Episode 94 Disoriented
Disoriented
Arisanna lowers herself to the edge of the bed beside Rominy when King Lorial lays a hand on her shoulder, and she looks up at him.
“It may be safer for you to sit a little farther away,” he says softly.
“Waking from the heartlanding after such a long sleep can be disorienting. It’s likely been days for him.
Perhaps even weeks. It’s impossible to say, and he won’t be able to tell us.
I don’t wish for you to be injured if he doesn’t realize what’s happening as he’s coming back to us. ”
Arisanna frowns. It’s hard to imagine Rominy hurting anyone, though she heard he tackled the man who threw a rock at Elowyn.
“Weeks?” Cerian asks as he lifts Arisanna and settles her in a chair a few feet from the bed, where she won’t be in danger if Rominy starts flailing. Cerian’s protectiveness makes her smile even as heat creeps up her neck and onto her cheeks.
“It’s possible,” Cerian’s father says. “Days is more likely.”
“Is he prone to stomach upset?” Queen Nestraya asks from near the head of the bed beside Tharios.
“Sometimes,” Arisanna says. “When he’s...overwrought.”
He lost his stomach contents the day he had to speak at his graduation ceremony in front of all those people. He was so nervous.
She tried to calm him in the private room assigned to the Crown Prince of Nunia for his protection while the crowds were milling about before the ceremony started, but he ended up vomiting all over her shoes.
At least he missed her gown. She never told a soul why she was barefoot during the ceremony.
Mother was horrified when she saw Arisanna’s bare toes peeping out from beneath her skirts.
Nearly as horrified as Rominy was when it happened.
But Arisanna carried on the way she always does, after she dumped her shoes and stockings in the nearest trash receptacle.
And Rominy did fine when the time came. He’s far more capable than he realizes.
King Lorial hands his wife an empty basin, and she sets it nearby just in case. Hopefully, Rominy won’t need it.
It’s better than a flower vase, at any rate.
Or Arisanna’s shoes.
“What about Elowyn?” Cerian asks. “Will he accidentally hurt her?”
“I’ve shielded her,” King Lorial says. “Just in case.”
Arisanna looks toward Elowyn’s still form on the bed. The barest flickering of light surrounds her. It’s hard to see if you’re not looking for it.
“Are we ready?” Tharios asks.
“I believe so,” King Lorial says.
“All right. I’m waking him now.” Tharios lays a hand on Rominy’s shoulder, and nothing happens at first.
Cerian hovers nearby, exuding a restlessness he usually only shows when he’s about to run.
He’s not planning to run, is he?
More likely, he’s ready to jump in front of Arisanna should the need arise.
Hopefully, that won’t be necessary.
A quiet groan fills the room, and Arisanna watches nervously as Rominy’s eyelids flutter.
King Lorial nods to Arisanna. This is her part to play.
“Rominy? It’s Sanna. You’re safe, all right?”
“Sanna?” he murmurs in a scratchy voice.
“That’s right. I’m here.”
His eyes crack open before growing wide, and he bolts up in the bed.
“It’s all right, Rominy,” she says.
His eyes look glassy, and he sways. “Elowyn. Where’s—”
“She’s right here, my youngling,” Queen Nestraya says softly. “We need to stay calm for her, remember?”
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
Queen Nestraya holds the basin out for him just in time, and Cerian flinches at Arisanna’s side. Stars above. Hopefully, Cerian’s not a social vomiter. She glances up at him. His jaw is set, his lips pressed together, but he doesn’t seem in danger of losing his own stomach contents. Thank goodness.
Once Rominy’s done heaving, Cerian’s mother helps him back to his pillow.
At least he didn’t panic and hurt anyone.
Tharios sets the basin out of the way and gestures for Arisanna to move closer, though Cerian doesn’t seem eager to let her with the way he angles his body between her and the bed.
“It’s all right, Cerian,” King Lorial says quietly. “The danger has passed.”
“He won’t hurt me.” Arisanna reaches for Cerian’s hand. “He’s not delirious.”
Exhaling slowly, Cerian steps out of the way and helps Arisanna from the chair. He’s in no hurry to leave her side, though, and everyone shifts to give them room.
