Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, Robin, Marian, Matilda, et al; I have earned nothing from this endeavor but the joy that comes from the writing and the possibility of a nice comment or two.
Marian: Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 35
Robin slipped from bed into the chilly darkness as quietly as he could, but it was no use. Marian groaned and he heard rather than saw her roll over.
"Is it morning already?" she asked, her voice soft and thick with sleep.
How he longed to crawl back under the covers and curl around her, soothe her back to sleep and enjoy the feel of her in his arms. But alas, Robin Hood had men to lead and work to do. Robin the husband got short shrift. He sighed.
"Afraid so, my love," he said, pulling on his breeches and tunic. He hated waking her and tried his hardest not to. But she always seemed to sense, even in her sleep, his impending departure. She'd slept uneasily this morning, though. Her tossing and turning and soft grunts had actually woken him. The fuller's cock had yet to sound the daily alarm and the sky beyond the shutters was still inky.
Crouching beside the fire pit, he coaxed a small blaze to life. Once the tiny log caught, he returned to perch on the edge of their bed and placed a hand on the mound of Marian's belly. It felt hard as a stone. That concerned him and he resisted the urge to frown. He did not want to alarm her unnecessarily. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"
She shook her head and closed her eyes and sighed. Her eyes popped back open a moment later. "Fine, I suppose. Achy and uncomfortable, but that's been true for a week now."
"Right, then. I'm off. I'm going by Matilda's and have her come check on you."
"I'm fine."
He shook his head, brushing her hair back from her face. "What if you're not? I don't want anything to happen to my two best girls."
"You don't know it's a girl," she argued, though listlessly.
That added to his worry. "You don't know it's not," he said with a wink and a playfulness he did not feel, just as they'd shared the same exchange many times in the last two weeks. He leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the forehead and mouth. "I shall see you later."
Marian watched him until he disappeared from view, though that didn't take very long at all. She heard the familiar sounds of him climbing out the back window and closing the shutters and smiled. In the month and a half since they'd exchanged their vows, they'd lapsed into a routine. Robin would slip into the cottage well after dark. She was usually in bed already, but working on a piece of embroidery. Sometimes they'd talk, occasionally they'd make love, although not for a week now, and every once in a while he would just fall into an exhausted sleep. Except for Sundays, he was always up and gone before the cock crowed, leaving her as he had this morning, with a tender kiss and a small fire crackling and glowing in the pit. On Sundays they would linger in bed, talking and catching up, snuggling and finding pleasure in each other's arms before he left for the day.
It wasn't the ideal solution, but she was content with it. For now. Until the king returned and pardoned Robin and the gang. Then everyone of them could live a normal life again. But that day was a long way off.
Marian sighed. In the meantime, she faced another long boring day of pacing the cottage, tending her small garden, and piddling with her embroidery. She'd been restless for the last week or so and, during her visit just yesterday, Matilda said that could be indicative of the child's impending arrival.
Marian hoped so. Much as she had enjoyed being with child, she now just felt ungainly and uncomfortable all the time. And she was ready to hold her babe in her arms, to have it suckle at her breast. The memory of Ellie at her breast in the other reality flashed through her mind and she smiled. It wouldn't be long now.
She allowed herself to doze off again for a time. When she awoke, there was light between the shutter slats. She forced herself to rise even though she felt she could sleep still longer. Drawing on her loosest gown, she waddled slowly around the cottage, stopping often to catch her breath as she tidied up, although there really wasn't much to do. Then she went outside and sat heavily on the bench next to the cottage. The morning nip felt wonderful. Resting her head against the cottage, she watched the sky brighten as the sun began its daily journey.
Matilda enjoyed the walk from her own small cottage at the outskirts of Locksley Village to Marian's in Wadlow. She'd made the trek every other day for the last two weeks, twice a week before that, and once a week prior to that. Her gowns hung more loosely on her frame than they had in a while and that pleased her greatly.
The morning air was cool and crisp and the birds twittered merrily from their hiding places amongst the foliage. The sun would crest the trees any time now. Much as she would have liked to tarry, she had a sneaking suspicion that today was the day. If Marian's birth pangs hadn't begun, they would soon enough. And Robin's worried visit before dawn had prompted her to go this morning rather than waiting until mid-day.
Matilda rapped on the cottage door and waited for Marian's welcoming response, but there was nothing but silence.
