The God of Sleep Has Made His House

My eyes burst open. I let out dry, coarse cough as I gasped for breath.

I.....I was alive.

I also felt very groggy.

Felt like I was put under some strong ass sedatives or something.

Still wasn't groggy enough to not feel a dull, throbbing ache that coursed through my flesh.

I tried to lift my hands to wipe the sleep from eyes, but as soon as I budged just a twitch, a burning pain shot through my shoulders.

My eyes clenched tot, tears beginning to form in the corners.

I felt like utter shit.

But at least I was alive.

Opening my eyes once again, I became aware that I was in an all too familiar room.

Mine.

I was lying on my large bed, covered in the softest blankets I think I've ever felt.

A beeping noise had caught my attention, causing me to turn in the direction of the sound.

I saw the lines of a heartbeat monitor, beeping and swaying in calm, rhythmic patterns.

At least my heartbeat was normal.

Looking towards my arm, I noticed an IV needle jutting from my skin, connecting it to a pouch filled with God knows what. All around my bedsides were various medical devices, small tables, and trays, some holding red rags, dripping my life essence into bowls.

There was a lot of blood.

Man, how much did I bleed?

Looking towards my midsection, I saw that it was wrapped in layers and layers of bandages.

A light red stain was subtly visible.

That's right.

Not only was I pierced with crossbow bolts, Abinchova stabbed me as well.

He tried to kill me.

And I took his fucking eye.

I felt a twinge of pride, knowing that I at least caused some damage to his being.

He wasn't an immortal warrior of legend.

He wasn't an invulnerable monster from the blackest pits of hell.

He was just a griffin. And he could bleed just like I and any other creature could.

I sighed before relaxing back into the softness of the sheets and mattress.

Besides the medical equipment, my room hadn't changed much since I was absent. The walls were still a dark grey, with various paintings of the beautiful Allerseen landscape and of significant historical events spread about the room.

Above my writing desk hung a portrait of my family and I in the Royal Gardens.

My mother and father were dead center, sitting upon lavish lawn furniture, garbed in their royal robes and attire. My younger brother, Romulus, stood my father's right, wearing a simple tunic across his upper body, with a sword strapped to his waist, while my older sister, Sasha, stood to my mother's left in beautiful summer dress. Little Delilah sat in my mothers lap, in a little dress of her own, the happiest expression beaming across her face. And I stood behind them all, being the tallest one there and such. I proudly bore a full suit of plate armor, covered neck to toe, with my crimson cloak of the Red Sparrows shrouded around my shoulders.

Sexy bastard, is what I was.

And beside me in the back was Ellie, by my side like always, smiling that cute smile of hers.

I remember the painter complaining about the amount of people in the painting, as well as the size of one particular occupant.

We simply told him to use a bigger canvas.

So, he had to MAKE a bigger one, because the one he was using was the biggest sold in stores at the time.

That was a fun day. One of those days that spending it with family felt like the most natural thing in the world.

That everything was right, in a blissful sense of earthly nirvana.

My mouth felt incredibly dry, and I could here the sound of my stomach rumbling.

I was clearly hungry and thirsty.

Which brought forth other questions that came to my mind.

How long had I been here in the palace?

Where was Ellie and the others?

Oh shit, if I was attacked, then what about Rush, Willow, and Dash?! Were they attacked out of sight, while I just sat for hours?!

I could feel myself beginning to panic, as multiple scenarios began to play about in my mind. The heartbeat monitor began to beep faster and faster, as I slowly began to rise up, ignoring the pain the enshrouded my being.

It hurt. Oh God, did it hurt.

But I had to make sure, to see if everything was alright.

The beeping became more frantic, as I became more frantic. I was sweating profusely, as I began digging out the various needles embedded in my flesh.

"I'M COMING,GUYS!" I hoarsely shouted as loud as I could, reaching for my sword that I kept by my bedside.

A sword that wasn't there this time.

That made me panic more than ever.

At once, the doors to my chambers burst inward.

In poured doctors and nurses, a mix between Equine and Griffin, as they all rushed to my bed side, in order to impede my  movements.

I heard various shouts and commands, but my mind could barely register them.

I found myself being forced back down to the bed, the prodding of needles as they dug back inside of me.

I looked to the nearest doctor, a griffin hen, as I reached out and grasped her claw.

It caught her a bit by surprised, but she gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"W-wh-where's El-Ellie? I-is everyone o-ok?" I could only whisper.

The adrenaline that I had been feeling must've been wearing off, because as soon as the doctors and nurses had me settled back into my bed, proceeding to change my bloody bandages, I was overcome by pain once more.

God, I could feel the throbbing. I felt like I was going to be sick.

"Sssshhh, it's alright, my lord. They're here, safe and sound. You'll get to see them soon enough. I promise you."

The doctor began to soothingly stroke my head, just like Abinchova did.

Minus the irony, of course.

