A Stormcloak Affair
Part 9
It had been months since Aine and Ulfric were married. Aine was nearing the end of her pregnancy. Ulfric found her to be more beautiful every day. Sofie was becoming used to the idea of becoming an older sister and was looking forward to it. They were scheduled to meet with a midwife. Each day Aine grew more and more uncomfortable as her belly grew. She was ready to meet their child.
It was a lovely mid-morning in Windhelm and the dunmer sailor Volsea Griyon arrived. "Hello my King and Queen. I will be your midwife. Please show me to your chamber and I will discuss the details of my work.", said Volsea greeting the High King and Queen.
"Come with us, it is at the top of the stairs.", said Ulfric guiding the midwife. They arrived to the chambers and sat at the table.
"In Morrowind the fathers are very involved in the birth of their child. After all, they are there for the conception.", said the midwife.
"How involved?, inquired Ulfric scratching his head.
"The father of the child lays behind the mother and holds her while she is giving birth. He does this as he is to give her his strength, as she needs all that she can receive.", exclaimed the midwife.
"I think I can do that.", said Ulfric with a smile.
"I will need hot water and clean cloths when the time comes. I will check on you once a week to determine the progression of the pregnancy and when I feel your time is near. I suggest that I sleep here in case the child decides to come in the night. The child should be born here. I see you already have a bassinet ready. That's good. I suggest that the child sleeps here for the first few months of his or her life.", continued the midwife.
"Good, I just home it won't take much longer. I want my body back.", said Aine.
Within two weeks Aine was in labor. It was middle of the night, and she woke up in terrible pain. Ulfric awoke to the sound of Aine in groaning in pain. "Is it time, my love?," asked Ulfric.
"I think so. Please fetch the midwife.", said Aine looking underneath the covers seeing that she bled on the bed. Ulfric nervously got out of bed and found the dunmer midwife asleep in her bed.
He knocks on the door. "Volsea, please wake up. I think it's time.", said Ulfric.
Sofie was in the hall. "Father, how may I help?", asked Sofie.
"Sofie, go to the kitchens and fetch some hot water. I have the cloth.", said Volsea. Volsea proceeded to the chamber of the king and queen, and saw Aine was struggling.
"My queen, let me see.", said Volsea removing the covers. "Ohh my... King Ulfric, we need your wizard on hand. The child is breech. I can see its feet.", said the midwife. Meanwhile, Sofie retuned with the water.
"Sofie, darling please fetch Wuunferth. Aine needs him.", said Ulfric.
"Okay my King, I need you to get behind your wife and hold her. She'll need to push soon.", said Volsea. Ulfric placed himself behind Aine, held her legs up and whispered in her ear. "You can do this my love. I'm here and together we can accomplish anything."
"Okay, Aine. I'm going to need you to push. Ulfric keep holding her like that. You're both doing well. OK, push... one... two... three... Once more..." said Volsea. Aine was pushing but it was taking all of her energy. She felt that something was wrong. She pushed once more. The baby was out but she passed out. "Ok Aine. Very good." said Volsea holding the beautiful pink boy. Sofie handed Volsea some cloth and helped wash her bother. "Aine, stay with me!, She's losing a lot of blood. Where is the wizard? He needs to heal her, before she bleeds out!", screamed Volsea. Sofie held her brother while everyone was desperately trying to save Aine. Wuunferth laid his healing hands upon her. It seemed to help stop the bleeding, but she wouldn't wake up.
Ulfric panicked while stroking his wife. "Please don't leave me my love. We need you.", cried Ulfric.
"There's nothing more I can do at the moment. She's alive but in some sort of coma. She needs to regain her strength.", said the court wizard. Ulfric was in tears while he began to wash down his wife. She bore him a child but at what cost he thought to himself. Sofie her father her brother. She could see he was devastated. Ulfric held his son in his arms while he sat next to his non-responsive wife. She lost too much blood. Why did he have to come into to Nirn feet first? Ulfric ordered everyone out of their quarters, while letting out a shout.
Sofie returned to her chambers in tears. She didn't want to lose the only mother she knew. Aine was good to her. She taught her many things, listened to her and showed her true motherly love. Something she never felt before. Ulfric remained in his chamber with his new born son and wife. He looked at him and knew he loved him but still wanted Aine. He reached over to her. She was still breathing and her skin was warm. Good, he thought. Then he looks at his son again, knowing that he will soon be hungry. Maybe if he got him to her breast, he might latch on and know what to do. Ulfric revealed Aine's breast and felt it in his hand. Hopefully, she had enough milk. Instinctively, he pinched her nipple and to his surprise a drop of milk was release. Okay, he found the milk but did the boy know what to do? He held their son under her breast and placed her nipple near the baby's lips. He latches on and begins to suckle. Okay, this was working for now, he thought. The boy took his fill within a few minutes. Ulfric put his son down in the bassinet. Then he laid down next to his wife and let it all go. He was crying. He was devastated.
The next morning Ulfric found his son crying. Upon inspection, he noticed the boy soiled himself and then cleaned him. "Little cub, are you hungry again? Let's see how momma is doing.", said Ulfric. Aine looked no different. Their son eagerly latched on the Aine's breast and was hungrier than before. When the child finished his meal he fell back asleep and Ulfric placed him back into his bassinet. He was truly scared he might lose his beloved wife and for the first time in his life he didn't know what to do. A day ago everything was perfect.