ways_infirmary | (no subject)

Nerdanel sits, her head already light from their walk from the sofa to the infirmary.

"Really now," she gasps at the child within her as he kicks. "Is that any way to be treating your mother?"

She then offers Guppy a watery smile.

Guppy smiles in return and hands her a pillow, so that she might make herself a little more comfortable if possible.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asks, watching her as he puts the scanner on and setting it to perform an ultrasound.

She nods, settling the pillow on the bed, and then herself, closing her eyes for a moment.

"I have been pregnant six times before this. My sixth pregnancy was twins -- the first ever in recorded Elven history. It was a draining time, but I did not begin to feel the stress of it until I neared the day of birth. But with this one, the fatigue began while I was still early in the pregnancy, four and five months into it."

She opens her eyes.

"Elves do not get sick and they do not have complications. It's distressing to feel a fever for the first time."

This new information is also ringing alarm bells in Guppy's mind.

"I would imagine it is. Have you had the fever for long?"

He picks up the scanner. "If you wouldn't mind lifting your blouse up a little, I can see what the little chap is up to."

"Perhaps two days now? No more than that."

She lifts the shift up to her bustline, flushing a little. She had never had a male examine her during pregnancy and so she felt somewhat embarrassed.

Guppy detects this and pauses.

"Sure you're okay? If you want to stop at any time just give the word."

"It is just different," she explains with a laugh. "Many of the females never see a male healer during their pregnancy; my mother was my healer and midwife until the twins. Even then, my ex-husband insisted I only be tended to by a female healer that could handle the complication of that birth. It is new. I don't mind, if you don't mind a little discomfort until I grow used to this new idea."

"Not at all, it's quite understandable." He runs the scanner over her slowly, waiting for it to produce the image.

[ooc: Is the baby healthy and how many weeks is it again? What is wrong with Nerdenal?]

Nerdanel watches him intently.

"I will see what he looks like within me?" she asks quietly, almost reverently. "Such things that can be done..."

Guppy smiles. "Yes, that's right. Everything looks fine from here."

He turns the screen to show her.

Her eyes fills with tears as she stares at the screen.

"Feaho," she breathes. Gorlim and Lee should have been here... perhaps Mandos... Nerdanel looks at Guppy. "Is there a way to have that image placed upon paper? There are those the child will call 'father' that should see him..."

Guppy nods. "Yes, that's what I meant by a printout."

He presses a button on the scanner and hands her the picture a few moments later. He points out Feano's various features.

"He looks healthy from here, and our very advanced scanner isn't picking up anything wrong either. But we still need to make sure we look after you. Do you know what's causing the fever? I'm afraid I'm not especially trained in elf physiology."

"No," she says as she takes the printout, continuing to stare at her son. "I have never had one before. The only difference between this pregnancy and all my others is that Feaho's father is a Vala, not an Elf."

"I'm afraid I'm not terribly familiar with either Vala or Elves. Do you know of any other examples of children born from a crossing of species like this?"

She shakes her head.

"Melian was a Maia, a lesser Ainu, and she bore Thingol, an Elf, a daughter. But I am an Elf bearing Mandos' child -- and he is one of the greatest Ainur that came to the earth. This is very new to me, to him, to all in our world."

"Well, for all we know, it could be normal. The scanner isn't picking up anything wrong although I don't think it is designed for elf physiology. How much sleep are you getting compared with normal at the moment?" he asks, remembering something Námo said a few days ago.

"Elves can go several days without true sleep," she says. "Since my fourth months, I have slept every night. From perhaps an hour after dinner until dawn. Now I sleep that plus two to three one-hour naps during the course of my day."

Guppy nods.

"What about other things in your life - stress, diet etc. Have you noticed any changes?"

"I was given the surprise of my other sons' return from the Halls, but I would not say that is stressful." She ponders this. "Mandos, Lee and Gorlim are having some issues I am not privy to but aware of. Diet is... well..." She laughs. "If it is food, I eat it."

Guppy nods, switching the scanner off and perching on the side of the bed.

"Is their quarrelling making things difficult at home?"

"Oh, no. I wouldn't live with any of them. I live on my own, my second eldest son in the room adjacent to mine in case I have need of him," she explains as she pulls her shirt down.

Since Guppy earlier had to draw a diagram to work out what the Gorlim love polygon looked like, he now feels that absolutely nothing could surprise him about the relationships of anyone in it.

Guppy nods. "Well that is a good thing. Should you ever feel in need to vent, I'm happy to provide tea and a confidential ear."

"Mandos is selfish and oblivious to those around him most of the time. Gorlim is terribly dependent upon those he loves, moreso upon those he calls 'lover'. Lee is painfully insecure and takes offense far too easily."

She sits up, sighing.

"I do not know Mercutio, for I have been forbidden from speaking to him -- it seems he is not to know about the child until there is no other choice but to tell him. I also do not know the Lady Eilinel, and the Lady Vairë dislikes me and the child I carry for Mandos did not even speak to her about his decision to father a child."

Guppy is currently extremely glad that he drew the diagram.

"Are you getting enough support from other people?" he asks. "I can't imagine anyone knows better than you that bringing a baby into the world is tough."

Her eyes soften.

"Sooty and Gil are wonderful to me. They offer me all they can. And Lee and Gorlim try their best, try to be involved, but they have their own little dramas to work through that I can get lost in the shuffle. But, luckily, Sooty and Gil look after me. Amanda checks in on me often as well; she is looking forward to seeing Feaho grow up."