10. Births…

Gaius held his ear to the long, thin-stemmed ear-trumpet that he had pressed to Lonán's stomach and listened carefully to the noises of the restless child within. The sound of a quick, fluttering heartbeat travelled down the resonant tube and the greying physician slowly straightened his back, replaced the instrument on his work bench and approached the foot of the bed, examining his patient carefully.

"I believe the child is in some distress," he said in a low voice, indicating to his assistant, Hunith, to bring the towels that she was holding over to him. "You must slow your breathing, or you will excite the child too much," he continued, addressing the fretful mother-to-be as he peered at her from between her raised legs. "And I am not happy that you would not allow me to inform the Father of your condition."

"Uther has disowned the child," spat Lonán bitterly, "It is no business of his."

Brianna clutched Lonán's hand tightly, applying a soothing compress to her forehead as she breathed along with her mistress, trying desperately to calm the agitated woman, "The báibín will be fine without him," she clucked disapprovingly, "You're boy will know great love mistress."

"Girl," corrected Lonán, stroking her bloated belly lovingly, "It is a girl… I can feel it."

"We shall soon see," interjected Gaius, "Hunith, bring some more Clary Sage and set it burning by her side," He instructed, not taking his eyes from the crowning child before him, "And also fetch some mint leaves for her to chew, it may sooth the pain somewhat."

"Yes Brother," Hunith replied as she quietly busied herself with these tasks.

"You are… siblings?" panted Lonán through ragged breaths, her face red and perspiring from the efforts of childbirth.

"Half siblings," replied the younger woman as she set the Clary Sage down beside her and reached for a taper to light the wick. "Our Father remarried much later in life after-"

"Thank you, Hunith," interrupted Gaius, fixing his sister with an impatient stare, one eyebrow raised in irritation,"If you have quite finished, we have a baby to deliver!"

Hunith smiled tolerantly at her older brother and quietly reached for some mint, pushing a few leaves between the young princess's lips for her to chew.

"One final push my dear," Gaius commanded as Hunith readied herself by his side.

Gripping Brianna's hand tightly for support, Lonán drew in a deep breath and pushed with all her strength, willing the child out of her. Inch by inch she felt it move inside of her until finally, just as the last vestiges of her strength were sapped, she felt the release of her baby sliding free into Gaius' waiting hands.

A sudden silence filled the room as there was no tell-tale sound of the newborn letting out its first cries and Lonán lifted her head with much effort in an attempt to see what was wrong.

"It's born in the Caul," said Gaius, quickly breaking the thin membrane and clearing the child's passageways of any excess mucus. The ashen colour of its skin soon turned a healthy shade of pink as the first shrill cries emanated from its tiny mouth. A collective sigh of relief filled the room and Lonán's head dropped back gratefully onto the pillows.

Freshly cleaned and wrapped in soft white linen, Hunith gently placed the newborn in its mother's arms, an exultant look of rapture passing over Lonán's eyes as she gazed down at her child for the first time.

"You were right," Hunith said quietly, smiling down kindly at them both, "It is a girl… you have daughter."

Lonán pressed the baby's tiny fingers to her lips, laughing through her tears as the little infant struggled to open its eyes; huge deep navy-blue orbs that looked up solemnly at her mother.

"Born in the Caul," she laughed, her eyes dancing in delight, "It is a sign is it not?"

Brianna joined in the infectious laughter, nodding happily along with her mistress, "A great sign my Lady," she agreed.

"I can feel the magic within her," Lonán breathed in wonder, "She is so strong!"

"Now," interrupted Gaius, approaching the bed once more,"I really must send word to the Prince, it is my duty to-"

"No!" cried Lonán forcefully, stopping Gaius in his tracks, "You don't understand…"

"Uther must be informed that he is a Father!" the physician protested.

Lonán's eyes fell once more to her daughter lying fitfully in her arms, the love she felt shining out of her very face. Taking a long, shaky breath, the young princess regarded the older man with steely determination. "Uther has renounced his responsibility for this child am I right?"

"Well, yes but-"

"And am I also right in saying that there are rumours that the King wishes my child dead, for fear she one day return and claim the throne for herself?"

Gaius stared at her dumbly. There had indeed been whispers that the King had made such a statement… but there was no truth in it, he was sure, "Such reports have no foundation to them my Lady, you can rest assured that-"

"Gaius please, I beg you," Lonán cut in wearily, "I cannot afford to take such chances - you must hear me out."

