Several days later, a sealed letter bearing Lewis’s father’s familiar handwriting rests beside the infirmary bed. His mother, Parsley, and Edwin gather close, while the written questions wait beneath it.
Lewis's mother
It has come at last. We shall read it together, exactly as you wished, and nobody will soften his answer before you hear it.
Parsley steadies the envelope without touching the seal. Edwin draws the questions into a neat row, and Lewis’s mother breaks the wax with careful fingers.
Parsley
Whatever he has written, Lewis, you will not face it alone. We can stop, reread, or leave the letter unfinished whenever you wish.
Edwin
The questions are here, and so are we. His answer may be difficult, but it cannot make your truth less true.
The folded pages open beneath the pale infirmary light. His mother reads the first line silently, then looks toward Lewis, her expression altered by what the handwriting begins to say.
Lewis's mother
He has answered the first question. Shall I read it aloud?
✓ Quest Accepted
Hear Father's answer to the written questions
“Lewis asks her to read them all aloud.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
C. S. Lewis
Please read them all aloud, Mum. I want to hear every answer, even the difficult ones.
His mother nods and unfolds the remaining pages. Parsley keeps one hand near Lewis’s, while Edwin follows the written questions beneath the letter.
Lewis's mother
Your father says he did not send you to Malvern as punishment for telling us about George. He believed discipline and distance might steady you, though he admits he did not ask what you needed.
Lewis's mother
He writes that your silence wounded him, but he now understands that his own silence wounded you more. He is ashamed that he answered your truth with withdrawal.
Her voice falters, but she continues. The pages tremble slightly between her fingers, and no one interrupts or tries to soften the father’s words.
Lewis's mother
He says he loves you, though he has shown it badly. He will come to Malvern if you still wish to see him, and he will answer your questions in person.
Lewis's mother
Finally, he writes that you are not a disappointment. He asks forgiveness for sending you away without understanding what the school might do, and promises not to demand an answer today.
Quest Complete
Hear Father's answer to the written questions
“Lewis cannot help it. The tears start before she even reaches the third question. All of his fears about his father finally beginning to shake free.”
Before his mother reaches the third question, Lewis’s tears begin. They gather silently, then spill across his cheeks as the letter’s words loosen fears held too long.
Lewis's mother
Oh, my dear boy. You need not hold them back. I shall wait, and I shall keep reading only if you wish me to.
Parsley takes Lewis’s hand without squeezing it, while Edwin moves the letter slightly aside so its pages cannot be blurred or stained.
Parsley
You are safe to hear this at your own pace. His words can be difficult without becoming another thing you must endure alone.
Edwin
We are here, Lewis. You need not answer your father today, and you need not make sense of everything before the tears have finished.
Lewis's mother
He says he loves you, but I know that hearing it now cannot repair every silence. I will not ask you to pretend that it does.
She lays the letter across her lap and waits. Around Lewis, the three remain close and quiet, making room for grief without turning it into a duty.
“Lewis manages to get out between sobs, "just tell him to come. I want to see him. Please."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
C. S. Lewis
Just tell him to come. I want to see him. Please.
The words break through Lewis’s sobs. His mother sets the letter aside and reaches for his uninjured shoulder, waiting for the doctor’s permission before touching him.
Lewis's mother
I will tell him to come today, my dear. I shall send word that you want to see him, and that you wish Parsley and Edwin to remain with you.
the doctor
He may visit when arrangements are made, provided Lewis is rested and the meeting remains calm. If Lewis needs it ended, it ends.
Parsley
We will be here when he comes. You need not meet him alone, and you need not forgive him before you have heard him.
Edwin
And you need not make his arrival comfortable at your own expense. We can help you ask the questions you still need answered.
His mother takes up a sheet of paper and begins writing the message at once. Parsley keeps Lewis’s hand in his, while Edwin watches the words become an immediate invitation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Meet his father in person
“Lewis pulls Parsley into a hug and cries into his shoulder until he gets control of himself.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Lewis pulls Parsley close and buries his face against his shoulder. Parsley supports him carefully, avoiding the injured shoulder as the sobs come freely.
Parsley
Let it come, Lewis. You do not have to control it for our sake. I have you.
His mother continues writing the message to his father, pausing only to glance toward the bed. Edwin remains beside them, one hand resting near Lewis’s back.
Edwin
Take all the time you need. Nothing in that letter requires an answer before you are ready.
The crying gradually loosens into uneven breaths. Parsley does not release him until Lewis’s grip slackens and his breathing settles into a steadier rhythm.
Parsley
There you are. You found your way back, and I am still here. Your father’s visit can wait until you have strength for it.
Lewis's mother
The message is ready. I shall send it at once, and when he comes, we will meet him together, exactly as you asked.
“Thank you. He whispers as he tries to wipe the remaining tears from his eyes with his good arm.”
C. S. Lewis
Thank you.
Lewis whispers it while wiping the remaining tears from his eyes with his good arm. The motion is clumsy, but his breathing has steadied.
Lewis's mother
You are welcome, my dear. You need not thank me for sending word, but I am glad you let me help.
Parsley
And you need not hide the tears from us. We know what they mean, and we are still here.
Edwin
The message will reach him. Until then, you can rest, write, or simply let us sit with you.
Lewis lowers his arm and settles back against the pillows. His mother folds the message, while Parsley remains close and Edwin keeps the unanswered questions within reach.
Lewis's mother
When your father comes, we shall begin with the truth you have already spoken. Nothing need be hidden, and nothing need be hurried.
“Lewis slowly eases himself back on the bed. And lets the emotional exhaustion take him back to sleep.”
Lewis slowly eases himself back against the pillows, careful of his secured shoulder. The effort leaves him pale, but his breathing soon settles into an even rhythm.
Parsley
Sleep now, Lewis. We shall still be here when you wake.
His eyes close before he can answer. Parsley keeps one hand near his, while Edwin draws the questions and the opened letter safely onto the bedside table.
Lewis's mother
He has spent enough strength for one morning. I shall remain until he is properly asleep, then send word that his father should come when arrangements are made.
Edwin
We can keep the room quiet. The Company, the letters, and the questions will wait for him.
The doctor checks Lewis’s pulse and adjusts the blanket without waking him. Outside, the school bells mark another hour, distant and ordinary.
Parsley
Let him rest. When he wakes, we will tell him nothing has changed: his father is coming, and none of us has gone.