I squeezed her claw a little bit harder.

"It hurts," I choked out,"It' hurts so bad."

One of the nurses had brought a syringe, and proceeded to give it to the doctor grasping my hand.

"This'll make it better, my lord," she told me in a soft voice,"No more pain."

She slid the needle into one of the tubes that connected to the IV.

Almost at once, I felt a sense of relief, as the pain began to slowly recede.

I felt my arm relax to my side as I let go of the griffins claw.

"Thank you,"I whispered, closing my eyes a bit.

The stroking of my hair didn't stop, as I heard voices in the background.

"Send for the king and queen at once. Tell them that the Un-Prince is awake."

I heard rushed hoof steps quickly exit my room, as well as the sound of several other persons leaving at a moderate speed.

My eyes still closed, I called out to the doctor in a slightly less raspy voice.

"Doctor.......?"

"I'm Dr. Angela, but you may call me just Angela, my lord."

I nodded my head, as her stroking ceased.

"Angela, do you think I may have some water. I'm quite thirsty."

"Of course, my lord."

I felt the a straw being placed to my lips, as I began to suck the ever living shit from it.

By far the best glass of water I had ever drank.

"Easy, my lord, you don't want choke and go into a coughing fit," The doctor called Angela chuckled.

I simply relished in the feeling of a moist throat and mouth again.

"How long have I been here?" I asked Angela, opening my eyes to meet hers.

"You arrived here two days ago, my lord, by the dragoness Ellie. You were suffering from heavy blood loss, a broken shoulder, numerous gashes and cuts, and a pierced intestine. By all accounts, you should've died from your wounds, sir. Luckily, with no small amount of healing magic and potions, we managed to patch you up, though it will still take about two weeks minimum for you to heal up fully."

Whoa, Abinchova sure did some damage.

"And Sergeant Rush, and the two survivors he brought. What happened to them?"

Angela just shook her head.

"I can't really say, my lord. If a doctor saw them, than it wasn't me. The king and queen are on their way to check on you, but visitor visits are limited at the moment. You may be alive, but you are still hurt and in need of plenty of rest."

"I don't plan on sleeping until I get at least some details about whats happened," I retorted.

Angela sighed in response.

"Just don't over exert yourself, my lord," she said with a sad smile,"We can't afford to lose you now, after all we've been through to save you."

I chuckled a bit. AT least she has a sense of humor, unlike a lot of other doctors I met.

"Don't worry, ma'am," I smirked,"I'm not that easy to kill."

A frantic series of knocks was heard against the door.

Shit.

My parents.

Angela went to open the door, only for it to burst inward on its own accord, with not two, but three griffins rushing in.

My father and mother, of course, but Gilda as well.

My father had large bags under his eyes, most likely from a severe lack of sleep, while my mom's and Gilda's were bloodshot and puffy, probably from crying.

I truly don't like making people cry.

Guess it's just habit now.

Gilda sprang towards my bed before lashing out her forearms and embracing me in an anaconda like death grip.

"Please, be careful!" I heard Angela shout, "You may reopen his wounds if you are rough around his injuries! We just changed his bandages!"

Her cries went unnoticed as my father and mother joined Gilda at my bedside, while Gilda sobbed into my chest.

"Y-you fucking idiot,"she cried out between sobs,"Y-you almost got k-killed again!"

I weakly wrapped my arms around her, stroking her back, as I tried my best to calm her down.

"It's alright, babe, it's alright,"I said, trying my hardest to hold back tears of my own,"I'm so, so sorry for making you worry about me. Just please, don't cry, or you're gonna make me start crying, and you know messy it always looks."

I heard her giggle a bit, before releasing me from her death grip of a hug, wiping the tears from her eyes.

I was immediately engulfed by my mother's arms, as she tightened her grip around me, sobbing as well.

"My boy,"she choked out,"Oh my little boy.... Look what they did to you! I..I...-" She couldn't finish her sentence, instead choosing to grip me tighter, crying profusely.

Thank God those pain meds were doing there job and mildly doping me up, or I'd probably be crying just as hard as them.

I rubbed my mother's back, like I did with Gilda, trying my best to soothe her.

"I'm sorry, mom,"I said, the floodgates breaking (I usually cried every time I saw my mother hurt in some way),"I'm sorry for worrying you. For being a bad a son."

"You're not a bad son,"she sobbed,"I'm a bad mother. You were alone out there, and hurt, and I couldn't reach you, couldn't help you." She wrapped her fore arms around my head, cradling it, rocking it back and forth as our foreheads touched.

Being embraced by a mother is always a comforting feeling, and no matter how old you are, it always feels the same:

Special. Loving.

My mom finally released me, stepping back next to Gilda, who had one of my hands in her claw, squeezing it gently.

"Son....." My father called me.

The moment I had been dreading.

I turned to face my dad, who had a somber expression across his tired face.

