A Restless Night (Elyan)

[Caitrin de Archer]

In truth, Caitrin didn’t feel better at all. She felt worse by the minute, and her belly was starting to cause her real discomfort but if she just focussed on her breathing then she knew she would be fine. Labour could last for days, or so she’d been told, so this was probably nothing when compared with the pain she would soon be feeling. That was a terrifying though, and suddenly she felt sick. Women could die in childbirth. There was the strange urge to retch coming up from her stomach, but she resisted it, and bit her lip, not saying anything to Elyan. A bead of sweat ran down the side of Caitrin’s head, and she tried to calm herself down again, and replace that fear with excitement. If this was her proper labour, then her child was making an appearance. This child would be so loved, and they would always know that. That was all Caitrin wanted, for her children to know how loved they were, and that they would always have a place in her heart. Her own family had been cruel to her, and so many times in her childhood she had felt worthless. Her children would never feel like that.

Whatever state Elyan got her back to Griff, she knew that he would be sleeping. He probably wouldn’t have even noticed that she had gone. It wasn’t that he was that unobservant, he was just a man who enjoyed his rest. Caitrin had been in a mood with him before bed, she couldn’t remember why, but she hadn’t let him in the bed until he’d apologised. Eventually he had, and she’d fallen asleep beside him. She hadn’t wanted to wake him when she’d ventured out for her midnight wander, he’d have only moaned at her, and that wouldn’t have made her mood any better. Caitrin breathed out slowly and looked at Elyan as he approached her, so they were going with the carrying then? “You don’t need to apologise.” Caitrin told him softly, and she shifted herself and helped him as he began to pick her up. She put one arm around his neck, and the other around his body so she could hold onto him comfortably. It felt slightly awkward, to be carried by someone who wasn’t her husband, but she needed to get up to her room. “I feel like I’ve torn you away from your guard duties.” She managed a small smile, “If it is the case that I’m in labour, once my child is old enough they shall apologise for this inconvenience.” Caitrin was surprised that she managed to say it all with a straight face, but she was grinning, because she wasn’t serious of course.

[cherryblossom131]

He smiled at her when she told him he didn't have to apologise, he still felt the need to. This wasn't exactly ideal and he hated to think that he was probably making her uncomfortable. But he had to be practical, the best way for her to get to her room is if he'd carry her, so that's exactly what he did. Elyan gulped audibly, afraid he'd lose his footing or drop her. He was adamant that he'd never let that happen. He'd sooner land flat on his face than allow any harm to come to Caitrin or the baby. He put a more confidant look on his face, a look of determination. There was nothing to be worried about. He wasn't going to let her down. He was probably making a bigger deal out of the situation than necessary, but he was never usually good with responsibility. But this time he'd be great, he'd be the best he could be. He began walking, testing her weight in his arms. It wasn't too bad and he didn't feel like he'd be dropping her any time soon.

“I feel like I’ve torn you away from your guard duties.” He chuckled at her. Ah yes, he was supposed to be on guard. It hadn't even been in his mind when it had been so occupied by the fact that Caitrin was in pain. "I'm pretty sure escorting heavily pregnant women back to their rooms is in the job description," he joked. "And if it isn't I guess this would be one rule I could break; I doubt someone will attack Camelot tonight." If they did then he would probably have the worst luck imaginable, but there wasn't any point in dwelling over it. As she continued, he laughed at her words. "I'll count on it," he chuckled. The image of a chubby little red headed baby appeared in his mind and caused him to laugh again. He tried moving her weight again slowly so that she was comfortable and making sure he wasn't gripping her too tightly. "Are you alright?" He asked, concern evident in his voice. He wasn't just asking about whether she was in a comfortable position, but also if she was still in a lot of pain. "We're almost there." He smiled weakly trying to make her feel a little better. The room he remembered her standing outside of earlier wasn't in fact in his line of vision yet, but he knew it would be soon.

[Caitrin de Archer]

It was quite a strange sensation to be carried when she was this heavily pregnant. She hadn’t been carried in, well, she couldn’t remember the last occasion. Her husband had been quite gentle with her since they had found out that she was pregnant, so carrying her hadn’t been on his mind really. Caitrin kept quite a firm grip on Elyan, not because she didn’t trust him, but she didn’t want to let him do all the work. She knew she was heavy, after all he was carrying her and the baby at the end of the day. “I think we’ve all had enough of Camelot being under attack anyway.” Caitrin mused, because it was easier to speak than to focus on the pain. It was more uncomfortable than painful though at the moment, so Caitrin didn’t have to try to put it out of her mind. The image of her child started to swim into her mind, and although it didn’t feel completely real, even at this late hour. It was amusing to even imagine her making her child apologise when he or she was old enough. Of course she never would, but it was still fun to consider. “Well, though they will be unable to apologise, you must meet them after I actually give birth.” She would have to introduce Elyan to the little one, especially after all his help tonight.

