Chapter 43

Danni sat back outside a tent that she'd started occupying since she came into the camp. She was tired and felt restless. She wanted to do something. She needed to do something. She felt like she was wasting her time just sitting around. She could only hope that her mother got her messenger bird. There was no word back and she really didn't expect there to be. She huffed as she pulled her sword and started to clean it. It was something to take her mind off the situation at hand.

She felt her magic building. She didn't know if it was a good thing or bad thing. She'd learned to let it be while she was in the Forest. She knew that it might get her caught, but she didn't want to suffer through another session of mana burn like she had after they first arrived back. She knew that she would have to do something small soon or she would feel like she was going to explode.

She huffed again and watched as she methodically raised and lowered the rag in her hand. Drea and Trane joined her. They started cleaning their weapons as they watched the sun go down behind the trees on the horizon.

"Do you think that he'll actually attack?" Trane asked.

"Yes," Drea answered.

"I don't want to die for him," Trane replied.

"No one does, Trane," Danni added.

"Do you have any ideas on how we can get out of here?" Drea asked.

"Nope, but I'm still looking. There has to be a way. I'm just waiting for it to present itself."

"You act like it is just magically going to appear," Trane stated.

"Who knows anymore," Drea stated.

Danni looked up and saw a hooded figure moving behind the tents. From what she could tell, it was a woman, but she hadn't remembered seeing her around the camp. Immediately, she thought that the woman was Dedrick's sorceress. She followed the path of the woman while she continued to talk with Trane and Drea. She didn't let them know that she wasn't really pay them any attention. She was too focused on the woman.

"Well, I'm going to bed. If Dedrick orders an attack, I at least want to be awake for it. Good night," Trane told them as he stood up and went to his tent.

Drea stood as well, "It is getting late. I'm going to turn in, too. See you in the morning."

"Night."

"Coming to bed?" Drea asked her when she didn't turn towards the tent.

"Not yet. I'm a little hyped. I'm going to walk around and try to burn off some energy. I'll be to bed soon," Danni told her.

"Don't do anything stupid. And, whatever you do, don't get caught. I'll see you in the morning. Hopefully nothing happens between now and then. And, if we end up with guard duty again, don't wake me until it's time to go," Drea stated.

"Okay," Danni replied with a lopsided grin.

She watched as Drea went into the tent. She waited a few minutes and then started to make her way over to the last place that she saw the hooded figure. She kept her eyes peeled and her body on edge. She was ready for anything. She hooked her hands around the handle of a dagger and the hilt of the sword on her side. She doubted that she would draw either, but use her magic instead. She cracked her neck and felt the buzz of her magic beneath her skin. She found a way to tap into it while in Dedrick's camp. She wasn't using it. She didn't want a target on her back. She was just keeping it at the ready. She liked to be prepared.

She saw a small worn path just inside the trees. She saw a few footprints and decided to follow them. She realized that they were pulling her away from the camp. She turned around. She could see the campfires in the background. She knew that the camp was going to bed and here she was following boot prints in the forest.

"Who are you?" a voice called out to her.

She cocked her head and listened. She couldn't see anyone. She turned and looked. Still nothing.

"Are you going to answer me?" the voice asked again.

"It doesn't matter what my name is," Danni answered.

"Sure it does. You should know that names have meaning and power. What is yours, soldier?"

"My name is Danielle," Danni replied.

The hooded figure came out from behind a tree. Danni could see her pale face, but nothing more than the cloak she was wearing. The woman reached out and then up. She pushed the hood of the cloak back and just stared at Danni.

"That is not your name," she stated.

"Um...pretty sure it is."

"That is the name you go by, but that is not the name you were given. Your name carries more weight and power. Why do you hide from it?"

"I do not hide from my name."

"But, you do. Your name carries a lot of power and position. Do you not wish for people to know who you are? Do you not believe that you are capable of leading them?" she asked.

"I know that I can, but that is besides the point. I am nothing more than what you see, woman. What is your name? Will you tell me that?" Danni asked her.

"My name is Morgana."

"As in Le Fey?" Danni questioned.

"You know me?"

"I know who you are, but I don't know you."

"How do you know me, Danielle?" she inquired.

"Your reputation proceeds you."

"As does yours," Morgana stated. "Will you not just tell me your name? I mean you no harm."

"That's rich coming from you. Did you tell your brother the same thing? What about your son?"

"You don't know my story, child," Morgana hissed as she took another step forwaed.

"How did you end up with Dedrick?"

"Grief and loneliness will make you do terrible things," Morgana replied.

"I know."

They stared at each other. There were so many questions that they wanted to ask each other, but they weren't sure where to start. It wasn't everyday that Camelot and the Enchanted Forest mixed, but here they were.

"I am not a child, by the way. I'm older than you think. I've been around for a very long time."

