Page 26 of Blackwood Milk Farm #7

A Life to Well Lived

Asher and Elara walked with the empress in the cool morning air. The dark-haired elf looked down with melancholy eyes.

Bird song filled the air as a new day glowed with growing brilliance. Shafts of light penetrated the thick canopy of the leafy trees and a calm filled the world.

The trio reached the Wild Gate. Three short, weathered stones stood silently to their approach.

Lavalia turned to the man and elf with somber oval eyes. Asher and Elara smiled, trying to keep their guest’s spirits up.

The elven empress seemed to regain her regal self and stood tall with a happy gleam in her eyes.

“Lord and Lady Blackwood, I thank you for allowing me to stay on your estate, feel its magical touch again, and speak with the love of my life. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.”

“It was a pleasure having you here with us, your grace,” Asher and Elara bowed their heads to her.

Lavalia stepped to Elara with endearing eyes. “Take care of yourself, my sun sister,” the empress said with a small bow.

For Elara to experience a bow from the empress of her home was a very rare experience. She bowed deeply to her with happy eyes.

When they all stood up, the Druis Empress reached into her robe pocket and pulled out an odd coin.

“Lord Blackwood, please hold out your hand.”

Asher did as he was asked.

The regal elf put the odd coin on his palm, her fingers sliding against his with a hint of affection.

“If you ever need to speak with me again, simply visit the capital province. Show this coin to any guard. They will take it and arrange a meeting for us to speak privately. We can talk about anything, or simply have drinks. I would enjoy a visit from you both, at any time.”

Asher closed his fingers on the coin and bowed to her.

“A generous gift. Thank you, your grace.”

Lavalia smiled before she moved to one stone and touched it. Elara moved to another stone and touched it, thinking of home. Asher moved to the last stone and touched it, thinking of the capital.

A shimmering portal slowly appeared, hovering a foot off the grass and leafy ground. Within the portal was a wooded area, and an immense palace in the distance. It gleamed with fine crystal and white stone. A spire-like tower stabbed into the heavens and it glimmered like it was covered in fine gems.

“I will see you both, when the time is right,” Lavalia said before she waved at them.

The couple waved back with tears in their eyes.

The beautiful elf stepped into the portal and was gone. The portal itself collapsed into nothing, the trio of stones becoming a dull gray once again.

Asher and Elara stared at the spot where the portal was for a moment. They then turned and embraced each other in dreamy warmth.

When they pulled away, they kept their hands on each other’s hips.

“For once, I hope that is the end of our adventures for a time,” Asher said as his gaze fell to Elara’s stomach. “Especially now,” he said and put his hand on her stomach.

“What makes you think I am with child?” Elara smirked.

“A ranger knows,” Asher returned her smirk with his own.

“I thought you were a former guild ranger turned farmer and alchemist?” Elara laughed.

“For a long time, I thought I was a former ranger, but to be honest, it was just me trying to adjust to my new life,” Asher laughed. “I should just accept it all and be okay with it.”

Yes, you should,” Elara said and pulled away. “We should start heading back home. The terrain is treacherous because of what you and Sontar did to the forest,” the beautiful elf teased as she walked away.

“It was him or me,” Asher quickly followed and was at her side.

“I thought you were the master adventurer? Surely you could have come up with a better plan than wiping out so many trees,” Elara tut-tutted.

Asher sighed. “Is this how bonded life is going to be? If I knew, I would have hesitated,” he winked.

Elara’s eyes took on a soft, loving gleam. “We both knew we would never hesitate.”

Asher smiled as he looked onto her beautiful soul. “No, we wouldn’t have.”

The couple held hands as they made their way through the forest with love in their hearts.

***

When Asher and Elara reached their home, everyone who was part of the play was waiting for them. Everyone looked at each other with loving smiles as the eight stones were placed on the small table before the couch and seats.

It was at that moment Asher learned who took the fertility potions, and who did not.

Elara and Nyn stood side by side. They both cried tears of joy as they had both taken the potion.

Blyss stepped over to Asher and placed his hand on her belly, also confessing to have taken the potion.

