Characters: Dragon Slayer Ornstein/Nameless King, Artorias the Abysswalker, Lord's Blade Ciaran, Princess of Sunlight Gwynevere, Dragon Slayer Armour
Summary: Ornstein is confined to bed rest with two broken legs.
(Author's note: This is a continuation of "Setting a Broken Bone". It certainly is more fluffy than angsty and contains bits of my silly humour.)
"Alright, this will take a minute, so hold still."
Ornstein, still in the infirmary after his accident while jogging, listened to the princess's voice and stayed completely still. He knew that healing miracles could do more harm than good if one would move too much through it. The dragon slayer waited for the relief of the pain vanishing, expect... that it never came and his broken legs still were hurting a lot.
"I am finished.", Gwynevere said. "You can move again now."
"But princess, it still hurts.", Ornstein said, slowly shifting around, wincing when he put pressure on one of the broken legs.
"Ornstein, these are some complicated breaks. I managed to shorten the healing time to a week instead of several ones. But you will have to stay in bed for this whole week. The magic mostly stimulates your natural healing and makes it go faster. It could put a strain on your body. So it would be for the best if you move as little as possible."
"I have to stay in bed for a whole week?!", Ornstein's face got pale.
"Better than being out for several weeks.", Artorias joined the conversation. "See it as an opportunity to get some rest. You work far too much anyway." The wolf knight looked to the princess who just nodded in confirmation to his words.
"I guess I have no other choice... Artorias, would you get me to my room, please?", Ornstein asked. "But maybe we could take a route so that nobody sees us?"
A short while later Artorias had gently placed Ornstein on his bed and was rummaging through his wardrobe. He found a nightshirt and tossed it to Ornstein. "If you have to stay in bed, you should make yourself comfy, so why not change?", he said.
"Yeah, I guess that would be the smartest thing to do.", Ornstein said and started to undress himself. He stopped when he noticed Artorias staring at him. "What are you doing?"
"Thinking about offering you help.", Artorias said.
"I can manage it myself, thank you.", Ornstein said and put on the nightshirt after he finished undressing and tossed his clothes to the floor. He then flopped into the pillows, grumbling: "Damn, my legs really hurt..."
"It would probably help if we put some pillows under them.", Artorias said and got to work.
"This... really seems to help already, thanks.", Ornstein muttered.
"So.", Artorias started. "You aren't really able to take care of yourself like this. I will tell Ciaran and Gough about it and we will check on you regularly to help you out. Is there something I can help you with already?"
"Actually, yes...", Ornstein said, feeling a bit flustered. "I need to use the bath room."
"Oh, that is easy.", Artorias smiled and grabbed under the bed to present the chamber pot. "Just use the chamber pot for it."
"You got to be kidding me..."
"Why? It's not any different than having to go a night."
"I usually don't do this..."
Artorias looked down in the pot: "That explains why this thing looks so unused. Do you really wander to the nearest privy whenever you have to go at night?"
"Yes, but mostly I can hold it just fine until morning comes."
"You won't be able to hold it for a whole week."
"I know..."
"So you pretty much have no other choice."
"I know... it is just... so embarrassing..."
"Look, you have to pee, right?"
"Yes?"
"And you literally can't walk right now."
"Yes..."
"And using the pot is still better than pissing your pants."
"Alright, give me this thing!"
Artorias handed the chamber pot over. "See, why was this so difficult? Do you need help with it?"
"No, I can do it on my own! And go out of here, now!"
"No need to yell, I am leaving. Just call me when I can come in again." And with that Artorias left the room.
The door got teared open and the master entered the room: "Hey Ornstein, I heard you are sick, so I wanted to check on my favourite student."
Ornstein had shot up in his bed, startled from the sudden sound. "Master, I would appreciate if you could knock first before coming in.", he said. "Also, I am not sick."
The master sat down on the edge of the bed and eyed Ornstein. "You are lying in bed and don't look too hot, that seems pretty sick to me."
"I am hurt.", Ornstein explained and pulled the blankets aside to reveal his broken legs.
"Both legs are broken? How did you manage to do this?"
"Well...", Ornstein started, searching for words. "I fell.", he simply finished.
