I stood nervously outside my bedroom door waiting for the doctor to come out and tell me how he was. He had to be okay, he just had to be. I knew that I wouldn't be able to do this on my own. I needed him, heaven knows I needed him.

The door slowly opened and Doctor Peters came out, he looked at me with sadness in his eyes. I knew that the news wouldn't be good.

"How is he?" I asked.

"Your husband is a very sick man; I'm not going to lie to you. It doesn't look good."

"What is it?"

"That's the problem Ariel, I'm not sure. His fever is quite high and no matter what I do I can't seem to get it lower. The good news is that the fever doesn't seem to be climbing, but it's not breaking either."

I looked to the ground. "Can I see him?" I asked.

"In your condition I don't recommend it, but I can't stop you. Just be careful." He said before putting his hand on my shoulder and giving it a small squeeze and then turning to leave.

I walked in slowly glancing at our bed that Eric laid still in. He looked so small and helpless. I hadn't yet told him that I was pregnant. We had only been married six months, and I was going to tell him few days ago but then this happened.

It was two nights ago just before supper. We had gone out for a stroll on the beach outside the castle. We weren't saying much just enjoying the quiet peacefulness of the evening walking hand in hand. We stood under the pier and looked into each other's eyes. I could see something was wrong, I just didn't know what.

"Eric, you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just have a slight headache. Nothing to worry about it will pass." He said with a small smile.

"Maybe we should go back. Besides it's almost supper time."

He just smiled at me. "Ariel, have I told you today that I love you?"

I gave a little chuckle, "You did this morning, just like you do every morning."

"It's true you know."

"I know. I love you too." I said with a smile.

We then went back home and the rest of the evening seemed fine. I could tell though that Eric's headache hadn't gotten any better. Eric had retired to bed early that night. I knew that his head must have really been bothering him. I thought it better to tell him my good news when he was feeling better.

That night I was awakened by the sound of harsh coughs coming from Eric. I rolled over turning towards him, he still seemed to be sleeping. He looked like he was in pain though and uncomfortable. I reached up and touched his forehead, for I did expect maybe he had a bit of a fever. I pulled back quickly when I felt the heat radiate from him.

"Eric?" I whispered gently nudging him.

He groaned a little but still didn't open his eyes.

I looked at him worryingly, but didn't really know what I could really do. I got out of bed and got a washbowl filling it with cool water, and got a cloth. I then returned to the bedroom and quietly pulled a chair next to the bed setting the washbowl on the night stand gently careful not to wake Eric.

I looked upon Eric in the pale moonlight shinning from the large window in our room. He looked so pale, it was strange in the short time I was gone, and he seemed to look worse than he did before. I gently placed a damp cloth on his forehead wiping it lightly. He moved a little turning toward me.

"Ariel?" He quietly said, his eyes still closed.

"I'm right here Eric." I whispered.

"Ariel?" He repeated almost softly calling out for me.

His breaths were starting to stagger a bit and then he began to hoarsely cough. Coughs racked from his chest and his sides doubling from each retching cough. It broke my heart to see him like this. I couldn't remember ever seeing anyone this ill, and became so, so quickly.

I sat with a while but then retired to the room next door and lay down a while. I woke a while later with the sun shining brightly into the room. I rose and went to our bedroom where Eric laid still asleep. I went over to him gently touching his forehead to see how his fever was. He seemed worse than he had in the night.