Paasha, Keefa, and Nuha smiled with endearing gazes, confessing to not taking the potion.

Amber smiled as she said she didn’t take the potion either, happy at their current arrangement and explained how difficult it is to raise a faun child. She also mentioned that later in their lives, she would welcome the idea of bringing their child to the world.

Brynda moved closer to Asher’s other side and gently grabbed his head and pulled him to his feet. She pressed the side of his head to her belly with loving eyes.

Asher didn’t hear a heartbeat, but he knew what she meant. The beautiful giant had taken the potion and was ready to bring their love into the world.

Afterwards, everyone hugged each other in loving serenity, knowing their lives were going to change forever.

A month later, a lavish bonding ceremony took place on the Blackwood estate. All of Mist Valley was invited to the bonding of Asher, Nyn, Amber, Blyss, Paasha, Keefa, Nuha, and Brynda. Elara had bonded with Asher before, but she was part of the ceremony again.

In a month’s time, small curves filled four bellies of the women present during the ceremony.

The day was perfect for such a bonding. The summer sky was an azure blue with drifting white, puffy clouds. The air was perfect as the mayor officiated the bonding with a warm smile.

Afterwards, a celebration took place that would rival most celebrations. For three nights, the town danced, sang, ate, and regaled in the union of all bonded.

Kimi, Verda, and Alma laughed and embraced each of the pregnant women with tears in their eyes.

Claudia Frost came to the ceremony and stayed for a time to enjoy the celebrations.

Samuel Throne arrived with his bonded and children. They danced and celebrated with the Blackwood clan.

Nadia and Dina could not stop talking to Elara, Nyn, and Blyss.

Lork With-Star appeared with his entourage, a beautiful buru and angel. They brought special wines from faraway lands, which added to the celebration.

A certain lich and her two apprentices made their appearance during the first night of the celebration to give their congratulations and enjoy the celebration for the night.

Reeta Smooth-tail hugged Elara. During the embrace, she took in the elf’s scent. When she pulled away, she said she knew the sex of their child. Elara grabbed her drunk beloved and told him what Reeta said.

The couple stood side by side as the slythan woman whispered to them they were having a son.

Asher’s drunk eyes widened more as he grabbed his bonded and they kissed each other deeply.

The celebration continued until the third night, where most of the town and visitors returned to their homes. But for the Blackwood Clan, they enjoyed a night of peace as they all laid in each other’s arms on the grass, enjoying the clear night and beautiful stars.

Time moved in perfect moments. Asher rubbed oils on bellies as he whispered to his unborn children every morning and every night.

The household became a place of comfort, and the kitchen was filled with strange foods for those with child. Paasha gave all special concoctions that would soothe their bodies to help the babies grow healthy. Keefa and Nuha constantly tended to them for anything they needed or wanted.

Asher tended to much of the farm to keep it working. He brought in some extra help from town so they could handle smaller tasks as he tended to his growing family.

With the passage of time, bellies grew bigger and waddles filled their home. Elara, Nyn, and Blyss stayed in Asher’s bed every night.

Brynda was the only one who stayed by herself, saying it was a giant tradition. Giant women would wander off to be alone during their pregnancy, a precaution against giant males eating the newborn. Modern giants didn’t do that anymore, but the tradition remained. She would leave her room at times to walk the grounds with her growing belly.

Asher was all smiles until the first of their brood wailed into their world.

Blyss was the first to give birth. Goblins had children quickly, and after six months, she was ready. Asher was there with her, as was the clan. His brave eyes filled with fright as the goblin let out low, dizzy moans. Paasha was an accomplished Dulla, helping many goblins give birth. She helped Blyss to breath and rub her belly, as Asher held Blyss’s tight touch.

He watched with happy eyes as one girl was born, followed by another.

Asher was nearly sick with joy as he looked down on Blyss’s tired gaze, baby girls in each of her arms, both suckling on her.

