Raieya didn't sleep well that night between Gwaine's coughing and wheezing and worrying about what Roldan might do. She woke early, laying in bed for a bit, and thinking about what to do if guards came after her. Riverview should be a safe distance from Fairwood. Even if Roldan sent word back home, she would have plenty of time to flee. But what about Gwaine? The fact that he was ill would slow down their pace and run the risk of worsening his condition. They could arrange to meet up somewhere but she knew Gwaine wouldn't agree to that. He was too stubborn. He'd insist on coming with her.
Raieya sighed and looked down at Gwaine, still sound asleep in her arms. She wanted to get up and polish her lute or something but she hated to move and risk waking him. Despite the fact that he still coughed in his sleep she knew this was the best he'd slept in days.
Finally as the room began to grow a little brighter Gwaine coughed and stirred.
"Morning," said Raieya as he slowly opened his eyes. "How are you feeling?"
"Mmmm," he grunted. "A little better."
"Then the medicine is helping," she replied. "You need to take another dose now."
Gwaine sat up a bit, making a face.
"Don't be such a child," teased Raieya. "Take your medicine and I'll go get us some breakfast."
She scooted out of the bed, retrieving one of the vials from the nightstand and handing it to him.
Gwaine made a face again. "You try this stuff. It's foul."
"I'm not the one sick," smirked Raieya, pulling on her dress. "Drink up. I'll be right back."
Gwaine brought the vial to his mouth and swallowed it in one drink. He set the empty vial aside on the nightstand. Then he arranged the pillows so he was could sit up more.
Raieya returned a few minutes later carrying two mugs along with some bread and cheese.
She handed a mug to Gwaine and sat down on the bed beside him to eat.
Raieya spent the day taking care of Gwaine, making sure he stayed warm and comfortable and had plenty to drink. When he slept she got a bowl and water and washed their traveling clothes, laying them out to dry. She also polished her lute.
After keeping to their room for the day, Raieya was a bit anxious to leave Gwaine to go out to perform that night. She was worried about running in to Roldan again, though she knew it was inevitable. He wouldn't let her off easy.
"Are you alright, Rai?" asked Gwaine, noticing her apprehension.
"I'm fine," she responded, pointedly.
"I could go with you if you're worried about your brother," he suggested.
"No, Gwaine," said Raieya firmly. Secretly she wished he could, but she didn't want to risk his health. "You have to stay here."
Gwaine shrugged. "You could stay here too."
"I can't do that," she replied. "I've agreed to play. Not to mention I need the money."
"If you're sure," said Gwaine. "Don't let your brother get to you."
"I won't," she responded. "I won't play too long tonight."
"I'll be waiting for you," he replied.
"You don't have to," said Raieya quickly.
"Since I can't go with you I want to know what, if anything, happens," countered Gwaine.
"Hopefully nothing," said Raieya, grabbing her lute. "Do you need anything before I go?"
Gwaine shook his head in response.
"Alright," she replied, heading toward the door. "Be back in a bit."
With Raieya gone there wasn't much to do so Gwaine dozed off. He woke when he heard the creak of the door as she returned from her evening.
"How'd it go?" asked Gwaine, stretching and sitting up a bit.
"Money was good again tonight," she answered. "There was a bigger crowd."
"And your brother?"
"He made an appearance," Raieya answered, placing her lute back in its case.
"Did he do anything?"
"No," said Raieya, sitting down to pull off her boots. She cast them aside then stood to remove her dress before joining Gwaine on the bed.
"That's good, right?" Gwaine pointed out.
Raieya frowned. "I don't know. I don't know what he means by it. He was just...watching."
"That's strange," agreed Gwaine.
"It's unnerving,"she replied. "What if he's already sent word to Lucan?"
"Do you really think he would?"
"I don't know. Roldan was pretty angry with me for not listening to him. Like I told you before, he hardly spoke to me once I became involved with Lucan. The question is who does like less now. Me or Lucan?"
"You're his sister," said Gwaine. "Shouldn't that count for something? If he despised Lucan why would he help him? Especially after what he did to you?"
"That's just it, though," said Raieya. "Roldan accused me of being a whore. He said if I had just behaved appropriately, I never would've ended up in trouble."
"You're not a whore," Gwaine replied. "Your brother apparently doesn't understand how to have fun. And as far as things getting out of hand with Lucan, you couldn't have predicted what would happen. He lied to you in a big way. You were right to be angry."
"I probably shouldn't have stabbed him though," said Raieya.
"Maybe not," shrugged Gwaine. "Sounds like he deserved it though."
Raieya sighed. "I'm not sure what to think. I wish Roldan would just leave."
"Maybe he will," said Gwaine. "Maybe he'll just go and not mess with you any more."
"I doubt it," countered Raieya. "He's too stubborn. He won't just leave things unfinished."
"Try not to worry," advised Gwaine. "He's still family. As much as I hate to admit it I probably couldn't turn my sister in if she had done something wrong. And if he even if he does, you're strong and you're smart. And most importantly you have me as your partner. I'm sure between the two of us we could keep you from getting captured."
"Thanks, Gwaine," she replied, giving him a small smile. "But I don't want you involved while you're still sick. So hurry up and get better."
"Believe me, I'm trying," said Gwaine, returning her smile.
"How are you feeling, anyway?" asked Raieya. "I got so worried about Roldan I forgot to check."
"Yeah, thanks," teased Gwaine. "I could've been dying here and it was all about you."
"You're not," laughed Raieya, lightly smacking him.
"Fortunately," smirked Gwaine. "A little better. Better than yesterday."
"I'm glad," she replied, pressing a hand to his forehead. "You don't feel like you have a high fever any more."
"I suppose the medicine is helping," said Gwaine. "As awful as it is."
"Oh, stop complaining," teased Raieya. "It's that or continue to be sick."
"You'd think they could make it better," said Gwaine.
Raieya laughed.
"I'm tired," she said. "Do you mind to blow out the candles?"
"I suppose not," said Gwaine. He leaned over to the nightstand, blowing them out. Then he laid back down, drawing Raieya into his arms.
"Good night, Rai," he said, dropping a kiss into her hair. "Get some sleep."
"Night, Gwaine," she replied, already closing her eyes.