A Game of Thrones - Winter Chills | AGameOfThrones-WinterChills / The Lady at Clearwater browse

"Is she your kin, then?" he asked, watching as the man took care of the still unknown lady.

Derron lifted the woman from the water and walked her to where the others were preparing a fire. "She is Her Ladyship Draupaud. I work for His Lordship." He took another step then added, "And you're welcome to dry yourself at the fire. I'm sure Ser Tomas will wish to hear you version of events."

Niko sat for a while longer in silence after the man left, gathering his strength. Once he felt rested enough to move, he made his way to the fire, observing those already there as he did.

Aerin slowly circled around the edge toward the fire once the stranger and the Lady had been pulled from the water. She lowered her aim, arrow still notched, as she moved closer to the Lady.

Because she was fairly sure what would happen when the Lady woke up surrounded by and being tended to by menfolk.

"Maester," she said softly when she was close enough to him that the others might not hear. "You should send for the Septa. The Lady will be ... easier to manage with her here," she told him in an undertone even as she kept her eyes on the stranger.

Merivel had quietly built the fire with the aid of the guards while the events at the lake's edge had taken place. He in fact had not said a word to anyone, looking at concern at his new patient. It took a moment for Merivel to look up at the sound of Aerin's voice.

"You are right." Merivel said quietly, nodding and rising. He walked over to the nearest guard and quietly instructed him to return to Clearwater to fetch the Septa here as quickly as possible.

But even before the man had had time to reach the Castle of Clearwater, Lady Draupaud had already begun to stir and moan and twist to and fro on the ground. It was surely only a matter of time before she opened her eyes ...

Aerin tore her eyes off the stranger's back as he walked up the hill and looked down at Lady Draupaud, her eyes widening. Her eyes flickered to Merivel, to see what he would about the Lady.

Merivel turned his attention from the scene around him, and focused on the rousing lady. The case that Aerin had seen at the forge came out, Merivel rapidly thumbing through it until he brought out a small phial.

"Easy, easy." Merivel said quietly to the tormenting, still not conscious Lady. He put his free hand on her shoulder, trying to ease her struggles. He held the phial in his other hand at the ready for when she did finally rouse.

"A herbal infusion that I learned of in the Citadel, and have improved with experimentation." Merivel replied quietly. "It has soothing and analgesic properties, but I want her to waken fully before giving it. It will hopefully soothe her suffering and make her more comfortable after her experience."

Lady Draupaud suddenly gave a gasp and sat bolt upright, her eyes wide.

"Cold," she said. "So cold ... poor baby ... so cold ... "

She began to shiver, pulling at her wet clothes, as though she would tear them from her body. And the Maester saw that her belly was a little swollen - perhaps with the earliest signs of pregnancy.

Merivel reached for a warm blanket to wrap around the lady. "Easy,. easy, my lady." he said. "You're all right. Both of you." He looked up at Aerin. "I believe that she is with child." he said softly, and then opened the phial. "Just a little of this, milady." he said, offering it to her lips gently.

Aerin wondered if she should stop him. The Lady was with babe it now appeared, and who knew what it would do to her. Or what Lord Draupaud might do. About any of this.

She unnotched the arrow, slid it back into the quarrel. Pulled the bow over her head to rest on her shoulder with the quarrel. Then with her two free hands she helped pull the blanket Merivel reached for around the lady's shoulders.

"Drink lady... the Septa is on her way," she said softly into the woman's ear.

The Lady looked up at Aerin and smiled - a smile that lit up her face, making one aware of how very lovely she still was. Obediently she began to sip at the phial, pulling a slight face at the face.

"So bitter," she murmured. "So very bitter."

Her eyes began slowly to close as the drug took effect.

"Thank you for your help, Aerin." Merivel said politely. "A woman's touch is what was needed here." He capped the phial and continued to watch over his charge until the litter was constructed and arrived.

When Derron arrived with the construction, Merivel looked it over carefully. before signaling for help to load Lady Drapanaud onto it.

Aerin almost scowled at that, pulling the bow off her shoulder and into her hands once more. "She's mad you know," she muttered to Merivel before marching off to where her father was.

When Derron arrived with the construction, Merivel looked it over carefully. before signaling for help to load Lady Drapanaud onto it.

(continued in Return to Clearwater)

Categories: WinterChillsGameLogs, Clearwater