when will the High One's grant us a child of our own, one that is you and me?'
The enormity of his thoughts would not allow him to return to sweet slumber. He was awake now, and in a melancholy mood. He did not want to wake the others and so layed back down in their sleep furs to ponder more thoughts, while sleep continued to evade him.
Nettle thought about Firemoss and his dear friend Duskwater. He knew exactly what the elder was going through, for it had not been that long since he walked in the very same boots that Duskwater was wearing now: the lifemate who had been left out of Recognition's blessing. He thought about the events that led up to the untimely Recognition. How it all began with a simple little gift that Duskwater wanted to get for Firemoss.
Again, it hit him like a blow from a troll's hammer, 'The cub is coming and you don't have a gift for him.' Like before, he bolted upright with that thought, but this time he began to dress himself as quickly and quietly as possible. Unfortunately his movement was not quiet enough, as it had awakened Lark once again.
**What in the name of the Mad One's fury are you doing?** she sent. **It's the middle of the day. Come back to bed, Dyn.**
He replied in a lock send so as not to wake anyone else, **I'm sorry to wake you my sweet, but there is something I need to do.**
**Right now? While the daystar is still bright?** Lark was not quite awake and her sending was a bit fuzzy.
**Yes, I am sorry. I should have done this sooner but it can't wait any longer.** Nettle had finished dressing and was packing a small bag for his journey as he continued sending. **I'm off to the troll caverns to find a gift for my cub. If I hurry I can still catch Yellowtooth before he returns home. I shouldn't be gone for too long. Please, Nlis, let the others know where I have gone. I should return before Firemoss births the cub. I just hope I'm not to late.**
**Are you going by yourself?** Lark seemed quite concerned. Nettle had gone to the troll caverns by himself on several occasions and it seemed odd to him that she should suddenly be concerned about it now.
**Yes, I need to do this on my own. Do not worry my love, it's just the trolls,** he lamely tried to reassure her.
**At least let Foxears go with you, or maybe even Duskwater.**
**No, I need to do this myself. This will be my gift to the cub, no one else should be involved.** He was not in the mood to argue with her right now, so instead of trying to convince her he decided to just drop the conversation and leave. That's exactly what he did without even so much as a wave goodbye.
Later on that night, Birchbark was in her den, quietly piping away on her flute when a very small pair of hands began tugging on her sleeve. As she turned to see who it was, a little voice asked, "Is the cub coming today, Birchbark? Do I get to help you? Has it already come? I didn't miss it, did I?" It was the tribe's youngest cub, Beechnut, with the same insistent questions she had been asking ever since the midwife had made the mistake of informing the elf-child that Firemoss' cub would be here any day now. Oh how she wished she had never told Beechnut that the cub would be coming soon.
Gathering all the patience she could muster, the midwife took a deep breath and calmly tried to explain to the exuberant elf child. "No Beechnut. The cub hasn't arrived yet, but it will be here any day now, only the High Ones know when it will happen. Do you remember what I told you?"
The little she-cub's excitement had been silenced by a simple question. Beechnut stopped to think and wrinkled her freckled nose as she responded, "The cub will come when it is good and ready?"
"That's right. What else did I tell you?" she said in her finest motherly tone.
Clasping her hands behind her back, Beechnut lowered her head and replied, "That you will let me know as soon as I am needed."
"Very good, cubling. Now go play, I have things to do."
"But-but-I want to help you," the cub implored in her most pitiful cry.
Slowly loosing her patience, Birchbark finally said, "You can watch during the birth but you will have to stay out of the way, because I will not be able to watch you and do my duties as a midwife. If I need your help I will let you know, but for right now you will just be able to watch. Now, no more questions. Do I make myself clear?"
Degraded and dejected, Beechnut answered softly with her lower lip poked out, "Yes, Birchbark." With her zeal completely deflated, the cub slowly turned and lumbered outside to sulk.
All she had wanted to do was be involved with the happy event. Now, she had been demoted to being nothing more than a watcher. Although disappointed, Beechnut did not let that stop her anticipation for the coming birth. Determined as she was to be at the delivering, the she-cub was willing to do anything to be there, even if it meant she had to sit and watch. With new-found resolve, Beechnut composed herself and went in search of someone else to pester.