"Down from the cathedral roof or what?", the master asked. "I know how high you can fall without hurting yourself. This must have been a rough one."
"Alright, I slipped on the rafters during my jogging routine."
"Oh well, I got pretty close with my assumption.", the master said. "How long are you out?"
"The princess casted a miracle on it, so it will be a week. And she said I have to stay in bed the whole time."
"A whole week in bed? That sounds so boring. You can count on me keeping you company whenever you feel lonely." The master ruffled Ornstein's hair. "What kind of boyfriend I am when I am not there for my partner when he faces a hard time?"
The master's gaze fell on the floor, more specifically on the chamber pot, that Artorias luckily had emptied out.
"Huh, I guess you hate having to use these thing.", he said.
"Master, please, can we talk about something else?", Ornstein could feel how his face got red and he had the sudden urge to go into hiding. The blankets he was holding were pretty tempting...
"What are you embarrassed about? You know, I would have to use the pot too with two broken legs.", the master said with a smirk.
Ornstein vanished completely under the blankets. "Master, please, this is embarrassing enough without that picture in my head.", came a muffled voice from under them.
"I am just teasing you. You are so cute when flustered.", the master said. "Also, you are aware, that I can still see your pony tail?"
Ornstein appeared again: "Damn, that thing always sticks out when I want to hide in my bed..."
"You are aware that I perfectly knew where you were anyway?", the master grinned. "Um, should I leave you alone for now? I have the feeling you need a moment to calm down. I am sorry that I was teasing you."
The master was in the process of standing up and to head for the door, when Ornstein tucked at his scarf: "No, it's fine. You aren't a bother at all. Would you stay a bit longer?"
"Of course. Shall I join you in bed? But maybe we should lock the door then?"
"I promised Artorias to leave it open so that they can enter without trouble. I mean, I am not really capable of getting up and open it for them. But I made sure that everyone has to knock first. I don't want to be seen at embarrassing situations."
"I mean, I am with you now, so locking the door will be of no trouble." The master got up to turn the key in the lock. "Also, how do they know if they can enter?"
"I am going to say if it's fine to enter.", Ornstein murmured. "And Artorias said, shouldn't I answer for at least five minutes, they will enter to check on me, assuming that something happened."
"Sounds fair. Scoop over a bit, so that I have some room." Ornstein carefully made some room for his boyfriend, who then joined him under the blankets. Ornstein cuddled his head against the master's chest.
"This will be a long week...", he said.
"I am sure you will survive it. I will make sure to visit you as often as I can. Who is taking care of the silver knights?" The master gently stroked Ornstein's head.
"Artorias is going to take care of them. I told him that Ophelia can help out too, you know, the girl that wears the dragon slayer armour.", Ornstein explained. "I am sure I can count on them. That this one week will not get the cathedral into chaos." Ornstein yawned. "Huh, I feel pretty tired now..."
The master untied Ornstein's ponytail. "It is already pretty late, you were hurt and I guess Nevy's magic is having some toll on you. I will stay with you until you fall asleep, alright?"
"Thanks, master..." It didn't take Ornstein long to drift to sleep.
The next day Artorias knocked on the door: "Ornstein, good morning. I have brought you some breakfast. Can we enter?"
"Sure.", Ornstein called. Wait, we? That question got answered when Artorias entered the room with Ciaran in tow.
"I thought that it would be nicer if we could keep you company while eating. Gough would have liked to come too, but you know that he is too big." Artorias handed Ornstein a plate and himself and Ciaran sat down at the table.
"So, Ornstein, how are you planning to spend your time confined to bed rest?", Artorias asked between bites.
Ornstein swallowed his current piece before answering: "Reading books. Drawing pictures. Staring at the wall waiting for the seconds to tick by. That was how I spent my morning by the way."
"Right, you aren't able to get any of these things without help.", Ciaran said. "I think we should be sure to get some books and some paper to the bed."
"That would be appreciated. I already feel close to die of boredom.", Ornstein said. "I actually have thought about some new training and formations for the silver knights, but I couldn't write or draw anything of it down. Shall I explain it to you instead?"
