The Prince and His Maid

14: Feeling sick

A week later

*Arion*

I feel weirdly dizzy, and try shaking my head to clear it out. I can’t help wondering what is wrong with me ? These past couple of days I have started feeling more and more tired. My head hurts most of the time and I get dizzy spells. I also feel short of breath really fast. Maybe I am coming down with something, a virus perhaps ? I just hope it isn’t something bad.

"Are you okay Arion ?" Joel calls out and pull on the reins to stop his horse beside mine. "You look very pale and your brow is all sweaty".

"I am fine.. stop worrying". I call back, smiling at him. It is probably nothing and I don't want to seem weak. A weak prince is useless. "Let's see who get back to the castle first".

"Are you sure...". Joel tries to stop me with his words, but I spur my horse and I don't hear everything he tries to say. The cool wind on my face helps, and I think that it really is nothing, maybe I just needs a bit of extra sleep.

But suddenly it is as if the world tilts, my head is swimming and painful flashes goes through my head, and I have to grab it with one hand. My vision is blurred and I have to use all focus to stay on the galloping horse. This is not good.

Suddenly the horse lifts of the ground, in an uncontrolled jump. I hadn't seen the fence. It isn't a high jump, but I am dizzy and I wasn't prepared. I feel myself slip and then everything goes black.

*Naria*

I hear a lot of commotion outside, and know something is wrong. Then a guard comes running in and I ask. "What is happening ?"

"The prince, he had a bad fall from his horse". He looks halfway panicked and it spreads to me, how bad is it ? "I need to get the priest and the king now".

I don't care about my job and about who sees me there, about what people will say or think, as I run to Arion's room, sending my thoughts ahead. Please dear God, let him not be dead.

When I barge into the room, I see him on the bed. He is pale and his face is covered in a thin layer of sweat. His shirt and jacket has been pulled open, his chest rising and falling to fast, way to fast. Joel, his squire is pacing the floor looking worried.

"Is he okay ? What happened ?" Joel of course know about our relationship, so I don't have to hide anything from him.

He is shaking his head. "I don't know, he started going pale and sweaty, but he insisted he was okay and kicked his horse into a gallop. When the horse jumped a fence he just fell of, like he fainted. Luckily he didn't hit the fence, but it was kind of a bad fall".

"I told him not to ride out today. He has been feeling weak and dizzy for days and he has complained about headaches". I tell him, my heart hammering like one of a chased rabbit.

Arion groans and I am instantly at his side, taking his hand in mine. "Are you okay love ? Where does it hurt ? Is anything broken ?”

"It would be easier to say were it doesn't hurt". He mumbles and slowly opens his eyes. "Hi darling. I'm okay and I am pretty sure nothing is broken, beside my pride".

"Why did you ride out when you were feeling bad ?" I scold him. "Joel tells me you started feeling even worse but you ignored it. You need to look out for yourself. I don't want to loose you to you own stubborn stupidity".

He don't have time to answer me as the king comes sweeping through the door, followed by the priest. "What happened my son ?” He wave me away. “Be gone with you girl".

I let go of Arion's hand, but I don't want to leave. I want to be there, and to find out what is wrong with him. The priest interrupt. "If it is okay with you my liege, I would like for the girl to stay. I might need her help".

The king just nod and both me and Arion sends Hendry a grateful look making the priest smiles knowingly. "So my prince tell me what happened and where it hurts".

Arion retells, and Joel pitch in where needed, then the priest looks him over. I am following his movements, hoping to catch everything. "So what is wrong with me Hendry ?"

"Well it seems like some illness has gotten into your blood. We might need to bleed you, to get out the sickness". The king nods and Arion looks like he don't like the idea. I know it is the normal thing to do, but honestly it doesn't make sense. But I can't really say that out loud.

"See that it is done, and make sure no one knows that the prince is sick". The king says and leaves the room. The priest goes to get his tools and leave me to sit down holding Arion's hand.

He actually looks a bit scared and I am caressing his hand. "I hate blood honestly, and I hate the idea of having my arm cut open. Will you please hold my hand while it’s done ?"

"Of course Arion". I bring his hand up to my lips. Not wanting him to see how scared I am. I just have this really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

When Hendry cuts open his arm and lets the blood slowly spill out, I am uncertain whether it hurts me or Arion the most. But I hide it, and keep talking to him, keeping his focus on me. Luckily he only bleeds out a small amount before bandaging the wound, telling Arion to rest.