Njord frequently slipped into sleep, exhausted by his harrowing battle. A few days after arriving, father and daughter were shepherded to the Sveijarn-Corten ulaq, shaded by the large and familiar tree.
@Sialuk, though a new mother, was diligent in attending to the wounded pair. Though their injuries weren’t life-threatening, it didn’t make them any less painful or prone to infection.
But Njord felt his age. Sore muscles ached with every turn of his body and his wounds didn’t heal nearly as fast as his young daughter’s. Yet, he was content that he had brought Seal home alive, even if damaged. Memories of Swordfish and Quennell couldn’t be helped.
The pretty chime of their Ulaq’s songmaker woke Njord. The aroma of medicinal herbs was thick in the air. Just then, he could hear
@Meerkat outside the den.
“Mo Chride, are ye there?” he asked with a groggy voice, wanting her near.
I’m here,
the words slipped from her mouth before Meerkat consciously realized she was speaking them. I’m here,
she repeated where she suddenly stood beside him, bending down to gently nose his cheek. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?
Like a vision, Meerkat appeared at his bedside.
I’m here. I’m here.
The leather of Njord’s nose and lips were dry, his whiskers bent and disorderly. For the first time in days, he felt lucid, like the brain fog from exhaustion had cleared. It left a cloudless look at horrific memories of his daughter and the wounded men who had defended her. The pelagic blue of Njord’s eyes became glassy, the white corners rosy with emotion.
Do you need anything?
Njord reached out a hand to hold one of Meerkat’s paws and firmly kissed the back of it. His lungs filled to capacity and then a long, shaky sigh whistled out – like a tired man putting down heavy bags.
He fell into quiet communion with Meerkat’s soul and passed soundless sentiments.
We almost lost a child.
There need not be anything said out loud, the look of him conveyed all.
“How is she?” he said after a few long moments, gaze shifting over to Seal who slept curled in the adjacent corner.
He didn’t answer right away. Njord took a few moments to gather himself first. Meerkat smiled thinly at the weight of his paw, eyes glimmering when he kissed the back of hers. She lowered herself to the ground beside him, shifting so their bodies were parallel, her paw never slipping from his grasp.
She’s going to be okay,
Meerkat said, thanks to you and the others…
She trapped a sigh in her chest. She’s in pain and that’s hard to watch. We’re trying to keep her as comfortable as possible but…
Would Seal end up like Fish, not just physically wounded but mentally scarred as well? Meerkat was immensely grateful she was alive but she certainly wasn’t well. Only time would tell if she would make a complete recovery.
I’m just glad she’s sleeping right now, it means she’s not in so much pain that she can’t,
Meerkat whispered, staring at Seal’s curled figure for a long beat.
Her eyes then shifted back to her husband’s face. She worried that he was in pain too. Was he hungry? Thirsty? Did he need help relieving himself? Meerkat would do anything at all to help him. Not only was he her mate, he was also her hero.
How do you feel, mo chride? Tell me if there’s anything you need,
she whispered, nudging the crown of her head against his cheekbone.
The father’s gaze was fixed upon the slow rise and fall of Seal’s sleeping breaths as his wife spoke words of encouragement. Then, his head tipped back and thumped upon the cold wall of their ulaq, relieved.
Njord’s eyes traced the roots along the ceiling for a moment in quiet contemplation. The thousand-yard stare was like a window into the turning gears of his mind… as if he was ordering his thoughts into a great big Rolodex. There was more he wanted to say, but he feared Seal would wake.
His jaw clenched and he swallowed, throat dry and sticky. “Help me tae tha water, my love?” he asked of her as Njord began to shift his weight back onto his haunches.
Of course,
the words fell from her lips without thought, eager to assist her mate. But then it occurred to her, I can fetch water and bring it to you. There’s a shell, here…
Planting a light kiss on his cheekbone, Meerkat pushed onto all fours and tiptoed to a small cache of medical supplies tucked in the corner of the ulaq. There was a small turtle shell among the objects. It was small and shallow, though she’d already had much practice scooping water with it.
I can make as many trips as you need,
she assured, preparing to grasp the shell in her teeth, unless you’d like to stretch your legs and walk to the water with me. It’s up to you, my love,
Meerkat murmured, eyes soft.
A sharp ache reminded Njord that attempting to move might be a bad idea. He sucked in a breath and settled back down, pushing through the pain like a man trudging through mud.
“Maybe… staying put is best,” he admitted stubbornly with a weak laugh. The mirth on his face was interrupted by a flash of hurt. Njord always held his wife in high esteem but now, more than ever, he was grateful for such an attentive partner.
He watched as she artfully picked up the turtle’s shell to fetch water, and drank his fill when she returned.
Quenched, and feeling better than before, Njord reclined and reflected on just how happy that both he and Seal were alive. Water had never tasted so sweet.
“Thank ye, mo nighean fionn.” The man’s paw cupped his wife’s cheek, grateful that he had lived another day and could yet again admire the rich whisky in her eyes. Then, his mien became solemn, sobered by the thought that others might not be so lucky.
“We couldnae ‘av escaped without Shard or Bronco.” He had told Moonspear of their merits and bravery. How the four of them fought for their lives and chased off the beast. Yet, he had not – could not have – described the horrific gruesomeness of it all.
Njord continued on with a somber tone. “But your brother… he was grievously injured. A woman, an’ others from Brecheliant, fetched him… he walked away, but…” Njord’s voice trailed in a bad way. “Ye should be with him,” he urged.
She kissed his forehead when he thanked her, then curled up next to him when Njord settled back again. Meerkat listened as he reminded her that he hadn’t saved their daughter alone.
Her face tightened when he said the word “brother,” then urged her to go to Bronco. Meerkat was very grateful for what he’d done but…
I’m not going anywhere,
she said quietly, nosing at Njord’s cheekbone.
Surely Bronco was in good hands. And perhaps when her husband and child were mended, she would seek him out to thank him. They hadn’t been close in quite some time, though Meerkat certainly wanted to acknowledge his actions.
Are you hungry?
she wondered, knowing that proper sustenance would help Njord heal faster.
If Njord thought had could have swayed Meerkat, he would have said something more. However, Njord knew that if his wife’s mind was made then she would never leave the side of her sick or injured family. After all, they had been through with Swordfish… those memories had forever changed them both.
His head felt heavy and when Meerkat curled up beside him, it fell across her shoulders. “Nay,” he hummed. “Just… just tired.” Meerkat’s presence sustained him enough. A slow blink whetted his eyes as his body relaxed. To think, just the other day they had been patrolling the copse…
“Tell me somethin’ beautiful,” Njord murmured as fatigue began to take hold.
He said he only wanted to sleep. Meerkat frowned but didn’t argue with him, curling to accommodate the weight of his head resting on her shoulders. She shifted a little, keen to make sure he was as comfortable as possible.
A bloody venison steak… a hot rabbit drumstick… a fresh fish filet…
she mused in reply to his prompt, hoping to whet his appetite a little. Maybe a juicy duck liver, mmm. Doesn’t that sound good right about now?
she murmured.
Njord rolled to one side and nestled into Meerkat’s flaxen fur. A half-awake laugh was all he could muster as she listed tantalizing cuts of meats. Beautiful, indeed.
“Tha’ sounds so… so…” Njord drifted off to sleep, softly snoring, with a small smile upon his face.