The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God [M - Hannelorian x DuchessLivilla]

[Hannelorian]

The Queen watched from her position as Alexandra took full control of the situation. Much to her surprise, Arabella did not even need to order her maids to comply, Alex had found her voice and given them a right telling off. This did amuse the Queen greatly, to the point where she giggled just a little bit. Arabella rose as was commanded, and began to remove the gown herself. As it turns out she was rather capable when left to her own devices.

"Graves will give you no trouble, he'll do as you tell him." Arabella looked toward Graves and gave him a rather sneaky wink, she had given him the permission he required to do as the Princess of Wales commanded of him.

"Of course Majesty, as you wish." He bowed before the Queen, turning himself around to face the wall as Arabella was undressing.

For her part, Arabella shook her head. "Alright, let's establish some rules here." Arabella began, her words somewhat staggered depending on the timing of her contractions. "For the duration of this labor, we're reducing formalities. Ma'am will suffice, Graves." Arabella looked to her sister with a proud smile. "We're all under Alex's command for the day, myself especially." The Queen trusted no one but her sister to get her through this.

"Ma'am, I beg your pardon but I feel as though I should not be here for this... It does not... comply with our rules." Graves struggled to grapple with his position in all of this. Arabella nodded her head. "If this was yesterday you would right. But this is today and we are pressed for resources." Arabella once more gave him the assurance he needed. Within a few moments and with a bit of help form Alex, the Queen was down to only her shift.

The concern was falling to the forefront of her mind. "Alex this is early. Not like last time, this is truly early. And the last time we did this... my husband died." Arabella could feel her hands begin to shake. Within minutes maids had returned with the requested supplies and the moment towels were laid down on the bed, Arabella climbed into it. "Can someone please find Father Lennox and tell him of the King's condition. He must go to the King's table and pray over him. Say nothing of my condition."

A maid nodded and curtsied quickly before abandoning the room. A plate of meat and cheese was brought to Arabella's bed side and she began to devour it, in a way she never really ate. She knew what was at stake. "You saw me through this before, and you can do it again... and I am so sorry I was not there for you." The Queen swallowed hard, tears welling in her eyes. Arabella was significantly stronger than the last time she gave birth. She was ready now. "I commend my life and that of my son to your hands."

[DuchessLivilla]

Alexandra smiled kindly at Graves but turned her focus to her sister; he would get over himself and do as he was bid. She leant in and rested her forehead to Bella's, holding her gently but close, "It will all be well, sister. I swear. You will not lose anything in this, I promise. You'll have your baby and he shall be fine and healthy and perfect."

She pulled back and added, "And perhaps, depending on time, born on Christmas day! What a match we do make. For me, the first twins in the Royal line since Mary Queen of Scots, and for you, the first baby born on Christmas day...ever, I think? I would have to check my histories!" She laughed softly. "If he does arrive this day, I think Nicholas would suit for a middle name, perhaps?"

It was best to keep the Queen focussed on things like that rather than the discomfort and coming pains. She knew that herself now. Last time she had no experience of it and merely did what she hoped. Besides, last time she had spent more time sitting beside the dying Duke than her sister.

"Oh, do not be silly, Bella. You can be there next time," she winked, "Now, settle yourself and have something to eat." She turned her attention to the rest of the maids, including the chastened one, who all stood like soliders, ready to do as they were bid, this time without any comments...

The Princess took the pile of aprons and handed them out before tying one of her own about herself then briefly glancing at Bella. "I think it would do us all good to have a prayer before we progress any further..."

She drew in a soft breath and closed her eyes. The maids followed suit; all were pious and true believers. "Dear God, we pray and beseech you to take to into your loving hand, Queen Arabella. Protect her and her unborn child, grant her a safe and easy delivery..." here she paused, hating herself for it but knowing what she had to add, "And protect His Majesty, King Christian, in his hour of need. We beg of you, do not take him from us and from his most beloved wife."

Everyone muttered 'amen' and crossed themselves before awaiting further instructions. Alex kept her eyes closed for a few seconds more, adding in her head, "Please guide my hands, do not let me fail my sister in this moment. Please let it all be well."

The Princess knew full well that the second Bella went into labour today, with no doctors nor outside help, that a sword was placed firmly over her own head. If anything went wrong she would likely pay for it with her life. Even if every doctor in the land -unlikely- said she could have done nothing to stop or help whatever happened...she would be blamed. If, God forbid, the baby was stillborn or died...No one, perhaps not even Arabella, would believe it had been an accident. She would have doubted it if the roles were reversed.

