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. Alethea means truth while Magnus means great.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – No treats of tears either please! That's worse than those of physical violence and death. Thanks for the review.
Tracy137 – I AM NOT A COW! And if I am the queen of torture, why are you not bowing? LOL. I understand why it wasn't one of your favorites. Glad you enjoyed the parts with the knights though. And I knew you'd love the stuff with Jols. Ah yes, there is Jess and then Devon jumping from a wall four days ago and let us not forget Tari, sitting up on that roof for the past seven days now. I would hope there would be no death threats or flames from you. ;o) Glad you liked it.
Cardeia – Well she did, but she didn't want to ruin the surprise. I go into it here. Glad you liked the men's discussion. That was a favorite of mine earlier so I had to find away to get it in again. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who liked it. Well you must tell me when you post something so I can head over there. I'd agree with dedication. I'm the same way and the fact that I'm trying to do more than one right now is really stressing. Which is why this one gets much more attention than the other two. Thank you as always for your kind words, and I'm glad you appreciated the cliffhanger. If only everyone could.
Texasgrrl – So, what you're trying to say is I can't kill her right? LOL. Thanks for the review.
FlamezBlaze1 – That could be construed as a threat you know. ;o) Thanks for the review.
Dellis – Glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I'll take your plead for Ana's life into consideration. Thanks for the review.
Lunawolf – LOL! You make me laugh as always. And Happy Birthday! If I had known I would have waited to post the last chapter. Oh a threat worse than violence…tears. I hate the threat of tears. Glad you enjoyed it though and I'm kind of sad to see it end as well. Glad I'm not the only one. Thanks for the review, hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Lucillaq – Suspense is good. Here's the update and thanks for the review.
JadeNaitsuki – Love to see a new face. Glad you are enjoying my story so much. Sorry for the suspense, but it was necessary. Really it was. And you're probably right about Tristan. LOL, you're the only one to take two review spots to plead for her life. I like that. Makes me laugh a bit. And thank you for your faith in me. Thank you for the review, and don't worry so much okay. ;o)
TriGemini – Thank you so much for having hope, and for loving Ana so much. You bring up a lot of good points, which I am glad were not forgotten. She is strong and has faced a lot before. And besides, Tristan is just as stubborn as she is, which should keep him egging her on to fight. Thank you once again for your review. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
Etraya – I now know the secret to getting new reviewers. Threaten the life of the main character. You're probably right though. I don't think he would outlive her very long. Thanks for the review.
KnightMadien – So demanding. Thanks for the review. :o)
Evenstar-mor2004 – Will you continue to wag that finger? I take it you must like Ana. Thank you for the review.
Countess Jackman – Damn! I forgot to say no threats of physical violence either. Oh well, I'll never learn. And if you come after me with a dull spoon, then I'll just have to defend myself with a spork and it won't be pretty, I can promise you that! I don't know that I will do a sequel, but that is an idea for one. Thanks for the review, but not the threats of eyelessness.
Ryn the whitepanther – Thank you. You're so sweet and not demanding. I really appreciate that. I might just have to reward you for it. ;o)
Chapter Twenty: Worry and Life
"What is happening?" Tristan asked, his voice rising in alarm as he paused in the doorway, looking on in horror at the scene before him. Brenna was holding a small bundle, which was crying loudly while Merlin lifted another from his wife's open abdomen. Blood was everywhere and Roxana was lying motionless on the bed.
Afon and Vanora immediately went to restrain him as he started across the room, only to be thrown back. "What have you done to her?"
By now the others had made it to the room, and Jols and Bors moved to help their women up. Brenna immediately stepped in between Tristan and the Shuman who was handing the next child to Eirwen and moving quickly to stitch Roxana up. "Meet your daughter Tristan," she said, thrusting the baby into his arms.
He paused, shock washing over him as he looked down at the small babe, who immediately quieted in her father's arms. He began to look from the child to Brenna to Roxana, still lying in the bed, no sound escaping her lips.
