Chapter 13 Of Unicorns…
An excerpt from The Guardians Book 1: Formation of the Guardians
Berri and Elaen flew into the clinic. Bernard was sitting at his desk taking notes.
“Hey, Bernard! I think the fruit helped. I feel pregnant.”
Bernard looked up at the fairy couple and smiled. “Good. I hope that means the complaints about your noise will decrease.”
The fairies laughed.
Bernard stood up and picked up his scanner. He waved it in front of Elaen’s belly. “Ah, it definitely worked. You’re carrying twins.”
“Twins?”
“Yeah, and they’re fine. Although, I’d recommend that you keep eating the fruit, Elaen. Your fertility is still a bit low, but the fruit should make up for it.”
“It’s good, so that’s not a problem.”
“Oh, and do eat other foods as well. You can’t just eat the fertility fruit all the time.”
Elaen laughed. “Okay, I’ll eat the regular meals as well.”
The fairies laughed as they flew out of the clinic.
Hugo straightened the beds and then walked over to Bernard. “Wow, they’re going to have twins?”
“Yes, they will have their hands full, especially if the kids turn out to be anything like them.”
Bernard and Hugo laughed.
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In the forest, the centaurs were monitoring the animals. Several different kinds of horses were running through the forest. The centaurs checked their borders and listened for rumors.
It wasn’t long before they found out why the horses were running into the forest. Apparently some of the elves were trying to catch and tame the horses.
Faedin pulled out the portable communicator from her bag. “Attention fellow Guardians, you will probably have wild horses traveling into your area. We just found out they are running away from the settlements because there are elves who are trying to tame them.”
“Acknowledged. Are the horses one variety or several?”
“There are several. They all have horns, but not the same number on their heads.”
“Oh, I thought those horses were scared and we weren’t to touch them.”
“Yes, an old superstitious belief that our neighbors no longer believe. We’re not sure why they changed. It could be that something happened and they are desperate in some way.”
“More than likely something did happen. Well, we won’t molest any of the horses. They’re free to roam the Silver Mists.”
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Days went by and more horses ran through the forest. Many found the monastery and the Guardian hold and stopped. The horses were cautious of the people milling about. The Guardians, monks, and nuns didn’t approach the horses. Many smiled whenever the horses appeared. Some commented to others when unicorns or duacorns or even tricorns were spotted in the area.
Eventually, the horses stopped running and settled in the forest near the Guardian hold. There was plenty for the horses to eat and the Centaurs mainly looked after them. The horses didn’t mind the Guardian once they realized no one would harm them.
Sometimes the fairies would fly close the horses and sprinkle fairy dust on them to help keep them calm. The horses tended to neigh when the fairies came near them.
By the time the horses settled down in their new home, Elaen was ready to give birth. She screamed at Berri, who looked petrified. He grabbed her hand and they flew to the clinic.
“Bernard, where are you? Elaen’s going to give birth!”
Merlaen stepped out from the bathroom. “Bernard isn’t up, yet, but I can help.”
“Oh, good. I don’t know what to do with her.”
Merlaen smiled. “It’s okay, she’s just in a lot of pain. May I look to see how much you have dilated, Elaen?”
“Oh, sure.”
“Oh, yes, you’ll be going any time now. When did your pain start?”
“A few hours ago, but it didn’t last and now the pain comes closer and closer.” Elaen screamed again.
Bernard and Adelaen woke up. She reached for her blades. She walked out into the clinic before Bernard.
“Oh, stand down, milady, Lady Elaen is in labor.”
“Oh, dear. Elaen, I had no idea it could be so painful.”
“Oh, it’s awful. Wait, did one of the twins just move?”
“Probably,” said both Merlaen and Bernard.
“Lady Merlaen, do you have her? I’ll go get towels and some hot water.”
“I’ll look after her. Go on, Bernard.”
Berri looked glum. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Keep holding her hand and encourage her to breathe rhythmically.”
Berri did what he was told. Elaen calmed down a bit, but was still in quite a bit of pain. Soon Bernard was back with water and towels. One of the twins was starting to come out.
“That’s it, Elaen, you’re doing fine. Just relax and we’ll catch the twins one at a time.” Merlaen poised herself under the fairy and watched and waited for the first baby.
The first one slid out and Merlaen caught him. She and Bernard cleaned him up and were careful with his tiny wings.
Elaen panted for a few minutes. “Okay, that’s one. Is the second one going to be as hard?”
Merlaen looked up. “No, dear, here comes the second now!” Merlaen caught the girl and cleaned her up.
Bernard was still holding the boy. “So what are you going to name them. The first one is a boy and the second is a girl.”
Berri and Elaen looked at each other. “We decided on a few names. How about Evan for the boy and Faeth for the girl?”
“Okay, that will work for us. They’re your children. Interestingly enough, they have their wings, but can’t fly.”
“They’re too young. Just wait until they start walking as Luka is, then they will also start to learn to fly.”
Adelaen smiled. “Then it’s all over for you and the rest of us.” She laughed and the other joined her.
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In the meadow, Faedin wandered and looked all around her. She was at peace. She saw the other Guardians in the main hold and knew many of them had found happiness. She could also smell food cooking from the nearby village. Her journey wasn’t over at all.
Faedin was looking for the meaning of divinity. She had conversed with the Goddess Stefani many times and still, the centaur had no clear cut answer.
It wasn’t good enough for her. Nor would it ever be until she could know and understand.
Faedin would have to wait for Stefani to be born into the same realm and then seek her out before the centaur would ever get the answer. Fortunately, centaurs tend to live for hundreds of years. Faedin could wait for her answer.
She knew she would find Stefani as an elf or perhaps as a different sort of creature all together, yet similar. Either way, Faedin was patient enough to find the real answer.
For now, she watched the forests and other people. She found comfort in the fact that the unicorns, duacorns, and tricorns were content and at peace.
