The Exile Part II, Chapter XVII, Making a Miracle
Hi everyone, Merry Christmas I have an early Christmas present for you. Hopefully this chapter will put you in a good mood. I recommend saving this until after the Merlin finale as it all my beta readers have finished it with a happy smile and its just a sort of feel good chapter. For a very little while all is right with the world. Don't forget to read the end notes I have a special treat for you all at the end and don't forget to give me the gift of you comments and reviews.
Previously in The Exile
Chapter 14, Of Families, Friends and Magic Guinevere and Ylsa argue as Guinevere realizes that Ylsa is a witch
For a moment Gwen considered dropping the subject all together. After all, they had been neither robbed nor hurt, but "magic is evil, magic corrupts". She thought about Morgana, the way the other woman had changed. She thought of Morgana using her power against them and felt her stomach twist with tension and fear. Gwen started walking and caught up to the other woman.
"You made him sick," she accused. If she was living with a magic user she needed to know.
"And how would I do something like that?" Ylsa crossed her arms; dark eyes wide and waiting.
Gwen swallowed not wanting to speak but remembering how she erred with Morgana, ignored the signs.
"With magic," the words came out in a harsh whisper.
Chapter 16 Aftermath, Merlin and Arthur
"Of course I care for the people of Camelot and you know this to be true. Yes it is a cruel thing I know and expensive besides but I think it necessary. If we're shown to be soft on magic sorcerers will infiltrate our borders, prey on the people, prey on us- I can't-" Arthur paused and again his hand went to Gwen's ring. "I-I can't let Morgana do something like this again."He turned his attention to scroll on his desk signaling the subject closed.
Merlin tasted bile in the back of his throat and had to press a hand to his mouth. It was as if his life were some kind of sick joke. If not for the ban on magic that he would have told Arthur about the Shade and therefore Gwen most likely would not have been banished. He had chosen to protect Arthur rather than accompany Gwen who clearly had been in greater need. Now Gwen was dead, a victim of Morgana's sorcery and Arthur's response was to tighten the laws against the magic that might have saved her. Merlin felt tears well in his eyes.
"I'm a sorcerer Arthur I always have been." The words came out in a whisper
Father Flaejer pulled on his braies*, cinching them at the waist and followed that with his hose and tunic, a concession to Beatriz's insistence that he get dressed. He considered pulling on his cassock but chose instead to drape it over the back over the chair positioned under her bedroom window.
Though they had iibeen lovers* for some time now this was the first time he'd come by in the afternoon for anything other than lunch.
He surveyed her room a moment- white plaster walls, the floor covered with the same blue and white tile as the rest of the second floor rooms, expensive rug and a large four poster bed. He wondered briefly if the bed had come with the townhouse or if she'd brought it herself? A moment later Father Fleajer heard her familiar tread on the stairs. He went to the door and pulled it open just a crack. He peered into the hall making certain it was her. He did not want to be seen by one of the girls if he was mistaken.
After a moment he saw Beatriz carrying a well laden tray, her dark hair loose about her shoulders, deep blue dressing gown rippling with every step. He took the tray from her hands as soon as she reached the door.
They exchanged a quick kiss and she went to the lounge. He nudged the door shut with his toe and joined her on the lounge a moment later.
The lunch tray was heavy with cold chicken, stewed fruit, roast tubers and bread slathered in butter and gooseberry jam. They settled it betwixt them, flirting as they shared lunch. Beatriz stoking his ankle with her toes, their hands brushing as they reached for bread or a drumstick, from time to time his pale grey eyes met her dark ones. It was as they were finishing that she glanced again at his cassock.
"You should probably put that on; Jenafere has been coming in at about this time." She started braiding her silver threaded black hair breast rising as she lifted her hands over her head.
"Well she won't today."
"Oh no?"
"No she is volunteering at the infirmary."
"Oh."
She seemed surprised.
"She has been there every morning for the past three days trying to get an interview with Pradeep or helping out in the hostel. I mentioned that Pradeep might be hiring an assistant and she seemed determined that it be her."
"Hmmm," Beatriz's expression was thoughtful. "If Pradeep hires her we may have to take her into her confidence."
"I believe she can be relied upon. She does not seem to be one easily swayed when she believes she is right."
She shook her head.
"No she is not at that. She walked here from Camelot by her lonesome."
Beatriz smiled slightly and he detected admiration in her tone.
"She's refused to take the Maid's job. Paid her rent in gold, says she has more than enough. You wouldn't think it given how thrifty she has been."
"Smart to be thrifty when you've no income."
"Yes." Her smile broadened and he smiled back. "Then perhaps we should recommend her for the position."
"I think someone has a new foster daughter," He teased.
