Healing Hands

Arleana Ilion, neé Cilician, 24. Devoted wife to Hedley Ilion. Sister and daughter to those no longer with us. Part of The Realm RPG

[galenvance]

Galen stepped into the dungeons with a tired set to his mouth, quiet as he adjusted the heavy basket on his arm. It was full to bursting with fresh bread and wineskins full of cool water, the least he could do. ( The free folk had won, they had, but it still rang a bit hollow. Something didn’t feel right. ) 

He began handing out what he had, gently side-stepping pleas and demands alike. He was already weary by the time he was halfway through, but diligently pulled a loaf of bread from his basket. “Here,” he said as kindly as he could muster, meeting familiar eyes through the iron bars. He ignored the guards, free folk who gazed at the kindness with vague disapproval. They deserve to suffer, they’d said when he stepped inside. You do not need to help them. 

Of course he did. Most of them were innocent in all the ways that mattered most. And if he didn’t, well. He doubted anyone he knew of the free folk would. “I have food and water.” 

[arleana-ilion]

Despite the fact that she knew she wasn’t at risk - not after Hedley relinquished his support for the Vitellos - Arleana’s steps were still hesitant as she made her way through the corridors down to the dungeons. There was uncertainty about whether she was breaking any rules or laws of this new society by being down there but so far no one had stopped the healer.

She knew there was little she could do, but it soothed her worry slightly to at least see with her own eyes that they were all in the best health possible. Keeping her eyes downcast but some strength and dignity in the straightness of her back, Arleana passed through the doorway. The other figure that she saw there caught her by surprise, not so much by the fact that she had company but rather that it had been so long since her eyes had gazed upon her friend.

“Galen?”

[arleana-ilion]

CIVILIANS:

Before participating, please ensure you have read the event.

The hour for everything to change has arrived. The free folk have spilled into the city, but they don’t make for the houses to burn or for the civilians to capture. Their eyes are on the Keep, and it is soon that the citizens of Westedell discover why: the lords and ladies have been taken hostage within. ( The entire Keep has been taken hostage, with no signs of salvation in sight. ) The wisest thing for the civilians to do would be to stay out of sight, but we know that not all will do such a thing. What is it they think as they see the home of their King taken over by those who want justice against the Vitellos? What is it they plan to do: allow it to happen, fight back, or something else altogether? Remember that the free folk will leave most civilians alone, but if any come forward to fight — the warriors will fight to kill. In a time of upheaval and danger for the civilians, it is now that the rest of the world learns who they really are.

“i feel like god; alone.” 

PARA RESPONSE: Even the selfless are driven to selfishness.

The night had started out just like any other in the Ilion household, with her and Hedley eating dinner and trying to enjoy each other’s company in spite of yet another threat that was looming over the city. She loved her husband, truly adored him with every cell in her body, but Arleana was growing tired and so weary of this game of pretend. Her body was heavy with worry from muscles that never relaxed any more. Everyday she expected some strange knight to knock on her door and inform her of some unwelcome fate that had befallen her husband. it was only by sheer luck that it hadn’t happened yet.

Which was why when screams were heard, their peaceful meal interrupted, her heart sped up and at the thought of Hedley leaving her to go out into it made her feel as though she would be sick. But as her other half stood up and silently asked her for permission, she rose slowly too and went to his armour to help him into it only find have her shaking hands stayed by his roughened ones. With a shake of his head and a brush of lips to her temple, he murmured that there was no time before heading to the door.

She’d done it so many times before, watched him leave and wished him safety. But today she couldn’t. She couldn’t just let him go into danger so unprepared. Couldn’t let him leave her. Couldn’t lose him when she’d lost so many before him. He was her husband, her love and her life.

“Hedley, please.” The words had been intended to leave her lips softly, almost like an after thought but instead she almost flinched at the desperation in them. She cringed at the way her hands grasped at his shirt once she close the space between them and she knew she should be ashamed of the begging that she knew rested in her brown eyes. But she’d spent her life being selfless, just this once- 

“Please, just-” Stay. Don’t leave me. I can’t do it this time. Just stay. Words that were on the tip of her tongue, ready to leaving her lips after staying behind them for years but as her eyes met the pair that she knew better than her own, they died in her throat. Hedley was begging her not to say them, his hands over hers trying to smooth out some of the tension in them as though that would soothe her. Arleana cast her eyes down, worrying her bottom lip before slowly raising it up once more, grateful for her husband’s patience. “Just come back to me. Please.” They strike a bargain that he will providing she stays safe and hidden here.

