Epilogue
It wasin the fall of 1102 that Annelise’s labor contractionsbegan.
Rolfe was banned from the solar at Viandin and found himself in the hall with little to do but wait. His wife’s cries made him cringe, but he avoided both drink and companionship. He paced the length of the hall and back, time andagain.
Childbirth carried no small risk and he feared for Annelise’s welfare. Rolfe recalled every moment he had spent with his beloved wife and knew that there had not been enough of those moments to satisfy him. She had taught him so much about love, given him a faith in the unseen, shared with him her passion for life and all itsjoys.
He had so much, but he wanted onlymore.
Twilight crept into the hall and lengthened the shadows. A servant silently lit the candles then departed, leaving Rolfe with his concerns. Annelise’s cries reached a new crescendo and Rolfe stared upward, his mouthdry.
If he should lose her this night—no, he could not think of it. His mother’s voice, low and reassuring, carried to his ears as Annelise’s crysubsided.
Rolfe shuddered to think what his wifeendured.
And what had he given her in return? His love, his commitment, his protection. The balance seemed rather thin to Rolfe, especially in light of this night’s ordeal. A new mother deserved a gift, but Rolfe knew well enough that Annelise would not care for jewelry or otherfinery.
He must grant her a gift from the heart. It must be intangible, to show her that he had learned the value of things unseen. It must be something she could not hold but that might make her life morecomplete.
Rolfe thought of Sayerne. He had sent a message to Sayerne in May when the company had vowed to meet again. Annelise had been so ill early in her pregnancy and he had not wanted to risk a long ride. It would have taken them a week to reach Sayerne, and he had feared she might lose the child. He could have gone alone to see his comrades, but had not wanted to leave her in her distress, even in the care of hismother.
Perhaps it was time to invite Quinn to come tothem.
Rolfe distracted himself that day with the task of writing an invitation to Quinn. If he could heal the scar of Annelise’s past by uniting brother and sister again, that truly would be a gift worthy of hisbride.
He had no sooner sealed the missive and placed it into a runner’s hand than Annelise screamed with greater vigor. Rolfe muttered a curse and lunged up the stairs to the solar. His mother could not keep him from the chamber in such a moment. He would be with Annelise for the last of herordeal.
* * *
Annelise awakenedas the first rays of the sun slanted through the solar window. The room was lit with a rosy gold glow, its hue reminding her of the good djinn. Without Azima’s influence, she and Rolfe would not be so happytogether.
Even better, she had given Rolfe ason.
Annelise was tired and sore, but so filled with joy that she was more content than ever she had been. The midwife had cleaned both Annelise and the chamber before leaving a few hours earlier, then Rolfe’s mother had retired, as well. Annelise had been left alone with her husband andson.
She had slept, but Rolfe, she knew, hadnot.
Even now, he rocked his son at the foot of the bed, the sunlight glinting in his dark hair. Annelise watched him make faces at the babe for a few moments before he realized she wasawake.
“Sleep well?” hemurmured.
“How could I not, with you standing guard?” she whispered, not wanting to startle the baby. Rolfe smiled and she saw the exhaustion in his eyes. Her heart swelled that he had been with her at the last and most difficult part of the delivery. His strength had made the pain easier to bear. Their gazes locked for a long, potent moment, one that made her hope she could soon consider giving him anotherchild.
Then the babe let forth a healthycry.
Rolfe flicked a glance downward at their son. “Do you think he isjealous?”
Annelise laughed. “I think he isperfect.”
“Not as perfect as hismother.”
“He might be hungry.” She opened her arms. “He did not take much the lasttime.”
Rolfe lowered the babe into her embrace, so gentle that the child might have been made of spun glass. Annelise was awed by the tiny burden of their son and could scarce believe their good fortune. Rolfe sat beside her, his hand beneath the weight of the babe so that she could unfasten her chemise. His other hand brushed over her bare shoulder and along her cheek, leaving her flesh tingling in the wake of his caress. She nestled the boy against her and urged him to the breast. She thought she was clumsy with the task, but Rolfe watched her with glowing eyes, his confidence feeding her own. The babe settled in to suckle, and Annelise met her husband’sgaze.
“Thank you for coming at the last,” she whispered. “I cannot tell you how much ithelped.”
Rolfe captured her free hand within his own. “I could stay away nolonger.”
