[Silvia]
Silvia's thudded loudly in her half-elven ears as she clung to her mother's arm, her wide eyes reflecting the confusion. For some reason, the room felt colder than it was; the air felt heavy and oppressive, like a thick fog that settled over them.
— "Mommy, what's wrong?" the little girl asked, her voice quivering like a leaf in the wind. She looked up at her mother with innocent eyes, not understanding what was happening or why her little brother was so quiet.
Nivalis didn't answer. She couldn't take her gaze away from her newborn son, who lay still and lifeless in her trembling arms. He resembled a delicate porcelain doll, his skin pale. Nivalis's heart raced so loudly that even Silvia could hear it.
— "Please, is everything alright?" the girl asked again, her voice barely above a whisper. She worried that speaking too loudly might wake her brother.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each second turning into an agonizing eternity. Five seconds passed. Then ten. And fifteen. Silvia's fear deepened as moments dragged on, her mind racing with questions she couldn't voice. Everything felt like a nightmare, and she couldn't wake up. 'Why isn't Mommy answering me?' the girl thought, fidgeting with the hem of her grey tunic.
Then, like a sudden bolt of lightning, realization struck Silvia. As if a dark cloud lifted from her young mind, revealing the grim truth that she had been unwilling to accept until now. Panic coursed through her veins like wildfire, and tears welled up in her bright, golden eyes.
"He's not breathing," Nivalis choked out, her body trembling uncontrollably, her hands clutching the infant tightly. Her baby brother, so fragile and tiny, was not breathing.
Silvia watched in helpless horror as her mother, whom she had always seen as an unshakable pillar of strength, was reduced to a sobbing, desperate figure. She had never witnessed her mother so utterly distraught. It was as if their roles had reversed, and Silvia, the child, now needed to provide the strength that her mother had always given her. But all she could do was just stand there, rooted to the spot as if paralyzed, and listen to her mother's cries, her eyes glued to the boy's lips that were tinged blue; his skin was pale and clammy.
"No, no, no!" Nivalis cried out, her desperation echoing around the tiny room as if her voice could command life back into the tiny body she held. "My baby, my sweet boy," she added, her voice filled with an unbearable weight of grief. Tears were streaming down her sweaty face, and her blue eyes were blurry. At some point, she clasped her hands, whispering prayers in an ancient elven speech Silvia had never heard nor understood.
Silvia could see the desperation on her mother's face, and it broke her young heart. She didn't know what to do, so she just stood there, her tears streaming down her cheeks in the same manner. Oh, how much she wished she could do something to make it better, to bring back the warmth of life to her baby brother.
Nivalis rocked her son gently in her arms, her tears falling like rain, each drop a plea to the heavens for mercy. She had never felt so helpless, so terrified in her life. Her heart ached with a suffocating fear.
A faint, barely noticeable movement came in the room's hushed silence — a subtle, delicate flicker of life that might have been mistaken for a mere trick of the light for anyone who could have seen it. The baby's tiny fingers twitched, and his chest rose ever so slightly as if it hadn't happened at all.
And then, a moment later, the change became clear — a baby's cry rang out, clear and strong, shattering the oppressive silence that had gripped the room like a vice. It was a sound that resonated with life and hope, like a beacon in the darkest of nights.
Silvia, her heart in her throat, released a breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. A wash of relief flooded over her as she watched her mother's tears of despair transform into tears of joy, mixing with the sweat on Nivalis' face as she cradled her now-crying son.
— "He is alive..." Silvia cried, her voice filled with joy and wonder. She couldn't believe her ears. The room seemed to brighten as if the storm had passed, leaving behind a radiant rainbow of hope.
Nivalis looked up, her eyes a mixture of shock, joy, and disbelief. "He is, honey... ohh..." she murmured, her voice trembling with overwhelming emotion just the moment before the infant's tiny face scrunched up. His lungs filled with air as he uttered another piercing cry that almost made Silvia cover her sensitive ears.
"Hush, my little one, hush," Nivalis whispered, her voice tender and calming, as she cradled her son close to her heart. The baby responded to her comforting touch, his cries gradually subsiding, replaced by soft, contented coos. Nivalis couldn't help but laugh, a sound filled with pure, unbridled joy and relief.