“Sanna?” Rominy says.
She lowers herself to the edge of the bed, and when Cerian finally lets go of her, she reaches for Rominy’s hand. “I’m here. It’s okay to be dizzy and disoriented. Do you remember where you are?”
Rominy’s throat bobs as he nods. “Feressa. The hotel. Elowyn. Is she—”
He tries to sit up again, but Tharios gently guides him back to the bed. “You need to lie down until the dizziness passes, Rominy. Can you do that for Elowyn?”
“Yes,” Rominy whispers as his eyes slide closed.
“Elowyn slumbers at your side,” King Lorial says in that calm voice of his.
Rominy’s eyes flash open, and he turns his head and blinks a few times. “I can’t focus. Is she all right?”
“Her body is healing well,” Tharios says. “Thanks to you. When you feel up to it, I’d like to attempt a discussion about her state in the heartlanding. I believe if we are creative, we may be able to work around the magic.”
“So I didn’t...” Rominy’s words seem to stick in his throat. “It wasn’t my...” He groans. “What woke me up?”
“I woke you,” Tharios says as his brows wrinkle. “Nothing you did or didn’t do in the heartlanding had anything to do with it.”
Relief sweeps over Rominy’s face. What in the world does he think he did?
“We need to get some food and water in you, my youngling,” Queen Nestraya says. “To keep you strong for Elowyn. That’s why Tharios woke you.”
Rominy nods. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”
“For now, just lie still and let the dizziness pass,” Tharios says.
They remain quiet for a few minutes while Rominy recovers, but eventually, he looks at Arisanna. “How long has it been?”
“Just over a day,” she says softly. Hopefully, that’s not too shocking for him.
“Time is different in the heartlanding,” King Lorial says. “It can be confusing. Feel what you need to feel, my youngling. We’re here to support you.”
“Thank you.” Rominy’s voice is quiet, and he turns toward Elowyn again. “Will she...will she live?”
“Yes, Rominy,” Tharios says. “She may be weak for a while, but she will recover with time.”
Rominy covers his eyes, but he can’t hide that he’s crying. He loves Elowyn. No one will judge him for that.
He takes a few deep breaths and breathes out slowly.
“Mother and Father are here,” Arisanna says to take some of the attention off Rominy. “They didn’t want to leave your side, but we didn’t want you to be overwhelmed when you woke.”
He nods. “I’ll talk to them and assure Mother I’m all right. Just...give me a few minutes.”
Arisanna struggles not to smile. “She’s eager to make sure you’re well. Both of you.”
He looks at Elowyn again. His eyes seem more focused this time. “She looks better, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” King Lorial says. The flickering light is gone. He must have let the shield fall.
“How are you feeling?” Tharios asks as he checks Rominy’s pulse.
“Better. I’m sorry about that.” He glances at the basin of sick, and Tharios chuckles.
“I’m a healer, Rominy. I’ve encountered far worse than that. Do you wish to attempt sitting up again?”
“I can try.”
Tharios helps him sit, and Rominy looks unsteady, but he doesn’t complain.
“How are you doing?” Tharios asks.
“I’m fine. Just a little dizzy still.”
“Good. It should pass soon. I’m going to check on Elowyn while you get your bearings. Then we’ll talk.”
Tharios moves to the other side of the bed, and Rominy watches him check Elowyn’s pulse. Her fever must have come down enough for Tharios to touch her without burning himself.
Then Tharios’s brows furrow, and he glances at Rominy. “Is your heart racing?”
“Sorry. I’m sorry. I was nervous about you checking her, and—”
“It’s fine. Let’s take some deep breaths and think of pleasant things that don’t involve Elowyn, all right? Mother, can you—”
“Of course. Deep breaths, my youngling. Just as Elowyn taught you.”
Together, they breathe, over and over, and Rominy lets his eyes close.
He’s a lot better at calming down now than he used to be. That’s for sure. At least Arisanna wasn’t fond of those shoes.
Elowyn is so good for him.
Soon, he looks very relaxed, and Tharios sets Elowyn’s arm back on the blankets at her side. “That’s better. Are you ready to try talking?”
Rominy nods. “I don’t know what I’ll be able to say, but I’ll do my best.”