A hand of days later, in the warmth and solitude of her den, Firemoss sat on her sleep furs, attempting to find comfort. She was unsuccessful. Her lifemate, Duskwater, had gone to the river to catch some fish, so now that she was awake she was able to have some long missed solitude.
The moment for her cub's birth was close at hand, and Firemoss knew it wouldn't be long now. This being her first cub, she was very much excited and waiting impatiently to see her new cub. However; considering her age, she also knew that this was most likely her last and only cub.
"Where has the time gone, my cub?" she asked, as she gently caressed her overly large belly. Firemoss sent as she spoke to her unborn cub just as she had always done, in hopes of training his infant, elfin, mind. "I had hoped we would have more time together, just you and I. Soon, we will no longer be part of each other, but I hope we will always be a part of each others' lives, my little one. How I will miss the sensation of you alive inside of me. But it will be nice to actually hold you, too. Oh what a blessed and cursed gift of the High Ones is this thing called Recognition," she laughed at the perplexing thought.
Continuing to caress her belly, Firemoss twitched and squirmed, again trying to find a comfortable position. This time she was almost successful. Not completely comfortable but close enough to no longer be in pain, the very pregnant tree shaper yawned and drifted off to sleep.
A sensation of sudden urgency burst through her body as she sprang to her feet. She could feel that something was terribly wrong. The screams of terror that echoed throughout the forest amplified her concern. Scrambling to the entrance way of her den, Firemoss peered down to the forest floor to see what was taking place.
Much to her horror, see saw that a giant, golden coloured, tuft-cat had entered the holt. Searching the branches with her eyes for her fellow tribemates, Firemoss was troubled to see that all of the hunters were gone. 'Where were they? Had they all gone hunting, and left no one to protect the holt?' Watching in silence from her perch, Firemoss was frozen as she watched the large cat prowl the forest floor.
Something else was amiss here, but the tree shaper couldn't quite figure it out. 'The wolves, where were the wolves?' A bit of relief passed through her as she finally spotted the wolfpack. 'But what's this?' The wolves weren't attacking. They were accepting the cat and placing it in their ranks. Confused and bewildered, Firemoss ducked back into her den hoping not to be seen. All of this seemed so strange and unusual to her. 'Wolves do not accept other animals into the pack,' she thought to herself, 'this can't be happening!'
Without warning, the very tree her den was carved into began shaking violently. Her blue-green eyes widened as she came to the realization that the tuft-cat must be climbing her tree. Moving as quickly as she could, Firemoss clambered for the darkest spot in her den and used her tree shaping powers to dim the very plants she was named for. She began to look for a weapon, any weapon, but there were none to be found. 'Where is the dagger Duskwater had given me? Where is my fishing spear?' Anything that could possibly be used as a weapon was gone or missing.
As suddenly as the shaking had started, it stopped. Looking from her dark vantage point, Firemoss could see the biggest cat she had ever seen enter the tiny doorway. Strangely enough the tuft-cat did not look hungry or even angry. He simply walked directly to her and looked her square in the eye. The frightened mother-to-be was paralyzed by the cat's jade green eyes as it seemed to glare right through her.
Unable to move or even to fight, Firemoss stood silently, in absolute terror. How could this be happening? Her cub, so close to being born; was her life to end in tragedy without ever actually having a child?
As her thoughts began to consume her the large beast sniffed her belly as if to investigate it. She could feel the hot breath of the panting cat breathing on her unborn child. Just as the cat drew it's lips back to bare it's teeth and sound a roar, Firemoss closed her eyes, and was able to summon enough strength to let out a scream of her own.
Part 2
**Nia! Nia! Are you all right?** Firemoss could sense the gentle mind-touch of her lifemate, Duskwater. He was shaking her in an attempt to bring her to her senses. **Nia, come back to me!**
Slowly opening her eyes, Firemoss scanned the room for the ferocious tuft-cat. But it was gone. Finally coming to her senses, she realized it was all just a dream, a horrible dream.