Except... beyond the birds and the insects and the low hum of life from the rest of Wadlow's inhabitants, Matilda heard a groan. She didn't give a second thought to barging into the cottage. Looking about, she didn't see Marian anywhere in the main room. So it's begun.
She hurried toward the small bed chamber to find Marian curled up in a ball on the cot, face flushed and damp tendrils of hair stuck to her forehead and cheeks.
Nothing looked too terribly wrong, so she pushed away the tiny knot of fear until she could take stock of the situation. "Hello, dear," she said cheerily. No sense in worrying the mother unduly.
Marian breathed heavily through her mouth twice. "The babe..." she gasped.
Matilda perched on the edge of the cot and placed a hand on Marian's forehed. No fever, just sweat. So far, so good. "So I see. The pains been going on long?"
"An hour, perhaps..." She lapsed into another groan and the next wave of pain washed up and over her. She closed her eyes.
"Looks they're coming fairly steady. Not much time between them?"
"Just. A. Little." Each word was punctuated by a harsh breath.
"Well, let's have a look at you then." Once the next pain passed, Matilda helped Marian out of her gown, leaving her clad in nothing but her thin undertunic and settled her back into the cot. After waiting through another pain, she looked at Marian's nether regions. Matilda took in a deep breath of relief. Marian wasn't too far along and everything looked normal. "I don't see anything yet. Have you had a rush of liquid?"
Marian shook her head briskly. "It hurts," she groaned.
"I know, my dear, but there's no gettin' around that part." She patted Marian on the leg. "Now, I'm going to get ready for the birth—boil some water, grab some clean linens, and send a messenger after Robin. Sit tight for a moment."
"Where would I go?" Marian asked breathlessly.
Matilda chuckled.
~~ rh ~~
Marian was having the baby!
Robin rushed through the forest toward home, navigating the forest quickly and easily. He'd had a nagging feeling all morning that he shouldn't have left Marian. Or that he should have returned to her after going to Matilda's.
Well, there was no time for regrets or second thoughts now. The babe was coming and he wanted to be there. He ran faster, as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels, calling out to Much and Djaq when he saw them.
He skirted the village, but rather than climb through the back window, he scooched alongside the cottage and peeked around to the front. Seeing no one, he made a break for the front door and slipped inside.
A long low moan ending in a strangled scream pierced the air.
Robin froze. Fear gripped his throat in a stranglehold. His heart plummeted to the ground and ceased to beat.
Marian.
He was in the doorway to the bed chamber a moment later.
"Marian," he exclaimed in worry and relief.
Both Matilda's and Marian's heads jerked up and they looked him.
"It's about time you got here," Matilda said, not unkindly, and turned back to her patient.
Robin's jaw dropped. "I got here as quick as I could."
"That's it... breathe, luv," Matilda crooned to Marian. "The baby's crowning. Just a wee bit longer..."
Marian was propped in the corner on the floor, her face red and flush. Sodden clumps of her dark hair stuck to her face and forehead. Her mouth was pursed and her cheeks puffed out as she breathed in and out in short ragged pants.
The pale circle of the babe's head was visible at her center. A pink-tinged mess puddled on the blanket below.
"Are ya done gawkin' yet?"
He raised his gaze to Marian's once more. His stomach clenched to see her in such pain. He hadn't done this to her, but he might as well have. Would have, if circumstances had been different. Guilt, fear and remorse coalesced and made him waspish. "Why is she on the floor?" he demanded, dropping to his knees beside her, brushing her hair back from her face. "Wouldn't she be more comfortable on the bed?"
"Deliver a lot of babies, do ya?"
"Of course not, but—"
"But nothing." Matilda looked at Marian. "Just a couple of more pains and pushes at the most and the head will be out, all right? The rest will be relatively easy in comparison."
Robin turned his attention to Marian. She breathed a bit easier for the moment.
He took her hand. "Marian, my love... I am sorry. I am here..." He shook his head. "I am in awe."
All of a sudden, she cried out sharply. The next pang was upon her.
Robin flinched. He wanted it to end. "What can I do?" Robin looked to Matilda.
"You can support her shoulders, help her lean forward a bit as she pushes. That'll help force the baby down and out."
Robin nodded. He shuffled on his knees and gently tucked an arm around Marian's shoulders. "Am I hurting you?"
Marian shook her head, breathing harshly through her mouth.
"Here we go, Marian, pant and push through the pain. You're almost there...
"Good, good...
"Pant and push, that's it, harder, just a bit more. Robin a little more pressure, let's get the head out with this one."
