"Right here you silly blind human" she called back laughingly, rubbing her swollen belly, 9 months with child.  "How could you miss me so skinny like this?"

He ran back to the front room, a wide grin plastered across his face.  "It's time?"

"Oh yes" she said, smiling at her husband.  "It's time."

Before she knew it Teshia was back in bed with the town midwife hovering around her.   Serth sat to her left, holding her hand and cooing soothing words into her ear, but she didn't understand a thing he said.  She could hear the music from the festival outside.. a minstrel had taken residence right under their window it seemed, and was playing a lilting song she had loved as a child.  A sudden fierce joy filled her as she listened to the minstrel serenade her, her husband, and their restless unborn baby.   A family!  It was something that she and Serth had wanted so badly.. and it was finally coming to fruition.  They were just beginning.. their lives were all just beginning.  She was about to sing quietly with the minstrel there was a sudden sharp pain, and the birthing began.

A little girl was born quickly, taking no longer than the favorite song that the minstrel played outside.  Teshia gathered the baby in her arms, cradling her.  Light green eyes sparkled back at her, and she could have sworn the baby smiled!  Gazing at her baby, she couldn't hold back her tears of joy.

"What shall we name her, love?"  Serth asked quietly, brushing away his wife's tears.  Teshia thought a minute, gazing at their fair baby through her   tears.

"The minstrel's song is so beautiful.. but not as beautiful or as lasting as our child.  We shall name our child Serennade, as she is the music of our hearts, the beauty and joy of all our days."  Serth leaned forward and kisses his wife on her forehead, then leaned down and kissed Serennade on hers. 

"A man is considered lucky to have found one fine gal to love him." he said, a quiet pride in his voice.  "Here, with our little Serennade, I will have two."  He moved close, sliding his arm around Teshia's shoulders and   gazing at their baby.  Serennade was already asleep, warm in the safety of her mother's rocking arms.

The minstrel overheard it all, the many years of playing on the road making his elf ears as sharp for hearing conversations through his music as they were pointy on the top.   He continued to play soothing lilts, sitting under the front window of the small cottage, standing every once in a while to stretch his legs (not to peek in the window, promise!) till he heard the family settle down to sleep with their new baby.   'Serennade!' he thought, puffing his chest out as he stood.  'Why, that's almost as good as naming the baby after me!' he grinned to himself, knowing full well that he wouldn't wish to share his name, Gordonden, with anyone; much less a pretty human lass.   He strolled out to congratulate himself in helping with the
successful birth by finding himself some ale.  'And lots of it!' he thought, priding himself in his continuous playing for the new family.  'Why, my lips are as dry as.. as.. as a gargoyle's teats in the winter!' he cackled to himself, knowing that he had the saying wrong, whatever it was.  All he wanted was something to drink, and a warm fire to sit by.

As soon as he walked through the door of the Rat and Chaser Inn, Gordonden knew something was wrong.  Unlike the rowdy crowd on the street, the Inn was a lull.  He followed everyone's eyes and saw a small group of Gorbesh in full battle gear sitting in the corner.

Gordonden walked straight to the counter, dropped a slip of parchment he pulled from his belt as if he were leaving a note, and turned around and walked back out.  Perhaps the locals didn't know this, but enough years on the road and you learn to leave at the first sign of Gorbesh, if you wish to live a long life.  He took the road out of town, the stars twinkling brightly.  It was a warm spring night, perfect for travelling.  He was well on his way to the next small town.. an elven town.. what was it's name?  They would have a spring festival this weekend also.. he would make it if he hurried!  He started humming a tune he was formulating about a newborn named Serennade when the breeze shifted and he smelled fire. 

Serth jumped out of bed, the roof of the cottage blazing above them.  He wrapped blankets around Teshia as she clutched their newborn to her chest, holding Serennade tightly.  The baby slept, unaware of the ruckus around her as Serth took his family out the back door, slowly down a street filled with houses afire, and into the dark woods.  

Teshia and Serth crouched in the silence of the woods as they watched their town burn to the ground.  Teshia cried again, this time silent angry tears, as Serth tried to keep her warm.  The breeze shifted, and the overwhelming stench of smoke surrounded them.   Serennade woke, and began to cry.  Serth heard sounds in the wood.. crashing, loud boisterous voices.. he feared the Gorbesh were searching the woods for people who had escaped.  He guided his family as fast as Teshia could walk, her body still in pain from birthing not half a day prior.  They were near the road when Serth stopped them:   he could see a figure running down the road towards the burning town. 

Teshia recognized the minstrel, and cried out for him.  "Stop!" Her voice was shaky, she hadn't realized she was so tired.  Not only that, but she was bleeding again.  She didn't want to tell Serth earlier, it would just worry him.  But now there was nothing she could do.  She pleaded, "Fine minstrel, do us a favor."

The minstrel walked towards the couple slowly, watching the shivering woman explain something to her husband.  The man didn't look happy at all, but he looked resigned.   He watched the human nod once to his wife, then looked up to gaze at the elf in his eyes. 

"Please" the woman said, "Take our fair Serennade to my sister-in-law in Camrenel, the town west of here".   The human man's gaze was boring through his eyes into the back of Gordonden's skull.  "Ask for the family Nightingale, and they will take our baby in and pay you handsomely."  She kissed the baby and then held it out to him. "Please.  I can tell you have a soft heart.. I could by your playing."  She swayed slightly, as if standing was too much effort.   "Tell them we will come and get her as soon as we can."  The tears were running down her cheeks, unceasing, like a tiny waterfall. 

Gordonden moved as if slow motion, reaching out and taking the baby, bundled in a blanket too big for it.  He looked at the baby, who seemed peaceful, though her face was wet with her mother's tears.  Suddenly there was crashing in the woods, and with one last worried glance at the humans he turned and ran down the road, the baby stowed carefully under his waistcoat.

As soon as the minstrel turned and ran, Teshia collapsed.  Serth covered her shivering body with his warm one, trying to soothe his wife.  He held her as the crashing in the woods subsided, holding her tightly as if his strength could keep her alive. Teshia gazed at him and touched his face.  He squeezed her as she took her last breath, then stood slowly, her blood covering his clothes.