**Nia, wake up! Speak to me!** Duskwater's sending was desperate and filled with concern.
Grabbing her lifemate as tightly as she possible could, she finally responded to his pleadings, **Oh Yil, thank the High Ones it's you.**
"Firemoss, are you all right? Do I need to get Purehaven, or maybe Birchbark? Tell me, whatever it is you need I will get it."
The elder's heartfelt concern made Firemoss smile, "No, Yil. I am fine. It was just a bad dream. Really, now that you are here, beloved, everything will be just fine. Just hold me, dear one." Duskwater was more than happy to comfort her but he was also very concerned.
"Beloved, please, at least tell me what happened in this dream."
Releasing her firm grip on her lifemate she simply stated, "Oh it's just a silly old dream. No need for concern." This was her usual response to her recent bout of nightmares, and Duskwater knew she would refuse to discuss it any further.
The gentle elder was not one to demand things from his lifemate but this time was going to be different. In the past turn of the seasons, he had had to wake Firemoss from at least two full hands of bad dreams and High Ones only know how many more she has had. He was certain there had been more but his lifemate insisted on keeping them to herself.
"Firemoss, I am afraid something is dreadfully wrong. You've been having an unusual amount of bad dreams of late. If you cannot discuss them with me at least talk to Dreamshadow. Maybe she can help-"
The tree shaper began to laugh as she interrupted him, "Oh, Duskwater I told you it's just a silly dream. Nothing to be concerned about."
"Beloved don't you see? I am very concerned!" Duskwater's face became very sullen and his voice began to rise in volume. He had never raised his voice to his lifemate before, but he was determined to make his point even if it meant he had to risk her anger. The elder's forcefulness was getting its desired effect as Firemoss began to finally realize he was not going to back down from this request.
"I think I have been more than patient and accommodating during this precarious time. I am your lifemate and it is my desire and my duty to make sure you are safe. Right now these dreams lead me to believe that you are no longer safe. You may not see it but I do. You are acting like some reckless cub. I will not allow anyone, especially you, to jeopardize your safety or that of your cub. Now, tell me about these nightmares you've been having, please beloved. If you can't at least discuss them with me, by Highbelt's height, I will insist you speak to the dream-speaker. I will carry you to her myself if I have to and you are in no condition to stop me. If not for my sake, then do it for your cub."
Firemoss was speechless. It was not like the gentle Duskwater to be so forceful and right now she was trying to decide whether or not she liked it. She knew he was serious about this threat to carry her off to Dreamshadow's den with or without her consent. She also knew he was right. He had been so sweet and wonderful throughout the whole experience, how could she deny him this one request.
Showing throat, Firemoss replied, "Because you love me, and my cub, I will speak to Dreamshadow for the sake of all of us."
Duskwater was eminently relieved. He did not like being forceful and was hoping he wouldn't have to do it much longer. Embracing his lifemate he said, "Thank you, beloved. Please forgive my outburst."
"Oh my dear one," Firemoss returned with a smile, "I know you only did it out of love. Sometimes even us elders need to be disciplined like a wayward cub. I am sorry I had to bring you to such measures. Now, if you don't mind, go get Dreamshadow so you don't have to carry me all the way to her den."
"Well, it seems someone's been trying to hide from my skills," exclaimed Dreamshadow as she entered the tree shaper's den.
"Good day my friend, my eyes see with joy. Come sit with me." Firemoss had made good use of the time it took for Duskwater to get Dreamshadow, by trying to figure out exactly what she was going to tell the dream-speaker. But the dreamer wasn't sure she was quite ready to expose her dreams.
Since Firemoss and Dreamshadow had both become pregnant in the past turn of the seasons they had found themselves spending more time together and becoming quite close friends. It was this friendship and commonality that helped Firemoss to decide to indulge the dream-speaker.
"I've been sensing something happening in the dream world but for the life of me I could never figure it out. I'm afraid I never would have figure it out if Duskwater hadn't come to me." Dreamshadow sat on her friend's sleep furs and lovingly touched her belly. "And how is our next cub to be?"
"Content to stay right where it is it seems," Firemoss replied with a smile.
"I'm beginning to think there might be something to this idea the elders keep telling me about how crazed us pregnant females can be. I've never had this much of a problem relating to the dream world."
