Ragnell screamed.
Amaya pushed her back down onto the pillows as the midwives hurried to get everything ready. "It hurts Amaya!" She screeched, writhing on her bed sheets as a rather plump, stern looking woman grabbed her legs and set them apart.
"Alright just calm down, deep breaths." Amaya told her softly, brushing back her hair as Maia held her other hand. "Gawain will be here soon, Arthur has already sent Elyan to take his place so that he could return. It won't be long." Guinevere swept inside and instantly smiled.
"Hurts like hell doesn't it?" Ragnell gasped out a laugh as another contraction took her. Amaya moved back, touching Guinevere's shoulder to let her take her place.
"I will go and search for Gawain. I'll wait in the courtyard." Ragnell nodded her head, straining not to cry out in pain so Amaya quickly slipped away. She carefully descended the stairs but at the bottom she met Gaheris, Ywain and Lamorak. They all glanced up in concern.
"Are they murdering her up there?" Gaheris demanded and Amaya arched an eyebrow at him.
"I'd like to see you try birthing a child." She returned. "It is just the contractions, her body is trying to push the child out." Ywain shuddered.
"Nasty." Lamorak touched Amaya's shoulder gently.
"How are you carrying?" He asked in his deep, melodic voice so Amaya smiled.
"All is fine. It's going to be a strong one, I think. It's certainly growing large enough." Gaheris chuckled, leaning against the wall.
"I think we'd best let you get on. By the sounds of it, that baby isn't going to wait for the father to arrive." Nodding her head Amaya turned and raced away towards the courtyard. It was still light but swiftly turning to dusk, the sun leaving the sky and the braziers were lit to bring back some light to the castle.
When hooves hammered against stone Amaya craned her neck then ordered the gates open to let the rider inside. Gawain leaped from his horse, Jols running to catch the reins as the rider strode forwards. "Where is she?" Amaya was already turning and leading the way. He ran after her and Amaya picked up her skirts to run faster, Ragnell's cries soon able to be heard even from her room.
"Is she alright? Has anything happened?"
"Not that I know of. You will be allowed in to see her for a minute before the birth begins but then you must wait outside." Gawain's face paled the closer they got to Ragnell. Amaya was glad she had seen the Ragnell start to go into labour in a vision because it had given them four days to send for Gawain, who must have ridden flat outright to get back in time.
Amaya opened the door and let Gawain sweep inside. "Ragnell!" Maia instantly drew back and the woman sighed with relief, smiling to Gawain as he gripped her hand then kissed her sweaty brow. "I'm here." He murmured to her gently, gazing at her with adoring eyes.
"Gawain…" She murmured then turned her head away, clenching her eyes shut as she let out a cry, Gawain instantly moving to hold her.
"Gawain, she is safe. These are the best midwives and they helped deliver Charlotte, Ragnell is in safe hands." Guinevere said to him gently, touching his shoulders and began to pull him back. "But she needs to focus and you will not want to see her like this."
"But…"
"Gawain, I will watch over her." Amaya assured him, taking his arm and pulling him to the door where Galahad and Arthur were waiting and Amaya was touched on Ragnell's behalf to see Lamorak, Ywain and Gaheris there too. "She will be perfectly safe as I shall not let anything to happen to her. I swear it." Relaxing slightly he nodded, stepping outside but he turned and gripped Amaya's arm.
"You won't let her die of this, Maya?"
"Of course not." She cracked a broad grin. "My hands are like magic for saving lives." She shut the door firmly between them then returned to Ragnell's side as Maia wiped away the sweat.
"The idea of childbirth is appealing to me less and less." Amaya frowned and Ragnell laughed.
"Too late now." She said with a pointed look to Amaya's condition and the woman chuckled. The three of them, Amaya, Guinevere and Maia, all took turns taking care of Ragnell, wiping her neck and face from the sweat and murmured comforting things in her ear as she laboured. They took turns to rest as the hours wore on and Amaya could sense Gawain pacing outside.
