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Desires and Destiny
Chapter 15
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"Did your journey go well?" Kayla asked Lucy as she held out a cup of tea.
"It did," Lucy replied, nodding in thanks as she took it. "How have you been?"
"Well."
It was late evening and the Valiant Queen had just reached Daelhr and been greeted by the Lady of Daelhr and Kayla.
Alianna – quiet as always, had simply greeted her in her polite voice.
Kayla – though she still was a bit stiff towards Lucy, talked more and Lucy could tell that Kayla was not as angry at her as she was before.
The three women along with Harry were currently seated in the living room, drinking tea. Lucy had insisted that Harry should also come in and join them for he was her friend. Thankfully, no one objected... though she guessed that Harry had wanted to!
"And you Alianna," Lucy said, turning to look at Alianna, "How have you been?"
Lucy had tried to force her voice to remain normal, but a small amount of dislike still leaked out and she couldn't do anything about it.
"I'm fine, my queen." The Lady of Daelhr replied, "And life here has been lovely."
Lucy nodded, gritting her teeth.
Of course her life was lovely. She was married to Chad – who was an amazing person to be with. And instead of being thankful for the blessing she had received in the form of her husband, Alianna was actually stabbing him in the back.
Alianna and her father and her brother wanted nothing but to harm Chad. And Lucy wouldn't let them do that.
Lucy would not let her hurt him.
"Would you like more tea?" Kayla asked Harry.
Harry politely shook his head.
Lucy noticed that Harry had stiffened when Kayla had addressed him. What is that all about?
She glanced at him closely. He seemed normal now.
Perhaps I had imagined it.
The Valiant Queen shrugged and glanced around for a minute or two – and then her curiosity got the best of her. She cleared her throat. "Where is C-Chad?"
"He had to meet someone in the morning," Alianna answered, "He isn't back yet."
"Which is strange," Kayla said, frowning. "He had called a meeting with his council here in the afternoon. He missed it."
"Where did he go?" Lucy inquired.
"I don't know," Kayla said. "But when he came to say goodbye to me, he did say that he will be back before evening."
"He was planning to meet the labor force and convince them to stop the strikes," Alianna spoke up.
"How do you know?" Kayla asked.
"He told me."
So Chad told Alianna about his daily plans. Did that mean that he trusted her, that he was happy with her, that he had forgotten Lucy?
"Are the strikes causing that much of a trouble, my Lady?" Harry spoke up for the first time that evening.
"They weren't before, but the negotiations Chad tried to hold failed," Kayla explained. "And from what I've heard things got pretty nasty between Chad and Talan – the leader of the labor group. Eventually, Chad refused to give them any funds unless and until they resumed their jobs."
"Did he agree to increase the payments?"
It was Lucy who answered. "No. From what I know of him, Chad wouldn't do that," she paused. "In any case, Chad did discuss this matter with Peter and Peter agreed. Their demands were quite irrational."
"Why didn't the High King offer help?" Harry asked. "Surely, if the kings and queens announced that the payments would not be increased then the people will stop protesting."
"Peter did offer to help," Lucy told them. "But Chad refused. He said that he would like to handle his city by himself."
Kayla shook her head, a small smiled on her face. "That is so typically Chad!"
Lucy couldn't help but smile at that. "It is."
"Well, maybe he is late because the talks actually went somewhere," Kayla guessed. "I mean, if Chad had felt that they would not listen, he would have returned."
"Let us hope so," Lucy said as she placed the cup on the table. "I'd like to rest for a while now, though."
[][][][][][][][]
Chad opened his eyes and blinked a few times. The trees overhead came into focus.
He frowned.
What -
And then the memory of the attack came back to him.
His eyes wide, he tried to sit but realized that he couldn't move.
The pain in his chest blinded him yet again.
Gasping, he rested back, staring at the sky which was dark.
How long have I been unconscious? He wondered.
A twig snapped somewhere on the other side of the wall of bushes that hid the clearing.
"Find him!" a voice said.
"We've been doing that for hours now," another complained. "What if we lost him?"
"He hasn't reached the mansion yet," the first one replied. "He must still be in the forest!"
Those assassins were still looking for Chad.
And even worse, they were nearby.
Chad glanced at his sword that lay on the ground. He moved his right arm, ignoring the sparks of agony that the movement triggered, and grasped the hilt tightly.
Trying not to make a sound, Chad forced himself to sit.
The world swam again.
And despite his attempts to stay quiet, a coughing fit took him over and he spat out blood. They would find him now.
And sure enough -
"Found him!" a shout came and a moment later, one of the assassins entered the clearing. His companions followed.
Chad glared at them as he pushed himself to his feet, breathing heavily.
He prayed to Aslan for help.
But he knew that help was unlikely. No one knew that he had been attacked. And no one would be able to find him here in this well hidden clearing.
Will he be able to fight these four men?
Probably no.
Did this mean that he would be killed?
Probably yes.
And he decided that if this was his death, then he would die fighting.
With a grim smile on his face, Chad raised his sword and readied himself for the fight as the attackers charged forward.
[][][][][][][][]
Harry opened the door of his chambers and blinked in surprise.
"Lucy?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to talk to you."