Ciaran quickly got some paper and a pen to Ornstein before he had a chance to involve them in a long and detailed explanation of his plans with the silver knights. The dragon slayer stopped eating his breakfast and got to work, sometimes taking a little break to get another fork of food in his mouth.
"Not even having two broken legs stops you from taking a break.", Artorias said. "But you know what? I have some time in the afternoon. I will visit you then, cause I know the perfect activity."
Ornstein just looked briefly up from the paper: "Yeah, whatever..."
"I am not sure if he heard you.", Ciaran said.
"Ah well, than I just will have a surprise for him.", Artorias grinned.
Shortly after lunch Artorias knocked on Ornstein's door again and after he got called in, the dragon slayer was faced with the sight of a wolf knight carrying a few scrolls.
"I thought we could do the paperwork from the last week. You are pretty much not able to do any other duty.", Artorias explained and put the scrolls on Ornstein's bed.
"Good idea.", Ornstein said, picking up a scroll. "At this opportunity, we can do the paperwork of the last month too."
"What do you mean, the paperwork of the last month?", Artorias had stopped dead in his tracks. Ornstein pointed on a commode and said: "Look in the bottom drawer."
Artorias walked over to the commode and pulled the drawer out. "Ornstein, what?", he said. "How did you manage to procrastinate the paperwork for this long?!"
"I kinda didn't find an opportunity to get started and every time I had time you were out on missions or something." Ornstein opened the drawer of his night stand and pulled out quill and ink.
"Yes and when you had time and I was available too you decided to jog and fall instead.", Artorias said, clearly discontented. "With just the ones from the last week we would have been done till dinner, but with all that...", Artorias started to pull the scrolls out. "It will take until the late evening."
"Sorry.", Ornstein said. "I'll make up for it somehow. For now, we better should get started. I probably just start with the ones that simply needs to be signed."
The both knights worked mostly in silence until another knock on the door was heard. This time it was Ciaran.
"I wanted to bring you guys some tea and the cookies that Artorias made earlier.", she said and put the tablet she was carrying down on the table. "Did the paperwork suddenly increase?", she asked when she was faced with the mountains of scrolls lying around.
"Ornstein's fault.", Artorias simply said without looking up.
Ciaran fetched some cups to fill in the tea and handed one to Ornstein along with a cookie. "Procrastinated again?", she just asked. "You know, as the captain you should be a better role model."
"I know.", Ornstein said and took a sip. "It would be easier if people could read my hand writing, so that Artorias wouldn't need to help me out all the time."
"One day I will give you hand writing lessons!", called Artorias from the table.
"I need to attend to my duties, but I will be back with dinner later.", Ciaran said and left the room.
The both knights were still deep into the paperwork when Ciaran returned with the dinner. The assassin kept them company for a while before heading to her own room to call it a day. As the hours ticked by, Ornstein started to notice how the letters before his eyes began to swam and he had to yawn in much shorter intervals. The next hing he knew was, that it was morning and he saw Artorias sleeping with his head laid on the edge of the bed, the last scroll he had worked on still in his hands.
"Oh no, we didn't finish.", Ornstein murmured and raised his voice: "Hey Artorias, wake up! It's morning already!"
"Huh...?" The wolf knight shot up when he noticed how bright the room was and then winced, massaging his necks and shoulders. "Oh, ouch, that was an uncomfortable position to fell asleep in."
Ornstein eyed the paperwork. "We almost managed to finish it. If we pull through, we can do it before lunch."
He heard Artorias groan just as another knock on the door was heard and Ciaran entered.
"I brought you guys some breakfast. I am sure you needed to pull an all nighter..." She looked at the mess they had made. "Don't tell me you fell asleep? Both of you?"
Ornstein and Artorias both felt like shrinking under her glare, even though they couldn't see it beneath her mask.
"Yes, but we intended to finish it right away.", Ornstein said.
"With we you mean you and me.", Ciaran said. "Artorias, after breakfast you have to take care of the silver knights. The prince got called to a dragon hunt."
Ornstein listened attentively: "The master was called to a dragon hunt and hasn't taken any of us with him?"
"He took one troop of the silver knights and Ophelia with him.", Ciaran said. "I mean, you are out of the question, Ornstein, and we were assuming that Artorias helped you all night, so not exactly fit to go hunt a dragon."