"Perhaps," her smile faded. "Her attitude towards magic leaves much to be desired."
He shrugged. "Kerenza came round and I can see quite clearly that you like Jenafere. She has all the qualities that you'd want in daughter of your own."
He watched her carefully thinking of the marks of childbearing that marred her abdomen. She'd never mentioned a child or husband but that didn't stop his curiosity.
"I have Ylsa," she said and folded her hands primly in her lap.
"Bea," he paused. "Have you ever been married?"
She snorted. "Would you have me for a wife?" Her dark eyes challenged him.
She wasn't serious but he leaned toward her, challenge in his grey eyes.
"Would you welcome a proposal?"
She held his eyes.
"You know my thoughts on marriage."
"I know." He leaned back with a sigh.
"Besides," she got to her feet tightening the belt of her dressing gown. "I can't move a man into a boarding house for single girls."
"Ylsa and Kerenza are more than ready to take over this place if you wanted."
She snorted again and walked past him. He let his gaze linger on her swaying hips as she moved passed the lounge her dressing gown rippling with each step.
"Kerenza perhaps but Ylsa is still rather youthful regarding certain of her pleasures. She wouldn't be able to resist letting her gentlemen sleep here overnight."
"I sleep here occasionally."
"Very rarely," Beatriz said dryly. "Come look at this."
He moved to stand behind her and rubbed her shoulders.
"What does that look like to you?"
She pointed at a very young and lost looking woman walking down the street.
"A lamb," he said with a sigh.
"Yes and those look more like wolves then shepherds." He spotted Ralph and Fin two known procurers walking down the street not far behind the woman. He swore under his breath and snatched his cassock, pulling it on as he hurried down the stairs. By the time he stepped outside the trio had passed the townhouse, both men were walking on either side of the girl.
"Damn!" He swore, jogged down the street and passed the trio.
"Sirs." He faced them walking backwards. "Miss."
He gave the woman a nod, and seeing her up close realized that she was much more girl than woman. She bore the same coloring as a collection of deep bronze Greek statues he'd seen once, her hair was close cropped and though she had height her body had the awkwardness of a girl still growing into womanhood. She was strikingly beautiful, bronze skin gleaming and perfect. No wonder they were willing to risk snatching her off the street in front of the townhouse.
"Father," Ralf, the taller one said.
"I'm going to come to the point. You did not truly believe that you could take this child right in front of the townhouse did you?"
"Go away priest this is no concern of yours." The shorter one's hand hovered over the hilt of his dagger.
"These men are taking you to a house of prostitution child."
The girl's eyes widened and she froze. The short one grabbed her then and pressed his knife to her ribs.
"You don't have the poodle with you priest."
The girl gasped and Father Flaejer felt a little of his tension ease as Ms. Alfonsa and Luisa came up behind the two men. He assumed that both women were armed.
"I'll be sure to tell Adras you called her a poodle Ralf. Now just let the child go, hmm?"
"That's right it's the two of you that are outnumbered now." Luisa added.
"Meebe you should just call that midwife of yours." Ralf grinned and shoved the girl right into Father Flaejer's arms.
The two men took off down the street. It took the growing stain of red down the back of the girl's dress for them to realize what Ralf meant by his last comment.
"Damn it all to hell!"
Guinevere's eyes widened as the curse rang through the townhouse. She glanced at Synove who merely grimaced. A moment later Adras charged into the foyer face red with rage dark eyes flashing like lightning. She saw them and froze.
"Jenafere," she nodded a greeting and straightened her jerkin. "Synove pardon this rude greeting ladies but I must depart." Adras flipped her hair in a move so Gwaine-like that had the moment not been so tense and serious Gwen might have laughed. She strode from the townhouse and Gwen turned to Synove.
"What has happened?"
"Why don't we go sit down in the dining room?"
"The dining room? Okay," Gwen said wondering why they weren't going into the parlor. Synove took her arm and Gwen followed her into the dining room without protest.
Ylsa was already seated at the table plate piled high with food in front of her. She tore a strip of chicken from a drumstick and shoved it into her mouth along with a small tomato.
"Is that enough?" Synove asked and Ylsa nodded her response without looking up.
"What's going on?"
"Have a seat." Synove's voice was soft but firm her usual lighthearted demeanor gone.
"Very well," Gwen sat down. "Now what is going on?"
"Some procurers tried to take a girl from in front of the townhouse today."
"What?" Gwen looked from Synove to Ylsa and back again not understanding what this had to do with the strange mood of the house.
"I don't think anyone has told her about the procurers," Ylsa said as she broke a chunk of cheese in half.
"I suppose they didn't have procurers in Camelot." Synove said.
"People who obtain goods and services we had that in Camelot." Gwen said growing impatient.