After a moment's hesitation, he stepped aside to let her in. "You said you were tired after the journey. Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I asked a few servants and Chad still hasn't returned," she said, worry in her voice. "And we're going to go and look for him."
"What?"
"I'm sure that Demetrius and Philip have something to do with what is going on in the city," Lucy said.
"How can you be so sure?"
Lucy shook her head. "I cannot explain it – Instincts, perhaps... Harry, I really have a bad feeling about this." She paused. "Please, come with me."
Harry moved in her way. "No." he said quickly. "I'll go and find Chad."
"Chad hates you."
"You're not his most favorite person in the world either, my queen." He shot back.
Lucy sighed. "But –"
"But nothing. I'll go to Chad and you can stay here. In any case, people here will notice if the Valiant Queen is not at the mansion."
Lucy bit her lip and nodded slightly. "You're right." She sighed. "Just take care of yourself and of him."
"I will." He smiled at her before reaching out for his sword and then boots.
Half an hour later, Harry rode his horse on a deserted street, cursing his stupidity. Maybe asking Lucy for some proper directions would have been the wise thing to do, but NO! He had to ride out alone in this city he knew very little about, searching for a man who could be anywhere at the moment.
And now Harry had another problem at his hand: He had reached a fork in the road and didn't know which path to take.
Harry looked at right side. It was deserted.
He looked at left. It was deserted as well.
Of course it is deserted, his brain told him. It's so late at night. Normal people sit in their homes at this time!
"I'll go right," he decided, praying to Aslan that he found Chad soon.
His horse, however, had its own plans.
It went left.
"Not left," he told the horse. "Right!"
The horse just neighed.
"Fine!" Harry grumbled, wondering why the horse found this side more attractive. And then he shrugged. Its not as if he knew the right way.
They went straight for a few minutes when the horse neighed again, this time uncomfortably.
Harry frowned, looking ahead and he froze.
Bodies.
Dead bodies.
Four of them.
Getting off his horse as quickly as he could, Harry pulled out his sword, his senses alert as he walked over to the bodies. Blood was spilled. Weapons lay on the road. And the faraway sound of swords clashing reached his ears.
Harry looked around, his grip on his sword tightening. The sounds were coming from somewhere within the woods on the side of the road, that much he could tell.
He glanced back at the dead bodies, this time taking in their faces.
And realization dawned on him.
Two of the men, he knew nothing about, but the other two he remembered. He had seen them on Chad's wedding. They were Chad's personal guards.
Which means that Chad has been attacked!
Without wasting another second, Harry ran into the woods, following the sounds of the clash.
He had promised Lucy that he would make sure that Chad was safe, and he had every intention of fulfilling this promise.
Trying to be as stealthy as he could, Harry ran deep into the forest, jumping over roots as he moved forward. Soon he faced a wall of bushes and he knew that the sounds came from its other sides.
Pushing the bushes aside, he stepped forward.
It was a small clearing. A man lay dead on the ground. And Chad was fighting three more at the same time. Various scratches covered his face, his expression that of fury and focus as he skillfully moved his blade, trying to win the duel.
But he was injured, that much Harry could tell.
He noticed how Chad's breath was haggard, and how he tried not to move his right arm. His moves were not fast enough and he was continuously stumbling.
Pulling out a dagger from his boot, Harry aimed and threw – a second later it hit one of the attackers in his back. The assassin cried out in pain and then pulled the blade out of his body.
The men paused and turned.
And Harry stepped out into the open. His hazel eyes met Chad's green ones.
Everything was silent for a moment and then one of the attackers charged towards Harry and the other two rounded up on Chad.
Harry raised his arm and the swords met in midair. And that was all that mattered now – the fight.
Slash. Duck. Step. Slash. Step. Parry.
As the attacker raised his arm, Harry slashed his blade, slitting the man's throat. Without waiting for another second, he ran over to where Chad was fighting the remaining two men.
One of them turned towards Harry and so another series of complex blows began. The duel took longer than Harry would have liked, but soon this man too, fell dead.
A scream filled with agony pierced the air.
Harry turned around.
Chad slammed onto the ground, his face contorted with pain. It was dark, but Harry could see blotches of blood on the his trousers.
The assassin raised his sword.
In desperation, Chad thrust his blade into the man's side and then lay back, gasping for breath.
Stepping forward as quickly as he could, Harry swung his sword and in one move decapitated the man.
It was over.
Panting slightly, Harry kneeled before Chad. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Chad didn't reply, instead gulped in huge amounts of air, his body shuddering.
Harry looked at him intently. "Your leg is bleeding," he said and then reached out and tore the tunic off an assassin. "You won't need that anymore," he muttered to the dead body as he wrapped it around Chad's leg and tied it.
"Too tight," Chad hissed.
"It might help stem the flow of blood until I get you back to the manor." Harry explained.
Chad opened his mouth to speak but instead coughed, spitting out blood.
Alarmed, Harry pulled up Chad's tunic and stared at the huge reddish-purple bruise on his torso. "You have some internal injury," he stated, "I need to get you back."
[][][][][][][][]
"Hello, Abaccus," Alianna smiled at the horse.
Abaccus turned towards her. "Ah, milady, what brings you to the stables at this late hour?"
"I couldn't sleep."
"And you decided that talking to a certain intelligent horse would be the best solution, right?"
