Chapter Forty Seven

Goblin Midwife

Oberon had brought Sarah back to her own bedchamber, "I think you'll be more comfortable here, child."

"Are you here to help Jareth?" she asked.

"No, Sarah. I think my son should fight his own battles, don't you?" Oberon held her hand, "Your healer here is Gibbs, is it not? Ah, yes. Good man. However, as you are giving birth to the crown prince of the realm, the Goblin Midwife must attend you to. She and she alone can certify that the babe is indeed the Heir to the Throne."

Sarah moaned, "But I don't know any Goblin Midwife."

Oberon winked maddeningly. It was very much like his son's wink. "Of course you do." He flicked his wrist. "Goblin Midwife, here and now."

Clovis appeared, looked at the High King and frowned. "You? What do you want and why are you popping me out of my Kitchen?" Oberon pointed to Sarah. Sarah gasped as another pain shot though her like molten lead. Clovis shoved the High King out of her way. "This be woman's work! Go whittle or something useful."

Oberon bowed to both women, "I'll just have a seat in the outer chamber with Gibbs." Drawing a crystal, he called back as he exited the room. "If you need anything, just call."

Sarah looked at Clovis "Midwife too?"

"Many Clerics were, and are." Clovis placed her little Goblin hands on Sarah's middle. "High King right, baby coming."

"It's too soon." Sarah fretted.

"Not for this one!" Clovis cackled happily. "His father was six weeks early, and look at him now." Clovis watched as Sarah gnashed her teeth on the next contraction. "I taught you Goblin words…. Use them!" As the contraction hit its high point Sarah let loose with a stream of Goblin cussing that would have made the Goblin Navy blush. Clovis only giggled. "You call that cussin'?"

Sarah gripped the neck of the Goblin Midwife and pulled her face to face. "Are we winning?"

"Of course," gagged the little Goblin widow.

Sarah released her with a grunt. "Good! Because when this is over, I'm going to kick one skinny assed, bleached blond, smart alckey Fae from one end of this Kingdom to the other!"

Clovis laughed, "Sarah sound like Goblin wife!" She felt the baby move. "Time to sit up and start the real work, Chatelaine. Time for Heir to be born. Good day for it too. We win war, Grizbine get ass kicked by King and you swear like Goblin."

Sarah began to pant and do the breathing exercises she'd learned when she'd given birth to Jenny. "Are Jenny and Gwynn safe?"

"Didymus is playing babysitter." Clovis took a cloth and dipped it into water to sponge off Sarah's brow. "Him and Ludo telling the story of you at Goblin Gate."

"Oh no," moaned Sarah. "Not more stories of my past…"

The Goblin woman looked up to see the Elf healer come in. "You want something here, Elf?"

"Mistress Clovis…" he bowed, but his eyes were only on Sarah. "May I offer my services?"

"You boil water?" Clovis asked sharply.

"No," the Elf looked perplexed.

"Then of no use. Go sit with High King." She waved him out of the chamber and turned back to Sarah, giggling. "Always wanted to put his nose back in place."

Sarah laughed, then muttered a curse as she dug her fingers into the blankets. She took a deep breath and nodded to Clovis.

Oberon sat completely relaxed, sipping a goblet of mead. He offered a goblet to the Healer, "Oh do sit down, man. You're wearing a path in the stone floor."

Gibbs looked at the High King, "Don't you think I should be in there?"

Oberon looked toward the chamber where his grandson was being born. "No."

Gibbs took a seat, looking dejected. "I know that a Goblin Midwife must be present…."

"Not just present Gibbs," corrected the High King. "A Goblin Midwife must deliver the baby and pronounce him Heir. It's the law."

"Barbaric," muttered the Healer.

Clovis held the hands of the Chatelaine, both were growling and snarling now. With each new contraction, Sarah knotted her fingers into those of the Midwife. The words coming form Sarah's mouth now had been unheard in the Kingdom. The walls rang with her screams.

Oberon stood up and paced quietly, not as sanguine as he'd like everyone to think. He stopped when a sharp cry of a baby replaced Sarah's voice.. He turned toward the chamber door. Clovis proudly carried a bundle out to the High King.

"Oberon, High King, I give you your grandson, Auberon Zuken Goblinshimmer, Heir to the Goblin Throne." Her voice shook with pride and emotion.

"Thank you, Clovis." He took the baby from her arms. "Welcome, my boy." The High King placed a kiss on the child's brow. "Clovis, make out the certificate. Gibbs, you and I and Clovis must sign it." He looked at the little Midwife. "And the mother?"

"Strong as bull, and twice as mad," laughed the Midwife. "Our Chatelaine is strong woman, with heart of Goblin!" The Midwife signed her name to the certificate.

Oberon snickered, "I'm sure she'll be pleased to hear you say that." He looked with pride at his grandson, with the same eyes as his father. "Jareth will be pleased. Is Sarah up to making an appearance?"

Clovis waved the healer in, "Soon as lazy Elf pronounces her fit."

Oberon snorted, "All these years and you've not changed a bit, woman! You're still making the Elf population shake it its boots."

The little Goblin woman looked up at the High King and winked. "I recall some shaking on your part too, once."

Oberon growled something in Goblin, and Clovis blushed.