"Even with the sleep I got, I don't feel fit for a dragon hunt right now.", Artorias said, still massaging his sore muscles. "Alright, let's eat. I will check on you later."
The pain in Ornstein's leg had flared up and so the knight had decided to just lay still for a while, waiting for it to pass over, when he heard a knock on the door and a voice, asking: "Captain, can I come in?"
Ornstein pulled himself up, wincing because of the pain. "Sure, Ophelia.", he called.
The door opened and the girl which was wearing what was known the dragon slayer armour came in, carrying a tea can.
"I have brought some tea.", she said and put it down on the table before removing her helmet. It was hard to believe that this shy girl with reddish blond hair tied in a ponytail and freckles was known as one of Anor Londo's strongest warriors.
"There are some tea cups in the cupboard over there.", Ornstein said and pointed to it.
"I'll go get them.", Ophelia said and opened the cupboard. After rummaging around for a bit she found them. "How cute, they are dragon shaped.", she murmured.
"A gift from the master.", Ornstein said, clearly remembering the day the master had managed to talk all his friends to get him dragon based gifts for his birthday. Ophelia finished putting tea in the cups, handed one to Ornstein and then sat down in a chair next to his bed.
"How are you feeling, captain?", she asked.
Ornstein took a sip from the cup and answered: "Sometimes the pain is pretty heavy, just have to wait till it subdues then. How was the dragon hunt?"
"It went pretty great. That was to be expected because the prince was with us. We managed to get the beast down far quicker than anticipated. This village can have a moment of peace now."
"Any losses?", Ornstein wanted to know.
Ophelia's face darkened for a bit: "We lost Elric, Faelan and Egyd."
Ornstein sighed. "Well, it is pretty good actually. We are used to lose much more troops. Prepare the condolence letters for their families. How are the other silver knights doing?"
"Most of them are doing great. Actually, there are rumours that Hilda and Trancred are getting married soon."
"That isn't surprising, there had been a thing going on between them for quite some time now." These two were a male sword silver knight and a female spear silver knight and it was obvious for anyone who wasn't blind that they liked each other more than friends. "Having a marriage actually could boost the spirits, but maybe they should wait with getting kids after the war is over...", Ornstein murmured, staring in his tea cup.
There was silence between them, Ophelia was holding her tea cup with both hands when she asked: "Captain... have you ever thought about marrying?"
Ornstein, who had just took another sip from the cup, spat it out all over his nightshirt in surprise.
"Oh, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to.. That was an inappropriate question. Please forget that I asked this." The girl looked horribly ashamed.
"No, it's fine, you just surprised me.", Ornstein said. "And me getting wet was my own fault. I feel that I should change in dry clothes though, could you give me a new nightshirt? They are in this chest."
Ophelia walked over to it and picked out a nightshirt that she tossed on the bed. "Oh, I better turn around...", she said. "To give you some privacy. Or shall I leave the room?"
"You can stay, this will be done in a minute.", Ornstein said and pulled the wet nightshirt off before slipping in the new one. The one with the lightning pattern on it. Another gift from the master. He wondered if Ophelia had picked it on purpose or by coincidence. He tossed the wet nightshirt on the ground. "I am finished.", he said and Ophelia turned around and went to sit in the chair again.
"I haven't answered your question yet.", Ornstein said.
"Oh please, captain, you don't have to, I was just curious.", Ophelia said. "Because you are always turning any girl down that is brave enough to ask you for a dance." she added in a quiet voice.
"I haven't thought about marrying, no.", Ornstein answered.
"May I ask why?", Ophelia wanted to know.
What should Ornstein answer to this? That he was in a relationship with the prince of this country who probably would become the next lord of sunlight and that they kept their relationship secret from others cause a knight shouldn't share the same bed as his master? Instead, Ornstein decided to tell a lie that he directly took from something that Artorias had once said: "I don't think it would be wise to marry someone and getting children in this times of war. I have plenty time for this after it is over. We don't even know if we live to see the next day, I wouldn't want to let a partner at home, worrying if I will ever return."
"This... actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for being honest with me, captain." Ophelia smiled at him and Ornstein felt a slight pang of guilt cause of the blatant lie he just told her.
