Chapter 144: Fin

It was the dining hour, the sun was setting in a blaze of magnificent golds and red, and the castle servants and courtiers were in jovial spirits… all save for the Viscountess Ashowan.

With Physician Durand positioned down by her legs and Fin sitting behind his wife holding both her hands as she bore down and worked to push out the first of their children, anyone in the second floor corridor could hear her shrieks and grunts.

“Oh Gods, I never knew how nerve wracking it was on the other side,” the Queen admitted as she wiped her sweaty palms on her mustard colored dress and once again brought a damp cloth to Annika’s forehead.

“Not… HELPING!” Annika shouted as her eyes squeezed shut and she gasped through yet another burst of pain and pushing.

“My Lady you are very nearly there, I believe I can see the head of the first babe!” Physician Durand called out encouragingly as the Viscountess dropped her head back onto Fin’s shoulder while he whispered words of encouragement and assurance.

“Alright, give one big push!”

Annika screamed bloody murder, and poor Keith who sat outside of the door with his father succumbed to tears while swearing over and over he would never be able to have children knowing how awful it sounded.

“The head is out, My Lady! One more big one… yes… yes… splendid, Viscountess!” The Physician cajoled as he immediately wrapped the first of the couple’s children in a snowy white towel.

Fin’s eyes were glued on the tiny bundle in Durand’s arms, his heart thundering in his chest.

“Viscount, Viscountess, you have a daughter!” the Physician smiled as he presented the new parents their freshly born infant. Her small shrieks and waving fists an excellent sign of her splendid health.

Letting out a weakened sob, with trembling arms, Annika reached out to take her firstborn into her arms eagerly.

“She’s… so tiny…” Annika managed weakly as Fin stared starstruck down into his daughter’s tiny face. She was immediately beginning to calm down in her mother’s arms, her eyes struggling to open in her new bright world.

“She…” Fin trailed off as he reached around his wife and gently touched the infant’s hand, making the small girl ever so slowly frown, then peel open one eye… and then the other.

“Oh my!” he Queen gasped from the bedside as both Fin and Annika gazed in equal astonishment into the bright golden eyes that peered up at them. There was already a magical shine in their depths that was incredibly striking.

“I take it… you… are the fire witch,” Annika whispered as she tenderly reached her hand up, and brushed her thumb against her daughter’s cheek.

Both the Viscount and his wife stared down into their daughter’s beautiful eyes that resembled the brilliant sun that was still in the process of setting on the horizon. The world felt whole and still as the beginning of their new family wrote itself forever in their memories and hearts.

“Alright Viscoutness, we’re about ready to begin pushing again!” Physician Durand chirped happily.

Both Annika and Fin’s stricken expression lifted to stare at the elder, who may have been somewhat optimistic about how the news would be handled.

Then, in perfect unison the couple burst out,  “Son of mage.”

***

“Congratulations, Finlay, my boy! Two children, healthy and happy!” Lord Fuks clapped the redhead on his shoulder as the men all stood outside the banquet hall wishing happy tidings to the new father.

“Aside from the Lady Ashowan’s screams permanently making me grandchildless… this is indeed a joyous occasion!” Lee admitted with only the barest hint of agitation in his voice. As Lord Fuks set to packing a pipe of his finest tobacco for Finlay before handing out the dried leaves for the others to enjoy.

Fin accepted the pipe and with a snap of his fingers had it lit and was puffing gratefully with a smile.

“I didn’t know you enjoyed pipe tobacco, House Witch,” Lee noted with vague interest as the young Lord leaned against the wall to his side and settled into his smoke.

“I didn’t used to, but being away from Annika during her pregnancy, and chasing out the last of the Troivackian soldiers has proven to be slightly more stressful than I anticipated.”

“Were you able to use your magic in Rollom after all? His majesty was rather vague with his correspondence out of fear the missives would be interrupted.” Lord Fuks asked curiously.

“Ah… about that… after a bit of trial and error… Yes. Though now that I’m no longer residing there, I don’t think I can use long range magic. About halfway back up the continent I could feel myself lose connection with it. I think I’d have to visit the city again to reestablish that connection, but even so… His Majesty counted it as a very promising development. I’ll be doing annual tours of the cities and establish a governing office of witches in each one to ensure education and work is being fairly corroborated between Daxaria’s citizens and our own kind.”

