"Annie!" Djaq yelled.
Annie came running.
"Djaq! What is it?"
Djaq winced as another sharp pain coursed through her.
"I think it is time now," she said, fighting to keep herself calm.
"What? Now?" Annie demanded. "I thought you weren't due 'til next week!"
Djaq took a deep breath in an effort to suppress the pain.
"Pregnancy is hardly an exact science. This baby comes when it wants to come. And it wants to come now."
Annie gave a crooked grin.
"And they say I have a bad temper," she remarked to the flowers. Reaching down, she helped Djaq stand.
It took several minutes to dress Djaq in fresh clothes and get her lying down on her bed. She had had to stand for several agonizing minutes while Annie put fresh sheets on her straw-filled mattress and hauled it into the front room, where there was more space to tend to her, but it didn't hurt quite so much now that she was lying down. She breathed in, and then out, trying to calm herself down. She had seen several births in her career as a physician, and she knew that they were neither short nor painless. She was in this for the long haul.
Rafi skidded in, covered in dirt. He had taken quite a liking to gardening and Annie had let him take over the plots of vegetables and herbs as neither she nor Djaq particularly relished the task.
"I thought the baby was coming next week," he said, sounding unimpressed by her.
Djaq groaned.
"It was not a date set in stone!" she snapped. "I am not in control of these things!"
Annie came into the room.
"Rafi. I'm glad you're here. I need you to saddle Buttons and ride for Sherwood. You need to bring Will back here, so he can be here when his baby is born. It's important."
Rafi nodded quickly.
"Allah protect you, Lady," he said softly, before running out the door.
Djaq knew they were both thinking the same thing. So many women died in childbirth. There was such a high risk of infection with the woman and child so vulnerable. Annie wanted Will to be there in case Djaq or the baby did not make it.
Djaq lay back on her pillows and shook her head. There was no need of such thoughts right now. Right now, all she needed to do was concentrate on getting through the contractions, which would come closer and closer together, until the baby was actually born.
Luke rushed in, out of breath.
"I heard. Are you alright, Djaq?"
Djaq nodded. She lay, propped up on pillows.
"I am alive," she said warily.
Luke pulled a face.
"That's not the same thing," he said. "At least your sense of humour is still intact."
"Imagine that," Djaq responded. Another wave of pain hit her and she braced herself against it. Luke rushed to her side and seized her hand. He winced as Djaq crushed his fingers.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Luke complained, withdrawing his injured hand.
"You think… that… hurt?" Djaq said, trying to breathe evenly.
Luke sat on the edge of her bed.
"How long is this going to take?" he asked.
"As long as it needs to," Djaq replied. "This baby will come when it comes, and no sooner. Many hours is my guess."
"Bet you're pretty mad at Will now, eh?" he said, smiling.
Djaq grimaced.
"If he ever comes near me again, I will kill him," she said, not really meaning it.
Luke raised his eyebrows.
"Don't you want more kids?" he asked.
Djaq paused.
"Of course I do. Just… not for a long, long time."
Luke smirked.
"Smile away, my young friend. This is going to hurt," Djaq said resignedly.
Luke reached over and brushed a damp strand of dark hair away from Djaq's forehead
"I'm here for you, Djaq. You know that, right?"
Djaq smiled at his tender tone.
"I know, Luke. You are the best of brothers."
A shadow passed over his face, but was quickly wiped away.
"I miss my brother," Djaq said suddenly. The more she thought about it, the more she wished her family was here with her for this occasion in her life.
"You have a brother?" Luke asked, interested. Djaq had never spoken of her family to him before, and he was naturally curious.
"I had a brother. And a father. They are dead now," Djaq said softly. Then, seeing the sympathetic look on Luke's face, she continued to explain. "It was a long time ago. I have come to terms with it. My brother was in Saladin's army. When he was killed in battle, I look his place. I vowed to get revenge against the Englishmen who slaughtered my beloved brother. And now look at me. I am going to bear an Englishman's child."
"What was your brother's name?" Luke wanted to know.
"Djaq," she replied.
Luke looked surprised.
"Your parents named both of you Djaq? That was daft."
Djaq smiled.
"Of course not. I took his name when I took his place in the army. My name was Safiyya."
"Safiyya. That's pretty."
"Yes, it is. But it is not me any more. I left Safiyya in the Holy Land."
Luke looked at her with an intense look in his clear, gray eyes.
"I'm glad you came back to England, so I got the chance to know you better. Do you need anything, Djaq?"
"Some water," she replied, closing her eyes and thinking of her brother.