Gaius looked at her for a moment, torn between his duty to the crown and his duty to protect his patient. "What are your intentions?" he asked at last, apprehension weighting his words heavily.

"My best outcome then, is that once I am fit to travel I am to be escorted back to my Father in Éire…" Lonán continued, gently stroking her daughter's cheek lovingly as she spoke, "Even in this instance I cannot protect my child, for He will just as likely execute me and my baby as he would welcome me back."

"Then what is it you plan?" repeated Gaius in frustration.

Lonán slowly drew her gaze from her infant, her eyes brimming over with tears but full also of a passionate resolve, "You must take my daughter far away from here… it is the only way to protect her."

This revelation hung palpably in the air as the princess's desperate plea sank in. Stepping quietly toward the bed, Hunith looked tentatively around the room, "I know a place," she said, her own voice full of emotion as she saw the impossible decision that Lonán was faced with, "There is an Island that serves as home to a community of priestesses called the Isle of the Blessed. I know the high priestess; she is very kind, they will take good care of her."

"How can I get her there?" asked Lonán eagerly.

"I was returning to our family homestead in Ealdor in a few days anyway," she replied without hesitation, "I am more than willing to bring forward the trip and carry your child there on my way."

"Hunith, you cannot be serious!" exclaimed Gaius in shock.

The younger woman looked coolly at her older brother, "Perfectly serious Gaius," she confirmed simply.

"But how would we conceal this from the prince?" the physician objected, "he may well insist she be tracked down!"

"And that is the very reason that we are going to tell him that she died," retorted Lonán bluntly.

Gaius stared at her open mouthed, unable to quantify the words she had just uttered, "Lie to a member of the royal family?" he spluttered disbelievingly.

"It is no lie Gaius," said Lonán forcefully, "My daughter is as good as dead as far as Uther is concerned, for he shall never lay eyes on her… ever!"

Gaius looked wide eyed at each of the women in the room, each time met with hard, decisive looks. Finally his eyes rested on the child and with a deep sigh he knew that there was no other option if her life was to be secure, "Very well," he said at last, running both hands through his hair, "there will not be much time, Lonán – you must try and feed at once, if the girl is to be taken from you she will need as much of mother's milk as she can get now."

"Will that be enough?" asked Lonán anxiously as her baby began to hesitantly suckle.

"I will arrange for a wet nurse from the village to accompany Hunith," he replied briskly, hurrying to collect provisions for his sister's journey, "She need not know whose child the baby is."

Brianna's eyes met with Lonán's and she carefully studied her expression, taking in the anxious look of worry that creased her features, "Are you sure you are able to do this? To give up the child?" she asked in a low voice.

"I have been readying myself for this moment for three months," the princess replied, her voice thick with emotion, "and still I am not prepared… but I must Brianna, there is no other way."

Brianna quietly placed her arm around her mistress, stoking her hair in comfort as fresh tears slid down the younger woman's face.

As the newborn finished taking milk, slowly falling asleep in exhaustion from the ordeals of birth, Hunith took a large blanket and carefully wrapped it around the sleeping baby.

"It is time," said Gaius gently, his grey eyes full of pity as he stepped toward the bed.

Lifting the child up, Lonán pressed her lips to her daughter's cheek, choking back her tears as she passed her into Hunith's waiting arms.

Placing a small bundle of her belongings and provisions on her shoulder, Gaius quickly ushered his sister toward the door of his chambers, checking the quiet halls for anyone that may observe her departure.

"A name," said Hunith suddenly as she approached the door, "what will you name her?"

"I will name her for my mother," she replied without hesitation, her voice breaking as she spoke. With a deep breath she calmed herself, smiling softly through her tears, "I shall name her Morgause."

Hunith nodded briefly, repeating the name quietly under her breath… and then she disappeared into the cold passageway that would lead her and the baby down into the heart of the village and then away, away from the warm arms of a loving mother… and into the unknown…

A/N - So… did anyone see the Morgause story-line coming? :D And in case it's of interest to anyone, being born "in the Caul" (amniotic sac) was seen as a sign of good luck in medieval times. Some legends suggest the child will be fey or psychic and able to see the future. Others say that it means the child will never drown. Just a little insight into the crazy level of research I put into each chapter… detail is my kryptonite…