Note: This is a very, very revamped version of my story 'All the Things I Should've Given.' The title, as well as the chapter titles, come from the C. Day Lewis poem 'Walking Away.' Special thanks to Mokatster, who said the original fic was good but needed some work, and then graciously looked over this a year later.
Wrenched from its orbit
He was perfect, down to his tiny nose. She beamed at the little bundle, stroking his soft cheek. He didn't open his eyes, but rather slept contently in her arms. She huddled under the covers, exhaustion and happiness flooding her body. Such work for such a little thing!
"My dear Rilian." Silence returned her gentle call. The little boy turned in his bundling, snuggling closer to her. She sighed happily and closed her eyes. Nothing else seemed needed, nothing else mattered.
The door creaked open suddenly, and her eyes flew open to see the nurse and Caspian. She smiled weakly at them before the nurse walked over and gently pulled Rilian from her arms.
She didn't want to let him go, not yet. She held out her hands in a feeble protest. He was her baby, after all – she had labored for him, sweated hours to bring him to life. And this woman was callously handing him around!
The nurse placed Rilian in Caspian's arms, the baby stirring from his sleep. Rilian's arms opened, reached out from his blanket. She feared that he would cry, the first time that heart-wrenching sound would come from him. But he didn't. He reached out for his father, and Caspian lightly took his hand. The king smiled. "My boy."
She dropped her hands, her worry gone. Of course the baby would recognize his father – how silly of her to worry. Caspian would know what to do, he always did. He held the baby close to him, smiling brightly at him, just as she had moments ago.
No matter how much she loved Caspian, she felt a little sting at him keeping the baby so close to him so far from her. He hadn't labored fourteen hours to give this little boy life. Just a few things here or there, and then wait for nine months.
She fell back into her pillows, crossing her arms. She realized the little boy couldn't be hers alone.
"We'll be back in a bit, Love," Caspian whispered, as he walked over and kissed her forehead. She smiled meekly as she watched them leave her bedroom, walking away.