It seemed he'd been waiting an interminable length of time. In fact, it was only moments. He couldn't move. He was struck by how suddenly his world had changed. As he held her in his arms and looked upon her pallid body, a series of images flashed through the Sheriff's mind. The first time he saw her, their first kiss, the time he found her in the north when she was near dying the first time. Every happy, intimate, even unpleasant moment they ever spent together suddenly appeared in his mind. Is this what it all boils down to? He thought. I waited all those years for a love that was real and true, and this is how it all ends?
"No." He said aloud. He looked down at Rhiannon. "Stay with me, damnit!" He shouted. For perhaps the first time in his entire life he felt tears form in his eyes. "Don't you dare leave me, Rhiannon! You have so much to live for. More than you know." The Sheriff said. He started to tremble. He knew in his gut she wasn't listening, but he decided to try anyway.
"Don't make me raise our child without you. I'm not sure I'll be a good enough father on my own. I need you. We need you. Stay with me! Come on, Rhiannon, fight!" He begged her.
She looked ghastly. Her skin was pure white and now cool and clammy. Her lips were losing colour. They went from pink to a pale shade of purple. He was frightened. He wanted to do something but he needed to stay to apply pressure to her wound. He looked up toward the door. Where the hell was everybody?
Luke and Mortianna were the first to appear. "What is it, my Lord?" Mortianna asked as she came into the room.
"She's been knifed!" The Sheriff exclaimed. "What I really need in here is my physician, but there's something you can do for me." The Sheriff said. He nodded for her to come closer. Mortianna eyed him suspiciously but advanced toward him.
"I've sent for Thomas and Lady Margaret. They will be here soon. In the meantime, I need you to hold her wound." The Sheriff said with his eyes downcast. "I fear she's slipping away. I don't want to feel it when her blood runs cold." The Sheriff said solemnly. He looked up at her. "You understand?"
"Yes." Mortianna said. She smiled and motioned for him to give her some space. He stood then went to the other side of the bed. Mortianna sat on the bed and began to carry out her task.
A few moments later Lady Margaret appeared with the page. She ran into the private chambers. She was surprised when she took in the scene before her. The Sheriff came toward her.
"My Lord?" Lady Margaret inquired as she looked to Lady Rhiannon.
"I need your help. I'm waiting for my physician to arrive but she needs attention. My lady was stabbed." The Sheriff said.
Lady Margaret walked slowly toward the bed and placed her bag on a chair nearby. "What was she stabbed with?" Lady Margaret asked.
"A dagger." He replied.
"It is not still inside of her?" Lady Margaret asked, for she could see Mortianna applying pressure.
"No." The Sheriff said.
"Then I need to work quickly." Lady Margaret said.
Just then two servants appeared. One carried a basin of water, the other one carried a basin filled with rags. Lady Margaret turned and questioned the one carrying the water.
"Is that water boiled?" Lady Margaret asked.
"No, Madam." The girl replied.
"I need boiled water!" Lady Margaret exclaimed. "Oh, never mind. Just bring me a clean blanket to lay the lady upon, some torches for light, and some clean towels." Lady Margaret directed. The girl nodded, and both of them went to carry out the task.
Lady Margaret looked to Mortianna. "I need boiled water – a lot of it. You have a cauldron in your apothecary don't you?"
"Why, yes." Mortianna said.
Lady Margaret went to the basin of water the servant had just placed on the table and began to wash her hands. The Sheriff watched her curiously wondering what her plan was. She certainly seemed to know what she was doing. Lady Margaret dried her hands then moved toward the bed. She nodded to Mortianna to discontinue providing pressure.
"I'll take over now. I need you to do something for me." Lady Margaret began. "Bring me a basin of boiled water, and a flask of wine as fast as you can!" The midwife directed.
Mortianna nodded and went back toward her apothecary. Lady Margaret turned her head and called to Luke.
"You!" She called out to him.
He looked up. "Yes?" Luke replied.
"Get me my bag – at once!" She directed. She nodded to the chair where she had set it down. He picked it up and brought it to her.
"The gauze too." She said.
He brought the basin of rags over to her. She picked a couple of them up and began to mop at the blood.
"My Lord!" Lady Margaret said. He turned toward her.
"Yes, Lady Margaret, what is it?"
"I need light – now!"
He grabbed a torch off the wall and brought it over to her.
