Disclaimer: I am poor and own nothing. And because I'm poor, this is my only source of entertainment, so please do not sue.
Authors Note: This story is dedicated to Tracy137. And Afon means river.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoyed the dancing. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Tracy137 – Knew you'd love that line, although I did think you'd like the whole background on the girls mother beating their father a bit as well. Yet another favorite huh? I doubt this one will live up to it though. It's been very difficult, but I hope it came out okay. Glad the dance led to much pillow hugging. Glad you understand my spider fear. I did not go hunting alone. A can of bug spray, flashlight and of course my trusty shoe accompanied me. I knew if I didn't kill it, it would come after me, and it did before I could finally drown it in bug spray. Sorry little bastard. Stop your bowing, for it is simply not true. And you could never be alone in violence as long as I'm around, as well as Lunawolf. And I knew you'd love the scene with the setting straight of the cow. And I was wrong again huh? Well, I doubt it this time, but hope you enjoy it anyway.
Cardeia – Oh I'm so glad you liked it. I wasn't sure, but your review put my mind at ease. Oh I can't dance either. I try but it's such a sad thing to see. Truly pathetic. Well, you could always stand on his feet and let him do all the work. Or just wear a really long dress to hide your feet. I don't know if my work is really an accomplish met, but I thank you just the same. And you are more than welcome for my praise of your story, cause you do deserve that. Glad you enjoyed the chapter and the light banter. I just went off their interaction around the fire, and since Lance was giving it to Bors, I had to figure he could give it back as well. I must go to fictionpress then and check out your original work as well. Thank you again for your praise and I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Texasgrrl – Sorry you don't feel well but am glad you made the trek to see if I had updated. And that you enjoyed it. Yeah, if I didn't kill it then I would have never been able to sleep that night, or do anything else for that matter. Thanks for the review.
FlamezBlaze1 – Glad you liked that part. It was my favorite to write. I came up with it while I was cutting roses outside and had to rush in. Thanks for the review.
Lunawolf – Glad to see you were pleased. Well, we all must have the girly days every once in awhile. Mine was yesterday. Pink shirt (only one I own) and heels, which nearly killed me. (Figures I have my girly day while walking a mall for three hours!) Glad you liked the dancing and thanks for thinking it came out good. I'd never wrote a dancing scene and was really nervous when I posted it, but so far everyone has said good things so I'm feeling better about it. Glad to know I'm not alone with the spiders. I wouldn't have even known about it probably but it just had to crawl onto my foot. That's when it had to die. And the fact that it took up the whole top of my foot didn't help its case. And I'm so terrified of them I went into a panic attack and crap. Not good. Anyway glad you enjoyed everything and hope you enjoy this chapter as well. And thanks again for reviewing.
Lucillaq – Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I tend to be a romantic myself, one of the benefits that comes with being a woman. Thanks for the review.
Dw – Glad you liked it. Especially the Guinevere threats. Thanks for the review.
Sorceress Misha – Glad you liked the mood swings. I had fun writing those. And I'm glad I'm not alone. The stupid thing got on my foot and was firkin huge! Scared the crap out of me to the point I barely could continue to write. And definitely couldn't sleep until it was dead. One time I thought a spider was on my leg and let out a blood-curdling scream. My dad was so mad when it turned out to just be a cricket. Thanks for reviewing.
TriGemini – Glad you enjoyed everything. That part about the girl's mother was my favorite as well. Roxana was dealing with a slight bit of guilt amplified by pregnancy hormones. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Glad you liked the dancing as well. Thanks for the review.
KnightMadien – Glad you enjoyed it. Here's your update.
Priestess of the Myrmidon – Terrified doesn't even begin to cover it. Glad you liked the moments with Roxana. Thanks for the review.
Evenstar-mor2004 – Oh yes please! I would love that. The dance wasn't really based on anything specific, just what popped up in my own head. Scary. Anyway, Tristan was just in his normal cloths. I should have put that in, sorry. Glad you liked the chapter though and thanks for the review, and the offer of spider killer.
Countess Jackman – Glad you liked that part since it was my favorite as well. I'm glad you enjoyed the whole chapter. Thank you for your review.
Ryn the whitepanther – Glad you enjoyed it so much. Thanks for the review.
