**Araatris:** Nysse gasps, holding her belly as she doubles over. “N-no! It’s too soon. We haven’t had the wedding, yet.” Rhese supports her, rubbing her back.

**Rhoelyn:** “Lovely, they don’t know they’re supposed to wait. If it’s time, we’ll welcome them and have it later. They won’t mind.” His voice is soothing.

**Araatris:** She takes a few steps across the house, wincing and sucking in some breaths. “But I want them to be Silverwings. Can they still be Silverwings?”

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese frowns in concern, but quickly smiles. “Yes, of course they can be Silverwings. Are you sure you don’t want me to get Rhoelyn yet?”

**Araatris:** The huntress shakes her head even as she pauses and hunches over through another contraction. He sighs and brushes her sweaty hair back.

**Rhoelyn:** “I don’t think I’m that close yet. Rhoe said it could take hours.” Nysse grimaces and leans against him. “It’s the middle of the day still.”

**Araatris:** Rhese holds her while she breathes until it finally eases. “That may be, lovely, but she’ll be heartbroken if she misses their birth.”

**Rhoelyn:** There’s a slight hesitation before she nods. “Go. I’ll manage for a few minutes without you.” Rhese snags a nearby chair. “Sit while I’m gone.”

**Araatris:** She nods and settles down gingerly, resting a hand on her big, round belly. “Yami!” her mate calls to the other room. “I’m not coming in there!”

**Rhoelyn:** “I’m heading to get Rhoelyn. Help your mother if she needs anything.” Rhese calls in exasperation. Yami replies sheepishly, “Yes, an’da.”

**Araatris:** The druid leans down to kiss Nysse gently before he heads for the door. Outside, he shifts into his cat form and races through the snow.

**Rhoelyn:** He rushes to her home and shifts, knocking on the door frantically. “Sis!” No answer. “Rhoelyn!” He reaches for the handle when he hears footsteps.

**Araatris:** Leothir tugs open the door, shirtless and tousled. Rhese grimaces. “Cenarius’ Beard! Put some clothes on! I’m blinded by your pasty chest.”

**Araatris:** “Oh, ha,” comes the droll reply. “Aren’t you a font of wit this frosty afternoon?” Rhese snorts as he continues, “Rhoelyn is coming. She knew.”

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese blinks. “Wait, she knew? But we didn’t even-” He shakes his head and grins. “It doesn’t matter. How much longer?” He bounces between his feet.

**Araatris:** “No longer, brother.” Rhoelyn rests a hand on Leo’s shoulder as he moves aside. She steps past him, taking Rhese’s hand. “My dawn, follow soon?”

**Rhoelyn:** Chuckling, Leo nods. “Yes. You’d better go before he’s too blinded by me to see the babes.” Rhese grumbles, “You’d better put on more clothes…”

**Araatris:** The blood elf shivers, wrapping his arms around his bare skin. “You don’t have to convince me. Get going before Nysse kills you for socializing.”

**Rhoelyn:** The druid nods, tugging his sister alongside him. The door shuts behind them. Rhese huffs, “She was planning to try and wait until evening.”

**Araatris:** Rhoelyn grins, her boots shuffing in the snow. “She has learned only some of her stubbornness from you. Are the pains coming often?”

**Rhoelyn:** “Yes, and they’re strong enough that she has to wait them out.” Rhese’s grip tightens on his sister as they turn and see the building ahead.

**Araatris:** She pats his hand soothingly. “Don’t fret, brother. We will see all three of them safely through this.” “I know.” Still, he hurries their steps.

**Rhoelyn:** Yami’s voice comes through the door when they reach it, “Min’da, I’ll check the cribs. Just rest.” Rhese grimaces at Rhoe and opens the door.

**Araatris:** As soon as they walk into the room, Nysse cries out relievedly, “Rhese!” She holds a hand out to him, hunched over, and he immediately takes it.

**Rhoelyn:** “Now, lovely, didn’t I suggest that you should wait?” He tucks her hair back. Nysse frowns anxiously and clings to his hand. “But the cribs-”

**Araatris:** “Are completely solid and ready for the babies already, Nysse,” he says softly, rubbing her back. “You’ve already checked four times.”

**Rhoelyn:** Rhoelyn smiles gently. “Let’s get you resting so I can check you, sister. Are you ready to walk?” Nysse nods and reaches for Rhoelyn’s hand.

**Araatris:** The priestess escorts her sister gently to the next room while Rhese mills about, nervous. Yami pats his back. “An’da, let’s make some tea.”

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese nods distractedly. “Yeah, sure.” Yami sighs and nudges him towards the kitchen. “Could you get the tea? I’ll put some water on.” “Huh?”

**Araatris:** The young man giggles and leans back, putting his weight into tugging his father to the other room. “Come on. Min’nu has it under control. Tea.”

**Rhoelyn:** The druid follows Yami, but continues to glance over his shoulder. “Maybe I should be in-” Yami grins and shakes his head. “They said no, an’da.”