"There – hold it right above the wound. I need to see what has been cut inside of her." She directed the Sheriff to hold the wound with his free hand for a moment using the clean rags. Lady Margaret tore at Lady Rhiannon's gown so she could get a better look in the area, and to keep the gown away from the site. Then she took over from the Sheriff. She used the gauze rags to mop at the blood. Using them she gently pried the wound edges apart to get a better look inside. Rhiannon began to cry out in a torturous moan.
"My lady?" The Sheriff said as he continued to hold the torch above her.
Her eyes opened briefly. She wasn't looking at anyone. He could see she was in a faraway place. Suddenly she began to speak, though it was very faint.
"My Lord…you must come quick! I'm bleeding…our child!" Rhiannon whispered weakly.
He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. She was finally remembering their child. Or was she?
"Yes, my angel." The Sheriff whispered. "Our child needs you. I need you." He said. It was no use. She was unconscious again.
Lady Margaret took some clean rags to the wound. "I need someone to keep these rags coming, and I need them clean!" She looked to Luke. "Tell the servants to bring me plenty of clean rags. And make sure you emphasize the importance of 'clean'." She instructed.
Luke went on his way, then Mortianna appeared with the basin of boiled water and a flask of wine positioned under her arm held close to her body. Lady Margaret directed her to place them on the table beside the bed.
"Look in my bag." Margaret said to Mortianna. "You'll find a small needle in there and thread. Take them out for me, and get me two clamps as well."
"What are you going to do?" The Sheriff asked.
"The artery of her liver has been severed. I can hold it until the physician arrives with what I have. But she'll need to have the procedure repeated when he comes." She explained.
"What do you mean?" He asked with his eyebrow raised.
"I have the wrong thread. It will hold for a little while but eventually it will be insufficient. She needs catgut." Lady Margaret announced, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"Catgut?" The Sheriff asked rather bewildered.
"Thread made from catgut is the recommended suture for repairing internal injuries." Lady Margaret said.
"You're sure?" The Sheriff said suspiciously.
"Yes. Your physician will confirm that when he arrives." Lady Margaret said confidently.
The servant girls reappeared with another torch, more rags, and a clean blanket and towels. They were accompanied by Luke. Lady Margaret directed the Sheriff and Luke to lift Lady Rhiannon onto the clean blanket she placed on the bed. Then Mortianna showed the midwife the items she had requested. Lady Margaret nodded.
"Drop the needle and the clamps in the basin of boiled water for me." She directed. Mortianna did so, then she looked to Lady Margaret.
Lady Margaret nodded to the flask of wine on the bedside table. "Pour the wine upon my hands and over the lady's wound." Lady Margaret said. Both Mortianna and the Sheriff looked at her oddly, but Mortianna obeyed notwithstanding.
Luke brought the basin of rags over toward Lady Margaret. She dropped some bloodied rags to the floor and replaced them with clean ones from the basin that Luke held out to her. The Sheriff suddenly noticed the page still standing there in the corner.
"Where is my physician?" The Sheriff demanded of the page.
"Oh his way, sir." The page said without looking up at him. He was too busy watching what Lady Margaret was doing.
"That doesn't tell me anything!" The Sheriff spat. "No go, you little runt! What do you think this is? Entertainment?"
The page left the chambers hurriedly. The Sheriff turned back to observe the midwife. Lady Margaret took the needle and threaded it while Mortianna applied pressure to the wound. Then Lady Margaret began the task. As she began to sponge more deeply at the blood, Rhiannon began to stir again, though she never opened her eyes.
"Oh…God!" Rhiannon moaned.
The Sheriff was still holding the torch. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. He was just beginning to feel sick.
"No!" Rhiannon cried out, her eyes still closed.
"It must be done, my lady." Lady Margaret said. "Just bear with me." She soothed.
Within ten minutes time, Lady Rhiannon was no longer protesting. The pile of bloody rags on the floor was ever increasing.
"More rags!" Lady Margaret called out. Luke brought the supply of them to her.
She grabbed some clean ones, mopped the area and tried again at the sewing. "This is not holding." Lady Margaret said with a frown.
"What?" The Sheriff said.
"The thread is not working." She said.
"But it must!" He said.
"We need Master Crumwell." Lady Margaret sighed. "I can keep applying pressure with the rags for now. But time is of the essence."
The Sheriff nodded and exhaled a sigh. He began to tremble. He decided to attempt to take his mind off the matter. He was curious to know something.
"How is it you know all of this?" The Sheriff asked her.