Alianna smiled slowly. "Perhaps."
"Why didn't you talk to your pretty husband?"
Her smiled faltered. "He hasn't returned home yet," she murmured.
"And you're worried about him."
She nodded.
The horse didn't say anything for a short while. Then – "He is happy with you, you know?"
Alianna blinked, clearly not expecting these words.
"He likes you," Abaccus told her. "And he doesn't regret his decision of marrying you."
"Did he say that to you?" she asked, her voice strangely alight with hope.
Abaccus neighed. "Like he would ever admit his feelings!"
Alianna frowned.
"He doesn't open up so easily. He does not admit what is in his heart," the horse told her, "And he rarely shows it either... at least not in the beginning."
The two were silent for a while.
"Anyways," Abaccus began, "When are we going on another ride, milady? You and I both enjoyed the last one."
Alianna smiled. "Soon," she replied.
"I cannot wait for another chance to annoy your husband by telling him how you are way better than him."
"You did that?"
"'Course I did. And I loved to see him grumble this and that," Abaccus told him. "If I'm not wrong, he was slightly jealous that I enjoy talking to you more than him at times."
"I don't believe that," Alianna said. Chad couldn't be jealous of her. He knew that Abaccus just did that to annoy him. "He just is protective about you."
"As he should be. I'm the best horse he has."
Alianna smiled.
It had been slightly startling at first, but with the help of Chad, she had gotten used to Abaccus' proud personality. And now, like her husband, she enjoyed talking to the horse.
She opened her mouth to reply when –
Slam!
The doors to the stables slammed open and a black mare came in.
Alianna froze.
Harry was sitting on the horse, holding a man who was clearly very injured. As the horse moved into light, Alianna got a chance to see who the injured man was. She found herself staring into very familiar emerald eyes.
And the shock that had paralyzed her went away in an instant, only to be replaced with a mixture of fear and worry.
"Oh my!" she exclaimed in alarm as she rushed forward. "W-What –?"
"He was attacked," Harry replied, hopping off the horse.
Alianna stared at Chad with wide eyes. Reaching out, she grazed his cheek with her fingers. "Milord?"
He tried to smile, though it looked like more of a grimace. Slowly his eyes fluttered closed.
"He needs a healer," Harry said, as he wrapped Chad's arm around his shoulder and lifted him off the horse.
Alianna nodded, wrapping his other arm around her shoulders.
Together they carried Chad into the mansion and to the bedchambers that belonged to the Lord and Lady of Daelhr. Carefully, they lowered him onto the bed.
Harry untied the cloth drenched in blood from his leg. "Do you have more rags?" he asked. "We should tie them up around his wound."
"In the closet," Alianna pointed, moving towards the door. "I'll tell Kayla to call a healer."
"A-Alia-nna," Chad gasped.
She stopped and stared at him, noticing the pain in his eyes. "I'll be right back, milord."
[][][][][][][][]
Lucy and Kayla were sitting silently in the living room.
The Valiant Queen had sent Harry to look out for Chad and so far none of them had returned. Lucy was worried and sleep was not coming, so she had decided to draw. Sketching was the one thing that kept her calm and helped soothe her.
Kayla was worried too, but she didn't say anything. Not that Lucy had expected her to.
"Kayla! Kayla!" Alianna ran into the room, out of breath and looking extremely pale. "Call a healer. Hurry up!"
The two women stood up, alarmed.
"What happened?" Lucy asked.
Tears formed in Alianna's eyes. "Lord Chad is hurt. He is hurt."
"What?" Lucy's world seemed to come to a stop. "How?"
Alianna shook her head. "He is bleeding. Call a healer, now."
Kayla nodded and rushed towards the door. "I'll get one."
"What happened?" Lucy asked again.
"I don't know. Harry is with him," Alianna moved towards the door. "But he is in pain."
Lucy followed her up the staircase and into Chad's room.
And she stopped.
Chad lay on the bed, holding his right shoulder tightly, linen strips tied on his leg. His breathing was ragged as he turned his head to look at them. His green eyes met her brown ones and she could tell that he was in pain.
Lucy didn't know how she felt.
It felt good to see him after such a long time.
But it hurt to see him in such a state.
She took a step forward.
"I've called the healers," Alianna said as she walked past Lucy.
Lucy snapped out of her thoughts, her eyes on Alianna, who had took walked to the other side of the bed and was now sitting to Chad's left.
"I have to talk to the guards about something," Harry, who had been standing against a wall, spoke up. "I think it might help later on."
"Harry!" Lucy exclaimed, turning to him. "Are you alright?"
He nodded.
"Thank goodness you are," the Valiant Queen said, glad to see that her friend was not hurt.
Harry smiled slightly. "I'll be right back." And he left the room.
All for silent for a second and then Chad groaned in pain.
"Please be strong, milord," Alianna murmured, "The doctor will be here soon."
"There will be no need for that," Lucy spoke up. "I'll go get my cordial. It's in my room."
"Yes," Alianna quickly agreed, her expression changing from concern to relief. "Please get it."
"N-No," Chad gasped. "I… don't want the c-cordial."
Irritation flooded through Lucy. Was he saying this because he was oh-so-noble or was it because he was angry at her? In any case, seeing how injured he was, he shouldn't even be saying this! "Are you insane?" she couldn't help but ask.
