Perhaps she should have held her tongue and not made him think sad thoughts today. His burden is already heavy enough without her piling more on top.
He holds her for a time, and neither of them speaks.
“Why don’t we check on Elowyn?” she eventually says as she traces a circle on his leg with the pad of her thumb. “And perhaps see what you might do for King Gerault’s rheu...rheum—”
“Rheumatism, I believe she called it.”
“How do you spell that?”
That draws a laugh from her elf prince. “I have no idea.”
Healed and Runed
Episode 118
Rominylooksupfromhis book of Elvish fables when the door opens, and Father steps quietly inside.
“I suppose I should start knocking,” Father whispers with a chuckle.
Rominy returns his smile. “You mean I might get to enjoy a private moment with my wife in the real world again soon?”
“The thought of my Rominy with a wife makes me wonder where the years have gone.” Father shakes his head wistfully as he lowers himself to the chair near Rominy. He winces on the way down, and Rominy forces back a sigh.
Where have the years gone, indeed?
“You and I need to talk,” Father says, and Rominy sets aside his book. That’s Father’s business voice. The one he uses when he’s acting as king.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing aside from the fact that I left everything to be here when you needed me. And without my right-hand man in Levina to stand in my stead as he does so well, I need to return soon.”
“You’re talking about me, aren’t you?”
“There’s no one I trust more to take my place, Rominy. But you have other duties to see to now, and I believe youpromised the future Queen of Nunia a tour of the elven Kingdom of Lostariel.”
There’s a twinkle in Father’s eyes, and a smile twitches Rominy’s lips. “I may have done that.”
“It will be good for you to see more of the world while you can. I’ll manage without you for a while.”
“Are you sure?”
Father laughs. “I’m slowing down, but I like to think myself more or less competent still.”
“Of course. I didn’t mean—”
Father holds up a hand. “When you return, I may hand more of the day-to-day running of the kingdom over to you, though. I think you’re ready.”
“Well, that’s not terrifying.”
“You will do fine. I have complete faith in you. But take your time coming home, all right? Enjoy being young and free for a little longer.”
Rominy glances at Elowyn beside him. “I’ll try.”
“I’ll return to Levina in the morning. But if you need me, I will be on a train before you can mangle another word of Elvish in Elowyn’s ear.”
That draws out Rominy’s smile again. “Thank you. For everything.”
Before Father can respond, the door opens. So much for privacy.