Amaya glanced to one of the midwives who was frowning. "We'll have to toss her in the sheets."
"What?" Amaya demanded, looking with alarm to Guinevere. "Why?"
"The birth is taking too long. If we don't get that baby out, it'll suffocate." Ragnell cried out as Maia tried to coax her to push. Amaya turned back to the midwife.
"Will it hurt her?" She shrugged.
"Might mean she won't be able to have other children but at least she'll have this one." The woman nodded to the others but when she made to grip a corner of the bed sheet, Ragnell cried out in alarm, begging them not to toss her.
"No! No, I want more children, don't do this!" Instantly Amaya shouldered her way through, standing protectively in front of the bed and glared at the midwives.
"You will not toss her." Amaya turned and gripped Ragnell's hand. "Listen to me, Ragnell, you're going to have to push with all your might. This baby is going to be born if I have anything to say about it. Just relax, relax and keep trying." Ragnell nodded her head, shifting then clenched her fists together, determination shining in her eyes. At the next contraction, she began to strain her body, trying to push the baby from her as one of the midwives looked under her skirt to see.
"It's crowning!" Not knowing what that meant, both Maia and Amaya looked to Guinevere who supplied the answer.
"They can see its head, keep going Ragnell, you're doing it. Push!" Amaya moved around to stand at Ragnell's feet, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them. The baby was almost there, its head was almost free. The midwife gently took a hold of the head in a blanket, its fleshy face perfectly still until finally, it came away altogether. It wasn't moving.
"Why isn't it crying?" Guinevere demanded, moving forwards as the midwife hurried to unwrap the cord that was tightly locked around the child's throat. Ragnell gasped, tears in her eyes.
"What is it? What's happening? Where's my baby?" Maia tried to calm her down but the midwife was still trying to wrestle the cord from around the baby's fragile throat. Quickly Amaya pushed her way forwards, taking the child awkwardly in one arm then pulled the cord free, her stronger hands loosening it from the child which instantly sucked in a deep breath and began to wail. It was heavily bruised around the neck, black and purple so Amaya touched its chest with one finger as the midwife cut the cord.
White light flowed from her finger and the baby stopped crying, squinting slightly as it felt the warmth rush through it and the pain subside. Amaya sighed with relief then looked to Ragnell with a smile as she sighed with relief and fell back against her propped pillows. "It's a boy." She announced as one of the midwives took the child and washed it, wrapping it in swaddling as they then cleaned up the mess.
Once Ragnell had been washed also and changed as well as her sheets, she looked to Guinevere, her son in her arms. "Will you let Gawain in, please?" Nodding her head, Guinevere could not hold back the smile as she flung open the door and allowed Gawain through.
He stopped, staring at the baby and his wife who was practically glowing with pride, touching the boy's nose with a delicate finger before looking around to him. He looked perfect. "A son." She whispered and Gawain beamed proudly, going to her side and kissed her face before looking at him. "Little Geraint." Gawain exhaled with awe as she slowly passed their son into his arms and he held him as carefully as he could.
His head fit in his hand easily, a hand which usually carried a weapon but now held the most precious thing in the world. Geraint was sleeping, perfectly at ease but then he opened his eyes. They were large and blue, though Gawain had been told that all babies were born with blue eyes and they only changed after around six months.
Utterly spellbound, Gawain sank down into a chair that Amaya smartly pushed beneath him. The midwives left and the knights all crowded around, looking at the new baby with interest. Amaya lifted Lucan up, letting him see before Galahad turned, smiled then let the boy stand in front of him.
"What's his name?" Lucan asked and Gawain beamed.
"Geraint." Leaning down a little Gawain let Lucan see the boy better, who was looking around in confusion but still did not cry.
"He's a quiet one." Guinevere murmured, Arthur's arms around her. "Our Charlotte wailed for a good few hours after I delivered." Amaya chuckled, resting her hand on Gawain's shoulder and his smile broadened, turning to face her.