There was too much at stake where heirs and the future of the crown were concerned. Who would believe that a woman, in line ot be Queen, with a son in line to be King, had not harmed another boy in line to rule? It could never have been an accident. With the King and his cronies already thinking her more than half a witch...

No.

If this child was harmed, weak, sickly or God forbid, died, or if harm came to Bella...It was over for Alexandra. She would be in the tower an hour after the event and likely dead before the New Year. Arthur would be able to do nothing. Still...if Christian was incapacitated...There would need to be some form of regency, at least for a matter of weeks...

She shook her head, banishing the entire train of thought. Better to think all would be well and perhaps they would be. Dwelling on the possibles would only distract her.

Another distraction came in the place of Mary arriving, carrying little Alec, and Mercy following behind, cradling Victoria and making much of the baby; she looked young enough that the infant Princess might have been her best waxed doll, the type only let out of it's silver paper when the child had been very good.

Behind them, bringing up the rear were the two soliders -Smith and Watson- each carrying one of the children's cradles. They avoiding looking at the bed and instead set the cradles down where Mary pointed and kept their gazes glued to the floor.

Alexandra smiled kindly and went over to them, her mask firmly back in place, if it had ever actually slipped enough to be visible -her sister, maybe noticed but that would be all- to say softly, "It's alright. We shall be quite safe, I assure you. Master Graves here," she nodded to Bella's ever present man, "shall guard us as he does the Queen, I am sure. Would you go and see if Arthur needs you? If not, you may have the day to yourselves if you wish."

The two soliders glanced at one another, again studiously avoiding looking anywhere else then one, Watson, said, looking almost sheepish for asking, "Are...are you sure, Your Highness? We can...wait outwith in case you need anything."

It was amazing to see the far more relaxed attitude that prevailed at the Wales'. Questioning an order was a rarity here and only in very dire circumstances. Though the King's servants had been known to not question even if it put them in actual peril.

"Truly, we shall be fine and we have hands enough. Any more people in this room and the Queen shall think she is giving birth at the Great Exhbition at Crystal Palace!"

The two men chuckled softly then bowed. Watson, once again, took charge and replied, "Of course, Your Highness." He then nodded to Smith and the pair moved a little into the room and bowed low, eyes down.

"God speed, Your Majesty," they said as one before standing straight, clicking their heels and departing.

Alex smiled after them before turning to Mr Graves, "Sir, if you would man the doors for us? I'd rather the Queen not have an audience. No lady wishes to have that while she labours!" There was no heat in her words, she was merely ensuring her sister avoiding the same nonsense she had had to contend with. "You may man them from outside, if you wish," the Princess added, softly, aware the man was throughly out of his comfort zone.

She left him to decide what he wished to do and returned to her sister, taking her hand gently, "Are you feeling alright, or as well as you can?"

[Hannelorian]

Arabella prayed alongside her sister and the maids assembled. There was a comfort about it. Prayer always brought the Queen a sense of calm and now that calm was needed more than ever. The little parade that brought her niece and nephew into the room was something of a spectacle. Arthur's men were an unfortunate though necessary accompaniment of the royal babes. Not that they were in much danger of the King now. The men wished her well and departed from the room. "Do you always let them talk back to you like that?" She wondered aloud. The Queen knew that the guards were people, much like anyone else, they had lives and personalities, but there were rules. One was never to question a Royal.

Even at Suffolk the guards and servants knew never to question an order, or speak back to the Duke or Duchess. And God forbid that were ever to happen in the presence of the King. "Your ways are strange and foreign to me dear sister." The Queen lamented, but the one thing she would not do is insist that she change her ways and her policies with her own protection and members of staff, Alex was free to do as she pleased, Bella knew that. "Graves." Arabella called to her faithful shadow who bowed his head and awaited instruction dutifully.

"You shall remain outside the doors. The only time you need be a party to this particular joy of a woman's life is when get married and have children of your own. Go on." Arabella waived him off. "You'll still get to hear all of my screaming quite well, you needn't worry." Bella smiled and nodded as a somewhat relieved Graves left the room, bowing deeply after uttering what was perhaps one is his signature phrases, "As your Majesty commands." He proudly took his place outside the door. Arabella now that she was out of the presence of men finally let a bit of her guard down and allowed her face to reflect the pain she was beginning to feel with the start of her contractions.