Chapter Nineteen: Birthing
It was late at night and Roxana was on a mission as she left her and her husbands quarters, heading down the stairs and into the crisp night air. It had been four months since the wedding and things around the fort were as bustling as ever. Eirwen and Dagonet had also wed in a quiet ceremony, not two months after Brenna and Lance, and Sybil and Gawain were not far behind, the plans for their own nuptials already in progress, and to the surprise of most, Galahad and Gabrielle planned to wed that same day. Brenna was now three months with child, which gave Lancelot a lot of sleepless nights as well as a black eye. Moving quickly Ana rounded the corner and entered the stable, heading towards the back where Tristan liked to work.
Sure enough that's where she found him, his chest bare and sweat dripping off his firm well-toned body as he worked diligently sanding down the wood that was quickly becoming a cradle. He had just finished with the footings and had started on the carvings that would serve as decoration.
"Still working?" Ana asked, with a smile as she walked over to where Tristan sat carving. Soon it would be complete, and she could not wait to see the finished product that he had put so much work into.
"Aye," he answered, blowing some stray dust away from the last carving before setting down the tools and turned to regard her.
She walked up behind him and ran her fingers through his hair, her other hand resting on her swollen belly. The time was quickly approaching and in just under two moon's time, she would bear a child. She found the spot where the baby was moving and reached for his hand, placing it over her belly as well, smiling as she did so.
He looked up at her, his face passive but a wide range of emotions in his eyes as he turned, still sitting on the stool near where he was working, placing both hands on her stomach to feel the baby move before placing a kiss over the area, her smile growing at his actions.
"The child is strong," Tristan said after a moment, looking up into her eyes.
"Aye, it's mothers child truly," she replied with a smirk, walking, or rather waddling, over to a nearby bench. Tristan was immediately up and helping her gently down onto the wood. "I must say though, I do not remember being this large the last time."
"It was long ago, and hard to remember," Tristan replied, sitting next to her and leaning back against the wall, picking up a towel and wiping at the sweat covering his body.
"Mmm," she replied, leaning back and getting comfortable as she propped her feet up on a nearby bale of hay. "How much longer until it is completed and I have my husband back?"
"It is finished now save a few carvings," he replied, wiping his face and throwing the cloth to rest next to the cradle.
"Good," she ran her hand slowly up his back and around his neck, pulling his head down on her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair. They sat like this for a long moment, just enjoying one another's company before she spoke again. "When do you leave for Carlisle?"
"Tomorrow," he replied, listening to the steady beat of her heart beneath her breast.
She let out a long sigh, continuing to stroke his head. Since being crowned Arthur had started traveling to the other settlements and villages, trying to find away to make sure peace and equality reigned throughout the land. Roxana had to admire his dream, despite how delusional it was, but had to also despise the fact that it took her husband away from her on a fairly regular basis. "And for how long this time?"
"No more than a fortnight," Tristan replied. "We are leaving now to be back in plenty of time for the birthing," his hand had come to rest over her belly again and he was rubbing it gently. Another sigh from Roxana who leaned forward a bit to kiss the top of his head. This was one of her non-violent moments and he had treasured them over the past seven moons.
"Then let us go and enjoy the evening," she smiled as he rose, turning and hoisting her slowly to her feet, and her lips to his own. After a moment they pulled apart slowly as the sound of someone entering the stables broke their reverie.
"And here I thought you had a room," Jols said with a chuckle, carrying Bors saddle as he went.
"And aren't we one to talk Squire Jols?" Roxana asked teasingly, resting her head against Tristan's chest as he held her to him.
"So very true," Jols replied, replacing the saddle to where it belonged.
"How is Afon?" Tristan asked, finding it odd to see the squire without his newfound love nearby.
"She is well," Jols replied, a loving look in his eye as he thought of the beautiful dark haired Woad woman who had stolen his heart. "She is busy with Guinevere, Eirwen, Vanora and Sybil, trying to talk Brenna into letting Lancelot back into the room."
"What has he done now?" Roxana asked with a sigh, Tristan holding her firmly to him.
"No one's sure actually," Jols replied after a moment.