"I have a son."
"Aye Gawain, he's a healthy looking lad." Amaya nodded her head then looked to Ragnell who was settled down on the bed, gazing at her son lovingly. "But I think they both need to rest. It's been a long day for them both." Nodding his head Gawain shifted around, offering Geraint to Ragnell who stroked his face but did not hold him as she was still gathering back her strength.
Guinevere and Arthur were the first to step away, Galahad and Maia following, leaving Lamorak, Gaheris and Ywain with Amaya also. "Well done." Ywain said to Ragnell affectionately. "He looks like a strong boy."
"We'll leave you in peace, congratulations the both of you." Gaheris added, patting Gawain's shoulder warmly where Lamorak gave a slow but warm nod to them before leaving.
"Ragnell, he may want feeding soon. I would rest now while you can." Amaya murmured. "Guinevere said that he'll start crying when he's hungry but he will need to be fed at least eight to fifteen times every day for the first few days. Gawain, make sure you look after them both." He nodded his head, eyes only for his little boy. Amaya chuckled then brought the cot closer to the bed for them though she doubted Gawain will want to put his son down.
With a nod to the nursemaid who sat in the corner, the girl smiled. "I'll look after them milady, don't worry." Amaya smiled to her, touched her shoulder then quietly closed the door behind her on her way out.
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Sitting down on a bench Amaya sighed. It had been many weeks since Geraint's birth and he was growing strong, though Gawain had had to return after two weeks. Time was flying by and she was now close to her time, though Tristan had returned several times during the months he had always been snatched away again to fight back the Saxons again.
Sometimes they would all be home and Amaya would relish the company of her family all together, only if it lasted for a few days. Arthur had gone out several times and returned victorious but on several occasions, there had been crushing defeats by the Saxon ships and their landed army that had swept through the ports and then retreated.
Amaya was growing tired. She wanted her brothers and husband home, not facing the axe of a Saxon. "Maya?" Lamorak's soothing voice called softly and she turned, sitting up straighter with a smile. "You look troubled." He noted aloud and she groaned.
"If only Arthur would let me go, I could set fire to their ships, take back our women and gold then settle everything with just a flick of my wrist but he will not listen to me! For once." She added bitterly. Over the course of the months, Amaya had become Arthur's most trusted councillor. She was always at his side when making battle plans and though she stubbornly kept putting forwards the idea of her just laying waste to the entire Saxon fleet, he refused, saying that he could not allow her into danger when so heavily laden.
"He only worries for your safety." Lamorak answered gently. Now Sir Lamorak. After a heroic ride to Gawain's aid two months ago, he had earned his title and had been knighted in front of the entire court as had Elyan, Ywain and Gaheris. "Your child is important, it will help carry on Arthur's legacy. Will be the next generation of knights once we are old and gone." Amaya chuckled.
"It might be a girl." She parried easily. "Yet if it is, she will still be a force to be reckoned with, no doubt." Lamorak gave a small smile then looked up to the skies.
"The clouds are gathering. It is a bad omen." He murmured and Amaya looked up also.
"There will be a storm." She sighed. Summer storms were becoming more regular than the sun itself. She was certain Morgana was behind it, the witch who was intent on casting her misery everywhere. "We should go inside." No sooner had she stood up, Amaya felt a strong pain rip through her stomach and she cried out in pain, doubling over.
Instantly Lamorak was on his feet, gripping Amaya's shoulders. "Maya, what is it? The child?"
"It's time…oh gods, they said it would be a while! My waters only broke yesterday!" Another pain gripped her and she growled, gritting her teeth to bite down the pain. "Lamorak, help me, please." Lamorak easily lifted Amaya into his arms and carried her inside.