**Araatris:** Through much cajoling and distracting, the voidling manages to distract his father long enough for Leothir’s knock at the door.

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese strides to the door and opens it. “At least you’re wearing more clothes this time.” Leothir snorts. “It’s freezing and I don’t have fur.”

**Araatris:** The druid smirks and beckons him in, closing out the cold behind him. “More’s the pity. We made tea. I’ll add a bit of felwort to yours…”

**Rhoelyn:** “No, thank you.” The mage settles down at the table. “So, what shall we do to pass time?” Yami pours Leothir a cup of tea and sits next to him.

**Araatris:** The sin’dorei grins and reaches into his embroidered vest’s inner pocket, pulling out a satchel. It rattles when he shakes it. “I know a game…”

**Rhoelyn:** A couple hours later, Nysse cries out from the other room. Yami and Leothir look at Rhese sympathetically as he half-stands then sits down.

**Araatris:** It takes another game of dice, a few more cups of tea – the last two laced with something a bit more intoxicating – and another hour (c)

**Araatris:** (c) before Rhoelyn calls out from the other room. “Rhese. Brother, it is time.” Her request is accompanied by a shrieked, “Get your butt in here!”

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese knocks over his chair in his hurry. “I’m coming!” Nysse is reclined, sweat beading on her face. He kneels by her and grasps her hand.

**Araatris:** The huntress sucks in breaths through her teeth, grimacing through another wave of pain before she settles back. “Surfal, will you receive them?”

**Rhoelyn:** “Yes, of course, lovely.” The druid glances at Rhoelyn, hoping his nervousness doesn’t show. His sister smiles reassuringly at him.

**Araatris:** As Nysse tenses into another wave of pain, the priestess returns her attention to her labor, saying, “Now, sister. Now push.”

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress bears down, forcing herself to breath. “Again.” Nysse groans, but complies. “You’re almost there, sister.” Rhese leans to look.

**Araatris:** His amber eyes widen, and he gulps as she strains. Rhoe grabs his wrist and pulls him around. “There.” He reaches for the little crowning head.

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese supports the baby until the little one rests fully in his hands and cries loudly. Rhoelyn reaches for something out of sight.

**Araatris:** She works beside her brother to tie the umbilical cord and slice it free with a dagger as he pulls the squalling little girl against his chest.

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese smiles and gazes at Nysse, “A beautiful, healthy baby girl, Nysse.” Nysse smiles through another contraction as Rhoelyn hands Rhese a towel.

**Araatris:** Yami’s voice from the other room has Rhese chuckling as he tucks a whisper-soft blanket around their daughter. “I hear crying, an’nu! A baby!”

**Rhoelyn:** “Yes, the first one is here. You’ll get to meet them soon.” Leo’s amused voice drifts in. Rhoelyn softly encourages Nysse to push again.

**Araatris:** The druid cleans the baby and gives her a little kiss before resting her on Nysse’s sternum and supporting her there as his mate continues to labor.

**Rhoelyn:** Rhoelyn calls for Rhese. “This one is coming quickly, brother. They’re impatient to join their sister.” Rhese checks his daughter before moving.

**Araatris:** “You’re doing so well, my lovely.” He kisses Nysse’s sweaty brow before he moves around the bed, readying to receive their secondborn.

**Rhoelyn:** The second child slides easily into his hands. Rhese grins. “A boy!” Nysse laughs tiredly. “They wanted to follow in the Silverwing tradition.”

**Araatris:** Handling the crying newborn carefully, he smiles and says, “Except I was the firstborn.” Rhoelyn quietly comments as she works, “Not so, brother.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse cradles the baby girl. “Do you know for sure?” She coos softly. “It’s alright now, Mirrase. We’re here.” Mirrase grasps her finger.

**Araatris:** Rhese shakes his head, carefully washing their upset son. “No. We don’t.” He wraps the boy in another blanket before laying him in Nysse’s arm.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse smiles at him. “Then Rhoe could have been first. Not that it’d make any difference.” She bites her lip. “What should we name him?”

**Araatris:** The druid sits at her side as his sister continues her gentle ministrations, unobtrusive. “Rhylian. What do you think of Rhylian, dalah’surfal?”

**Rhoelyn:** “Rhylian.” She muses over the name. “It… feels right for him, but…,” Nysse glances at Rhoelyn, “they won’t have names that feel alike.”

**Araatris:** Rhese brushes her wet hair back, leaning forward to cup one hand around a tiny head. The babies root hungrily. “I’m not sure that it matters.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse shakes her head, then giggles. “Are you two hungry already? I thought you’d be too tired to eat.” She tries to shift them to nurse.

**Araatris:** Between the two of them, they get the tired mother and their new babes comfortable and content. Rhoelyn bustles quietly around them, humming.

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress rests her eyes for a long moment, then takes a deep breath. “Beloved, Yami is probably bursting with excitement. Do you want to…?”

**Araatris:** Rhese doesn’t move at first, instead brushing a tender hand along her cheek and watching the babies nurse. “Are you ready for his excitement?”

