~By the Lion's Mane: See You Again~

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Caspian returned that evening, having ridden to the nearest town inhabited by a doctor to summon him. They entered the chamber, Caspian pulling off his rain soaked cloak and draping it across a chair. The physician stepped in after him.

He was middle-aged, maybe about forty-five, his formerly black hair thinning and graying. He had a close-cropped beard and frown lines. He was the picture of a typical Telmarine man.

“My most gracious Queen Rosaline,” he said as a way of greeting, bowing slightly.

I dipped my head in acknowledgement, waiting nervously in my plain green dress, my hands laced together in front of my growing belly.

Caspian came over, dripping a bit of rainwater on me as he gave me a reassuring hug. He nodded to the doctor, who placed his bag on the table near the crackling fire.

“If you would please lie down on the chaise please, Your Highness,” the doctor asked as he took out his instruments.

I did as he told me, and Caspian stood by the fire, probably to warm himself after being soaked in freezing rain. Dr. Rishka, as I learned his name to be, came over and took my pulse, looked in my eyes, ears, and mouth. He tested my reflexes and felt my joints.

“Could you describe your symptoms to me, Your Grace?” he asked as he put away his things.

I hesitated, and then said, “I’ve been sick nearly every morning, but then feel fine later.”

He nodded. “Have experienced any weariness or faintness?” I nodded, noticing he never really looked directly at me when speaking. I wasn’t sure if this was because of my status, or because I was a woman. Telmarines didn’t approve of strong-willed women, of which I was one, and it was taking them some time to get used to me.

He next inquired, not looking at me at all as he busied himself rifling through his bag, “And… your monthly illness?”

I felt my face flush at this personal question, and I looked down at my feet. “I-I haven’t…I haven’t had it for awhile,” I muttered. How embarrassing to have to talk about this with a stranger!

Dr. Rishka nodded and took of his spectacles, turning to Caspian. “Well, thank Aslan that your wife, and our queen, is well. Her condition, if you will, is probably one to be celebrated.”

Caspian feigned looking confused, and I chewed my nails to hide a sudden small smile. Perhaps he should have been in the theater, I thought to myself.

Dr. Rishka continued. “Her illness in the mornings is nothing unusual, and you should expect it to continue for another month or two. You should also expect that certain foods may disagree with you, even if you formerly enjoyed them. I advise you to get plenty of rest, to drink tea to settle your stomach, and not to exert yourself as long as your condition continues.”

“And what is her condition, sir?” Caspian goaded, continuing the act.

Dr. Rishka began to gather his things, but paused to answer. “Your wife will, in a matter of months, possibly provide you with an heir. She is in a family way.”

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Caspian and I asked the doctor to keep quiet for now, because we wanted to wait a while before it was made known that I was expecting. After all, I was reminded, a safe pregnancy was not always guaranteed, and in the medieval world of Narnia, did not always end in the birth of a healthy baby.

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A/N: Sorry for the short chapter! And thank you for the lovely comments on the last one :)