The gentle sway of Aealynn walking calms me, and her steady heartbeat goes on like a drumming soldier. All of it's rather soothing. So much in fact, that I find my eyelids sliding shut. It's only when the Breton comes to a sudden halt that I allow my eyes to open. We've reached my room. Was it only a few hours ago that I was here? Securely wrapped up in my bed, waiting for the morning. It seems like years ago. Now I'm hurt, my friend is dead, and the killer is still on the loose. Aealynn awkwardly juggles me in her arms as she reaches out and opens my door. Once we're inside she closes it with her foot, then carries me over to the bed. As she places me down I realize I'm going to need to change into something.

And, I also realize I'm naked. Aealynn just carried me through the keep with my naked body on display. Not a particularly comforting thought, but Aealynn doesn't seem to mind in the least. And, if she doesn't mind, then who am I to make a big deal out of this? The Breton finally finishes putting me on the bed, but she takes a moment to adjust my legs for me. I swallow a wad of nervousness and tell my friend, "You can wait outside. I'll call for you when I'm dressed. You won't have to worry about carrying me again, I'll find a way to walk.". The woman looks highly doubtful and questions, "Are you sure?".

I nod and the woman leaves, but before she's gone she promises, "I'll be right outside the door.". When the door closes I go into action. I grab the sides of my bed and swing myself off of it. I curse as I hit the floor, but do it quietly enough that Aealynn won't hear. I flip onto my stomach and begin yanking myself to my dresser. I know it would be terrible if I could feel this, but I'm still too numb to feel anything. It takes five minutes, but I finally reach the dresser where my clothes are. I hear Aealynn knock on the door and question, "You okay in there?". I swallow a groan of pain (things are starting to catch up with me) and manage to tell her, "Yes. I'm fine, don't worry about me.".

Aealynn falls silent, but swears, "I'll give you ten more minutes, then I'm going to assume something's wrong.". I'd love to argue with the woman, but now I'm on a deadline. I manage to grasp the edge of the dresser, pulling myself up on it. I get my legs underneath me, but the tubes of meat refuse to hold any of my weight. I come up with an idea and roll onto the top of the waist high dresser, resting on it. I use my hands to pull my legs up beside me, out of the way of things. After I catch my breath, I reach down and pull open the dresser. I fumble for a few seconds, then find some undergarments. Fuck, this is going to be harder than I originally thought.

My legs are useless, so I'm going to have to do all of this with my hands. I sigh and start attempting to put on the undergarments. That's when I feel myself lightly tilting to the left. Off the dresser. I bite back my yelp of fear and begin flailing, attempting to somehow remain on top of the dresser and keep my dignity in one piece. I fail miserably, and off I go. I clatter to the ground. The sound is loud enough to draw Aealynn's attention. "Are you okay?". I try to answer her, I really do. I fight back a noise of pain, but when I open my mouth it comes rolling out. In an instant the Breton is pushing open the door and coming in. In an attempt to save my pride I roll onto my side and curl up into a ball.

I see the woman's feet come into view. "What were you trying to do?". I take a moment to find the right words. "I feel down when I tried to put my undergarments on.". A small pause. Then, a 'um-hum' sound. "I don't believe that. You're in one of the most awkward positions I've ever seen. Be honest with me.". I curse her observation skills and spill the truth. When I'm done the Breton seems slightly hurt as she assures me, "You could have just called for me to come help. You should have just called for me to come help. You would've saved yourself quite a few minutes, and a good bit of time.".

I don't bother looking at her as I insist, "I can do it. Just give me a few minutes.". I feel strong hands wrap around my middle, lifting me up into the air. I begin to protest, but my complaints land on deaf ears. I'm placed back onto the bed and Aealynn mumbles, "I'll find you something softer to lay one later.". I flick my ear and remind her, "I'm the same person I was. Just a little beat up. Don't start acting weird and treating me different just because I'm wounded.". The Breton picks up my undergarments as I speak, lying them across her arm as she digs around in the dresser. As she looks for my robes she asks, "What if I'm just treating you differently because I want to? Well?".

I curl up on the bed and mumble, "You aren't. You're just doing this because I'm hurt.". The Breton comes over to me. "I suppose it a way you're right. I am treating you differently because of your injury. I'm making sure you don't push your limits and further agitate your injury. I'm going to assist you more than I would if you weren't hurt. Back in my time that's what people did for one another. If we were hurt or injured, then others would help us. It was the strong looking out for the weak.". She sees the look on my face and assures me, "You aren't weak. You're just vulnerable. So, in this case the strong looking out for the temporarily not as strong.".