"In this incarnation, yes, you have," Morgana replied. "It is a shame that your soul is so young. Or, maybe it isn't. But, your anger and fear are very controlled. I must say that is refreshing for someone in your position. How have you managed it?"

"Lots of therapy," Danni quipped.

"I'm sorry?"

"Therapy and meditation."

"Do the people not fear you?"

"They have no reason to. I haven't hurt them like you. I serve the people and my queens. Who do you serve, Morgana? Dedrick, a fool, a man who thinks that magic must be destroyed and eradicated from this realm. And, how does he plan on doing that? He brings a murderous sorceress from another realm. Because that just screams sanity, doesn't it?" Danni questioned.

"I didn't say that he was sane, nor did I say that I serve him," Morgana replied.

"But, you are."

"I am simply trying to find my way back home. I don't belong here. I know that. I also didn't belong in the world in which I was living. There I was just a story, but it was unjustly told. They didn't know the truth behind my actions, nor did they care to find out. I was branded a traitor and a heathen. I barely escaped with my life. I am sure you can understand that, Dark One."

Danni cocked an eyebrow at her. She laughed. She couldn't believe that Morgana knew who she was. She gave her a cynical smile.

"So, you know about my power. Who cares? Everyone knows my face and knows who I am, but yet, no one turned me into Dedrick or yourself. Now, why do you think that is?" Danni asked her.

"Because they think that you are going to help them. They also know that the Dark One doesn't get involved unless they had something to gain. So, I am wondering what you have to gain by being here. What is it that drew the Dark One to this camp? And, don't say magic because we both know that isn't it," she told her.

"I have nothing to gain from being here. What I would be saving is a far greater reward. I am here to find out why Dedrick feels that he has to destroy magic. I could leave whenever I want, but I haven't. I wanted to know who was helping him and why. Now, I know the who, but I still don't know the why. So, why would you, of all people and capabilities be helping someone like Dedrick try to basically wipe out a realm? Will you tell me that?" Danni inquired.

"I followed him from Camelot. He asked for my help and so far, I've helped him to a point. What he doesn't know is that I'm also hindering him. I don't want to eradicate magic from any world or realm. I brought him here in hopes that the Evil Queen that I've heard so much about would stand up to him. I need her help to get back to Camelot. He was just a means to an end," Morgan told her.

"I would think that you could have come up with a better way to ask for Regina's help," Danni countered.

"I would have, had he not drugged me and removed me from Camelot. I was trying to find my way to Avalon. My place is no longer in my brother's court. It hasn't been for some time. And, Mordred is very short sighted. I love my son, but he is very misguided. I did not raise him, but I can stop him. As his mother, I think that is my problem to deal with. No one else should suffer for the mistakes that I made, including him. Had I not been drugged and in the state I was, Dedrick would have never gotten me. As it is, I've been fighting him slowly. Earning his trust while being subversive as well."

"Why is he here?"

"He wants to destroy magic everywhere because he sees it as a threat."

"Why?" Danni questioned.

"Because his wife died in childbirth. He lost his wife and child and he blames magic. He isn't so far gone that he believe that if he destroys all magic that it will bring them back. He knows that it won't, but he is so far gone is grief that he doesn't see what destruction he is causing. There are too many that fear the power that magic has in every realm. It doesn't take him long to find followers. Once he does, he builds his camp and starts his campaign. But, with each day, his control over me wanes. And, each day, I get stronger. I work on releasing the border. I've sent word to Midas to hold out. I don't want war. I want Dedrick to stop."

"Maybe I can help you with that," Danni told her as she stepped closer to her. "But, there would have to be some sort of trust between us, which right now we don't have. I don't know what you would do. For all I know once we're done talking, you're going to report to Dedrick."

"I won't."

"Why?"

"Because I didn't when you sent the dove."

"Why not?" Danni asked cocking her head as she looked deeply into Morgana's eyes.

"Because I'm tired of his games and manipulations. I am tired of the wars and campaigns. I just wanted to go home and be with my sisters."

"Sisters?"

"The Sisters of the Goddess back on the island of Avalon."

"Will you help me?"

"What do you need?"

"Do you know what his wife looked like?"

"I do."

"Good. Give a sketch or picture or something. I'll deal with Dedrick. I just need to get close enough to him."

"I'll deal with his page then. Once he's out of the way, you'll have the access you want. Just be quick about it, he's planning a full on war."

"I know."

"When?"

"I'll get back to you."

"How?"

"Come find me with the soldiers around the midday meal. I should have an answer then. Until then, Morgana," Danni said.

"Until then, Dark One," Morgana replied as she lifted her hood and headed back into the forest.

Danni stood there. She didn't know if she could trust Morgana, but it was a start. She conjured two doves and sent them into the air. One towards her mothers and the castle, but she sent the other one to Nicola and Wilhelmina. She wanted everyone ready, just in case she couldn't stop him. She would kill him, but she was afraid that one of his generals would attack anyway. She needed to make sure that she planned for everything. There were too many innocent people in the middle.

