Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on May 29, 2014 20:48:28 GMT -5
(This is for Marcus and Olivia taking place during the events of the Mystery of the Nightwatchman.)
Olivia! Olivia, it’s me, Marcus…Wake up now, Love, and tell me you’re okay,” he spoke softly, right in her ear.
Olivia's eyes fluttered a little at the sound of his voice rousing her from her somewhat restful sleep. She'd had odd dreams and this was perhaps the oddest of all. She was dreaming she heard Marcus's voice She could still feel his fingers on her head. But that couldn't be right he was all the way in Greenfeild he couldn't be here because no one could be in two places at once. She had the presence of mind to realize that she was no longer on the stone floor but in her bed, and she reasoned that Emily must have come back and picked her up. She pried her eyes open and peered up at he figure then closed them again as the lantern light was to much for her eyes. "Emily this might sound insulting but I swear you look and sound just like Marcus if i didn't know any better I'd say you were him." she lifted a shaking hand and patted his knee. "I know that is really insulting saying you look like a man cause you are a girl but really you sound just like him!" her voice was hoarse.
There was a pitcher of tepid water on the dresser on a tray with two pewter goblets. Marcus poured some into a mug and brought it back to the bed. He dipped his finger in it and dripped some water onto her parched lips. “Come on Olivia. Come back to me,” He said firmly.
Olivia's tongue darted out and licked the water on her lips. She gave a very large and visible shudder as a cold spasm gripped her. "Is it hot in here? I think it's hot in here. But I also think its cold in here." She shivered again and sighed. "I feel so foggy and weak." She tried to pry her eyes open again but only managed to squint up at him with one eye. She finally realized that it really was Marcus and not just a figment of her imagination. Her already flushed face went a shade redder with embarrassment. "Marcus? Is that really you?" There was a light knock on the door and a maid scurried in holding a bowl of water she had several clean rags draped over her arm. "I was told to bring water and rags here." she walked into the room her face was creased in a frown she set the water on the dresser and dipped a rag in it she twisted most of the water out then came over and placed it on Olivia's forehead. She looked at Marcus. "Will Miss Olivia be all right Ranger?" the concern and worry in her voice was genuine.
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Post by Brandwyn on May 30, 2014 22:08:23 GMT -5
"Emily this might sound insulting but I swear you look and sound just like Marcus if i didn't know any better I'd say you were him." she lifted a shaking hand and patted his knee. "I know that is really insulting saying you look like a man cause you are a girl but really you sound just like him!" her voice was hoarse.
Marcus leaned forward to catch her words, releaved that she was trying to communicate, but concerned that her voice was so hoarse it was hard to understand her.
There was a pitcher of tepid water on the dresser on a tray with two pewter goblets. Marcus poured some into a mug and brought it back to the bed. He dipped his finger in it and dripped some water onto her parched lips. “Come on Olivia. Come back to me,” He said firmly.
Olivia's tongue darted out and licked the water on her lips. She gave a very large and visible shudder as a cold spasm gripped her. "Is it hot in here? I think it's hot in here. But I also think its cold in here."
She was burning up with fever, her face hot, but her hands seemed cold. He tucked the blankets around her and rubbed her hands to warm them. He wished the healer would hurry. If one didn't show up soon he would get his ranger pack out and make some special tea for her, but he didn't want to give her anything if there were more skilled hands than his to tend her.
"I feel so foggy and weak." She tried to pry her eyes open again but only managed to squint up at him with one eye. She finally realized that it really was Marcus and not just a figment of her imagination. Her already flushed face went a shade redder with embarrassment. "Marcus? Is that really you?"
Marcus smiled at her as he brushed a damp strand of hair from her face, "Yes, Liv, it really is me. I got your letter and rode like hell to catch you here before you headed back to the capitol." He gently stroked the sweat on her cheakbone away. He wanted to scold her for not taking care of herself, but this was hardly the right time for that.
"If I'd known you were going to lay around in bed waiting for me," he teased with a grin, "I wouldn't have pushed Spirit to his limits. I fear he may never forgive me." He propped her up slightly with arm and held the glass of water to her lips with the other hand, hoping she would drink.
There was a light knock on the door and a maid scurried in holding a bowl of water she had several clean rags draped over her arm.
"I was told to bring water and rags here." she walked into the room her face was creased in a frown she set the water on the dresser and dipped a rag in it she twisted most of the water out then came over and placed it on Olivia's forehead. She looked at Marcus. "Will Miss Olivia be all right Ranger?" the concern and worry in her voice was genuine.
Marcus nodded, although he felt far from confident as he said softly but firmly, "Yes. She is going to be just fine, in spite of herself." He wanted to add, 'in spite of her riding herself to exhaustion like a crazy woman,' but he didn't. They would have that argument later, when she was well and full of her usual firey attitude. For now she needed rest and peace without any fear or anxiety intruding and he was going to make sure she got it.
Marcus saw the worry in the maid's face and perhaps a hint of fear too. He made sure Olivia was tucked in and then pulled the maid to the far side of the room to speak with her quietly. "Look, it can't be the plauge. She's been feeling lousy for a couple of weeks and if it were the plauge she would already have the white chalky skin." He tried to reassure the woman. "I don't know what she has, though, some type of fever and probably because she has been pushing herself with little sleep and probably less food. But since we don't know for sure what she has, it would be best to limit the number of people who come up here," he suggested. "She needs a healer who knows more about fevers than I do. I can give her some hot tea that should help but I'd rather not until a healer checks her out first."