A kiss filled with unsaid things is their parting as he leaves her in an an empty house with only the company of her fears and worries. 

She tries to sit. To read. To sew. To finish what is left of her food but both her appetite and her concentration has been stolen by the worry that is consuming her. The need to know what is going on outside cripples her and in that moment she knows that she cannot keep her promise to Hedley, she has to find him and see if there’s anyone who needs her help along the way.

The streets are mad. Citizens everywhere who, like her, had disregarded better judgement and to remain inside and ventured out. Brown eyes scanned the streets for anyone injured but it seemed that the invaders had yet to harm anyone other than to push them out the way. Stopping along the way to help people up and check them for breaks and scrapes, she urged them back inside with soft words even though she had no intention of doing the same until she was by her husband’s side.

Street after street, alley after alley, Arleana was beginning to wonder if she’d ever lay eyes on her husband again as she dodged other people, pressing herself against walls as wildlings that passed but they had no interest in her. Just as she was about to give up on her search and return home to him like she should have been doing, she spotted him ushering some children into an alley too keep them safe. Before she could stop herself his name was on her lips and she was in his arms telling him that she wasn’t going back without him. Not this time.

Whatever the city was about to face she was going to watch it unfold by his side for once. They would face it all together and that little thought made her calmer than she had been in months.

[galenvance]

“I’d say you made the right choice, but you can never be all too sure. Some folks can be less-than-pleasant company after a couple drinks.” Galen tilted his head towards the woman, nodding towards where everyone was dancing—legs flying and laughter spilling. They seemed friendly enough for now, but… “Hedley here with you, Ana?”

[arleana-ilion]

So she had been too bold, too optimistic. She lowered her gaze at his words, knowing how right he was. People could change within a drink and the person who’d suffer for it would most likely be her. A sad smile fell onto her lips, she just couldn’t summon the energy to fake one for her friend, not with the disappointment she was feeling. “I know not to outstay my welcome, Galen, please don’t worry about me.” Ana could no more hold back the sigh that she gave while shaking her had than she had her smile. “He’s working late tonight but he told me he might stop by on his way home to see if I’m still here.”

[ofthefearlessflight-blog]

“I really should write you up… But if you promise not to do it again and to not tell anybody, I will let it slide, alright? Just this one time.”

[arleana-ilion]

“Of course, you have my word that I won’t tell anyone or do it again. But, forgive me, I’m still not sure what it was I did.”

[dariusrossi-deactivated20160930]

“Wait! Don’t move!” Darius grinned, excitement sparkling in his eyes. With a flourish he pulled out a large sketchpad and a piece of charcoal, raising his brows in suggestion. 

“What do you say? It will only take but a moment of your time. Free of charge.” 

[arleana-ilion]

When he’d first spoken, she’d frozen with her eyes wide and filled with worry that she’d some how done something wrong. But as soon as he continued, all the tension went out of her stance and she was able to give the man a smile.

“Oh, well, if you’re sure.”

[galenvance]

“—Well, what do you know? Can’t say I was expecting to see you at this joint.” Galen flashed a grin, charming and easy as ever, as he regarded his unexpected companion. Smiling was easier now that he was on his third drink, beginning to get a nice edge. “And looking as dolled up as you are, too.”

[arleana-ilion]

Despite her worrying of whether she’d made the right decision in her choice of where to spend her evening, Ana couldn’t help but smile back at him. Compliments weren’t something she seemed to get all that often and this one made her duck her head slightly as a blush crept across her cheeks. “Thank you. I thought it was probably about time I found some other ways to spend my evenings.” 

[arleana-ilion]

Name: Arleana ‘Ana’ Ilion

Occupation: Nurse

Affiliation: Neutral

Arleana never intended her life to be quite as scandalous as it turned out, in fact before her and her husband had moved over her life had been rather beyond reproached. That wasn’t to say it had been boring, quite the opposite, it had been far more eventful than someone with Arleana’s disposition would have liked. After her family’s deaths, she had moved to Britain without a second thought.

Though it took her a little while, Ana soon adjusted to life there and found herself falling in love with the world all over again. She began her training as a nurse and it was there that she met her husband, Hedley, when he was admitted as a patient. Before she knew it she was head over heels in love, as was he and they were married within months.