A month later, Elara and Nyn were on their backs, each one moaning. Unlike humans and goblins, elf births were quick and orderly. Paasha didn’t have to do much as the elves fell into a trance. With a long moan, babies emerged from them. They were quickly cleaned and placed in their mother’s waiting arms.

Asher fell to his knees before the two elves he loved. Nyn had a girl, and Elara had a boy. He thanked the Mother with all his heart, the babies came out healthy and beautiful.

Brynda was much longer. At ten months, she was laying in the woods on a warm spring night. The same woods she shared with Asher when they conceived. She screamed and wailed, her voice bouncing off the high mountains surrounding the valley.

Everyone gathered close. Brynda grunted, and her large giant baby was pushed out to the world. Brynda lifted her child and bit off the cord between her teeth. She smacked them on the ass. When they let out a little whine, she brought them to her leaking nipple and the boy began to suckle.

Asher was so delirious, he laughed with tears in his eyes to their love entering the world.

Time sped up again, the entire family tending to duties and raising their children. Across all women and common traditions, babies were not given a name until their first year of life. It was when their personalities began to show as young babies, already walking and grabbing things.

Blyss’s girls developed first. One had beautiful black hair, a sensible and calm demeanor. She learned her first words quickly. Blyss and Asher decided on the name Bella. It was a beautiful name and fit her stunning features and simple, but intelligent demeanor.

Bella’s twin was much different. The small goblin liked to sneak around the house, often disappearing for hours. She loved sitting in closets with the doors closed, which often freaked out many in the household. She had sharp teeth and a mouth she was able to make a little wider. Her smiles were nearly demonic.

The small, beautiful goblin loved to bite anyone she could. She was smart enough to not break skin, but many in the household were on extra alert as the little goblin loved to sneak a bite on a leg, hand, or arm. The goblin stayed away from her siblings, often trying to find an adult to bite. Even Blyss was not immune to the goblin’s need to bite her and look up with innocent eyes.

Much to Asher’s concerns and Blyss’s insistence, the baby goblin was named Byter.

Elara and Nyn’s babies were of a different affair. Elves grew quickly in their first few years. It was only in their teens where they slowed down like most elves. It was true that both were half-elves, but it didn’t seem to slow down their growth. By their first year, they were already lithe little things, and already taller than their goblin sisters. They had long, almost floppy pointed ears, where Elara and Nyn informed Asher their ears would shrink back as they grew.

Nyn’s girl was beautiful, but silent. She knew words but she simply didn’t speak. Her demeanor was calm and thoughtful. She got along with Bella as the pair created a secret sign language only they knew. She had long dark blue hair, darker than her mothers.

Nyn and Asher discussed a name and decided on Nylla. They liked how it sounded and seemed to fit her demeanor for it was very similar to her mother’s name.

Asher was close to Elara as their son sat on her stomach, playing a game of clapping hands. He looked like Asher, but shared some of his mother’s features, even at the age of one. He was smart, caring, and loving to everyone in the family, even his siblings.

Asher and Elara discussed their boy’s name and came to a mutual decision. To honor Asher’s uncle Aric, they chose to name their son Alric. It was a variation of Asher's uncle’s name, but it seemed to fit. Alric nodded his approval and walked off to find Byter because it was his favorite game.

Brynda was last as Asher spent time with her and his beautifully big son. He grew slower than his siblings, and Brynda kept him separated for a time. The boy was clumsy, often crashing into things as he walked. When Asher hugged him, the boy would give him a powerful embrace at one year old, often leaving Asher breathless.

The couple spoke many times on a name, and came up with Brynden. Asher smiled as his son would crash into him, his head already above his father’s waist. They would both fall to the ground or floor and laugh together.

Time spilled through the waterways of the universe. The varied siblings grew and grew. Their family was always around them, giving them affection and teaching them the ways of the world within and outside the valley. Bella and Nylla loved to learn history and tending the chickens. Byter was often on her own, staring at the forests and hiding anywhere she could on the estate. Brynden loved to read. The giant boy also loved rolling large hay bales and tossing large rocks.

