The Grey Lady (Lady Dove x Lord Tuscan)

Dove:

Spring would soon give in to summer...and I could feel the changes happening within me. My stomach grew in width, swelling like a ripe melon. Due to it, my back and ankles began to ache. I never complained though. This had been my choice and I was looking forward to greeting my firstborn late in the summer. The hoofmaidens and midwives seemed to think that the little one was a filly, by the way that I carried it. I actually prayed for a son… a dark, handsome son to bring Faulkner honor. However, if I were given a healthy daughter with a pale pelt I would not complain...and I would love her with all my heart.

Today I wasn't loving anything. I hadn't slept well, my big belly always seeming to be getting in the way of finding a comfortable position. My back ached like hell, my ankles swelling slightly. I'd come out of my den, seeking some herbs that I knew would help bring the swelling down and ease my aches. Unfortunately, being pregnant meant that your stamina wasn't the greatest. Before long I was forced to stop, huffing and puffing from exertion.

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Tuscan:

I felt the air fill my lungs as I took a deep breath of the warm spring air, then let it out in a puff of breath. Clompclomp clompclomp, I trotted along, hearing how powerful my hoofbeats sounded now that I was finally getting bigger. Only a couple more years and I’ll be ready to fight for real! The ladies will be all over me. I grinned to myself. Of course… they are already all over me, heh! I’ll have a harem as big as the King!

Oh, a doe! I paused, my ears perking with interest. She was a full adult, she was pale, she had spots, and look at that mane! It looked like a waterfall… how beautiful… I mean cool!! It’s cool. Beautiful is a doe word. Hmph. I was already trotting toward her.

As I approached I put on my most charming smile. I looked over her smooth shining coat and mane, the flowers bundled on her head, though I made sure she didn’t notice me staring. I want her to think I don’t care. “Good morning, my Lady,” I was proud at how deep and stagly I could make my voice sound. I gave her a bow, “I am Lord Tuscan, son of Lord Duncan!” I straightened, lifting my head and straightening my shoulders so I looked bigger. She was significantly taller and probably older but… I have a handsome dark coat, and a good family, and surely I will be able to impress her!

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Dove:

Movement out of the corner of my eye had my head turning, ears pricking forwards slightly. A colt was approaching me, his strides full of confidence. My eyes swept over him briefly and I groped for his name and bloodline in the recesses of my mind. After just a moment, I found them. Lord Tuscan, son of Lord Duncan and..and… well, I couldn't remember the name of his dam, but that was of little importance. Does were mere bearers of a stag’s bloodline, so I wouldn't be too harsh on myself.

The colt greeted me, also introducing himself and confirming my beliefs as to his name and lineage. “Good morning...my Lord.” I greeted him, still a bit breathless. “I am Lady Dove… daughter of Count Raven.” Even if I was a mere doe, I still had no shame in flaunting my lineage. It didn't get too much better than being the daughter of a Count, in my opinion. My fatigue was getting the best of me. My legs were beginning to tremble. I was beginning to feel hot and spacey.

“Forgive me, my Lord, but I must sit down. This fawn is… taking its toll on me.” I wheezed, hindquarters finally giving out on me whether I liked it or not. I sat down on my rump awkwardly, in a very undignified manner. Lowering my head, I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to remember the breathing exercises that my midwife had taught me. Apparently this light-headedness and fatigue was quite common in pregnant does, especially first time ones.

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Tuscan:

She was looking over! I ruffled my mane so I would look even cooler to her. I stopped in front of her as she greeted me, smiling up at her. “...daughter of Count Raven,” Woooahh!! If I didn’t want to impress her before, I sure did now! I hadn’t paid any mind to her exhaustion until she had to lower herself down, apologizing. She was sitting awkwardly now, it looked weird. Maybe I would have cared if she wasn’t Raven’s daughter. But she was, so who cares how she sat? “My Lord,” It sounded so cool when she said it! That’s right… YOUR Lord, I hoped. “Are you okay?” I didn’t usually give much mind others and how they felt, but she clearly looked very tired, so I figured it’d be nice to ask. Though then she mentioned… a fawn, I felt my heart drop. “A… fawn?” Now that I look at her again, she did look plump, as if she was pregnant. She’s Raven’s daughter, and she’s so pretty, but she already has a stag… I thought woefully. Her eyes were closed now, as if she was in pain or maybe she was just exhausted. I started to feel concerned. Was this normal?  

