DISCLAIMER: I don't own any part of Howl's Moving Castle, as you should know by now.
CHAPTER 3: In Which Howl Loses His Heart, Again
Many months ago, Howl dreaded having to set foot in the King's palace in Kingsbury. As a matter of fact, he had to send Old Sophie to meet with the King and the Royal Wizard, Madame Suliman, to help him slither out of a war that he did not want to be a part of. How ironic, Howl thought, as he silently walked along the long and empty hallway, that he now found some solace in the quiet halls of the palace. Silently making his way to the Royal Gardens, Howl tried to push the memories of the last year to the back of his mind, to no effect.
It has been exactly a year since he lost his heart, this time, not quite physically albeit more painfully than the last time. And he can remember it as if it was just yesterday..
Howl woke up abruptly from a deep sleep as he heard a crash of breaking china downstairs. Howl immediately looked to his side and found Sophie's side empty. Unconsciously, the wizard transported himself downstairs in a second, just in time to catch Sophie as she started falling down to the floor. Sophie looked up at Howl through tearful eyes as she muttered, "Howl, I think it's time. But it's too early.," Howl held Sophie tightly and carried her to the cot he conjured out of thin air. Howl felt a warm, wet sensation on his forearm. He didn't have to look down to know she was bleeding.
"Calcifer, I need you.", whispered Howl in his mind, willing for the fire demon to hear him, wherever he was.
"Don't tell me you need hot water this early in the morning, Howl! I'm not having it.", hissed the fire demon.
"It's Sophie. And the baby.", replied Howl. He immediately felt the fire demon stop in its tracks as it replied, seriously, "What do you need me to do, Howl?"
"Fetch the doctor first, then get Lettie and tell her Sophie is having the baby early.", replied Howl. "And, Calcifer, please do it quick."
Howl looked down at Sophie's tear stained face and stroked her hair. "You're both going to be alright, Sophie, I won't let any harm come to either of you.", said Howl comfortingly. Sophie looked at Howl meaningfully and fearfully, as if trying to convey something that she couldn't quite put into words.
Just then, the door opened and Michael came into the door carrying buckets of flowers freshly picked from their secret garden. Michael quickly set the buckets aside and rushed to Howl's side as he saw the blood on the floor.
"What happened here, Howl? Sophie?", Michael asked.
"I think our little boy is trying to come out and see us early, Michael.", Howl said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Sophie just groaned quietly in reply. Michael felt that Howl was trying his best to keep Sophie from stressing too much. "Get me the fresh linens in the cabinet, Michael, some buckets of warm water and towels, please.", said Howl calmly while clutching Sophie's hand tightly in his own.
It seemed like forever until Calcifer came rushing in through the door with doctor, and Lettie not too far behind. "We're here, Howl.", said Calcifer.
The doctor immediately set aside her bag of instruments and stood by Howl and Sophie. "How long has she been like this?", asked the doctor as she laid her instruments on the table. "I would say almost half an hour," replied Howl without taking his eyes off Sophie, who was starting to look paler by the minute. "By the Gods, she's lost a lot of blood in so short a time. Lettie, I want you to assist me. We will have to deliver the baby and try and stop the bleeding. Now, if all you men wait outside please.," said the doctor sternly.
"Howl..", Sophie whispered. Howl tightened his grip on Sophie's hand.
"I'm not leaving her side.," replied Howl, looking at the doctor with a cold stare.
"Very well. You may stay.," replied the doctor. "You will have to help her to push."
Almost an hour later, Sophie laid her head back down on the cot, panting, after having long successive and painful contractions. "It's a healthy little boy.," announced the doctor as she wiped and wrapped the crying infant in a blanket. Sophie closed her eyes, squeezed Howl's hand and laughed weakly as she heard her baby boy's wailing for the first time. As the doctor leaned closer to Sophie so she could hold the baby, Sophie's eyed fluttered shut as her hand fell limp in Howl's hand.
Howl, who never took his eyes off of Sophie, stood up and leaned across Sophie. "What is happening? Sophie?," Howl said nervously while frantically trying to rouse Sophie from her stupor.
"Hold the baby, Lettie.", the doctor ordered as she placed the crying infant into Lettie 's arms.
"Her pulse is getting weak. She has lost a lot of blood, Mr. Pendragon. I will have to.."
The doctor's voice faded into nothingness as Howl's vision blurred. Howl snapped back to the present as he realized he had stopped in front of the doors to the garden. Howl turned the door knob and as he entered, he was met with a knowing stare from Madame Suliman and a suprised gasp from Prince Justin.
