Well, will you look at this, I'm posting early. Why, you ask? Because I'm feeling generous. Again, why? It's Harry Potter and JK Rowling's birthday! So, here's my birthday present to...not them, because it's Tamora Pierce, but still. And I won't write another Harry Potter fanfiction. For a third time, why? The last one sucked.
Thanks to anyone who read and reviewed Shine, I'll work on getting an update on that to you soon!
Disclaimer: I'm surrending everything to Tamora Pierce.
A cool breeze danced across Alanna's face as she stood on the balcony of her home, staring out at the sea. Winter was well on its way, but for once, Alanna didn't care about the cold. She was sick of being held hostage inside. Behind her, Maude leaned casually against the wall, keeping a close eye on the severely pregnant knight. Recently, the old nursemaid had taken to following Alanna everywhere, in the fear that she would go into labor without anyone around. And with the babe expected any day now, Alanna didn't object. She was growing more and more nervous with each passing day.
The babe gave a swift kick in Alanna's belly. The Lioness gasped and wiped a hand over her midsection. Maude started forward, but Alanna waved her away.
"I'm fine," she assured the older woman, "he was just kicking again."
Maude nodded, leaning back against the wall. She smiled cheekily. "Seems like he grows more restless by the hour."
Alanna nodded. "Of course he does," she agreed. "Wouldn't you?"
"I suppose," Maude laughed. She stepped over to join Alanna. The pregnant woman smiled thinly at her. She looked exhausted, and her midsection was unarguably huge, but Maude could see the excitement under her fatigue. Maude pushed a wayward strand of hair from Alanna's eyes. "Seems like just yesterday I was helping your mother to bring you into the world. And now I'm helping you birth your own child." She chuckled. "If anyone had told me years ago you'd settle down enough to have a child, I'd have laughed in their face."
Alanna groaned weakly, knowing that Maude was only having a bit of fun at her expense. The two women talked easily to pass the time. Often, Alanna would stop talking to put a hand over her belly. The child was moving more than usual today, which had her worried.
"Goddess, Alanna, what's wrong?" Maude asked the fifth time this happened. Alanna shook her head.
"I don't know." She ran a troubled hand over her midsection. Maude crossed her arms, looking thoughtful.
"Come inside," she finally said, turning on her heel and beckoning for Alanna to follow. "I want to check the child."
Alanna obeyed her former nursemaid, feeling anxious. She didn't like Maude's tone, nor the look in her eye. The babe kicked, and Alanna waddled faster, biting her lip. She wasn't due to deliver for another week. What had the babe so excited?
As Alanna thought, Maude stared straight ahead. She was fairly certain she knew what was happening with the child, but she wondered how Alanna would take it. The poor girl was plainly nervous about giving birth, and this…the nursemaid sighed. She was babying Alanna again. The little girl who had lovingly tormented all of Trebond and balked at skirts was now a woman, a knight, and capable of taking care of herself. She didn't need Maude to hold back important information just to keep from frightening her.
With this thought, they reached the door to Alanna and George's private rooms. Maude placed a hand on the smooth wood and pushed it open, stepping aside to let Alanna pass. But the young woman wasn't behind her. Maude blinked and looked around for her charge. It wasn't long before she found her, standing several away and leaning heavily against the wall. Her face was deathly pale, and her eyes were a mixture of fear, pain, and confusion. Concerned, Maude took a step towards her. "Alanna?"
The pregnant woman looked up at her name. "Maude…"
Before she could say anything else, Alanna doubled up in pain, swearing loudly. For the first time, Maude saw the dark stain drenching Alanna's breeches. She nearly swore herself as she caught Alanna before she could fall to the ground, but restrained herself for Alanna's sake.
"Maude," Alanna gasped again, clenching her jaw in pain, "what's—?"
Alanna swore for a second time, but Maude ignored it. She was focused on getting Alanna to the bed. Although she was short, the large swell to Alanna's belly made the knight heavier than usual, so that Maude was panting slightly as she finally reached the bed, though not nearly so much as Alanna. The knight clutched her swollen belly and groaned in pain.
"Get George," she grunted, and Maude nodded before running to the door.
"I need a maid, to the baron's rooms!" she hollered into the empty hallway, praying that one was nearby. "This instant!" She wasn't kept waiting for long. Three maids came panting into view, red-cheeked from running, to stop before Maude.
