As promised... 8)
Chapter 14:
Edmund hated hospitalsever since he was a small boy. His eyes were closed, so heavy. But he knew. The sounds, the smells, the atmosphere. A cardiac monitor, maybe? Antiseptic. Definitely a hospital. Voices? Were those voices? They were so foggy. Or maybe it was him, maybe his head was foggy. Either way, he couldnt quite understand them. Was someone sick? What was wrong? Why couldnt he just figure it out? And Cassie, where was Cassie? Edmund couldnt think. So thirsty so tired. Hed sort it out later later.
Edmund remembered another room not unlike this. Same smells doctors and Richard and his father hazy, but he remembered.
Father, Edmund will be all right, wont he? Richard had asked. They hadnt known that he could hear them. Edmund wanted to tell his brother that he was okay. He didnt like hearing the fear in his brothers voice.
Edmund is your brother will recover if he is strong enough, Richard. But you must not let your concern for you brother affect your studies. You will be ruler someday, Richard, not Edmund. You cannot be weak, son, their father had admonished.
Yes, father. Richard had sounded dutiful, chastised. Richard usually sounded like that when speaking to their father. Edmund knew that Prince Georges words held little comfort for his older brother. He had wished so much that he could comfort him, let him know that he would always stick by him. He never did get to say the words. Things had changed so much after he woke up, Edmund remembered sadly.
Enough, Richard! Prince George spoke sharply. You really must be braver than this. Your brother will not be ruler. You must not even think of that possibility, my son. You must be prepared to rule without you brother. You are my heir. You are special, you understand?
Yes, father, Richard answered quietly.
I understand that you care about him, Richard. You are a very caring boy. But you cannot be overly sentimental. He is your brother. But he will not be ruler. Do not depend on Edmund, Richard. I should never have let you boys grow so reliant on one another, Prince George mused softly. Now then, go and finish up your lessons, son. I will have Dax sit with Edmund. He will let us know if there is any change in the boys in Edmunds condition.
Yes, father.
Youre wrong, father, Edmund had thought. Richard needs me and I need him! He had tried to reach out to Richard, but his voice so little he couldnt his head hurt too much. Richard? Dont leave me Richard!
His head hurt again, Edmund realized as the piercing pain brought his mind back to the present. God, it felt like it felt like the gun! His whole damn body hurt. Was he shot? Edmund struggled against the darkness and the fog, trying to remember. Focus! A weak groan escaped his lips with the effort. Still so thirsty.
Edmund? Edmund! Voices. Those were voices. All he could manage was another groan. Or had he? Was it in his head? Edmund focused on listening.
Cassie, you need to have a doctor look at you. Let Rick take a look at you, baby.
Just stop it Jeffrey. Im fine. A womans voice. Familiar good familiar. Like aural droplets of sunshine warming him to the core of his being. I am not leaving him. I am not leaving Edmund until I know hes okay, Jeffrey. Dont ask me again. Please.
Cassie! Edmunds heart lightened, the pain in his head eased a little and Edmund knew if he could, he would be smiling. Even through the pain.
Im sorry, Cassie. I didnt mean I wouldnt have It wasnt on purpose, okay? You believe that, dont you? Cassie? Cmon, baby, I want to help. Tell me how to help, Jeffrey asked, in his usual gruff manner.
Dont you think youve helped enough with your caveman tactics? She sounded angry. Why couldnt you just let Edmund handle it Jeffrey? Edmund was getting through to Jonathan. He did so much he and now Cassies voice faltered. Why did you have to why did you have to try to be the big hero? her voice wavered again, trembling with emotion. Why Jeffrey?
The room was quiet, save the background sound of the medical apparatus. No answer from Jeffrey.
If you want to help, go find a nurse, Jeffrey. I think Edmunds in pain. And get Rick. I want to know what theyve decided. Please. Cassie paused, waiting, but Edmund didnt hear Jeffrey move to leave. Look, Im sorry I got angry. Please. Just go. Go Jeffrey.
Alone at last, Edmund smiled to himself. He felt Cassies small, warm hand in his and he imagined bringing it up to his lips, kissing each delicate finger. He tried to return her grasp. Cmon, concentrate man, Edmund commanded as he tried to force his hand to respond. Christ! A blinding white hot pain arced across the front of his head. Every nerve ending in his body lit up like Guy Fawkes night, convulsing, and he felt himself shutting down again. No!
Someone, quick, help! he heard Cassie cry out.
Moments later, Edmund drowned back into the swirling, nauseating darkness as the acrid taste of whatever drugs theyd injected into him rose up at the back of his throat. Bloody hell! There was definitely something very wrong with him.
