A thick, dark suffocating entity pressed in on her from all sides.
It was in this oppressive blackness that a woman materialized, her face a shifting smudge of shadow, impossible to focus on or tell but the sinister tone in her voice was as clear as day.
"Soooooon…".
The word was like a serpent's hiss, drawn out languidly and dripping with a promise so sinister.
"Soooonn…"
The voice coiled around her, squeezing the air from her lungs and filling her with an instinctual, bone-deep terror.
"Sooooonnnn…"
"Arrghhhhhh…"
Princess Eleanor awoke with a jolt, a strangled scream tearing from her throat as she shot upright.
The heavy sapphire velvet matress pooled around her waist, tangled in her trembling limbs as she desperately dragged in ragged, desperate gasps of air.
Her heart was a frantic drum against her ribs, so violent she felt lightheaded.
Her hazel eyes were wide open and unseeing as she scanned the familiar layout of her bedchamber.
"My Lady!. What happened?". Liora, who had just entered carrying a tray with a porcelain jug of water and a fresh towel immediately rushed to the bedside, setting the tray on the bedside stool with a clatter as she leaned over, her face pale with alarm.
She placed a steadying hand on Princess Eleanor's heaving shoulder to help her relax only to exclaim. "You're ice-cold!".
Princess Eleanor could only shake her head, her eyes wide as they darted around the familiar confines of her chamber, her knuckles white hands clutching the fabric of her nightgown.
Liora's eyes, full of worry searched her mistress's pale and terrified face and a dreadful understanding dawned upon her. "My Lady… was it the dream again?".
Princess Eleanor could only manage a tight nod, still unable to form words as she fought to control her breath, a cold sweat dampening her brow.
"Why are you suddenly having that dream again after so many years?". Liora asked worriedly.
"Thankfully, I brought the calming incense prescribed for you all those years ago. I'll go fetch it immediately."
Liora hurried to a small, intricately carved chest at the foot of the bed. Inside of it were a few sticks of the precious incense.
She immediately lit one from the candelabras , the tip glowing a steady red before releasing a thin aromatic plume of smoke as she placed the stick in a small , silver holder on the bedside stool.
"Here, My Lady. Lie back and breathe deeply". Liora helped Princess Eleanor ease back against the bolster , tucking the mattress securely around her before quietly slipping out of the room.
Alone, Princess Eleanor lay still, watching the incense smoke curl towards the ceiling.
Her nightmare had returned.
The eerie dream that had plagued her from her childhood.
For years, this same eerie voice, this same single, terrifying word had plagued her sleep and for years, the calming incense prescribed for her had been her shield.
But now all of a sudden, it was back and this time it was much different. The malice in the voice was even more sharper and sinister.
It had scared her to her very guts, leaving a residue of dread that the incense was now slowly washing away.
The familiar, soothing aroma worked its magic, untangling the knots of fear in her chest and calming the frantic pace of her heart.
Exhaustion, both emotional and physical, soon pulled her back down into a deep, dreamless slumber.
When she woke again, it was to the soft, muffled sound of voices, she lay still for a long moment, listening.
It was Liora, speaking in a low, confident tone. "…but she dislikes rich, heavy stews as they unsettle her stomach, instead she prefers lighter broths and …"
Princess Eleanor slowly pushed the bed curtain aside. The light in the room had mellowed into the deep, golden hue of late afternoon.
She had slept the entire day away.
Liora noticed the action and immediately turned from her conversation, her face softening with relief as she rushed to the bedside . "My Lady! You're awake. Are you feeling better now?".
"Much better, Liora. Thank you." Princess Eleanor smiled as she stretched, her stiff muscles protesting against the long hours of stillness.
Then, a flicker of confusion crossed her features. "Uh… how did I get back here?".
The last thing she remembered clearly was the cold, tense carriage ride back from the mountain.
A gentle smile touched Liora's lips. "His Majesty personally carried you back to your chambers himself last night. You were sleeping so deeply, you didn't even stir at all".
"Carried me?". Princess Eleanor murmured, a faint blush warming her cheeks at the thought.
Her gaze then fell upon the other figure in the room.
A young woman stood a respectful few paces away behind Liora, her posture poised and alert.
She was dressed in the same charcoal-grey maid's uniform but it could not conceal the inherent strength in her stance. Her hands were clasped behind her, her shoulder squared and her eyes helped a sharp, observant intensity and she could tell this was no ordinary maid.
As if on cue, before Princess Eleanor could even form the question, Liora stepped slightly aside. "My lady, this is Olivia. She is the attendant His Majesty personally selected to protect and serve you, alongside me."
Olivia stepped forward and dropped into a deep curtsy, her head bowed.
"Your Highness. It is the highest honor of my life to be chosen for this duty. I swear to serve and protect you faithfully, with every skill at my disposal, unto my very last breath."
The vow was delivered with such absolute conviction that it left no room for doubt and a genuine, relieved smile spread across Princess Eleanor's face.
The King had indeed remembered his promise in the carriage. Leaning forward, she reached out and took Olivia's hands ,stunned by the surprising strength in them and she gently urged her to straighten fully.
"There is no need for such formalities between us when we are in private".
Olivia nodded and rose and Liora who was standing just before her gave her a small , triumphant smile that clearly said. "I told you ".