I nod and the woman continues. "I'm not doing all of this just because you're injured. I could have easily given you over to the healers, or had one of the Jarl's squires see to your needs. It was my choice to take care of you while your back is getting better. And, I intend to do my job to the fullest. If that means assisting you in menial tasks such as dressing, then so be it. Besides, it's not like I'm assisting you in using the facilities. You'll regain your sense when the medicine wears off, and you'll be able to take care of those needs on your own.". She suddenly furrows her brow. "I think we've wasted enough time talking.". I nod and the woman commands, "Hold still for a few minutes.".

I assure her I will, but the task is easier said than done. It's absolutely humiliating to be dressed by someone else. I'm an adult, and I can practically feel my pride shriveling up and dying. When my lower half is dressed I begin fighting Aealynn and insisting I can do it on my own. "No, you can't. You can't lift your back off the bed. You might be able to do it, but it'll look like shit. Just hold still and let me do it.". I keep resisting her. "Gods be damned, what in oblivion is the deal?". I stop fighting and consider telling her. I have my hesitations, but eventually I work up the courage and admit, "This is embarrassing.".

The woman seems disappointed in my answer and tells me, "It doesn't have to be. All I'm doing is assisting you. I don't think any less of you for needing help, I'm not going to mock you in any way, and I'm not judging you. It's just me helping out a companion who needs it. It's no different than if I helped you carry a heavy box or clean your room. The only difference is you're fighting me, making this harder than it needs to be, and taking away time that we could be spending talking to the Jarl. Now, put your hands down.". I slowly allow my arms to fall, Aealynn sliding my bra over my tits. I'm still humiliated and ashamed, but now it doesn't seem nearly as bad.

When my robes are on my friend asks, "Do you want a dagger? That poison Kaie gave you is going to take a while to get out of your system. Being prepared couldn't hurt.". I nod and the Breton pulls a knife from her boot, handing it to me. I attempt to put it in my own boot, but a hand gripping my wrists stops me from doing so. "That doesn't seem like a good idea. You could be cutting your foot open and never know it.". I once again begin to argue, but Aealynn stops me once again. She easily grabs the dagger from me, yanks the front of my robes away from my body, and hides the dagger between my tits. Nobody will suspect anything.

Aealynn picks me up again and questions, "Do you want something to eat before meeting the Jarl? You haven't had anything to eat since the feast, and that was a while ago.". I take a moment to think, then nod and tell her, "The Jarl can wait a little longer. I nearly got killed, he can put up with sitting in a chair for a few more minutes.". The Breton seems amused by my words, and starts walking towards the kitchen. As we go we pass a few people in the halls, and I feel my embarrassment flare to life. "Please, can't you let me walk beside you? I swear I'll lean all my weight on you.". The woman is focused on walking, but takes a moment to question, "Why would I do that? It could injure you further, and the carrying is working just fine.".

I sigh and rest my head against her chest as I mumble. "It's embarrassing to be seen being carried. I'm not a babe or a cripple.". My friend agrees, "You aren't a babe or a cripple, but you need help. You shouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed because you need a little assistance. Besides, I don't mind it. And, I should be the only person who's opinion you care about. Nobody besides me is carrying you, so I should have a majority of the say. And, my majority of the say is 'you're fine being carried'.". I still find it embarrassing, so I try to focus on listening to Aealynn's heartbeat.

As she walks she explains to me, "I'm already aware you're going to throw a fit, but listen to me. I can't carry you while you carry a plate of food, or carry you and a plate of food. Both of those things are recipes for disaster. So, I'm going to sit you down on a bench, you'll tell me any preferences you have regarding food, and I'll go get you a meal. Before you start complaining about me taking care of you, I'd like to remind you that you nearly killed yourself trying to get dressed.". I consider pouting like a child, but decide against it and tell her, "I don't like this. You aren't acting like yourself.". She shrugs. "Things have happened. I'm less stressed now that I can turn into a gargoyle, you're injured, and for a while I thought I'd lose you.".

Her face hardens. "I'm going to tell you this once. If you tell anyone this I'll deny it. I've grown rather fond of you.". She stops speaking and I realize we're arrived at the dining hall. She places me down and asks, "Any preferences on the matter of food?". I nod and rattle off a small list of things I like, and a longer list of things I'm allergic to. Aealynn nods, turns around, and leaves. I'm left on the bench in a state of shock, my mind still slightly reeling.