The guards blinked as they saw them approaching, worry for the Wolf Maiden flickering in their eyes as they opened the door and let them pass. "Send for the queen, tell her that Lady Amaya has gone into labour." Lamorak commanded calmly, carrying Amaya up a flight of stairs as she gripped onto him, biting down the pain as she clenched her jaw. "Do not be afraid to scream."
"I've had worse. It isn't so bad right now, it's just the consistency! Where is Tristan? I want that damned man back here right now!"
"We will send for him. Do not fear, Amaya, he will get here." Lamorak murmured and his soothing tone allowed Amaya to relax as he carried her up to her chambers. Her room was already prepared so Lamorak gently set her on the bed where she instantly gripped onto the covers and growled. "Be calm, you must be calm."
"I am calm!" She yelped then exhaled deeply, taking deep breaths. "I am calm, perfectly calm." She reasoned then looked up as Maia, Ragnell, Guinevere and a hoard of other people swarmed inside. Galahad ran to Amaya's side, demanding to know if she was alright to which she punched him in the face.
"Do I look alright to you?" She bellowed at him and Gawain roared with laughter at Galahad's bleeding nose.
"Out! All you men, out!" Guinevere commanded, shoving her husband out the door along with Gawain, Galahad, Lamorak, Bors and Elyan before slamming the door shut. Lightning flashed outside and the storm began to rage. Suddenly Amaya felt fear. There was a dark presence in the room, drifting eerily, watching her.
"Maia don't! Don't shut the window." Amaya cried out, making the woman jump in surprise.
"But it is raining!"
"Please, I need to focus on something. The storm will help, please." Nodding her head with a sigh she left the shutters open but tied them back so that they would not clatter noisily. Ragnell smiled down at Amaya who took deep, even breaths as she dealt with the pain.
"I must say, you make me look like a coward." Amaya grinned.
"I've been shot with arrows, bolts, stabbed and sliced up so many times, pain no longer bothers me." Suddenly a strong contraction took her and she could not hold back her moan of pain. "Though this tops it all." Ragnell laughed as Guinevere took off Amaya's boots and flung them aside. They helped her out of her outer garment and Amaya lay back, breathing calmly.
It was not yet time to push, the midwife said, as the priest had not arrived to bless her. "Do I look like I need some bloody priest?!" Amaya roared as a bolt of lightning flashed through the sky and it dragged her attention towards the window, looking out to the hammering rain and mapped the swirling blankets of dark grey clouds swirling overhead.
The dark presence shifted and Amaya growled, sitting up straight to try and locate it but the midwife pushed her back down again. "Lay still, you have to wait for the priest." Amaya threw her a dirty look.
"This baby is not waiting. Where is my husband?" She demanded. "Where is Tristan?"
"He'll be here as soon as he can get here." Maia soothed, brushing back her hair with a comb then plaited it for her. "He would have been on his way back anyway, knowing you were close to your time."
"It looks like I was closer than he anticipated!" Ragnell and Guinevere laughed, knowing that Amaya's furious bellows were her way of dealing with the pain without screaming. A shadowy, evil sensation crawled over Amaya's skin and she sat up again, this time brushing off the midwife.
"You must lay back!"
"Hush." She commanded in the gentlest voice she could muster. "There is…something else in this room." Maia frowned then looked around. "Bring me Demon."
"Are you absurd? You will not have that demonic beast in here!" Amaya turned a brightly flamed glare upon the woman, enough so to make her flinch.
"Bring me my dog! Demon! Come here!" There was a bark from outside and scratching so Maia got up and let him in. The dog bounded forwards, tongue lolling but he stopped and sniffed the air. "Where is-argh!" Amaya clenched her fingers into fists then relaxed. "Where is it boy?" Demon suddenly growled, turning and crawling towards the corner of the room.
"It's insane! I'd put it down if I were you." The midwife sniffed haughtily but Amaya ignored her. Demon began to bark, snarling defensively at the corner of the room where he sensed the dark spirits gathering most strongly. When it moved he chased it, leaping onto the vanity table and smashing several bottles.