"Oh, I know my friend. Being with cub has made me a bit crazed too, I'm afraid."
"So, since I cannot read your dreams, could you at least tell me what you've seen?"
Hesitating momentarily, Firemoss took a deep breath and said, "I've been having many dreams lately. When I awake from them I am terrible frightened but I can't always remember what has happened in them. I am usually quite good at remembering things."
Cocking her head in confusion, Dreamshadow decided it might be best to ask the tree shaper some questions to help her remember. "How long have these dreams been happening?"
Firemoss hung her head sheepishly. "They started, not long after I Recognized Nettle."
"THEY WHAT?!" yelled the dream interpreter. "You've been having bad dreams for two turns of the seasons and you haven't come to me before now?" Dreamshadow was noticeably upset. She was upset because of Firemoss's total disregard for her talents, but she was also upset that she was unaware that this had been happening. 'Are my talents as a dream speaker weakening or is this just part of the madness that comes with being a pregnant female?' she asked herself.
"Well, they didn't start out as bad dreams they just seemed to intensify as time passed. The dreams come and go. But in the past turn of the seasons they have progressively gotten worse."
Taking a calming breath, Dreamshadow continued with her questioning. "Can you tell me what happens in these dreams? Are there certain things that reoccur in each dream or are they separate dreams that don't seem to connect to each other?"
"Well, it's hard to remember all of the details but they all seem to involve a cat."
"A cat? What type of cat?"
"All types of cats. At first it was a fisher cat, then a treewalker cat. The past two dreams have been a golden tuft-cat."
Dreamshadow sat back against the wall of the den and cradled her chin with her hand in a thoughtful pose and continued, "Hmmm. Did these cats do anything in particular?"
"They just entered the holt and prowled around at first. But the dreams with the tuft-cat were different, in those dreams the cat climbed the trees and entered my den."
"Did these cats attack anyone or anything?"
"No, not really. In the dream this morning the cat almost attacked me or was going to attack when I woke up. But they never actually attacked anyone."
"The cats never attacked but yet, you always awoke, frightened?"
"Er, well, when the cats were small I didn't pay much attention to the dreams, but as the cats became larger I became more frightened," Firemoss explained.
"Was there anything else similar about these dreams other than the cats?"
"Yes. All of the cats had the same deep green eyes. Jade green eyes that were gentle but mischievous. Even the tuft-cat's eyes did not seem angered in any way. They were almost calm."
"Are you sure you were frightened and not just excited or anxious?"
That thought had never occurred to the tree shaper. Whenever she would wake up, her heart would be beating like a ravvit, she was breathless, and she would be in a cold sweat. Firemoss had always associated these things with the instinctual sense of fear. "I'm not exactly sure. The cats never really did attack, and the tuft-cat was even accepted into the wolf pack. Why do you ask, Dreamshadow? Do you think you can understand my dreams?"
The dream-speaker's dark blue eyes began to twinkle with the prospect of getting to the end of this particular dream. Smiling with a certain degree of confidence she replied, "I think I might have an idea of what's been happening. Sometimes, dreams foretell of a tragic or important event that is about to occur. Or they can simply be reminders of something that has happened in the past. I believe that your dream-"
"Aaaaaaggghhhh!"
Before she was able to continue her thoughts, Firemoss grabbed Dreamshadow's arm as the first wave of contractions began to overtake the tree shaper. As the pain subsided, Firemoss opened her eyes and said, "I'm sorry, dear friend. But your revelations will have to wait. I think the cub has had quite enough of our prattle and has decided to come out!"
"By the power of the High Ones! I'll go get Duskwater."
"No need, I am here beloved." The gentle elder flew to his lifemate's side.
Shocked by the ancient one's speed, Dreamshadow exclaimed, "How did you get here so fast? I thought you were at the river cleaning your fish?"
"I was going to. But I decided to wait just outside the den so I could hear your discussion. Please forgive me beloved, I did not want to be left out of this."
"Gentle one, I should have insisted that you stayed. Please stay with me through the birth." The two lifemates embraced lovingly.
"Lifemate, you couldn't keep me away."
Trying not to disrupt such a beautiful moment for her friends, Dreamshadow quietly said, "Friends, you stay here and I'll go get Birchbark and Nettle." Without waiting for an acknowledgement, the dream-speaker set out to her task.
