(Hello there! Remember me? Sorry I stopped updating for a while, I had writer's block again and had a lot of other stuff. But don't worry, I still love this story and want to keep writing! Anyway, here's the next chapter! Enjoy! Reviews are appreciated!)
The next fifteen minutes were just a blur to Idunn. Harold and the nurses fussed over her, performing what seemed like every exhausting examination to Idunn.
Idunn peered down at her own chest as Harold unwrapped the bandage around her chest to change it. There were six new stitches, three to replace the ones that had come lose and another three to secure the original wound.
Idunn put her own hand over her mouth, speechless. Tears stung her eyes. She reached over the bedrail for Arianna's hand
"Oh, Idy…" Arianna said sympathetically. She squeezed Idunn's hand and gently kissed her fingers. "You've been nothing but brave."
Idunn squeezed back. "All I did was sleep. I'm not brave. I hide behind you most of the time."
Arianna kissed the top of her head. "Sleeping is healing. And by healing it means you're fighting. Which means you're a warrior. My Norwegian warrior."
Harold finished changing the bandage and stepped back to check on the IV bags.
Arianna placed her hand on Idunn's heart, the irregular beat repeatedly beating against her delicate hand.
"What I feel here…is a heart of gold and a heart of a warrior."
Idunn looked up at Arianna, a smile. spreading across her face.
"But that's not all." Idunn replied. She reached up to place her hand on Arianna's heart, the steady, regular beat comforting her.
"What I feel here is a heart of persistence, resilience and care. Someone who never gives up on others."
Arianna pulled Idunn into a tight hug.
"I love you Idy, more than you will ever know."
Arianna held back tears. "My prayers have been answered, and you're back exactly where you're meant to be. With me. In my arms."
Idunn lay her head against Arianna's chest, the soft silk of sister's dress and her steady heartbeat comforting her.
Arianna ran her hand through Idunn's brown hair, the warmth of her sister being the only thing she needed.
Idunn snuggled into Arianna.
Suddenly, Idunn's stomach grumbled loudly, making Arianna giggle. Then she gasped.
"The cheesecake!" Arianna blurted out.
Idunn flinched. Leaning against Arianna made her voice twice as loud as it already was.
"The cheesecake?" Idunn asked, confused, looking up at her sister.
Arianna smiled. "Well, I wouldn't let you wake up without your first meal being your favourite food, hmm? Plus, I did promise you while you were asleep. Anything for you."
Arianna kissed her on the head. With Idunn still in her arms, she signalled towards a maid, requesting a large cheesecake. The maid nodded and dashed off to the kitchens.
Idunn snuggled closer into Arianna, holding tightly onto her, much like a koala. Her head rested against Arianna's chest.
The only thing that surrounded Arianna's thoughts was Idunn. Despite remaining still, as Idunn rested against her, her thoughts were filled with anxiety.
Her eyes darted around Idunn's peaceful figure, checking and double checking that there wasn't a wire lose, that nothing had dislodged itself and that everything was straightened and the way it was supposed to be.
Beads of anxious sweat dripped down Arianna's forehead. She held onto Idunn protectively, almost like she was a newborn again. Once again her eyes lowered to Idunn.
"Is…something wrong?" Idunn asked, interrupting Arianna's deep thoughts.
Arianna gulped. "No. No stress for you. I don't want you worrying about anything. It's fine, everything is fine!"
Idunn raised an eyebrow, "Ari…..I've known you for years-"
"Idunn… no stress. Please, it's not good for your heart." Arianna pleaded.
Idunn groaned. "Says you! Your heart is racing!" Idunn lifted her head and raised an eyebrow.
Arianna's eyes widened and she looked down at Idunn. She had forgotten Idunn was lying on her chest.
Idunn locked eyes with Arianna. "Ari, look at me."
"From now on, I want no more secrets. No more pretending you're okay, No more of this 'no stress' thing. I don't care that I'm the injured one, I don't want any more of you being stressed too. We're sisters Ari, and sisters don't keep secrets from each other. Ever. Do you promise me Ari?"
Arianna was speechless. She hugged Idunn, tears stinging in her eyes.
"Idy…. I'm so sorry. I never meant to worry you like that…All this effort I made not to worry you and yet I ended up doing it anyway. I'm so sorry."
"Ari." Idunn said, brushing a strand of hair out of Arianna's face with her hand. "There's absolutely nothing to be sorry about. The main thing is both of us are okay."
Arianna nodded, pulling Idunn into another hug . She planted a soft kiss on her sister's cheek before laying her back down and holding onto her hand.
The clinking of teacups, plates and cutlery caused the two queens' heads to turn.
Cassandra, now dressed in her light blue handmaiden outfit, was attempting to open the left infirmary door with her foot, while balancing a loaded tray on in her hands.
Arianna immediately rose from her seat and headed towards Cass.
"Would you like some help, Cassandra?"
Arianna asked the young woman, reaching towards the door to hold it open.
Cass looked up, her eyes widening at the sight of the queen. She attempted to curtsey to Arianna but wobbled slightly and almost lost the tray in the process.
Arianna grabbed the tray and Cassandra to steady her.
"I'll take that as a yes." Arianna chuckled.
"Thank...thank you." Cass replied, slightly embarrassed. "I'll be making my way to your sister now, Your Majesty."
She turned towards Idunn's bed and began to make her way towards Idunn's bedside. Arianna followed her.
Cassandra set down the tray on Idunn's patient meal table and looked up towards Idunn.
Despite Idunn's friendly smile, Cass felt everything but confidence. It was strange, Idunn wasn't wearing a fancy dress like queen normally did, her hair was out and not neat like queens usually were.
Cassandra curtsied "Good…Good morning, Your Majesty, How are you today? You look a lot better today.."
Arianna sat down next to Idunn and smiled up at Cass.
"Getting there, dear. Thank you. Pardon my memory, but you seem to be very familiar. Your name must have slipped my mind."
"C-Cass, Your Majesty. Or Cassandra." Cass stammered, shakily pouring tea into two of the cups on the tray.
"I'm surprised you don't recognise her, Idy. She's something of a hero, around here." Arianna chuckled, looking proudly at Cass.
Idunn did a double take, looking at her sister and back at her sister, with a confused yet in awe look upon her face.
"Oh I see! How so? This young lady looks like she's capable of achieving many great things."
Arianna smiled. "I agree. She's the one who rescued you from the harbour, in the water. She swam in and brought you back to shore, then helped until we could get you back to the infirmary."
Arianna's body tensed up slightly as she relieved the unpleasant memory. She squeezed Idunn's hand.
Idunn squeezed back, reassuring Arianna by stroking her hand with her thumb.
Idunn looked back at Cass. "Cassandra…t-that…that was you?!"
Cassandra's eyes darted around nervously before meeting with Idunn's.
"Yes. It..it was nothing, really. I was just doing what was right. I saw that someone was in trouble, and sorted out the situation…"
"It's not nothing, dear! I owe my life to you! I'd get up and pull you into a hug, but I'm a little stuck at the moment." Idunn gently pulled at her IV lines, chuckling.
"Please, pour yourself a cup of tea too and sit down! I want to know everything about you, Cassandra. You remind me of my daughter Anna. Brave, adventurous and one of a kind."
And with that Idunn smiled, reaching for Cass's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
(That's it for this chapter! Thanks for reading! Reviews/suggestions are appreciated!)