The next day was a frenzy of activities. We all spent the day running around. The day began with my household meeting. First celebrations were to start in two days. First is a two week celebration. It is a time when we celebrate the beginning of Spring, The coronation of the Queen (myself), the first planting and the first hunt. These are each celebrated in different ways, I will explain shortly. So I spent the morning and most of the afternoon going over menus, decorations, activities and so forth.

The afternoon brought time with Iz, Hawk and Neil as him, Mother Willow and Father Oak arrived for the celebrating. We all had dinner together early as I was getting tired. I retired to bed early, before Raven finished playing with the children. I do not know how long I slept before Raven woke me. Emily was about to give birth. I rushed from the room forgetting to change. I felt a push of power touch my back as Raven sent a clothing weave at me. Thinking back, I don’t know what he even put on me, I never looked.

I rushed into the room where they had taken Emily. They had the fires blazing, I was only in the room seconds before I began to feel sweat running down my back. Emily lay on the bed with her knees drawn up. Mora was there checking the progress of the babe. Two other maids were in the room as well as Mother Willow who sat on the side of the bed holding Em’s hand and humming. “Not long child, tis a wee babe and ready” Mora announced. I took the spot on the bed opposite Mother and wiped Em’s brow with a damp cloth. A maid came in carrying a steaming mug, a mixture to ease Em’s pain. Emily was so strong through it all, much more than me. Seeing it all brought forth a feeling of dread about my upcoming childbed. Mora was right of course and it did not take Emily long to have the child. A few short hours, she was born, before dawn even. A tiny baby girl, with red hair and green eyes, pink cheeks and a tiny pink mouth. She has Hamish’s coloring with a tiny Emily’s face…her name is Keelin,meaning fair one.

I was so happy for Em and Hamish both. Mother cried as she held her new grandchild. I however could not stay awake anymore. I told Em that Raven and I would give a blessing the next day. I then went to bed and slept, and slept and slept some more. I slept until the following afternoon. I got up only long enough to go with Raven to bless Keelin, then back to bed.

The next day was the beginning of First.