"In Wyeledon it means a person, mostly men, who obtain women for brothels."
"Obtain?" Gwen asked.
"By force." Ylsa coughed and kept eating.
"By force?"
"Yes," Synove said.
"They force people to do that?" Gwen asked. She had no idea how one became a prostitute but the idea that someone might be forced to do so…
Ylsa looked up from her food and took a breath.
"It is a problem of Wyeledon. There is a steady stream of immigrants here and many of them are young women, unmarried looking for jobs. They come from small villages or simple uncomplicated kingdoms with no idea of the dangers that this city poses. With no friends or family and complete ignorance of the city itself it is far too easy to sweep them into brothels and keep them there."
Gwen shivered recalling how easily she had trusted Father Flaejer. She could not imagine him or the nuns at the church as procurers but she had come to Ms. Alfonsa's with no hesitation. What if instead of finding a church some friendly face had offered her shelter? Cold, half-starved, weak with hunger she might have accepted it.
"You said some tried?" She looked back to Synove.
"Yes Father Flaejer, Ms. Alfonsa and Luisa stopped them but," Synove paused, "the girl was stabbed. When they realized they could not keep their prize they decided she should be deprived of her life."
Gwen noticed Synove's hands balled into tight fist on her knees. She looked at Ylsa stuffing food into her mouth as if she did not notice its taste or flavor and her hands were shaking.
"I- is the young woman okay?"
Ylsa nodded and looked at Synove.
"She'll need some nursing for a while but she will be well."
"Where is she now?" Gwen felt a bit of relief.
"In the parlor, Kerenza is with her."
"What will happen now?"
"We'll look after her here until she is well enough to go the hostel. Father Flaejer and nuns will help her find a place, work if she wants, or help get her back to her family. It will be her decision. "
"That's good but what about these procurers?" Gwen asked.
"She's not important," Ylsa said and Gwen could hear the anger and bitterness in her words.
"What do you mean?"
"She has no money, no connections and no family," Synove added. "Nothing will be done."
Gwen's mouth worked for a moment as she tried to form words.
"What do you mean? They just stab people in the street here!" Gwen got to her feet. "Just stab them. I understand she has no connections but you don't just go around stabbing people in the streets!" She knew that the life of a peasant was not equal to the life of a noble or someone with royal blood but this type of abuse was perpetrated by lords on country estates. Not by filth in front of the whole world.
"Oh enough people saw it that they will do something probably fine their employers but that's it." Ylsa rolled her eyes.
Guinevere rubbed her forehead with both hands trying to think. Part of her wanted to find a sword and…
"That is all? But surely something more will be done. Adras is wealthy and she seemed upset."
"Adras is wealthy and powerful and yes she was upset but not enough people like her agree with us and the brothels bring in so much money," Synove said emphatically.
"If I'd have been too late then we'd have something more to fight for," Ylsa said. "But I prefer this way."
Gwen's breath came out in an outraged gasp and she tried to understand what her friends were telling her. Camelot was far from perfect but there were laws and they were followed. Even Uther had followed his own laws no matter how unjust they might have been.
"But surely there are laws. They can't simply force women into brothels and murder them in the streets when they refuse."
"Yes if you have family and friends to fight for you or if you are a known citizen then the laws will protect you but remember these women are unknown immigrants. The senate simply looks the other way."
"But that's, but- if I were que-" Guinevere stopped herself.
"It is an outrage," Synove said. Guinevere didn't see Ylsa watching her with sudden interest.
"Isn't there anything?" Gwen asked thinking of women forced to service men for, for their whole long lives.
"Ms. Alfonsa, Adras and Father Flaejer minister to the girls that walk the street, find out where their families are and in sometimes smuggle them out of the city." Synove replied,
"Oh." She felt a little bit of relief there was something being done but still-
"Its very dangerous. Father Flaejer has been stabbed more than once."
"Oh. Do you two help?"
"We make friends with wealthy wives try to bring them round to our side of things." Synove smiled brightly.
"You do?"
Ylsa nodded. "A normal midwife that spent so much time with the poor would not also have clients among the wealthy but I do. Slowly, slowly we will get the laws changed."
Gwen remembered Adras' statement that relationships were being developed between Camelot and Wyeledon. If Arthur ever did come to Camelot perhaps she could somehow make Arthur aware of this. He was a better a man than these senators and even if he no longer cared for her he would do something about this.
"I'm going to see if Kerenza needs anything." Synove got to her feet. "Are you okay Ylsa?"
Ylsa nodded and Synove left.