"I've been studying in my leisure for a couple of years." Lady Margaret replied without looking up.
"You seem to know what you're doing." The Sheriff began. "So you must know this: tell me, Lady Margaret, what is her time frame?" He asked slowly.
Lady Margaret looked up to meet his gaze. She sighed. "At the rate she's bleeding – maybe an hour." Lady Margaret replied gravely.
The Sheriff had that feeling come over him again. The frightening feeling of his heart being slowly torn from his chest.
"No." The Sheriff whispered as he looked down upon Rhiannon's face. He was beginning to feel rage surface.
Lady Margaret grabbed another wad of rags and pushed them firmly down into Rhiannon's abdominal cavity.
"What are you doing? You'll hurt her!" The Sheriff barked.
"It's the best way to control the bleeding, my Lord. And where she is, she's not feeling anything." Lady Margaret answered quietly.
As the Sheriff continued to hold the torch, he shut his eyes and shook his head. Just as he was about to order Luke to find the physician, they suddenly heard the door open into the den and footsteps fast approaching the private chamber. Within moments, Thomas Crumwell appeared at the doorway. The Sheriff passed his torch to Mortianna and got up to greet Thomas.
"My Lord, what has happened?" Thomas asked.
"My lady was knifed by an intruder. A little over an hour ago. She needs your talents." The Sheriff said.
"Very well." The physician said. He walked toward the bedside and placed his bag on the foot of the bed. Then he turned to Lady Margaret.
"What do you think you're doing Lady Margaret? You've barely covered the topic of anatomy in your lessons!" Thomas scorned.
"I've been studying the teachings of Galen, Hippocrates, and Avenzoar for a few years. The lady needed attention and she needed it at once. Alas, you were nowhere to be found." Lady Margaret replied, unfazed by the public display of criticism.
The Sheriff raised his eyebrow. The lady certainly possessed a great deal of knowledge. He felt relieved that she had been there for Rhiannon in the interim while they waited on the physician. But listening to their banter was rather surreal.
"Did you remove the blade?" The physician asked Lady Margaret.
"No. It had already been removed." Lady Margaret said.
"By her attacker." The Sheriff added. The physician nodded.
"Give me the report." The physican demanded of the midwife.
"Most of the damage was to the muscle, but the hepatic artery has been severed. I tried to repair it but I only have cotton thread. I don't have my silk with me. But she needs catgut. I'm having difficulty controlling the bleeding." Lady Margaret said. She nodded to the pile of bloody rags on the floor.
The tall silver haired physician nodded, then went through his bag and extracted the items he would need. He dropped them in the basin of boiled water. Then he proceeded to wash his hands. The Sheriff felt sick again.
"Did you disinfect the area?" The physician called back to Lady Margaret as he dried his hands.
"Yes. My hands as well." Lady Margaret replied.
"Good." Thomas said. He walked to the bedside and directed Mortianna to pour the wine over his hands. She obeyed. Thomas looked to the Sheriff.
"Why don't you wait in the den, my Lord? I shall come for you." Thomas said.
"She has to be okay. Help her!" The Sheriff implored him.
"We will, my Lord." Thomas reassured.
The Sheriff nodded and walked quietly to the den. He knew that everything was being done for her, but what were her chances? He walked toward the table and poured himself a libation of the tincture of rapture to calm his nerves. He'd never known anyone to survive a mortal knife wound. He prayed she would be the first. He looked up when the door flew open to the den.
"Cousin? What has happened?" Guy inquired.
"How did you know to come here?" The Sheriff asked.
"I heard the servants talking downstairs." Guy said.
"I wasn't going to tell you. You'd cancel your plans if you knew." The Sheriff said.
"Tell me what?" Guy said as he walked closer to the Sheriff.
"Lady Rhiannon was stabbed by Marian earlier. Thomas and Lady Margaret are trying to help her now." The Sheriff said grimly.
"No!" Guy exclaimed. "How?"
"Marian managed to steal into the private chambers and had Rhiannon trapped in there. She knifed Rhiannon, then the little coward took her own life – in front of me, Luke, and Lady Rhiannon. But first she made sure to tell me that she had already won!" The Sheriff spat.
"My! She always was a feisty one, but that just boggles the mind. I thought she was in London?" Guy said.
"So did I - until yesterday. She's lucky she killed herself, because I wouldn't have been so kind about it!" The Sheriff seethed.
"What's her status?" Guy asked regarding Lady Rhiannon.
