Edward Craven's Bedroom

I collapse into his arms,"I'm so cold Edward…I'm so cold."

"Oh sh,"Edward whispered worriedly and swept her into his arms. He turned down his bed sheets and laid her under them.

I bury myself into the blankets and cling to the pillows,"I'm so…so tired…"

"Then sleep dear one,"Edward mumbled and held her hand as he sat on the floor by the bed.
"I won't leave you…I'll be right here."

As Elizabeth slept Edward called on a servant and asked him to send note to his wife...

I nod and slip into a fitful sleep as I erupt into the occasional coughing fit…
Finally I awaken and I notice it is dark but I can barely see, everything is a blur and it's so cold, it's so very cold. My chest is heavy, my head is heavy and my body aches. My heart is slow and my faith is very weak.

Edward dozed too as Elizabeth did, all the while holding her hand. Finally he awoke as he heard her struggles for breath,"Lilibet? Are you okay?"

"I won't survive tonight…"

Edward frowned and swallowed back tears,"No, no…no. I forbid it. You speak nonsense, you'll be fine!"

I groan,"Peace, Edward. I do not want…to fight on my death…bed. Oh God…I'm so cold."

"Lilibet-you cannot go,"Edward sobbed and held her hand. How fragile she was. She was always slender, always small…but now she was frail and meagre.

"Well…I am. So…you must know…I love you Edward,"I choke on a light laugh and cough into my pillow,"You were always… my favourite brother."

Edward grumbled,"Shut up Lilibet. I'm not letting you go now-I'll get a doctor-"

"No!" I cough again, oh God…how much it hurts,"No. I don't want to be anymore scared than I am… a doctor will only put the fear… of… God in me and I… that I don't… need. Are…are you…cold? It's so very…cold."

Edward shook his head,"No…"
He then added,"I love you Elizabeth."

I smile weakly,"I love…you too. My…my son…"I begin,"I want…you to raise him…I know…I doubt…William will want…him. I doubt…he even…wanted me at all."
I splutter out a cough and I feel as if I am being stabbed in the chest,"Oh God…"I groan,"You really…must be cold…it's so cold."
"Raise my boy…as a Craven…have him and…your little Thomas…friends…brothers."

Edward nodded silently,"You know he'll be safe with me and I'll love him unconditionally."

"I know…have him with Thomas and Alice's… little Edward and Henry. He'll…he'll like that. And…uh…tell him of me-please…not too much…I don't want him to…to be sad. I'd like it…if…if he was happy…"

He couldn't hold back tears any more,"Of course Lilibet."

"And…when I'm-"another cough that tears through me,"gone…take me home…let me stay there. Bury me with father…he'd, he'd…like that. I know…mother…will be sad…tell her…I was happy…she must be…happy…and that…I'll wait for her…with father…in the region of bliss…we will be together again."

Edward brushed back the flaxen hairs from her warm forehead and tried to smile…

"Bridget? My…maid…give her a years…wage…and…thank her…I have money…make…sure she is comfortable…give her enough to buy…if she wants…her own house…or land…something to keep her safe,"I mumble and hold my chest,"She…is just…a child…keep an…eye…out for her...tell her...she was a...good and...loyal friend."

Edward cried into his hands,"Yes my dearest Lilibet..."

I glance up and cough again. I suddenly want William, I want my William...
"Edward...can you get William?"

"Elizabeth...I think it not wise,"Edward said,"He is young, he is fragile...you don't want him to get ill."

"No...not my son...my William,"I breathe.