"What happened?" one of them demanded, craning her neck to see behind Maude. "Is it—?"
"I need you for one of you to find the baron, and bring him here, immediately," Maude interrupted. All three maids blinked at her. "Another must call for midwife Ayesha. Quickly." Two of the maids scampered off, leaving the third to stand alone with Maude.
"What is needed of me, mistress?" she asked dutifully. Maude scowled.
"Make sure everyone knows not to come around here unless summoned. No one, understand?" The maid nodded. "Good. Now go."
The maid turned and ran. Maude watched her go for a moment before re-entering Alanna's room. She had work to do.
George stood in the stable, stroking his wife's mount's nose. Poor Darkmoon missed Alanna, and the baron pitied him.
"Alanna misses you just as much," George quietly assured the gelding, who snorted. George chuckled, letting his fingers run mindlessly through the horse's forelock. His thoughts, as usual, were stuck on Alanna. The closeness of her due date concerned him; it seemed like the past nine months hadn't happened.
Darkmoon tossed his head slightly. George let his hand fall back to his side.
"I should get back to the tower," he mused aloud, more to himself than to Darkmoon. He scratched the gelding's ears once more before leaving the stables, headed for his home. Before he could take more than a few steps, though, the doors he was headed for were flung open, and a maid rushed out.
When she caught sight of George, she hurriedly approached. Bobbing a sloppy curtsy, the maid breathed, "Baron Cooper, Mistress Maude is calling for you. She seems right frantic, sir, and asked for you to join her in your rooms immediately." She took a deep, gasping breath before adding, "I think it's the baroness, sir."
George froze. What could be wrong with Alanna? She wasn't due for another week. Swearing vigorously, he sprinted past the surprised maid into the tower, ignoring the curious passersby. All he cared about was reaching his wife.
Alanna wiped the sweat from her brows. She was breathing heavily, and regularly hit with what felt like a crazed warhorse in the stomach. Maude was standing over her, murmuring words of comfort and wishing she could do more. Although she knew if she used too much of her Gift, it could affect the child, each time Alanna cried out in pain, it took a great deal of self-control not to numb the pain.
"Where's George?" Alanna gasped. Maude glanced up at the door.
"I don't know," she admitted, wondering where he could be. She had been in here with Alanna for several minutes, long enough to change the thrashing Lioness into a nightgown with time to spare. "He should be here by now."
Alanna groaned and curled up in pain in answer. Maude was leaning over her, trying to soothe her, when the door flew open and a dark form hurtled inside.
George stumbled to a half just inside the door, blowing like a winded horse. He stared wide-eyed at Alanna, plainly unsure what to do. His face was as pale as Alanna's and his hands shook with nerves. Maude stepped away from the bed, and George blinked. He hurried over to his wife's side and reached for her hand.
"How's she comin'?" he asked Maude, not looking away from Alanna. The young knight frowned as her free hand rubbed her belly.
"She's fine," Maude answered. "A bit uncomfortable, but fine."
"A bit uncomfortable?" Alanna repeated sourly. "That's the biggest understatement I've ever heard."
George chuckled weakly and bent to kiss Alanna's forehead. He knew she was fine if she could maintain her blunt sarcasm. As he pulled away, her hand tightened around his and she grimaced, gasping in pain again. George looked terrified.
"What can I—?" he started, but was interrupted by the arrival of a fourth person through the still-open door.
"Just stay where you are," the village midwife, Ayesha, barked, closing the door behind her. Her Scanran blue eyes were fixed on Alanna, but her words were directed towards George. "Leave her care to me and Maude. She'll be fine."
George wanted to say something, but couldn't. Alanna chose that moment to gasp and curl up again, and he turned all of his attention to her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tight, banishing his panic and anxiety. There would be time to be frightened later. Right now, Alanna needed him.
It was going to be a long night.
End of labor part one. I've never actually seen a live birth, so I tried very hard. And now I've got a question for you: should I go beyond Thom and write Aly and Alan's time in Alanna's belly? lol I will if you want me to, but won't if you don't. :)
Press the purple button...do it...
Happy Birthday, Harry Potter and JK Rowling!,
Brighteyes