"It is grave, cousin." The Sheriff said. He went and sat down. He was feeling rather oddly just then. He'd barely touched the brandy, but he was lightheaded with the realization of the grave condition his lady was in. This couldn't be happening! Of all people to end it all for him – Lady Marian! He shook his head and put his hand to his forehead.
"You should go, Guy. Lady Meridwyn will be wondering about you." The Sheriff said as he looked to the floor.
"I will go to her, but we are not leaving." Guy said.
"There's nothing you can do." The Sheriff pointed out.
"No. I'm not leaving you now." Guy said adamantly. "I'm going to speak with my lady, but then I shall return." He added.
"Trust me, you don't want to be around me when they tell me the bad news." The Sheriff warned him.
"You mustn't lose hope, cousin. She is strong." Guy said. Then he turned and left.
The Sheriff took a sip of the brandy then got up and began to pace. He knew he probably deserved this, but he silently begged whatever higher power was bothering to listen to him to spare the life of his bride. If not for him, for the sake of his child. He looked skyward.
"Damn you! Don't do to my child what you did to me! What you also did to my lady!" He said. He knew it was a waste of energy, but he felt slightly better for saying it.
Half an hour later, Thomas emerged from the private chamber. The Sheriff turned and went toward him.
"What news, Thomas?" The Sheriff asked nervously.
"The procedure went smoothly. We fixed the problem. However, your lady has lost a lot of blood." Thomas said.
"What does that mean? She will recover now won't she?" The Sheriff asked.
"She is alive but her condition is still grave." Thomas said.
"When will we know if she will improve?" The Sheriff asked.
"The next twenty four hours are crucial. If she gets through that, her chances will greatly improve." Thomas replied.
The Sheriff nodded. Just then Guy appeared at the doorway. Thomas went to speak to him while the Sheriff went back into the private chamber. He stood at the door with his arms folded a moment before he continued. She was still very pale and her breathing was shallow. Mortianna was taking the instruments away, and Lady Margaret was dressing the wound. She looked up.
"You may enter." Lady Margaret said.
The Sheriff looked at her strangely but knew she probably had good reason for saying what she just did. Though he couldn't think of what that would be. He was too concerned for his lady to correct Lady Margaret that the room, in fact – the castle, was his to enter into! He walked close to the bedside. Lady Margaret finished dressing the wound. Then she stood up and faced him.
"Is she awake?" The Sheriff asked.
"No, my Lord." Lady Margaret replied.
"When will she wake?" He asked.
"That – I cannot answer. It's uncertain how long she'll be like this. Alas, the blood loss was great." She said.
The Sheriff sighed.
"I will give you a few minutes with her but I will return. She needs to be watched overnight, and you need your sleep." Lady Margaret said.
"I shall not sleep." The Sheriff said.
"I know – but I need to observe her." Lady Margaret said.
"Very well." He relented. Lady Margaret took her leave.
The Sheriff sat on the bed beside Lady Rhiannon. He gently lifted her and held her to him. Except for the fact she was breathing, there was no response from her.
"My lady. Oh, my beautiful lady. Fight, damnit! Come on, Rhiannon. I am here!" He begged her.
Nothing.
The Sheriff shook his head. "You will not leave me. Do you hear me? Listen to me, damn you!" The Sheriff demanded.
This was futile! Though he hoped somehow she would hear him. He suddenly remembered how chilled he was when she told him about hearing Mortianna and Lady Margaret talking when she last fell ill about a month ago. She was in a deep sleep, or so it appeared, yet she heard the ladies discussing her condition!
"I know you can hear me, my lady. So hear this: fight! Don't just do it for me. Do it for your child. We have a child, my lady. I need you! Listen to me – do not leave me!" He begged of her.
Just then Lady Margaret came back into the room. The Sheriff looked up and nodded, then went into the den. He walked over to Guy and Thomas.
"Where will you be if I need you?" The Sheriff asked Thomas.
"Right here, my Lord. Lady Margaret and I will be taking shifts to observe your lady overnight. Lady Margaret cannot be expected to stay awake the whole night, and your lady's condition demands we stay alert. I shall be taking over for her when the moon rises." Thomas said.
"Good." The Sheriff said. "I'm pleased to know my lady is being well attended to. Luke, my sentry just outside the door will show you to one of the guest quarters." He added.
The physician nodded and left the chambers. The Sheriff looked to Guy after he left.
"I feel rather sick, cousin." The Sheriff said. He went to sit down on the small sofa.