Ana never had a problem with trying new places so when Hedley suggested the move, she accepted it with an open mind. But an open mind was no match for what she found when they got there. The city was rife with crime and her days were mostly filled with worry with Hedley working as a police officer. As for the way some people treated her, well the less she thought about that the better. Still, she makes an effort with every person she meets and throws herself into her work.

Vices: her husband. (that’s literally it. I couldn’t think of anything else)

[galenvance]

♛: Sharing a dessert

♟: patching up a wound. (because i deleted the wrong ask, oops!)

“That’s perfect.” 

“It is?” 

“Of course. Would I say otherwise if it wasn’t?”

“Well, you’re always so polite…”

“Well, yes. But so are you. And you know I wouldn’t ever lie to you, Galen.”

The Chamberlain smiled at that, sitting back and running a hand through his hair in relief. Hedley sat between Galen and Arleana with a mildly amused smile, a clean new bandage wrapped around his shoulder. It was the result of a mishap from sparring with the other knights, small enough that it had been able to wait while Arleana called for Galen but big enough that cleaning and wrapping the wound had been a learning experience.

And so she’d sat and watched over the process as Galen put all his recent learning to the test and bound her husband’s wound, acutely aware that one wrong herb could be the difference between an easy recovery and a horrible infection. 

( Why had he decided to do all this, again? )

Clean; burn the needle, sew the wound; mix the herbs, make the paste; spread it on and bind. Arleana had taught him well. It had come naturally, though he’d hesitated for a moment before he’d begun sewing the other man’s flesh back together—not that he needed to. Hedley had barely flinched. Galen had probably been more uncomfortable than him, actually. 

“Not bad, Chamberlain,” the knight announced, shifting his arm carefully to test the bindings. Galen winced, waiting to see red bleed through the bandages. It didn’t, and Hedley nodded in approval at the mobility. 

Galen melted into his chair a little bit more, and Arleana’s laugh was soft. 

nonsexual acts of intimacy. 

[arleana-ilion]

Having a child was not a blessing that Arleana had been lucky enough to experience so far in her life but it was still very much something she hoped for. It was that hope, along with her love of children that had made her stop when a group of them playing on the street had spoken to her. Such an occurrence wasn’t all that rare for her, in fact she made an effort to stop at least once a fortnight. Today she found herself getting carried away with them, their enthusiasm was contagious, and Arleana lost her awareness of her surroundings enough that she stumbled back into someone. Whirling around, she was quick to give her apologies. “Oh please forgive me, I really should be more careful but I got distracted. Are you alright?”

[thaddeusthornton-blog]

The nightmares: they returned. Thaddeus had gone ages without waking up drenched in sweat, fevered, visions of an anger that colored his vision red but he had this morning. Shaking, throat raw from holding back shouts as his mind raged—not with the whispers he was attuned to ignoring, but loud, terrible, soul-splitting screams of horror. 

The Vitellos. It had to be because of Zion and Phillipe. Death was at their doorstep and it was too much like Stonehollow for comfort. 

He roamed, seeking fresh winter’s air in an attempt to clear his mind. The sun was just rising, illuminating the gardens and pushing back the fog where he stood surrounded by stone seats. Alone, fists clamped tightly at his back, eyes closed  as he breathed in and focused on the quiet. So absorbed in his meditations, he failed to notice that someone approached, and it wasn’t until the sound of crunching dried leaves under a boot broke the silence that his eyes popped open, narrowing dangerously before turning to face his intruder. 

“Was there something you wanted?” He asked, voice so close to a growl, annoyed as he was to be taken out of his moment of peace.

[arleana-ilion]

A simple walk had been all Arleana had craved when she woke up. She found solace in the quiet mornings and always loved the gentle glow that the sunrise gave the city. It made it all the easier to pretend that the world as they knew it wasn’t falling around their feet again. Without too much thought, her feet carried her to the gardens she adored so much, only to find someone already there. A greeting was on the tip of here tongue but before the words could leave her mouth she was greeted with a growl.

In the face of such aggression, slight as it was, Arleana couldn’t help but take a half step back. It wasn’t so much that she feared the man himself - despite him dwarfing her - it was more that she always liked to distance herself from the more negative side of the emotional spectrum. Of course, sadness and worry still plagued her but anger wasn’t something that often coursed through her, she just didn’t really have it in her. Those who did have it in them and showed it, even in the smallest of forms such as irritation or annoyance, put her on the back foot. The healer was used to being able to empathise or sympathise but anger had never been something she could related to. Though perhaps this man had far more going on than she’d ever be able to tell.