"I d-don't want it."
"Chad, you're bleeding," the Valiant Queen pointed out, "You're hurt and the cordial will heal you in just a minute."
"I will heal the p-proper way," he managed to say.
"But –"
He simply shook his head before dissolving into a coughing fit. Red liquid oozed out of his mouth.
Lucy glared at Chad, disapproval clear on her face, but didn't move to leave the room. "What happened?" she asked after a moment.
"I was coming b-back home… s-six men attacked me. Killed g-guards. I fought b-but…" He took a deep breath. "Had to run b-back. Chest hurt. C-couldn't move, f-fight. I –"
"We get it." Alianna told him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't talk, don't waste your energy."
He nodded, closing his eyes.
"I can still give you the cordial." Lucy offered, worry dripping from her voice.
He smiled, never opening his eyes. "No, Lucy."
And for some insane reason, Lucy's heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since he had said her name. It had been so long since he had heard his voice without any hatred for her. And it felt so good to hear that again.
A different kind of sadness gripped her heart.
A few minutes later, Kayla entered the room with an old woman right behind her, whom Lucy recognized as the best healer in Daelhr. She had met the woman once, a long time ago.
"Chad!" Kayla rushed to her brother's side. "Are you alright?"
Chad, who looked like he was feeling dizzy now, managed to nod once.
"If you all would please leave, I can attend to him," the healer politely said.
Everyone filed out of the room. As they got out, Harry ran over to them. "What happened?" he asked.
"The healer is with him," Lucy replied.
Harry frowned. "What about your cordial?"
"He won't take it."
"Idiot," Kayla muttered, close to tears. "What happened?"
Lucy repeated what Chad had managed to tell them.
"How did you find him?" Alianna asked Harry.
Lucy and Kayla turned to him, waiting for a response.
Harry cleared his throat and explained everything - the dead guards, the sound of clashes, Harry finding Chad, and the fight.
Kayla frowned. "What were you doing outside at this time?"
Harry glanced at Lucy. "I-I was getting bored," he lied with a shrug. "So I went out for a ride."
Kayla leaned against a wall, her lower lip shaking. "Who would want to attack Chad?" she asked, worried.
The Valiant Queen glanced at Harry. "I don't know."
"I know it wasn't my place to do so but I told the guards to seal the site of attack." Harry told them. "Lord Chad could have it examined later on and we might find any clue about -"
"Aaaaahh!" a scream came from inside and they jumped.
"He is in so much pain," Lucy said, her heart hurting to hear him scream. "He should have taken the cordial."
They remained silent.
Lucy glanced at the closed door.
This was not right. Demetrius and Philip were behind this. So was Alianna. She was just acting to be so worried. She was probably happy on the inside to see Chad in such a state.
They were all betraying him.
Cheating on him.
Trying to hurt him.
And she, Lucy, couldn't do anything about it – not until she had a proof.
… But Chad was attacked. This was huge.
Peter had to talk to Chad. This was just insane.
"Excuse me, I'll be right back," Lucy said and walked away, even though she wanted to be as close to Chad as possible.
She heard footsteps behind her.
"Where are you going?" Harry whispered as he caught up with her.
"I'm going to write to Peter. This is serious."
"It is," he agreed.
The two walked to Lucy's room where she pulled out a paper and a quill and started writing.
Dear Peter,
Chad was attacked today by six unknown men. He is injured and the healers are attending to him as I write this letter to you. He, being a stubborn man, refused to take the cordial.
Demetrius and Philip are behind this, I'm sure of it. I know you think that we should find proof first, but you have to talk to Chad. This cannot go on. He was attacked today. Luckily, he was able to fight them off until Harry found him and saved him. If it weren't for Harry, who knows what might have happened? We cannot take chances. Chad has to know that his wife and her family are actually plotting against him. He has a right to know.
I would have talked to him, but he would never trust me. He would just think that I want him to go against Alianna because I am jealous or something…
I just don't know what to do. I'm so confused and worried. I hate seeing Chad like this. Help me, Peter, help me make things right. Please?
Lucy.
She folded the paper and pulled out an envelope from the desk.
Harry, who had been staring at her intently, asked, "Are you alright?"
She paused. "Why do you ask?"
"I know how you must have felt seeing him in that state."
She sighed, dropping down on the bed helplessly. "I just want to make things right."
"You will, I'm sure of it," he said, "And I'll always be there to help you."
She smiled up at him. "I know." A pause, "How will I make things right, Harry?"
"I don't know," he replied honestly.
"Neither do I."
"But we will figure out a way," he told her, "And soon."
She didn't answer for a while. "Thank you, Harry," she said as she stood up and hugged him, "For saving Chad and for being there for me. You're a dear friend."
He pulled back and winked at her. "That I am!"
She smiled slightly. "Let's go and find someone to take this letter to Peter."
He nodded.
About half an hour later, the two walked back to Chad's chambers. Lucy frowned when she saw that no one was standing outside.
Surely, the healers couldn't have attended to him so soon.
"Shall we go in?" Harry asked.
She nodded and they quietly walked into the room.
