The Angels Sang A Whiskey Lullaby

Gwynevere had been out to the den where Aranea was staying a few times, mostly at Ulric's insistence to check on the lives of the unborn pups she was carrying. She didn't know the details of why Aranea was out here rather than in the castle and she didn't care to ask. Whatever it was it made Ulric look extremely uncomfortable whenever she saw him coming out here with supplies and food or whenever she came out with him to examine the smaller woman. From the examinations she had done she knew that Aranea was due to deliver these pups any day now and honestly from what she had learned from Eilwen as she conferred with the pale raven she was shocked that the pregnancy had gone as long as it had. She was hopeful for the pups that were still alive, but that hope was slowly beginning to wane as she learned more and more about the situation and the condition Aranea had put herself in.

The healer kept a bundle of herbs to help Aranea with the birth at the ready in her satchel and as soon as she heard the howl from just outside the castle walls she knew it was time. She grabbed her bag and rushed outside, Eilwen taking flight and following her out of the main doors of the castle. As she reached the castle gates she spotted Ulric running back toward the castle from a patrol and he slowed when he saw her, their paths converging as they drew close to the den where Aranea was housed. She looked up at the Aegis with a questioning glance and he told her that he would wait outside, which she nodded to quietly before slipping inside.

She sat her bag down by the entrance of the den and lifted her gaze to Aranea, her ears flicking back at the obvious pain that the woman was in. She had never witness a birth before now, but Eilwen had warned her that it wasn't a pleasant process for the mother. This seemed even worse than she had imagined though. She took out the bundle of herbs she had prepared and brought them over to Aranea, unfolding the piece of cloth that held a good amount of motherwort and trillium. She gave her the trillium first since that seemed to be the most pressing issue. "How are the contractions?" she asked softly as she went to Aranea's stomach, her paws light and gentle with their touch as she felt for the ripple and pull of muscles.

Gwynevere | Eilwen