where there once was love [mast, any - birthing]

[Camelia]

the ghost of a girl that i want to be most
the shell of a girl i used to know well

Her heart is full with pride. This feeling (the warmth of life, the rosy glow of family, the overflowing happiness rising in her chest) cannot be described any other way. Camelia’s eyes twinkle, hearing her daughter’s voice now paired with a face. She is a mousy girl, a gently-tossed together combination of her parents, and Camelia’s smile grows even bigger.

Mast is there and Camelia’s eyes turn to look at him. Their daughter speaks, then, and her heart swells even more. Although she can hear the words (although she has always heard the words) she wonders, for a brief moment, if the words are heard by Mast as well. Perhaps the faeries have tricked their daughter somehow to only allow conversation with the mother of the family. Given the fact that Topsail’s mouth works vigorously to form words, nothing aside from rough mews and newborn squeaks get past.

Camelia knows, with a soft thought, that her daughter will only ever be able to communicate with her mind. But the thought’s blow is lessened by the way Mast’s face breaks into a great wide smile. It is something to crack the stony, serious line of his mouth that had lately taken over. With the Chamber pressing on the Gates – and the Gates dashing around looking for alliances, her lover had turned into a pillar of worry and thought, combating with the hidden childlike behavior and ever-so gentle heart she knows is inside. But their daughter, this new life, is a light in the darkness.

Mast’s encouragement sends a tired smile to Camelia’s lips. She can feel the remaining exhausted tendrils of labor burrowing into her bones, and the sudden urge to sleep for days rolls over her. But she knows she must stay awake – for Mast and for Topsail. The gray king’s touch comforts her, as it always has, and she turns her attention back to their daughter. The strong connection of friendship between a mother and a daughter is already strong. “Topsail, would you like to try and stand?” She says the words aloud, for both of her family’s ears, with another bright smile on her golden face.

camelia