Chad lay in the middle of the bed, shirtless, bandages wrapped around his upper torso and his arm in a sling. Blankets covered his body from his waist up to his knees, where the healer was cleaning the wound on his leg. A needle and a thread for stitches lay nearby. Sweat covered his face, causing his hair to stick to his forehead and his breathing was shallow.
Alianna was sitting on the bed, next to him, looking at him with concern.
Chad glanced at the healer. "Is it really necessary to stitch the wound?" he managed to croak.
"Yes, milord," the healer replied, "The wound is really deep and you have already lost a lot of blood. It would have been better if you had allowed me to attend to this wound first."
"You're an idiot, Chad," Kayla told him from her position at the couch, where she was mixing a salve and glaring at her brother. "You do know that losing so much blood could prove fatal."
"I-I don't like s-stitches," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.
"You should have thought of that before you got attacked."
"It wasn't his fault that he was attacked," Lucy spoke up, her eyes moving to Chad. "How are you now?"
She saw slight anger fill his eyes followed by a glimpse of warmth... He seemed to be in some sort of internal-emotion war for a few moments, but then his fear won over.
"I don't want stitches." He said, looking like a child who was afraid of being punished for some prank he played.
Harry chuckled. "Have you never got stitches before?"
"No."
"You have," Lucy told him, "On your back, when you were little."
Chad's expression darkened and Lucy realized with a jolt that she had reminded him of the torture Alfred had inflicted on him a long time ago.
How can I be so stupid? She asked herself.
"But he had been unconscious when they stitched the wound," Kayla told them, her tone casual as she changed the topic. "So he didn't feel a thing probably."
"I thought you and Alianna were waiting outside," Lucy said to her.
"Lord Chad didn't want to be alone," the healer said, irritation seeping in her voice, "He refused to get cured unless anyone was with him here."
Chad looked away sheepishly.
"I had to try real hard to make him cooperate while I fixed his dislocated shoulder and attended to his broken ribs," the healer went on. "But he wouldn't let me touch him anymore unless I called the others inside."
"Dislocated shoulder?" Lucy asked in horror. "And broken ribs?"
"Three of them," she replied. "No wonder he was coughing up blood and having trouble breathing. Still is, actually."
Chad had been attacked so badly…
What if Harry had been late in reaching him?
What if they had been able to do more damage?
What if –
"I'm going to stitch your wound now, milord," the healer told Chad, "Please try not to move."
"I'm sorry, Chad, I cannot see this," Kayla said quickly, standing up. "I know you'll be fine but I'll come here later."
"You can g-go," Chad said, staring at the healer as she picked up the needle. "Sorry."
"I love you, little brother," Kayla said and rushed out of the room.
"Is she alright?" Harry pointed towards the door. "She looked like she was going to throw up."
"She. Blood. Hate," Chad managed to say through gritted teeth.
"We can check on her," Harry said, pointing towards himself and Lucy.
Chad gulped, eyeing the needle in the healer's hand as she moved it closer to his leg, and nodded.
Harry motioned Lucy to leave but she simply shook her head.
She didn't want to leave Chad alone.
She wanted to be with him.
She had almost lost him and she wouldn't leave him alone now.
Understanding flooded through Harry and with a small, reassuring smile, he left the room. The door shut behind him, and Lucy turned back towards the man she loved.
"You can go too," the Lord of Daelhr was looking up at his wife.
"It's okay," Alianna murmured, her eyes on her husband as she tried to smile reassuringly.
He hissed when he felt the needle pierce his leg. "You d-don't have –"
"It's okay," the Lady of Daelhr insisted. "I'll stay with you."
He didn't even notice that I am still here, Lucy realized with a pang of sadness.
Did she matter so little to him now?
Maybe she did.
Did he not care for Lucy at all?
Stop it. It doesn't matter. She told herself firmly, He is wounded and he getting better is all that matters right now.
[][][][][][][][]
"Lady Kayla?" Harry said, walking into the living room to find her sitting on the couch, hugging herself tightly, her face pale.
"What're you doing here?" she asked.
"Did you throw up yet?" he smirked.
She glared up at him. "If I see you for another minute, I definitely will."
"I'm sorry," he held up his hands as a gesture of surrender and peace, "I've no idea why I thought that that might cheer you up."
"What are you doing here, Harry?" she asked with a sigh, her voice much softer now.
"I wanted to see if you were okay," he replied honestly.
"I'm fine," she told him, motioning him to take a seat. "I just can't see so much blood. And watching the stitches is simply frightening."
He frowned. "The blood didn't affect you when you bandaged me up that day."
"You weren't fatally wounded."
"And you don't care about me enough to let the blood affect you," Harry provided.
She looked at him. "Do you think that I'm that selfish?"
He shrugged. "Have you given me any reason to think otherwise?"
She didn't say anything for a while. Then – "Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you," she looked at him, her eyes filled with tears, "For saving my brother. He means everything to me and I… Thank you."
"I only did what I thought was the right thing."
"And forgive me," she spoke in a low voice, "My behavior towards you has been rude and that is wrong."
He smiled. "It's okay, milady."
She was quiet for a few short moments. "Will he be okay?"
"Lord Chad is a strong man," Harry said. "He will be fine, I'm sure."
"... I cannot believe I'm saying this but I'm glad that you're here, Harry."
He looked at her in surprise. "Can I get that in writing, Lady Kayla?"
