The Banished Blood

Chapter 5

I felt sweat bead upon my neck, I moved my tongue in my mouth. My teeth were practically stuck together. Was I grinding my teeth as I slept? I heard voices murmur above me.

"Hello?" I muttered. My eyes flicked open, my jaw clicked as I moved it. Above me were many faces, but my eyes focused on the familiar face. Heleana. She smiled down at me, as others cried out.

"She's awake!" They cried, I began to sit up, my arms went weak, I looked down at my hands, my clothes had been changed in my sleep.

"Whaaat?" I muttered. Attempting to sit up again. A hand pushed me back down.

"You need to rest Princess." A voice spoke, Dyana. I looked to her. But she walked away from me. My head turned light, as I fell to my pillow with a light thunk upon the sheets. As I drifted to sleep once more.

I had awoken again. It was dark now. A single fire lit the room. I rubbed my eyes, sitting up fully, my arms still weak, my back cracked with the movement. I looked around, my eyes fell to Heleana in a chair upright. She was asleep, with her sewing in her hands. I leaned against the headboard. I just stared at her. Sleeping soundly, as her lips were wavering. I looked back down to myself, then to her. What happened?

"Arykk?" I called out. My voice was hoarse. Heleanas eyes fluttered open, like I was a crying child. She leaned forward, taking my hand the boys put in the fire, she rubbed my knuckles gently.

"You've been asleep for quite some time, gave us a fright." She soothed.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Mother gave them quite a talking to- more like a roar actually- she was furious when she heard what happened- oh and father was quite angry too- and grandfather Otto- it was all a mess-" She started quickly, her pale eyes looking into mine.

"Heleana what happened?" I cut in.

"Oh yes well- When you did not awake for breakfast, Dyana was told to fetch you. Then she came screaming to Arykk, saying you were dead. Then word got to Mother as soon as, then when the king heard. You should have heard what they said to Aegon and Aemond." She explained, leaning back in her chair. Looking down at her sewing, and starting it again.

"What was said to them?"

"Oh, rather dreadful things. Father spoke of disowning them right then and there, even talk of sending Aegon to the wall for many moons. Mother was furious. She beat them both for hours. Aemond said nothing, but Aegon cried and cried. They stayed by your bed for hours, days on end." She absentmindedly spoke. "Ah yes, almost forgot." Heleana reached under her chair, as she rang a rather large bell. Her face filled with happiness as she did. The sound of it ran back and fourth through my mind, I covered my ears. She turned to me, filled with glee.

"I couldn't wait to do that!" She giggled.

In no more than ten seconds. Arykk barged in with a smile, looking at me sitting up in the bed.

"Fetch the Maester! And awaken the Queen!" He commanded down the hall. He came to my bedside, his face turned pale for a moment.

"I shouldn't have left you in the hall with them." Arykk spoke with a soft anger tracing his words. I shook my head.

"Everything happened so fast, it couldn't have been prevented. Don't blame yourself. I thank you Ser Arykk." I nodded my head in thanks, as he pulled his sword, plunging it to the floor as he knelt.

"I swear to be with you, now, and always. I will be your sworn sword." Arykk pleaded to me.

"What's he doing?" I whispered to Heleana.