So Very Precious

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 31st March 2008

Characters: Eliste, Lineal, Rahona, Demerand
Description: Eliste is taken to Nettleweed to be cared after by those at the hold while on bed rest.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 27 of Turn 4

"And you must be our new resident," the holder said, turning to the woman in the riverboat captain's arms. "I'm Demerand, and I hold the Nettleweed Dock."

Eliste's cheeks flushed and she refused to meet the holder's gaze, though she managed to stutter a soft greeting in return as well as her false name, "Ellina." It was so humiliating to be carried in such a manner. She would have rather walked, but doing so might have triggered another contraction according to the healer, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. So, she did her best to deal with the situation, mainly by staring at her knees as they hooked over Lineal's arm.

"A pleasure to meet you Ellina, and I'm sorry you're not well. Come along, Lineal. I've been told which rooms are ready." The holder led them into the building. "I hear you've almost done a round trip on the Sungazer, Ellina. Down to the SeaHold and now back here."

"Yes." Eliste would be very grateful when they would get to the privacy of a room. She was certain that she was being stared at, carried in the arms of a man who was not her husband. She sighed softly, then almost whispered, "Hopefully I will not be a burden to you for long."

"From what I hear you won't be a burden for even a moment. The Sungazer women tell me you're an accomplished quilter, and from them -
from any riverboat woman - there's no higher praise."

Another flush crept over Eliste's cheek. At least she had a useful skill and quilting was something she could do in bed if she had to.
She cast a sidelong glance up at Lineal. "I can quilt for you", she offered.

"I think we can come to some arrangement," Demerand said drily, aware that riverboat folk had a reputation for driving a hard bargain. He paused in an open doorway and indicated that Lineal should precede him.
"This is the room. It's on the ground floor so that when you can walk around you won't have stairs to deal with. And there's a small bathingroom attached, though it's shared with the room on the other side. Are you allowed to sit up a little? We bought the chair across from one of the granny's rooms. The back reclines so that you could sit there if always being in bed palls."

"The healer didn't say anything about not sitting up." Eliste didn't see why being able to sit up would be a problem. Surely that would be all right. Perhaps she should ask when next she was seen by a healer.
"Thank you."

"So, in the chair, or on the bed?" Lineal asked, hovering between the two.

"Chair please." Came the response, quite quickly. It was bad enough to have to be carried, but she really didn't want to have to be placed on the bed. No, the chair would be just fine for now. She could walk the short distance to the bed when the men had left if she wanted.

"There." Lineal placed the young woman in the chair and glanced at Demarand. "No women around?"

The holder waved a hand dismissively. "We have new babies - twins. I know where my wife and the other women _are_ and I'll go and remind them that they now have a guest in a moment, but you were doing the carrying, and I knew which room. What did we need them for?"

Lineal grinned, looking at Eliste. "He's very brave when he knows they're out of earshot."

"Oh." To be honest, Eliste wasn't necessarily comfortable being alone with two men in the room. She glanced over at the door and relaxed when she realised it was open. Then, she chided herself. These men were trying to help her. They were not Helvar. They were not going to hurt her. They were doing the very opposite. Eliste cleared her throat and lifted her gaze, giving them both a smile and a soft, "I appreciate your kindness to me." And she did. While she and Helvar had met before they were married, and he had the chance to be charming, they were short visits. He had never truly been kind to her, never really cared about her needs. Yet here were people who were practically strangers, they they were willing to take care of those needs.

"I've got your bags, Ellina," Rahona said, entering the room. "Reitha said you were in here," she said, speaking of the holder's wife. "And she wants you to go and admire the twins _right_now_," she added for Demerand's benefit, laughing though she had been asked to scold him.

"They're _just_ babies," the man grumbled.

Eliste opened her mouth as if to say something to Demerand, but stopped herself. She flushed and looked away, muttering a soft, 'Thank you' to Rahona. Babies, children...they were so very precious. How could he not see that?

"They're his first grand-babies," Lineal informed Eliste in an undertone. "And he's determined not to spoil them."

Eliste looked at Lineal and nodded slowly. So, it was a guise. That made her feel a little bit better. "I hope you will forgive me," She stated softly, "But I find myself rather tired and would like to lie down for a while."

"Oh, of course. Would you like Rahona to stay until Reitha gets here?"

Eliste shook her head. To be honest, she just wanted to be alone and rest. She was tired and scared. She would probably be more social once she was rested. "I don't want to inconvenience any of you any more than necessary. Thank you all so very much for your help."

"You're welcome," Rahona said. "I've just put your bags at the end of the bed, there. We'll go, but we'll come back and say goodbye before we leave."

Rahona was given a small smile and a polite nod. Eliste would be able to relax when they left. She wondered when a healer would come see her. There had been mention of a healer-midwife, and Eliste hoped he would come soon. In the mean time, she would rest - rest, and hope that her baby was safe.

Last updated on the April 5th 2008

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So Very Precious