Blue Blood

The Next Morning

I wince as the sunlight attacks my eyes. rolling over to the other side of the bed, I fall off the side with a thud. I groan into the old floor boards and try to push away the pain in my head. Slowly Im able to push myself into a sitting position and wince at a festering pain in my torso. What happened last night? I can't remember much, only bits and pieces.

I look around the room and see my armor in a pile on the floor. I wouldn't have done that would I? I would have organized it but I guess I was really tired. I yawn and force my feet under me wincing; damn, my stomach hurts.

I stumble out the door and find the bathroom easily. I take a deep breath and brace myself to see my reflection. I peek one eye open and groan. My hair is greasy and tangled, my eyes look very tired and pillow lines coat my face. I rub my face hoping it would just go away when suddenly I hear a laugh at the door.

"Wow, you are a mess." Rody snarks, leaning on the door frame.

He is already completely dressed and looks to have bathed. Slight panic runs through me as I try to remember if I'm wearing pants; I am. I groan and pinch my temple.

"What happened last night? I can't remember much."

"How much do you remember?" He asks, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"Uhm we were sitting down having nectar I think? I remember drinking it and um going for a walk, I don't know."

"Hmm. You got most of it. You had an allergic reaction to the nectar and started acting like a buffoon and then I brought you to bed after a little walk. It was nothing really." He says scratching his neck.

I look back in the mirror looking myself over. When my eyes reach my torso my blood runs cold. My shirt is stained red. I guess that's where that ache came from.

Slowly I pull up my shirt enough to see the damage and see that it's already wrapped and cleaned. When did I-

"Oh yeah, James helped me clean you up. You must have gotten it when we were fighting him. You're gonna be okay." He smiles sympathetically.

He hands me a towel and bandages and points to the bath tub. "I'll go get some warm water for ya."

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. I can't believe I let myself get taken over by something as menial as allergies. ALLERGIES. Pathetic for a man of my station, weak. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic.

"Hey, are you okay?"Roman startles me and I jump.

"You looked in distress, do the bandages hurt?"

He sets the bucket down and pulls up my shirt enough to see the wound. I quickly pull my shirt down.

"I'm fine, really."

He doesn't look convinced, "it's not nice to lie to your prince."

He reaches behind the door and pulls out more buckets of water and brings them in. He looks me dead in the eye and I start to sweat.

"I am your prince, promise me you won't lie to me anymore. Promise." He says serious. It's almost frightening.

I gulp, "I promise."

He drops it at that and struts away gracefully. I didn't expect him to be so serious over a little white lie. I'm so shameful.

I groan and gently pick up each bucket and dump their contents in the tub before undressing. My muscles ache as I try to ease myself into the bath. My arms shake trying to hold the sides of the tub.

The warm water is welcoming and I relax quickly. I spend a time just enjoying the water and letting my thoughts wander. The water is heavenly. My anxiety knocks at the back of my head as I try to remember if I locked the door or not. I try to let It go but I just can't and quickly wash myself and get dressed.

I wrap the towel around my neck and make my way to the room I woke up in. One by one I clean each piece of amor and put it on. Once my hair dries, I comb it and make my way down stairs.

A young female troll whistles a tune at the sink as she washes dishes. James greets me happily and offers me food to which I accept gladly.

"Again, I just want to say I'm so sorry for exposing you to an allergen and all that. Allergies are not very fun." He laughs.

"It's fine, at least now I know that Im allergic and to stay away from it." I muffle stuffing my face with more pancakes.

"So are you really a protector of the prince?" The young girl asks drying her hands.

I nod and she pulls a chair closer.

"What's the prince like? I hear he's quite dashing." She remarks resting her head on her hand.

"Oh for sure." I mumble swallowing what's in my mouth.

"Really!? What's he like? Tell me, tell me!" She beams rocking her chair. Rody snickers with a mouthful of food.

"Well, he can be quite daft," I start.

Rody chokes on his drink.

"He's forgetful, lazy, reckless and I couldn't have asked for a better friend."

Out of the corner of my eye I see Rody paying very close attention.

"He's so very kind and thoughtful, always thinking of others. His empathy beats anyone I've ever known and without him I wouldn't be alive today. Despite acting like a child most of the time, he's incredibly smart when he wants to be. If you give him a task, he will give it his very all and . . ." I look up and see everyone's eyes glued on me.

"And . . . And that's all I have to say about it. Have to keep classified things classified." I mumble trying to get the spotlight off me.

"Wow, he seems like a really great guy." Charlie murmurs with a smile, taking everyone's plates. James tries to take the plates from her to clean them himself but she holds her ground and insists to cleaning it herself.

I glance at Rody who has a sappy grin on his face and I look away embarrassed. Maybe I shouldn't have said all that.

We pick our things before bidding James and Charlie goodbye and thanking them for their hospitality. James welcomes us to come back anytime that we wish and we may just take him up on that offer.

We load up Edima and make sure she's fed before we set out again. I make sure to scratch behind her ears in the spot she likes.

It's colder today than yesterday so I decide to wear my cloak and make sure that Roman is wearing his warm clothes under his armor.

No more than 15 minutes after we leave, Rody looks at me with a smile and says, "thank you."

"You don't need to thank me for that, it's simply the truth."

"Well even so, it really means a lot to me. Thank you."

The corner of my mouth peeks up, "Dont mention it."