With Me Always: A Dragon Age Tale (Dragon Age Inquisition)

Chapter 25

Dizziness washed over the young elf as she fell to her knees on the other end of the portal. Half the castle seemed to be waiting for her on the other side.Cassandra, along with several others reached out to help her to stand but she held a hand up in protest. "I'm fine, just let me sit still a moment." A million thoughts rushed through her head, but the most prominent one was "I can't do this." the Inquisitor replied, beginning to  hyperventilate. "You can do this. You must." Cassandra said, placing her hands on Haylie's shoulders. "Everyone clear out at once, she needs air!" As the small crowd began to disperse, Josephine rushed to her side. "Is she-?"
"She's gone into labor." Dorian cut in.
"Where's Mirianna?" Josephine asked.
Dead silence fell upon the group.
"She's dead." Haylie choked out, her hands shaking.
Before anyone else could speak, Cassandra stepped in. "Cullen I need you to help Haylie up to her quarters,  Varric, send for the healers, I want everyone you can spare! As for the rest of you, I want you all to meet me in the war room immediately for a...private discussion.
"Aye aye boss." Varric replied with a nod.
Cullen helped Haylie to her feet, her legs shook, a wave of pain building within her.
"You are in too much pain to walk, let me carry you." He said gently.
Haylie simply nodded, putting all her focus on breathing through the contraction.
As Cullen carried her through the large stone hallways, Lavellan drifted in and out of consciousness, tears streaming down her cheeks. Visions of Mirianna danced beneath her eyelids; Her daughter's lifeless body, cold and devoid of light. "I've failed her." Haylie thought to herself. "She's not even born and I've failed her." Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. The pain of labor mixed with overwhelming grief made her feel as if she would die.
She felt the softness of her bed, somehow she had gotten here and she didn't even remember.
Cole was there, holding a wet cloth to her forehead as several of the Inquisition's healers bustled around the room.
Cassandra sat by her side, holding her hand.
"Cassandra I can't bear it! She's dead, and I know you'll say she's here still...but what happened was real! I saw the life leave her eyes Cassandra! How can I possibly be a mother to this child knowing now truly what's at stake!?" Haylie sobbed.
Cassandra looked troubled for a moment, but then her expression turned.
"You are the bravest, most impossible I person I've ever met Haylie. I've seen you fight incredible odds and come out the other side ready to fight all over again. If anyone can do this, it's you." She answered.
"But I couldn't save her Cassandra. She suffered alone all those years only to die like that...what if her fate here is no better?!" Haylie groaned, gripping Cassandra's hand as she fought through another contraction.
"She has a lot of her mother in her, she too fought impossible odds. She broke the laws of time just to get us all here, to meet you. I think that's all she ever wanted . And that's what she died for, a chance for this life with you. So you must keep fighting!" Cassandra pleaded.
As the contraction passed, Haylie threw her head back in exhaustion.
"It's normal you know." Cole said after a moment.
"What is?" Haylie asked.
"To be afraid." Cole answered.
Haylie could feel another contraction beginning to rip through her. She grit her teeth, holding back a scream. She gripped the bed post, her knuckles as white as her night dress.
Suddenly the room began to spin, the voices of her friends became muffled and distorted. It seemed all the sensations had gone but the pain, which continues to tear through her like  a dragon's claws.
"She's fading. We need to get this baby out fast or they will both die!" She heard a voice say.
Part of her wanted to simply give in, just to let it be over with. But she would be damned if she ever had to lose her daughter again.
Mustering every ounce of strength she has left, she spoke. "Do whatever you have to, just save my baby."
"Lady Inquisitor I need you to take my hand and push, we need to deliver this baby now." said a tall gray-haired healer.
Haylie grabbed the old man's hand and did as he said, gripping tight she began to push. Tears welled in her eyes, she felt as if she would faint or vomit.
Cole rushed over with a basin and held back her hair as she emptied the contents of her stomach into the bowl.
She continued pushing for what seemed an eternity, and just as she felt she couldn't hold out anymore, she gave one final push.
Moments later a loud, strong cry rang throughout the room.
Everything was a blur, but somehow a small, warm bundle was placed on her chest. Haylie looked down at the child in awe. Her skin was roses and cream, long eyelashes fluttered over warm brown eyes that looked up at her like they'd known each other for a lifetime. Haylie breathed a sigh of relief as she looked down at the child. "It's nice to meet you, Mirianna."