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Dove:

I saw concern flash across the young Lord’s face now and couldn't help but be dismayed. I didn't want to worry him; a Lord should never feel worried because of me! ”Yes, I'm okay. I'm sorry to trouble you, my Lord.” I duck my head a bit, smiling softly at the colt. He repeated my statement about the fawn a bit imploringly. I thought I caught a flash of disappointment cross his face, but it was so brief that perhaps I had imagined it. ”Yes, Lord Faulkner and I are expecting a little one late this summer.” I nod. ”This is my first fawn and… it's taking its toll on me. Ah, but I shouldn't complain to you, I apologize!”

Another ripple of pain made its way through my gut, followed by something hard slamming into my side internally. I'd never felt it before, but I'd heard of it. ”O-oh!” I stuttered in surprise. ”It's kicking!” I exclaimed, momentarily forgetting my manners due to my excitement. It was the first time I'd ever felt my baby’s touch… even if it felt far from a loving nudge!

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Tuscan:

I watched her, how tired she looked, and couldn’t help but wonder what it felt like to have a fawn. I had never thought of it before, but it sure looked exhausting for a high-quality doe like Raven’s daughter to be unable to hide the discomfort. “That’s okay. I’ve never talked to an expecting doe before.” I said, then dared to ask, “So you are… part of Lord Faulkner’s harem then?” The obvious answer was yes but… I wanted to be sure.

I jumped a mile when the grey fawnling cried out in surprise, looking delighted as she informed me that her fawn had kicked her. That sounded so weird! Imagine something kicking you from the inside? I leaned closer to her, peering at her belly. I wouldn’t be able to see the baby obviously, but I wondered if you could see the bump on her belly when it kicked. “Do you know if its a stag or a doe?” I asked. I was pretty sure it was a stag, after all a little Lady shouldn’t be kicking!

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Dove:

I couldn't help but giggle softly despite my discomfort as Tuscan stated that he had never talked to a pregnant doe before. He was adorable. “Well, now you have!” I exclaimed. When he asked if I was in Lord Faulkner's harem, I shook my head slightly. “No, I am not. I didn't wish to be tied down to one stag just yet. Lord Faulkner was very understanding and didn't have any qualms with claiming me for only one rut.” He was thrilled, actually… as he should be! I know that I'm top of the line as far as Royal does go. Perfect pedigree, perfect behavior and etiquette, perfect coat and body… It doesn't get much better than me.

“There's no way of knowing for sure, but sometimes the midwives can tell by the way a doe carries her fawn. They think that this one is a Lady.” I grimaced softly as the fawn kicked again, though less aggressively this time. Tuscan looked like he was about to die of curiosity as he peered at my swollen belly. “You can try to feel it, if you like.” I volunteered slowly, unsure if he'd be interested in trying to feel the fawn kick.

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Tuscan:

I was overjoyed when Dove explained that she was not part of Faulkner’s harem. It meant that she was still available! Though I wiped the excited look from my face as soon as I noticed it was there. Hopefully she hadn’t picked up on that. I didn’t want to be too obvious after all! A nodded, trying to sound cool and not too interested as I answered, “I see,” I said, then went on with my best manners and as charmingly as I could, “my Lady should be picky. You could have any stag in the herd.” I smiled warmly, to show sincerity. It was sincere, even if I said it mostly to try and win her over.