Guinevere sat wringing her hands. Wyeledon had seemed such a perfect place. A place where she could start over, see the world anew. She thought of Ylsa, Synove, Kerenza, Ms. Alfonsa and Adras. Before Morgana had turned against them she had been something of an exception to the lot of women in Camelot. Here in Wyeledon it seemed commonplace and yet side-by-side where women were happier and freer than she'd ever known and they were also enslaved and ground down more than she'd ever known.
"Jen have you ever assisted in a lying-in?"
"What?" Gwen asked her mind still trying to absorb what Ylsa and Synove had told her.
"Have you participated in a lying-in?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry I know your mind is still with the girl but I've been thinking to ask for your help with a delivery for a while."
"Oh,um…" She took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Often actually, the midwives liked my help because I remained calm. That's part of the reason I became interested in medicine."
Ylsa smiled. "Good, any difficult deliveries?"
"I've observed a few and I have helped with direction. Once I even had guide a foal that had gotten its shoulder stuck. It was very strange."Gwen though back on the experience of slipping her arm into the mare's birth canal.
"That's perfect Jen," Ylsa paused. "I know you are still struggling with the fact that I am a magic user."
Gwen opened her mouth to try and say something reassuring but nothing came to mind.
"You've said you've only seen magic do evil, why not see it do some good?"
"What?"
"I have a delivery that will be sometime within the next week. It will be difficult and I will need the help of someone practical and focused such as yourself."
"Difficult how?" She asked no little intrigued.
"Three at one birth."
Gwen felt her eyes grow wide; she'd never seen safe delivery of such.
"I-I don't know." She bit her bottom lip filled with nerves at the thought of three babies and magic.
"I do have two other midwives helping me however a level head is always needed. You still want to be my friend, come with me. "
She nodded; this was true.
"It is only fair for you to see my side of it."
"You think you can deliver them safely?" Her curiosity about such a birthing was great and she did like Ylsa in spite of the magic.
"Oh I shall." Ylsa said unable to resist the confident smile growing on her face. "I've already got them to go to term."
"Truly?" Gwen asked intrigued in spite of herself.
"Indeed."
"But how?"
"Come and see for yourself."
Ylsa shoved her empty plate away and cleaned her fingers with a napkin.
"Very well then stay close to the townhouse for the next few days and make sure someone always knows where you are at."
Guinevere nodded; three babies at one birth.
Having agreed to accompany Ylsa on this remarkable birthing the tension in the house eased. That evening Father Flaejer moved the girl up to Ms. Alfonsa's room to be nursed. She woke briefly and Ylsa was encouraged by this as a sign of good health. Since Gwen was unemployed much of the girl's nursing fell to her. She and Luisa split the day time hours in half.
Kerenza and Synove's efforts to find her clients bore fruit also bore fruit. Each of them sent the wives of their employers to her for work. Gwen found herself preparing to make a night dress for one Mrs. Cerridwyn and a wrap for Mrs. Luefried and there was still work to do for Adras. Gwen spent her time at the girl's bedside sewing.
For the first few days the girl only woke enough to take some clear broth and be helped to the chamber pot. But as her strength returned she spoke to them a bit in clear soft Latin and Gwen learned that her name was Abebech and that she had lost all her family. Understanding this misery she did not probe her about it instead Gwen told her tales to pass the time and Abebech helped her a bit with sewing when she felt up to it.
Between the new clients and nursing Abebech Gwen only found time to go down to the infirmary twice in ten days and then only for short visits. It was on the eleventh day that Tony came in the townhouse excited and breathless looking for Ylsa. Tesni had gone into labor.
The house was small, simple, not particularly poor but far from wealthy. It seemed a comfortable place for working folk like herself. A handsome man with tanned skin, pale eyes and dark brown hair greeted them. For a moment he looked at her with confusion but then his eyes landed on Ylsa and relieved smile stretched his face.
"Ms. Ylsa thanks so much for your help, please come in both of you."
"You are welcome Alun." They stepped inside and he looked at Guinevere curiously, waiting for Ylsa to introduce her.
"Alun," Ylsa motioned toward the young man. "This is Ms. Jenafere she is helping me tonight. This is Alun, Tesni's husband."
"Just Ms. Jen is fine." Gwen said as she shook hands with the father-to-be.
"Thank you. Tesni is-"
At that moment the mother to be appeared, brown hair loose about her shoulders, face pale, abdomen bulging, she looked to be just out of girlhood. Not too young to be pregnant but still quite young, a few years younger than Gwen at least. Clearly this was Tesni
"Ms. Ylsa?"
Gwen could hear the fear in the young woman's voice. Ylsa went to Tesni threw her arms around her.
"Ylsa thank all the gods that you are here."
"Of course I am here. I told you I would take care of you."
