Ominous Timing II

(Baelon's POV)

[Dragonstone]

"Baelon...." I heard Helaena call for me

"Hm?" I looked up from where I sat, "What is it, love?" 

She was walking up to me, holding a letter, "Mother wrote to me." She said, "Apparently, Father has fallen ill." 

I frowned, "What?" I asked, "Are you serious?" 

She nodded, "Yes, apparently some other lords as well." She said as she looked at me, "It is strange, do you think it is some plague?" 

It was a few weeks since Helaena and I had visited King's Landing and we had returned back to Dragonstone. He had told us that he'll visit often should we want him to. I told him that he could do as he pleased since he was the King. 

"Plague?" I said, "I....I don't know about that..you think so?" 

He seemed healthy the last we saw him. And talks of a plague is rather disheartening and I really do not want to think about it. 

She looked at me with a concerned look, "We should go see him." She said, "What if it is serious? He has not left bed in days." 

I placed my hand on my chin, "Come to think of it, I have heard from Ser Robert that people from Claw Isle and Driftmark have been getting ill as well.." I said, "Gods...what if is the case? Is it smart for us to go? We could be exposed...." 

"He is our Father, Baelon." she walked up to me and sat on my lap, "Please....." 

I sighed, "We write back to Mother, ask how the situation is." I said, "If it is grave, we'll go. If it is something that can be managed, we should wait it out. I don't really have a good feeling about this." 

She hugged my neck, "Baelon...." she said

I wrapped my arm around her waist, "Let us not act rashly, Helaena." I said as I kissed her on the cheek, "Father would not want any of us to fall ill simply because we rushed to see him. Write a letter back as soon as you can." 

"Fine...." She said, "I will write back." 

"I am sorry about this, okay? I will not take any chances." I told her 

"I understand." She said, "It is odd....you making reasonable decisions." 

I frowned, "How so?" 

"You are the epitome of unruly and reckless...." She smiled

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" 

She chuckled, "Yes." 

"How about you hold off on that letter?" I leaned in and kissed her briefly on the lips, "I'll show you unruly and reckless right now..." 

She began to giggle, a sweet and innocent laugh as I kissed her on the neck, "Baelon, stop..." She said, joy in her voice, "We should not do this....I need to write that letter.." 

"Hm..." I said, "Fair enough." 

She got off me and I watched as she walked away, a beautiful sight. 

"I will be back, my love." She said with a smile

"Very well." I said

*************

[King's Landing, A Few Days Later]

"Signs of the Racking Cough." Maester Orwyle told me, "I suggest you stay away from those affected, lest you contract it." 

I sighed, "Hells...." I said

Helaena looked at me, "I told you it could be serious." She said 

After Helaena wrote the letter, Mother had written back to us, saying it was indeed serious. Apparently, a couple dozen of servants had also gotten ill and most of the court was isolating themselves. From her words, it could be the start of a plague. 

I nodded, "I know." I said, "Grand Maester, will Father be okay?" 

"Fortunately, he is in the first stage, it is not as serious as it could get." He told us, "We are doing the best we can." 

"C-Can we be affected?" Helaena asked

"Fortunately, not many are easily afflicted with Racking Cough." Orwyle said, "But....it still wouldn't recommend just going about without taking precautions. You should keep your quarters clean and well, wear a cloth mask should you wish to visit your father." 

I nodded, "But he'll be fine, right?" I asked, "He will live, right?" 

"He's doing better. I am giving him the best treatment we have." He said, "As I said, he is in the first stage and I am attacking it right away.....but....there are those are not that fortunate. Our Maesters are doing the best they can with those afflicted in the serious stage....." 

I frowned, "What?" 

"We have lost four servants today." He said with a grim face, "I am sorry to tell you this." 

"Oh no." Helaena said softly

"If you excuse me, I will take my leave." He bowed slightly, "My Prince....Princess..." 

As he left the room, I looked at Helaena who had a really concerned look on her face. 

"You seem rather surprised...." I whispered, "Did you not see something like this?" 

She frowned, "H-How could I see something like a plague?" 

I scratched my cheek, "I do not know how dreams work, Helaena." I said, "This could be bad, thought." 

"Innocent people have died..." She said

"I am beginning to regret our decision to come here....." I said as I looked around

"What?" She asked, "Why?" 

"I was born frail and sickly, Helaena." I said, "Maybe my body is susceptible to something like this." 

"But you have never gotten ill in your life." She said, "N-Not since I was born, Father and Mother told me." 

"Hm...." I said, "That is true." 

The doors opened and I heard someone walk in. 

"Oh, good." I heard Mother's voice, "You are here." 

"Mother." Helaena said as Mother walked up to her and hugged her, "Are you okay?" 

She wore her usual green dress and had pulled down a cloth mask to her neck. She seemed exhausted, probably all the stress. 

"Yes, dear, I am fortunate that Racking Cough does not seem to target me." She said, "Baelon, are you feeling okay?" 

I nodded, "Yes." I said, "How is father? Can we see him?" 

"He's sleeping." She said, "It's....it looks very serious.....this....this could be bad....I am sorry to bring you all the way here...." 

"It is fine." I said

She walked up to me and began to pat my arms and shoulders, then placing her hand on my chest. I saw that she had a really worried look on her face. 

"What is it?" I asked

"Oh....I..." She said as she looked at me, "I am just worried about you." 

I titled my head, "I'll be fine." 

"Yes, but you were a sickly boy..." she said, "I am remembering how weak you were.....how.....I...." 

"You're worrying me now..." I said, "That sudden confidence I got is now gone....." 

"Sorry, sorry." she said, "I....it's very stressful." 

I placed my hand on her shoulders, "It will be fine." I said, "Father will be alright." 

"Gods, I hope so." She said, "I really do." 

"We are here, Mother." Helaena said, 

"We'll face this together, as family." 

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