There and back again - The end of the Journey

CHAPTER 1 - THE NEW ARRIVAL.

Auriel started labouring in late May, and the birthing was hard, and lengthy. Guy was distraught at the sight of his beloved wife in such agony and Aunt Gwyneth, after almost two full days, had taken him aside to ask him whether or not she should endeavour any longer to save the child, as she was still unable to turn it. Auriel heard her words, and both she and Guy refused outright to make such a dreadful decision, Auriel declaring that her babe would arrive into the world safely, and that she would die herself rather than deliver it dead.

The child was eventually born, feet first, five long hours later, after a final mighty effort by its mother, Guy sitting behind her on the bed to support her as she strained against him, her hair and body soaked with sweat, and he felt utterly useless.

The child arrived, its skin grey, and did not draw its first breath. But Aunt Gwyneth remained calm, ordering Guy to bring two pails, one of cold water, the other hot, then she plunged the child's body first into one and then the other, many times, while the parents held each other and prayed for a miracle.

And a miracle there was, as their child suddenly sucked in a huge gasp of air, then screamed lustily for a while, no doubt at the indignity of its arrival. Many tears of joy and relief were shed, as Guy held his new born child in his arms. The babe was, as Auriel had wished, a girl and when Guy asked what his new daughter was to be named, she answered, "I think Abigail my love, after your mother, for she loved you as I do, and I know her memory is dear to you."

Guy was so moved that he could not speak, though any words he spoke would have been lost amidst the mighty screams of his new daughter, who seemed just at that moment, determined to make herself heard.

She had the abundant dark hair of her father, and Aunt Gwyneth declared that in all her years of midwifery, she had never delivered a child of such length, this being the reason for the breech birth, she said, as Abigail's legs were so very long, that whilst in the womb she had settled in the wrong position.

Because of the difficulties of her labour, and the exhaustion which followed, Auriel's milk did not come to her immediately and a wet nurse was hired. Guy was banned from his bedroom to sleep in the barn, as the woman tended to the needs of his new child, but he was thankful that both his wife and daughter had survived, and that his wife would be able to rest well after labouring for so long. He was also quite weary from his own prolonged lack of sleep, and glad of the peace and quiet of the barn, sleeping long and deeply himself.

On the fifth morning, as he approached the house, he passed the wet nurse, who curtsied, and informed him that she was no longer required. Then he ran up the stairs to the joyous sight and sound of his new daughter suckling noisily at her mother's breast, "Was there ever a sight more wonderful my love," he said, and she smiled adoringly at him, "Well, Guy of Gisborne, you do seem to have the gift of making beautiful children." she said.

"Aunt Gwyneth tells me that I laboured long because Abigail did not turn before her birth, but declares that I am undamaged within, and that more children will come if we wish it."

He walked to the bed and sat down beside his wife and new daughter, "My God, you have such courage my darling, to bear so much. I confess that I feared for your life for a time, but look at you, blooming like a summer rose, and still as beautiful as the day I first saw you."

At this, his daughter gave a loud belch, and the happy parents laughed to hear it, Auriel stating that young Abigail had clearly inherited the appetite and manners of her father!

Then she reached up to touch the face of her husband, "I have missed you my love, it will be good to have you lie beside me again, for I confess I have missed the warmth of your presence beside me on these cold nights."