Caitrin nodded at Elyan, but moved one hand to her belly, she didn’t like the fact the pain wasn’t going away, because it only pointed to one possibility really didn’t it? She tried to keep focussed on her breathing, and bit her lip, nodding as Elyan told her they were nearly at the room. She had only just been stood outside her room anyway, so as long as Elyan could remember where that was then they would be perfectly fine. Griff wouldn’t be awake so she wouldn’t have that to worry about, not straight away anyway. He would soon be awake though if she was in labour, they would have to prepare for the birth, and send for the midwife. Jesu, was it really going to be tonight? She could have her baby this time tomorrow, everything would be just fine, and she would have her child. This would complete their little family. She gave a soft gasp as she felt a sharp pain in her belly. This wasn’t getting any better. “I don’t think this is going to get any better.” She finally admitted, and bit her lip. This wasn’t Elyan’s fault of course. And if her baby had chosen tonight to make its appearance, if they were anything like their mother, then they would be stubborn and stick to that decision.

[cherryblossom131]

Elyan could feel the panic rise up in him for every step he took. Despite the fact that it meant he was getting closer to his destination, he still thought he was being too slow. There was a huge possibility that Caitrin was in labour and he couldn't even see her room yet. Hadn't it been his idea to venture all the way to the royal gardens? It seemed a good idea at the time but now he realised how foolish it had been. He should have stayed close to her room so that if anything went wrong they'd get to her husband quickly. He smiled shakily in agreement at her words that they'd all grown fed up with Camelot constantly being under attack. Elyan tightened his hold on her slightly, making sure not to hold on too tight before he broke into a light jog. It was as fast as he could go under the circumstances. He hoped she wasn't too uncomfortable. He grinned when Caitrin suggested he meet her child. "If you don't absolutely despise me then I'd love to meet your little one," he chuckled even though he was only half joking. After all when she would have time to think about it she'd forever associate him with the person who caused her to go into painful labour. He realised he should probably appreciate their new friendship now before it was too late.

He didn't feel as relieved as he thought he would when she nodded to show she was alright. How could she be? He tried to smile at her reassuringly and knew they really were almost there. His jogging had helped speed up their pace and he could see the corridor and corner just befor her room. “I don’t think this is going to get any better.” He creased his eyebrows and almost broke into a run. "Everything's alright, I can see your room." He grinned at her as they turned the corner and slowed down into a steady walk before completely stopping in front of her room. "Here we are." He smiled, a little out of breath from the exertion of carrying her and her child while running. He gently lowered her. "You should get to your husband." Unless he was running around the castle looking for her in blind worry. "I'll come back to check on you, if you'll still let me," he chuckled, before giving her a gentle hug. The look of worry was still evident on his face but he knew she'd be safe now with her husband and that reassured him slightly.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Though the pain wasn’t unbearable, Caitrin could notice it getting worse. It was just gradually getting worse, and was confirming her fears that she was in labour. That was a panicking thought, but she’d been told to do anything but panic in this situation. That was really easily said than done, because now all she wanted to do was to panic. After all, she had every reason to. Her child would soon be in the world, but before that happy moment, she would have to go through the worst pain imaginable. She almost wished she had asked more women around the experience, perhaps she would have felt more prepared, yet now she felt like she knew nothing and yet she was here, at the start of her labour. “I don’t despise you.” She smiled at him softly both her hands now resting on her belly, “You’ll have to meet the child that has worried you so much as well.” As for a knight of Camelot, Elyan looked quite worried as well. She supposed that he hadn’t ever been in this situation before.

Caitirn wasn’t looking at where they were going anymore, she had her eyes closed, breathing out slowly, trying to stop the pain. Well, not so much stop it, but she was trying to at least make it bearable until she could get into a more comfortable position. She wouldn’t say anything to Elyan of course, because he was doing the best he could. “Ok.” She whispered, her eyes still closed. She only opened her eyes again when she felt the odd sensation of being lowered back to her feet. She snapped her eyes open, and grabbed hold of Elyan so she could steady herself. Her legs just about held her weight, but the pain felt worse now somehow. “Thank you, for getting me here.” Her waters hadn’t broken yet, so it was fine. Nothing serious had happened yet. Caitrin breathed out slowly, but she hugged Elyan back as he put his arms around her. “Come back and see me when the baby is here, I’ll be fine, really.” She didn’t want to trouble Elyan again. “I’ll go and wake my husband, I think we’re in for a long night.” She gave a soft smile, but the pain was still there, “Have a good night Elyan.” Caitrin then gave him one last smile and then went into the room, to wake Griff up. He wasn’t going to take kindly to her disturbing his sleep.