"Get it out! Horrible beast!"
"Away with you, woman!" Amaya snarled. "Touch my dog and I shall smoke you to cinders!" The midwives all stepped back, watching as the dog then crawled under the bed then raced out the other side, chasing the spirit then seemed to grab at thin air, wrenching it back then whipped his head from side to side, snarling as he then began to pull backwards, tugging on an invisible force that tried to escape him.
Using Demon to pinpoint the dark entity, Amaya then through a ball of bright light towards it. Suddenly the shadow screamed, writhing as it materialised, snaking hair withering like a dying willow, its milky eyes staring at the dog which gripped its robe in his teeth. "You'll not take my child from me, witch!" Amaya declared, knowing that the spirit was a form of Morgana, spying on her. With a snarl she flung another orb and the shadow shattered to the ground in fine, black dust particles. Maia gasped, trembling in shock.
"Wh-what was that?" She stammered, pointing to the ground.
"Clean up the mess." Guinevere ordered then looked to Amaya. "What was it Maya?"
"Dark spirit, come to make trouble and cause grief." Amaya gasped out before grabbing Ragnell's hand and holding it tightly as she threw back her head. "Argh! This is torture! Get it out of me already!"
"The priest is…"
"I don't care about the damn priest!" The midwives gasped at Amaya's blasphemy. Suddenly there was a commotion outside and Amaya turned her head, hearing Tristan's voice.
"Let me in!"
"Tristan!"
"Maya!" The door burst open and Demon gave a deep bark of greeting, jumping up then sat proudly by Amaya's bedside as Tristan strode over. "Maya." He breathed a sigh of relief. He had made it. Amaya grabbed his arm and pulled him closer, gazing up at him and drawing comfort from his presence but when a contraction took her, she pressed her eyes shut and moaned, gritting her teeth together to stifle the yell whilst gripping onto Tristan's arm so tightly, she left bruises. He didn't care.
"Next time, you can give birth." Amaya growled at him and he offered her a secret smile before kissing her brow.
"You'll be fine." He murmured then looked around as Ragnell touched his shoulder. She said nothing but he nodded in understanding, looking back to Amaya who gasped then gripped onto him with both hands. "I won't be far. Just on the other side of the door." He murmured to her. "You may call if you need me, if it gets too much." She threw back her head and laughed, shooting him a smirk.
"Watch and learn, scout. This is how pain is dealt with." He rolled his eyes, kissed her lips and ignored the midwives protests before leaving, though reluctantly. Demon made to follow but stopped, looked to Amaya then trotted back to her side when he realised his mistress was not following. Demon tilted his head in confusion then tried to jump up onto the bed but Guinevere grabbed the scruff of his neck and pulled him off.
"No Demon, down!" She commanded but he ignored the woman who was not his mistress.
"I'm alright Demon. Just lay down." Hearing the command Demon whimpered then lay down somewhere out of the way. Ignoring the midwife when she said to lay back and not push, Amaya sat up slightly on her elbows, grit her teeth then pushed with the next contraction.
Sweat poured from her body but she felt the baby shift slightly, so she took in a deep gulp of air then gripped onto the birthing sheet, keeping her tongue away from her teeth so that she did not bite through it.
When another contraction had finished, Amaya lay back and took a short break, gasping for air and Maia smoothed back her damp hair from her brow, smiling down at her. "It's going well, you're doing brilliantly, Amaya."
"Not long now. Girl or boy?" Ragnell asked and Amaya laughed.
"The way this one is fighting against me, it could only be a girl." They all shared a grin before Amaya sat up. "I really don't know. Let's find out, shall we?" Maia nodded her head then gripped onto Amaya's hand tightly, more for her own sake than Amaya's.
After several long, labours minutes that ticked by until an hour had passed, then another, the baby came away and Amaya gasped with relief, relaxing. "That wasn't so bad, I-argh!" Amaya felt another pain take her and instantly the midwife was by her side, checking to see what was wrong.