"Well I best go help," Roxana said, kissing Tristan once more before detangling herself from his arms. "Go and have a bath, I had one drawn for you, and I shall be there shortly." She moved towards the exit, calling good-bye to Jols as she headed back towards the living quarters.
"She has forgiven you for not folding your shirt this morning I see," Jols commented with a chuckle after Roxana had disappeared from sight.
"So it seems," Tristan replied, fingering the bruise on his shoulder, where she had punched him rather hard earlier in the day. "Is Lancelot still threatening to go live with the Saxons?"
"Aye, or the Celts," Jols smirked as he admired the cradle. "Tis fine work Tristan," he said after a moment.
"Aye, thank you. I just hope to finish it before the child comes," Tristan replied, giving the cradle one last look before heading towards the door.
Jols watched him go and looked back down at the small piece of furniture, before going off to find Afton, wondering not for the first time since meeting the woman, if perhaps one day he would have a reason to build a crib.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
The next morning all the knights and women were gathered, watching as Brenna clung to Lancelot, crying like a child who had fallen from a tree as he tried to sooth her.
"Darling, I do not wish to leave either, but I must. You know Arthur can not negotiate without me," he was saying as he took her about the shoulders, trying to pull her gently from him. "Besides, the quicker we leave the sooner we can return home."
"But I do not wish you to be from me," she sobbed, throwing herself against his chest.
He tried not to roll his eyes as he let out an inaudible sigh. He was unsure whether he wished to knock some sense into her, or smother her in kisses. He looked to the scout who was still holding Roxana and envied him, not for the first time. At least that pregnancy was almost done. "I do not wish to be from you either, but Arthur needs me," he sighed, as the others began to snicker.
"So is he more important than me?" Brenna pulled back, the tears immediately leaving her eyes as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.
"Well he is the King Bren," Lancelot began, trying desperately to not fight with her now. "Now you know I want to leave no more than you want me to."
"Whatever, just go," she finally sighed punching him hard in the shoulder and pouting as she stalked over to where Guinevere was finishing giving Arthur one last kiss as he sat atop his steed and where Dagonet was hugging Eirwen and Lucan before mounting his own horse. Lancelot sighed, rubbing his arm as he mounted as well.
"Brighten up lass," Bors said, clapping her on the shoulder before kissing Vanora and Eleven, the other children watching sadly from behind their mother's skirts as he walked over and mounted.
Meanwhile, Gawain had Sybil in his arms, kissing her deeply, both oblivious to the rest of the world. It wasn't until Galahad clapped him on the back that they broke the kiss, staring lovingly into one another's eyes. "I love you," he stated, kissing her softly on the lips one more time.
"I love you," she replied, smiling against his lips and kissing him again.
"Stop that," Galahad teased as he mounted his horse, leaning over and kissing Gabrielle once more.
"I will be back soon," Gawain stated, kissing her forehead this time before turning to his horse, ignoring his brother.
Tristan looked at his brothers then, noticing that he was the only one yet to mount. He sighed and looked back down at his wife, her blue eyes sparkling with unshed tears as she gazed up at him. "My brave Ana," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "I will return," he murmured against her skin as she nodded slowly, their fingers lacing as their hands rested on her belly. Pulling forward slightly he leaned over and kissed her stomach.
She ran her fingers through his hair, locking eyes with him. "Be safe," she whispered, leaning forward and kissing his lips before sending him towards his horse. "Lancelot, my brother," she called to him. "You are in charge of my husbands safety," she finished with a grin.
He gazed at her, the frustration in his eyes fading as he smirked at her. "Arthur, you are in charge of Tristan's safety."
"Gawain," the King grinned as well, beginning to lead the horses from the gates, Lancelot at his side.
"Galahad," Gawain blew one more kiss to Sybil before following behind them.
"Bors," Galahad grinned winking at Gabrielle and catching up to Gawain.
"You again Dag," the older man laughed loudly as Dag smirked, waving at Eirwen and Lucan as he and Tristan followed them out.
The seven women stood there, surrounded by children, sad, worried looks on all their faces.
