A/N: Up how early on a Saturday? Yep...adulting is not all it's cracked up to be.
AER: Poor Lizzie indeed.
TheRanger'sDaughter: Keep waiting :) Maybe you will get lucky.
Aubrey: Calvin's an idiot. Yeah...not the most calming chapters. This one will be easier. Your quick explanation sounds about right.
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.
Robin walked with her mother's hand on her arm to the medical wing. Russ had been recruited early that morning to assist Warden in security duties, leaving Robin to guide their mother. Robin didn't mind the task. She wanted to be close to her family after Elizabet's news, and her mother's work was important. She now had four patients whose care she was charged with: Lorelei, Kane, Maggie, and Tammy. Her own recovery was charged to the Royal Head Physician, an older man who had been trying to sway her to Hibernia full time for years.
They'd started the morning with Tammy, who required the least attention. Her bruises and swelling had improved with time and both her eyes would open now. Her split lip still looked nasty, but it'd be that way for a while. Gabby gave her a balm to fight infection and a tonic for pain during the day. At night lying still it wasn't such a big problem.
They'd moved to Maggie next. Daniel and Julia had a rough night trying to get their daughter to sleep rather than watch the hourglass. Will, of course, arrived hours before sunrise to help watch over her. Will still had the bulk of warmweed supply. Gabby sat with Maggie for an hour questioning her about favorite foods and activities and memories with her cousins. Connecting her back to reality was proving a difficult task. She stayed in her sleeping gown yet again. Gabby suggested they bring the other little girls in to play with her after her next dose. Now that Mara was there Maggie may be more willing to participate in their games, as loyalty to Mara is what got her into this mess.
Now they were heading for Lorelei. They'd have lunch with Kane and then make the rounds all over again.
"Is Russ still upset about the name you found?" Gabby asked. Robin didn't have to spend too much time thinking about which name her mother referred to.
"He's curious is all," Robin answered. "It was a shock to find Grandma Talia's name there."
Gabby sighed. Robin paused to let a group of apprentices carrying buckets go by.
"Mum, why didn't Grandma Talia choose him?"
"That's a question for your grandmother, Robin."
"But you know the answer."
"It isn't my place. Leave it."
Robin knew her mother wouldn't give her an answer so she did just that. She walked the rest of the way to Lorelei's room. A physician's assistant was already there, standing quietly in the corner waiting for Gabby to arrive. Gabe stood up and moved his chair away from her bed so it wouldn't be in their way. Robin moved her mother's hand to the assistant's arm and retreated to a corner with Gabe while they worked.
"She's looking better," Robin whispered to him. Gabe nodded.
"She is," he agreed.
The two watched as the assistant changed Lorelei's bandages and cleaned her wounds. Gabby herself didn't touch Lorelei, as the burns were still sensitive. Instead, Gabby mixed the necessary medicines while her assistant did the legwork.
"How are you doing?" Robin asked once her mother was engrossed in measuring.
"Alright," he whispered. "Not great, but…alright."
Robin nodded. "How's your sister?"
Gabe shrugged. "She hasn't really talked to anyone. I went to see her this morning but Tammy said she was still sleeping. I noticed her walking out, but…it didn't seem like the right time."
"I can't imagine what she's going through."
Robin said the words before she thought them through. Gabe bit his lip as he looked back to Lorelei. He could imagine what Elizabet was going through. He'd probably been imagining it for a while now.
"Sorry," Robin whispered.
"It's alright," Gabe said with a deep breath. "Lorelei's showing promise of recovery."
Robin smiled. "That's great, Gabe. Really."
Gabe shook his head. "Her family hasn't come to visit in days. I mean, her mother visited but it was just for a half hour or less. It's like they've already cut her off."
"I'm sure that's not the case," Robin assured him though she had no idea if it was true or not.
"How long do you plan to stick around Hibernia?"
Robin shrugged. "I'm tasked with helping Mum oversee the training of Caitlyn's apprentices and management of the research facilities. I suppose I'll be here as long as my mother is."
"Your hair is starting to grow out."
Robin smirked at his sudden change in demeanor. "I think I'll let it. I sort of miss having long hair."
"Gabe?" Gabby asked as she finished up with Lorelei.
"Yes?" Gabe answered, coming forward.
"I'm going down to Kane's room. As soon as she wakes again run for me, alright?"
"Yes," Gabe agreed. "Do you think we can stop the chloroform?"
"I want a better gauge of her pain before I answer that," Gabby told him. "But if she can manage, yes. She'd still need a great deal of sleep, mind you. I'd switch her to a tea to help her rest."
"Thank you," Gabe said, taking her good hand in his. "Is there any way I can repay you?"
"Get some rest yourself," Gabby answered. "You sound like you didn't sleep at all last night."
Robin searched his eyes. He was good at hiding his tiredness, but her mother was right. Now that Robin was paying attention she could see he hadn't slept in a while.
"Thank you," Gabe repeated.
"Robin?" Gabby asked, reaching out her good hand. Robin took it, nodded to Gabe, and led her mother to her father's room. He should be allowed to go home today…or, at least to the guest room in Mason and Scout's apartment. He still rested partially propped up in his bed, as he had since being put there.
"Ladies," he greeted them. Robin smiled, guiding her mother's hand to his arm before circling to his other side.
"How are you feeling?" Gabby asked.
"Better," Kane assured her, kissing her hand before relaxing his arm with their fingers intertwined. "How's the arm?"
Gabby smiled. Robin sometimes felt she was intruding on her parents. They were more open with their affection than other couples she knew. Not open in the way Prince Frey and Princess Rosalina back in Araluen were affectionate, but something…softer. They were perfect. Robin wanted to have that with someone one day.
"Robin?" Kane said in a tone that clearly meant he'd already said her name once…maybe twice.
"Hm?" Robin looked up to him.
"Would you go and get us something for lunch?"
Oh. Lunch. Right. In Araluen, the medical wing ordered trays and a convoy of maids and apprentices brought them up. Here, maids brought trays around at a set time and only at that time. If patients wanted food before or after that time, it was up to their loved ones to do it. Or, if they were liked enough by staff, a maid may run down on her break. Or, in their case, a daughter. Robin nodded to her father.
"I'll be back soon, Mum," she told her mother. Robin knew this errand was partly so her parents could be alone, so she took a longer route to the dining hall. Robin hummed to herself while filling a basket from the table made up with sandwiches meant for those who needed to eat on the run.
"Hungry?" a voice behind her asked. Robin didn't have to turn to know who it belonged to.
"Afternoon, Your Grace. Slumming it with the commoners today?"
Hazen only laughed. "My parents recruited me to get things for the girls to have a picnic in Mara's bedroom."
"How is Mara?" Robin asked. "Is she upset about having to give up her room?"
"No. I think she and Anne are actually planning to make a case to spend the night together."
"Oh? With Maggie?"
"No. With your family."
Robin laughed. "Dad's first night with Mum? I think Russ and I will actually be looking for alternative arrangements."
"Is that meant to be crude?"
Robin rolled her eyes. "Your Grace!" she teased, exaggerating her appalled expression.
Hazen chuckled. "Really, though. How's your family?"
"We're all well," Robin assured him. "Yours?"
"All are well as well," Hazen answered.
"How articulate you are, Your Grace."
Robin took her basket and faced Hazen. He smiled down at her.
"I'll see you around, Robin."
"See you around, Hazen."