"And your son," Eirwen added quietly, walking up now and handing him the other child.
He balanced them somewhat awkwardly, one in each arm, gazing at them in wonder before looking back to his sisters, worry clear in his eyes.
"It is too soon to tell," Eirwen answered softly, as if reading the question from his eyes, placing a blood-covered hand on his shoulder before moving to assist Merlin.
"Come Tris, let's let them work," Brenna said softly, leading him out with the help of Lancelot, his children still in his arms. They managed to get him out and down to the meeting room, a lost look on the normally together scouts face as he looked down at his children, both sleeping in his arms.
"What do we do?" Arthur asked quietly, noting that the man could not take his eyes from the babies, a lone tear rolling silently down his cheek as he watched them closely.
"Pray," Brenna stated, sinking into one of the chairs, Lancelot following suit, resting his hand on her shoulder, concern in his eyes as he watched his wife closely.
The knights as well as Vanora, Afon and Jols all gathered on that side of the table, Tristan at the opposite side, watching him closely as Sybil moved across the room, sitting silently next to him. "How did this happen?" Dagonet asked after a moment.
"They were locked together," she answered after a moment, watching Tristan with sad eyes. "Their necks rested with one another. Merlin thinks there was no blood in the water, but the blood came after, when they were trying to be born but could not. And they faced the wrong way. He had no choice but to cut them out. She demanded it," tears sprang to Brenna's eyes as Lancelot pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head as she leaned against his chest, crying softly.
"I do not understand," Galahad said after a moment. "If this could happen, why did Sybil not say there were to be two?"
"She wanted to surprise them," Gawain said with a sigh. "She always saw the children living, so did not think anything of it. She never gave thought to the fact that Roxana was never in her vision, believing it was only the children she was supposed to see."
The door opened then and Gabrielle stepped in, supporting Eirwen as she went. They all turned to look at her and Tristan immediately rose, handing his children to his sister.
"We have stopped the bleeding," Eirwen said after a moment. "And she has been stitched. But you must understand, she lost a great amount of blood, and she was weak from the effort of trying to deliver the children…" her voice trailed off and she looked to the floor, unable to meet Tristan's penetrating gaze. "Even if she does live, Merlin says it is uncertain that she will be able to bear any more. It does not bode well."
Without a word Tristan walked quickly from the room. As soon as he was gone, the twins began to wail.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Tristan entered their room and noticed that the linins had been changed, and fresh blankets covered Ana as she lay in the bed, appearing to be sleeping only. But the pale color of her skin told Tristan better as he moved further into the room. Merlin stood next to the bed, his hand on her forehead as he murmured blessings to her, telling her how her children and husband still needed her.
"She knows that," Tristan replied, glaring at the man with cold eyes before pulling a chair next to the bed and sitting in it. "Get out."
"I have done all I can, the rest is…" Merlin began only to be cut off.
"Get out."
Without another word the Shaman left the room quietly, closing the door behind him with a heavy heart.
"When I said I wished a family, I did not mean all at once," he said quietly after a moment, gazing down at Roxana's face, waiting for the comeback.
Nothing.
"Damnit wench," he said, rising from the chair before kicking it across the room. "Why must you be so irritating?" he was exasperated as he looked down at her still body, her chest barely rising and falling, running his hand through his hair before sitting at the edge of their bed, taking her hand in his own and pressing the fingers to his lips, watching her face.
He sat with her, silence settling over the room as he held her hand, their fingers intertwined as his eyes never left her face, glancing down only periodically to make sure her chest was still rising and falling. He wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed before a knock sounded on the door. He said nothing and it opened slowly, Sybil entering quietly, the others gathered just outside, waiting. She closed it silently and walked across the room, coming to stand next to the bed.
Tristan still did not look at her, his eyes trained on Roxana as she spoke.
"Brother, the children are hungry," she began softly. "Vanora has offered to help them feed from Roxana. We were hoping the contact would bring her around…"
"Did you know of this?" his voice was so soft no one else would have heard it, but Sybil did.