Ruby thrashed a little on her bed. Belle looked up at her anxiously. She knew that Red told her to wait for Regina to finish to get her, but things were progressing faster that she thought they should be. She was afraid for Ruby.

"Get her now," Red said through clenched teeth as another contraction ripped through her body.

Belle just nodded. She remembered the strength of labor pains. She opened the door to the suite and grabbed the nearest page.

"Go get the Queens and find the others."

The page saluted and ran off towards Regina's study. He knocked loudly and waited. After a few minutes, Regina came to the door.

"Yes?"

"Belle is asking for you, majesty. And, Queen Emma. And, the others," the page announced.

"Make your rounds then. Lady Brittany is with me. Go," Regina told him dismissing him.

"Regina?" Brittany questioned as she saw Regina just standing in the doorway.

"Belle has sent for us," Regina answered turning to look into her clear and happy blue eyes.

"Yay. It is time for the pups. Belle must need our help. We should go," Brittany replied.

Regina just nodded. She reached for Brittany's hand, and she took it without thought. The next thing they were both in the room with Belle and Ruby.

"Hello, sister," Red hissed.

"You couldn't wait, could you? Always had to be the difficult one, didn't you, Pup? What do you need me to do?" Regina asked her as she walked around the bed and took Ruby's hand in her own.

Brittany stood at the end of the bed and waited for instructions. Belle was back at Ruby's other side holding her hand. It only took a few minutes for Emma, Rachel, Santana, and Quinn to show up. They all stood near Brittany unsure of what to do.

"This is going to get messy. Emma take Quinn and Santana. Get some water and blankets and sheets. Rachel, come up here with me. Brittany take my place. We need to keep her calm," Regina told them as everyone moved.

"Is she going to phaze?" Belle asked.

"She might. I don't know. I haven't birthed pups before," Regina said as she started moving around the bed.

"Me either," Belle stated as she continued to hold Ruby's hand.

"Just try to keep her calm."

"I'm on it," Brittany said as she held Ruby's other hand.

Regina moved around and went to the end of the bed. She moved Ruby's legs and took position between them. She looked over her sister's torso and into her blue-hazel eyes. She could see the worry, but also the love in them.

"You're gonna be find, Red. I promise. And, don't worry. I'm not getting Doc to come help you."

"Why not?"

"You want that little man down here," Regina said as she pointed to Ruby's core.

"Well, no."

"Then, you're stuck with me. We can do this. Besides, I've been reading up on birthing since we found out what was wrong with you. We'll be fine. Now, I just need you to breathe and relax as much as possible. The contractions are going to hurt and to be honest we aren't sure if you are going to deliver pups or babies."

"They're my pups, Regina," Red countered.

"I know that, Little Wolf. But, you're a were and you haven't phazed. So, because you haven't changed, I don't know if they have either. It isn't like it's a full moon."

"True."

"So, we are going to proceed like a normal birth. If things go Wolfy, we'll just have to move with it and hope for the best. If I need to, I'll magically do whatever I have to do to insure that your pups are safe. I'm also going to make sure that you are okay, too. So, I need you to trust me."

"I do, Regina. You're my sister. I trust you," Red answered.

Regina nodded and conjured a stool for her to sit upon. Just as she was getting set, Emma and Quinn came back in with arm-fulls of blankets and sheets. Santana was carry a lot of water skins and a barrel of water.

"We weren't sure how much you'd need, so..." Emma started.

"That's fine, Love. Give me a sheet and then spread the others out. I'm going to need them as I call for them, so one of you please man them."

"I got it," Emma said as she handed Regina a sheet.

"Alright," Regina started.

"Do you mind if I step in?" Quinn asked.

Regina just cocked an eyebrow at her, but moved back. Santana looked around and found a small dish to put some water in. She poured some water in the dish and then brought it to Quinn. Quinn washed her hands and then looked up at Ruby. The Wolf was watching her, but she didn't say anything.

"I've have a daughter, Ruby. I've been through this. Okay, you're doing good. You aren't that far along, but we also don't know that you aren't going to speed through this, either. So, you and I are going to work together, got it?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, good. Now that we've got that settled, let's have some babies. Regina, can you get us some ice. She gonna need it. Give it to Belle. Brit?"

"I'll keep her calm and wipe her face," Brittany told her.

"Good, San?"

"I'm right beside you, Q. Just tell me what you need and you got it," Santana told her.

Regina moved closer to Emma and the blankets. She watched as the blond Elf took control. She smiled, because she realized that her daughter's friends fit right in with them. They were just like Emma, a mix of the Earthern realms and the Enchanted Forest. They went all out and head first into everything. They worried about the consequences later. And, for once, she was grateful for their presence. They had proven themselves worthy at every turn.