"Have babies they said. Go forth and multiply God and man have demanded of us. As many as you can, pray they are good sons. " Arabella recounted while rolling her eyes and picking away at pieces of cheese. "If man ever birthed one for themselves they'd think twice about that one." If Arabella disliked pregnancy, she hated birth. The idea of being torn apart by a human, though while still rather tiny, much too large for the opening even when fully dilated. Bella began to exhale deeply, working her way through the pain that had only just begun. "They say the second one is faster than the first... God let it be the case."

Generally though, Arabella was not frightened as she was the first time. She already knew the pain, she knew the process and what to expect. If anything, she simply wished for it to be over and to have a healthy son. "And I can think about is your blood on the flagstones." Arabella chuckled, her own attempt at a joke, a bit of light humor given the situation. Bella held on to her sister's hand tightly. "I'm alright. It's funny... the second time, it just feels like routine. Too much like routine with my husbands. I even imagine for you, though you did not know that little Victoria was ready to make her debut, it must have been somewhat easier. Besides... you have the child bearing hips that I never did."

Arabella was not insulting Alex's weight, or intending to demean her, their physical bodies were built differently. Bella had narrower hips which tended to make this process more difficult and more dangerous. "I think the stress did it. Seeing Christian like that, bloodied and broken." Arabella hated the man, but even she had a mind that tended to lean against suffering. "The bloody whore haunts me. Stealing my husband and my jewelry." Arabella was possessive, she was jealous.

"Enough of that. I haven't stopped praying for the King." Arabella was well aware of who was in the room and what she could or could not say. The servants knew about the affair because they in fact facilitated it, arranging for clandestine meetings and ensuring that Arabella herself was nowhere near and would not see what she wasn't meant to. Also that business with searching the rooms. "I worry terribly and this is not helping matter. I should be focusing on him." The Queen felt somewhat useless confined to her bed. Though the pain was beginning to get to her. Arabella leaned back against her pillows just watching her sister intently.

"You know, no matter how many times I said with..." Arabella implied without using the words, that she was referring to the birth of her daughter. "I was always so glad you were with me. I had always hoped that mother would be. At least in person and not only in spirit." Arabella turning to her side in an attempt to make herself more comfortable. "But you're here. And in many ways I think that is much preferable to our mother. The poor woman would have lost her mind watching me." Her breathing was steady for the most part. Breathing through some of the minor contractions with a relative ease.

"I also think my pain tolerance has gone quite a ways up." It could be interpreted that Arabella meant that because she had done this before, she knew she could handle it. What Alexandra knew was the truth, the pain of her husband and his violence against her was what steeled her against pain of the physical variety at least.

[DuchessLivilla]

Alexandra laughed softly at Bella's 'jest'. She should have been appauled. After all, her 'long walk' as it was whispered of, had been an agony of physical pain and exhaustion but she may as well have been a martyr on her way to her death for all she had cared. She would give much to see the King's face once more. "Oh yes, if men had been the ones blessed with such abilities...They would have a great fuss made over it all, and be granted as much things to stop the pain as could be. Whereas we are ordered to bear it for the sin of Eve." She rolled her eyes.

"Still, I found the second I held little Alec, I cared not for the pain. It was as if it had never happened. Perhaps God gifts us that to encourage the second and third and so on attempts..." she laughed softly. As the talk turned to the King, Alex looked over at the maids, who were busying themselves -perhaps scared of a dressing down from the Princess, a most unexpected event!- but still keeping an ear on the conversations.

She said nothing for a moment then, guessing -correctly as it turned out- that the Queen's maids, being common born and not 'ladies' as it were, would not have been taught French, and knowing that the Queen's ladies-maids, those proper, highborn ladies of the court were absent, she said in that language, "He will not die, Bella, that right is yours, but I hope when he wakes he suffers much agonies and is forever changed. It will do him good to know such pains."

She spoke quickly, as one did in French, and even Mary, who knew a few words after learning them from her Mistress, did not catch the sentence. The avoidance of the word Majesté or Roi which would have given it away that they spoke of the King, helped too. The speed also limited the risk that one of the girls would be able to repeat the sentence, word for word, to someone else and have it translated. Besides, if push came to shove, Alexandra would swear blind she had been saying a prayer.

She stroked her sisters hand and added, in English, "The King is in the best hands, Bella. All you need think of now is yourself and the child. Soon enough you'll be holding your little one and it will all be done with." She winked, "And no long walks, eh?"