She laughed lightly, turning her head away. "This doesn't change anything, though," she spoke up. "You are still the man who was the reason behind my brother's heartbreak."
"This doesn't change anything." He agreed and rested his head back with a sigh.
[][][][][][][][]
The Valiant Queen forced her anger at seeing Chad and Alianna together down and silently took a seat on the couch, her heart reaching out to Chad. The wound on his leg stretched from his ankle to just below his knee, tearing all of his calf. It would take a lot of stitches to sew it. He was in for a lot of pain.
"Is it done yet?" he asked the healer through gritted teeth.
"Stop moving your leg, milord!" the healer said, mildly irritated.
"You tell me, Alianna."
"Umm… she has just started it." The Lady of Daelhr replied in a soft voice.
He groaned and then yelped as the healer stitched a sensitive spot, grasping his wife's hand tightly. "Talk to me," he said desperately.
"What?" Alianna asked.
"Talk to me."
"About what?" she seemed puzzled.
"Anything."
"I…," Alianna seemed thoughtful for a moment, her eyes fixed on her husband, "I have decided to place a nice vase full of flowers in our room. It would add freshness, don't you think?"
"Mm-Hmm."
"Should have let me stitch wound first," the healer muttered. "Lost too much blood, all sheets are red."
Chad glanced at the bed sheets. Sure enough, they were all crimson because of his blood.
"I'm sorry," he told Alianna.
"For what?" she asked.
"I… I'm ruining your favorite bed sheets." He hissed.
"It doesn't matter." She said. "I can get new ones."
Lucy looked away.
She couldn't see him talking to her like this. Of course, Alianna was his wife, but she was also the reason why he was in so much pain.
Agony and anger filled her along with the heartbreak.
How could he simply marry someone else?
What about all the promises they had made?
What about the love they had for each other?
"I can't b-breathe." Chad gasped.
"It's because of the ribs," Alianna murmured. "The healer told you that."
Chad nodded once.
Alianna reached out and picked up a rag. Dipping it in a bowl of water, she gently wiped his forehead with it. "You'll be fine."
"Okay." He sounded uncertain.
"I'll have soup made for you tonight," she told him, putting the rag away.
"I'd like that." He paused and then hissed. "Stop it!"
"Sorry," the healer mumbled. "You're moving too much."
"That is because it bloody hurts!" Chad snapped.
"Calm down," Alianna ran her fingers through his hair.
"Easy for you to say," He snapped, "She is not using y-your leg as if it's a stupid d-dress being sewed."
"I know it hurts but she is right. You're moving your leg too much."
"Not. Your. Leg." He pouted like a child.
Alianna chuckled and moved to place one hand on his thigh. "Stop moving."
Another wave of jealousy washed over Lucy as she saw Alianna do that.
It took a few moments, but Chad did stop moving.
"Good," Alianna smiled, moving her hand back to run her fingers through his messy hair.
"Should I glance at my leg?" Chad asked.
"No," the Lady of Daelhr replied instantly.
"Why?"
"You're scared of stitches." She pointed out.
"I can h-handle it."
"You can't, especially when it is your own leg. So don't."
"… Fine, but can you please tell this healer to stop making the damn wound hurt so much?" his voice grew louder with agony and anger.
"Okay, she will," Alianna said, using a tone usually used to talk to little children. "Close your eyes and relax."
He didn't close his eyes, but stared at the ceiling, ignoring the feeling of needle going in and out of his flesh. It was not possible to relax. Not at all possible.
They were quiet for a short while.
"The f-first time I saw you," Chad spoke up, his eyes on Alianna, "You were j-just a little girl of thirteen maybe."
His wife looked down at him and a small smile lit her face. "Really?"
"As a part of my job, I had to d-do some chores at the market and you w-were there," Chad told her, intertwining his fingers with hers. "Y-You were standing with… Alfred."
Lucy looked up. She didn't know why, but she felt that she had to listen to this. Forcing her jealousy down once again, she gazed intently at the couple before her.
"I remember," Alianna's smile faded slowly. "Lord Alfred had a habit of spotting me at the market and then coming over to say hi… I never liked him."
"Why not?" Chad asked. "Your father was his t-trusted counselor."
"Oh, father loved him. So did my brothers." Alianna trailed off and took a deep breath. "They were all quite impressed with him."
"You still didn't a-answer my question," Chad pointed out.
Alianna was silent for a moment. "I think it was the way he looked at me. It made me feel… vulnerable." Her blue eyes were fixed on their hands as she repressed a shudder, "I hated the way he used to eye me – as if I was something he would feast on."
Lucy saw Chad staring at his wife. His body stiffened when he heard those words and he probably recalled what Alfred had done to his sister. But he did not say anything or show any emotion. He simply stared at her, waiting for her to continue as if he knew there was more.
And sure enough, there was.
"He once s-said to me that I should marry him when I get older," Alianna went on, "because someone so pretty like me should be the Lady of Daelhr. I didn't know what to say to that so I had simply looked away. And he had laughed and ruffled my hair, saying that my father would definitely look forward to that day," Alianna paused. "I was glad when he married Lady Estella instead."
"... Well he was r-right about one thing," Chad said, squeezing her hand tightly, "You did end up being the Lady of Daelhr."
She looked back at him and smiled. "I did."