"Okay, Ruby, most of this is up to you."

She nodded and hissed through gritted teeth. Quinn took another peek under the sheet covering Ruby's lower half. When she came back up, she smiled at the Wolf.

"Alright, Ruby, you're almost there. You're doing good. You are progressing quickly, so it shouldn't be too much longer."

"Shouldn't we get something ready for the babies?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, start making some of the sheets ready for bundling. They will want to nurse as soon as possible. So we need to get them clean and to Ruby as quick as we can. Emma, Santana is going to help you with that while I focus on helping Ruby get through this."

They both nodded at the blonde as she took charge. She looked up at Regina and then back at Ruby. She could see the slight family resemblance, but she could also see the love that Regina had for her sister. She didn't care that her half-sister was part Wolf. For Quinn, who family meant everything, whether is was blood or not, she wasn't going to let either of them suffer.

"Belle, Ruby is going to need someone to support her during this. Do you want to stay by her side? Or, do you want to get behind her?"

Belle looked from Ruby to Quinn and back again. They all saw Ruby's slight nod and Belle stood up. She was still holding Ruby's hand.

"I'm going to stay by her side. I think that having me in her line of sight would be best. I can help keep her Wolf at bay, if she starts to phaze."

"Fair enough. It will help to have both you and Brittany keeping her calm. I don't think that we have anything for the pain, which means that we are going to be doing this the old fashioned way. That means it going to hurt but you are going to have to work through the pain, Red," Quinn told her.

"I got it."

"Okay, Regina. I need you to help support her. Soon she's going to have sit up so she can push, when she does, I want you to get behind her and support her back. Your body is going to be what she's rest upon, so you're going to need to be rigid and sure. She's going to push back against you. Just hold her up. Support her and keep talking to her. Everyone got it?"

"Yeah," Emma and Santana told her.

"Yes," Regina, Brittany and Belle responded.

"Okay, Ruby, the rest is up to you. You ready?" Quinn asked looking up at her again. She waited until she saw Ruby give her an enthusiastic nod. She smiled at her as she put her arms against her legs. "I'm going to look to see how far you've progressed."

Quinn looked under the sheet and then back up at everyone. She gave them a sweet smile as she moved closer to Red. She folded the sheet back just enough so she could see what she was doing, but also just enough to keep some of Ruby's modesty. She looked back down and moved her hands closer to Ruby's core.

"I want you to know that this is me," Quinn said as she ran her hands over Red's legs. "I'm going to help you, but I need you to push on the next contraction, okay? They are far enough apart that we can do this. Regina, get into place. Hopefully this will be quick and you'll have your babies soon."

"Yeah..." Ruby hissed through a contraction.

"Okay, Ruby, when you're ready, I'm here to catch them," Quinn instructed her.

Ruby let out a howl as she moved more into position. Every time she howled, Quinn would check to see how far they were progressing. Regina held her up. Quinn watched as Belle and Brittany both winced with each contraction.

"AHHHHHH!" Red howled.

Quinn looked back down. She saw Ruby bear down and push. She moved her hands closer and just in time.

The first one to come through was the girl twin. Quinn smiled as she quickly cleaned her. A sterilized knife was handed to her by Emma and she took care of the cord, before handing the babe to Emma to finish cleaning up. A few minutes later, the boy followed suit. She cleaned him quickly and Santana took him as soon as Quinn cut the cord. Brittany left Red go and quickly tied off the cords. She helped them both finish cleaning the babies. When they were done, Santana showed them both how to swaddle the babes. She took the boy and went to Belle's side.

"Here's your son, ladies," Santana told them as she presented him to Red.

Tears were flowing and smiles went all around. Red immediately pulled down her top to allow him to suckle. Just as he latched, Emma handed Belle their daughter. Regina magicked the pallet into an upright position to help Ruby sit and feed her children. She moved over to Emma as Belle took her daughter.

"Do you want them both?" she asked her lover timidly.

"Might as well," Red said as she moved the boy over to allow his sister to suckle as well.

"Have you thought of any names?" Rachel asked them as Santana and Quinn finished cleaning up everything.

"Not yet. Soon. I want to see how they act," Red told them.

"Following Brannonulf custom?" Regina asked.

"Something like that, but I ..." Red started but was cut off by a page pounding on the door.

Regina answered it and looked down at the boy who held a small bird in his hands. She looked at him and then bird. She took it and watched as it turned into another parchment from Danni. She read it quickly and turned to the rest of the room.

"What is it?" Red asked as soon as she saw the look in Regina's eyes.

"Danni might have found a way to stop this all, but it depends on how much she can trust the sorceress helping Dedrick."

"Who is it?" Emma asked.

"Morgan La Fey," Regina replied and all their eyes went wide in shock because they knew the stories of Camelot and Avalon.