"Actually... that has been a lie...", he admitted. "I am sorry that I didn't tell you the truth at first, but I know you long enough now... I can't tell you who he is, but I have been in a relationship for a while now." Only after he finished talking he noticed his slip up with the pronouns. Not everyone would approve of two guys being in romantic love with each other.
Ornstein could see how some slight surprise washed over Ophelia's face but she maintained her composure.
"I see... thanks for admitting to being dishonest with me, Captain. And I am making sure that no one will know about your relationship with Artorias."
Ornstein was glad that he didn't had any tea anymore or he would had needed to change a second time. "It's not Artorias.", he blurted out.
"R.. really? Oh I am so sorry to have jumped to conclusions. You two look so close with each other, I guess that is, why...", her words trailed off and she just stared at the wall in silence.
"A...anyway, I have to go now. Get well soon, captain." Ophelia hastily collected her helmet and practically rushed out from the room, Ornstein could see how red her face had become.
"I wonder what Artorias will say when I tell him about this conversation later.", Ornstein murmured and poured himself another cup of tea.
"And checkmate.", Ornstein said. "Again."
"Already? You are just too strong at this game.", Artorias murmured.
"No, you just suck at chess.", Ornstein answered. "Bring me a real challenge. Like Ciaran. Or Seath." Ornstein considered his words. "On second thought, don't bring Seath here, or we will play chess for 24 hours straight."
"Well, maybe we should play another game then? You don't seem to thrilled.", Artorias suggested.
"Yeah, because we only have done this for an hour and I managed to beat you ten times. You were literally falling for the easiest traps. Chess just isn't your game, Artorias."
"You are right, I have never been good at it..", Artorias said. "My strategy always is to just charge in and don't let anyone even dare to attack. Easy when you can stagger them with your big weapons."
"This strategy sounds like it could get you killed one day.", Ornstein said. "You were talking about other games? Have you brought more?"
"Yes.", Artorias said and put away the chess figurines and the board. "A new one has brought from the east, it seems to be quite popular over there. It is called Go." Artorias put a board on the table that he had gotten nearer to Ornstein's bed and poured a sack with black and white stones on it.
"How do you play it?", Ornstein wanted to know.
"One player has the white stones and the other one has the black stones. The goal is to trap the stones of your enemy so that they change their colour into your own."
"Artorias...", Ornstein said. "That is exactly as logic based at chess!"
"Maybe you want to try anyway? It may be more entertaining to beat me at a different game for once...", Artorias said.
"Well, we can try... Have you brought a third game?"
"Yeah, I also have a checkers game with me."
"Another one that is logic based... Maybe we should get two more people and just play cards.", Ornstein suggested and watched Artorias make his first move.
"Ciaran should be done with her duties shortly.", Artorias said and finished his move. Ornstein found a counter to it immediately.
"If Ciaran plays cards with us, she will win, she has the perfect poker face.", Ornstein said. "But I guess it could be fun losing for once. Who could be the fourth player?"
"How about Prince Gwynfor or Gwyndolin?", Artorias said, staring at the board.
"I would prefer the master, I don't think we should taint Gwyndolin's pure soul with card games already...", Ornstein murmured. After a few minutes had passed, Artorias finally made his move.
"Really?", Ornstein said and managed to counter Artorias move with ease again. "This is my first time playing this game and I am really close to winning."
"Alright, I have to admit defeat.", Artorias grumbled. "Let me see if I can find Ciaran and the prince to join us for a card game."
With Ornstein grounded in his bed, there wasn't much things he could do, especially when he didn't had any company. Most of his time was spent reading books or drawings pictures. And because of the pain in his legs he would take a lot of naps. It was one of this naps he woke up from with a dry throat. Still very sleepy, Ornstein reached out from under the blankets for the jar with water that would usually stand on his nightstand. He grasped at nothing instead. Still sleepy, Ornstein pulled himself a bit closer to the the assumed position of the nightstand and reached out anew, only to completely lose balance. He wasn't near the nightstand at all. Before he could grasp what just happened, he had already made painful contact with the floor.