"Goddess, return them safely to us," Sybil called out to the heavens before they began to walk back towards the tavern.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
It was three days until the men were to return, and late in the night and Sybil was frustrated beyond no measure. Lying in her bed, Gawain's shirt covering her body and the collar bunched up near her nose so she could smell his familiar scent. Yet, despite all of this preparation sleep would not claim her. It was as if there was a heavy burden on her soul. A premonition of things to come that she could not avoid. As if something dreadful waited just beyond the horizon. She shuddered and pulled the pelt up around her body more, closing her eyes and willing sleep to come.
She hated this feeling, for she knew exactly what it meant. A vision was upon her, and she was dreading it. For the past few months now, since she had seen her brothers' baby in her mind, she had not had a single vision, and had been reveling in the peace of it all. Nothing seemed to be looming just ahead, waiting to strike them all down and steal the happiness it had taken so long to achieve, and this was allowing her to enjoy her life.
Now the certainty of knowing was upon her, and she could feel it building in her stomach. She closed her eyes tighter, wrinkles forming about her face as she struggled to keep the vision away. If perhaps she just fell asleep, then it would be like a dream, and just as easily forgotten.
But, like so many things in her life, it was not that easy, and as if she had just been thrown from her horse and against a wall, pain erupted through her body and her eyes shot open, her limbs going rigid out to her sides, making her appear as if she were being crucified in her own bed as her eyes glazed over, going completely white, and the vision claimed her. And she screamed.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Eirwen awoke to a pounding on her door. She rubbed her eyes groggily as Lucan came in rubbing his own from the joint room, through the door Dagonet had built for him. Yawning she rose, thinking back on the strange dream she had been having. Sybil had been screaming while Roxana and Brenna beat Lancelot with a cloud and Lucan danced with a purple horse, Dagonet handing her a bouquet of fish. She shook her head slowly and told Lucan to get into her bed while she walked over and opened the door to find Sybil, wide awake and dressed in her riding cloths, her face impassive yet fear in her eyes.
"Sybil what…" she began as the younger girl cut her off.
"I had a vision. It was bad. Roxana is in labor as we speak. Brenna is with her and Vanora has been sent for, come quickly," she spoke, her voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
Without a word Eirwen nodded and grabbed her thin robe, slipping it over her arms as she left the room.
"Lucan, go and fetch Lady Guinevere," Sybil turned to the boy. "Tell her Ana has gone into labor and her father is needed."
"Yes Aunt Sybil," Lucan said, immediately rushing down towards Arthur and Guinevere's chambers as Sybil turned and headed towards the stables to have Ganis ready her horse.
Eirwen entered Roxana's room swiftly, to find her breathing heavily, her face contorted in pain as she gripped the sheets, Vanora and Afon already at her sides and brining cloths and water, worried expressions on their own faces.
"It is too soon," Vanora whispered as Eirwen rushed forward, her heart clenching at the blood on the sheets.
"There was blood in the water?" she hissed over at Van who nodded slightly.
"Glad you could join us sister," Roxana said breathlessly. "How bad is it?"
Eirwen sighed, knowing her sister would hate it more if she lied to her. "There is blood, and it is too soon."
Roxana nodded slowly, fighting the fear that now gripped her heart. "I want my husband," she stated, laying her head back on the pillow and gripping the blankets again.
"I will go fetch him," Sybil said, entering the room and walking over to Roxana. "Goddess willing, they were returning early," she smiled and leaned forward, kissing Roxana's forehead.
"Give me heart Sybil," she whispered urgently, fear gripping her heart as she latched on to the seer's hand. "Tell me all will be well."
Sybil looked away for a moment, fear gripping her own heart, not wanting to voice what she had seen, not wanting to make it real with words, but knowing that she had to comfort her sister. "The child will live," she promised, kissing Ana's forehead again. Ana smiled and leaned back, content with the answer, closing her eyes as a contraction hit her. "I must leave to fetch Tristan," Sybil said again rising to leave.
Vanora, who had noticed her hesitation when speaking to Roxana, caught her by the arm and locked eyes with her. "You say the child will live, what of the mother?" she asked in a hushed tone, Eirwen and Afon having joined her as well.
With tears in her eyes, Sybil spoke. "I see the child, but nay the mother," she focused her eyes on Eirwen. "Make sure this vision does not come to pass," she said before walking quickly from the room, leaving the others to double their efforts with Roxana.