"Tesni, this is Jen, she is going to be helping me today along with your mother-in-law Heulwen, Carys and Catrin the other two midwives that you met no long ago they will be along shortly, and your friends May and Xang."
Guinevere extended her hand and Tesni shook it.
"Nice to meet you Ms.-" Tesni gasped and squeezed Guinevere's hand hard as contraction seized her.
"Ohhh." Ylsa made a sympathetic face and Gwen pulled her hand away the moment the contraction passed, rubbing it.
"Sorry." Tesni apologized.
"It's okay I've held the hands of laboring mothers before you just surprised me." Gwen said.
"Thank you for helping me." Tesni smiled.
"You're welcome."
"Tesni I'll need to examine you."
"Of course, ."
Ylsa and Tesni went to the rear of the little house and Gwen followed them. The sleeping area had been cordoned off from the rest of the house with a large swath of cloth draped over a cord. The birthing chair was already in place. Tesni and Ylsa sat down on a narrow bench.
Gwen was surprised to find a large mattress and bed in the space as well as a narrow, padded bench. Most Camelot peasants didn't have things like padded benches or mattresses on beds. She remembered what Synove had said about everything being inexpensive here. Wyeledon was such a great and terrible place.
Ylsa did not move from her position on the bench. She simply held her hands over Tesni's bulging abdomen and then crouched and did the same of the girl's genital area. The young woman seemed to have a short contraction during the exam but that was it. After several minutes Ylsa stood and went to Gwen's side.
"Her labor is progressing a bit slowly. I'm going to try and move it along."
"With?"
"No teas. She has been drinking nettle regularly but we need something else. I'm going to encourage the organs of the body involved in labor to work more quickly."
"How?"
"In the simplest terms I shall do so by applying conscious instruction."
"Oh." Gwen said, not understanding in the least. "Conscious instruction?"
"Later. Can you get me a stool?"
Gwen found Alun and fetched a stool for Ylsa. They settled Tesni on her bed and Ylsa at the bedside.
"When I am done she shall need something to eat, nuts and dried fruits preferably." Ylsa took the laboring woman's hands and slipped almost immediately into a trance. Gwen fetched the requested foods from Alun who had them on hand. She sat the food down nearby and studied Ylsa for a moment. The ebon dark woman breathed slow and deep almost as if she were sleeping and her eyes were closed. Guinevere met Tesni's dark eyes and the girl gave her small smile. She was tempted to strike up a conversation with Tesni but she didn't know if it might disturb Ylsa's trance.
Gwen made herself comfortable on a floor cushion and got out the sewing she had brought with her. If possible she wanted to finish Mrs. Luefried's wrap before the week was out. She'd began humming to herself as she sewed, a song her mother used to sing.
"Ms. Jen?"
She looked up.
"Yes."
"Ylsa referred to you as Miss?"
"Yes."
"Ahhh." Tesni didn't say anything but that one sound said it all, unmarried, never married. Tesni was about four years her junior and about to be a mother of three.
"Do you live in Ms. Alfonsa's Townhouse as well?"
"Yes."
The younger woman's face lit up.
"We hear all the tales about Ms. Alfonsa."
"Nothing bad mind you," Tesni smiled a sleepy sort of glassy eyed smile. "Just tales, with Father Flaejer, Lady Adrassss and fights with the procurers."
Gwen considered the incident a few days ago.
"Well yes I suppose such things do happen."
"And you came from very far away." She nodded slowly, "I can tell by your accccccent." The last word came out in a slur. "I feel really good." Tesni giggled.
Gwen nodded and studied the girl. If she didn't know better Gwen would swear that she was drugged.
"Are you a midwife like Ylsa?" Her head lolled to one side and she stroked her abdomen with a slow caress.
"Not exactly, I hope to be a physician."
"Ooohhhh," Tesni smiled. "That would be exciting. You might take a position at a king's court meet heroes and knights." She giggled. "Perhaps even a husband."
"Perhaps," Gwen said dryly.
"A handsome-" The girl gasped and took a deep breath.
"Just breath through it Tesni." Gwen coached and glanced at Ylsa. There was no change in midwife's state, no evidence that she was at all aware of what was happening around her. The contraction passed and Gwen saw fear in the girl's eyes.
"You're okay." Gwen gave her an encouraging smile. "You've got the one of the best midwives in all of Wyeledon looking after you."
Tesni nodded and fell silent stroking her midsection, glassy eyed expression had gone. Whatever spell Ylsa was doing the contraction had cut through it.
Gwen considered some other things they might discuss but Tesni's gaze had turned toward the small window. She went instead back to her sewing. After a time she heard the sound of male voices, the men must have heard that Tesni was in labor and gathering to keep Alun company.
After what had to be an hour Ylsa opened her eyes with a smile.
