Part 19
It had soon become apparent that the woman on the bed was in the throes of labour; her screams were swallowed up with the ferocity of the storm. Djaq had required Marian's assistance for what proved to be a complicated birth and the children just huddled up in the far corner waiting for that and the storm to be over.
The hours passed and the storm and the woman's labour raged on, the children despite the noise feel asleep as Marian and Djaq fought to save the life of the infant and the woman on the bed.
Finally faint cries of the newborn babe wafted through the air, it seemed that as soon as the storm ended a new life had begun.
"Here," said Djaq thrusting the babe into Marian's arms. "I need to deal with the mother, she is in no state yet to nurse him."
Marian rifled around in a lone chest and drew out some rags in which to swaddle the baby. He was perfect she thought as she looked him over in wonder and awe, then wrapped him warmly and cradled him close to her body feeling unexpectedly emotional and blinking rapidly so that no one else would notice.
The Mother rallied round surprisingly and reached for her new born son, with which Marian reluctantly parted, giving a look which did not go unnoticed by the mother. Her face was lined, weary and although she looked forty she was probably no more than her mid to late twenties, a hard life taking its toll on her.
Making eye contact with Marian she said. "You will have one of your own soon to hold, to cherish to worry and care for."
"Pardon?" said Marian.
"Can you not see it? You are with child; I have been in your position more times than I care to count. When I look in the stream in the early months I know my reflection has the same hue that yours does now. Feeling sick? Tired? Faint? No monthly courses?"
Marian nodded. "Yes," as realisation dawned on her and she sat down heavily on the only wooden chair in the room.
Djaq smiled but kept it to herself; she could have told Marian the same thing a week ago.
Instead she spoke to the mother "What are you going to name him?"
"I will name him for his father. He has gone these three days past to find work."
"Did you not do that with your first born son?" Djaq continued.
"We did, but he like two other bairns after him died before they learnt to walk. His name will be Joseph," she said proudly watching the infant nurse at her breast.
"Joseph is a fine name," Djaq assured her, not being what she would choose personally, but for this family it seemed perfect.