The Birth of a Child

The day of the birth came and to Art's surprise Argus had neither found him and Thebe or had not gone to seek them out. Wherefore? Were his intentions to kill them all individually? Was he intending to throw Art and Thebe's child into the sea?

Alas, the Young Gael knew not. He merely sat in a different chamber while Thebe gave birth, Niall by his side and Timaeus to his other side, but not as close as the feline was. Many a time he had seen an expectant father waiting outside a tent when he had been with his own people in their wanderings… Now he was the expectant father and he was scared.

Sometimes the child didn't survive long, sometimes the mother didn't, sometimes it was neither. His hands clasped together, Art stared wide-eyed out of the chamber he, Niall and Timaeus was in. Lose their child? Lose Thebe? Lose both of them? It couldn't happen! It just couldn't!

"Have you ever had children, Timaeus?" inquired Art.

"No, Art, I have not." Replied Timaeus. "I am more interested in creating a true perfect love. Women are only good for childbearing and being slaves of passion while only two men can create such a love."

"Timaeus, I have known you for what? Two twelvemonths now? You have never expressed such a belief before, nor have you displayed any interest in anyone of either sex."

"I'm slothful."

"You are a hypocrite and a fool is what you are!" exclaimed Art. "Thebe and I have the truest, most perfect love in the world! How did such an idea come into your head?"

Timaeus did not answer. He merely bowed his head in shame. When he did speak, he said: "I spoke with a man from Argolis down in the market the other day, one of Argus' party."

"What?" Art asked in alarm. "Did he recognize you?"

"No, can't say he did and it didn't seem that Argus was aware you and Thebe are here in Malia."

Art was not sure about how accurate Timaeus' statement was. A person could feign not recognizing someone.

"Was Argus with him?"

No, Art, I was told that Argus was on the other side of the island." Answered Timaeus.

"So, what brought that one individual here?"

"It seemed he had been sent here to Malia to search its market for a specific type of food that Argus is fond of."

Art couldn't believe it. Wherefore not just search Knossos? That place was palace and city all in one, what was it that Argus had even been looking for?

Running a hand through his curly red hair, Art returned to staring out of the chamber. When he could hear Thebe screaming, he grew tense, his back arched and his small, triangular-looking eyes widened as much as possible.

She would be alright… They both would… Thebe and their child. Nothing bad would happen, they would all be happy… They would, wouldn't they?

Closing his eyes and covering his ears, Art silently prayed. He prayed that his wife and child would be alright, he prayed that there would be a long happy life ahead for them. There just had to, he and Thebe had could not have known each other for two twelvemonths for everything to just end now!

And then, a sound rang through the corridors of the palace. Removing his hands from his ears, Art stood up. His child… His and Thebe's child was crying as a child should have been when they came into the world… Everything was alright!

With the child at least, but what about Thebe?

Standing up, Art ran from the chamber, Niall following after him. Running to his and Thebe's bedchamber, the Young Gael hoped and prayed that his beloved wife was alright, that she still lived.

When he reached their bedchamber, Art could only smile. Thebe was alive and well and holding their child, wrapped in a blanket, looking down at them with a smile.

Looking up at her husband, Thebe smiled said: "Come and see your son, Art."

Walking over, Art looked down upon his son in the arms of his wife and uttered his appellation: "Gann… Gann mac Art… Gann, Son of Art."

"He is a healthy boy." Commented the midwife. "You are a lucky couple."

Sitting on the bed next to Thebe, Art held out his finger and continued to smile as his son took hold of it. He was so happy, he and Thebe.

Niall then jumped up onto the bed and approached the happy couple and their infant. Sniffing the baby, the lynx for a moment stepped back when Gann tried to pet him, looking at Art with wide eyes and his ears back.

Giving a small chuckle, Art said to his caracal companion: "It is alright, Niall. Gann just wants to say 'Hello.'"

Taking another step closer, Niall returned to sniffing the infant who petted him while Art and Thebe could do naught but smile.