**Rhoelyn:** “Yes, I’d… I’d like to see his face when he sees them.” She giggles and Mirrase fusses. “Oh! Sorry, little darling. That was my fault.”

**Araatris:** As her mate heads into the other room, the priestess hands Nysse a cup of cold water. “You are tired and dry, my sister. Drink it all, please.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse blushes and mumbles, “I don’t know how I’m going to hold them and the cup… What if I splash them–”

**Araatris:** Rhoe smiles, amused. “Of course, my sister. We can’t have that. You rest.” Moving with the experience of one used to caring, she helps her drink.

**Rhoelyn:** The huntress complies meekly. “Thank you…” Nervously, she whispers, “Am I doing alright? I’m so scared of hurting them or… dropping one…”

**Araatris:** “You are doing perfectly, my strong sister.” The priestess smiles warmly, brushing a hand from her temple to each baby’s head. “They are happy.”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse smiles in relief. “I’m glad. I’m so glad that you’re here to help us. I don’t know what we’d do without you, Rhoe.” “Min’da, may I come in?”

**Araatris:** The huntress barely gets the first sound of “yes” out before Yami dashes in, skidding to a late stop. Rhoelyn catches him beside the bed.

**Rhoelyn:** Both Rhoelyn and Nysse laugh. “My little light, meet your little brother, Rhylian, and your sister, Mirrase. Would you like to hold one?”

**Araatris:** He regards the tiny, dusky-skinned babies with wide eyes. Rhese and Leothir walk in behind him at a much more reasonable pace. “I-I can?”

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse regards him in amusement. “Of course! Why wouldn’t their big brother be able to hold them? Now, which one do you want to meet first?”

**Araatris:** Stunned, he leans over them and lifts the blanket away from little Mirrase’s head. “This one! Min’da, look at the hair! It’s like seafoam.”

**Rhoelyn:** “Seafoam? I suppose it does, doesn’t it?” Nysse guides him gently. “Make sure you support her head.” Rhoelyn lends her helping hand.

**Araatris:** Soon Yami is settled in the chair by the bedside, cradling Mirrase in his arms. He runs a gentle finger along her cheek in wonder, smiling.

**Rhoelyn:** Nysse smiles at Rhese and teases. “Would you like to show off our new son to Leothir?” The druid smirks and leans down to give her a kiss.

**Araatris:** “I’ll enjoy seeing his envy,” he whispers softly to her, the smirk turning a bit wicked. He gently gathers the sleeping boy into his big hands.

**Rhoelyn:** He tucks the sleeping babe in his arm and straightens. “Leo, meet Rhylian.” He pulls the cloth back from the sleeping child’s head.

**Araatris:** The mage can’t help the warm grin that he levels on the boy, especially when Rhoelyn presses against his side to peer around his shoulder.

**Rhoelyn:** The boy’s fine hair is an aqua blue. Leo chuckles. “With hair like that, it’d be fitting if he decided to be a frost mage.” Rhoelyn giggles.

**Araatris:** Rhese’s look is halfway between horrified and hostile, but he sighs and still hands him over. “Oh, my dawn,” Rhoe chides, shaking her head.

**Rhoelyn:** Leothir looks slightly remorseful as he takes Rhylian. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sure he’d be fine at anything he sets his mind to.”

**Araatris:** The priestess rests a hand on the back of her mate’s shoulder as she tugs her brother close and kisses his cheek. “He is amazing. They both are.”

**Rhoelyn:** The mage nods in agreement. “He really is a handsome little fellow.” He straightens what hair the boy has. “Congratulations to both of you.”

**Araatris:** Rhese smiles and watches as Leo passes the baby to Rhoelyn. “Thank you,” he rumbles. Rhoe coos at him as Rhylian blinks open his eyes.

**Rhoelyn:** Yami tentatively stands and walks over to Rhese with Mirrase. “Are you going to call Verune and Morthis soon, an’da? They’ll want to know.”

**Araatris:** Leothir grins brightly, leaning around Rhoe and nuzzling Rhylian’s cheek with a gentle finger. “Everyone is going to want to know, I dare say.”

**Rhoelyn:** The young man giggles, “Yeah, but min’da will want to tell her parents.” He turns to her and notices her eyes are closed. “Oh… she’s asleep.”

**Araatris:** Rhoelyn passes her nephew back to Leo, going over to gently check on Nysse. Rhese says, “I think we can wait until this evening to make calls.”

**Rhoelyn:** Leothir nods. “Yes, she must be worn out. We should let her rest a bit. Should we step out, princess?” The mage pats the boy’s back gently.

**Araatris:** Reassured, Rhoe leans down and gives Nysse’s cheek a gentle kiss, whispering, “You are so brave, sister. Sleep well.” She turns back and nods.

**Rhoelyn:** Rhese lingers as the others leave, brushing her hair back and kissing her forehead. “I love you. Get some well-deserved rest, dalah’surfal.”

**Araatris:** The huntress sleeps on as he quietly makes his way from the room, and something in her dreams or in her heart has her lips curling up in a smile.