A Beast's Heart (english version)

33.

"Rise, Lord Tywin."
My voice sounded monotonous and rough, quite foreign. The mountain under the blanket stirred with a hum, then Tywin turned on his back and opened his eyes sleepily. He blinked and looked around, not seeming to notice me at all.
"Did you have a pleasant night?", I asked, noticing too late the stroppy undertone in my voice.
The lord sat up straight and eyed me.
"What is that question?"
He sounded a little hoarse. I put on my indifferent look and shrugged my shoulders. Suddenly he seemed to understand the innuendo. His eyes widened minimally.
"You know about that?"
I nodded and turned around. I didn't want him to see my face, which contorted at the thought. I retrieved a clean robe from the chest.
"I don't have to justify it to you," he growled softly.
"Of course not, my lord," I replied as casually as I could, "It's none of my business who you share your bed with."
How many times had I whispered that phrase the previous night before I had finally been able to sleep? And how many times had I woken up with silent screams after Jeanny's sighing had haunted my dreams?
I heard a dull thudding behind me and turned around. The lord was making an effort to get up. However, he seemed very wobbly on his feet, he staggered and fell back onto the bed.
"Seven hells," he growled softly to himself and tried again.
I twitched an eyebrow and walked slowly towards him. Before he could do anything about it, I put my hand on his forehead. The skin felt hot.
"My lord, I think you have a fever."
"Oh no," he replied irritably, "I have a war to fight, I don't have time for any illnesses."
He massaged his nose bone, squeezed his eyes tightly shut and shivered. I pushed him back into bed by the shoulders.
"You are ill, my lord. Whether you like it or not."
He gave me a withering look, which I returned coolly. He grumbled in a bad mood and slipped back under the covers. He shook his head several times, looking a little dazed.
Since Harrenhal was only a temporary base, there was no maester. I spasmodically remembered back when my brother and father had been ill and suffered from fever.
"I will make you calf compresses, then see what herbs I can find. You will stay in bed, understand?"
I noticed my voice taking on a commanding tone. Tywin lay shivering under his covers and nodded slightly. Even though there was a milky haze through his eyes, the look on his face spoke volumes - He was not at all thrilled with the idea.
I ran and got clean cloths and warm water for the calf wraps. The lord let the procedure pass in silence and stared into all corners of the room.
"Lie still. I'll be back soon," I said after I had finished and ran off again, this time to the kitchen.
"What bit you?" asked Margaret in confusion as I hurriedly ran past her, checking the storage cupboards.
"Lord Tywin has a fever."
"Serves him right," I heard Jeanny growl softly behind me and paused. I couldn't control myself that quickly, so I wheeled around, walked up to her and gave her a resounding slap.
"Are you still okay?" she asked, glaring at me angrily.
"Funny, that's exactly what I was about to ask you! First trying to seduce the lord and then wishing him a fever!"
My voice quivered, I struggled to regain control. Silence fell around us, everyone was staring spellbound at Jeanny and me. She just stared at me in shock, I vented my anger.
"Don't you all have something to do? Then you can help me! I need ash, thyme, maybe some watercress, elderberry, willow, yellow gentian and if you can, peppermint!", I growled, looking around the room.
"Apple, thyme, elderberry and peppermint we still have," a maid reported and I nodded gratefully to her.
"I know where we can find yellow gentian!" another called out, "I'll need a soldier for that though, it's quicker on horseback."
"We just need the roots. Go to the courtyard and ask Ser Alrik for help. He would do anything when it comes to his lord, I know that," I replied and she ran off.
"We can find willows at the Eye of the Gods," Margaret explained and I nodded again.
"Then we should be on our way."
"No, Lena. You stay with the lord, I'll take Jeanny with me."
Jeanny snorted and crossed her arms.
"I'm not going to help that one!"
"Now you listen to me, you wannabe whore," I growled, taking another step towards her, "When he's better, I'm going to drag you to his feet and explain that you refused to help. I don't think he'll let that go unpunished, do you?"
"Who appointed you lady now anyway, that you want to give me orders?"
Irritated, I rolled my eyes. I didn't have time to argue.
"I don't like you either. But I will not stand idly by and watch Lord Tywin perish from his fever!"
She suddenly looked at me triumphantly and grinned maliciously.
"What, are we in love with the lord?" ...