"I know, my Lord." Guy said.
"How could you know?" The Sheriff asked.
"Because I feel a little ill myself." Guy said. "I never did like that conniving red haired maiden, but I never thought she'd be capable of this!" Guy exclaimed.
"Nice way for her to leave her mark, isn't it?" The Sheriff said sarcastically. "I'd like to kill that little wretch all over again!" He huffed. He sighed then cleared his throat.
"Does Meridwyn know about this?" The Sheriff asked.
"Yes, my Lord. She wanted to come but I told her to stay away. I told her Lady Rhiannon needed complete quiet." Guy replied.
"I see." The Sheriff said. "Good thinking, for I'm sure it will help. Lady Margaret even dismissed me from the chamber."
"Indeed." Guy said. He went over and sat beside the Sheriff.
"What are you doing?" The Sheriff asked, curiously.
"I'm not leaving you now, my Lord?" Guy said.
"But it is your wedding night?" The Sheriff pointed out.
"And you are my family." Guy said. "My lady understands."
The Sheriff slowly shook his head as he looked at Guy rather stunned.
"Have I ever told you I'm glad you're my family?" The Sheriff said.
"Well…now that you mention it…" Guy began. He was cut off.
"Never mind." The Sheriff said. "Just consider that I finally said it."
"Right." Guy replied with a smile.
"Do you think my marriage to Rhiannon is somehow not meant to be?" The Sheriff wondered.
"Why would you say that?" Guy asked.
"Things keep happening that threaten her life." The Sheriff replied. "It's enough to drive one to madness!"
"No, my Lord. I think it's only coincidence. You and Lady Rhiannon are definitely meant to be husband and wife." Guy said.
An hour or so later when Guy was dozing, the Sheriff went back into the private chamber. Lady Margaret was sitting in a chair near the bedside. He nodded to her and sat on the bed. He leaned down and kissed Rhiannon's forehead.
"I am here, my angel. I'll be waiting when you wake up." He whispered into her ear.
Then he went and sat on a chair near the window. He was staring at his lady thinking how disturbing it was to see Rhiannon lying so quiet and motionless. That was the last thing he thought of before he nodded off.
He awoke with a start just before dawn when he realized how long he had slept. His eyes flew open. Thomas was standing at the bedside checking Rhiannon's forehead.
"Thomas? What news?" The Sheriff asked as he stood and walked toward him.
"She survived the night, my Lord. That is a good sign. She seems to be the same." The physician replied.
"Well, is that good then – that she is the same?" The Sheriff asked.
"It's good she hasn't deteriorated, but I would like to see some improvement. I need to get her to drink. I've asked Lady Margaret to bring some wine spiced with cloves. It works to restore the body after the bloodletting procedure. I've never tried it in a case like this however, so I can't promise it will work." Thomas said.
"Do it. Whatever you can think of that will help her." The Sheriff ordered.
"I thought you would say that." Thomas replied.
Within half an hour Lady Margaret returned to the chamber with a flask of wine mulled with cloves. She put it on the bedside table. The Sheriff observed the physician pour a small amount in a goblet. He gently pulled Lady Rhiannon up and held the goblet to her lips.
"Drink, Lady Rhiannon." Thomas said.
There was no response. The physician made a second attempt but it yielded the same response. The Sheriff shook his head, his eyes downcast. Curses!
"We will keep trying, my Lord." Thomas said.
By dusk, she finally had begun to taste the medicinal wine. She hadn't taken much, but it was a start. Shortly after dusk while the Sheriff was sitting on the bed with her, Lady Margaret was there to keep watch over Lady Rhiannon. The Sheriff requested a brief time alone with her. Lady Margaret sighed but finally relented, reminding the Sheriff she would return shortly. He stretched out on the bed beside her propped up by several pillows and held her to him.
"My love, wake up." The Sheriff said. "You must not leave me. I am nothing without you, I know that now!" He pleaded with her. He began to rub her arms - maybe that would help to wake her. She was so pale.
"Rhiannon!" The Sheriff exclaimed as he gently tapped her cheeks. "You must live for me, my Lady Nottingham! Listen to me, damnit! Open your eyes!" He implored her.
There was a light surrounding her and she was floating. Then she stopped. Curious, she looked down. She was startled at the scene she saw. It was her lying on the bed, her lover was holding her and pleading for her to live for him. She smiled and sighed. I will always love you, my sweet prince. And then her journey continued.