"I am sure he will give her something though, so I am going to need a large pot of hot water and two mugs, I could do with some supper too." He said a bit louder, figuring Olivia wouldn't like the whispering in the corner on her behalf. "Also, If you know where Ranger Emily is, could you send someone to fetch her?" He noticed the woman glance doubtfully at Olivia. "She is going to be fine. She just needs rest and for us to get this fever to break. With your help, we can make sure of it." He led her to the door. "Now, about that food?" he asked hopefully and winked at her.
When she had gone Marcus took up his place at Olivia's bedside and rewetted the cloth, wiping the sweat away and leaving a cold compress on her forehead. She looked so frail lying there and for a moment he thought about what his world would be like if she were not in it. He couldn't bear the thought and swiftly his resolve to make her well returned.
His thoughts were interupted by the hasty knock of the healer as a tall, lanky man in healer's robes strode through the door. He took in the situation in a glance, crossed the room and without saying a word, assessed Olivia's condition.
"It's not the plague," he stated and turned to leave as if he had more important matters to attend. "Keep her in the bed. She'll be fine if the fever breaks." He started to stroll out of the room almost before Marcus realized what was going on.
Marcus jumped up and blocked the healer's egress. "Not so fast!" he grabbed the healer by the front of his robes. "You call that an examination? You call that helping people?" he growled at the man. "I don't care what you have going on, you are going to help her properly." He nearly tossed the bigger man back toward the bed as he glared up at him.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on May 31, 2014 11:41:37 GMT -5
Marcus smiled at her as he brushed a damp strand of hair from her face, "Yes, Liv, it really is me. I got your letter and rode like hell to catch you here before you headed back to the capitol." He gently stroked the sweat on her cheakbone away. He wanted to scold her for not taking care of herself, but this was hardly the right time for that.
Olivia smiled a little. "And If i'd known you'd come if i said I was feeling sick I would have pretended to be sick long ago." She was glad he was here she always felt more happy and content in his presence she didn't understand why that was, but it was. She rather liked feeling his hands caress her face it was soothing in a way, it really let her know that he really did care about her. Perhaps,Perhaps he loved her.
"If I'd known you were going to lay around in bed waiting for me," he teased with a grin, "I wouldn't have pushed Spirit to his limits. I fear he may never forgive me." He propped her up slightly with arm and held the glass of water to her lips with the other hand, hoping she would drink.
She couldn't laugh though she wanted to she felt like there was pressure on her chest, she didn't like that. She drank the water greedily until most of it was gone. She was much better understood now that her throat wasn't so parched. "Well you know how it is, pretty girls have nothing better to do than wait around in bed for handsome young men. Although there's no one I'd rather wait around in bed for than you." then she made a strangled sound as she realized just how scandaless that sounded. On a number of levels she was appalled at herself she was usually very conservative with her words on such matters. She wanted to put the covers over her head she was so embarrassed and her embarrassment continued to grow as her mouth kept moving though she tried to make it stop. "Please don't tell the king I just said that. Or my mother. I, I didn't meant. Well I mean I meant it but not quite in that way. Or did I? I don't remember what were we talking about again?" With the arrival of Marcus it was as if some life had rekindled into her fevered face, her eyes were open now though she couldn't quite focus on things properly.
The Maid nodded and smiled a little. "Of course Ranger, I will bring up a nice plate of food for you. I will make sure Ranger Emily is found and informed of the situation." she curtsied and went out of the room to do as she had been asked.
When she had gone Marcus took up his place at Olivia's bedside and rewetted the cloth, wiping the sweat away and leaving a cold compress on her forehead. She looked so frail lying there and for a moment he thought about what his world would be like if she were not in it. He couldn't bear the thought and swiftly his resolve to make her well returned.
Olivia looked at him and took one of his hands in her cool one. "You're mad at me aren't you." Olivia who perceptive as always sensed that he disproved of her actions. "But I had to Marcus I had to do my job. Crowly needed to be told about the Nightwatchman. And with people getting the plague I had to do some extra commissions. Its not like I can refuse the king when he tells me to do something just because I feel a bit poorly."
"It's not the plague," he stated and turned to leave as if he had more important matters to attend. "Keep her in the bed. She'll be fine if the fever breaks." He started to stroll out of the room almost before Marcus realized what was going on.
Marcus jumped up and blocked the healer's egress. "Not so fast!" he grabbed the healer by the front of his robes. "You call that an examination? You call that helping people?" he growled at the man. "I don't care what you have going on, you are going to help her properly." He nearly tossed the bigger man back toward the bed as he glared up at him.
The healer gave Marcus a dirty look and brushed off his robes straightening them out. But he went back over to Olivia and did a more thorough examination of her. Her fever was hot and her hands cold he listened to her breathing and frowned a little. He turned back to Marcus and gave a shrug. "She could have half a dozen illness's. But my guess her illness falls into the realm of a very nasty cold bug. Her lungs are already filing with congestion. I'll make an herbal tea to be given to her twice a day, I will also send some herbs to help her breathing if it gets to bad. You should also change her out of those clothes and into fresh clean ones. She sweated those through it will make her more comfortable to be in clean clothes. Now if you will excuse me Ranger I have other people who need my attention as well." he left before Marcus could grab him again. Olivia looked at Marcus. "See told you I was fine just a cold." as if to reassure them that it was nothing more she gave a cough. "Marcus? Will you do something for me?"
