Kingmaker

Lancastrian #1

It had been several hours since Ava was officially 'enlisted' into the House of Lancaster. She, Neville and Plantagenet had ridden around the castle grounds. The two knights showing her the small features of the place she would now live. It had all been under the Kings' orders. The man seemed rather pleased to have Ava on the Lancastrian side. Even more so since she had expressed her loyalty and willingness to defend the crown.
As Ava sat silently beside the campfire once more, she watched the flames dancing; the embers floating in the air before settling back into the flames. She absent mindedly fiddled with a small rock in her numb fingers, having failed to acquire any gloves. "The House of York will be angry, Ava" came a voice to her left. She instantly drew her gaze towards it, only to see nothing there except for a pile of logs for the campfire. "They are looking for you" came the voice once more, this time to her right. This time, an owl sat in the tree; its golden eyes glowing bright against the darkness of the tree. She shook her head slightly. Not believing what she was seeing, and hearing. In silence, she drew her attention back to the fire. Ignoring the owl, only for it to caw loudly; before swooping down at her. Knocking her backwards off of the log, before disappearing into the night. Her tired mind had played tricks like this before now. But it had spoken true this time. The House of York would be angry. Very angry. But the House of Lancaster was her home now. And she wouldn't change it. No matter what happened.
As she lay in the dirt for a moment behind the log, she felt a dull tightness in her back. The pain stretching up through her shoulder blades. With a cringe of pain, and tears in her eyes, she rolled onto her side before getting to her knees. The pain growing with each movement. Was it too late to call upon the knights for help as they had already turned in for sleep. Deciding against asking for help, she dragged herself painfully to her feet. The pain of pressure instantly kicking in as she limped over to the castle; leaning against the wall. She desperately tried to stretch her back. Even just a little to force the bones to crack and ease the pain. With no luck. The pain would not subside. With a low cry of pain, she tried to make her way back to the fire. Just to keep herself from freezing to death if she wasn't able to get into the tent without her back throwing a protest throughout her spine and shoulder blades. Right as she arrived back at the campfire, Neville was just leaving the tent to grab himself a quick drink before returning to sleep. When he caught Ava's pained, tear stained face in the light of the fire; he quickly discarded the idea of a drink. His attention instantly going to the newest Lancastrian. He knew it would be her back that had caused the tears. He himself had felt the same pain. And knew what she was going through with it. He knew how hard it was to walk when the pain took hold, and knew how painful it really could get at times.
Carefully, he moved over to her, moving an arm around her waist as he led her over to the log that was covered carefully in the fur of a buck that had been killed just 2 days earlier. It was much softer and would be much more comfortable. He sat first, easing her down beside him gently. When he felt her flinch, it confirmed his thoughts on her back being the reason for the tears. "The pain will subside soon. You need to relax, Ava" he murmured softly, keeping his arm behind her to give her something to lean back on. "I tried. My mind started throwing up thoughts, and I was caught off guard. The House of York are going to be angry. They are after me. I know they are" she murmured in reply, leaning back ever so slightly against his arm. Neville let a soft sigh escape his lips, "The House of York will have to try very hard to get close to you. And you have a sword now, you can fight to defend yourself. Or you can call upon myself or Plantagenet"
Ava leaned absent mindedly against his shoulder. Finding some comfort in him, and some peace in the fact that the pain in her back had eased ever so slightly. "How long has it been, Neville. Since I came to you" she murmured, watching the fire still. "It has been a few weeks I believe. The days have blended together, have they not?" He gazed to her, seeing her eyes becoming heavy as the odd tear rolled down her cheek. "They have. Each night I've not slept well in fear of the York knights coming for me. For us. The past few nights, I have only dreamt of Lancaster, then, right as I am about to wake. A York knight has appeared and slain me where I stand. Do these nightmares stop, Neville" she murmured lazily, becoming more and more relaxed and sleepy as the pain in her back finally eased enough for her to feel the tenseness fade from her muscles.
"They will stop" replied Neville, his voice almost a whisper. "Do not fear, Ava. Lancaster will protect you" His voice grew softer and softer as he felt her become slightly heavier against his arm. She had had a long day. And a very eventul month at the most. From what he'd seen. She hadn't slept more than 3 or 4 hours a night. And even then. He'd seen her tossing and turning and writhing with the pain in her back. At least now. She was sleeping. She needed it. What she didn't need. Was the nightmares around one of the Yorkist knights slaying her.
Silently, Neville lifted her into his arms, cradling her against him gently as he entered the tent once more. He lay her gently among the mass of pillows and cushions; tugging a few fabrics over her to keep her warm. "Sleep well, Ava Woodville of Lancaster" he murmured ever so softly before taking his place once more not too far from her.
It was sleep that they all needed. Plantagenet had silently watched Neville carry Ava into the tent. But had chosen to remain silent. He knew how Neville felt. And how Ava felt. He also knew that Ava struggled with back pain from time to time. Her back must have been hurting. Thought Plantagenet as he closed his eyes once more.

It didn't matter though. Neville would carry her over and over.

[Authors Note: Three updates in one day! You lucky people. But now I must depart for sleep. I will update again in a few hours providing that I actually sleep tonight with this sunburn. It's quite painful, and must be well over 40 degrees. It hurts. A lot.
Nevertheless. I'm really liking Ava and Sir Richard Neville as a couple]