"Her labor shall progress more quickly now. Did you get the food?"
Gwen nodded and passed the wooden bowl to Ylsa who took a handful of the fruit and nuts.
"Eat now." Ylsa extended the food to Tensi. "Soon you will not have time and the work I pushed you body to do requires that your nourishment be replenished."
"But there isn't anything wrong, is there?"
Ylsa shook her head and smoothed the other woman's hair.
"I've taken care of you all this time. I shall continue to do so now."
"Thank you." Tesni began nibbling on the food Ylsa gave her.
"What did you do?"
"I simply encouraged the organs of the body to do what they were already doing only a little faster, to draw on her body's stored vigor."
"How?"
"The organs of the body know their function quite well. However sometimes they become confused or sluggish and either do too much or too little of what it is they do naturally. I can consider things that the organs do and do not do and gently nudge them in a somewhat different direction."
While Guinevere was trying to puzzle out what that meant, Ylsa reached into the bag that she had brought with her and pulled out a small wooden box carved with symbols of luck and fertility.
"This is a box of nettle that I have enchanted. Tea brewed from it will work more effectively in case of hemorrhage."
Guinevere frowned, not at all certain why Ylsa was telling her this.
"If you chose to practice medicine in Wyeledon there are certain enchantments that the locals will expect you to perform on their behalf."
When Gwen said nothing Ylsa went on.
"It is your choice whether or not you use them but you should be aware of them."
Before Guinevere could respond Tesni cried out loudly.
"It was much stronger."
"That is good. Let's get you up and moving, "Ylsa said.
The day wore on and Tesni's labor progressed. From time-to-time there a raucous laugh or shout from the men gather to keep Alun company reached them. Two of the women Ylsa mentioned arrived, May, a lean, somber looking young woman still in the early stages of pregnancy and with a very pale complexion and Xang a dark-haired girl with fair golden-brown skin and unusually shaped yet familiar eyes. Ylsa introduced both young women Gwen and let them take over walking Tesni around. With their arrival the house filled with chatter and girlish laughter.
This was not quite the same as other deliveries Gwen had attended. Usually any female who might claim type of blood kin to a girl laboring to bring forth her first child would be present sisters, aunts, cousins, nieces, etc…If Gwen had remained in Camelot she would have expected her Aunts Mary and Liza to come to the castle itself along with some of their eldest daughters, not to mention her friends like Enid. She wondered suddenly did all of the women of Wyeledon labor alone like this?
Hearty shouts of welcome from the men outside reached them and a moment later two more women entered. Both women were tall and looked to be old enough to have children Ylsa's age. Their skin was pale and their dark hair graying round the hairline. Gwen studied them for a moment they looked to her like sisters.
"Carys, Catrin," Ylsa went to them immediately and the older women embraced her in turn. "Thank you both so much for coming."
"We're grateful for the invitation. A midwife is lucky to participate in a delivery such as this."
"We wouldn't have missed it; we are honored by your invitation."
Gwen observed this trying to determine which sister was which. Ylsa beckoned her over.
"This is Jenafere, she is helping out today. Jen this is Ms. Carys," Ylsa indicated the sister in the blue, "and this is Mrs. Catrin," she indicated the sister in the green.
"Nice to meet you both Ms. Carys and Mrs. Catrin."
"Are you Ylsa's apprentice?" The one in green asked.
"Oh no she is just letting me help."
"Ahhhh."
"Jen wants to be one of those ever so important physicians." Ylsa rolled eyes. "But we'll make her into one of us yet." Ylsa patted her arm and gave her a little wink. Carys and Catrin laughed. "Jen is going to observe and be responsible for the baby dunking."
For the next few hours the women took turns walking Tesni around the room. As the day drew on her contractions came swift and hard and grew closer and closer together. The house which had been moderately warm when they arrived grew hot with the constant boiling of water. While Tesni was still early in her labor it was not uncommon for a woman progress suddenly and rapidly. Hot water had to be on hand. The women stripped to their chemises, occasionally sponging themselves so as not to grow too offensive.
Near suppertime Mrs. Heulwen, Alun's mother arrived with a basket under her arm and the smell of fresh baked bread and chicken. Like her son the woman was attractive and rather sturdy looking in appearance. She saw to it that they all had something to eat and then settled in for the evening.
From time-to-time Ylsa checked Tesni's progress as she had done initially and each time she seemed more pleased. Eventually she sent Xang and May to prepare a hand wash of boiled water and clove oil.
"One of the babies is stuck. This is the danger with these types of birthings not enough room for all of them to settle properly."
"I'll start opening the cabinets." Gwen turned to do that important job and felt Ylsa's hand on her shoulder.