Lord Fuks let out a long whistle, while puffing away on his own pipe. “You sound like a proper aristocrat, boy. With far too much work to do and an unnecessary do-gooder outlook to boot.”

Fin laughed and rubbed his eyes wearily. “Yes, well… I want to try and unite and make Daxaria as strong as possible if what Aidan said before he died is true… I have two children to think of now after all.”

The trio fell into an amicable silence for a moment before the Earl suddenly burst out, “By the way! I want you to know I’ve thought of some names for your new family members! Names that will make them unforgettable and a lesson in mental and emotional fortitude! As you know, my name is already perfect for forming such wonderful characteristics. Now the last name Ashowan does prove to be quite the weakness in such an endeavor, however-”

“Lord Fuks, I- er, appreciate the thought but… uh… I don’t think we need-”

“Nonsense! No need to be modest. My idea centers around the use of both the first and middle name, we can think about changing your last name later. What about, Patricia Enis! I know it doesn’t sound all that funny, but when you take the first letter and pair it with-”

“House Witch!” Lord Fuks was saved from finishing his explanation much to Fin’s immense relief by the arrival of Captain Antonio, Mr. Howard, his Majesty, and the kitchen aides who were all striding alongside the group, excitedly talking.

Fin straightened with a warm smile.

“These Kitchen Knights here tell me you are officially a father!” Norman greeted with a broad smile, while Mr. Howard looked as though he were bracing himself for a death sentence.

“I am indeed. A beautiful daughter, and a handsome son- who already scared the mead from us when he didn’t feel like crying upon being born.”

Captain Antonio’s face split into the brightest smile since Kate’s death, as tears glistened in his lone blue eye.

“Congratulations, Viscount,” the military man bowed, perhaps to hide his show of emotion.

“I see the worries have already begun,” the King noted while nodding to the pipe in the redhead’s hand.

“They have indeed,” Fin chuckled self-consciously while straightening his shoulders.

“At least one of them is a girl,” Mr. Howard began despite his pale expression. “Lady Ashowan should be able to teach her how to be a well-behaved child…”

Fin decided perhaps it wasn’t the best time to inform the assistant that it looked as though it was his daughter who without a doubt was a fire witch…

“Tell me, what’re the names of these new nobles?” Sir Taylor boomed happily.

“Sir Lewis and I have bets that you’d name at least one of them after a vegetable,” Sir Andrews pointed out jovially.

“Or fruit! Fruit is not out of the question. I can just see little Blueberry being a butterball of terror,” Peter observed while nodding to the group.

Mr. Howard began to look a little green.

Deciding to save the assistant from dwelling on the potential problems his offspring would cause, the witch decided to inform everyone the names that he and his wife had chosen.  

“Our son we’ve named Tamlin, and our daughter…” the redhead trailed off and shifted his gaze to the Captain while giving him a meaningful smile. “We decided to name her Katarina. Not exactly my mother’s name but… we wanted it to be close.”

The men all silently nodded in agreement.

It was incredibly fitting.

“Well then, a toast to their long and healthy lives!” Norman announced while procuring a flask from his side.

“Long, healthy… and hopefully quiet lives…” Mr. Howard muttered before pulling out his own flask and taking several deep gulps.

Fin muffled his laughter, and already began thinking how he needed to return to Annika’s side. He found himself already missing the sight of his new family…

*

Sitting in the rocking chair before the hearth, Fin rocked back and forth with the two infants in each of his arms. While Tamlin slept soundly, his daughter peered around the room, completely alert.

Annika slept peacefully in the bed several feet away, and all was quiet. The residents of the castle had long gone to bed, leaving only a handful of guards and servants awake in the balmy spring evening.

“I think you’re going to be our resident trouble maker,” Fin observed with a heartfelt smile down into his daughter’s face as her eyes struggled to fixate on his features.

From the bed Annika rolled over at the sound of her husband’s voice, making Fin feel immediately guilty about potentially waking her.

“Come with me… I’m going to show you the best place in all of Austice,” he whispered down to his children as he slowly stood.

