Eeva wrapped her spindly arms around uncle Akry. Face turned into his coat as he shouted the people down. She'd heard its what they did, warlord princes, shouted and stormed. Uncle Arky was always nice to her though, and the the shouting seemed warranted with all the people running about and stumbling into each other. Eeva didn't like it, but it mostly stopped, just like uncle Arky demanded it do.
Her legs followed her arms as he stood. Her momma couldn't carry her anymore with the new baby in her belly. It was nice to have someone to hold her again, like she was the baby. She played with the buttons on his coat while he gave orders. Smart, calm orders that didn't even need shouting. Listening hard to his voice, Eeva nodded her agreement. Trying very hard not to be scared. But she really wanted her momma.
"Okay." The idea of trying to leave through all the people nearly as bad as missing momma. Eeva was afraid the world would shake again if she left. "Do you think it shook her too?" Holding tighter, Eeva tried not to think of her momma being all shook up like that. She didn't have an uncle Arky to keep her from falling down. Just Nan, who couldn't lift Eeva either. How would they be able to keep each other?
Worries Eeva had to put aside as uncle Arky put her down. He needed her help this time. Sliding her hand into his, Eeva looked up at him and nodded solemnly, eyes limned with tears. "I can help." She told him staunchly, birdlike shoulders tipped back military style. Unconsciously mimicking the pose she'd seen her father make.
*Oh thank the Mother!* Inga sobbed into her knuckles, warm breath like fire across her cold knuckles. Leaning against the pole, she took a deep breath, face tipped to the oddly calm sky. It felt like there should have been storm clouds rolling in. One hand cupping the swell of her belly, she pushed herself upright and made her way to the sjefhelm, stumbling through the hallways in search of Arkyn and Eeva. Asking after him as she went. Eeva was easy to miss, a child in the rushing work happening; but everyone always knew where the Sjef was.
"Eeva!" Inga nearly screamed. She did cry. Her daughter was studiously handing out reports like a little assistant, seemingly completely unruffled by the events. Blushing happily whenever anyone complimented her work or ruffled her hair. "Momma!" Papers rumbled against skirts as the girl ran over to cling tightly to her mother. Inga knelt without shame to bury her face in Eeva's hair and breathe in the smell of it. Tears dampening the fly aways and making them stick to her cheeks.
"There's my girl. Foolish child running off. You're unhurt?" She held the girl out at arms length to look her over before pulling her in tight again. Reports crinkling in Eeva's fist until Arkyn came. Eeva scooped them close to her chest. "Can I still help?" She asked, lip slipping forward and making her mother laugh. Inga let Arkyn help her up, and then hugged him too, body shuddering against his as the last of her terror worked itself out. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." She chanted into his lapels.