The Coming of a Child
aka Chelsey's Sorrow

Chelsey was walking through the halls of Chasaline towards the gardens. In her spare time she had been going there to meditate. One of the Yellows told her it was good for her to relax and get exercise. The stretching was good for her and the baby. Huffing her way along she let her mind wander to her stomach. She rubbed it absentmindedly. Just one more month, little one. She had just exited the hall and entered the bright, warming sunlight of the day when she doubled over in pain. Lancing pains went through out her stomach and back. Chelsey leaned against the wall and let out a cry of pain. Then it was gone almost as soon as it came. Breathing in long and deliberate breaths and straightened up. She took a couple more steps towards the garden. Crying aloud, Chelsey fell to the ground holding her stomach and letting the tears fall free. Light, why doesn't someone come? Something was wrong. The Aes Sedai had prepared her for the pain of childbirth. They told her that it would be very painful, but this was almost too much. The pain didn't subside this time. It continued until she was exhausted from crying and screaming in pain. Just when she thought she would die from the pain, she saw someone through her tears.

Kaiulani was wandering the gardens, tears streaming down her face. Oh, she knew it wasn't normal, the Amyrlin Seat shouldn't be doing such a thing, but she couldn't help it. Her dear sister was gone, and the Gray Sitter taken with her ... the tears started to come again, but she suppressed them as she saw others out among the walk. That's when she saw Chelsey, and her own pain was pushed to the corner of her mind...

Running to her side, Lani Sedai knelt, her golden hair lose and in the way ... she quickly formed a makeshift knot out of it, and concentrated on the girl lying on the ground. She knew there wasn't much she could do for the pains, except herbs ... Healing might endanger the child ... and Lani wouldn't have that. She quickly wove a bed of air, and lifted the girl up on it ... floating her to the infirmary where she knew there would be herbs...    

Jacen walked down the halls of the Tower in a quite solitude watching people scurry about on this errand and that one. Silently humming to himself he walked into the infirmary, he had cut himself on a piece of paper and wanted to put something on it. Turning the corner he came upon an interesting situation. There was Lani and Chelsey, and it seemed that Chelsey was in great pain. Grinning he thought to himself with a chuckle, I'll bet that hurts. Walking in and making a small bow he said, "Mother, would you like some assistance?" Seeing her small nod he looked over to Chelsey with a small smile on his aged face. "Now girl, how are we today? Good? Yes, well we will make sure you do just fine, I hope you have shaved your legs recently. We wouldn't want the little one to come out with rug burn now would we?" Seeing her smile a little he winked. "You'll do fine, just leave it to me, I've done this many times." Walking around the room he looked about for things he could use. Spotting a large pot and a flat stone he seized the source and lifted the stone into the air and leaving it there. Taking the pot and filling it with water he placed it over the stone and with ease heated the stone until the water started to bubble then turned back to Lani and in a low voice said, "It seems to me that the girl is excitable, you may want to block her for the birth. Women tend to do things when this happens and I think it may be a good idea."

Chelsey was blinded with pain or she probably would have screamed at the sight of Jacen Sedai. As it was, she could hear bits and pieces of a male voice, but it sounded gentle and helpful. Maybe she was just hearing things due to her state. Just then another spasm of pain racked her body. She screamed and drew on the Power before anyone could shield her. Using Air, Chelsey threw bottles and overturned beds. Newly pressed bedsheets burst into flame. Chelsey lashed out with all five strands of the Power. She didn't even realize when a shield was slammed down on her. The pain subsided and Chelsey passed out from the pain and exhaustion.

Marcel had been looking for Jacen Sedai to ask him a question. So he walked around checking his rooms but he wasn't there. Someone along the way, as he walked said that he was going to the infirmary something about a paper cut or something.

So he now found himself walking to the infirmary in search of Jacen. Entering the infirmary, he came into a place he best would not like to be in, turning around he was just about to leave when Jacen caught sight of him and spoke.

Looking up at the flying objects and burning sheets Jacen frowned very hard and without remorse slammed down a shield on the girl then turned to Lani. "I apologize mother." Then turning he saw Marcel. "Okay boy, time for a lesson in life. Go sit over there for now and watch closely." Turning back to Chelsey......

The world was black. Small points of light, like stars, were all that were to be seen. She floated, a disembodied mind in a black hole. Chelsey was scared. I'm dying. This is what comes after. This place is so lonely. Chelsey's form shimmered with chills that she only thought she felt. One point of light called her attention. It was throbbing with a kind of pale red light. Without even thinking her form moved towards that light. As she got closer it seemed to her that the point got bigger and bigger until it filled her vision. And then she was one with the light.

Chelsey felt better than ever in her life. She was bathed in warmth and could smell the freshly cut roses in her hand. I am in Heaven. I wonder if this is the Creator's garden? Flowers of every kind covered the gently rolling hills of lush green grass. It was truly peaceful here. Chelsey turned at the sound of a child's playful laughter. A small boy was running after some butterflies. Not to harm them as other little boys did. It seemed that the butterflies were the ones having the most fun. She called to the little boy. "Hello? Do you know where we are?" The little boy an up to her. "Of course, Mother, but what are you doing here?" Chelsey smiled at the small boy in confusion. "You must be mistaken. I am not your mother. My name is-"

"Chelsey. I know mommy. I know everything. And I know you aren't supposed to be here." Chelsey was getting a little frightened. Who is this child? "What is your name, little boy?" Chelsey prayed that he wouldn't say it. "Tynin, mommy." Light, the only name she had thought of giving her child since she knew she was pregnant. Chelsey cried aloud and slumped to a siting position on the grass. "Don't be sad, mommy. I am very happy here. And you'll come back and see me when the time is right." Her child was in the Creator's garden. She would never be able to hold him and care for him. Never be able to sing to him. No goodnight kisses. Tynin put his small arms around Chelsey's neck and sat on her lap. "It's not your fault. I love you, mommy." Chelsey held her son close to her. If this was to be the only time to see him, she would make it count. Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, Chelsey jumped to her feet. "Tag, your it." Together they laughed and played.