Alex added, more seriously, "I mean it, you make one move to get up and leave this room when this is done and words will be had. A bath is about all I will allow you. For once, you shall focus on you in these things."

In her last labour, Richard had been dying, and as soon as the baby was born, Bella had struggled up to go and say goodbye...Alex wanted no such scenes this time. That beast of a King would not die today, there was no need for the Queen to rush to him.

The Princess smiled gently, "You truly hate it, pregnancy and such, do you not? Is there nothing about it you enjoy, beyond having the baby at the end? I enjoyed it all, I must admit...Obviously there are bits that were not wonderful but I found it so exciting and wonderous. And to think that you had given birth to an immortal soul, a gift from God..."

She laughed softly, "Perhaps foolish and sentimental I know."

[Hannelorian]

It would have been easier to make a quip about how all Eve wanted was a bit of fresh fruit, but Arabella ignored the instinct entirely with the maids in the room. "As if it never happened?" Bella could hardly believe what she had heard, but given Alexandra's character, she did not doubt her sister for a second. "Well you are the lucky one out of the two of us aren't you?" A soft chuckle escaped Arabella as she nodded in approval. "You endured hell itself. Yet you did so without complaint or issue. A noble thing, truly." It would be one of Christian's greatest embarrassments, and by proxy one of Arabella's. She wished she had more power to have stopped Christian in his tracks, but there was little she could do, save for lend Alex whatever silent strength she could.

The switch to French caught Arabella off guard. Though she quickly adjusted and nodded along at what Alex was saying. "He was shot and a horse collapsed on him. He won't walk away undamaged." The Queen responded quickly and in French to match the tone, the message that no one but them was meant to divine. Though from the way Arabella spoke it, you would think she was reading poetry or talking of the most marvelous thing she had ever seen. "Can you imagine? Perhaps God has finally had enough." Looking clearly away from the maids the Queen rolled her eyes and sighed.

Still the Princess' message was reassuring and something that Arabella would be remiss if to ignore. Alex always was the sensible one. "If you think I'd dream of doing anything other than holding that beautiful baby in my arms from this very bed, you would be sorely mistaken." Arabella was not her sister. Arabella was selfish. Though something had changed, she continued her talk of being an active parent, of being the child's mother rather than handing him off to some wetnurse. "But in earnest, someone will need to keep me abreast of His Majesty's condition if I am unable to leave my chambers. I cannot be the last to know." Arabella looked away for a moment, her hand resting on her belly.

The question was an interesting one that continued to highlight the differences between the two women. "Yes, Alex. I do indeed hate pregnancy." She spoke honestly, no trace of deception in her voice, she didn't care who heard her say it. "I can't sleep. I feel as big as Windsor itself." Arabella was not, and even she did know that. "I'm always tired and so dreadfully uncomfortable." Arabella stopped for a moment to breath through her pains. "Birthing an immortal soul is a beautiful gift from God, that cannot be denied, but it does not mean I have to enjoy the process of God's creation within me.

With each coming pain, the Queen felt herself squeezing her sister's hand a little more tightly. "Not foolish at all. I would never begrudge you that joy. I simply prefer the act in which one becomes pregnant." Arabella giggled like a school girl, her face flushing red with blush. Of course, with Christian it was anything but pleasurable, though Anthony on the other had been most delightful, even for his first time. The Queen was breathing, though slightly more ragged than before as she moved along at a slow yet steady pace.

"I am who I am, Alex. The child is worth the pain, most assuredly, but I nary think I'd change my mind!"

[DuchessLivilla]

Alexandra laughed, "Yes? I thought it was like that for all...Tell me this time," she smiled kindly, not wishing to ask about last time, not in mixed company anyway! While the fact the Queen had borne a child before was no secret, it was never brought up by anyone; it was as if it had not happened. She squeezed her sisters hand gently, letting her know she could grip back, as hard as she needed.

She sighed softly and looked at the maids then said, softly, once more in French, "I am sorry, Bella. I do not think I am any more deserving of happiness than you. As for lack of complaining...No...perhaps not but I plot instead. I fear that may be worse. But I trust in God and I am sure the beast shall suffer for what he has done, to you more than anything, sister. Imagining it gives me almost as much pleasure as the act that lead to those little ones..."

The Princess winked and nodded to her children. "An amusement for quiet moments," she added, in English, as if they had been speaking about games, then switching back to French briefly, she replied, "If he has crushed his pelvis...You and any other woman, may be spared his attentions forevermore. Though you shall have to be careful..."

