Labour | Helaena Targaryen

03

The day Helaena went into labor, the Red Keep was shrouded in an air of anxious anticipation. The maesters and midwives had been on high alert for days, knowing that the time was near. Tiyana had barely left Helaena's side, her concern for the princess growing with each passing hour. Helaena had grown more withdrawn as the day approached, her silences longer, her eyes distant. Tiyana could sense the fear and uncertainty that gripped her, though Helaena spoke little of it.

When the first pains of labor struck, Tiyana was there, holding Helaena's hand as she gasped, the shock of it tightening her grip. The midwives were called, and soon Helaena was surrounded by a flurry of activity as preparations were made for the birth. Tiyana stayed close, offering what comfort she could, but she could see the fear in Helaena's eyes, a fear that grew with each passing minute.

Alicent arrived not long after, her expression a mask of composed concern as she took her place beside her daughter. She whispered soothing words to Helaena, her hand resting gently on her forehead, but Tiyana could see that it wasn't enough. The room was too crowded, too loud, too chaotic for Helaena to find any real comfort.

The midwives moved around the room with practiced efficiency, preparing linens, water, and the various tools they would need. The maester stood at the ready, overseeing the preparations with a calm demeanor that belied the tension in the air. But for Helaena, it was all too much. Tiyana could see her growing distress, the way her breath came in short, panicked gasps, her hands clutching at the sheets as if trying to anchor herself in a world that was spinning out of control.

Tiyana's heart ached as she watched Helaena struggle. She knew that the princess needed calm, needed peace in this most vulnerable moment, but the room was anything but peaceful. She glanced at Queen Alicent, who was focused entirely on her daughter, her worry clear despite her composed exterior. Tiyana hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Your Grace," Tiyana said softly, her voice respectful but firm, "I believe it might help Helaena if there were fewer people in the room. She needs quiet, and the crowd is overwhelming her."

Alicent turned to look at Tiyana, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. The suggestion was unconventional, especially in a situation as critical as this. The queen's gaze shifted back to Helaena, who was visibly trembling, her breath coming in shallow, rapid bursts as the pain intensified.

Tiyana could see the hesitation in Alicent's eyes, but she pressed on gently, "Please, Your Grace. I think it would help her feel more at ease."

There was a long, tense pause as Alicent weighed the request. She was not one to easily change course, especially in matters as important as childbirth, but Tiyana's words carried a quiet urgency that she couldn't ignore. Finally, with a slight nod, Alicent signaled to the midwives and the maester.

"Clear the room," Alicent ordered, her voice steady.

There were murmurs of surprise and concern from the attendants, but no one dared to question the queen's command. The room gradually emptied, the midwives filing out with uncertain glances at each other, and the maester giving Tiyana a wary look before exiting.

The change was immediate. The oppressive tension in the room seemed to lift slightly, replaced by a quiet that allowed Helaena to focus on her own breathing, her own rhythm. Tiyana took her place by Helaena's side, holding her hand and whispering words of encouragement as the labor progressed.

Helaena's grip on Tiyana's hand was tight, her knuckles white as another wave of pain wracked her body. Tiyana winced at the strength of the grip, but she didn't pull away. She knew that Helaena needed something to hold on to, someone to ground her in this overwhelming experience. And Tiyana was determined to be that anchor, no matter the cost.