Moving over to Annika and planting a kiss on her temple, the witch then quietly left the chamber, using his magic to open and close the door behind himself, and slowly move through the sleepy halls.

Not a single soul passed by the father and his children as they made their way down the stairs, down the east corridor, passing by the rose maze that stood budding proudly in the moonlight.

Passing by the servants' dining hall, Fin then magicked open the door to their destination; the kitchen.

Stepping quietly into the room, Fin magically lit the candles and hearth, and, feeling his heart fill with happiness and comfort, he moved over to his old beloved cooking table.

That was when he discovered Kraken fast asleep in one of the chairs.

The great furry beast let out a long yawn, showing off his long and pointy fangs.

“Good evening House Witch, how is- Oh!”

The feline slowly sat up and stretched before leaning forward and sniffing the two bundles in Fin’s arms carefully, his whiskers gleaming in the firelight.

Kraken blinked up at the redhead who beamed proudly.

“Congratulations on the new kittens, Witch. I will alert my followers that we have new soft humans to keep a close eye on.”

Fin’s face fell to a frown. “Your followers? Just what exactly have you become?”

“Ruler of the underbelly of Austice. Though do not fear, I will expound my radius of power. I have almost grown to my full size now. Few will challenge me these days.”

The redhead blinked and shook his head. “Just be careful.”

“Of course, Witch. Now… if you will excuse me… I think I hear a tasty mole out in the gardens…”

Then with a graceful leap from his perch, the great Kraken loped off towards the garden door which Fin magically opened and closed for him.

Letting out a long sigh, the redhead wondered if he’d ever get around to hearing the full story of how his familiar seemed to organize and overtake the cats and rodents of the city… but decided it wasn’t going to be that night. So, he turned back to his sleeping children once more, and was unable to fight off the smile that immediately sprang back to his face.

“This is where everything truly began for me. I met your mother in this room… I met the Prince and the King in this room… In fact, I think I met every single new friend in the castle in this room… save perhaps for Lord Fuks. A word of advice, do not laugh at his name no matter how much you want to. Katarina, if it were up to him you would have a name that would have you rebelling against me the minute you figured out what it meant.”

Fin laughed softly, and Tamlin’s eyes slowly began to open as a result.

Moving his attention over to his son, the redhead smiled thoughtfully.

“You look like your mother, and you seem remarkably composed like her already.”

Dropping a brief kiss onto his son’s brow, Fin slowly seated himself on the tall chair that sat at the cooking table.

“Just remember to be honest and trust those whom you love, and who love you back,” the redhead watched as the boy began to coo and sigh contentedly in his arms.

“I want you both to know… you are the final missing pieces. You are what completes my home here with Annika…” Fin let out a long breath as emotion welled up inside his chest. “So I promise… I will keep you safe, and you will always know you are loved, and that you are never alone. I will do everything within my power to make sure, witch,” Fin nodded to his daughter before his gaze moved to his son. “Or not a witch, you will always have a place to belong.”

Basking in the warmth of the moment and the night, Fin slowly rocked his children, feeling both whole and wholly unprepared for what fatherhood would bring. After all, it was only a year ago he had arrived thinking he would spend his days making delicious meals, and doing nothing else…

Knowing how incredibly lucky he was, the witch sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Goddess and the Green Man for bringing him to the castle, and helping him overcome his demons to embrace Annika and his promising future.

The babes then began to squirm in his arms, signifying their need to be fed.

Alas, the food they required was one even the great House Witch could not procure.

“Better take you back up to your mum,” Fin said with a sigh and a smile as he carefully stood back up. His arms were aching from holding his children, and yet even though he could use magic to lessen the burden, knew he didn’t want them to be free from his hold just yet.

As he moved towards the castle door, he cast one last long look at the kitchen, and knew that in the castle or elsewhere in Daxaria, as long as he was with his children and wife, he was exactly where he was meant to be.

As he closed the door behind them, the fire flickered out, and the lights were snuffed out.

“Just promise me one thing…” Fin’s quiet voice murmured in the darkness. “Be friends and love whomever you want, but… never become a mage.”

THE END
(FIN)