She had just made it too the stables as Merlin was exiting heading for Roxana's room. "Ride swiftly child," he said to her, hurrying with Lucan on his heels. "Goddess be with you."
She nodded in response and entered to see Guinevere already mounting her own horse, Sybil's waiting next to her.
"Where are you going?" she asked the Queen, mounting her steed as Ganis held it in place.
"No one knows the forest they travel better than I besides," she paused and looked over at the seer. "I love her as well."
With a nod they took off from the stables, riding fast into the night.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Sybil did not know how they covered so much ground so quickly, but she knew the Goddess had to be with them as the rode towards Carlisle, traveling farther than should have been possible in such a short amount of time.
Her heart rose as she spotted a fire in the distance and they doubled their efforts, galloping up into the middle of the knight's camp, startling most of them as they sat about the fire.
"Sybil, what is it?" Gawain asked, immediately on his feet, as was Arthur once they realized it was Guinevere who rode with her.
She said one word, but that word was enough to spur the others into action. "Ana."
Immediately Bors had the fire out and the knights were saddling their horses, tearing down camp faster than they got it up. Tristan impassive, but his eyes filled with worry as he mounted faster than the others. "Arthur," he said, turning to the king.
"Go," Arthur replied, waving him off as the scout raced off into the night, his sister and Gawain at his heels. "How bad is it my love?" he asked Guinevere who waited for the others.
"She has begun to give birth and there was blood in the water," she answered, having been relayed everything by Sybil on the way to the knights. "Arthur, she had a vision," she began to cry softly, which was very unlike her and startled the others who had now mounted their horses and were waiting for her to continue. "In it she saw the child but not Ana."
Shocked expressions automatically appeared on the men's faces and Lancelot and Dagonet spurred their horses forward, the others soon following suit. Arthur squeezed his wife's hand before they too ran off, all praying any God that would listen that they made it back in time, and that both Ana and the babe would be well.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"I do not understand, there was not this much trouble before," Eirwen was saying quietly to Merlin as Roxana screamed, the pain of another contraction hitting her full on. "Could this be because of the child she lost?"
"It could, but I do not think that is the cause," Merlin replied, as they checked to see if one of the babies was coming. "I believe it is more the cause of the number."
"The number? Number of what?" Eirwen asked, her frustration and fear growing as she noticed that the child's head was still not showing, despite the fact that Ana was ready to birth them.
"Children. Sybil did not tell you?" Merlin asked knitting his brows as well as he placed his hands on her stomach and felt the babies in her womb, noting that their heads seemed to be closer than usual, and they were facing the wrong way. There would be no way she would be able to birth the children without some assistance.
"More than one?" Eirwen asked, the others picking up on the conversation and pausing.
"Aye, twins," he answered, locking eyes with Roxana now, the shock on her own face as well. "They will have to be cut from you child. They face the wrong way. There is a chance, that you may not survive."
Roxana looked at him for a long moment before nodding, a determined look on her face as she took Brenna and Afon by the arms, bracing herself. "Do it."
"Ana wait," Eirwen began only to be cut off.
"The children will die if you do not. DO IT!" she yelled at them.
Merlin nodded slowly before turning to fetch the knife that he had brought with him, holding it in a flame while Vanora gathered more blankets and water and Eirwen moved her dress up to reveal her belly, Brenna placing a leather strap in her mouth to bite on.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Tristan and Sybil did not speak as they rode quickly, Gawain managing to keep up, riding through the gates and into the stables, where Ganis was already waiting.
Tristan leapt from his horse, the others following close behind as he ran towards the steps to the sleeping quarters, taking them two at a time. The other knights rode in just as he reached the door, flinging it open so that the sounds of his wife's screams echoed throughout the fort. They silenced suddenly before being immediately followed by the first cries of his children.
Authors Note: Yeah, I seem to love the suspense don't I? Hope you all like this chapter (again not sure how I feel about it). I was thinking of only doing one more after this, but since I'm stopping for the night, and wanted to post what I had, I figured I'll just cut this one in two. So only look for about two more chapters after this one. That is unless of course you all try and kill me before then. Anyway, enough from me, hope you all enjoy this and please review. And, just so we are all very clear on this, PLEASE NO FLAMES OR DEATH THREATS.