"You don't need to do that Gwen."
"When everything in the home is open it will help open up the womb." Gwen replied with confidence. Ylsa looked at her with a frown.
"Unfortunately sympathetic magic is one of the least effective forms of magic Jen."
"Magic?" Gwen stared at her; opening cabinets was not magic.
One of the sisters was massaging Tesni's abdomen while the other sat at the young woman's side encouraging her.
"Don't worry about it Jen. I want you to stay on hand."
"I shall guide him and this is where I shall need you the most. He shall come first. I will be monitoring Tesni and all the babies the entire time. If something goes wrong I will drop into trance immediately. I need you on to take care of the babies with May and Xang." Ylsa seemed to be watching her intently as she spoke. "Carys and Catrin will be responsible for making sure the rest of the delivery goes smoothly. It is important that your hands are clean when you touch these infants." Ylsa took Gwen's hand and raised it. "I know you can't see it but it is swimming with foul humors; the clove oil will cleanse the humors. Once you have cleaned them do not touch anything but the babies. If you do I need you to clean them again. So no cabinets."
Guinevere frowned.
"No cabinets. I mean it if you violate this about cleaning you will never work with me again."
Guinevere swallowed and nodded. She didn't understand what Ylsa was talking about but she took it very seriously.
"Very well no cabinets."
Xang returned with what Ylsa referred to as the cleaned water. The mid-wife gave it an experimental sniff, nostrils widening slightly before she nodded with approval.
"Perfect."
"Thank you Ms. Ylsa,"Xang smiled.
Ylsa pushed up her sleeves before soaking her arms up to the elbow.
"The babies are coming!" Tesni shrieked and they got her to the birthing chair.
"Jen soak your arms up the elbows for twenty heartbeats."
She plunged her arms into the hot water just as Ylsa had ordered. The clove oil made her skin tingle and Gwen began to count her heartbeats eyes riveted on Ylsa, cabinets momentarily forgotten.
Ylsa lay down on her side and slid one arm into Tesni's vaginal canal, directing the young woman not to push. All the women watched with anxious faces as Ylsa strained, eyes closed, shifting the infant so he could slide forth. After several long moments Ylsa removed her hand and shifted into squatting position encouraging the young woman to push. Tesni did as directed and the first baby slid forward in gush of blood, too much blood. The pungent smell of birthing-blood filled the room and Ylsa passed the baby to Gwen for his first bath. Then the midwife was getting up, maneuvering to Tesni's side, while Carys took her place.
Gwen gave the child a quick dunk in the steamy hot water which set him to crying shrilly as his tiny limbs flailed in his first moments of life and just as quickly as the infant had begun crying he became calm and quite bringing his little arms to his chest and tucking up his little legs. Together she and Xang got him swaddled.
"Come on Tesni we can see him," Carys coached. "Just wait for your next pains and push."
Tesni gasped, wailed and bore down the second baby slipped forth in a mess of blood. This one was also a boy Gwen got him dunked and bathed just like his brother. Just one more baby and they would have completed a miracle. Only there was a gasp around the room.
Gwen looked up to see that Tesni's face had gone ashen and she was sagging forward in the chair. Her stomach rippled and she revived as quickly as she'd flagged. Gwen spared a glance for Ylsa and saw that the woman was already in trance. How had she known?
"You're almost done." Catrin said and there were cheers of encouragement round the room. The young woman cried out and pushed Gwen could see her straining.
"Don't push Tesni!" Carys cried.
"What?" Tesni said worried.
"You third little one is backwards." There were worried glances exchanged all about the room.
"We're going to take care of you." Catrin said.
Ylsa opened her eyes just then.
"I had hoped she would shift when her brothers moved." Ylsa said.
"She," Carys looked at Ylsa. "I'm going to try and turn her."
"Just breathe through your contractions Tesni."
"Okay."
Carys cleaned her hands in Ylsa's clove water, while Catrin and Ylsa stayed at Tesni's side coaching her through these last difficult moments. Again they watched waiting, the sunlight dwindling, while Carys tried to turn the child.
"It cannot be done." The older woman said at last. All eyes went to Ylsa.
"If Carys cannot do it then it cannot be done. This is not something my magic can do. This shall be a footling," Ylsa said.*iii
There were sighs all around the room and worried clucking. Tesni's eyes grew wide. Everyone knew the danger of these footlings. Catrin squeezed the young mother's shoulders.
"We shall take care of you."
"We shall need more light," Ylsa announced
"Of course," Mrs. Heulwen said.
She handed her grandson to May and began lighting the lanterns, coals, and candles and torches.
"Stand up." Ylsa said softly to Tesni when the room was good and bright.
"Mrs. Heulwen, May can you clear the bedding we don't want it ruined."