"Not until last night," she answered softly.
"Did you know there were to be two children?"
"Aye."
"And you said nothing," his voice had risen slightly at this point and was laced with hurt and betrayal, and she shuddered as he turned a cold gaze at her.
"I wanted it to be a surprise. I knew that it would make Ana happiest that way," she looked down at the floor, not daring to look into his eyes any longer.
"So you just let her life be endangered like this!" he was off the bed now, and in her face, forcing her to look at him.
"If I had known this would happen, do you not think I would have said something?" Sybil stated, anger and hurt flashing in her eyes as she glared up at him.
"Perhaps you did, but were too distracted to notice," he stated, causing more anger to flare in her eyes.
"Don't you dare bring him into this!" this time her voice rose, and by now, everyone out in the hall was getting antsy.
"Enough of this," Vanora said under her breath, taking the baby boy from Brenna and stalking through the door before anyone could stop her. "Enough," she said louder, causing the two to turn and stare at her as she walked across the room, a no-nonsense way about her. "Do you think this is what Ana desires?" She asked, glaring at them for a moment before shoving her way between them, walking over to the woman resting in the bed.
Eirwen followed her in then, and came to Ana's other side holding her niece. Both nodded to one another slightly and rested the children they held in Ana's arms. "Now you listen here lass," Vanora said, leaning forward and resting her hands on the bed. "These babes need their mamma! There ain't no way that man over there can raise 'em on his own. Look at 'em now, fightin' like a rabid dog. Now you just stop this right now and get back here." Her voice left no room for argument and the others, who had entered behind them watched on in shock as Roxana began to groan, moving her arms slightly to pull the children closer.
"Tristan," she murmured and Vanora immediately moved aside, a proud look on her face as she smirked, walking over to Bors as Tristan rushed to Ana's side, taking her hand and kissing it repeatedly.
"How'd you do that?" Bors asked in shock as Vanora strutted out, followed closely by Guinevere, Afon, Gabrielle, Galahad, Arthur and her own man as the others stayed to be with their sister.
"You think anyone knows a mothers heart better than me?" Vanora asked with a smirk, before heading down towards her own children, the women smiling after her and the men watching in awe.
"Tristan, the babies," Ana moaned softly, her eyes squinted against the bright light streaming in through the open window and the pain from the delivery.
"They are fine," he said, lifting up his son, who was closet to him, and turning him so Ana could see him. "Look at our son."
"So beautiful," Ana murmured, raising a hand to brush against the baby's cheek. "And the other?"
"Eirwen," Tristan indicated his head towards their daughter. Eirwen nodded in agreement before lifting the girl as well. "Our daughter," he said and once again she rubbed her finger against the child.
"How are you sister?" Lancelot asked after a moment, looking worriedly between Ana and Brenna, fear gripping his heart as he wrapped a arm around his wife and pulled her close.
"Tired," she breathed. "And joyful." A smile graced her lips as she continued to gaze at her children for a moment before looking to her husband. "Are they not beautiful?" she asked him.
"Aye, like their mother," he answered, leaning forward and kissing her forehead, resting the child next to her once again.
"Leave us please," she said after a moment before quickly reaching for Sybil's hand as she went to leave, Gawain near her side. "Sister?"
"Yes?" tears were in Sybil's eyes, and they broke Ana's heart.
"You were right," she smiled tiredly up at her, giving her hand a squeeze. "I liked the surprise."
They smiled at one another before Sybil released Ana's hand and they all filed out of the room, leaving Ana and Tristan alone with their children.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
As soon as the door closed Roxana turned to regard Tristan with cold eyes. "When I told them to do it, it was under the understanding that if something happened, you would be able to care for these children," tears sparked in her deep blue eyes, causing them to glisten. "I thought you would love me enough to do that."
"Ana," he began but she held up a hand to stop him.