Nivalis, still cradling her son, turned to Silvia, her eyes sparkling with tears of happiness. "My little snowflake... your brother is okay," she said softly, smiling despite the overwhelming tiredness.
Silvia could see the immense relief and happiness etched across her mother's face. "Mhm," Silvia hummed, her voice breaking slightly as tears threatened to fall again.
"Thank the gods," Nivalis said, her eyes closed as she leaned her forehead against her son's, a prayer of gratitude falling from her lips in the same weird language.
Silvia's heart brimmed with happiness and hope as she realized her mother's prayers had been answered. Her young mind raced with the thought that perhaps someone was watching over them, listening to their heartfelt pleas. What if... just maybe... her prayers had also been heard?
[Nivalis Silverfrost]
It was nothing short of a miracle—a breathtaking moment that Nivalis could barely believe.
Tears of joy flowed freely from her blue, like summer sky eyes as she held her son close, her heart swelling with an overwhelming love for that little bundle of happiness. She marveled at his tiny fingers and toes, the softness of his skin, and the innocence in his wide, curious eyes. Golden eyes. This child, this precious boy, was her key to freedom, the answer to her deepest prayers.
The relief that washed over her was almost overwhelming. Her son was alive, and he would live. All the pain she went through during his birth, the agony of almost losing him, but now, as she looked at him, it all felt worth it.
"Mommy, we should clean him up," Silvia suggested, a look of concern on her young face. "He's a bit... ew."
Chuckling, Nivalis nodded, her thoughts returning to the present, to the bloodied, exhausted she and her boy were in. "Silvia, please bring me a bowl of warm water, could you?" Nivalis quietly requested, her voice remarkably calm despite the emotional storm within her. She knew things were still to be done and that her newborn son required her immediate attention.
Without answering, the little girl hurried to fulfill her mother's request, her steps light and purposeful. A moment later, she returned with a small bowl of water and a clean cloth, handing them to Nivalis with a gentle smile.
Nivalis's hands were gentle and deliberate as she tenderly wiped away the traces of blood and amniotic fluid from her son's fragile form. His skin was as soft as moonlight, and his hair formed a tangled halo of silver curls. Each touch was as gentle as possible, filled with motherly love and care. Her blue eyes were full of devotion as she marveled at his tiny body, the corners of her soft, full lips curled slightly up.
As Nivalis continued to care for her newborn son, she couldn't help but think about all that had brought them to this moment. The trials, uncertainty, and fear had somehow led to this beautiful, miraculous moment. She knew there would be many challenges ahead, but in that moment, she was filled with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and hope.
Nivalis's gentle gaze shifted to Silvia, who stood nearby, her smile as radiant as her eyes. The tears had not yet dried on her face, but she was no longer crying. "Silvia, come closer," Nivalis beckoned, her voice warm but far from calm, still filled with deep emotions. She extended her arm, inviting her daughter to approach her little brother.
Silvia approached, her heart still echoing in her ears. Her mother gently placed Silvia's trembling hand on the newborn's head, then placed her big one on top. "This is your little brother, Silvia. You're a big sister now," Nivalis murmured tenderly, smiling at the little girl.
Silvia's heart swelled with pride as she heard her new title. She felt a sense of responsibility settling over her like a cloak. She looked down at her newborn brother's tiny, curious face, and it brought warmth to her insides. He was so small and helpless, his eyes as golden as hers as they wandered around the room. At that moment, she knew with unwavering certainty that it was her duty to protect this little guy and be the best big sister she could possibly be.
Leaning down, Silvia gently kissed the crown of her brother's head, her lips brushing against his silken curls. "Hello, little brother. Welcome to the family," she whispered, her words no louder than a morning breeze.
Nivalis's eyes brimmed with tears as she watched this heartwarming scene. Her children were her greatest treasures, and she felt blessed beyond measure to have them in her life. The room seemed to be bathed in a warm, golden light as if the very air around them was celebrating this new life despite it being late night outside the window.
