The overwhelming and instantaneous love that Najya felt was enough to to help her forget her fatigue, at least for the moment.  She was completely enraptured by the little ones, watching as they figured out the world.  Her body screamed at her to sleep, but she steadfastly refused - unwilling to miss a moment.  She did her best to commit each and every moment to memory, for she knew well how memories were often fleeting no matter how tightly you held on to them.  But before she knew it, the children were stirring, undoubtedly motivated by empty bellies.  The russet watched as Melita conquered her legs first, standing proudly in the sunlight.   “Well done,” Najya cooed, in encouragement, as then the little equine filly too tried to work out her own legs, with less positive results.  However it did not seem to hinder the girl’s disposition.  Najya let out a soft laugh as the girl ended up in a pile of long legs and giggles and decided that she had rested long enough.

The mare pulled herself to her feet, struggling to keep her expression neutral as she did so, and took an unsteady step closer to her children.  A’mal looked up at her bond mate, uncertainly, but Najya reassured the little dragon through their bond that she was fine.  Just re-acclimating herself to her own weight, absent the twins, was a strange sensation.  However she did not pull her attention away from her children for long.  Her curled ears flicked towards Melita as the girl spoke, and hearing the words of her child brought a warmth to Najya that she simply could not explain. She stepped closer to the girl and lowered her head. ”Yes, little one. I’m your Mother,” she said, brushing her nose against Melita’s fuzzy baby forelock, memorizing the sweet honey smell.

She then looked over to where Clementine lay sprawled on the ground, lowering her head so as to breathe in the sweet smell of the girl.   “Why don’t you try again,” she breathed, encouragingly, before stepping back to allow her space to try again.

Someone coming, the little dragon spoke through the bond, though there was no alarm paired with the words.  So while Najya immediately raised her guard, she made no move for the sword tucked in the rocks.   When Najya saw who had come, she allowed herself to relax. It was clear the child had no idea what he’d just walked in on, and she could imagine the entire scene was overwhelming. “Hello Iskra,” she said, warmly, to the boy, as A’mal moved to greet him properly. “That’s right,” she replied, with a small nod and a smile as he repeated the children’s names, “ and I’m Najya and that is A’mal” she finished - gesturing to the little dragon who now sat at his feet.

“These little ones didn’t hatch, Iskra. They were born. But I suppose the process isn’t that different. I protected them inside just how an egg provides protection outside,” She said, simply, not wanting to provide too many details so as to confuse the boy.  “A’mal hatched from an egg, though. Didn’t you?” The exhausted mare spoke to the dragon, who immediately answered in the affirmative by way of a series of chirps and clicks.