Chapter 14:
Edmund hated hospitalsever since he was a small boy. His eyes were closed, so heavy. But he knew. The sounds, the smells, the atmosphere. A cardiac monitor, maybe? Antiseptic. Definitely a hospital. Voices? Were those voices? They were so foggy. Or maybe it was him, maybe his head was foggy. Either way, he couldnt quite understand them. Was someone sick? What was wrong? Why couldnt he just figure it out? And Cassie, where was Cassie? Edmund couldnt think. So thirsty so tired. Hed sort it out later later.
Edmund remembered another room not unlike this. Same smells doctors and Richard and his father hazy, but he remembered.
Father, Edmund will be all right, wont he? Richard had asked. They hadnt known that he could hear them. Edmund wanted to tell his brother that he was okay. He didnt like hearing the fear in his brothers voice.
Edmund is your brother will recover if he is strong enough, Richard. But you must not let your concern for you brother affect your studies. You will be ruler someday, Richard, not Edmund. You cannot be weak, son, their father had admonished.
Yes, father. Richard had sounded dutiful, chastised. Richard usually sounded like that when speaking to their father. Edmund knew that Prince Georges words held little comfort for his older brother. He had wished so much that he could comfort him, let him know that he would always stick by him. He never did get to say the words. Things had changed so much after he woke up, Edmund remembered sadly.
Enough, Richard! Prince George spoke sharply. You really must be braver than this. Your brother will not be ruler. You must not even think of that possibility, my son. You must be prepared to rule without you brother. You are my heir. You are special, you understand?
Yes, father, Richard answered quietly.
I understand that you care about him, Richard. You are a very caring boy. But you cannot be overly sentimental. He is your brother. But he will not be ruler. Do not depend on Edmund, Richard. I should never have let you boys grow so reliant on one another, Prince George mused softly. Now then, go and finish up your lessons, son. I will have Dax sit with Edmund. He will let us know if there is any change in the boys in Edmunds condition.
Yes, father.
Youre wrong, father, Edmund had thought. Richard needs me and I need him! He had tried to reach out to Richard, but his voice so little he couldnt his head hurt too much. Richard? Dont leave me Richard!
His head hurt again, Edmund realized as the piercing pain brought his mind back to the present. God, it felt like it felt like the gun! His whole damn body hurt. Was he shot? Edmund struggled against the darkness and the fog, trying to remember. Focus! A weak groan escaped his lips with the effort. Still so thirsty.
Edmund? Edmund! Voices. Those were voices. All he could manage was another groan. Or had he? Was it in his head? Edmund focused on listening.
Cassie, you need to have a doctor look at you. Let Rick take a look at you, baby.
Just stop it Jeffrey. Im fine. A womans voice. Familiar good familiar. Like aural droplets of sunshine warming him to the core of his being. I am not leaving him. I am not leaving Edmund until I know hes okay, Jeffrey. Dont ask me again. Please.
Cassie! Edmunds heart lightened, the pain in his head eased a little and Edmund knew if he could, he would be smiling. Even through the pain.
Im sorry, Cassie. I didnt mean I wouldnt have It wasnt on purpose, okay? You believe that, dont you? Cassie? Cmon, baby, I want to help. Tell me how to help, Jeffrey asked, in his usual gruff manner.
Dont you think youve helped enough with your caveman tactics? She sounded angry. Why couldnt you just let Edmund handle it Jeffrey? Edmund was getting through to Jonathan. He did so much he and now Cassies voice faltered. Why did you have to why did you have to try to be the big hero? her voice wavered again, trembling with emotion. Why Jeffrey?
The room was quiet, save the background sound of the medical apparatus. No answer from Jeffrey.
If you want to help, go find a nurse, Jeffrey. I think Edmunds in pain. And get Rick. I want to know what theyve decided. Please. Cassie paused, waiting, but Edmund didnt hear Jeffrey move to leave. Look, Im sorry I got angry. Please. Just go. Go Jeffrey.
Alone at last, Edmund smiled to himself. He felt Cassies small, warm hand in his and he imagined bringing it up to his lips, kissing each delicate finger. He tried to return her grasp. Cmon, concentrate man, Edmund commanded as he tried to force his hand to respond. Christ! A blinding white hot pain arced across the front of his head. Every nerve ending in his body lit up like Guy Fawkes night, convulsing, and he felt himself shutting down again. No!
Someone, quick, help! he heard Cassie cry out.
Moments later, Edmund drowned back into the swirling, nauseating darkness as the acrid taste of whatever drugs theyd injected into him rose up at the back of his throat. Bloody hell! There was definitely something very wrong with him.