“Please forgive me, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” Lacing her hands in front of her gracefully to stop them from worrying the fabric of her dress, Arleana looked up at him wide eyed, hoping her apology would satisfy him. “I only wished to enjoy the early morning but I will be on my way now and leave you in peace.”

[arleana-ilion]

nonsexual acts of intimacy - select from the following for my muse to respond to:

♔ : Finding your muse wearing their clothes

♕: Holding hands

♖: Having their hair washed by your muse

♗: Your muse falling asleep with their head in my muse's lap.

♘: Cuddling in a blanket fort

♙: Sharing a bed

♚: Head scratches

♛: Sharing a dessert

♜: Shoulder rubs

♝: Reading a book together

♞: Caring for each other while ill (specify which party is which)

♟: Patching up a wound

♤: Taking a bath together

♧: Your muse playing with their hair

♡: Accidentally falling asleep together

♢: Forehead or cheek kisses

♠: Your muse adjusting their jewelry/neck tie/ etc.

♣: Back scratches

♥: Your muse crying about something

♦: Slow dancing

[arleana-ilion]

[galenvance]

“It is,” Galen intoned, giving Arleana a warm smile when he reached her side. It had been a while since he’d seen her beaming so brightly, so he hadn’t been able to resist sidling up to bask in the warmth of her happiness. “And you look lovely as well. Is Ser Ilion around to begrudge me a dance?” 

[arleana-ilion]

“Thank you, Galen. It’s not often we get the opportunity to don finer clothes and I suppose I just couldn’t resist when it was for such a happy event.” Her eyes travelled from her friend to her husband, her smile never once faltering. How freeing it was to feel such joy again. “Well, he is getting drinks so I suppose he cannot begrudge you too much, especially seeing as he is so fond of you.”

[arleana-ilion]

The wedding was a ray of bright sunlight, bringing sme much needed light to such dark times. Arleana truly was honoured to be able to witness such a joyous event in the face of such tragedy and unrest. There had been discontent cloying the air and fear lingering, only made worse by her recent dreams, but today she felt none of that and it was such a relief. Hedley had gone to find them both a drink, leaving Arleana to gaze fondly at the scene around her, a warm, gentle smile on her lips. “It’s all so lovely, isn’t it?” She mused to whoever owned the footsteps she had heard approach her, practically sighing the words at the contentment she was feeling and the beauty around her.

[galenvance]

“Your name is lovely enough as it is; better that it isn’t shortened,” Galen replied easily, a smile still curving his lips as he raised a hand to tug his collar higher. “Tell me, do you remember the first time we spoke? I’ve been thinking on your words the past few days…” he trailed off, not sure how to phrase his request.  

[arleana-ilion]

“Thank you but I honestly don’t think there’s one to be made from it which would suit.” Her smile to him dimmed slightly to a quick look of curiousity at the tugging of his collar before a small frown of confusion took over her features. It seemed so long ago since they had first met, so much had happened in such a short time. “I think I do, though you will have to tell me exactly which part has been stirring in your mind. Just know that for you nothing is ever too much to ask from me.

[galenvance]

“Your name is lovely enough as it is; better that it isn’t shortened,” Galen replied easily, a smile still curving his lips as he raised a hand to tug his collar higher. “Tell me, do you remember the first time we spoke? I’ve been thinking on your words the past few days…” he trailed off, not sure how to phrase his request.  

[arleana-ilion]

“Thank you but I honestly don’t think there’s one to be made from it which would suit.” Her smile to him dimmed slightly to a quick look of curiousity at the tugging of his collar before a small frown of confusion took over her features. It seemed so long ago since they had first met, so much had happened in such a short time. “I think I do, though you will have to tell me exactly which part has been stirring in your mind. Just know that for you nothing is ever too much to ask from me.

[fortisvenxtor]

For a moment, El just looked down at the girl and her books with an unimpressed frown. Then (not without a sigh), he knelt down to help her pick them up. Neither she nor her problems were any of his concern, but what could he do—just ignore a woman like that? “Here,” he muttered, holding a few tomes she’d missed out to her. “Any reason you’re carrying so many books?”

[arleana-ilion]

“Oh, thank you.” A grateful smile fell over her lips, help hadn’t been something she’d expected - not in times like these. People went their own way, hurrying to get back to loved ones and didn’t give a second thought to those around them. Addjusting her hold on the books slight, she managed to quickly tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s for research, I’m a healer, you see. I’ve been trying to find a cure even though it seems quite hopeless and everyone keeps telling me so.”