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 3, 2014 20:55:33 GMT -5
"Well you know how it is, pretty girls have nothing better to do than wait around in bed for handsome young men. Although there's no one I'd rather wait around in bed for than you."
Marcus felt a thrill and heat rushed through him from the top of his head to his toes. He blushed slightly but smiled at her warmly. If she hadn't been sick and possibly not entirely in control of herself at the moment, he would have kissed her soundly on the lips. But there were a couple of reasons that popped into his head to warn him that would not be a good idea at this particular moment. Not the least of which was the strangled cry that came from Olivia as she turned bright red and then started babbling.
"Please don't tell the king I just said that. Or my mother. I, I didn't meant. Well I mean I meant it but not quite in that way. Or did I? I don't remember what were we talking about again?"
They were interupted by the arrival of the maid as Marcus said, "I won't, Ranger's honor" and he grasped the silver leaf hangind around his neck. There was nothing more sacred to him than his Ranger's vows and the silver oak leaf was the badge of his office, his mark that he completed his apprenticeship. But he grinned at her discomfiture. It seemed she may be just as addle-brained around him as he was around her.
Olivia looked at him and took one of his hands in her cool one. "You're mad at me aren't you." Olivia who perceptive as always sensed that he disproved of her actions. "But I had to Marcus I had to do my job. Crowly needed to be told about the Nightwatchman. And with people getting the plague I had to do some extra commissions. Its not like I can refuse the king when he tells me to do something just because I feel a bit poorly."
Marcus shook his head, "I am not mad at you, but I am worried about you," he countered. "I don't like you running yourself ragged until the point you pass out on the floor in some random Inn." He didn't think she was up for this conversation right now, but since she brought it up, he would tell her how he felt about it. "I am sure the King does not want his couriers taking on so much that they work themselves to death." He argued. "And yes, you can refuse an assignment if you are feeling poorly, especially during these trying times."
This time they were interupted by the healer whose cursory assessment of Olivia's health left him fuming. He forced the healer to take a closer look.
The healer turned back to Marcus and gave a shrug. "She could have half a dozen illness's. But my guess her illness falls into the realm of a very nasty cold bug. Her lungs are already filing with congestion. I'll make an herbal tea to be given to her twice a day, I will also send some herbs to help her breathing if it gets to bad."
"Thank you, I have hot water here and a mug," Marcus pointed to the other maid just coming in the door with his requests. The healer continued;
"You should also change her out of those clothes and into fresh clean ones. She sweated those through it will make her more comfortable to be in clean clothes." At these words Marcus turned bright red.
"Now if you will excuse me Ranger I have other people who need my attention as well." he left before Marcus could grab him again.
Olivia looked at Marcus. "See told you I was fine just a cold." as if to reassure them that it was nothing more she gave a cough."
"People can die from colds you know." Marcus muttered.
"Marcus? Will you do something for me?" Olivia asked.
He looked at her warily.He knew from that tone that he probably wasn't going to be too thrilled with whatever it was she wanted from him. "That depends on what you want me to do" Marcus answered. "I am not leaving you here alone." he stated emphatically and folded his arms over his chest. "But if its in my power, and ... I don't think it is hazardous to your health and well-being, then the answer will probably be yes. What do you want me to do?"
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 4, 2014 7:25:54 GMT -5
Marcus shook his head, "I am not mad at you, but I am worried about you," he countered. "I don't like you running yourself ragged until the point you pass out on the floor in some random Inn." He didn't think she was up for this conversation right now, but since she brought it up, he would tell her how he felt about it. "I am sure the King does not want his couriers taking on so much that they work themselves to death." He argued. "And yes, you can refuse an assignment if you are feeling poorly, especially during these trying times."
She sighed a little. "Yes but its because of these trying times that I have to do extra. I didn't think I would get a little cold by taking on five extra assignments." then she closed her mouth even on a good day five assignments at one time would stretch anyone thin. But the messages had to of gotten delivered. She gave him a half hearted glare. "Don't you start lecturing me. You already sound like my mother."
He looked at her warily.He knew from that tone that he probably wasn't going to be too thrilled with whatever it was she wanted from him. "That depends on what you want me to do" Marcus answered. "I am not leaving you here alone." he stated emphatically and folded his arms over his chest. "But if its in my power, and ... I don't think it is hazardous to your health and well-being, then the answer will probably be yes. What do you want me to do?"
She smiled a little at him reached out and took his hand uncrossing his arms. "You sound so much like a impossible child. But somehow I keep you around though I don't know why. But I really hate socks and for some reason I just don't think I can sit up right now. My head feels to heavy." she sank back into her pillows. "Will you take my socks off?" she made her voice sound all pitiful she even game him a pitiful look before her eyes closed and she couldn't open them. "I'm still awake just..... resting.... my.... eyes." "Ranger Marcus, why don't you go over into the corner over there and eat your supper while me and Clary get miss Olivia changed into something less sweaty and travel stained."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 5, 2014 22:56:14 GMT -5
She sighed a little. "Yes but its because of these trying times that I have to do extra. I didn't think I would get a little cold by taking on five extra assignments." then she closed her mouth even on a good day five assignments at one time would stretch anyone thin. But the messages had to of gotten delivered. She gave him a half hearted glare. "Don't you start lecturing me. You already sound like my mother."