Part 3
"It's coming today, it's coming today!" Beechnut's excited voice could be heard throughout the holt as she jumped with excitement. Once any news had been heard by or told to the exuberant little cub the whole tribe was soon to hear the news as well.
It wasn't long before everyone involved in the upcoming cub's birth had gathered in and around Firemoss's den. That is, almost everyone. Firemoss and Duskwater were waiting inside their den as Birchbark arrived with her bag of herbs and her ever-present helper, Beechnut, in tow. Several concerned tribemates including Dreamshadow, Smokepath, and Snowbird waited outside on the neighboring branches. But someone was missing.
"Where's Nettle? Has anyone seen Nettle? He should be here," Birchbark exclaimed as she wrung her hands together in a nervous fashion. She was not nervous about the birth, even though this was only her second birthing without the help of her mentor, Smokepath. Birchbark was more concerned about the absence of the father for this birth.
From outside of the den Dreamshadow could here the midwife's frustration. Briefly poking her head inside the den, the dream-speaker added, "I tried to find him myself, but he was no where to be found. I'm sorry, Firemoss, but I couldn't find him. Would you like for me to try again?"
The frustrated Birchbark turned to the labouring female and asked,"Firemoss have you contacted Nettle to tell him his cub is coming?"
Feeling quite embarrassed at her own selfishness, Firemoss began to apologize, "I'm sorry, I just assumed he would be notified. Let me see if I can send to him." The tree shaper paused for a brief moment to let another contraction pass, then she searched for the father of her cub.
**Dyn! Dyn, where are you? Our cub will be here soon. Dyn?!** Firemoss opened her eyes and was greatly puzzled. "Something is wrong. I can't reach him. It's almost as if he is out of sending range. How can that be?"
An eerie silence fell over the small den as everyone tried to figure out where the father was. Duskwater finally spoke, "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Nettle for several days now. He wouldn't have gone off knowing how close Firemoss was to being in labour would he?"
Dreamshadow joined in, "I haven't seen him for at least a hand of days myself."
"Well we need to find him, and soon." Birchbark was sitting now but still wringing her hands. "The cub is coming and it's not good to hold them back once they start coming."
"Maybe I should go find him," began Duskwater. The elder did not want to leave but he also knew how Firemoss and Birchbark felt about having Nettle there.
"No, you need to stay here with Firemoss. Someone else will need to go," returned Birchbark.
Sitting in a corner hardly able to contain her excitement sat Beechnut about ready to explode. Birchbark had ordered her to sit and watch and not to ask too many questions. It was all the little cub could do to keep still and quiet during the current conversation. Finally, she could no longer hold herself in check. Knowing help was needed and she was just the elf to do it, Beechnut promptly stood up and before Dreamshadow or anyone else could offer help, the she-cub blurted, "I can find him. I can help."
All eyes looked toward the thoughtful little cub. Feeling as if she might have done something wrong Beechnut whimpered like a scolded pup and sat back down. Firemoss reached her hand towards the she-cub and beckoned her to come beside her. With her head hung low, Beechnut stepped up to the tree shaper's bedside.
Holding the child's hand, Firemoss spoke with sweet tenderness. "Cubling, you have done nothing wrong. But you are right, we do need your help. Could you find Nettle for us?" The cub nodded in excitement. "Good. See if you can find him but don't go too far. Ask Lark or Foxears, if you cannot find him, then come back here as soon as you can."
Beechnut looked at Birchbark as if to ask permission to follow Firemoss's request. The midwife nodded her approval with a smile. Birchbark was happy to finally have a task for her little helper, and her little helper was happy to finally have a task. "Dreamshadow, you go with her and help her bring me some more water and rags," added Birchbark.
"Don't worry I'll find him and be back soon." Beechnut began to head out of the den and paused momentarily to say, "Um, Firemoss. Don't have the cub before I come back, okay?"
Firemoss laughed, "If you insist, little one. Besides how can I have the cub unless you find Nettle first? Now get going."
Beechnut's face glowed with the smile of purpose. She quickly grabbed Dreamshadow's hand and they both climbed down the tree trunk to hunt for the missing father.
