Hearts in Conflict

Chapter 41: The Aftermath

The silence after the battle at the Burning Mill was as thick and suffocating as the smoke that had billowed from the flames. Stone Hedge stood eerily still, the tension from the confrontation still lingering in the air. Alyana awoke slowly, her body heavy with pain and her mind clouded with fear. The memory of the battle, of Aeron falling, of Davos's sword raised above him, was still fresh and raw in her mind.

She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in her belly made her gasp. Panic surged through her as she instinctively reached for her stomach, her hand trembling as it settled over the gentle swell of her pregnancy. Something was wrong with the baby—her child, Aeron's child—was still there. Something wasn't right. The pain was too much, and a cold fear gripped her heart.

"Aly..." Aeron's voice was a rough whisper from beside her. She turned her head slowly to see him lying on the bed next to her, his face pale and etched with pain. A deep gash marred his temple, and his eyes were filled with concern as they met hers.

"You're awake," she whispered, her voice trembling as she fought back tears. "Aeron... the baby. Something's wrong."

Aeron's expression darkened with fear. Ignoring his own pain, he pushed himself up to a sitting position, grimacing as the movement sent fresh waves of agony through his body. "Stay still," he urged, reaching out to touch her arm gently. "I'll get help."

Before he could move, the door to their chambers flew open, and a maester rushed in, accompanied by two servants carrying bandages and herbs. Alyana's heart pounded in her chest as the maester knelt beside her, his hands moving expertly over her abdomen.

"Lie back, my lady," the maester said calmly, though his brow was furrowed with concern. "You need to rest. The stress of the battle has taken its toll on your body and the child."

Alyana's tears spilled over as she gripped Aeron's hand tightly. "Will the baby... will my child be alright?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The maester's face softened, but his expression was serious. "For now, the child is safe. But you must rest, my lady. No strain, no stress. Bed rest, until the babe is born."

Alyana's heart ached with fear, but she nodded, her fingers clutching Aeron's as if he were her lifeline. The thought of losing their child—the only bright light in this storm of war—was unbearable.

"You two will be alright, my love," Aeron murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "

But even as he spoke, his own pain was evident. He had barely survived the battle, and now he sat beside her, his body broken and his mind weighed down with guilt and fear.

The maester turned to Aeron, his eyes narrowing. "You should rest as well, Ser Aeron. Your injuries are grave. Pushing yourself too soon could lead to permanent damage."

Aeron nodded, though it was clear that rest was the last thing on his mind. "I'll rest when I'm sure my wife and child are safe," he replied, his voice firm despite the exhaustion in his eyes.

The maester gave him a look of disapproval but said nothing more as he finished tending to Alyana. Once the maester and servants had left the room, a heavy silence settled between them. She could see the weight of the battle in Aeron's eyes, the anger and frustration that lingered from the fight with Davos.

"Aeron..." she began softly, her voice trembling. "You almost died. If I hadn't arrived when I did..."

"I know," he replied, his voice low and rough. "Davos—he was ready to kill me. He wanted to kill me."

Tears filled her eyes again as she thought of Davos, of the man she had once cared for so deeply. "He's so angry. He thinks I was stolen from him... and for a time that was true. But Aeron, I made my choice. I married you and I love you."