Lucy looked away, pondering.
Alianna talked to Chad freely, she could see that. Alianna was not hesitant or shy or quiet when it came to speaking her feelings in front of Chad.
And Chad listened to her, comforted her and made her smile.
Were they in love with each other?
Were they close?
And what about all that Alianna had mentioned about Alfred? Was it important?
Probably not... Alfred was dead.
But then why couldn't she shake off the feeling that she was overlooking something?
[][][][][][][][]
"The stitches should be done by now, right?" Kayla asked, turning to look at Harry.
He was grimacing. "I suppose."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're lying."
"… It's nothing."
"Tell me," she ordered.
Harry glanced at her before pointing towards his hand. "I got hit here."
"Are you bleeding?"
He shook his head. "No." he held it up. "But my wrist is swelling."
Kayla gasped. "Can you move your hand easily?"
"Not without pain."
"May I?" she asked hesitantly.
Harry stared at her for a moment before slowly holding out his hand.
Reaching out, Kayla tenderly touched his bruised skin. As gently as she could, she moved his hand.
He hissed lightly.
"It's not broken," she said, "Just badly sprained."
"Uh-huh."
She let go of his hand. "I'll get something to wrap your hand with."
With that, she left, returning a few minutes later. Sitting down next to him, Kayla took his hand and started wrapping strips of what seemed to be a stretchable cloth around his wrist, moving up towards his hand.
Harry glanced at his hand and then at the woman before him. Tilting his head thoughtfully, he smiled. "This is becoming kind of a habit of ours."
"I'm sorry?" Kayla looked up, confused.
"Me getting hurt and you bandaging me up," he explained. "It's almost like you're my personal healer now."
"Well, I'm not so you better stop getting hurt."
He chuckled and then winced when she wrapped it tight over the swollen area. "You're not tying it tightly on purpose this time, are you?" he asked.
"What do you think?"
"I like to think that you're not."
A small smile spread on her face as she tied it and moved her hands away from his. "Use ice. It will help."
"Admit it, you are my personal healer," he told her.
She sighed exasperatedly. "At the moment, it does seem like it."
"Thank you, milady."
"You're welcome, Harry."
"Still doesn't change anything?" he asked, a cocky smile making its way onto his face.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Just curious," he explained.
"Ah," Kayla nodded. "Then it doesn't."
[][][][][][][][]
"There you go, milord," the healer said. "All done."
"Thank you," Chad breathed.
No more stitches! He would have danced with joy if his leg wasn't throbbing and his chest wasn't burning and his arm would move… He cursed those assassins once again.
He grimaced as he tried to take a deep breath. But his ribs were broken and they needed time to heal. And this meant that Chad was in for hell for a few weeks at least.
"Now, please don't try move much for a while, we want your ribs to heal properly. You should not walk or try to move your arm wildly." the healer said. "I suggest a complete bed-rest: No moving, no working, just resting."
"I have to work," Chad objected, "What of the c-city?"
"The city will function properly without you for a few days," Alianna told him, her voice soft.
"A month," the healer said, "At the minimum."
Chad blinked in shock. "A month?" he asked incredulously. "I cannot stop working for a month!"
"You will have to," the healer said, "if you wish to recover properly."
He shut his mouth, his mind working fast.
He couldn't stop working.
Not when there was so much to do.
The strikes. The protests. And well… other things too. Law and order. Trade. Defense of the city. Revenues. Public work.
No. he couldn't forget about all of it and lie on his bed… for a month!
"I shall apply the salve on your stitches and then bandage them," the healer said.
Chad nodded and then hissed as he realized that he had subconsciously moved his body too. Waves of agony washed over him.
"And what of the pain in my chest?" Chad asked breathlessly. "It is continuously increasing."
"I can make a potion that will help relieve the pain, milord," the healer said.
"You should go and make it then," a voice he recognized as Lucy's reached his ears and he quickly looked towards the couch. "He is in pain. I'll bandage his leg."
"But my queen, you –"
"It's alright," Lucy said, "I know enough about medicine to do this. You should go."
"Very well," the healer bowed slightly and walked out of the room.
"Queen Lucy," he was surprised, "I t-thought you left the room with Harry."
"I didn't," Lucy replied nonchalantly as she came to sit on the edge of the bed.
Chad didn't reply, but just stared at the Valiant Queen.
Her beautiful brown hair was tied in a neat braid. Her deep eyes were fixed on his wound. Her face was prettier than ever…
And his chest hurt – though from the wound or from the heartache, he could not tell.
He knew he should be angry at this woman but at the moment, he had no strength to do so.
He took a deep breath and grimaced once again.
"Does it hurt that much?" Alianna's soft voice asked.
He glanced at her. "I'm fine."
She didn't say anything, though he knew that she knew he was lying.
A moment later he felt Lucy's fingers slowly apply a thick, cold substance on his leg. Her touch was soft, smooth – and it inflamed his old memories, the ones he had tried to shut down deep within him.
"Alianna?" he spoke up. "Can you apply that salve?"
Lucy paused and looked at him. "Am I hurting you?"
"No," he said, "You're a queen. You don't have to sit at my feet, applying medicines."
"He's right, Queen Lucy," Alianna said, holding out a hand, "Let me do it."