"Mommy, can I hold him too?" Silvia asked in anticipation, her tiny arms outstretched.
— "Of course, dear. But be very gentle," Nivalis replied, carefully transferring her son into Silvia's arms. She knew that this moment was not just about holding a baby but about forging a bond between siblings that would last a lifetime.
The baby stirred, letting out a soft whine, but settled once he was nestled against his sister's flat chest. Silvia held him with utmost care, as if he were the most fragile treasure in the world. "Little brother, I'm your big sister. I'll always take care of you, don't worry," the girl whispered; her high-pitched words were filled with love and a promise that would resonate through the following years.
The baby gurgled, filled with innocence and joy, making her heart melt. "That's right. We're going to have so much fun together," she continued, her eyes sparkling with happiness and a bit of tears.
Nivalis could not help but cry a little at them being together, her heart overflowing with emotion. This moment, this scene, was more precious than anything she could have imagined. She had known that Silvia would be a wonderful big sister, but seeing it play out before her eyes was even more heartwarming than she could have expected.
As Silvia gazed at her baby brother, her eyes shining with love and devotion, she couldn't help but notice their similarities. "Look, Mom, he has ears just like mine!" she exclaimed, gently touching her pointed ear hidden deep inside her silver curls and then her brother's, surprised at the resemblance.
— "Of course he does," Nivalis confirmed, gently touching the tiny points with her fingers. It was a small but significant connection, a reminder of their shared heritage.
"And his hair is just like mine, too," Silvia added, gazing at the silver curls that crowned her baby brother's head, the same color as hers and her mother's.
— "You're right, my dear. It seems your brother inherited many of our elven traits," Nivalis said, a tiny smile on her lips. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in passing on her heritage to the boy. Nothing about him resembled Haldor, except for the eyes.
"Mommy, what is his name going to be?" Silvia asked, her eyes wide with curiosity, her mind already brimming with possibilities.
— "I... Don't know? What do you think, my dear?" Nivalis answered as she glanced down at him, inviting Silvia to be a part of this important decision.
Silvia pondered momentarily, her gaze fixed on her baby brother's peaceful face. A bright smile lit up her features as she spoke. "Maybe, Aster," she suggested quietly.
— "Aster... I love it. It's perfect," Nivalis replied, her voice heavy with emotion. She reached out, her fingers gently caressing her son's cheek. "It means star. A symbol of hope, light, and purity. A divine's protection."
"Hello, Aster. Welcome to the family," Silvia whispered, her heart overflowing with love and pride. "Can I call him Asty for short?" Silvia asked her mother almost immediately, her face bright with enthusiasm, already forming a nickname for her brother.
— "Sure, my dear. It sounds cute," Nivalis replied, her smile mirroring Silvia's. She appreciated her daughter's eagerness to embrace her new role as a big sister.
The baby, little Aster, gurgled, his golden eyes wide with wonder as he gazed at his new family. It was as if he already understood the love and happiness that surrounded him.
Nivalis reached her hand over to her son, gently touching his tiny fingers. "Welcome to the family, Aster, my son," Nivalis whispered, her words full of love and devotion. She knew their journey ahead would be filled with challenges, but she was determined to give him a life filled with love, freedom, and happiness.
The newborn's tiny hand curled around Nivalis's finger, a gesture that spoke volumes, and Nivalis couldn't help but smile with watery eyes. It was a silent promise between mother and son, a bond that would only grow stronger with time. She would move heaven and mountains to protect him and ensure he would have a life different from hers.
This boy would not feel the suffering they went through. He would not be raised within the confines of a prison. He would love and be loved back, surrounded by a family who cherished him.
Aster's eyelids fluttered open, his golden eyes gazing up at Silvia with a look of complete trust. His other hand reached out for her, his tiny hand grasping her finger, forming a circle of love and connection.
With this scene in front of her, Nivalis's eyes hardened with resolve. The flame of hope burned brighter than ever in her soul, and she would do whatever it took to protect her family and secure their future. With her son's first breaths, she had silently made a vow—one that echoed through the chambers of her heart.
They will escape, or she will embrace the darkness trying.