Fanfic Time: My Baby Now (11)

The Drow called it Surface Sickness. Kosh couldn't pronounce the Drowic name for it. But since Drow were made for much deeper climes. If he wanted to become used to the mountain air, he'd have to spend time adjusting. Slowly moving up and up each week so that he could acclimate to the thinner air.

That said, the mountain winters were still very cruel to him.

Poor Kosh was beside himself with guilt, fretting over Aldiirn. He stopped in once a day, at minimum, and insisted on helping Aldiirn move to a higher residence. It took Aldiirn three such weeks to realise that Kosh was hiring work crews to make the suites for Aldiirn's temporary residences.

And when he reached his new suite in the castle proper...

It was an echo of the Underdark above ground. Work crews had made a cavern that was a close imitation of the deep dark. There were even crops of fungus suitable for both food and medicine. What shocked Aldiirn was how close it was to Kosh's suite and the open sky. Just a few twists of corridor and a small stairway, and he had ready access to the sunshine.

Mistress-- Lady Cordelia was very much great with child when they met again. She invited Aldiirn to feel her progeny kicking, but he did not want to touch his doom.

By summer... Kosh wouldn't even notice if Aldiirn vanished.

So Aldiirn thought.

"Your tutors have been alerted," Kosh told him. "If you suffer a relapse, they'll help you down to a lower level before they notify me or Delia. The healers know all about the medicines you need and the kitchens know what to add to your meals and what to withhold. We won't be doing any elevated training for a few weeks."

Aldiirn said, "Thanks, Dad," and almost kicked himself. He didn't want any hearts broken. But a look at Kosh's face proved that the Tiefling's heart was flying.

Kosh... would not mean to forget.

That hurt a little more, if Aldiirn was honest with himself.

Icebreak festival was lovely. Fun. People enjoyed seeing their Earl and his ward out and about. Some greeted Aldiirn by name. Some were even worried about his health. That was surprising, to say the least of it. He didn't think he was worth remembering.

"Well, liebchen? Feel like playing for the people?" Kosh gestured towards a stage. "Word's got around about your music."

It was the first time he heard applause in relation to his playing. Aldiirn still closed his eyes as he lifted the flute to his lips. Breathe.

And play.

He began with a familiar tune that always helped him relax. The cheers were next to shocking. He was too used to thrown objects from Alean Micaror.

Enclave Yaztel had rarely heard Aldiirn play. He'd been too sick, most of the time.

Kosh was smiling for him, yet staying out of everyone else's way.

Inspired, Aldiirn launched into a livelier tune. Keeping time with a foot. A drummer joined in, and then a lutist. It was joyful.

It was as close as he could get to heaven while alive.

The cheers. The applause. The singing and dancing of the crowd. They loved him.

Of course Kosh made certain Aldiirn didn't spend all day working on the stage. Every child should have some fun. The games, the rides, the food that was definitely bad for him. And a warm cloak when the sun set and the lamps lit, as Kosh pretty much followed him around and enjoyed watching Aldiirn have fun.

Kosh carried him back to the castle. Footsore, queasy, and close to exhaustion. Aldiirn didn't remember being tucked in, but he woke with Kosh waiting by his bed.

"You have baby brothers," Kosh announced. "Twins. Delia and I broke the curse, so... they're little teufellen."

"And... everyone's okay?"

"Yes. Probably better for me being out of everyone's way. Danke, meine kleiner, for getting me away from my worries." A deep breath. A sigh. "I would like, if I may, to take you to meet them."

There was just enough light to bring colour to the birthing room. Lady Cordelia blinked awake and smiled as they entered. "...'lo m' loves," she breathed. She raised a hand to greet Aldiirn. "...'s been a hard job for me. Hope y' don't mind I stay put?"

Aldiirn had witnessed births, playing to soothe the matriarch in question's pains and punished if he stumbled. Surface folk were reportedly weaker than Drow, but no Drow had ever birthed twins to Aldiirn's knowledge. "You take your rest, mist-- ma'am. We won't bother you long."

The babies had been placed head-to-foot next to each other. One with a single stripe in his swaddling, and the other with two.

"The firstborn inherits the other family curse," whispered Kosh, gently brushing the one-stripe baby on his blue cheek. "Meet Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, tenth to have the name. May the gods forgive me for that. And his brother... Benevolence Honesty Vambrace Whitekeep."

He could stove their soft heads in with his flute. He could likely do it before anyone could react. That would not do him any favours all the same. Better to let his own rejection happen naturally. Just as he predicted.

"They will need a lot more than you do," said Kosh. "They can't feed themselves, nor dress themselves... they can't even talk. Not yet. They are literally helpless. And they are just as much loved as you are. I won't pick favourites... but will have to pick who might need me more."

"I know," said Aldiirn. He gave it two months. Maybe three. Then he could fade from notice.

He was used to that.