A Beast's Heart (english version)

34.

Stunned, I stared at the woman in front of me. What had she just asked me?! In love with Lord Tywin? Me??
"Never in my life!", I growled darkly, "Now please go with Margaret. I need healthy willow bark, as much as you can find."
Turning to Margaret I added another "Please" and for the first time I got a slight smile from her. She pulled Jeanny along behind her while I gathered apples, thyme, elderberry and peppermint. I would squeeze some juice from the elder later and then make mush from the apples. From the peppermint leaves I made tea, all this with the utmost concentration. I had a second cook make some chicken soup.
"Do we have any elder leaves left?", I asked over my shoulder.
"No, but I know they can be found not far from here. I'll go and fetch some quickly!" a maid replied.
"Very well. Lord Tywin will probably hate me for this, but a sweating cure will do him good."
I took the mint tea and left the boiling fruit pots to another cook. The chicken soup was also in progress, I realised with a slight smile.
Then I walked back to Tywin, who was looking at me with tired eyes. His condition had apparently deteriorated rapidly.
"I'm dizzy," he complained quietly, "And I'm thirsty!"
"I have made you mint tea, my lord. Until I get elder leaves, then we'll continue with that. Take care, the tea is still quite hot."
My voice grew warmer. Carefully I handed him the tea and renewed his calf wrap. Except for the severe shivering, Tywin lay quietly and let me do it. He began to drink the tea, grimacing but not complaining. He probably lacked the strength to do so.
"I'll bring you some chicken soup in a moment to keep your strength up. Furthermore, I will try different kinds of tea. I will bring down the fever, I promise you!"
"Where...did you...learn this?" he asked softly and I saw his eyelids grow heavy. I gently took the tea from his hand and placed it on the small table beside the bed. Then I put my hand on his forehead again briefly.
"Rest well, my lord. We'll get you fixed up."
He nodded slightly and closed his eyes. A moment later his head fell a little to one side and his breathing deepened. I stopped for a moment and watched him. There was no sign of the lord yesterday. It was as if a completely different person was lying here.
I left the room and returned to the kitchen, accompanied by a strange sinking feeling in my stomach. I frowned, this feeling was unfamiliar to me. Where did it suddenly come from? What was happening to me?
Back in the kitchen, I immediately checked on the soup.
"Fine... as long as he's asleep, we'll let it sit. Thank you so much for your help."
I can't remember the last time I was smiled at so much. And I liked it...

I was leafing through a book when Lord Tywin stirred. After Margaret's return, she had suggested to me that it would be better to stay by his side in case he suddenly became worse.
Sensing movement, I slammed the book shut. His eyelids fluttered a little, he tossed his head, muttered in his sleep. I squatted down on the floor beside him and grasped his hand.
"Lord Tywin, you are dreaming! Wake up!"
He opened his eyes and gasped for air. He frantically looked around until he realised his surroundings.
"All is well, my lord. You were just having another bad dream."
"Lena...?"
"Wait here, I'll be right back!"
I ran off and returned a short time later with another tea. No peppermint this time, though.
"This is thyme tea, my lord.... For nightmares. I'm not a maester, so I'd better stay away from the nightshade."
I handed him the cup, which he took, trembling. Together we held it; alone he would have spilled it. He drank a little and looked around wearily.
"I still have to..."
"Lie still, Lord Tywin."
I let him finish the cup, then set it aside and renewed his calf wrap.
"Are you hungry?"
He shook his head, barely perceptibly. I wanted to get up and leave, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Stay..." he whispered tonelessly before falling into a sleep again. His hand clasped my wrist and I sat down very slowly and very carefully on the far edge of the bed....