Brothel AU for draconita

[darotisentys]

[It's only been a day, but he is anxious to get back to her. He won't say he's desperate to go to the brothel, because that's not the case. He would want her no matter where he found her.

The brothel is it, however, and once he's gathered with his men and orders given for the day, meals taken and a bath, he manages to sneak out once more and go to where he knows he'll find her.

His Alys.

He doesn't take his time. He's at the door as soon as he can and enters as quietly as possible, not wanting to draw a scene. He doesn't stop until he's found her.]

Comments

[draconita]

[ It's well over an hour until the rider can be seen coming back, a woman comfortably sitting in front of him, her long black hair wild, her cheeks flushed.

Some of the soldiers still standing seem to recognize her, dipping their head in respect as she passes them by. She pays them no notice, for the second the lad has helped her to dismount she's fixing up her hair in a bun, pining up the sleeves of her dress. The man is seen carrying an old, bulky wooden box with a leather strap - a Maester's consultation bag alright.

A soldier approaches in a hurry to notify her of the prince's summoning, but he is very much ignored as she marches on. ]

Your prince can wait - not so much the sick. Don't bother me while I'm working.

[ And that's it. Like a storm, the woman marches on, seemingly knowing just where she is supposed to go, picking up baffled soldiers and staff as she goes for assistance, most of which obey silently, too worried for their comrades to argue. ]

[darotisentys]

[The same soldier attends the prince's chamber to let him know the woman has arrived, and that she's attending to the sick already. Rebuffed his summons. Aemond is not surprised. He sends the soldier away and simply sits on the edge of his bed, deciding to let her do what she can for those that need it most.]

[draconita]

[ The whole staff seems to be put to work.

Windows are opened everywhere to let clean air circulate in the sick rooms, while the sick are moved to another room entirely, stripped from their soiled garments and treated pretty much as babes.

Everything used to attend them, along with their clothes and linens is put to the torch, a fire fixed outside of the castle. Men and women toil, wetting clean rags in boiling water, in fragrant, cooling oinments.

Hours of labour that she oversees, putting the kitchens to work as well to make something that won't turn their hurt stomachs.

Hours ans hours, until the sun is setting. Until at last his door opens to reveal the madam herself, a heavy tray in her hands. ]

Come to the table.

[darotisentys]

[The entire keep is abuzz with activity. He wanders out of his room, watching to see what is going on, and then back in to avoid all the noise. And then out again.

At the end of the day, he is thinking more of sleep than he is of food, but his door opens and in she comes, bearing dinner.

He stands, but stays by the bed.]

Thank you for your work. You did not tell me you were a type of Maester.

[draconita]

[ She hums as an answer, setting aside the porridge.

She's brought boiling water, and more fresh remedies that she set to work on, grinding to fix him some medicine. ]

Some of your soldiers contaminated the water of the east well. They cut down a branch of the weirdwood that had messed the stonework and tossed the wood into it. The sap is poisonous when diluted without preparation. I ordered a few men to cut it off from the rest. They'll be at it the whole night, but it should keep the other wells safe.

[ She pours water on the mixture, a fragrance similar to the one in her room filling the air. ]

Drink this before eating. You need to sweat off whatever toxin remains inside you.

[darotisentys]

[He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. Not because of her, but due to her story. Fucking men.]

They will be alright, then?

[Watching her work is easy enough. Looking at her face, not so much. So he doesn't. Once she's done, he nods.]

I will. Thank you again.

[draconita]

The ones who put the hatchet to the tree won't make it past the night.

[ She looks at him easily enough though. Silence holds for a few seconds, before she's taking out a gold pouch - one of his.

She leaves it on the table. ]

The last one, I return to you. The two others I'll keep, as a Maester's fee.

... Be well.

[darotisentys]

How many?

[He can't really afford to be losing soldiers.

He nods toward the pouch.]

That seems more than fair.

[Another moment of silence, then, quietly:]

Alys...

[draconita]

Three.

[ She is making for the door already, before she stops to look at him again waiting. ]

[darotisentys]

[Three is acceptable.

He clears his throat, his hands clasping behind his back.]

I apologize for our last meeting. I meant no insult to you.

[draconita]

You already apologized. Why bother again?

If it is my silence what worries you, there is no need.

[darotisentys]

I care not for your silence. I care about--

[He stops himself, and turns away.]

Never mind.

[draconita]

[ A forlorn look that goes unseen.

Silence stretches, broken by her steps. ]

Goodbye, then, Aemond Targaryen. May fortune be with you.

[darotisentys]

Will you come tomorrow? Check on the ill?

[draconita]

I left enough medicine made, and taught the old women how to make it. I have also instructed the kitchens on what meals to prepare for the next week.

I will send out more of the prescription if you need it, but unless I am specifically summoned to look at them...

[darotisentys]

[He nods.]

Very well.

[draconita]

[ A trace of unhappiness, then. Something brittle, like hurt, fleeting and mad, gone before she turns to leave, hair trailing after her.

Foolish boy. But worst of all is her own stupid, tender heart. ]

[darotisentys]

[He feels foolish, not knowing what to do. How to act. What to say. Though he tries.]

Please stay.

[draconita]

[ She stops, though she won't turn to face him, nor will she enter the room. ]

... Your men will be fine, Aemond.

[darotisentys]

[He stares at her back, not moving from his place by the bed.]

Not for them.

For me.

[draconita]

For you.

[ She barely moves. Just a glimpse of her profile, serious eyes, flushed cheeks. ]

... I'm sweaty and disheveled. I've been toiling all day.

[darotisentys]

[And she's intoxicating. At first he thought it was more the place, but no, it's her.]

I do have a jug and basin. I simply want you to-- be here.

[draconita]

[ A long, tired sigh before she's stepping back in, closing the door behind her, leaning against the wood as she wills herself to unwind. ]

Sit down to eat before I decide to force feed you. You look terrible.

[ And just like that, she's making herself comfortable, ignoring him while she undresses partially to freshen up.

She closes her eyes at the feel of the wet cloth against her neck, sighing sweetly at the relief it offers. ]

[darotisentys]

[He can't ignore her like he is him, but he does as he's told. He sits, at least, staring at the food without interest. He reaches for the drink instead. She did say it should be first.

He drinks it quickly, only making a slight face as it goes down. Now his appetite is truly gone again. So he watches her, as she undresses, as she wipes the cloth over her skin. Listens to the sound of relief she makes.]

I will have someone fetch a new dress for you, if you prefer.

[draconita]

It's fine. Stop fretting and eat.

[ Droplets of water falling down the planes of her stomach, an arm raised as she continues to relief herself from her discomfort. ]

I have held down men twice your side, don't think I won't pin you down to that table to shove the porridge down you throat.