#rivervale_lodge

"She fell"

Dag seems irate at the minimization.

"Mm hhmm" Clem says "Details?"

"I hit my back against a wall once" Tove says "That's all. Dagmar caught me before I went further."

"Good catch, Dagmar" Clem says "Okay. I'm gonna make sure the baby is all right"

"Maybe you should stay downstairs..."

"What? I have to clean up" She says

"We can handle it" Jaymes says.

"Totally."

Clem says "Folks, first let me see somethings." She puts her hand on Tove's midsection and calls out "By Freya's grace, by Gaia's smile, come now let us chat a while. I speak now to nature's basinet, the closest home a baby gets... speak to me, speak to me, and be true. Womb of Tove I question you."

Jaymes ... blinks.

Even Tove is surprised "Are you willowhispering my ..womb?"

"Um."

Clem holds up a finger and whispers "Is the baby you hold alive?"

"yes" A whisper answers.

"Is the baby you hold unharmed?" She says

Jaymes swallows

"Yes..." Tove's belly seems to whisper..well something within.

"is there any harm?" CLem says

Frets!

"The back is complaining...bruised...and the heart is pounding loud.. the brain is worrying... but the baby is safe and sound. " The whisper says

Clem nods "is there anything else I should know when it comes to the mother or baby's safety?"

"There maybe kicks." And the voice fades

"Balefire tonight." Stubbornly.

Clem chuckles "now that's a good sign." Then she looks at them "I agree with Dagmar. You should stay by the bale tonight I think, speed a natural healing process. Baby is fine. I can use spring magics or heather balm but I don't think I should. Bale is better. Bunks can go wrong and I don't want to risk even a chance yet."

Jaymes takes a breath "We'll keep her by the balefire tonight"

Tove gapes "What are you two going to do? Chain me to the sofa?"

Shrug. "Could."

Jaymes eyes the sofa as if checking for where it might fit "Have to put in a strong rivet."

Tove huffs

Clem smiles

Then she says "Tove, they're not going to chain you because you're a smart woman who knows willful defiance will just worry them and be a poor example for your daughter here. She needs to learn that folks have to listen to their healers, don't she?"

Tove shoots Clem a look, then says "Fine."

Clem gives an almost beatific smile in response "Thank ye kindly" she looks at Dagmar "Dagmar, see that she gets a healthy breakfast tomorrow, soft is easier to digest and goes better."

"I can make one. Sure."

Sally Mae is right there, but does not interject as Dagmar is given a task

"I can make my own..." Tove says

"Surely you can," Clem says "But that job is taken by Dagmar. Right, Dagmar?"

"Right."

"It'll be a surprise!"

"Fine, but I'm going to be grumpy about this" Tove warns

"if it makes you feel better, dear," Jaymes says placatingly but in such a way it's almost heroic foolish, or is that foolishly heroic?

"Don't care!"

Clem fights a smile as the kings have their interplay, "Seems like myy work here is done." She looks at Sally Mae "Sally Mae, yuou want to come to the farm tonight?"

"No, Chief. I don't think I do" Sally Mae says

"You two need to talk sometime," Clem sighs "But all right. I'll leave it be for now."

Jaymes looks at Clem "Thank you. We owe you"

"Tish tosh," Clem says "Allies... strong valers means when we need help you'll do so with less trouble"

"Course we help the Farm. Duh" Oh, teenager.

"We got a new calf if you want to see her sometime, Dagmar" Clem rises "See you folks around. I'll stay in touch with Kerri so let her know if you have any complications"