Deepwood Weald younger than the mountains

It was first the scrabbling of her claws and then her scent snaking on the breeze that woke Dutch from his nap. He stretched and yawned, and by the time Minnow greeted him, had rolled upright to lie sphinx-like on his belly.

"Good morning," he said, his tail sweeping through the grass. He nudged the rabbit toward her, too lazy to get up. "I brought breakfast — to eat, instead of squirreling away."

He eyed her round belly, trying to measure the days remaining 'til birth in the circumference of her middle.

"How are you feeling, mere bahan?" he asked, his voice gentling. There was a pinch of concern in the corners of his eyes, but his steady calm shone through.