Marian moaned.
"I know, luv, I know... almost there, I promise..." Matilda reached down and slid a finger around the edge of the baby's head, slipping it under the lip of Marian's body and easing it away from the baby's head.
Robin watched in fascination as the head continued to push forward, growing larger by the moment.
"Here she comes, luv, come on— can you push a bit harder? Robin, help her."
"No— I— can't," Marian bit out.
"Yes, you can, come on now.
"Robin."
Robin nodded and forced Marian forward a little further. "Come on, Marian, you're amazing. You can do this. I know you can."
Marian released a rough groan from deep in her throat and then collapsed backward gasping for breath.
"That's it," Matilda cried. "Head's out. With the next pain and some gentle pushing we should have a baby." She removed the soiled cloth and slid a length of clean toweling under the baby's head. "Here we go... deep breath and push."
Marian took a breath and pushed.
Matilda eased out one slippery shoulder, turning the baby as she went. The other shoulder appeared and the rest of the babe just slid right out of Marian's body into Matilda's hands. She lay the baby gently on the toweling. "It's a girl."
With a warm wet cloth, Matilda quickly and deftly cleaned the baby up, eliciting pitiful mewlings of protestation from her. She wrapped the toweling snugly around the babe. "Here you go. Go on in the other room and get to know your daughter whilst I finish up with Marian."
Nerves fluttered through Robin's stomach as Matilda placed the bundle in his arms. With a last look at Marian, he went into the other room. The baby wiggled a bit and finally settled, her eyes closing.
Robin contemplated his new daughter.
Her face was red and splotchy and a thin layer of dark hair covered a misshapen head. Probably from the birth process. He hoped. One hand was tucked up under her chin, the tiny fingers curled around the edge of the wrapping.
He was awed by this brand new life. A life he technically had no hand in creating, but was falling in love with as the moments passed.
"I'm a father," he murmered as he ran the tip of his own large finger down the fragile minute length of hers.
As if hearing his voice, the baby's eyes blinked open sleepily and she looked at him. Sort of. Perhaps. Her eyes didn't seem to focus quite yet.
"Hello, baby. I'm your da."
She blinked and her little pink mouth puckered and moved as if she were tasting something.
Love rushed through him for this little baby girl. He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Robin, I think Marian's ready to see your daughter now."
Robin entered the chamber and placed the baby in Marian's waiting arms. The baby slept peacefully for the moment. Climbing onto the bed, he sat next her and looped an arm around her shoulders. He kissed her on the temple. "She's beautiful, just like her mother."
Marian looked up at him, tears welling.
"What's this now?"
She shrugged. "I don't know... I just... I'm so happy and tired and happy."
"What shall we call her?" Robin asked.
Marian sniffed back the tears. "I was thinking... Phillippa..."
"Marian..." Robin said softly. "That was my mother's name."
She nodded.
"Are you sure? What about your mother?"
"We can name the next girl after my mother."
Images of what he'd just witness flashed through Robin's brain. "There's not going to be another one. I cannot ask you to go through that again."
Marian gazed up at him, a soft tired smile playing on her lips. "So we're never going to make love again?"
Matilda snorted from the corner where she still worked on tidying up.
"What?" Robin looked at her, raising a brow.
"Well, how else are we going to prevent another child?"
"There are ways."
"Oh, really?"
Robin nodded.
"Why don't you not worry about that for a couple of lunar cycles," Matilda suggested as she rose to her feet.
"What?" Robin asked again, alarmed.
Matilda laughed. "Your wife's body has just gone through a serious ordeal. It needs time to recover, to return to normal. I'll examine her every fortnight or so, make sure she's feeling well, make sure the babe's growing like she's supposed to. If everything is going well in a month, then mebbe you can start foolin' around."
Robin grinned.
"A bit," Matilda emphasised. "Now, I'm off. Congratulations, she's a lovely baby."
Robin walked Matilda to the door and hugged her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. But let Marian rest, you hear me?"
"Yes, yes. I will. I will."
With a final nod and a smile, Matilda left for home.
Robin returned to his little family. Marian gazed down upon their daughter who now suckled at Marian's breast. Love filled him until he thought it would explode through his chest.
And as he leaned in the doorway watching the scene, it struck him...
This. This, here, was the glory he'd sought all along: a loving wife and precious children. This was all he needed, all he wanted. And now he had it.
~ Fin ~