Chapter IX
A/N: This is going to be quite a busy chapter. I have had to do some research on the subject matter that happens in this chapter, and I hope I manage it well. Robert can't hunt here. Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD
It would have to be the worst storm in 20 years when the birth of her child was imminent. Under normal circumstances Runa would have difficulty sleeping, given her condition, but the storm was not helping matters with the flashing lightning, thunder, torrential rain, and lets not forget the wind.
Supposedly it was early afternoon, but it was dark as the deepest night, even the candles and lanterns were doing little good.
"How much longer can this last?" Runa groaned aloud.
"Are you talking about the storm, or the fact that the child hasn't made a single sign of wanting out?" Ros asked.
"Both actually," Runa hissed as she tried to find a position in a chair that was somewhat comfortable. The baby was almost constantly moving.
"The babe will come when it is ready. It is safer not to rush these things, for the both of you," Maester Cressen said as he entered the room.
"You know, that book the midwife gave you on how to induce the labor, why not try something from that?" Ros asked, with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
"I know exactly what you are suggesting, and do not go there. I cannot even stand to look at Robert right now, so how would you suggest going about that?" Runa snarled as she winced.
"Well, forgive me, my lady, but you asked how much longer labor would last. Everything else has failed, hasn't it?" Ros replied formally.
"Please don't talk like that. I'm sorry. I'm just getting uneasy," Runa apologized before wincing again.
Undeceived, the maester noticed and asked, "Milady, how long have you been wincing in pain?"
"I think a few hours, but I cannot tell without seeing the sun," she replied.
"I believe that it is time for you to head to the birthing room. Things have started moving along," the Maester smiled.
"About damn time!" Runa hissed.
A few hours had passed since his wife had gone into the birthing chambers. Robert felt jumpy. He could not do anything right now, not even go outside due to the horrific storms outside.
Runa only had two of her ladies in there with her: Ros Umber and Brenna Penrose, niece to Ser Cortnay Penrose. Runa preferred to keep her ladies to a lower number so as to lessen potential infighting.
He and Stannis were sitting in silence. Renly was quiet at the moment, kicking his feet.
"What's happening to Runa?" his youngest brother asked.
"She's having a baby. Our future niece or nephew," Stannis replied.
"How'd the baby get inside her?" Renly wondered. His tone was filled with nothing but innocence.
Robert couldn't help but snort. Even Stannis almost had a smile on his face.
"What's so funny?" Renly looked almost insulted.
"I'll tell you when you're older," Robert replied, trying and failing to keep the amusement out of his tone.
"What do you mean older?" his youngest brother retorted.
"I'll tell you when you become a squire. And not a day sooner, do you understand?" Stannis instructed.
Renly pouted for a bit before hearing Runa curse a blue streak.
"You won't be learning what those words mean till you are older as well," Stannis also warned.
"Is she mad at you, Robert?"
"At the moment yes. She is definitely angry with me at the moment," Robert answered.
"She doesn't really mean those things," Brenna Penrose explained as she entered the antechamber, "Lady Runa will have forgotten them once the babe is born."
"How are things moving along," Robert inquired.
"According to Maester Cressen the labor is moving along well. There is still a ways to go, my lord," the honey haired younger woman bobbed a curtsey before returning to the birthing room.
"Can we get something to eat? I'm hungry," Renly blurted.
"Come on Renly. I'll take you to the kitchens, then we will bring something back for Robert," Stannis replied and took Renly by the hand and led him out of the room.
That was another difference Robert had noticed since he started taking his duties seriously: Stannis seemed to be getting closer to both him and to Renly.
He hoped it continued on the route it seemed to be on.
Robert winced again as Runa started swearing a blue streak against him, including suggestions as to how she would castrate him with a dull, rusty knife without the milk of poppy.
And he knew she'd do it.
The hours since her friend had taken to the birthing room could not be told. Without the sunlight, Ros could not figure out how they'd been in there.
It was likely that the baby would be born soon. Runa's pains were coming closer and closer together, almost on top of one another. Her closest friend hadn't screamed yet, but had definitely been full of pointed suggestions as to what Robert could do to himself. Some of which were variants on things Ros knew her brother Jon had said.
Runa had been offered milk of poppy, but refused it. She had heard that too much might harm a baby among other things. Her friend had a high threshold for pain.
According to the maesters at the Citadel, the only thing more painful than childbirth was being burned alive. Ros was not eager to find out whether that was the case. Though she supposed she might find out how painful childbirth would be for herself at one point or another.
"My lady it is almost time. Get ready to push," the maester instructed.
Her husband would be quite lucky if she ever let him touch her again. Yes, he was quite skilled in the bedchamber. She liked the activity of trying to get pregnant, but when it worked it seemed to be not worth the pain.
Now, Runa could finally focus on the main event. Pushing what felt like one of those red fleshed melons that she had tried from the Reach during the coronation.
Argh, are all Baratheon babies going to be this big!? Runa groaned as she pushed through the burning sensation between her legs.
"I can see the head my lady, just a few more pushes!" Cressen shouted.
I'll get this baby out sooner than that!
With the next round of pain, Runa bore down, gritting her teeth. Sure enough, her effort was finally rewarded with the cries of her baby being born. She collapsed back onto the bed in relief.
Robert had nearly fallen asleep when he heard the cries of a newborn. His child was born and alive. He could hear Ros and Brenna talking with Runa, who sounded exhausted, but alive. The other maids were helping clean her up.
"You have a strong healthy son. Good pair of lungs on him, just like his father when he was born, my lady," Cressen declared "I need to check you over to make sure you are not injured. Then you can hold your son."
A short time after that, the maids left the room cooing amongst themselves over the new baby. From that point onward he could see into the room. Ros was hugging Runa telling her congratulations. Brenna was also congratulating her lady, clearly happy but not as close to Runa as Ros was yet
Once Cressen finished examining his wife, he took the baby from his main assistant and handed him to Runa, who smiled at their son and rocked him a little. At that point Cressen, his assistant, Ros, and Brenna left. The maester he'd known all his life had a few words to say to him with a small smile, "Your wife pulled through well. You can go in now, spend some time with your new family."
Robert slowly entered the room, taking in the sight of Runa and their son. After his previous betrothed had killed herself, he had thought that he would never get to see a sight like this.
"You can come sit on the bed you know," Runa stated, motioning with her head to a spot near her and the baby. Once he was sitting down, she asked, "Robert, would you like to hold him?"
Wordlessly he nodded. Runa shifted in the bed a little and handed their child over. Robert finally got a good look at him. He seemed to have inherited Runa's nose (something he was thankful for), as for the rest of him seemed to be primarily Baratheon characteristics.
"Have you thought of any names, husband?" Runa asked causing to look up.
"I was thinking of naming him after my father, but now that I am holding him, it doesn't seem to fit our little stormborn boy," Robert answered.
His wife looked pensive for a moment before suggesting, "Why not name him Durran? His namesake withstood many storms, I don't think the Baratheons have used it in a long time."
She was right. The last Baratheon named Durran had been one of the younger sons of Orys and Argella. It had fallen into disuse since.
"So be it then. All hail Durran Baratheon, Future Lord of the Stormlands!"
A/N 2: So… What do you think of the name of the newest Baratheon? Everything seems to be going smoothly, for the moment…
On another note, I would like to cast Brenna Penrose. Open to suggestions.
Oh, and happy Pi Day!