Agonizing moments passed as those left in the den began to separately worry about the whereabouts of Nettle. Firemoss' contractions were coming closer and closer and her normally content mood was turning more and more sour. Birchbark began to notice that Firemoss was tensing up and was obviously worrying about Nettles absence. Knowing how bad it was for the mother to be tensed, Birchbark lock-sent to Duskwater. **She's tensing up. You need to calm her down. We still have some time before she must push. Talk to her, comfort her, just keep her mind off Nettle.**
Glancing up with acknowledgement, Duskwater tried to start a conversation. "Tell me, beloved, was Dreamshadow able to help you with your dream?"
Groaning in pain from yet another contraction, Firemoss replied curtly, "I thought you were listening in on us?"
"Oh, um, well, I guess I was. But I'm not sure I heard it all. Please indulge me."
"She thinks she knows the answer (groan) but she couldn't tell me before the cub decided to let me know he was coming. I promise, after the cub is born, we will ask her again."
Lamely trying to keep the conversation going, Duskwater was desperate for any topic to discuss. "Have you thought of a name for the cub?"
Firemoss had reached the end of her patience and snarled at her lifemate. "You know very well that we have all decided on the name for him. I know you are trying to distract my mind from Nettle but it's not working. You are just making it worse."
**Good going elder, now she's even more tense.** Birchbark chided in a private send.
**You told me to try and distract her. I'm doing the best I can.**
**Well, it's not working. Try something else.**
"Firemoss, beloved, I know you are worried that Nettle isn't here to share the birth of your cub,"
**Not that!** came another lock send from the midwife.
Duskwater dismissed her comment and continued, "but if he can't or won't be here for the birth of your cub, I will do whatever I can. I know it won't be the same as having him here but I will help you bring the cub into this world."
"That may not be necessary, Duskwater; Nettle is on his way," interrupted Lark as she entered the already crowded den.
"Where has he been all this time?" demanded the exasperated midwife.
Lark searched for a comfortable place to sit down before she answered. "A hand of days ago he woke up in the middle of the day and decided to go to the troll caverns to find the cub a gift." Lark felt rather uncomfortable being in Firemoss' den. She knew she probably shouldn't be there but the song shaper only came upon the insistence of Beechnut who was now climbing her way through the crowded den to her own personal viewing spot.
"Did he go by himself?" asked Duskwater with honest concern.
"Yes, I tried to get him to take you or even Foxears but he insisted on going by himself. He said he didn't want anyone else involved and that this was going to be his gift. Don't worry, he is on his way." Pausing for just a moment before continuing, Lark was unsure whether to add another comment that had been nagging at her. Swallowing her own pride and indignation she added, "Nettle wouldn't miss this for the Lost Dwelling of the High Ones. Firemoss, I know he will love your cub as much as he loves my Tendril. Don't worry, he will be here." With that said, Lark felt more at ease in the den of her lifemate's Recognized and she smiled at the mother-to-be.
Realizing how difficult it was for Lark to say such things, Firemoss replied in kind and reached out to touch her, "Thank you, song shaper. I hope we can become friends."
Knowing what Nettle had gone through during her own Recognition with Foxears, Lark did not want to be the one to come between him and Firemoss. "I think that would be a grand idea."
As yet another contraction overcame the tree shaper, Birchbark implored, "We can't wait any longer, it's time for you to push. Beechnut get the water ready." As the midwife continued barking orders, Firemoss received a strong but private sending.
**Nia! I am here! I'll be at your side in two shakes of a wolf's tail!**
**Dyn! Hurry! Birchbark says it's time to push!**
**Just hold on. Don't push till I get there.**
"Okay Firemoss, I hate to do this, but you need to start pushing."
"No."
"No? What do you mean no?"
"Not till Nettle gets here," she grunted through a contraction. "He's in the holt and climbing the tree now. I won't push till he gets here."
Birchbark looked at Firemoss and then at Duskwater who was grinning at his lifemate's remarks. The midwife knew that once a pregnant female made up her mind there was no changing it. "Then I guess we wait." Choosing rather to wait outside, Lark decided to take her leave and make more room available in the den.