"There's another one coming."
"Twins? Oh Amaya, you're going to have twins!" Maia squealed with joy, beaming with elation but Amaya threw back her red faced and roared as loud as the thunder outside.
"TRISTAN! I AM GOING TO MURDER YOU FOR THIS!" The women laughed, all save for Amaya who grit her teeth then continued to get the second child away from her, wanting it all to be over as quickly as possible. During a break she lifted her head to see where her firstborn was. "Bring the child to me." She commanded so the midwife brought the kicking and spitting child over.
"A boy." She announced and Amaya gave a bleak laugh but looked down at the boy's face. His eyes were beginning to open so she reached out and touched his cheek, a slow but glowing smile rising to her face as she gazed at her son. His eyes opened fully and instantly he blinked, frowning in confusion and Amaya laughed again.
"Just like your father. Look at me, boy." She commanded softly and the child followed the sound of her voice until he had locked his eyes on a woman of strange yet ethereal beauty. The boy blinked, stopping his protesting noises at being forced away from his companion and the warmth of his cradle to stare up at her. He was transfixed by her smile, which was glistening from her sweat but he reached out to her, wanting to hold onto her.
Amaya shifted, taking him into one arm then growled softly as she felt another contraction coming. Balancing her son in the cradle of one arm, she worked on his sibling, pushing it away from her body until finally, a loud scream thundered through the room and Amaya threw back her head with laughter. "No need to tell me, it's a girl."
"Aye, a girl. A bad tempered one too, she'll be trouble when she's older." The midwife muttered disapprovingly as Amaya finally relaxed but then scowled at her belly. "Any more to come?" She demanded but when nothing else happened, she allowed herself to fall back onto the covers whilst cradling her son in her arms.
For all that effort, he was very small. Amaya wondered what had taken him so long. "There now, hush." Amaya murmured to the wailing child that was her daughter, sitting upright to hold them both as Guinevere, Ragnell and Maia all crowded around. "Oh! They are so beautiful." Maia breathed. "I bet she turns out just like you."
"Good. She'll keep the men in their place." Amaya answered then got up, passing a child to both Ragnell and Maia then went to the already prepared bath. She washed quickly, though she moved with an ache but the hot water helped to soothe her as she washed away the sweat from her skin and hair, dried herself, plaited her damp hair then pulled on a fresh nightdress.
Her bed now changed she returned to it, utterly exhausted but then reached for first her daughter then her son, whom Guinevere was cooing over. Looking up, Amaya smirked. "Well, best break the news to Tristan that he's got more than he bargained for." Ragnell grinned then went to the door, opening it a small crack.
"If you want to come in, she's ready." Tristan nodded his head gratefully, glad that the shouting and screaming had finally stopped. His hands shook slightly with fear so he gripped his fingers into fists as Ragnell stepped back and let him inside.
Instantly his eyes found Amaya, sitting upright in bed with not one but two bundles in her arms. She looked up and smirked. "Don't just stand there, get over here." He obeyed, staring in utter shock. Twins? How the hell was he meant to handle this? He thought one child would be hard enough but two? He really would have to ask Bors for help now. He stood at her side and looked down at them both, the question on his tongue but he couldn't find the words to voice.
Maia and the other two women glanced to one another with concern, seeing Tristan's scowl. Was he angry? Disappointed? However when Amaya laughed, they relaxed a little. "Let me help you with this first bit, you sit down before you fall from shock, then I will pass you either your son or your daughter. Alright?" Nodding his head Tristan dropped into the chair that had been situated beside Amaya and she turned, arching an eyebrow at him.
"Both." He murmured, not knowing what else to say. He couldn't choose, he wanted to hold both of these children in his arms, children that were his. His flesh and blood as well as Amaya's. Her smile lit up the room so she slowly eased the boy towards Tristan first and then her daughter, moving carefully as Tristan took them into his strong arms and looked down at them both.