Another contraction hit. They were closer together now; and if it was possible, more painful than before. Djaq fought a groan from escaping her throat. She clenched her teeth as hard as she could to keep them closed and balled her hands into fists. It passed, leaving her weak and trembling.
"You poor thing," Annie said, placing a cup of fruit juice in Djaq's hand. "The first child is always the hardest."
"Did you ever… have children, Annie?" Djaq asked. She had often wondered why the spirited redhead lived alone with her nephew, instead of having a husband and children.
"I did, once," Annie answered. A look of pain came into her eyes.
"What happened?" Djaq asked.
Annie cleared her throat then got up, moving around the room.
"I had a little girl. Ten years ago now it must have been. She… she died when she was three. There… was an accident. She fell in the river and was drowned." Annie brushed an errant tear away from her cheek.
Djaq reached out and took her friend's hand.
"I am so sorry, Annie," she said softly.
"I can't help thinking about it now, with you like this. She was such a little sunshine in my life. My little Sarah." Annie smiled slightly and brushed more tears away. "I… I never had a husband, you understand. I was young, so very young. Dan was good to me. The best brother in the world. He found me this place to live in Scarborough, where nobody knew about my disgrace. I told people I was a widow." She gave a watery chuckle. "Sometimes I think it was God's judgment on me for my sin, that she died."
Djaq shook her head.
"From what I know of your God, He is not like that," Djaq said gently. "He would not harm a little child for another's sin."
Annie gave a sad shake of her head.
"You're right, of course. It's just that in my dark hours I think these things." Annie sighed. Then, she brightened. "You know, for a heathen you have a firm grasp on what God is like."
The two women shared a chuckle at the little joke, which had sprouted when a woman in the village had venomously called Djaq a heathen.
Another contraction caught Djaq mid-laugh. Her smile turned into a grimace and she braced herself against the bed, trying to assuage the wave of pain that overtook her.
When it was over, she fell back onto her pillows.
"When is this going to be over?" Djaq sighed.
Annie grinned.
"Not for a long time, Dearie."
The contractions continued all night. In between, Djaq tried to snatch sleep, knowing she would need her strength later, but thoughts kept keeping her awake.
Up until now, this baby had been almost a theoretical possibility. Now, it was soon to be a reality. In a few short hours, she would be a mother. Djaq had never known her mother. She had died shortly after Djaq was born, leaving her in the care of her father and brother. No one had really shown Djaq how to be a mother. Perhaps she would be terrible at it. Perhaps her child would grow to resent her. Perhaps…
But she pushed all such thoughts aside. They were not profitable. Instead, she dwelt on the image of Will holding his newborn child. Already she knew that Will would worship his son or daughter. The image made her smile. Will was going to be such a wonderful father. And already she felt as if her heart would burst if she loved this child any more.
"Please hurry, Will," she whispered. She was afraid Will would miss this. She was afraid something would happen to her or the baby and Will would not be there.
Luke had fallen asleep curled up in a chair before the fire and Annie was sleeping on the floor beside Djaq's bed, ready to jump up if Djaq needed anything. To amuse herself, Djaq watched the window at the far side of the house. It had been left open all night, to give the stifling house some air. As Djaq watched, the sky began to lighten and the small fleecy clouds on the horizon became tinged with pink. In slow increments, so slow Djaq hardly noticed when they were happening, the light began to increase and the clouds to became dyed with red and gold. Then, just as the first rays of the sun came spilling over the edge of the world, Djaq heard hoof beats on the road.
Luke woke up, blinking.
"Is it morning?" he asked.
"There is someone out on the road," Djaq said, bracing herself as another contraction came.
Before Luke could get up to see who it was, the door of the house flew open and Will marched in, followed closely by Rafi.
"I brought him, Lady! We rode all night," Rafi panted.
Will went instantly to Djaq. He gathered her up in his arms and held her close.
"I'm sorry I was so late, my love," he said. "But to be fair, you're early."
Djaq nearly sobbed with relief.
"I'm so glad you're here!" she choked.
Will leaned down and kissed her swiftly.
Djaq traced his face with her fingertips, as if to assure herself that he was really there. Will caught her fingers and kissed them.
A contraction hit. Djaq fought to keep herself from crying out at the pain that threatened to rip her in two.
"Djaq! Djaq! What's happening?" Will demanded, frightened.
"Contraction," Djaq said through clenched teeth.
In a moment it passed, and Djaq let herself relax.
"They are coming more and more often now. The baby will be coming soon."
There was a scuffling outside, and hushed voices.
"What is that?" Djaq asked.
Will looked sheepish.