Chelsey woke up with a start. She was sore all over and there was still a sharp pain in her belly. She was still in labor. There was still danger for her. But she didn't scream anymore. She didn't cry anymore. She was content, if still sad. Her child was happy. He was safe. And she would see him when the time was right. With a raw throat she croaked out some requests. "I need some water."

Liranan produced a glass and held it to her lips to drink. She'd been called here later then she'd liked, but she was enough of a Healer to know late or early, there wouldn't be much difference. Things were not going well.

After the girl had drunk, Liranan pulled the Amyrlin and Jacen aside. "I think ... it's going badly. Very badly," she said, here eyes bleak. She was remembering a Viewing, and cursing her helplessness.

The sun beat down on the land ... a cool breeze wafted through the air ... a scream echoed through the buildings ... a - - wait a second. Scream? Having the Talent of Healing, Kia'en walked quickly towards the sound. I wonder what happened? I hope it isn't too awful. She found the source of the scream. It was a girl, well, a woman, laying on a bed in the infirmary, screaming in birthing pains. Hm. Not what I expected. She dropped to the ground and quickly Delved the woman for any potential problems. "What have I missed?" She inquired of the people around her.   

Liranan almost died with relief when Kia'en came into the room. Liranan could Heal, but it wasn't her strongest Talent, and what was going on with Chelsey was beyond her. "What have I missed?" the woman asked.  

"I've been trying to find some of the out myself ... apparently she dropped over into labor without warning. Jacen found her, or was it the Amyrlin?" Liranan spared them a quick questioning glance. "They haven't been ... talkative. Quite obviously things are not going ... well ... and..." Liranan leaned forward, so that only Kia'en could hear her words. No need to disturb poor Chelsey. "A while ago I had a viewing.... I don't think we're going to be able to save the child."

"Oh, dear," Kia'en said under her breath. Louder, she continued. "Child, rest easy. We'll do all we can to help. Liranan Sedai, please get me a cold bowl of water and a cloth, or get someone to get it.

"Chelsey, you must push when I say, and keep breathing to ease the pain. Alright?" Kia'en Sedai flashed her a comforting smile. Liranan, returned with the cloth. Kia'en dipped it in the water and placed it on Chelsey's head. "Liranan, sit behind her and hold her up. Try to support her weight so she won't have to do that too." Kia'en turned to Chelsey. "Push!"  

Chelsey was panting and flushed by the time Kia'en Sedai had entered the room. She felt as if the Dark One was twisting a black hand around her chest and stomach. Her breathing came in labored gasps every few seconds and she had already passed out three or four times. She barely heard the Aes Sedai's instructions, but the louder "PUSH" made her jump and she started pushing. Screams ripped through her with each push, and the Novice knew she was dying. At least I'll be with my son. Each time she close her eyes she could see him, running and playing in the Creator's Garden. No, mommy. Not your time yet. Be strong. She could hear his sweet, musical voice and it did make her stronger. Screaming louder than any other, Chelsey pushed her hardest and a collective gasp filled the room....

Holding the baby, Kia'en quickly sliced the cord through with Air and quickly Delved the child for anything that might be wrong, while she was tying the cord off. Kia'en Sedai gasped. The child was an unhealthy color. It did not seem to be breathing. Using as fine threads of Water, Air, and Spirit as she could manage, she healed the baby. The baby was still, but abruptly coughed and screamed. It was alive, barely, but alive. It would have to be watched very carefully by the Yellows. The news that the baby might not survive, was not needed at the moment. Poor Chelsey was very tired already. She needed rest.

Liranan stood in the hallway, head against cool stone. Behind her came the murmur of Healers, discussing what could be done. For Chelsey, at any rate. Poor child.

The baby hadn't survived it's first hour. The problem was not one that could be Healed, not with the knowledge they had, some defect that made it impossible for it to live outside of it's mother's womb. The mother, in time, would be fine. Physically. Liranan had some notion that this incident would haunt the girl for more then a few years.

Liranan slowly lifted her head from the wall, staring for an instant at her hands as they pressed against the stone. She was remembering a time when they'd been red and wrinkled from hours of scrubbing. A long time ago. Curious, some times her days as a Novice felt like yesterday.

They weren't, though, and Liranan took her hands from the wall and started down the corridor. She was the Mistress of Novices, and there was work to be done.

Still, halfway down the hall she tripped a little, as a name suddenly popped up from memory. "Larisa........," she whispered, then shook it off. Mistress of Novices. Duty. Had to focus on now. Liranan straightened her shoulders and stepped into the Infirmary to check on Chelsey.

Marcel stood outside the infirmary in the shadows, and hoped Chelsey was alright. He had been there when the baby was born, but the child didn't survive for long. He saw Liranan Sedai walking down the hallway to the infirmary from the shadows where he stood. Halfway down she tripped a little and he was about to go to her, when she straighten and entered the infirmary.

He hoped Chelsey was going to be better and wished any information on how she was doing would be found. So now he stood outside waiting for any word.

After a few minutes, he decided to see how she was doing, walking into the infirmary.