After shutting the door, Calia stood there silently for some time. Her hand was still on the door, as if trying to touch through it to the other side. She was thinking about Merlin and what had just transpired and was completely in awe of him. Never before had a man treated her with respect and kindness. Even the husbands of the women who she delivered treated her like a servant most of the time, but Merlin was very different. Calia smiled thinking of him and his handsome face, looking forward to coming back after seeing Queen Guinevere and hoping he would be there.

She finally pulled herself away from the door and made her way quickly to the queen's chambers. When she arrived she could hear voices within. Calia knocked nervously at the door and waited for someone to open it.

"Can I help you?" Arthur asked, opening the door, "Oh, it is you, Calia. Come in! We have been expecting you." Arthur motioned to Calia to come in and led her toward the bed where Guinevere was resting.

"Thank you, sire," Calia replied with a curtsey before following Arthur into the room, "How are you feeling, my queen?"

Guinevere smiled, laughing softly, "Please, just call me Gwen! I am feeling well, thank you, though every evening I feel it is time for the baby to come."

"What do you mean?" Calia frowned, "Why have you not called for me?"

"Because the pains would stop after a few hours and never became particularly uncomfortable," Gwen explained, "But I can tell that it will be very soon."

Calia nodded, "I am sure it will be. May I examine you, my…Gwen?"

"Yes," Gwen answered, laughing.

Calia took her time, making sure to exam Gwen and the baby fully. The baby's heart rate was perfect, as always, and seemed to be measuring right on target for 39 weeks, which meant the birth could happen at any time…even tonight. Calia shook her head, trying to brush that thought away. There was not enough time to break the curse by this evening.

"Everything seems to be just fine with the baby," Calia told Gwen, "But I would like to check to see how close you are to delivering, if I may. It may be a bit uncomfortable but will just take a second. Please lay back for me."

Gwen laid down and spread her legs apart. Arthur took Gwen's hand lovingly, allowing her to squeeze it when Calia gently checked her. Calia's face paled when she realized that Gwen was already 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. It really could be any second, and she prayed that by checking her she had not sped up what was already going to happen too soon for her liking. Standing up and wiping her hands off, Calia said to Gwen, "All is well. Your baby will be here quite soon...within the next few days, if I am not mistaken. Rest as much as you can, because birthing this baby will take a lot of energy."

Nodding with a smile, Gwen replied, "I understand, and I am sure Arthur won't let me out of this bed until I have a baby in my arms."

Arthur laughed, "You are quite right, my love. Thank you, Calia. We will come and find you as soon as we need you."

"You are quite welcome, sire. Do not forget that you need to rest as well. I will leave you for now, if that is all right, but I look forward to seeing you both for the birth," Calia responded, standing and backing toward the door respectfully.

"We look forward to seeing you, too," Gwen smiled, waving at the midwife's retreating figure.

Standing, Arthur said, "I will see you out," and led Calia to the door. "Thank you. I know your presence calms Gwen very much."

"You are most welcome, your majesty," Calia replied, blushing, "I have enjoyed caring for Gwen very much and only want the best for her and your baby."

"I know that. I have watched you work with her, and I am impressed with your skills. We are very lucky to have you in Camelot," Arthur complimented.

Calia mumbled, blushing even redder, "You are most kind, my lord." She reached the door and tugged on the handle, opening it. Calia curtseyed before stepping outside and shutting the door behind her, almost falling to the floor in worry. 'Gwen is so close to delivering her baby…and it appears it may be a quick delivery. I need more time! I need Merlin…I mean Gaius…I need Gaius's help.' She shook her head wondering why she thought of Merlin before Gaius then started walking home.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Meanwhile, Merlin was frantically looking through every book Gaius owned for some way to break the curse. He had completely forgotten about the dirty herb bottles and hadn't even cleaned up the one he had broken. Somewhere in the back of his mind Merlin knew that Gaius was probably going to rip him a new one when he got back, but he honestly did not care about anything except finding some way to help Calia.

After a few hours of this, Gaius finally returned shocked at the mess. "Merlin, what on earth is going on in here? Where are my cleaned potion bottles? I see you broke one already… And what are you doing with all of my books?" he questioned.

"I…uh…there's a very good explanation for all of this," Merlin offered, giving Gaius a cheeky smile.

"Out with it, then," Gaius shook his head.

"Someone stopped by earlier and needs our help," Merlin explained.

Gaius raised his eyebrows, "If it was anyone less than King Arthur you are in for it."

"It was Calia," Merlin replied.

Gaius said with surprise, "Oh, really? What could she possibly want that is more important than herb bottles? Knowing her, I'm surprised she did not ask to help clean them!" Gaius laughed, but stopped immediately when he saw the worried look on Merlin's face. "Merlin…what is going on?"

"She's cursed," Merlin put simply, "Someone has put a curse on her that every baby she delivers is stillborn. I have been searching for answers since she left. There is very little time, Gaius. Gwen is about ready to explode, and Calia is supposed to be delivering her baby."

Gaius paled and nodded, "Forget the bottles…they can wait." He took a deep breath then went looking for a book. "I know it's here somewhere…ah!" Gaius pulled a large volume down from the shelf, then rifled through it. "In the Old Religion they have power over life and death. You remember what happened with Nimueh." Merlin nodded in acknowledgement, and Gaius continued, "There is a curse that takes the souls of babies as they are born and transfers them into other bodies. It would be used to create an army of the dead, should enough souls be captured in this manner. An added 'benefit', if you will, for whoever has placed this curse is probably the thought that Arthur and Gwen's baby will die and his soul captured for this army. The only person I can think of who would do such a thing is…"

"Morgana," Merlin surmised.

Gaius agreed, "Exactly. It gets rid of the heir to the throne and adds a very powerful soul to her army."

"Then how do we break the curse?" Merlin asked, "Can we do it before Gwen gives birth?"

"That is what I hope to find here," Gaius pointed to the book.

Merlin sighed with relief, "Good. I do not even want to picture what Arthur would do to Calia if his son were to die at birth." Merlin shivered then continued, "She seems so kind and gentle, yet sad and troubled. I feel so compelled to help her."

Gaius gave Merlin a knowing look then said, "Merlin, do you have feelings for Calia?"

Merlin blushed scarlet, "No…of course not…" He trailed off, revealing his uncertainty and betraying his true feelings.

"Right," Gaius replied unbelievingly, "You could do much worse than Calia, Merlin. She is a wonderful woman, a skilled healer and midwife, and honestly I think she suits you." Gaius grinned at Merlin then continued flipping pages in the book.

Merlin thought about this carefully but had to agree with Gaius. Calia did suit him. She had magic, he knew that, and she was knowledgeable, sensitive and kindhearted. She was also so beautiful that it took his breath completely every time he looked at her. But he could not even think about making any kind of move or even allowing himself to fall in love with her until the curse was broken. This wasn't the first time he had fallen in love with a cursed woman, and he could not do that again. The memory was just too painful to relive.

Gaius found the page he was looking for and poured over it. Reaching the bottom of the page, he smirked. This was just too perfect… "Merlin, you get to work on those herb bottles. I'm going to find Calia."