Alric was a born leader among his siblings. He was the one to rally them to tasks none of them wanted to do. When he started doing the task, like helping around the farm, they often fell in line, helping him.

Years rolled on as the siblings grew and their bodies changed. When they had reached their teens, they reveled in Mama Nyn’s book celebrations. The elf had turned to writing fiction books instead of black books. Her books became more and more well known beyond the valley, and she became a famous author, writing tales of adventure and romance.

The siblings also noticed when two more women joined their clan.

Dina and Nadia bonded to Asher at different times. Nadia was first. The book shop owner enjoyed how Elara’s Wine Library and her book shop seemed to work well together. Nadia, Elara, and Nyn, pooled their minds and resources to create a chain of combined bookshops and wine lounges. They traveled to kingdom after kingdom for a whole year, spending coin and designing the future shared shops. The idea had become a major success, kingdoms begging to have the same shops, which made the three famous and richer at the same time.

When they came back, Nadia saw Asher greet them all with a happy and loving smile. She ran to him and confessed her true love to him. Asher held the crying Nadia as Elara and Nyn embraced them. Shortly after, they were bonded, Nadia joining their clan.

The growing siblings also saw another join their clan. Dina Hammer had earned much from her artisan work. She handed her shop over to a respected employee she trained their whole life. She retired from her work, ready to live a good, simple life.

After she let everyone important in the valley know of her retirement, she made her way to the Blackwood Estate. She hopped over the fence, made her way to the door, and gave it a hardy knock. Asher happened to open the door and the strong artisan woman stepped in and kissed him on the lips. When they finished, she said what she always wanted and she chose him. A month later, man and woman were bonded to the clan with love in their eyes and hearts.

For a long time, the siblings didn’t know why their parents often snuck off to be alone. Sometimes it was several of them that left to be alone while the rest of the family entertained the kids. But as time continued, so did their growth.

Seventeen years passed. The children had grown into young people. The farm they had known their entire lives seemed small. Talk of adventure filled their hearts.

Asher, Elara, and the rest of the family were proud of their children. They were taught many things from history to how to use bows, blades, and magic. The family didn’t like the idea of their grown children talking about leaving for Summer Spire to join their father’s guild, but they were adults, ready to take on the world.

Asher’s heart thudded with worry as their grown children talked about adventure nearly every night. He looked at his son, Alric. A parent should never have a favorite, but Asher couldn’t help himself with Alric. The boy, now a man, was a leader and protector. He looked like his father, but with slightly pointed ears. He was handsome and a little headstrong, but Asher found himself always focused on him a little more than the others. He loved all his children, and would die trying to protect them, but he knew in his heart, Alric was going to make a name for himself in the world.

Asher would often help all his children with using a blade, bow, and their senses. He noticed Nylla was adept at magic. Brynden was stronger than an ox, and an inch taller than him. Bella often talked about darker, more interesting magics, which made everyone nervous. And as for Byter, her penchant for taking things and sneaking around made her path clear. Her biting had dimmed as she grew older, but not her crazy attitude.

The lord of Blackwood would often sit in his study and dwell on small memories. Paasha was like a mother to all the children. They loved her beyond anyone else. Keefa was always there to talk about dreams and stories. Nuha tended to ignore the children, which was why they loved to embrace her as she tried to get away. Asher knew she loved them, but she simply never knew how to be around them.

Amber stayed at the lab and tended to her duties. The faun was cold at first with the children, but with time, she loved them all deeply. She taught them the ways of commerce and coin. How to run a shop and everything that came with it. Byter was the only one that often stared at her with wide, unblinking eyes, drinking in every word.

When the children were grown, only then did the faun talk to Asher about having one of their own.

When the lord woke from his thoughts, he looked at his hand. He noticed, after nearly twenty years, his skin had remained the same. When he went to his room and looked at himself in the mirror, he noticed he looked the same as when he arrived. When he brought it up to Elara and Nyn, the pair began to research. With the help of Amber and Lork Witch-Star, they found the reason why Asher didn’t seem to age.

