Aerith & Tifa (Tirith)

[Tifa Lockhart]

"N-no." Llyr replied as she helped him lay down, he sunk into the pillow with a slight sigh, wincing as his shoulder stung a little, "I'm so ridiculously tired..." He moaned.

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela smoothed Llyr's hair gently, brushing it from his forehead.
"It's okay, you can sleep," she said softly.
Gently, she placed a damp cloth on his brow again, using another to wipe the sweat from his face.
"I'll be right here if you need anything..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Llyr winced briefly as Sabela wiped the sweat from his forehead, and though he seemed to fight the beckoning sleep for a moment or two so that he could stare back at her, his eyelids began to flicker.
"D-Don't go anywhere." He pleaded weakly as he sought her hand, "I-I want you... to be there... when i wake up..." His voice trailed off as he drifted into sleep.

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela took up Llyr's hand immediately, kissing his knuckles gently. She adjusted her position on the floor, resting her chin by his arm.
"I'll be here," she whispered to him.

[Tifa Lockhart]

There was undisturbed silence for some time after Llyr had drifted back into slumber. The soldiers outside were being remarkably quiet. It was getting quite late when a knock came at the carriage door.
"M-My Lady?" The Knight from before called, sounding nervous, "M-May i have a word?"

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela released Llyr's hand hastily, but gently, picking up the cloth she had used to wipe his face.
"Certainly," the princess called softly.
"Come in..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

The door to the carriage was eased open, and after peering inside, the Knight entered, pulling the door quietly shut behind him. It seemed he was aware of the sleeping commander.
"B-Before i speak your majesty... i really should introduce myself." He inhaled as if he was nervous, "My name is Garaint your highness... i am the son of the palace blacksmith..." His eyes jerked to the door, as if he was checking they were alone. "I-I know... e-everything." His eyes roamed from her face to Llyr's sweat soaked one, "I-I'd never tell a soul... i just... want to help you..." Sorrow filled the young man's eyes, "A-And... i think, no pertinence intended, that i can..."

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela felt her pulse panic when the Knight revealed his knowledge. Her first reaction was to deny everything and order him out, but she knew it was useless. Besides, he claimed he wanted to help.
"How...?" Sabela started.
She swallowed hard.
"How did you know?" she asked quietly.
Her expression saddened.
"How can you help?..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"M-My father..." The knight explained timidly, swallowing thickly. It seemed he still feared that the Princess might turn on him for his risky knowledge. "My father is Llyr's confidant... he tells him everything... even everything about you..." Geraint shifted on his feet uneasily, "I overheard them talking once... but my father swore me to secrecy. I wasn't even supposed to let Llyr know i knew... and he is my friend and comrade... my commander..." The young man's eyes trailed to rest on Llyr's face for a long while.
"Given the circumstances, i feel i will be forgiven for breaking my oath." He dipped into a bit of a bow, as if offering an apology to whomever it was who watched over those who made oaths.
That said, Geraint moved on to how he might help.

"I... cannot prevent a marriage... i am a peasant boy granted an honourable position because of the important work my father does for your kingdom, not a noble with any political pull." He sighed, looking as though he wished he were, "But... m-my mother was a healer and I-..." He hesitated, "I am gifted... but i chose the path of a warrior not a mage... i've not been formally trained." He rubbed the back of his dusky head, "But my mother taught me herb craft... i... want to help Sir Llyr recover." He looked at the fevered Knight.
It didn't take a genius to see that Llyr was not doing well. His face was wet with sweat, so much so that his hair seemed as though it were going to drip with it. There was a permanent look of pain there, and all his features seemed tired and lacking in strength.
"And... i could cover for you... the men are suspicious..." The boy seemed to genuinely wish to help.

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela bit her lip, then nodded.
"I... I would really appreciate that," she said quietly, looking to Llyr.
She didn't want to lose him...

[Tifa Lockhart]

The Knight nodded, looking instantly relieved that she had not rejected his offer to help.
"There aren't many useful herbs in this area...." He began, reaching into a pouch he wore on his belt, "But there should be more once we cross the border into Hasnia... i will gather them when i can." He produced a handful of strange looking leaves, approaching the Princess to offer them to her.
"In the meantime these will help heal the wound on Llyr's shoulder... boil them for two hours, then crush them into a paste and apply it to the wound." He withdrew once she'd taken the leaves. "I... pray that this helps you... My Lady..."

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela looked down to the leaves in her hands.
"Thank you," she said, bringing her gaze back to Geraint.
"I'm eternally grateful to you."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Geraint blushed and rubbed the back of his head bashfully, shaking it as he tried to shrug off the Princess's thanks.
"I-It's nothing... Llyr's my friend... i'd hate for him to--" Geraint stopped short, "N-nevermind. Goodnight your majesty." He hurried off without another word.

[The Painted Lady]

"Goodnight..." Sabela whispered to herself.
She returned her attentions back to Llyr, running her fingers through his hair again.

[Tifa Lockhart]

It was nearly dawn when Llyr took his turn for the worst. All night he'd tossed and turned in his uneasy sleep, sweat pouring out of him in buckets. Often he'd murmur something in his sleep, or give a muffled cry before falling once more into silence. The sun was licking the horizon when he woke with a start, a hoarse yell breaking from his throat. He was drenched in freezing sweat, his teeth chattering violently as he hugged himself.
"Help me--" He choked, clutching his head so tight his knuckles went white, "everythings burning...!"