They were sleeping, perfectly calm in his embrace but they wriggled slightly so Amaya reached out to touch her son's head with her hand to reassure Tristan that she was still there. "No need to be so astounded, Tristan. It could have been worse." Amaya teased with a smirk. "Could have been quadruplets." His face paled further so she laughed then kissed his face. "Not bad looking, are they?"
"They're perfect, Amaya." He murmured to her, turning his face to look into her warm eyes, a star shining in their depths. Galahad inched forwards and Amaya turned her smile to him.
"Come meet your niece and nephew, all of you." She gestured a hand then chuckled. "If Tristan will relent them."
"No." He answered firmly and everyone laughed.
"I warned you. Fatherhood changes you." Bors grinned, patting Tristan on the shoulder. "Just warning you now, the first few days are hell and you'll hate them, but when they grow older, you'll start having feelings for the little bastards." He said with affection and everyone chuckled.
"I'll second that one." Gawain agreed and Ragnell flicked his arm as he chuckled then laced his arm around her, placing his head against hers. "So what are their names?" Amaya blinked. Names? They hadn't discussed names. She looked to Tristan who shrugged, still transfixed by the infants in his arms. "You haven't thought about names?"
"No, actually, we've been a little preoccupied." Amaya answered then reached out, taking her son and cradled him close to her with a soft, irremovable smile. "What do you think, Tristan?"
"No clue." He replied, not really wanting to think. Rolling her eyes, she shifted, frowning at the son in her arms then lifted him up, holding his head as he awoke and blinked before frowning back at her.
"Tor. You're a Tor." She decided, holding him close again. "What about her?" Tristan tilted his head to the side, looking down at the girl who was now also awake. She lifted a hand, reaching up for him and instinctively Tristan let her grip his finger, which she held onto with a surprisingly strong grip. Her eyes fixed unwaveringly on his, unafraid and he could not help but smile and lift her up to face him.
"Eh, who are you? What shall we call you?" He murmured and the child kicked out with her legs at him, gurgling. "Ruth?" Tristan looked to Amaya who thought about it for a moment before nodding her head.
"Tor and Ruth. It fits nicely." She decided then leaned back, sighing as she closed her eyes. Tristan reached out and touched her brow, looking to everyone else who smirked.
"Alright Tristan, we get the message." Gawain chuckled, letting go of Ragnell to reach across and kiss Amaya's face. She smiled but did not open her eyes. She felt Lamorak's solid hand grip her shoulder before letting go.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Amaya. Make sure you rest." Maia whispered whilst she and the other women herded the men out. When Ruth began to wail Tristan tensed, not knowing what to do so Amaya shifted closer and traced a finger down her daughter's cheek.
"Hey now, enough of that. I'll be having no tears, thank you very much." She murmured to her then shifted Tor a little closer. "There, that's what you want isn't it? Your big brother." Tristan looked around for the cot that had been given to them as a gift from the men then stood, bringing it closer so that he could then rest Ruth and Tor down side by side. He frowned.
"Will they smother one another?" He worried so Amaya sat up a little and looked.
"I shouldn't think so. That thing is big enough to fit at least four infants. They'll be fine." Reaching out she rested a hand on his leg, closing her eyes to rest. Tristan took her hand and held it, a little bit more used to this form of contact. He still could not get his head around the fact that he was a father, the idea seemed too alien to him, too unreal. "Tristan." Amaya murmured in a warning voice. "Stop worrying, get undressed and come get some rest." He chuckled to her.
"You still amaze me, Maya. You know me too well."
"Uh hmm." She mumbled as he stood, undressed to his breeches then climbed into bed beside her, sliding his arm around her waist and resting on her still round stomach. Amaya sighed contently, wriggling closer until her back was pressed against his chest then allowed sleep to envelop her completely, though the smile never left her face.