Luckily, Ornstein had instinctively used his hands to tone down his fall and protect his face from the fall. He carefully pulled himself up in a sitting position, still a bit shivering from the shock of the fall. He looked at this hand and noticed some grazes at them, nothing bad at last. But now he had the problem, that he had to make it back into bed.
Which wouldn't be a problem if he could have used his legs at all. Ornstein considered if he should call for help, maybe some silver knight patrolling outside would hear him, but that would also mean that his embarrassing situation would be known to all of them once dinner came. It shouldn't be too difficult to pull himself back up into bed...
But it already was made difficult by the fact that he couldn't put any weight on his broken legs at all, so getting up to his knees at last was out of the question. He turned himself around in his sitting position and tried to keep the balance without the frame of the bed supporting him anymore. He pulled out his arms to grab on the mattress and pulling himself back up in the bed, but completely underestimated his own weight. By the lords, he was heavy! This didn't work out at all. The slight pain in his hands from the scrape's didn't make it easier.
He tried a few more times, but had to give up halfway through each try. Heavily panting, he channeled his inner strength. He would manage to pull himself up back into bed. He grabbed the edge of the bed, hold on tight and started to pull himself up. He just needed to get his body high enough so that he could crawl back into the bed... and he was close making it, so close, when a knock on the door startled him and he slipped back on the floor.
"Ornstein, can I come in? I brought some dinner to share.", the voice of the master called through the door.
"Dammit, master, I nearly made it.", Ornstein grumbled.
"Nearly made what? Can I come in? Do you need help? I heard a thud."
"I actually could use your help..."
"Alright, I am coming in now." The master opened the door and was faced with the sight of Ornstein still lying on the floor.
"Did you...?", he started.
"Yes, I fell out of bed. Could you just help me back in, please?", Ornstein murmured, his gaze locked at a wall, aware that his face was going red. The master casually walked over to him and picked Ornstein up like he was weighing nothing to him. Ornstein embraced the short moment being hold by the master's arm before he gently was put back into bed.
"I should get Nevy.", he said.
"Oh please no, she surely will get mad.", Ornstein said.
"Probably, but she has to take a look at your legs. A fall like this surely jostled the injuries."
"I fell on my front, see?", Ornstein presented his hands with the scrapes.
"She should still take a look. Wait here, I will be back shortly." The master rushed out of the room. Ornstein remembered why he had woken up in the first place and finally reached properly for the jar of water to clench his thirst. Then he picked up a hairband to tie his ponytail and left his gaze wandering through the room. Ornstein noticed the plate with food the master had put down on the table. It was only one. Apparently he had meant the part about sharing food literal. Ornstein could feel his face going red again and asked himself why, he had been doing far more intimate things with the master. Before he could think about this further, the door opened again and the master entered with the princess.
Like expected, the princess was mad at his slip-up and spent a good five minutes explaining to him why he had to be more careful and why she had confined him to bed rest in the first place. After the lesson was over, she checked his legs, was satisfied to see that the healing process wasn't interrupted and would go on like intended and left the room, leaving Ornstein alone with the master.
The master locked the door and joined Ornstein in bed with the plate of food. He handed a fork to him. "Let's eat.", he said. "I have already cut everything into pieces, so you don't have to worry about this. It isn't so easy for you to cut food while lying in bed."
"Thanks, master.", Ornstein said and accepted the fork. It was some simple dish consisting of some undefined meat served with rice and a few vegetables. As someone who favoured meat over vegetables, Ornstein started with them, wanting to save the best part for last.
"You have to taste this, this tastes absolute incredible!", the master said and stuffed his own fork in Ornstein's mouth. "That is the first time they served this meat. I didn't knew it would be too tasty." The eyes of the master were glowing with delight.
Ornstein carefully chewed and swallowed the piece of meat. The master was right, it was tasty, but: "Please ask me the next time when you want me to try something."
"Oh sorry, I was just so enraptured in the taste... Don't you want me to feed you?"
The master had such a sad look in his face, it made Ornstein actually feel guilty.
"I have never said that..."
"Then open your mouth." And before Ornstein could say anything, the master had given him a second mouthful. Ornstein just put his own fork aside, apparently he wasn't allowed to even eat on his own now. It wasn't even that bad. He just enjoyed spending time with the master. After they had finished eating, Ornstein rested his head on the master's chest and the two of them talked until it was time for them to go to sleep.