She didn't know how she got there. She suddenly just seemed to magically appear. She was in her old home she left behind in the north. She was standing at the doorway walking into their manor. Edward was sitting at the table in the room writing something. There was an aura of light about him. His hair was the same colour as Rhiannon's but his was curly. His skin glowed golden in the light.
"Eddie?" Rhiannon whispered.
He paused and turned to his right. He smiled when he saw her. His blue eyes twinkled. He stood and came toward her. Edward was tall like Robert, but he was broad and muscled.
"Why are we here?" Rhiannon asked.
"You know why, dear sister. This is your vision of heaven." Edward said.
"Where is father and Robert then?" Rhiannon said as she looked around. She began to move to the back of the room toward the hallway but her feet became leaden and the more steps she took, the longer the room became - like a cruel trick of fate. She turned to face Edward.
"What is happening? The light is fading around me!" Rhiannon exclaimed in fear.
"You are not ready. There is still much for you to do." Edward said.
"No!" Rhiannon said. "I've had a full life. I am ready." In her soul she knew she was lying. But she had missed her brother dearly and didn't want to leave him.
Edward came toward her. "My dear sister, you have made me proud." He said. Suddenly she noticed that when he spoke his lips did not move. He only smiled at her while he communicated this to her. Was he doing that before? She couldn't remember. Strangely, she was not frightened by it.
"There is still much you have left to do, Rhiannon. You are going to be a wife, then you shall be a mother. You have other great things in store for you as well." Edward said. "Do not worry about me. I am happy. It is a beautiful plane I exist on. I shall be waiting, but now you must go." He began to fade.
"No! Eddie!" Rhiannon cried. "Don't go! Don't leave me, I am ready!" Next thing she knew she was floating above the bed again looking down upon herself. Her lover was still holding her and talking to her. She was struck by the grief registered in his face. She was torn. She wanted to stay with the Sheriff, and she wanted to follow her brother. Edward's face appeared again as she floated above her own body.
"Right now, your place is down there." Edward said pointing to the bed below them. "Your place is with him, for, he shall be your husband. I will always be with you, my sister. I never left you…" His voice echoed as he began to fade again.
"Eddie! No! Come back to me! Don't leave me…Eddie!" Rhiannon began to cry out softly. The Sheriff was startled.
"Rhiannon! Yes, my angel!" He exclaimed as he held her out to look upon her face.
"Eddie…" She murmured.
He looked upon her curiously. "My lady, it is I, George. Open your eyes!" He commanded.
Her eyes slowly opened. She blinked lazily a few times. Her vision was blurred and it was difficult to focus. Finally she was able to determine her lover's features, though he still was not clear to her.
"George." She whispered. She tried to sit up when a seering sharp pain coursed through her side. "Oh…God!" She cried out. "Damn the gods!" She cursed.
"Rhiannon! Lie back, my angel, you must rest." The Sheriff stated firmly.
"Now I know I'm not dead." Rhiannon blurted after she eased back down to the pillows. "Because there's too bloody much pain for me to be dead! Curses! Did someone brand me with a hot iron?" She muttered weakly.
"No, my love. You were knifed by Lady Marian. Do you remember?" The Sheriff asked. Though he tried not to chuckle. There was the Rhiannon he knew so well!
"No. I remember arguing with her, then you were there. But that is all." She said as her eyes began to close sleepily.
"Lady Margaret and my physician, Thomas saved you." He said.
Rhiannon took a breath, the pain was intense. She was feeling so weakened.
"I'm sure you had something to do with it too." She smiled.
"It doesn't matter. The important thing is you came back to me. You truly gave me a scare." The Sheriff sighed. He cleared his throat. "Rhiannon, when you awakened you were calling out to someone. Tell me, my lady: who is Eddie?" The Sheriff asked.
Her eyes flew open. "I was calling for…Eddie?" She choked out the words.
"Yes. You were telling him to come back to you." The Sheriff said as he gazed into her eyes. "Who is he?" He asked.
Rhiannon sighed. "Eddie is my dead brother. He died before Robert, during battle in the Holy Land." Rhiannon said solemnly.
The Sheriff felt a chill travel up and down his spine. He suddenly recalled her relaying the story about her brothers on the day they first met. But that was the last time she spoke of them, almost a year now. He shuddered. If she was calling to her deceased brother, did that mean she was that close to death a moment ago? He shook his head. He looked down upon her. She was already asleep.
