As dawn broke on a cool autumn morning, rays of light glistened off of the golden canopy of the forest and the frost-covered blades of grass. Birds chirped, heralding the arrival of a new day. In the nearby cottage, nestled in the shadow of the towering Zaharûn Peaks of the Luminous Kingdom, A midwife finally settled down after a bustling night of activity.
Inside, the aftermath of a long night was evident. A midwife, her hands still dusted with flour from hastily abandoned breadmaking, finally sat to rest. She watched as a young woman cradled her newborn, the faint flicker of the hearth light highlighting the mother's short black hair and striking blood-red eyes. Despite the fatigue etched into her features, her smile radiated warmth and a profound joy.
Outside the door, a man with golden hair and cerulean eyes paced back and forth, his boots scraping against the old wooden planks. His every movement spoke of a restless worry, his gaze darting repeatedly toward the door. When it finally creaked open, he surged forward, his concern etched into his voice.
"Ame! Are you alright? Is he—?"
"She smiled softly, her voice calm despite her exhaustion. "We're fine, Elias. Just tired."
Elias stepped closer, his eyes immediately drawn to the tiny bundle cradled in his wife's arms. His breath hitched, the overwhelming mix of relief and wonder silencing him. A faint whimper from the baby brought him back to himself.
"What... what will we name him?" he asked, his tone filled with curiosity and reverence.
Ame's gaze softened as she studied her son. "Orion," she whispered. "So he can become a star one day."
Elias smiled, his worries momentarily forgotten. "Orion. It's perfect."
They spoke quietly of their hopes and dreams for their son, their voices weaving a gentle lullaby that carried them into a brief but peaceful slumber.
By the time they awoke to Orion's hungry cries, the sun had begun its descent. Ame held her child close, her voice tender as she nursed him. "You're so easy to please, little one," she murmured with a soft chuckle.
Elias, drawn from his light dozing, watched them with quiet admiration. As the baby drifted back into sleep, the couple shared a moment of wordless connection, the crackling of the fire their only companion.
As the first light of dawn painted the snowcapped Zaharûn Peaks in hues of gold and pink, Elias stirred awake. Orion and Ame still slumbering in his arms, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. He smiled, a deep sense of pride as he gazed down at his family.
For a moment, he lay still, savoring the warmth and serenity of the moment. But the day would not wait. Gently, he slid his arm from under his wife's head, careful not to disturb her. Rising from the bed, he moved quietly across the room, slipping on his worn trousers and buckling his weathered leather boots. He shrugged on his fur-lined fleece jacket, the garment a trusted shield against the mountain's chill.
He paused for a moment, glancing back at the bed. "I'll be back soon," he whispered.
Stepping outside into the crisp morning air, the world greeted him with its serene beauty. A fine mist clung to the slopes, the distant peaks glowing in the soft morning light. His breath rose in clouds as he trudged toward the woodshed, the frost-laden ground crunching beneath his boots.
Elias worked steadily for nearly an hour, the sharp clanging of his axe echoing through the forest as he split logs of maple and pine filling the woodshed's stock. The effort left his muscles burning with exhaustion, his breath coming in labored puffs. Finally, with a bundle of firewood stacked high in his arms, he returned to the cottage.
Inside, the air was chilly, the fire in the stove reduced to a faint glow of embers. Setting down the wood beside the hearth, Elias quickly added a few sticks of kindling, coaxing the embers into life. As the flame caught, he muttered a satisfied, "There we go."
He turned to the hickory trunk near the wall and opened it, revealing his trusted bow. Its polished surface bore the etched scars of battles long past. Stroking it briefly, he murmured, "Still with me after all these years?" Slinging the quiver over his shoulder, he stepped back out into the crisp morning air.
The forest greeted him with its tranquil symphony—the rhythmic tapping of a woodpecker hammering against the bark, the faint rustling of leaves carried by the breeze, and the crunch of dried autumn foliage beneath his boots. The golden light filtering through the canopy created dappled patterns on the forest floor.
The air was sharp, laced with the scent of pine and earth, as Elias moved quietly through the woodlands, every step deliberate. Then, he froze.
