Madlen took the herbs and ground them into a pulpy mass. She rubbed the mixture on her patient’s belly, gently massaging until she felt another contraction.
“Adelhaid, your body wants to expel the child, and we have to help it or you’ll die, too.”
Adelhaid sobbed loudly. “Let the baby stay. I don’t want to live anymore. Let it stay, and we can die together.”
Barbara became wide-eyed with fright. “My lady, it’s a sin to say such things.”
“Be still,” Madlen ordered. She turned again to Adelhaid, speaking in a soft, comforting voice. “I understand. But this isn’t our decision. Your body will bleed as it expels the dead body. By that time, the pain will become unbearable; you will suffer. I’m begging you. Let me help you save your life, at least. It’s not too late.”
She tried to prepare Adelhaid for what she had to do during the next contraction. “I’m going to wash the herbs off my hands and soak them in oil so I can pull the baby out, if you’ll let me.” Adelhaid pressed her lips together. Then she nodded without saying a word. Barbara sighed in relief.
“Good.” Madlen stood in front of the bed. “Barbara, keep massaging her belly. When a contraction comes, rub even harder.”
“But I . . . ,” she said feebly.
“Do what I tell you.” Even Madlen was surprised as she heard herself bark out orders so authoritatively. Without another word, Barbara set the candle down and began to massage Adelhaid’s belly. Madlen washed up again and smeared the oil all over her hands up to her wrists.
“Barbara, when I tell you, start pressing down harder so that you can help her body expel the baby. Understand?”
“Yes.” Barbara seemed fully focused as she used her hands to massage Adelhaid’s stomach. Madlen prepared to reach into her womb. It wasn’t long before the contractions started up again. On Madlen’s signal, Barbara started to push on Adelhaid’s belly with firm downward strokes. Adelhaid bit on her pillow but couldn’t suppress her cries of agony. Madlen expected that the bedchamber’s guards would soon burst into the room to check on their mistress, but it took only four more contractions before Madlen was able to grab the limp foot of the stillborn baby and pull. Barbara gasped in relief as Adelhaid lay still, completely spent.
“She is losing too much blood. I need more linens.” Barbara ran over to one of the chests and came back with a whole stack of fresh clean linens. She wrapped the dead baby up in one, while Madlen did her best to stop the bleeding.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” Adelhaid whispered.
“It’s a boy, my lady,” Barbara answered.
“I want to hold him.”
Barbara looked up at Madlen, startled. The baby was underdeveloped, his body blue and discolored. It was a terrible sight.
“Imagine him,” Madlen replied, “pink and wonderful. His eyes are closed and he’s sleeping peacefully in the bosom of the Lord. Don’t bother him, but keep this lovely picture in your mind, to remind you forever of your son.” Madlen expected Adelhaid to disagree violently and insist on holding the child at least once. But to her surprise, she didn’t.
“He’s wonderful, is that what you said?”
“That’s right. He’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”
“Then I will remember my son just like that forever.”
“You are a very wise woman.” Hopefully, wise enough to report that bastard, Matthias Trauenstein, and demand justice for what he’d done.
Adelhaid’s body relaxed a little more with each passing moment. The blood seemed to stem at the thought of her beautiful baby boy. The bleeding slowly subsided enough so that Madlen had time to prepare a special brew that would strengthen and heal the body. Soon, she stood up, totally exhausted. “She’s sleeping now. Let her rest as long as she wants to. She will need time to get her strength back, but her life is no longer in danger.”
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The Trauensteins will never forget what you did today, and I won’t, either.”
Madlen smiled as she washed her hands. It was just like Clara always said. In these moments, gratitude knew no bounds. Madlen was curious to see if this would last longer than a blink of an eye.
“Make sure she gets enough to drink. Her body’s been weakened by the fever and blood loss.”
“I’ll make sure.”
“Good.” Madlen turned to go home.
“Wait,” Barbara said, pointing at the stillborn child, still wrapped in towels. “What should I do with it?”
“Bring it to the sheriff and report what happened. Maybe you can save your mistress’s life before he kills her.” With that, she left for home. It was already pitch-black outside. The rain hadn’t stopped. She placed her shawl higher on her shoulders and stepped into the night.