I nodded as she revealed the possible gender of the fawn. Heh. I would have given her a son. I could tell from her sudden wince that the baby had kicked again, though I couldn’t see any signs of a moving thing in her belly from here. Still it seemed strange that a filly would be so restless. Perhaps it’s a filly like Lady Melora, who is stubborn. Ugh. Hopefully not. Raven’s granddaughter wouldn’t be like that. Raven’s granddaughter wouldn’t be dark. Her offer caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting her to let me try to feel it. ”Uh. Okay,” I answered tentatively, and crept forward, eyeing her swollen belly. I didn’t want to get too close… in case it kicked me. So I held out a foreleg, gently pressing the side of it against Lady Dove’s belly. Would I be able to feel it this way? It seemed like Lady Dove really felt it… and it looked painful. I suddenly got nervous. “Will it hurt…?”

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Dove:

The darling colt seemed very excited when I mentioned that I wasn’t part of Faulkner’s harem. Oh, did he have hopes already? I had to force back the desire to giggle at him. Giggling at him would certainly offend him. He then went on to state that I should be picky, as I could have any stag in the herd. I giggled a bit, flattered even if he was just a colt, and smiled warmly at him. “Thank you, my Lord, that’s very kind of you. I appreciate your compliments.” I ducked my head to him out of respect.

I was worried that my offer might have freaked him out a little bit, but he seemed like he was intrigued still. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. He came closer, obviously curious, and pressed one foreleg against my side. He was gentle; his parents had taught him how to treat others nicely. Well, when he wanted to, I suspected. He suddenly asked if it would hurt and I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. “It hurts me, but only because the fawn is inside me. It won’t hurt you; all you’ll feel is a bump.” Now, hopefully the baby would kick! I wouldn’t mind one last jab of pain if it meant that the youngster could have the special experience of feeling a fawn kick in its mother’s womb.

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Tuscan:

Dove looked very pleased at my words, I could tell that she liked me already! I had always been good at charming the ladies with some smooth talk. I could hardly wait until my rack began to grow. She’d be even more charmed then. And even more charmed still when I toppled all other stags who vied for her hoof! I lifted my chin a bit and nodded curtly in reply to her gracious response.

I looked up at her very attentively as she explained what I would feel. Ugh… it must hurt to get kicked from the inside, even more than from the outside probably, since you can’t do anything about it... Luckily it sounded like I was in no danger so I let my foreleg rest there. After a few heartbeats I felt nothing. This was getting boring, so I decided to see if maybe I could hear the baby. I put my foreleg down and leaned my cheek carefully against her, my ear resting on her dappled warm gray coat. There was nothing but a faint whoosh sound that might have just been in my own head. Until suddenly, I felt it. A kick! I recoiled with a gasp. It was soft due to Dove’s belly between us but it was certainly there! I looked at the swollen belly in wonder. “Woah, that’s so weird!” I exclaimed.

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Dove:

Some time lapsed and nothing happened. For a moment I was concerned that perhaps the fawn bad decided to stop kicking. That would be a embarrassing. Tuscan would think that I was crazy! Suddenly, the colt let out an exclamation as he felt the little one kick. I giggled softly at his words. Not very Lordly at all! He was quite young though, so I let it slide. ”If you think it feels weird, imagine how it feels to me.” I said with a soft laugh.

I was beginning to feel better now, getting my breath back. Perhaps it would be good to have someone tag along with me though, in case I were to have another of those breathless fits. “I was headed to check in with some herbalists for something to ease my pain. Would you be willing to escort me in case I start to feel bad, my Lord? If you have time, of course. I don't want to be a burden.” Being a fawn, Tuscan should have plenty of time, but I figured I might stroke his ego a bit by making him feel important.

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Tuscan:

I laughed a bit as well. I couldn’t imagine it. In fact, I thanked Óganach I was a stag, and because of that I would never have to know! “I think it’s a stag.” I finally spoke my thoughts, “A Lady with your blood wouldn’t kick so much.” I looked forward to seeing the little one either way, though. It was almost fun, making a guess and seeing what the result would be. I only wished that I could know now.

I felt as big and strong as the grandest Lord when Lady Dove asked me to escort her. Yes, yes, YES!! But of course I put on a very noble and proud posture and expression when I answered, “Of course, my Lady! I will escort you, and watch out for you, and protect you from all harm.” I gave her a smile and, for the rest of the journey, stayed dutifully by her side.