"It is not just us any longer Tristan. I would die for you, that will never change," she sighed and locked eyes with him. "But I would like to think I could live long enough to know our children could care for themselves if nothing else. I am not immortal Tristan. I could die at any time. I need you to promise me that if I do, before our children are old with babes of their own, that you will stay with them long enough to see that they get there."
They held each other's gaze for a long moment before he leaned forward, kissing her lips gently. "I swear it."
"Good, now let us name our little beauties so I can get some sleep," she smiled up at him and they both began to fuss with the children as Tristan helped her to feed them.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"You should not worry so much Lance," Brenna said, coming up to sit on the bed behind her husband as they sat in their room, resting her chin on his bare shoulder and kissing one of the scars absentmindedly. "Sybil has confirmed that we are not to have twins, so I am sure all will be well. Even Merlin tried to assure you. What more do you need?"
"An end to this pregnancy would be nice," he said taking her hand and kissing it. "With a safe, quiet delivery." He paused for a moment, turning his head to gaze into her eyes. "I could not bear to loose you," he added quietly.
"Hey, listen to me," she gripped both sides of his face in her hands. "You will not." They held each other's gaze for a moment before he hauled her to him, kissing her deeply.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Is Aunt Ana okay?" Lucan asked as he sat in Eirwen's lap as she rocked him back and forth slowly, hugging him close. Dagonet watched from across the room, stirring some stew that was cooking over the fire, a sad look on his face.
"Yes my darling little boy she will be," Eirwen soothed him, hugging him closer. "And now, you have two new little cousins to play with," she pulled back and looked at him. "You are going to have to keep them safe you know that?"
He nodded slowly and leaned forward, kissing her cheek before wrapping his arms around her. "Love you mother."
"I love you too Lucan," she smiled, hugging him closer and kissing his cheek. "Now go and play with Bors bunch. We'll call you for supper."
"Okay," he jumped from her lap and ran to Dagonet, wrapping his arms around the large knight who knelt down to catch him. "Love you father."
"I love you as well Lucan," he grinned and kissed the top of his son's head, ruffling his hair before he took off from the room, closing the door behind him.
"We are lucky to have him," Eirwen said after a moment, staring after him.
"Aye that we are."
"Would you like more?"
Her question caught him off guard and he looked at her, their eyes meeting as he thought for a moment. "Nay. He is enough."
"She frightened you that much today then?" Eirwen asked after a moment.
"Aye. I could not lose you," Dagonet whispered turning back and focusing on the stew.
Eirwen watched him for a moment, sighing as she rose and coming up, kneeling down and resting her head against his back, her arms coming up behind him to hug him close. "Well, you may want to get over your fears sometime in the next eight months," she whispered after a moment, feeling him tense in her arms.
They were silent for an instant before he spoke, turning in her arms, looking deep into her eyes. "You are with child?"
"I am," she whispered, a smile gracing her lips despite herself.
He brought a hand up to cup her face. "Then promise me you will not leave me."
"I swear it," she replied, noting the smile that had crept onto his own lips as well.
"Then we have much to celebrate," he said, suddenly lifting her up and swinging her around, kissing her deeply, both laughing as they began to dance about the room
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"He had no right to speak to you that way!" Gawain said as he paced Sybil's room, anger clouding his vision.
"He was angry, he did not mean it," Sybil said evenly, watching him from the bed.
"It does not make it right," Gawain countered.
"You would have done the same, being in his place," she stated simply.
Gawain stopped then and turned to her, knowing she was right. Sighing he went and sank on the bed, lying down and resting his head in her lap as she began to stroke his hair.
"All will be right with us again, and I don't even need vision to see it," she smiled down at him, leaning forward and kissing him deeply. "My brave knight," she murmured, stroking his cheek as they gazed lovingly at one another, basking in each other's company for the night.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Magnus and Alethea," Guinevere cooed down at the babies, who were resting in their cradles. Alethea in the one her father had made, and Magnus in the one Gawain had made for them in secret, as a surprise for the couple. "They are beautiful Ana," she said, stroking the babies cheeks, causing them to gurgle happily, both looking up at her with their mothers blue eyes.
