Elseyris' Tent

Elsey was lying on her bed, flat on her back, gazing absent-mindedly at the roof of the tent, idly turning her little red resin dragon in her hands. When Daenya entered, she turned to look at her, and her cousin's altered appearance gave her a small start;

"Daenya! You look...pink!"

Elsey smiled weakly, but playfully.

"It suits you, actually."

She shifted her weight a little, turning slightly to face Daenya, though trying not to lean too much on her heavily bruised shoulder;

"It is good to see you, have a seat, if you like. There's half a bottle of Stormlands red on the table, help yourself. I think I have been in here by myself for ages, it is driving me quite mad."

Elsey realised she had started babbling, so quickly shut her mouth, and merely admired Daenya's exotic hair.

"It is, yes. In celebration of our victory?"

Elsey gratefully drank from the wine cup, glad to taste something other than milk of the poppy, and Stormlands red held comforting memories that soothed her.

"I'm so bloody bored, Daenya. I don't even much like staying still when I'm well. This lying around and not being able to be useful to anyone is horrendous."

She took another sip of wine;

"I suppose though, I should not complain so much. I have lived to fight another day, that is more than many of our soldiers got."

Her voice and expression saddened.

Elseyris felt a pang of deep sadness at Nenyan's mention, but the numbness she felt from everything else shrouded it greatly.

"Thank you. I am glad Vandaras is alright. Everyone was very brave. I am proud to have such brave people as family."

She slowly sat herself, placing the little dragon on the little table next to the bed.

"Tell, me, how long has it been? I fear I have lost track. The maester didn't tell me anything. How are things out there?"

"Yes, I suppose, though that is hard to think about at the moment. I should at least wait until I am properly recovered."

Finishing her wine, Elsey slowly pushed herself to her feet.

"I think I shall venture out. I expect pyres are being prepared for Nenyan and Azuria, I should be there to see them off."

She made her way to the tent exit.

"I understand. Rest well, cousin. Hopefully we can return home soon."

She smiled at Daenya, before wandering towards the center of the camp, to appraise herself of the past few days.

////////

Returning from speaking to Maekar and Aemon, Elsey felt the milk of the poppy wearing off quickly, the deep, consuming pain in her shoulders, arms, and ribs coming back in force. She caught the nearest maester, and was soon back in her tent, a cup of milk of the poppy in hand. She sat on her cot, then took a long drink from the cup, setting the rest down by the table beside her.

With pained wincing, and barely stifled yelps, she lay down on her back, and closed her eyes, hoping she might fall asleep before the feelings of uselessness and helplessness became too strong again.

She did slip into a slumber, but it was not the quiet rest of sleep. Every time she had tried to rest after the battle had resulted in her awaking with a jolt from nightmares of smashed and melted faces lurching out of the darkness.

Elseyris had defied the maester's order for her to stay in her cot, and was sat up, reading, having a sly cup of wine to get rid of the taste of milk of the poppy, her bare feet propped up on her bedside table, a small candle flickering nearby.

When she was informed that Aegon was outside, she asked him to be shown in straight away, practically tossing her book to one side.

Elseyris had had to have some of her armour cut away, but it was mostly intact, and lay in a scraped, messy heap by her travelling chest. She had found trying to clean and fix it one-armed very tiring and difficult, and had abandoned it for the time being, opting for loose breeches and a shirt in the meantime. It made things easier for the maester.

"Yes, I will be fine. I hope you didn't leave something important to come see me."

She patted the space next to her, indicating for him to sit by her.

She cast her eyes downwards shamefully;

"I am sorry. I regret it with every moment. The truth is, it was selfishness. I wanted to be heroic, and it led to me losing one of my few close friends. These injuries are practically nothing, compared to that. It is I who should be apologising to you. I am so sorry to have let you down with my foolishness."

She looked earnestly into his eyes;

"I will never disobey you again, I promise. Can you forgive me?"

She angled herself more towards him, and placed a hand tentatively on his cheek, her thumb stroking his chin, a sad smile on her face;

"We could exchange apologies all night. You were a fine commander, Aegon. None could reasonably fault you. I told you how proud I was, did I not? Nenyan's death is upon me, and me alone. Honestly, these injuries look worse than they are. Once the bruising heals, I shall bear two scars from the bolt, that is all. But I would bear a hundred more to protect you, my Prince."

Her eyes searched his face, unsure if her touch was welcome or not;

"Would a couple of scars render me ugly to you?"

"Thank you. I know as well as any that a Targaryen with no dragon is little more than a peasant, so I shall have to go to Dragonstone as soon as I am recovered fully."

She smiled a little at a memory;

"I recall that was one of the first things we spoke of. Dragonstone, and how I wished to see it. It seems the Gods are granting my wish, though not in the way I expected."

She leaned gently against him;

"I lost count of how many times I prayed to the Seven to keep you safe. I think I may have used up all of their benevolence towards me," she said, with a small, sad laugh.

She paused thoughtfully, then met his gaze again;

"...Aegon. I know that many troubles yet weigh upon you, and many more shall no doubt present themselves, but, I want to tell you something, if you would hear it."