"I couldn't stop them from coming, Djaq. They all wanted to be here. Said a family should be together when a baby was born."
"What's going on?" Djaq asked cautiously.
"Come on in, fellows," Will said, raising his voice.
In tumbled Robin, followed by Allan, Marian, Much, and Little John. They all looked slightly guilty.
"Hello, Djaq," Robin said, trying to maintain his usual cocky grin.
Djaq leaned back on her pillows and laughed until she didn't have any breath left. Her laughter was so infectious that the others couldn't help chuckling as well.
"You are- by far- the most ridiculous bunch of troublemakers the world has ever seen!" Djaq announced, when she could breathe again.
"That's us!" Allan said proudly.
"We came to see your baby," Much said, by way of an explanation.
"You will have to wait a while," Annie said, coming in briskly. "Right you lot- outside. Djaq doesn't need you here when she gives birth. Marian may stay if she wants, but you men belong outside. Luke and Rafi, you too."
Robin, daring to ignore Annie's command, walked over to Djaq's bed and kissed her gently on the forehead.
"God bless, dear friend," he said softly in Arabic.
Djaq smiled after him as he positively fled the room, skirting Annie's wrath.
"And also with you," she murmured the traditional response in English, finding the words strange when not in her native tongue.
"Will, you must go outside," Annie said firmly.
Will shook his head.
"My place is here, Auntie. With my wife."
"Men are not supposed to be in the birthing room," Annie grumbled.
"Please," Djaq cut in. "Let him stay."
Annie looked from Will to Djaq and back again, then sighed.
"If you make any trouble, I will kick you out, father of the baby or not," she threatened.
Djaq's contractions were now coming thick and fast. Will stayed with her, holding her hand and letting her crush his. Between contractions they sat silent, each with their own thoughts. The day was hot, and the door was left open to allow for air circulation. Outside, the rest of the gang waited.
"What do you think is going to happen?" Much asked after they had been silent for a long time.
"What do you think?" Robin asked.
Djaq could picture the face Much was pulling.
"That's not what I meant. I mean, after the baby comes, what then? Will Djaq stay here? Will she come back with us?"
There was a pause.
"I hope she's ok in there," Robin said, worry in his voice.
"She will be fine," said Little John's firm voice.
"I'm not being funny, but this is taking forever!" Allan announced.
"Let's see you give birth," Marian said. "And see how long it takes you."
"I'm just saying… if she's going to do it, she should just do it"
"It's not quite as easy as it sounds, Allan. You're forcing something the size of a loaf of bread through something the size of an apple!"
"Thank you for that image, Marian," Much cut in.
"So you've done it before?" Allan asked snidely. "Is there something you're not telling our fearless leader, Marian?"
"Shut up, both of you," Robin said tersely. "And what have I told you about calling me your 'fearless leader', Allan?"
Djaq didn't hear Allan's answer, because another contraction hit without warning. It was more painful then the others, and it did not fade away.
"Annie!" Djaq yelled.
Will was shoved aside, and presumably banished outside. Marian rushed in and together she and Annie crowded near Djaq.
"This is it, sweetheart," Annie said. "You're dilated 4 inches. You can now give birth."
"Oh, thank you for informing me!" Djaq snapped. "I am so glad I now have your permission!"
"Sarcasm won't help you give birth any faster," Annie replied tartly. "Save your strength to push."
Djaq did push. She pushed until it felt as though she could not push any more. She pushed as wave after wave of pain broke over her. The Innkeeper's wife had been right: it hurt more than anything she had ever felt. It felt as though she were being ripped apart.
"One more big push, Djaq. You're almost there!" Annie encouraged.
Djaq felt as though she only had one more in her. She pushed one final time, and … a baby's cry mingled with her own.
She fell back onto the pillows, completely exhausted, her limbs shaking with the effort. Annie carefully washed the baby, and wrapped the tiny body in a soft blanket. She lowered the blankets down so that Djaq could see.
"You're a mother, Djaq," she said softly. "You have a beautiful baby girl."
"A girl," Djaq whispered. "I have a daughter. Show her to her father."
Marian took the baby from Annie.
"Will," she called out, opening the door to the house which had been closed against Djaq's screams. Will was there in a second; he had probably been sitting just outside. "You have a daughter."
Will was handed his new baby girl and looked at her rapturously for a long moment. Then he looked quickly at the bed.
"How is Djaq?" he asked.
"Djaq is just fine. Go on, show your little girl off to the gang," Marian said, laughter edging her voice.
A huge, silly grin spread over Will's face.
"Look, lads. Here is my little girl. I'm a father!"