It was three weeks after the birthing, and two weeks before Gawain and Sybil, as well as Galahad and Gabrielle were to wed. Tristan and Sybil had long since made up and only a week earlier in an impromptu ceremony, Jols and Afon had wed, causing much celebration around the fort. But not as much as Bors and Vanora's wedding two days after the birth of the twins, only waiting long enough so that Roxana could attend.
Roxana in the meanwhile had regained her strength and the children were doing well. Brenna was beginning to show more and more, and Eirwen, as well as Vanora had announced to be with children, and they had all noticed the sadness that was in Guinevere's eyes whenever children were mentioned.
"Still no luck my Queen?" Roxana asked, taking the now fussing Magnus into her arms, rocking him gently while Guinevere picked up Alethea.
"No, but Arthur is hopeful," she walked over to a chair and sat down, cooing at the baby. "He prays every morning and every night, and everyone has caught him several times during the day." She chuckled slightly and smiled over at Roxana. "My father has tried everything as well. There is still hope."
"I am sure everything will work when it is time," Ana said, beginning to feed her son. "The Goddess will help you when the time is right, just have faith."
Guinevere nodded slowly, bouncing the child slightly, causing her to giggle.
"So here you are," Arthur chuckled from the doorway a few minutes later, entering with Tristan. "I was worried," he stooped down and kissed his wife deeply before cooing at Alethea.
"And where were you eh?" Ana asked as Tristan came to kiss her, stroking her hair as she finished up with Magnus, handing him to his father.
"Scouting," he replied, sitting on the bed and fussing over the boy, making faces down at him, an action which never ceased to shock the other knights who knew him so well and had never dreamed of seeing the scout coo at a baby.
"Anything we should worry over?" Ana asked, smiling at the scene herself.
"Nay," Tristan replied, handing Magnus back to her as Alethea began to cry. "Come see daddy," he said to his daughter, taking her gently from Guinevere. As soon as he had her and settled, she stopped crying, gazing up at him and reaching for one of his braids, while Ana cooed at Magnus.
Arthur and Guinevere smiled at the happy family before quietly exiting the room, their arms about each other as they shut the door behind them.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Two weeks later, they all stood at the wedding sight, dressed in their finest. Vanora and Bors surrounded by their lot with Tristan and Roxana next to them, each holding one of their infants while Merlin performed the joint ceremony for the two couples.
Galahad and Gawain stood next to each as they pledged themselves to Gabrielle and Sybil. After the ceremony, there was dancing and music, and a great amount of celebration.
"How long do you think before Sybil is joining us?" Brenna asked, leaning on Roxana with a giggle while they watched their sister dance with her new husband, resting a hand on her now swollen belly.
"Who knows," Ana smiled, noticing the look on Guinevere's face as she bounced Eleven. She looked out towards the floor to see Tristan dancing with Ten in his arms, Arthur nearby with Alethea, Lancelot cooing over his shoulder at her. Eirwen, Dagonet and Lucan all danced together, the small boy periodically kissing his mothers still flat stomach while Bors danced with his brood and Vanora. "You know, tonight will be her first time with a man?"
"No?" Brenna looked shocked, sinking down next to her sister and taking her nephew into her arms. "Her and Gawain haven't yet?"
"Nay, she was asking me about it earlier," Ana answered with a smile.
"Then you know what this means?" Brenna said with a mischievous grin, holding Magnus up by the arms and cooing at him as he giggled happily.
"What?" Guinevere asked, looking up at them from the now sleeping toddler.
"We won't see them for the next two days," Brenna said with a grin, causing both women to snicker.
Authors Note: See, you all should not doubt me so. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Only the epilog left after this and I'm sad to see it end. Let me know what you think. (And see Trace, I told you I wasn't a cow!)