Lonely Times Spent Worrying

Writers: Jelena, Paula
Date Posted: 19th November 2016

Characters: Corowal, Felyna
Description: A talk between spouses.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 5 of Turn 8

Felyna

Both Felyna's and Xebex' heads perked up at the sound of a closing door. Xebex gave a little chirp and Felyna smiled at him, rubbing one finger over his little head in affection. "Is that Corowal, do you think?" she asked the flit, more for her own benefit that for his.

Bedridden in a feverish attempt to save this baby from little Felwal's fate - Felyna swallowed hard still - she had felt quite isolated and lonely over the past sevendays and she longed for any human contact she could get.

"Husband, is that you?" she called out, smoothing the bedsheets around her ever growing belly as she waited.

"Yes, that's me!" Corowal called back. Few minutes later he walked into her room. "How are you doing, sweetheart?" He sat on the edge of her bed and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Her difficult pregnancy did make him more affectionate towards her. He hadn't forgotten their little son either. But genuine love was still missing. At least to the public eye he was good, devoted husband worried about his wife's condition.

Felyna closed her eyes for a moment as Corowal's lips touched her forehead. He had been so warm to her throughout all of this, since the moment she'd revealed her second pregnancy to him. It was almost enough to make her believe that he really did care more than he usually let on. But she knew better than that and fought away the conflicting emotions. "I am alright. No pains or anything like that. And I've got Xebex to keep me company, so I really shouldn't complain." But loneliness spoke clearly in her demeanor and tone of voice, the usual sparkle gone from her eyes.

"Your ladies-in-waiting aren't keeping you a company? Or did you just get tired of seeing their faces?" Corowal asked, stroking her hair.
If he was bedridden, he would probably get bored with the same people around him all the time.

"I told them I needed rest," Felyna said, actually looking a little guilty. "I adore them, really, but there's only so much conversation to be had when you're all between the same four walls all day."

"I can understand that. What if we invited some of your friends over for a visit? Like Arippa or Benani? I'm not sure if Lady Benani is able to come, considering that she recently got her husband back but there's no reason why Arippa couldn't come. Unless the storms have washed away the road to Green Valley," Corowal suggested.

"That would be splendid," Felyna sighed with relief. It would be wonderful to see either of those women. A visit like that would surely break the monotony. "Let's not ask Benani just yet. If we asked I'm pretty sure she'd feel obliged to come and I don't want to tear her away from Zathris right now. But I'm sure Arippa would love to visit. Or did the storms cause any troubles at Green Valley I am not aware of?"

"I haven't heard of anything specific. In general, there's been some road blocks or damage caused by heavy rain," Corowal replied. "The road to Green Valley is so well travelled that news come fast and if something severe had happened, I would have heard of it. It's the more distant cotholds I'm worried about. It takes time to reach them."

"I'm sure we would've had a visit from Mystery if there was anything seriously wrong," she replied, referring to Arippa's little blue flit. "Shall I send Xebex to Green Valley then? Inviting them both for an informal visit?"

"You do that," Corowal agreed. "I can always use the opportunity to talk with Reven." Besides he liked the younger man. He really had no pressing matters to deal with Green Valley's Holder. He was thinking more of a pleasant chat over a glass of brandy than real negotations.

"Yes, it will be good to see them," Felyna agreed, speaking more for the benefit of soaking in that warming thought, than actually replying to her husband. "I wonder if they will bring Pippa along," she said, her tone soft and dreamy for a moment.

"You can ask her to bring her. She should be old enough to travel," Corowal replied. He was glad to see her mood improve.

"I think I will, it will be nice to have another baby around," Felyna seemed absent for a moment as she imagined what the little girl would look like about now. "Thank you for bringing this up, husband," she said, returning to the present moment. Some of her usual energy seemed to have returned to her.

"Anytime," Corowal replied. "You seem to be in need of cheering up."

Felyna nodded slowly, deciding to be honest for a moment. "I worry, a lot. I really try not to, I know it won't make any difference, but I'm scared." She was pretty sure she didn't have to spell out what exactly she feared for.

"I can understand that. I worry about you, dear," Corowal replied. Whatever his personal feelings for her was, she was a good Lady Holder and good wife.

"Thank you, I know you do," Felyna said with a small smile. "I'm just focussing on giving us a healthy little boy or girl. All the worry will be worth it then."

"Yes, it will be," Corowal replied with reassuring tone. "I kind of hope for a girl. You know how a dote on my little daughters."

"Have you been thinking on names yet?" Felyna asked, eager for some hopeful conversation. To her the gender of the baby didn't matter, as long as it was healthy, but if Corowal was thinking baby girls. she was happy to join that train of thought.

"Colyna would be wonderful name for a girl," Corowal said. "I admit having a harder time coming up with boy's names."

"Colyna, I like that," Felyna smiled, softly stroking her belly. "Would you like that too, little one?" she whispered to it softly. "Unless it's a boy. in which case he's now deeply offended," she grinned at her husband.

"A boy would be kicking your ribs for protest by now," Corowal said and gently placed his hand on the bulging belly. "You be good to your mother now," he told the unborn.

Felyna laughed. That was probably true. She could imagine any of Corowal's sons being obstinate from the womb. That made a new worry come to mind though. "Shouldn't the baby be moving more, anyway? Did your other kids move around a lot?"

"I just know what Ofelia told me about their movements," Corowal replied and frowned, trying to remember. "Corofel was very active but Ofewal didn't move a lot and then he was born prematurely. Can't remember if there was anything special about Corolia or Felcoron but Wallia was very much a kicker. If you're worried, talk with the midwife or master."

"Oh, I do,' Felyna's chuckle was slightly bitter. "Probably more than they care for." She sighed for a moment, plucking at her bed sheet. "I guess I'm a little obsessed. I just want everything to go smoothly this time and this bedrest feels like such a horrible sign."

"I don't mind you being obsessed, it's natural," Corowal replied.

"That's a relief," Felyna smiled. These days she felt like the Healers were entirely fed up with her nervous questions and she couldn't really blame them. "Now don't you have some place to be, husband? I don't want to keep you from work with all my fretting for too long."

"You're right, the Lord Holder's work is never done," Corowal replied.

"So thank you for your time, husband, it was good relief to have a little chat," Felyna nodded and reached out to pat his hand. "I'll see you later."

"See you later then," he gave a farewell kiss on her cheek.

Last updated on the December 17th 2016

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Lonely Times Spent Worrying