A faint rustling reached his ears, distinct from the natural chorus of the forest. Silently, he crouched and adjusted his position, his trained eyes scanning the thicket ahead. He crept forward, weaving through the trees until he spotted the source of the noise—a horned rabbit."Big one this time," Elias muttered under his breath.
The creature stood amidst the brush, its velvety silver fur glinting like polished metal. Its horn, curved and sharp like that of a unicorn, jutted proudly from its forehead. Despite its resemblance to an ordinary rabbit, its sheer size—comparable to that of a medium-sized canine—gave it an imposing presence.
Elias's hand instinctively reached for an arrow. He notched it onto the worn bowstring, feeling the familiar tension as he drew it back. His muscles tightened, his breath steadying as he aimed.
'Crack!!!'
The arrow whistled through the air with deadly precision, finding its mark in the cranium of the horned rabbit.
The beast collapsed instantly, the forest falling silent as if in respect for the fallen creature. Elias lowered his bow, exhaling deeply as a sense of accomplishment.
Slinging the bow over his shoulder, he approached his prize with measured steps, kneeling briefly to inspect the kill before hefting it over his back. As he hefted the rabbit, he chuckled softly to himself, "impressive one time."
Back at his shed, a modest wood-paneled structure tucked behind the cottage, Elias pushed open the door, the faint tang of cured hides and aged wood greeting him. He strung the horned rabbit up by its hind legs on a sturdy iron hook, its body swaying slightly as he prepared his tools.
"Nice pelt—this will fetch a good price. And plenty of meat for stew..."He thought.
With practiced ease, he made a clean incision along the rabbit's stomach, carefully slicing through the hide. His hands worked deftly, removing the organs and intestines, which he deposited into a wooden pail for later disposal.
The emptied carcass hung lighter now, and then he lowered it onto the nearby bench. The skinning process began, the sharp edge of his blade sliding smoothly between the fur and the flesh. In one fluid motion, he stripped the hide free, revealing the pale meat beneath. Stretching the pelt onto a drying rack already lined with other hides, he took a moment to admire its soft, velvety texture.
Turning back to the carcass, Elias took up his knife again and expertly quartered the beast. Each cut was calculated, separating the legs, shoulders, and backstrap into neat portions.
He wrapped the choice cuts in waxed cloth to keep them fresh and set the smaller scraps aside in a wooden container for stew. Satisfied with his work, Elias cleaned his tools, the rhythmic sound of sharpening steel filling the quiet shed.
With the morning's labor complete, he carried the meat and hides back into the house, setting them on the counter. Reaching for a simple wooden bowl, he extended his free hand and softly intoned, "Aqua Globus Evocare." A faint blue glow emanated from his fingertips, and a shimmering orb of water materialized, hovering obediently in the air. With precision, he guided the sphere into the pot on the stovetop, releasing the spell as the water settled inside with a gentle splash. The comforting sounds of bubbling water and crackling fire soon filled the room.
Elias glanced toward the bed, where Ame and Orion were still curled together, their faces peaceful in sleep. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he turned back to the stove, setting about preparing breakfast.
Soon after, Ame awoke to the sound of Elias bustling about and the savory aroma of stew wafting through the cottage. The sun was already well into its ascent, casting golden light through the window. Carefully, she sat up with Orion nestled in her arms, then gently placed him on her lap. Leaning back against the headboard, she let the warmth of the stove and the morning's glow wash over her.
Her gaze fell to her precious child, her heart swelling as she took in his tiny features: the soft black hair as dark as a night, his pale skin kissed with a rosy hue, the small, round nose, and delicate hands and feet. Each detail filled her with awe. With a contented sigh, she rested her head against the bed, her eyes closing briefly as a faint but tender smile curved her lips.
"Good morning, honey," she said warmly to Elias, her voice carrying a gentle affection.
He turned, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Good morning, sleepy. Breakfast is almost ready."
"Smells good," she said, her eyes lighting up as she glanced at Orion nestled beside her. "Busy morning already?"
Elias glanced over from the stove, to check if rabbit stew was ready.
"Always," he replied.
He carefully ladled the steaming broth into two wooden bowls and set them aside.
Then, he filled a small basin with water, warming it on the stove until it was hot.
Once taking it off the stove, he carried it over to Ame along with a soft washcloth. "Here, freshen up before breakfast," he said, his voice low and caring as he placed the basin within her reach.
