Leaping from his chair to the next room almost instantly, he took complete charge. Rilian followed him, and the doctor came last. He was clearly unhappy with the king's decision, but knew better than to speak once Rilian had decided. The man grunted but obeyed. Eustace was quickly being surrounded by servants trying to carry out his orders.
"Alright, we are going to have to clear all this away. We'll also need more light in here. You there," Eustace called to one of the maids. "What's your name?"
"Rosaleen," she answered awkwardly.
"Rosaleen, I need you to have that table cleared and moved over here, along with a chair. Then go down to the kitchens and bring up three of the sharpest knives they have - about this size," he held up his hands. "But the smaller the better. Have you got that?" Rilian observed that the poor girl couldn't have been more than sixteen and looked terrified at these orders, but she curtsied and left.
Rosaleen wasn't the only one to be scared by Eustace's commands, Jill became quickly aware of what was happening. "Rilian?" she called nervously. He went to her side. "What's going on?"
"Eustace is going to be looking after you. The doctor, he, and I all discussed it, and he feels that the only way to proceed is to-"
"You don't mean he's going to- to-" her objection was interrupted by another pain. She clung to Rilian's hand and shut her eyes to the numerous maids and man servants now buzzing around them.
Eustace was scrubbing his hands over at the wash basin, then came towards her as he was still drying his hands. He spoke very slowly and gently to her. "It'll be alright, Jill. I promise you. I do know what I'm doing. I won't let anything happen to you." He took another step forward. "Do you trust me?" he asked. Jill looked around helplessly - at the servants, the doctor, her husband… she didn't speak, but nodded her answer.
"Okay then," he said softly. "Just lie still for the moment." He stepped back away from the bed and returned to giving orders. "Rilian, I'm going to ask you to step outside. And could you find out what is keeping that lad with the hot water? Roseleen, I want you to set up the knives on this table - lay a clean sheet on top first - and I'll need the knives, a candle, and the water when it comes. Marilee, have you got the needle and - excellent. Help Rosaleen with setting up the table please. Why aren't those drapes opened yet? Well will somebody see to that? Doctor, please bring in my book from the next room…" he was still organizing everything when Rilian shut the door.
Dear Aslan, let this be the right decision.
Meanwhile, Jill was trying as hard as she could to remain calm. "How bad is this going to be, Scrubb?" She asked. He didn't answer. "Scrubb?"
"Put the water here, thank you Doctor. Now, I want the entire room cleared. Please get everyone out of here. Oh, Rosaleen, you can stay, I'll need you. And the midwife. Everyone else, please go."
"Scrubb?"
Eustace finally exhaled, and went towards the bed. He looked her in the eye. "It's not going to be easy."
"But you do know what you're doing," she said somewhat worriedly.
"I know exactly what to do."
"Alright," she breathed. "Alright, let's do it." Eustace leaned forward and kissed her forhead. The midwife came forward carrying a bottle of some sort. Jill didn't know what was in it, and didn't want to ask.
"Oh, yes. Now, give her some of that - enough to knock her out if you can."
"WHAT!" Jill would have screamed if she had the strength.
"Pole, believe me, you don't want to be awake for this."
Just outside the king of Narnia was nearly crazy with worry. By now the whole of Cair Paravel knew what was happening, but everyone stayed respectfully out of sight. Every now and then a maid would appear and ask quietly if there was any news.
No, a guard would whisper. Lord Eustace had taken over about thirty minutes ago and there'd been no sound since. Would his Majesty care for some dinner or anything? No. Nothing. But everyone else was welcome to go.
Then the household was eating downstairs and the upstairs hall was practically empty. The only two left besides Rilian were Trumpkin and Lord Rupert, his chief advisor. Trumpkin didn't handle stairs too well anymore so he had a tray set up that he and Rupert were sharing. They tried to get the king to join them, but he couldn't eat. He was happy just pacing.
"Whistles and whirligigs, Rilian, have some patience and settle down."
"How can I when she's in-"
"Do you think she's the first person in Narnia to have a baby? Why I remember the day you were born how your father acted." This peaked Rilian's curiosity and he came over.
"How did he act?" asked Rupert.
"Well you have to remember he was older. He and your mother had waited a long time for a son."
"Was he really worried?" asked Rilian.
"Oh, lion love you, he was the calmest of us all. He actually just sat there reading a book from the library."
"He brought a book?" Rupert laughed.
"Not everyone has the patience or strength to go around pacing for three hours." At this point Rilian had to acknowledge the truth in that and sat down.