"No, I'm fine," Lucy insisted and continued to apply it on his leg.
Chad didn't argue. He knew by Lucy's cold tone that she would now apply this to his entire wound, no matter what. She was too stubborn to give the salve to Alianna.
Lucy's fingers softly rubbed the salve over his wound, which hurt, but her fingers were so soft, and it had been ages since she had touched him...
He shivered involuntarily and then hissed in pain.
Don't, he ordered himself, forcing his mind to other things. And that was when worries filled him.
Chad looked at his wife. "I have to work." he said to her, "P-Philip and Demetrius won't be able to handle everything," He said.
"Milord, you don't even have the strength to get up and sit by yourself," Alianna said, "You have to let your injuries heal properly."
Chad opened his mouth to argue when –
"I can help," the Valiant Queen offered.
"What?" Chad turned to her.
"I can manage the matters of Daelhr while you are healing, if you want."
"I can't ask you to –"
"I'm here anyway so I don't think it will be a problem," Lucy shrugged.
"You are here for a few days."
"I can stay longer," she told him, "My friends in the other city can wait. And I can handle all the matters, considering I rule the whole of Narnia."
"B-But I want to be involved in the matters myself."
He couldn't imagine a life where he would not have any work to do. His work was his escape, his way of passing time, his way of keeping his mind from wandering. He couldn't live without his work.
"Well, I can discuss the matters with you but you won't be doing any work," Lucy said, "And you won't have to worry about overburdening me as you might have thought if Philip and Demetrius were to handle the matters of the city."
"Can you do this for him?" Alianna asked. Clearly, she liked the idea.
Lucy picked up the bandage lying nearby and started wrapping it around his leg. "Sure."
"Then that would be great." Alianna said.
"I know."
Wait.
They didn't even ask his opinion.
How unfair!
"B-But –" he tried to protest.
"Milord, you heard what the healer said," Alianna said. "Please, you will have to rest."
He tried taking a deep breath again. He was beginning to feel dizzy now. "I d-do want to be involved in the matters," he said, submitting to whatever these two women were asking of him, "I have a certain way of ruling my city and I would prefer it if that way is n-not changed."
"Of course," Lucy nodded. "Daelhr is your city."
"Thank you, my queen," Alianna smiled, "For offering your help."
Lucy smiled, and even in this haze Chad could tell that it was forced. "Anytime, Alianna."
He frowned, noticing her tone. She still held a grudge against Alianna. Why was she acting like this towards Alianna? Was she jealous? Did she blame Alianna for what happened between them?
When will she realize that it was not Alianna that destroyed our relationship, but it was her feelings for Harry? He wondered.
"All done," Lucy said, standing up.
"Thank y-you," Chad said.
"You're welcome," she smiled slightly at him. "I guess I'll go and see what Harry and Kayla are up to."
Chad's heartache grew and the questions flooded his mind again as he watched her go.
Why did she do this? Why could they never be together?
He wanted her to be with him. And he knew that this was wrong. He was married now. And his wife was a good woman – a very, very good woman.
Yes. Letting go of Lucy was hard.
But Alianna was now the reality of his life. And it was a reality he liked. Alianna was a perfect wife - she was with him when he wanted her to be and she knew when to leave him alone. She cared for him and he knew that he felt the same about her.
Sighing, he looked back at Alianna, realizing that he still hadn't let go of her hand. "Thank you." he said to her, "For talking... It helped ease the pain."
She smiled at him.
He hesitated, "And I don't want you to ever be scared of anyone, like you were about Alfred." He said, "I will protect you from anyone who wants to harm you, I promise."
"I know."
"Good." He paused, "I want to sleep."
"You should," Alianna said as she moved to get off the bed.
"Just… don't leave me alone."
She stopped and looked at him in wonder, her eyes full of questions.
Exhaustion washed over him, his body ached, his wounds hurt, and he felt so numb. "I don't want to be alone."
"You're not," Alianna told him, as she settled back next to him. "I'm here with you."
Everything was spinning. It was hazy.
He felt her soft fingers in his hair and he found his body relaxing on its own. A moment later, the sweet melody reached his ears – the soft lullaby she hummed soothed him.
The pain was reaching its peak and he wanted to succumb to it...
But her fingers were bringing him peace – as if he was drowning in a stormy sea and she was the only island he could swim out to.
"Alianna," he whispered.
She stopped humming and looked at him questioningly.
He raised his hand and placed it on her neck.
Gently, Chad pulled her down and she let him – probably because she was puzzled – and once her face was close enough, Chad whispered, "I'm glad I accepted Demetrius' proposal all that time ago."
And then he placed his lips against her soft ones. It was a simple touch, his lips brushed against hers only for a second before he let go of her and slumped back.
To say that Alianna was shocked by his action would have been an understatement. She was frozen like a statue, her mouth agapeas she stared at him with her wide blue eyes.
He hid a smile at her reaction, not wanting to make her more uncomfortable, and closed his eyes.
It took a few moments, or perhaps a few minutes before her fingers started moving in his hair again and she continued to hum.
And it wasn't long before he lost all sense of his surroundings and fell into deep, but painful, slumber.
There, that is the end. Next chapter: More of the mess in Daelhr and also of what is going on with the other monarchs of Narnia...
Until then, thank you for reading and
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