After the Worst

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 2nd June 2014

Characters: Karhal, Loella
Description: Karhal and Loella grieve.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 6, day 25 of Turn 7

Karhal

Loella

It hadn't been nice or easy at all but now they were along and she
held onto his hand like she was never going to let it go. Her eyes
were filled with tears so that she could barely see his face more than
a blur.

She felt empty in a way she never had before in her life. "I'm so
sorry," she whispered.

"Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong." Karhal's voice was
low and hoarse. He had not left her side throughout the entire ordeal.
Now his face was pale and haggard with dark shadows under his eyes.
The Healers that had attempted to pull him away for his own
examination had been unpleasantly refused. Still pressing her hand
against his brow, Karhal looked up at Loella and his lips thinned. It
was his own fault for not being able to fight against Crolarin; for
not working to gain his strength faster.

"But I'm still sorry I lost our baby," her voice broke on the last
word. Her other hand pressed against her lower abdomen where there had
been movement only hours before. Empty now... her chin quivered.

"It wasn't your fault." Karhal laid his hand on her cheek and stood to
press his brow against hers, his eyes closed. His chest ached and he
felt so tired. Tired, but angry. He wanted to rage; he wanted to howl
his loss, but buried it in favor of attempting to remain strong for
his wife. "It was never your fault."

Her hand went to his cheek and tears ran down her own. "I just can't
believe he's gone," she said. For the healers had told her it had been
a boy, the son Karhal had wanted all these turns.

Karhal closed his eyes tightly, his jaw tense enough to nearly crack.
His bruised throat worked as he swallowed. He couldn't speak and
couldn't envision the small baby that had been ripped from them. A
surge of guilt swept through him and he resolved never to be so weak
to not protect his wife again.

Loella turned toward Karhal and held on to him for support. "I can't
lose you," she whispered into his ear. "Please take care of yourself."
She could read him well enough to see that his pain over the loss was
at least as difficult to bear as hers. "I love you," she added.

He gave a shaky exhale and wrapped his arms around her as much as he
could to hold her tight. "You'll not lose me. I'm not going any
where." He took a long slow deep breath and kissed her brow, burying
his pain to take care of the present. "How long until I can bring you
home?"

"I should only be here a few hours. They want to make sure the
bleeding has... stopped." Her voice broke on the last word. "Have the
healers checked you yet?" Her brows were drawn together in concern as
she fingered the bruise on his neck. "It doesn't look good."

"It's only a bruise." And he was hoarse and his throat felt swollen,
but it was to be expected; the bruising had been deep. "There's not
much they can do but cold compresses." The break in her voice nearly
broke him, but he mastered his control, though he touched her hand
lightly with his. "As soon as you're able, I'll take you home." He
planned on simply holding her in their bed as long as he could.

Loella scooted toward the opposite edge of the bed to make some room
for him. "Lay with me," she whispered. She needed him like she needed
food or air. Beyond that she needed him close. Her eyes misted
pleading with him to get on the bed with her.

He looked at the narrow bed and slid next to her, wrapping his arms
around her firmly her head tucked securely against his shoulder and
his cheek resting against the top of her head. He closed his eyes
tightly and just held her as close as he could.

She cried.

Last updated on the June 17th 2014

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After the Worst