Alexandra moved to gently feel her sister's stomach, remembering Doctor Thomas's movements perfectly. "Hmm..." she bit her lip, "Oh thank God...The baby is the right way up. The thought occured to me that the little Prince might have still been resting with his feet down. It would make it complicated and...I am not so confident where complications are concerned."

She laughed as Arabella spoke on, "Oh dear. True, you do not need to enjoy it and it shall be over soon. And one cannot blame you for enjoying the process..." she grinned back then added, once more in French, "I wish we had each husbands we adored and the chance and freedom to speak of such matters like sisters should. My wedding day...I so hoped you would come and speak to me about...well..."

Alex laughed softly, a little blush staining her cheeks, "You know. What to expect. I was not scared, I knew Arthur would be gentleness itself, and he was, but still...I knew nothing. It seems, and this is not directed at you, I know and knew then why you could not come to me even if you wanted to, but it seems a cruelty that a mother tells her daughters nothing and hands them over to their husbands...entirely ignorant of what is going to happen. I suppose Mama knew nothing either but...surely that would make you more likely to inform your daughter, no?"

She shook her head. It was, of course, clear by now to the maids that a conversation, not prayers or such was happening between the Queen and Princess, but...then again, if any of them did report it, it could be said that the conversation was conducted in French to give the Queen something to focus on beside her pains and that all that was said was pleasantries.

Who could say otherwise?

Not to mention, if the baby was indeed the son everyone wanted, and with the King's injuries...A little slip like this would hardly count for much.

Alex nodded to the cradle that contained Vicky. "I will make sure she, and any following daughters, know all I can tell them. I want them to know what to expect, and what to...not so much demand as to... she searched for the word and found none. "I mean, I want them to know that abuse and cruelty is not what they should accept."

She sighed then smiled again, switching back to English, "You must stop me if I prattle too much. I merely want to distract you. I could read, if you like?"

[Hannelorian]

At a certain point, the two women had almost exclusively chosen to speak to one another in French. Arabella would do as she pleased while birthing the King's child. She needn't make some excuse, nor would she have to explain it to Christian. He wouldn't care at all beyond the announcement of his second son's arrival in the world. Besides, she was the Queen of England, she only answered to one man and one man alone.

"I should have prepared you. For your wedding night. I'm sorry I hadn't the chance to do so, though, based on your timing it was certainly successful." Arabella chuckled a little bit. "My God, mother never said a word to me about the whole thing. She simply trusted I would figure it out.

That was very much like their mother. To discuss such things, even with her own daughters was not to be done. It would be rather impolite. The Queen closed her eyes periodically, her breathing increasing and becoming more pained as the moments continued to pass. "You know who did explain it to me though?" Arabella smiled softly and leaned back. "Papa." Arabella laughed, truly and heartily she laughed. "He did not want this darling daughter to disappoint her new husband."

Arabella took Alex's hand and pulled her closer to her. Remarking with only a nod on the position of the baby, that was a relief, this meant it should be easy, in theory. "After explaining the act itself, he quietly said that it was a pleasure for men and a chore for women. I think that tells us mother never had an orgasm in her entire life." Another bit of laughter from the Queen. Things that surely Alex had never thought about were now brought forth to the front of her mind. "I will not apologize for you imagining mama and papa in flagrante

Gazing toward the ceiling, Arabella ran her hands along her belly, as if softly encouraging her son to hurry himself along. "I would expect nothing less from you and your daughters. I would do the same had God graced me with another." Arabella would not comment on Alex's cautionary words. If the King was unable to preform in future, or even if he had but took not to her any longer, she knew she had to be careful about her relationship with Anthony. But not even in French would Arabella address such, not now anyway.

"Yes, yes. Read away." Arabella listened as Alex read to her, naturally Arabella had chosen the bible for this particular exercise. She would take all of the divine help she could get. And just like that the time passed, minutes to hours, there were periodic updates that the King was being operated on, bones reset and the like, he of course was still unconscious, but the Doctors were optimistic though far from completing their task. Her contractions came faster, the time between them dramatically reducing, leaving Arabella a sweaty mess, screaming through her own pain, squeezing her sister's hand. Alex, occasionally parting the Queen's leg's to look and see how she was progressing. Though as the time got closer, the Queen let up on her screaming, instead opting for heavy breathing, she was determined not to be defeated.

"They lied Alex, they lied, it isn't easier." Arabella said through gritted teeth.