He looked at her warily.He knew from that tone that he probably wasn't going to be too thrilled with whatever it was she wanted from him. "That depends on what you want me to do" Marcus answered. "I am not leaving you here alone." he stated emphatically and folded his arms over his chest. "But if its in my power, and ... I don't think it is hazardous to your health and well-being, then the answer will probably be yes. What do you want me to do?"
___________ Emily was sitting on the battlements watching the clouds and birds fly and float by. She was thinking as she watched them, her mind wandering a million different ways but they all led to one topic: Why were Olivia and I fighting? She shrugged mentally, not having an answer. But as she thought, she remembered how Olivia looked. She didn't look to well...She thought when a horrible idea struck her. Going as fast as humanly possible, Emily made her way to the keep, dodging guests and servants alike, her cloak streaming behind her. She ran into a maid and asked if she had seen anyone go up to the Courier's room. The maid nodded. "In fact I was just coming to look for you, if you are the Ranger Emily?" She asked. Emily nodded. "Then the Ranger Marcus as asked to see you in your room." As soon as the maid had finished talking, Emily had started to run towards her room, nearly knocking into the healer, who gave her a dirty look. A few minutes later she burst into the room, her mouth already moving. "Is she ok? I'm so sorry! I didn't realize how bad she looked until a few minutes ago. We got into a fight and..." Emily took a breath. "Please tell me she's ok!"
Marcus jumped as Emily burst into the room. "That was fast," he exclaimed softly, thinking the maid sent to find her had done a remarkable job.
"It's okay, Emily. She is going to be okay as long as we can keep her resting." He said pointedly looking at Olivia. "She was about to enlist my help for something."
Olivia smiled a little at him reached out and took his hand uncrossing his arms. "You sound so much like a impossible child. But somehow I keep you around though I don't know why. But I really hate socks and for some reason I just don't think I can sit up right now. My head feels to heavy." she sank back into her pillows. "Will you take my socks off?" she made her voice sound all pitiful she even game him a pitiful look before her eyes closed and she couldn't open them. "I'm still awake just..... resting.... my.... eyes."
Marcus nearly burst out laughing. "Socks? That is your humble request? I think we can manage to help you out there." Then he realized what Emily had just said. "Wait a minute! You two had a fight? Why are you fighting?" He looked at Olivia fighting to stay awake as he gently pulled off her socks and tucked her feet back into the blankets.Then he remembered the healer's instruction to change her clothes. His face started to turn a bit red.
"Ranger Marcus, why don't you go over into the corner over there and eat your supper while me and Clary get miss Olivia changed into something less sweaty and travel stained."
"Errr!" Marcus gulped and his face turned three shades of red. "I'll just wait in the hall, thanks." He mumbled as he swept up his dinner plate and the mug of coffee the maid had brought up. He slipped through the door and waited for the women to help Olivia into some dry, comfortable clothes. He slumped down onto the floor, just realizing how tired he was himself, now that his initial fear of Olivia's health was subsiding. He took a long swig of coffee and set the cup on the floor next to him and started spooning the food into his mouth. It was delicious and hot and the more he ate the more he wanted to close his eyes and go to sleep. He was not going to be able to sleep, though, because in addition to making sure Olivia was being treated correctly, he also needed to go to the stables and check on Sea Spirit, his ranger horse.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 7, 2014 12:35:14 GMT -5
The maids fussed over Olivia as they helped her out of her couriers uniform and into a plain but clean nightgown. Olivia who was so tired just wished they would leave her be and stop raising her limbs, before putting the fresh clothes on her they were giving her a brief sponge bath. Olivia just wanted to sleep but they wouldn't let her. She weakly protested when they shoved socks on her feet. "I don't like socks." "To bad you need to have warm toes." "But I don't like socks." she said again a childish whine to her voice. The maids just chuckled and tucked her into bed, they had also brushed her hair and re-braided it, with a sigh she sank back into the pillows and closed her eyes dozing off immediately. The maids re-entered the hallway closing the door behind them. The one went off wit the dirty clothes and rags and bucket the other stayed and fixed her eye on Marcus. "Miss Olivia is resting. She musn't be disturbed she needs her rest. Her fever is still there but we will keep an eye on it. She's sleeping at the moment poor thing is all tuckered out. You should look after yourself and see her in the morning." although she had a feeling Marcus would do no such thing when she came back to check on Olivia in a few hours no doubt she'd find Marcus sleeping in a chair next to her bed. She gave a slight bow of her head then went off to finish the nightly chores before going to bed for a few hours. Meanwhile Olivia was not in bed resting like she should have been. She had remembered as the maids had left that she should tell the king that she was sick and out of commission for a few days. Shakily she had thrown back the covers shivered coughed then got to her feet. Fighting to stay awake and upright she went over to her desk lit a candle with shaking fingers and pulled out a piece of paper and picked up her quill pen.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 9, 2014 20:51:55 GMT -5
Marcus chatted with Emily for a bit as he ate his food until the soldier lady showed up to talk to her about her mission. He assured Emily he would look after Olivia and not to worry about her so Emily could take care of the arrangements she needed to. Even after Emily left, the maids were still in with Olivia and he was just considering running out to the stables to check on Spirit when they came out with her dirty clothes and addressed him like his mother used to when he was seven.
"Miss Olivia is resting. She musn't be disturbed she needs her rest. Her fever is still there but we will keep an eye on it. She's sleeping at the moment poor thing is all tuckered out. You should look after yourself and see her in the morning," said the maid.