The two women did as asked and they moved the girl to the bed and had her kneel on all fours. Ylsa knelt beside Tesni hands palm down on her lower back.
The breech delivery was a long exhausting process in comparison to the two little boys. May and Xang took care to walk them around the room and keep them cuddled and calm. Gwen unable to simply watch went about the house to open every cabinet, every shutter and untie every knot. She didn't know if it was truly magic but it had certainly never hurt anyone.
With each of Tesni's strained cried slow inch after inch the infant emerged. What had been a struggle of minutes with each of the boys became a test of endurance with this girl; tiny toes first and then legs, knees buttocks. Catrin stepped in then getting one hand under the tiny body.
It seemed to go on for hours. Guinevere rang sweat from her hair and chemise watching, waiting, and holding a collective breath with every contraction as Tesni labored on in tears now. The summer heat, the damp warmth of the room seemed to press down on them and no one spoke. Finally May began singing the praises of St. Anne and slowly they joined their voices with hers, begging for her blessing and guardianship for Tesni.
Gwen cleared her mind of all thoughts save Tesni's safe delivery. She sang her prayer reciting in her mind the names of her ancestors going back as far as she could. She let her whole heart be filled with this one thought, this one desire the safe delivery of this final infant.
They finished the hymn and started another and then a third. Tesni continued to labor and a cooling breeze moved through the room breaking up the hot oppressive air. At long last the child's body slipped forward. Gwen remembered Ylsa instructions and cleaned her hands again all while singing with the rest of the women.
Not long after the child's head emerged and Gwen was there just as she had been directed. The last infant was given her bath, she shrieked loud and strong like her brothers before being swaddled.
They moved poor exhausted Tesni back to the chair for the delivery of the afterbirth. It came with surprising swiftness and Gwen suspected that Ylsa had something to do with that. Mrs. Heulwen and Xang were cleaning Tesni up almost immediately, pressing a mug of Ylsa's nettle bark tea into her hands while the rest of the women saw to the infants.
Ylsa checked over each of the infants, monitoring them just as she had with their mother. As Ylsa pronounced the infants fit, she handed them to May who turn took them to their weary mother. She saved the girl for last and lingered over her the longest.
"Ylsa said there was a girl. I have a little girl." Tesni asked finally. "Is she okay?"
"You shouldn't get too attached Tesni," Mrs. Heulwen said. "You can never know with infants."
Guinevere watched the girl's face grow paler still.
"She will be fine," Ylsa said voice hoarse, expression weary. She walked to Tesni's side. "They will all be fine."
Guinevere started to smile. They had indeed performed a miracle.
i a type of knee length underwear worn by men during the medieval period
ii Celibacy was not required for Catholic priest until 1123 I generally think of this story as taking place around 9-something before the Normans.
iii breech deliveries were common and many were performed successfully. The most dangerous type of breech delivery was a footling because of the duration of the delivery itself. Also non-surgical breech deliveries are becoming more and more common because of the dangers of drug reactions, surgical infections and the overall health benefits to the mother of delivering vaginally whenever possible.
A/N So the title and baby delivery in this chapter is pure ironic coincidence. Gwen needed to really learn something about Ylsa's magic and Ylsa is midwife. Guess what you guys I have good news and bad news. The bad news I'm no longer working, the good news I have way more time for writing in fact the rough draft of the next chapter is already being reviewed by my betas. That means I can offer all of you a preview of the next chapter right now.
Chapter XVIII, Witch Hunt:
Arthur went back to carving as best he could in the dim light and Merlin got the rabbits and tubers he'd dug up spitted to roast and then since he was hungry and it was late he used a bit of his magic to speed the process. When he handed Arthur his plate the other stared at him suspiciously but said nothing. The two men ate in silence the sounds of the forest at night grew into a subtle sort of cacophony, owls looing, wolves calling to their packs, insects chirping for their mates, the rush of not too distant water and the leaves trees rustling in the wind and none of it visible. Outside the dim golden glow of their campfire nothing could be seen...
"But it has to be policed. People have to make these charms, the charms have to work and they have to be available. We can do without magic." Arthur said thoughtfully. "And it seems to give people an unfair advantage. I mean even an untrained peasant can get lucky or desperate and defeat a knight or bandit with a well swung pot." He took a deep breath, "What happened to Guinevere all those other women, how were they supposed to escape that? It ruined their lives, it ruined," Arthur paused his expression told Merlin that he was searching for a word."It ruined everything."
The last words came out softly and Merlin stared at Arthur wondering himself for just a moment why magic should be legal.
As always thank you for reading and don't forget to give me the gift of your thoughts and reviews, merry Christmas or happy whatever you celebrate.