Prince William
He screamed and bucked. The chaotic scene startled the Princess. She had made a promise to herself that she would be by Prince William's side no matter what. She lifted her skirts and lightly jogged over to the situation. He looked manic, like a man possessed.
She touched the healer's shoulder. He stopped trying to force feed him the medicine, "Your Royal Highness," he was startled. "I'm sorry. As you can see I cannot allow visiting hours at this time. His Royal Highness is running a very high fever. It could kill him if he does not drink this.
But not to worry, I have my assistants and my strength."
"Yes, you do. I would like to try."
"Your Majesty,"
Her words didn't fully register with him.
"I said, I would like to try,"
"But, Your Majesty, I'm-"
"Nonsense. You said so yourself that he could die. Give it to me and I will try to give it to him."
He looked down and a few seconds later snapped out of his temporary shock.
"My lovely Beatrice..." Prince William trailed off.
"Yes, William. It's me. I'm here." She reassured him as she stepped forward.
The assistants were still restraining him, even though he wasn't fighting them. She touched both lady's forearms, "Please," She said, "I will be fine."
They looked over to the healer. Princess Beatrice saw him nod his head 'yes', and they removed their hands from the Prince, and took a sidestep back. Princess Beatrice looked at him. He looked terrible. His skin now jaundiced. His lips were cracked from dryness.
When she looked into his eyes she knew he was in there.
"They are trying to kill me! They will try to kill you as well. We must go!" He tried to get up from the table.
She gently placed her hands on his chest, stilling his movement.
"No. No, my darling."
"No one is trying to kill you. Your wound is becoming infected. You must let these people help you."
"No!" He roared, his voice filled the large room.
"All right. What if I give it to you and show you there's nothing to fear. Will you?" Her voice was calm and steady.
Like a wide eyed child he nodded his head yes. She felt jubilation course through her at him being calm, willing, and patient.
She looked at the healers assistant on the left who held the tortoise shell bowl filled with coriander lemon, honey tea. She handed it to her, and she smelled it. She looked back at the healer.
"Is this safe for me to drink?" She asked him pointedly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I only use the best herbs and teas." She looked back at Prince William.
His breathing was short. She knew that was signs of the fever working its way through the body. He watched her as she closed her eyes and put the tortoise shell bowl to her lips and took a small drink. It tasted sweet with a strange aftertaste.
"See. No poison." She said, "Just medicine. Now please, William drink."
It seemed like an hour had went by before he did anything, but in truth it had only been a few seconds, he took the bowl from her hands and drank all of its contents. He then kissed her hand and laid down on the cot.
"What next, healer?" She acted shocked at her own power.
"We will clean and re-dress his wounds."
She hadn't thought her actions through. Even after everything she had recently been through hearing, having to see blood or gashes made her feel queasy. Nevertheless, a promise is a promise...