'You obviously don't know her very well,' Marcus thought, but he just nodded as if he agreed with the clueless woman and sighed heavily, "well I suppose I could go check on the horses and then get the road dust off me." He hoped it sounded convincing so the maid would go on about her other duties. She gave a slight bow of her head then went off to finish the nightly chores before going to bed for a few hours.
Marcus watched her go back down the hallway and then debated for a moment on whether he should go into Olivia's room or not. He didn't want to wake her, but he had to make sure she was resting comfortably and he had no intention of staying out of her room for the whole night. She might wake up and decide to go deliver a letter to Redmont knowing her. No, either he was going to stay in a chair by her bed or camp outside her door so she couldn't wander off during the night.
Meanwhile Olivia was not in bed resting like she should have been. She had remembered as the maids had left that she should tell the king that she was sick and out of commission for a few days. Shakily she had thrown back the covers shivered coughed then got to her feet. Fighting to stay awake and upright she went over to her desk lit a candle with shaking fingers and pulled out a piece of paper and picked up her quill pen.
Marcus decided to quietly poke his head in the door and make sure she was asleep and then he would make a quick trip to the stables to check on his ranger horse and make sure Olivia's horse was being pampered. He opened the door slowly, just enough to stick his head in and peer around the frame at the bed.
The empty bed. The one with the covers thrown back and no Olivia sleeping soundly in it.
He pushed the door open a bit farther and slipped into the room silently and saw her sitting at her desk writing with her hands shaking. She looked like she was going to fall asleep in her inkwell. Marcus felt his anger and frustration building, but he wasn't surprised to find her out of bed. He kept a tight leash on his feelings as he stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind him without making a sound. He leaned back against the door and crossed his arms and watched her for ten seconds before he said anything. He noticed she had socks on her feet again and nearly smiled in spite of being angry with her and he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, impossibly stubborn, but beautiful. He schooled his features to stern disapproval and then he spoke softly.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" he asked as if talking to a child.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 9, 2014 21:27:33 GMT -5
Olivia paused in her writing and looked over her words which blurred before her eyes. She yawned hugely rubbed her eye with her free hand. Her eyes closed and her head sagged she almost fell asleep right there but she pried them back open and forced her hand to sign her name at the bottom.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" he asked as if talking to a child.
She jumped and dropped her quill as she twisted around. She opened her mouth then closed it, opened it again then closed it again. She paused her mind trying to process and respond and not working very well. She opened her mouth for a third time but instead of words coming out she simply yawned, her eyes lost their focus on him went a little cross eyed then snapped back into focus on him. Her mind went black and she frowned had he just asked her something? Yes, he had but what was it? her eyes went cross eyed again as she tried really hard to remember the question. Then it came back to her and her eyes focused on him again, she gave him a charming smile but it just came off as a half smile, even her facial muscles were tired. "I'm writing to the king of course." she said her voice had gone a little gravelly her throat was starting to bother her. Or had her throat always bothered her? She couldn't really remember. "Doesn't everybody write to the king to tell him they are sick? The only question is should I give it to him or should I trust someone else to give it to him? And how do I know that they are trust worthy? you know? I should probably just do it cause I trust me." she turned back to her desk and folded up the dry parchment paper then carefully melted some wax and impressed her seal in it. "Cause If i give it to him then he would know that I wasn't lying when I said that I was sick. He'd know'd I was sick." she turned back to him and got to her feet and leaned against the chair. "Does that make sense to you? Cause that makes sense to me." she paused and finally common sense caught up to her, she couldn't remember ever being like this before, well when she was really tired she tended to blabber nonsense. She detected an angry vibe coming from him, she put on her best pitiful face which wasn't to difficult then quite suddenly she started crying and she didn't know why, she held her arms out to him. "Marcus," she sobbed. "Will you carry me to bed?" she wiped at her eyes trying to stop the flow of tears but for some reason they just kept coming.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 9, 2014 21:30:49 GMT -5
Olivia paused in her writing and looked over her words which blurred before her eyes. She yawned hugely rubbed her eye with her free hand. Her eyes closed and her head sagged she almost fell asleep right there but she pried them back open and forced her hand to sign her name at the bottom.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" he asked as if talking to a child.
She jumped and dropped her quill as she twisted around. She opened her mouth then closed it, opened it again then closed it again. She paused her mind trying to process and respond and not working very well. She opened her mouth for a third time but instead of words coming out she simply yawned, her eyes lost their focus on him went a little cross eyed then snapped back into focus on him. Her mind went black and she frowned had he just asked her something? Yes, he had but what was it? her eyes went cross eyed again as she tried really hard to remember the question. Then it came back to her and her eyes focused on him again, she gave him a charming smile but it just came off as a half smile, even her facial muscles were tired. "I'm writing to the king of course." she said her voice had gone a little gravelly her throat was starting to bother her. Or had her throat always bothered her? She couldn't really remember. "Doesn't everybody write to the king to tell him they are sick? The only question is should I give it to him or should I trust someone else to give it to him? And how do I know that they are trust worthy? you know? I should probably just do it cause I trust me." she turned back to her desk and folded up the dry parchment paper then carefully melted some wax and impressed her seal in it. "Cause If i give it to him then he would know that I wasn't lying when I said that I was sick. He'd know'd I was sick." she turned back to him and got to her feet and leaned against the chair. "Does that make sense to you? Cause that makes sense to me." she paused and finally common sense caught up to her, she couldn't remember ever being like this before, well when she was really tired she tended to blabber nonsense. She detected an angry vibe coming from him, she put on her best pitiful face which wasn't to difficult then quite suddenly she started crying and she didn't know why, she held her arms out to him. "Marcus," she sobbed. "Will you carry me to bed?" she wiped at her eyes trying to stop the flow of tears but for some reason they just kept coming.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 9, 2014 22:22:20 GMT -5
In spite of speaking softly, Marcus startled Olivia so badly she dropped her quill and was speechless for several seconds. She looked like she was going to faint and instantly his irritation was replaced with concern for her. Then she started babbeling again, like she always did when she was extremely nervous and caught off-guard.
