Rigella's Punishment
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 11th November 2006
Characters: Rigella, Birigundi
Description: Rigella and Birigundi's lifes are becoming even more complicated
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 3
Notes: Follows "Omens of Doom"
Birigundi watched helplessly as the healers came and went from Rigella's bed. He had gotten the distinct feeling that he was in the way as they asked her techinical questions he couldn't follow and performed tests that she could understand but he was not sure the purpose of. It was all he could do not to scream "This is my baby too! What in Faranth's name is happening?!"
Finally it seemed that the healers had left her alone for a moment. He walked over to the edge of the bed and took Rigella's hand in his. "Do they know what's happening? Is the baby all right? Are _you_ all right?"
"Well, they suspect that the placenta isn't properly attached to the uterus wall or it's in a wrong place," Rigella said. Her face was pale but otherwise she was now calm.
"But what does that _mean_?" He knew what the placenta was, he knew what it did. But he didn't know where else it could be but the uterus and he certainly didn't know what it would mean if it wasn't where it was supposed to be!
"It means that I have a risky pregnancy. If the placenta comes off too early, the baby dies," Rigella told.
Shards... "But what would happen to you? If that happens, what is the danger to you?"
"Bleeding, mostly. Or infection. Those can be nasty," Rigella said.
She seemed so calm about all this. Did it mean she wasn't concerned?
Or that she was resigned? He didn't know her well enough to read her yet. "So what do we do? To make sure that doesn't happen?"
"I'm going to spend lot of time in bedrest, no vigorous activities or exterting myself is allowed, no crafting, no sex," Rigella was talking with the same detached, unnaturedly calm voice. She had locked up her feelings, pressed them under the surface. It was either that or screaming.
"That's ok," he assured her. Sex was not the reason he was still by her side. "What do you want me to do? How can I help?"
"Keep me company, encourage me," Rigella asked. Fear had crept back to her voice even if she tried to keep it away.
"Of course, Rigella. I'm not going leave you alone in this."
"Thank you," She squeezed his hand. "Why can't my life be easy and simple?" she sighed. "This has to be my punishment for trying to kill the baby."
He wanted to point out that hers was not the only life that was becoming complicated, but knew better. "You are not being punished, Rigella," he said soothingly, reaching up to stroke her hair.
"Oh really? If I hadn't tried an abortion in /between/ maybe I wouldn't have these complications now."
Well, it was certainly possible. Perhaps even likely. "But you didn't loose the baby. There are... complications... But you haven't lost it.
We are going to have this baby, and it is going to be just fine."
"I hope so," Rigella said. Tears started to flow.
"Oh, now, don't do that." Birigundi hitched his hip up onto the bed and wrapped an arm around Rigella's shoulders. "You said so yourself, its risky but not impossible. It's not as if there is nothing that can be done. And we will do _everything_ that can be done."
Rigella leaned against his shoulder. "I know the weyr has some of the best healers in Pern," she said in attempt to encourage herself.
"That's right, we do. And you're one of them. We'll be fine." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, wishing he could tell her something more. "And if something happens... well, it won't be your last chance. We'll do our best and if that happens... we'll just try again."
Rigella just clung to him.
Last updated on the November 11th 2006