With all the women working together, and nature itself working quickly, Carly's labor didn't take very long. Just a few hours after it began it was over and Carly had given birth to a beautiful baby girl. Gawain had sat beside his wife, holding her hand and caressing her face as she went through the pain, and he'd only felt faint once when he'd seen the baby's head begin to crest; although there had seemed to be a lot of blood. Gawain hadn't expected that. Before Carly and the other women the men would never have been in the room for the birth, but they'd changed that… his little spitfire. She'd given him everything, including a daughter now.

While he and Carly held their little girl, counting fingers and toes, the others moved about the chambers getting it cleaned up and making sure it was warm enough. Then they let the other men in to greet their new family member. Larissa sat on the edge of the bed holding Dru, "What's her name? Have you decided?"

"Her name is Ava," Gawain murmured rubbing his index finger down the babe's cheek as she nursed.

"Ava Maureen," Carly finished. "After Gawain's mother and my mother."

"That's a beautiful name," Jes told her friend, smiling at the picture the small family made. "And now we're going to let you get your rest."

"Thank you," Carly teared up, "Thank you for making sure nothing bad happened to my baby."

"Pfft, please, like we'd ever let anything happen to either one of you?" Danni waved her off as they all cleared the room.

Danni and Jes stood outside the door for a moment, "That was scary."

Jes nodded, "For a moment I was worried. There was too much blood. It's a good thing you have those healing powers."

"You'd have figured something out, but… I'm glad you didn't have to." Danni looked at Jes's own stomach, "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted now. Beyond that probably. I'm heading straight to my own bed. And sleeping in. But Danni, if she needs anything, you'll wake me right?"

"I promise." The two girls shared a hug, and then went their separate ways.

&&&&

Lancelot could feel the weariness rolling off of his wife. He wasted no time in helping her undress and then climb under their covers. He crawled in with her and pulled her in close to his body, holding her tightly, his hand splayed over her belly protectively. "It has been a long day for you," he murmured.

"Yes it has. It wasn't an easy birth either. It didn't last long, but… it wasn't easy."

"But they are all well now, yes?"

"Yes. Everything should be fine now. Danni fixed it." Jes sighed. "I'm glad Danni will be there when I have ours."

"I will be there as well… I can only hope I do as well as Gawain, and do not pass out," he teased.

"When I worked at the hospital I saw a lot of men pass out in the delivery room," she chuckled softly. "I don't think you'll be one of them." Jes felt herself drifting off to sleep.

&&&&

The next day dawned brightly and the first thing Jes did in was to go and check on Carly and little Ava. Both mother and daughter were doing well, so she decided she would pack up the twins and take them for a walk in the small field between the keep and the Woad's woods. Between Arthur's Knights and the Woad she knew she was safe. She knew as long as she didn't step foot outside of the Wall Morgaine couldn't get her.

Gaia squealed in delight causing Jes to turn, and she saw Merlin heading towards her. She gave him a warm smile. "Hello Merlin," she greeted the older man.

"Good afternoon Lady Jeslyn. I understand we have a new life at the Keep?"

"Yes, Carly and Gawain's daughter, Ava, was born. She's beautiful."

"We will celebrate soon I am sure."

"And you yourself will become a grandfather in just a few months… that's pretty exciting stuff."

"Indeed," Merlin smiled smugly. "You and your lady friends brought great fortune to our realm. Strange magics, yes, but great fortune."

"Well, it hasn't always been easy, and I know it won't always, but I wouldn't change it," Jes sighed, and rubbed her belly.

Finn had toddled his way over to the old man and tugged on his robes. "Ganpa?"

Merlin looked surprised, and Jes chuckled. "Sorry about that," she told him. "They have a grandmother with Dame Rosmerta, but they don't have a grandfather. They tend to adopt everyone they meet."

Gaia had wandered over to inspect the man with her brother. Merlin crouched down to let the children look him in the eyes and tug his beard. Gaia looked from Merlin to Finn, "Ganpa," she told the boy decidedly in a no nonsense voice.

"I don't mind," he said softly. "That they would even want me is an honor. You become an avatar of the Gods in saving these little ones."

"I couldn't not save them. They're mine, as if they were my own flesh and blood." Jes watched the children as they crawled over to inspect some wildflowers. "Is she as frightening up close as she was from the Wall?"

Merlin didn't insult her by acting like he didn't know of whom she spoke. "She is indeed. Morgaine is not a woman to be trifled with. She is a black witch."

Jes nodded, "I believe it easily. Even in the tales where I'm from she dealt in dark magic. She learned spells from you and then twisted them for evil purpose."

"I fear she will not be satisfied with the response she got while she was here. She will return. I do not know when, but only that she will."

"Another thing I completely agree with you on."

"Keep your fear Lady Jeslyn, for it will help to keep you safe," Merlin spoke softly and laid a hand on her shoulder to give her comfort, "but do not let your fear rule you. Arthur and his knights, your beloved Lancelot, they will not let harm come to you or those you love. You all have become far too dear to them. You all have become far too dear to this Keep."

"I know Arthur and his knights will try to keep us safe."

"Not only them my child. The entire Keep watches you women with devotion. My people would fight for you as well. It is not just fourteen standing against Morgaine, but it is fourteen with an army at their backs."

Jes looked at the old man and gratitude shone from her eyes. "Thank you Merlin. Thank you so much." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I should get back. It's time for a nap for all of us I think."