He started to move toward her, intending to scoop her up and deposit her back into her bed no matter how she protested. She was swaying on her feet and he thought she was going to fall over. He was totally unprepared, however, when she burst into tears.
She detected an angry vibe coming from him, she put on her best pitiful face which wasn't to difficult then quite suddenly she started crying and she didn't know why, she held her arms out to him. "Marcus," she sobbed. "Will you carry me to bed?" she wiped at her eyes trying to stop the flow of tears but for some reason they just kept coming.
He closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, hugging her tight. It wasn't just her hands that were shaking, her whole body was trembling. Marcus knew the signs of exhaustion and recognized that Olivia's cold was not the only problem here. She was going to need to rest, truly rest, for several days before she would be back to normal.
Trying to lighten her mood he joked, "Do you have any idea how long I have waited to hear you ask me that?" He hoped she would find it amusing and snap her out of her current mood.
He held her for a moment protectively in his arms, "ssshhhh, now. It's okay," he soothed her, his anger completely gone now. She always seemed so tough and in charge, but right now she seemed as fragile as a spun sugar castle on the Baron's birthday cake.
He scooped her up effortlessly and carried her to the bed where he gently laid her on it and sat down next to her. He intended to hold her until she stopped crying. "You are just tired, Olivia. I wish you'd stop pushing yourself so hard. A body has limits and this is one way yours is telling you 'enough already.' You need to sleep." Maybe speaking to her rationally would help her get back in control. He wasn't sure quite what to do other than hold her and reassure her. He'd never been too good around crying women or babies.
"I'm sorry I made you cry," he appologized. "I didn't mean to upset you." She was still burning up with fever and he could hear her breathing getting raspy. Crying probably wasn't helping the situation as far as breathing goes.
Eventually he gently leaned forward until she was lying down and disengaged her arms. Then he cupped each foot in his hand one at a time and slid her unwanted socks off her feet for the second time that night. He pulled the blankets up around her shoulders and smoothed her hair back off her face. "Go to sleep, Liv," he ordered gently. "Don't worry, I will send your letter to the King with Emily. She can take it in the morning."
He pulled a chair over right next to her bed and sat down on it. He wiped her face with a cool damp rag and prepered himself for his third night without sleep, his own fatigue forgotten for the moment. "Don't worry, I will be right here when you wake up. You're safe, so just go to sleep."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 10, 2014 10:26:22 GMT -5
He closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, hugging her tight. It wasn't just her hands that were shaking, her whole body was trembling. Marcus knew the signs of exhaustion and recognized that Olivia's cold was not the only problem here. She was going to need to rest, truly rest, for several days before she would be back to normal.
She put her arms around him and put her head on his chest giving vent to a shuddering breath she realized just how much she had missed him while they had been apart. She sobbed into his chest how she had ever come to deserve him she would never know.
Trying to lighten her mood he joked, "Do you have any idea how long I have waited to hear you ask me that?" He hoped she would find it amusing and snap her out of her current mood.
She laughed a little and finally the tears stopped coming. She looked up at him a small smile gracing her tired face. "Leave it to you to say something scandaless." she leaned against him and put her head back on his chest so she could hear his heart beat. It was steady and strong, she rather liked the rhythm of the beat beneath her ear it was soothing and comforting.
He scooped her up effortlessly and carried her to the bed where he gently laid her on it and sat down next to her. He intended to hold her until she stopped crying. "You are just tired, Olivia. I wish you'd stop pushing yourself so hard. A body has limits and this is one way yours is telling you 'enough already.' You need to sleep." Maybe speaking to her rationally would help her get back in control. He wasn't sure quite what to do other than hold her and reassure her. He'd never been too good around crying women or babies.
"Yes mother." she said, his tone and words reminded her very much of her mother. In fact her mother had often said those same exact words to her. She said still listening to his heart beat her eyes closed drowsily she could sit and listen to his heart for hours.
"I'm sorry I made you cry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to upset you." She was still burning up with fever and he could hear her breathing getting raspy. Crying probably wasn't helping the situation as far as breathing goes.
"Its ok dear I don't even know why I was crying anyway. I guess I just really missed you." she sniffed and reached over to under her pillow she pulled out a handkerchief the maids had stuck under there for her. She used it to blow her nose then put it back. She went back to leaning on him, she held an affection for him she had never felt for anyone else before.
Eventually he gently leaned forward until she was lying down and disengaged her arms. Then he cupped each foot in his hand one at a time and slid her unwanted socks off her feet for the second time that night. He pulled the blankets up around her shoulders and smoothed her hair back off her face. "Go to sleep, Liv," he ordered gently. "Don't worry, I will send your letter to the King with Emily. She can take it in the morning."
He pulled a chair over right next to her bed and sat down on it. He wiped her face with a cool damp rag and prepared himself for his third night without sleep, his own fatigue forgotten for the moment. "Don't worry, I will be right here when you wake up. You're safe, so just go to sleep."