The milk everyone shared, and the elixir, had an unknown side-effect. It slowed aging to a crawl, not only for Asher, but every adult on the farm who drank the mystical milk and potion. Goblins led short lives but it was soon realized that all the goblins' aging had become a very slow crawl.

It was one night where it was only Asher and Elara in bed. They looked at each other with deep love, knowing their time in Valoria together would not be as short as they once thought. It brought a beautiful joy to their hearts knowing there was plenty of time for them to enjoy every moment together.

Then the fateful day came. Alric, Nylla, Bella, Byter, and Brynden sat their family down and told them what they wanted. Alric spoke for everyone when he said they were leaving for their own adventures across Valoria.

Blyss and Paasha cried. Keefa and Nuha comforted them. A tear streaked down Amber’s cheek and she wiped it away. Brynda looked at her son and gave him an approving nod. Nyn looked away, fighting back her tears.

Asher and Elara stood up and embraced their five children, tears in their eyes. When they pulled back, they looked at them with proud eyes.

“If…adventure life becomes too much…you can always come back home,” Asher said with a loving weakness in his throat.

“Of course, Da, Ma,” Alric said and fiercely hugged his father and mother.

A week later, the family gathered on the road, watching their grown children walk toward town with supplies on their backs and weapons sheathed at their hips.

There was much sniffling and tears. Asher and Elara stood in front of everyone, waving the most to their departing children.

When their adult children were out of sight, the family shuffled back into the house. Amber, Dina, and Nadia waddled with the aid of many, helping them back as each had a very large belly.

When everyone was inside, a sullen silence filled their hearts and bodies. A lost feeling curled inside and some tears continued to fall.

Asher tried to rally everyone to do something joyful, when a loud shout touched everyone’s ears.

“Lord Blackwood! I seek an audience!” came a familiar voice.

Asher, Elara, Nyn, and Brynda stepped out onto the porch with wide eyes.

To everyone’s surprise, Katriss stood with a fiery blaze in her eyes. The demoness stood tall, taller than when they last saw her. She had a leash that diverged into three leashes, leading to a trio of collars.

Three demon women who looked similar to the demoness Katriss were on their knees with annoyed expressions. None of them looked up at Asher and the rest of the family, their eyes filled with annoyed rage.

A demon woman stood tall beside the taller Katriss, her eyes on Asher.

“Katriss!” Asher said as he took a step forward with love in his eyes.

“It is good to see you, my love,” Katriss said with a loving tone. “Much has happened since I departed. I took back my kingdom. I took my traitorous sister’s kingdoms as well. I have changed the demons under my rule to care and cooperate with each other, much to the disgust of the other demon realms,” the demoness said as she put her large hand on the demon woman standing next to her. “Asher, meet your daughter, Ashla. She is the only one to survive her brothers and sisters from our brood. She is powerful and deadly, but sentimental. She wanted to meet her father.”

Asher looked as Ashla and the demoness bowed her curious eyes to him.

Katriss continued, “And as you see kneeling before your home are my three sisters. They surrendered to me when I was going to chop off their heads. They pledged their loyalty, but have a difficult time staying to that pledge,” she said with a dark hiss.

The three bound sisters lowered their heads in shame.

Katriss gave Asher an evil smile. “I thought they needed some time away from trying to backstab me. I have kingdoms to rule, and cannot afford the distractions. So, I thought what better place to teach them what it means to love and care than the Blackwood Estate, and you my handsome darling.

“Ashla would also stay to make sure my sisters don’t do anything foolish,” the last word hung in the air like a cloud of pure hate. “And maybe get to know her father,” Katriss brightened up with a fanged smile.

Asher took a few more steps forward on the porch and made his way down the steps. He stepped to the three kneeling sisters, Katriss, and Ashla with a loving smile.

Elara looked at her lover with a knowing smile.

Asher gazed at everyone with a mixture of curious and loving eyes, as he bowed.

“All I can say is, Welcome to Blackwood Milk Farm. I do hope you enjoy your stay,” he said with a wink and a smile.

~Fin~

A Note from Eden Redd

I wanted to take this moment to thank you for reading!