Part 4
The waiting lasted only a few moments and two extremely harsh contractions. About the time Duskwater was ready to force Firemoss to push, the gathering crowd outside of their den cheered as Nettle burst into the den.
"Firemoss, I'm sorry it took me so long to get back. I couldn't have our cub entering into the world without a gift. You won't believe what I had to go through to get it."
"Nettle, we really don't have time for you to tell us about your journey." Birchbark had completely lost her patience. "Sit down now, everybody take your places, it's time to push."
Sitting down in front of Firemoss while Duskwater sat behind her, supporting her, Nettle stopped the birthing once again. "Wait!"
"Oh now what?!" Birchbark was clearly exasperated.
"I just want to show you what I was able to get for our cub, Firemoss."
"Just make it quick, we really cannot wait any longer."
Reaching into the inside of his light jacket, Nettle pulled out a palm-sized object that had been wrapped in a dark leather cloth. "I didn't have much to choose from. It was either this or a knife and I wanted to wait and give a knife for the first hunt. So, I got this instead. I hope the cub likes it." Carefully peeling back the folded layers of the cloth, the barterer revealed the reason for his absence and handed it to Firemoss.
The tree shaper could not believe her eyes. It was a pendant in the shape of a cat's head made of gold. The eyes of the cat were made with inlaid jade. "A golden cat with jade green eyes. Just like in my dream! Thank you, Nettle. It's perfect."
"Fine, fine, fine! Now can we start pushing?" Birchbark exclaimed with her hands on her hips.
"Yes, I think we are all ready to push now," Firemoss informed the midwife.
**Are you ready, Dyn? To greet our cub?**
**I am ready, Nia. Let's welcome it.**
"Start pushing!" While Birchbark informed Firemoss of the appropriate time to push, the Recognized parents joined in a lock send with their cub. Three minds working together as one. The two shinning souls of Dyn and Nia searched through the darkness to seek out the bright shining soul and name of their new cub. First a noise and then a sound materialized within the void. The names of the parents resounded until they created an altogether new sound.
**Join us, little one,** the parents sent in unison. **We are Dyn and Nia. Come to us and share with us. We are Dyn and Nia. Who are you?**
Softly and gently the new soul responded, **Llynk! All that I am is Llynk.**
Again lock sending in unison with one mind, the parents tried to coax the cubling from the womb. **Llynk, come out and join us. We want to share our world with you. Come Llynk. We are your parents, Dyn and Nia. Come Llynk.**
"That's it, Firemoss. Stop pushing, your cub is here," exclaimed Birchbark. "A beautiful he-cub!" Firemoss was shocked at how quickly it took for her to push her cub into the world. Birchbark carefully laid the newborn on Firemoss' chest and handed Nettle the blade to separate mother from child. With shaking hands Nettle carefully severed the thick life-cord.
Firemoss gently held her tiny cub. With tears in her eyes she said, "Welcome, my little one. Welcome to our world. We are so glad to have you here with us." Before Firemoss could introduce the cub to his two fathers, Birchbark whisked him away.
"I'm sorry Firemoss but let me clean him off before you feed him."
While the midwife carefully cleaned him, Firemoss sent to Nettle. **Dyn. I want Duskwater to be as much a part of our cub's life as we are. Would you mind if I shared with him our cubs name?**
Looking at her with a smile of great amazement, Nettle replied, **No, Nia, I do not mind. But may I tell him?**
**I'm sure he would appreciate it. Thank you, Dyn.**
**Thank you Nia, for bringing such a beautiful cub to me.**
Nettle received the newly cleaned cub and cradled him gently. Lost in the newness of the recent miracle, the barterer almost forgot he was not alone. The cub cried out in hunger and Nettle was returned to his senses. Presenting his cub, Nettle privately sent to Duskwater. **I would like to introduce you to our cub. He is Llynk, and he is your cub too, Duskwater.**
In complete amazement, Duskwater clutched his chest with his hand as his vision began to blur from the tears welling up in his eyes. **Thank you, Nettle. Thank you, Firemoss. Llynk! This is more than I could ever have hoped to share. I will care for Llynk as my very own. He is beautiful.** A deep sense of great honour and gratitude enveloped the elder's sending. As he had done when he held his first child so many years ago, Duskwater cuddled the infant with great care.
