When he opened his eyes, she couldn't help the relief that washed over her, her gaze holding his own with a panicked suspicion that he would slip away from her once more. To see him crumpled before her, no life in his frame, had been more terrifying than she could have ever predicted, and with her heart thudding against her ribcage, she could only think that it had given her the scare she had never thought to face. Elphias, from the day she'd met him, had been the strongest pillar of resolve and invincibility she had ever come across, and to her, the notion of him being broken down was more difficult to swallow than even in herself.

"Too many late nights and not enough sleep. I suppose it caught up with me."

Watching him with concern, Charlotte gave a small nod, if a few seconds late. She wasn't sure how much she accepted that explanation, something so minute wouldn't have him in such a state, she knew. However, there was little she knew of his life any longer, and any number of unknown factors could have led to his present state. Even with that in mind, she found herself touching the side of his face, her gaze slanting against his own before she murmured, "You look so tired... you've been good to yourself, haven't you?"

Pulling her hand back when she heard the shuffle of footsteps entering the room, Charlotte stood and winced whens she saw her mother gasping and rushing forward.

"Mum, it's all right-"

"Oh Merlin, Elphias! Are you all right, dear? Tell me you are? How- oh my, what could have-"

Cutting off her mother's frantic words, Charlotte took a symbolic stand, the first sign of a spine emerging in her since she'd moved in, "Mum, he doesn't need that right now."

Pausing, Charlotte deciding her opinion did in fact have a right to overrule anyone's in that instant, and said, "He needs rest. I'm going to take him up, Mum, and no, dinner does not need to be delayed. Send Millie up with some things, won't you?"

Turning and helping Elphias up, she lead the way to her bedroom, slowly walking beside him without a word. When they reached the familiar door, she took a deep breath before opening it, something about their followed entrance so nostalgic that it had her heart in her throat.