"Sleep." she said drowsily leaning back, a soft smile played on her lips as he took of her socks. She had never realized how much she had really loved his touch until then, he was so strong yet so very gentle with her. "Safe.... love.." She drifted off then reached out and felt for his arm she found it and gave it a feeble squeeze. "You're soo strong my love." she yawned and coughed her face wrinkling in discomfort as it bother her raw throat. And then she was lost to sleep and dead to the world her hand still on his arm.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 10, 2014 22:18:28 GMT -5
"I'm sorry I made you cry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to upset you." She was still burning up with fever and he could hear her breathing getting raspy. Crying probably wasn't helping the situation as far as breathing goes.
"Its ok dear I don't even know why I was crying anyway. I guess I just really missed you." she sniffed.
"I missed you too," he hugged her tighter for a moment and kissed the top of her head as she settled back against his chest. "You are all I think about. It's getting so I can hardly think straight to do my job," he grinned, only half joking. She was all he could think about most of the time, whenever he had a spare moment and first thing in the morning when he woke and she was the last thing on his mind when he fell asleep at night. She really was driving him to distraction almost to the point of daydreaming about her when he should be keeping a sharp eye on the trail for an ambush.
"I hate the time we are apart," he said softly. "I wake up in the morning and wonder where you are today and who you are going to see. I wonder if maybe you will wander into my fief." He chuckled a bit, "I was actually in the Baron's office in Greenfield wishing you were going to walk through that door when it opened and a courier walked in." He recalled how he'd jumped to his feet eagerly and almost gave the courier a great hug before he realized it was a man and not Olivia. "And then the doors opened and here stepped a man with a letter from you to me! It was almost as if I conjured it." He laughed. "When I found out you were going to be in Seacliff at a specific time I volunteered to come see the Baron here on behalf of the Greenfield Baron. I had to see you. I miss you so much and I coulnd't stand not trying to see you." He wanted to tell her he loved her but he wasn't sure if she was coherent enough to believe it so he didn't say it. He just cradled her against his chest and listened to her congested breathing.
He was content to hold her in his arms, she felt so good and he loved her smell. Under the scent of the rosewater sponge bath she'd just been given he could smell her unique scent and her hair smelled amazing, even though she had been travelling and then sweating out a fever. He didn't care, she could never smell bad to him.
Eventually he realized she couldn't really rest sitting up and reluctantly he moved to lay her down so she could sleep.
"Sleep." she said drowsily leaning back, a soft smile played on her lips as he took of her socks. She had never realized how much she had really loved his touch until then, he was so strong yet so very gentle with her. "Safe.... love.." She drifted off then reached out and felt for his arm she found it and gave it a feeble squeeze. "You're soo strong my love." she yawned and coughed her face wrinkling in discomfort as it bother her raw throat. And then she was lost to sleep and dead to the world her hand still on his arm.
Something deep inside Marcus leapt for joy when she called him her love. Excitement and desire for her surged within him and he struggled for a moment to control it. The touch of her fevered fingers on his arm burned hot against his bare skin. She loved him! He wanted to shout it to the rafters and leap around the room like a madman. She'd just said she loved him...but would she remember that later? Marcus calmed himself with effort. The chances were Olivia would not remember any of this when she woke up. But he would.
He watched her sleep and studied her face while she battled the fever. He wiped her face and neck with the cool damp rags periodically, hoping it would break the fever. Eventually his own lack of sleep got the better of thim and he dozed in the chair.
The maid returned in about an hour and found him just where she thought she would. She carefully woke him, knowing Ranger's tendancies to react first and wake up second. "Your room is across the hall and there is a hot bath ready for you. You really should get some sleep, you are just as dead on your feet as she is," the maid admonished him in a whisper so she wouldn't wake Olivia.
"Someone has to watch her like a hawk," Marc explained. "If you leave her alone for a second she is going to find some errand to run." He didn't bother to tell her that Olivia had gotten out of bed right after the maid left her alone the last time. "If you promise to stay here with her and wait until I get back, I will go get that bath."