Outside the tree shaper's den a round of cheers and howls were heard in the light of twin full moons, when little Beechnut announced the birth of a healthy male cub. As the crowd began to quiet down a soft birdlike voice drifted upward to the treetops in song. The song was a new song of birth and rebirth, of pain and forgiveness, of life and love. In this song, Lark had finally let go of the resentment she had secretly held for Firemoss. The song shaper had given the new parents and their cub this song as her gift to all of them, and as a peace offering to ask for forgiveness of her selfishness.
The next evening as twin full moons again began to rise, the tribe gathered to await the presentation of the newest tribemate. As has been done for years upon years without end, the parents of the newly born infant presented him to the tribe and to their chief.
Firemoss stepped forward carrying a small bundle with both Nettle and Duskwater standing behind her on either side. "Chieftess Wildstar, I present to you our cub. His is a Wolfrider's soul name, but the tribe may call him Clover."
The tribe erupted in howls of welcome for the newborn cub and the evening's festivities began. A night of celebration for the renewed life of the tribe. As feasting and dancing commenced around the fire, Firemoss motioned to Dreamshadow to come to her.
"My eyes see with joy, my friend. Clover is lovely," murmured the dream speaker as she beheld the babe who was on display for the whole tribe in the capable arms of his blood father, Nettle.
"Oh Dreamshadow, I guess it will be your turn next. I'm sure your cub will be just as lovely and just as welcome to the tribe as my Clover is." Firemoss was now caressing Dreamshadow's unborn child as the dream-speaker had done to her so many times before. The tree shaper thought about their last conversation that was so rudely interrupted by her own cub's birth. Then she remembered her dream, and Nettle's gift. "Oh yes, I almost forgot. I finally figured out my dream."
"You understand your cat dreams then?" Dreamshadow had also thought quite a bit about Firemoss' dreams and had her own idea of what it truly meant. The dream-speaker wondered if they had both come up with the same conclusion and decided to allow the dreamer to give her interpretation first. "Then please share with me, friend."
Reaching into her cloak, Firemoss produced a small lump the size of her fist wrapped in leather. "This is what I've been dreaming about. You were right, I wasn't frightened about the cat, I was just excited." Carefully unwrapping the object, Dreamshadow could see the exquisitely molded cat's head with gleaming green eyes. "This is the reason Nettle was late for his own son's birth. He was at the troll caverns and traded Yellowtooth several things for this pendant. It's his gift to our son. This is what I've been dreaming about. See, a golden cat with jade green eyes."
Looking carefully at the object, Dreamshadow could understand how Firemoss could come up with such a conclusion. But her well-honed skills of the dream world were telling her something different. "Has Nettle had this for very long?"
"No, he just traded for it two days ago. Why?"
Dreamshadow held the object in her hands as she studied it. "But you've been dreaming about these cats ever since you Recognized him, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"And didn't you say you've been dreaming of all different types of cats, and the last one was a tuft cat?"
"Yes, I did. Why do you ask, dream-speaker?"
"This is not a tuft cat," Dreamshadow responded pointing directly at the pendant. "Have you ever actually seen this exact cat in you dreams?"
"Well, I'm not sure. But I rarely remembered the entirety of my dreams." Firemoss reached for the pendant and looked it over again carefully. "Oh what difference does it make? I have my cub, and the answer to my dreams. If I have any more dreams, I'll be sure to let you know. But for now I'm satisfied with this." Firemoss clutched the pendant to her chest, smiled the content smile of a new mother and walked over to her new family.
Being left with more questions than answers, Dreamshadow continued to ponder the details of the tree shaper's dream. Her own pregnancy had interfered once before with her ability to interpret dreams, but deep inside her soul she knew that Firemoss' explanation just didn't seem to fit. 'My friend, maybe you are right but I am not so certain,' she thought to herself. Briefly, Dreamshadow considered voicing her concerns to the dreamer, but when she saw how content and at ease Firemoss was in her new roll as mother, she decided otherwise. For now, the dream speaker decided she would forget about her questions of the dreams and celebrate with her friend. At least for now.