Ornstein waited for Artorias to bring the requested items. He wanted to wash up. Him being in bed all the time also didn't help with feeling clean. After a short amount of waiting time, Artorias knocked on the door. After Ornstein confirmed that he could come in, Artorias opened the door and brought a filled washtub in. He also brought some soap and a washcloth.
"Do you need help washing up?", Artorias asked and moved the washtub on the bed. Then he fetched a few towels and handed them to Ornstein.
"I can do this on my own. This time my arms aren't hurt.", Ornstein said and started to undress. "Do you intend to stay here?", he asked after he noticed that Artorias had took a seat and stared at him with his chin in his hands.
"Well, I be there to intervene if you are getting in trouble.", Artorias said. "But when you are uncomfortable of me watching, even though we frequently bath together in the public bath, I turn around." With this Artorias turned around on the chair and bobbed with it.
Ornstein sighed and picked up the washcloth to gently remove the dirt and sweat from his body. When he was finished and was wringing out the washcloth, he noticed that Artorias was suddenly standing behind him. Ornstein got this sense of thread and made sure to hold his breath, knowing what would come next.
"Ornstein, don't think you are getting away without washing your hair.", Artorias said and practically dunked his head in the washtub. Ornstein could feel how Artorias pulled the rest of his hair in the water. After he noticed that the pressure left, Ornstein emerged from the washtub, catching his breath.
"A warning had been nice.", he grumbled while Artorias attached soap into his hair. After he was done, Ornstein submerged his head in the washtub again and Artorias helped him getting the soap out of it. After they were done, Artorias handed him some towels.
Ornstein wrapped some towels around his hair and used another one to dry off his body. Artorias had fetched a new nightshirt and Ornstein changed into it. Artorias was putting the washtub away from the bed and Ornstein tensed when he saw what the wolf knight had picked up next.
"You can't run anywhere.", Artorias grinned while Ornstein had to suffer during getting his mess of hair brushed.
"I am glad when I can do this all on my own again...", Ornstein said.
"You nearly have made it, only three more days.", Artorias assured him.
"How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?"
One week had finally passed and the princess had come to Ornstein along with a physician to take a look at his legs.
"They don't hurt anymore, princess.", Ornstein answered.
The princess touched Ornstein's leg, but was satisfied to see that he didn't flinch or wince. "I think we can take off this splints now.", she said to the physician. The physician nodded and got to work. After the splints and bandages were removed, Ornstein actually felt like a weight had been lifted from him.
"This looks all healed.", the physician said. "Try getting up."
She didn't need to say this twice to Ornstein, who would have liked to jump out of bed, but with his restricted movements the last week, he simply was able to get to the edge of the bed and putting both feet on the ground. It felt good to actually be able to do this. Ornstein smiled and got up only to tumble and nearly fall hadn't it been for the princess catching him.
"Careful. Your legs seem to be still a bit stiff.", she said.
"I guess I am a bit rusty...", Ornstein said. "After not being able to walk for a week."
"You should be able to walk normally soon. For now, I suggest that you still get some help. Like crutches or the support of a friend." The princess gently pushed Ornstein back to sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Needing help from a friend? I am right there!" Artorias had entered the room, he probably had heard their conversation from the outside.
"Actually, I wanted to get some crutches from the infirmary...", Ornstein said.
"Oh, um...", Artorias started. "But maybe I can help you get to the infirmary?"
"If you insist.", Ornstein said, smiling and let Artorias help him get up.
"If you are still experiencing discomfort or pain, tell us immediately.", the princess said and left the room.
"I am going to prepare some crutches.", the physician said and followed the princess.
Ornstein was supported by Artorias and while they slowly made their way out of the door, Ornstein said: "I really look forward to get back to my jogging routine "
Artorias looked at him like he couldn't believe what he just heard: "You got to be kidding me. At least try to not fall next time."
(Author's note: I think I messed up the Go rules and I am pretty sure that poker didn't exist in medieval times, but this is still some kind of fantasy world, so please let this slip through, yes?)