"Deal." said the maid. "I will wait right here for you." She plopped down in the chair and watched Marcus pick up his ranger pack from the floor at the foot of the bed and slip out of the room.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 12, 2014 8:08:49 GMT -5
Olivia slept soundly the rest of the night, coughing at intervals her nose became one solid plug forcing her to breathe through her mouth which in turn dried her throat, which then caused her sore throat to hurt even worse. The sun had risen a few hours ago and at last Olivia opened her eyes she winced as she tried to swallow she looked over to see Marcus asleep in the chair next to her bed with his bare feet propped up on the bed frame down by her feet. He turned the chair around so he was facing the door of the room and the same direction as Olivia and his elbow and arm are lying on the bed next to her as he is partly slumped toward her. His mouth is open because his head is leaned back against the back of the chair, but he is not snoring. His breathing is deep and even. He looks like he is just about to fall out of the chair. He probably has been asleep no more than an hour and a half. She smiled a little and shook her head slightly she grinned mischievously as the thought crossed her mind of pushing him out of the chair. Then she remembered all he had done for her and decided that was not a very good way of saying thank you even though it still kind of sounded fun. She yawned and wondered what time it was, she felt a little better than yesterday she looked back over at him. He had taken a bath and is dressed in a fresh short sleeved brown t-tunic with green trim and soft off-white linen pants. He has his brown belt around his waist with the ranger knives, a money pouch and his ranger pouch hanging from it and his quiver is looped over the back of the chair. His bow is strung and hangs by just one finger of his left hand keeping it wedged up against the chair so it doesn't fall to the floor. A small cake of wax has fallen to the floor, evidence he had been waxing the string just before dozing off. She almost laughed leave it to a ranger to bring weapons into the sick room, she was in the middle of the castle what could possibly happen? She shifted a little and put her hand on his, he woke with a start and looked around for a split second wondering why he was in a chair and not bed. "Marcus why are you here and not sleep comfortably in a bed?" she asked then raised an eyebrow as her voice was barely recognizable, her cold had made it go all squeaky and the dry throat made her voice sound like a frog. "Woa is that really my voice? I sound funny." with an effort she propped herself up and looked around the room the fire wasn't really going anymore she saw her socks on the floor and wriggled her toes reveling in the freedom. As she looked around she wrapped her hand around his then absent mindedly rubbed her thumb up and down on the back of his hand. Her eyes were searching for a cup of water she coughed a deep chest rattling cough and sighed after the coughing fit had passed. This was the last time she was going to travel in the rain, she knew thats how she got sick the rain had been cold as had the weather the seasons were still transitioning. Next time she'd find a nice warm dry place she hoped her horse was all right and not sick like she was. That would make her feel even worse if her foolishness had caused the horse to be sick or hurt.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 12, 2014 23:54:11 GMT -5
For a moment Marcus forgot where he was. He'd been dreaming and didn't want to wake up. The dream was flitting away now, but he could recall that it was about Olivia and their children living in a ranger cabin. He flushed a little red as he recalled the dream. His subconscious was getting a little ahead of himself.
"Marcus why are you here and not sleep comfortably in a bed?" Olivia asked then raised an eyebrow as her voice was barely recognizable, her cold had made it go all squeaky and the dry throat made her voice sound like a frog. "Woa is that really my voice? I sound funny." with an effort she propped herself up and looked around the room.
Marcus swiftly gathered his thoughts and pushed the dream to the background as he noticed her hand on his. He clasped her hand in his own and smiled at her. "Your croaking is music to my ears!" he laughed. "It looks like you are feeling a bit better. Your fever broke about, ohhhh, two hours ago I'd say," he commented trying to determine the time of day by the cloud-filtered sunlight coming dimly through the window opposite the door. Growing serious and intent, he set his bow on the floor and leaned over her, cupping her jaw in his hand as he tenderly gave her a long, sweet kiss on her forehead. He poured all of his emotions into that kiss, wishing it were on her lips, but not yet ready to take that liberty.
"I was so worried about you," he said huskily as he pulled back and gently stroked her cheekbone with his thumb. His eyes were moist with emotion. "Please don't ever do that to me again," he smiled.
Reluctantly he disengaged himself from her and stood up and stretched, rubbing the kink out of his neck. The room was cool and damp, but the rain had stopped, at least for a while. Emily's stuff was gone, including the half coherent letter Olivia had attempted to write to the King last night, complete with the ink smudge. Marcus had written a brief letter to the King and also to Lady Paulette letting them know of Olivia's condition and that no matter what missions they had for her, she was not going on another one for at least a week unless it was over his dead body. He winced at the memory and suspected he was going to catch some flack from that when he returned to Crowley's office.
He strode over to the fireplace and revived it right after he pulled the bellstring in the corner to alert the servants to bring up breakfast. He turned around to make sure Olivia was still in bed and then passed her a fresh handkercheif his sister had made for him with his initials embroidered in the corner. He knew she was going to have need of it.
Ignoring her question, he poured her a glass of water that was now room temperature and held it out for her. "You'll be staying in bed today and I won't be accepting any arguments on the subject," he stated forcefully but in a matter-of-fact voice. It wasn't a question, or an order exactly. It was a statement of fact. He expected her to protest, but he made up his mind that no argument she could put forth would alter the fact that she was staying in the bed except for brief trips to the chamber pot behind screen in the corner.
"I was thinking we could spend the day catching up on everything since the last time we saw eachother," he suggested. "Or I could read you a book or tell you a tale perhaps. That is when you are not sleeping because that is what you should spend the day doing mostly - sleeping."
He picked up the cake of wax and his bow and unstrung it then set it against the wall with his quiver and ranger pack. On the little bedside table was a package of herbs left by the healer that was to go in her morning tea.
"Oh, I checked on the horses last night and both of them are doing just fine. I had the stable boy make up a hot bran mash for them and put in extra bedding and hay. He had already groomed them and dried them off and even oiled our saddles so I gave him a handful of silver pieces to keep up the great work with them and pamper them silly," Marcus smiled. He knew Olivia cared just as much for her horse as he did for his. Spirit was content to stay in a stall in the royal stables and be waited on for a change and he seemed none the worse for the wear. Olivia's horse had lost some weight since the last time he'd seen it and seemed a little droopy. He'd told the stable boy to keep a close watch on her and fetch him immediately if she appeared ill.
He was going to give Olivia about 15 minutes of freedom while he went down and checked on the horses again right after they ate breakfast which should be arriving at their room shortly. He'd made arrangements the night before for some fruit and cream, eggs, bacon and blueberry breakfast tarts topped with thick, sweet cream. They were supposed to be bringing up one cup of hot tea for Olivia's medicine and two mugs of coffee with the meal. She was going to want something to wash the bitter taste of the herbs down after she drank the tea.
He sat back down in the chair and looked at Olivia, waiting for the protests he was sure were coming.
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