Counting Down the Days (Brynn)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Although Caitrin had already expressed her gratitude to Arthur about what he offered to her and Griff on the eve of their first child being born. It was an anxious time anyway, and by offering them rooms in the castle, so close to the court physician, it had eased her worries somewhat. She wasn’t quite sure what to expect during her labour, but she knew that things could go wrong during a woman’s labour, and that sometimes it was life threatening, and fatal. She had often tried to push such worries from her mind though, as if she became worried then it could harm the baby anyway. She had just been quite calm about the whole ordeal, though she was sure she would be a lot less calm when she actually went into labour, whenever that was. Really, she hoped it was sooner rather than later. She wanted to meet her son, or daughter, and actually hold her child in her arms. She had been waiting for months now, and she just felt like she wanted it to be over. Everything was prepared for the baby’s arrival; they even had quite a large crib and all the clothes just ready for the new arrival. Now all that remained was for her child to actually make their entrance into the world, and then the preparations would be complete. “He’s a very kind man.” Caitrin agreed gently. Arthur had always been kind, even when he had been young and arrogant he had always had a true heart, and she had seen that in him.

Caitrin wished the child within her would settle, but they seemed to be becoming more active by the day rather than quietening down. Usually they had flurries like this for a few moments, and then settled down for the rest of the day, most of the time until she wanted to sleep. Her Uncle had seen it as a sign that she was having a boy, as apparently Dristan had been the same. Caitrin had taken his words with a pinch of salt, as her aunt had only had one child, and therefore that was her Uncle’s limited experience. She wouldn’t mind if it was a boy, but she wanted a girl, she wasn’t even sure why, it was just something she had always wanted.

Caitrin was not surprised, from what she had heard of Brynn’s family so far, that her mother would decline the payment she offered to her. She smiled gently and stretched slightly, putting her hands on her back to support her weight as she was still stood up. She didn’t want to sit down just yet though, as she knew she wouldn’t get back up if she did. It was already drawing onto the afternoon, and yet she already felt exhausted. Caitrin wasn’t particularly fond of this feeling because she was such an active person usually, but now she couldn’t even walk far without becoming tired. “But she may as well take the payment meant for the midwife, it would be a token of good will.” That was something she couldn’t refuse surely? As Brynn had said she would ask her mother tonight, she smiled at the young woman. “Could you tell me as soon as you can if your mother will help me? As if not I will have to make other arrangements you see.” She didn’t want to appear rude, but as it was a pressing matter and if Brynn’s mother couldn’t step in then she would have to find someone else to fill her shoes.

[Brynn Reade]

Brynn was nearly finished with her task and gave the sheets one last and probably unneeded smoothening stroke with her hands. Then she fluffed up the cushions and placed them in such a way against the back of the bed they hopefully would steady the pregnant lady when she wanted to lie down again. She remembered that sort of thing from her mother’s last pregancy which had been very difficult. She had been lying down most of the time, after the physician had ordered her to, but that hadn’t saved the baby in the end. It had been stillborn before its time, but that was four years ago now, and they hardly ever thought of that anymore. Besides, Meghan had much to deal with with her two younger ones anyway. Gyrth became more of a rascal seemingly by the hour, and little Elinor might have inherited the soft nature of her mother, but she had always been game to anything her brother thought up.But her mind was not long occupied with her own family, she already started to worry about Lady Caitrin’s. Or the event that would turn a married couple into a family, at least. She really couldn’t guess what Meghan would say to this proposal, but she would make sure to think every possible reaction through and how best to counter it with an argument that could not be dismissed so readily. There would be some way for sure… but she needed a good deal of cunning, and maybe the surprise element to boot. It was not like Meghan would be unwilling to help, she just would hesitate to get involved with someone so high above her, as she felt this was not her place. At least that was what Brynn guessed as her mother’s motives, as she often enough spoke like that. It had to be the reason, anything else would not make sense, and even that reason was slightly ridiculous in Brynn’s eyes. If a noblewoman asked for her help, she should not hesitate, but accept. The world was changing every day after all.

”Of course I will tell you right away, Mylady!” Brynn assured Lady Caitrin with a hopefully calming but not patronizing smile. Far be it from her to try and patronize a noble lady just because she was shortly before giving birth to her first child. ”Maybe you should lie down again, that might calm down the baby as well”, she suggested then. “I am nearly done here anyway.” Then her mind returned again to the question of payment. With her father’s salary and the provisions he got, being a guard of Camelot, they never had to really want for anything, and yet it was surely no life in luxury. The little ones could make with a new dress once in a while, just like her mother as well. “As for the payment you offered, maybe I can convince her to take it as well. I can’t promise though, my mother has her own strong sense of pride.”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Well at least now the matter of the midwife, or at least a stand in, was settled, Caitrin felt herself relax somewhat. She had been getting pangs and kicks from the child within her all day, and she had figured the reason for it had been that she had been worried about the midwife situation. She had noticed that, often when she was worried or anxious, the child within her became more active, though they had never been this active before, and it took Caitrin’s breath away momentarily. Fondly, she imagined she would miss such intimate moments with hers and Griff’s child growing within her when she was no longer pregnant, but then she would have her baby in her arms, and that more than made up for it. She and Griff didn’t have the best models for what parents should be, but they would amble along, or at least try to, anyway. She just wanted to get everything right. Though she knew she would never get quite everything right, she could still try.

Caitrin smiled at the young woman, and nodded at her. Well, there was nothing to do now than to sit back and wait for when the young woman found the time to ask her mother. If the woman could step in, then it would be a great help, and set Caitrin’s mind at ease. Caitrin didn’t want to put too much pressure on Brynn to ask her mother, but it was a rather pressing issue as her child was due any day now. It was just a waiting game now. She smiled, and took Brynn’s advice as she shuffled back over to the bed. She lay so that the top half of her body was still sat up, so she was still facing Brynn. Caitrin wasn’t tired in the slightest, she was just weary with carrying her child round with her, especially now that her bump was so large. It would be nice to see her feet again once this ordeal was over. “I hope it will settle the child somewhat, they certainly can’t get any more active.” Caitrin joked lightly and ran her fingers over her swollen belly, “I will insist she takes some method of compensation at least.” Caitrin insisted with a grin, “It is after all the least I can do.”