This is a story I made up for how things might've gone down a few years after the great battle of the goddesses, with the Three Heroes. Babies are had, sandwiches are eaten, and the dumbest curse known to the Tellius universe takes effect for the first time.
Headcanon notes: I like to imagine that the Three Heroes (and Lehran) were all orphans adopted by Heron King Lorazieh, which is part of why they made such a good team in the goddess war. So there are references to Lehran and Altina being not only married, but also siblings... but it's not like that, don't worry. Also, my OC for Dheginsea's wife shows up, so that's who that is. Now, on with the story!
Yune was a bit worked up today; the medallion was glowing again.
“Good morning, my lady,” I said, picking it up.
“Beh,” it whispered.
“I thought so,” I said, and began to sing. The power of the music coursed through my limbs, lifted my wings like a breeze, and flowed into the medallion. Soon enough, its glow had faded down to the gentle smolder it was supposed to be. I set it back on its pedestal. “There you are,” I said. “That should do it for today.” The door creaked and I looked round.
“Am I interrupting?” asked Altina.
“Not at all,” I said, going to meet her. I laced an arm behind her, kissed her forehead, and followed her out of Yune's chamber. “...What's troubling you, dearest?”
Altina frowned and leaned her head on me. “Just feel a little strange, that's all. Kind of... like cramping.”
“Really?” I said. “Then maybe today's the day?”
“I'm wondering,” said Altina. “Don't get all excited yet; I don't know for sure.” She huffed. “Hope it doesn't hurt like they say it does.”
“Either way, I'll be there to help,” I said, squeezing her hand.
She squeezed back. “Thanks, Lehran.”
It was, in fact, the day. Altina sent for the midwife within a few hours. Everything went so slowly, though... all the action finally happened that evening. I was helping to light candles when my wife groaned, and gave her first big push. I dropped an unlit candle and rushed to her side, took her hand in both of mine, and began a soft song – she needed it.
I don't know how long this went on. She moaned, grunted, pushed, and kept squeezing my hand tighter and tighter, well after the sun had gone to bed.
“Well done, your excellency,” said the midwife. “I can see the head. You're getting close!”
So tired... need vigor....
She didn't really – much more vigor and she'd break my fingers – but I sang it all the same. She took a deep breath and pushed again, harder and harder... she wailed, but kept going, until-
“Alright, the head's out,” the midwife shouted over the baby's screams. “That's the hardest part. Keep going; you've got this!”
“I see it,” I said through gritted teeth, craning my neck a little. “You're almost there.”
Altina roared, and the midwife reached out just in time as the baby came – a slippery, squirming little thing with the thickest head of dark hair and a voice like thunder.
“It's a girl!” said the midwife, still yelling to be heard. Altina wanted to hold her, but she was breathing too hard to say so. So the midwife and her assistant took our child to the other end of the room and washed her off (amid deafening cries).
“Here they come,” I said softly. With a bit of effort, I helped Altina sit up straighter, propped against her pillows. “Oh, look at her! What a beauty,” I said as they passed our daughter into her mother's arms.
Altina hugged the baby close. “She's perfect,” she whispered.
“Of course she is,” I said, leaning in to look closer. “She looks just like you.”
“Not quite,” said Altina. “She's got your eyes.” We grinned at each other.
“You were so tough – like always.”
Altina kissed the baby. “It was worth every moment.”
“Did you have a name ready?” asked the midwife.
We looked at each other again. “Kirscha,” I finally said.
“Oh, how pretty,” said the assistant. “It sounds so exotic.”
I brushed Kirscha's dark hair away from one ear, and saw the rounded end. “I didn't see before you wrapped her up; does she have wings?” I asked.
“No,” said the midwife. “I checked her over; she looks like a beorc in all respects.”
“I kept forgetting how special she is,” said Altina as she moved to start nursing. “She could've looked like anything.” She winced as Kirscha latched onto her.
“Her whole life will be an experiment,” I said. “Everyone's learning as we go.” I pecked my wife's forehead. “But that's nothing to be afraid of. We've always got each other to lean on.”
“Not right now,” said Altina. “I'm all sweaty!”
We both laughed.