The gang crowded around Will in awed silence. Then:
"I'm not being funny, but that's the reddest and wrinklest baby I ever saw," Allan said.
There was a resounding smacking sound.
"Owww! What was that for?" Allan demanded in an injured voice.
"She was just born! How many other newborn babies have you seen?" Little John asked roughly.
"She's perfect!" Will said insistently.
"Yes, she is," Robin agreed.
Djaq felt a rush of warmth toward Robin. Toward everyone. Even Allan. She would go and talk to all of them. But in a moment. Right now, her eyelids felt so heavy. But she would… not… fall… asleep…
Djaq hovered on the edge of sleep. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so comfortable and easy. Usually, the baby would wake her up before now. The baby! Djaq was forced awake at the thought. She tried to sit up, then sank back in pain.
"Lie back, my love. Annie says you'll be sore for a while," Will's comforting voice said. He was sitting beside her on the bed, his arms around her.
"Where is the baby?" Djaq asked.
"Marian's holding her. I gave her a name when you were asleep. The one we chose if it was a girl."
"Safiyya," Djaq breathed.
Will's silly grin was back.
"Safi is well and healthy and perfect," he said.
Marian walked into the room. She was holding Safi gingerly, as if she was afraid the infant would break.
"Careful to support her head," Robin said, coming in after her.
Marian adjusted her arms and looked down into the tiny face.
"She's sleeping," she said, smiling. "Hello you little beauty," she cooed.
Now that Safi was no longer red and wrinkly, she was a beautiful baby. Djaq could see dark, feather-soft hair resting on a dusky forehead. Apparently, Safi had inherited her mother's Middle Eastern colouring.
Robin was looking at Marian and the baby with such tender affection evident n his eyes, such unguarded longing in his face, that it was not hard for Djaq to guess what he was thinking. He was imagining the children he and Marian would have someday. Right now, it was even more impossible for him to have children than it was for Will and Djaq. He couldn't afford to be vulnerable, especially now. But that did not stop him from wanting what he knew he and Marian could not yet have.
Marian looked up and him, and their eyes met. She smiled softly at her husband.
"Someday," she said, as if reading his thoughts.
Robin gave a short nod and strode out of the room.
Djaq didn't realize that she had fallen asleep until she woke up. Will was sitting beside her, holding Safi.
"Hey, you're awake," he said. "Would you like to hold her?"
Djaq nodded, opening her arms. It was the first time she had held her little daughter. Will was right: she was perfect. She opened her huge eyes, blinking at her mother. They were such a bright, startling green that Djaq laughed.
"You are just like your papa!" she said, kissing the tiny forehead.
Will chuckled.
"And here I was hoping she would be just like her mama. Her eyes are striking, aren't they? She will break hearts."
Djaq moved over and Will climbed into the bed, settling down beside her. Djaq relaxed in his embrace and sighed.
"She's going to be a warrior woman, just like her mama. And I'll have to hide a staff behind the door to scare away all the suitors who will be asking for her hand. And she'll be smart too."
"Maybe she'll love to carve, like her papa," Djaq said looking down at the tiny face, which looked back up at her with curious, wide-open eyes.
"I just hope she hasn't inherited her mama's temper," Will teased.
Djaq poked him in the ribs, in the spot where she knew he was most ticklish.
Will wriggled out of her reach, jiggling Safi in the process. She let out a wail of protest.
"Don't worry Safi. I won't let Mama bully us," Will remarked to her.
Djaq rolled her eyes. Already the tiny girl had Will at her beck and call.
"Right now, Mama just wants to sleep. You were a lot of work, you know that, right?" Djaq asked Safi. Safi just looked at her with her large, green eyes.
"Sleep then, love," Will said, pulling her closer so that he held Djaq in one arm and Safi in the other.
"Stay with me?" Djaq asked, her eyes already beginning to drift shut as she put her head on Will's shoulder.
"Always," Will said tenderly. "For you, and for Safi. Always."
Author's Note: It's a girl! Safiyya Scarlett already has Papa wrapped around her little finger, there's no two ways about that. I was going to have only Will at the birth, and at the last second the whole gang showed up and said they wanted to be there too. So in they all had to go.
Poor Robin and Marian. As someone said, it is always 'someday' for them. (and if the show has its way, 'never', but I'm ignoring that) I wanted to add more Robin/Marian in there somewhere, but unfortunately, this is a story about Djaq, and she wasn't really around either.
This is the end. But not really the end, because there is an epilogue. Why? Because I don't know how to quit while I'm ahead, that's why. I hope all of you stick around for one more segment.