She smiled, "You do to much for us you know."
Elias chuckled, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "And I wouldn't have it any other way... love you," he said
Ame smiled, her cheeks warming even more at the gesture. "Love you too," she replied softly, her gaze lingering on him as he turned to fetch their breakfast.
Elias reached up into the cabinet and grabbed two walnut spoons. He carefully plopped them into the steaming bowls of rabbit stew, the rich aroma wafting through the cozy cottage.
-Carrying the bowls over to the dining table, he placed one at the head and the other at the seat adjacent before settling into his chair with a satisfied sigh.
Ame gently moved Orion from her lap, laying him softly on the bed. She adjusted the blanket over him, ensuring he was snug and warm, then walked over to join Elias. Pulling out the chair beside him, she brushed her hair back and gave him a warm smile as she sat.
Before lifting their spoons, Elias bowed his head, his voice calm and reverent. "May this food bless our bodies."
Together, they responded, "Amen," their voices echoing softly in the humble cottage.
The moment of quiet gratitude transitioned to eager anticipation as they dug into the stew. The sweet aroma of rabbit slow-cooked with earthy vegetables and fragrant spices filled their senses, and each bite was a burst of warmth and comfort. The creamy texture of the broth complemented the tender meat, creating a meal that felt like a warm embrace on a chilly day.
Ame, unable to contain her enthusiasm, dramatically said before she had even finished swallowing her first bite. "Oh my God, this is so good! Mmmmh!" she exclaimed, her words muffled but her delight unmistakable.
Elias smirked, leaning back slightly in his chair with mock pride. "Of course, I made it," he replied with a playful roll of his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ame chuckled, playfully nudging his arm. "Alright, Chef Elias. I'll give you that one."
Their laughter filled the small room as they chatted about random topics, their voices blending with the gentle crackle of the hearth. Time passed comfortably until a soft whimper from the bed caught their attention. Orion stirred under the blanket, his tiny fists curling and uncurling as his face scrunched up. A faint cry broke the peace, growing louder with each passing moment.
The soft whimper from the bed drew everyone's attention, halting the conversation about kingdom affairs. Orion stirred under the blanket, his tiny fists curling and uncurling as his face scrunched up. A faint cry broke the quiet, growing louder with each passing moment.
Ame quickly rose, her maternal instincts taking over. She crossed the room, her movements gentle but purposeful, and leaned down to scoop Orion into her arms. Wrapping him snugly in his swaddle, she whispered soothing words, her voice soft and melodic. She carried him to the oak rocking chair Elias had crafted just a month ago, its smooth curves a testament to his skill and care.
Settling into the chair, Ame adjusted her blouse and cradled Orion close, beginning to nurse him. The rhythmic creak of the rocking chair mingled with Orion's quiet suckling, and soon his cries softened into contented murmurs. Ame gazed down at him with a tender smile, brushing a strand of dark hair from his tiny forehead.
As she rocked him, she glanced up at Elias, her eyes shimmering with sarcasm. "He's just like you, you know that?"
Elias raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair with a curious smirk. "What are you talking about? Like me... he looks like you."
Ame chuckled, shaking her head. "yeah but, he has your appetite like a bottomless pit? That's all you."
Elias laughed a deep and hearty laugh that filled the room. "I'm not that bad!"
Ame smirked, her tone teasing. "Oh, really? Should I remind you about when we met?"
Elias quickly responded. "that was different I was starving."
The rest of the morning unfolded in tranquil harmony. Ame and Elias finished their breakfast, savoring the quiet moments together. Ame sat by the crackling fire with Orion nestled in her arms, the soft glow of the flames casting a warm light across the room. She hummed a gentle tune, her fingers tracing soothing patterns on Orion's tiny hand, as the baby drifted in and out of sleep.
Meanwhile, Elias busied himself preparing for the villagers' visit to meet the newborn child. The steady rhythm of his work—polishing the wooden cradle, tidying the living space, and arranging a small table with tea and bread—blended seamlessly with the comforting ambiance of their home. Occasionally, he glanced toward Ame and Orion, a quiet smile gracing his face as the peaceful rhythm of family life filled the air.