"D-Dad,"I stuttered out,"I....I failed, dad. I didn't get him. I failed you. Failed us. Failed Allerseen."

My head lowered, afraid to meet his somber gaze.

Gilda was stroking my hand with her other claw, nuzzling her soft beak against it.

I was afraid of what my father would tell me. What he'd do.

My big mission.....

Not only did I blow it, but I nearly died in the process.

He must hate me.

He must-

I felt powerful arms wrap around me.

Strong, yet gentle. Soft, yet firm.

For the first time in my life, I saw my father weep.

It was quiet and calm, yet it was still there.

"I'm just glad you're alive, Lucifer," He said, tears falling silently from his eyes.

My father.......

He even cried with dignity and grace.

I could feel Gilda release my hand as I launched it forward to wrap it around my father.

I was sobbing now, feeling depressed yet over joyed all at once.

It felt depressing that I let my father down, but comforting that he still loved me, that he valued my life over the assignment.

I started to chuckle a bit.

My dad started to as well.

Even mom and Gilda couldn't help but crack a small smile.

Pretty soon, we were laughing loudly and joyfully, tears still falling from our eyes.

Not of sadness this time, but of happiness. Pure bliss.

"I take it we can come in, now?" A voice called from the door way.

We all turned to see Rush (that smirk ever present on his face), Willow, and Dash standing in the door way, who all bore looks of relief and joy on their faces.

"Louie!" the little filly cried, before dashing across the room and plowing into my chest.

I caught the little bundle of D'aw, and held her tightly against my chest.

"Hey there, Willow, long time no see, huh?"

"Don't ever scare me like that again, Louie," the little filly squeaked, burying her muzzle into my chest.

"I'm sorry, little one," I said, stroking her mane,"I'll never do something like that again."

"Promise?"she asked with those damn puppy dog eyes.

"Promise," I answered with a smile.

I look towards the door at the two remaining souls standing there.

"Well, come on in and join the party, guys."

The two dashed to my side, Rainbow embracing me as soon as she hit my bedside, while Rush waited next to my parents.

"I knew you'd pull through, dude," Dash said, rubbing her cheek against mine, Willow rubbing the other.

"Glad to be of service, Dash," I snickered out, before wrapping an arm around her neck, pulling her into a hug.

"Did you ever find your friend, here?" I asked.

"She sure did, Lou," I heard Gilda's voice reply.

Rainbow let go of me, and stood next Gilda, a smile upon both of their faces, while I looked awestruck.

"Wait, your the friend Dash was talking about, love?" I asked my fiance.

Gilda blushed a bit at her pet name.

"Yeah, I couldn't believe it either when Rush said that you sent over a couple of ponies, one with a rainbow name."

I whistled.

"Small fucking world."

"Young man, you watch your language in front of a child!" My mother scolded.

The room erupts into laughter, at my expense of course, while I lay there, blushing and grumbling.

Poor little me, I can't seem to catch a break these days.

"Dude, she owned your ass right now," Rush choked out between laughs, before the back of my mother's claw met the back of his head.

"You two, Rush. If my son can't get away with it, than you aren't exempt either."

It was my turn to laugh, while Rush rubbed the back of his head, grumbling,

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Mr. Stabbed in the Stomach."

The mood of the room changed in an instant.

All eyes seemed to be upon me, upon my wounds.

Especially towards my stomach.

"I guess you have quite the tale to tell, son" My father said, his gaze drifting from my bandaged shoulders, to my bandaged stomach.

"Yeah, but it's a long one, and not exactly pleasant, either," I replied, hanging my head down in shame.

I felt a claw lift my chin up, as I looked into the eyes of my father.

"Son, I know it must be hard, but I need to hear it. I need to know what that......monster....did to you. But, only if your up to it, of course."

I sighed.

I just wanted to forget this and sleep.

Sleep until the end of time was upon us.

Where there wouldn't be an Abinchova or an Allerseen.

Just the gates of slumber.

But of course I couldn't forget.

Not this.

"I can tell you, father. I need to talk about it,"I said to him. he nodded his head, that somber look crossing his face again.

'But, Willow shouldn't hear this. It's......rather graphic. Gilda, babe, do you think you and Dash can take her dining hall? It should be about time for the evening meals anyway."

I looked out towards the window, the sunset glowing a magnitude of colors.

The look that she gave me said it all.

"Please. For me?"

She sighed loudly, before nodding her head.

"Fine, I'll do it. But later, we're having a long, long talk mister. Come on Dash, Willow, let's grab some supper."

Willow gave me a quick peck on the cheek, as did Dash, before following Gilda.

"I'll see you in the morning, love," I called out.

At the sound of that pet name again, Gilda turned heel and rushed back to my bed, kissing me deeply.

She nuzzled my forehead, but still bore a look or irritation across her face.

Oh boy, she was upset.

And an upset Gilda meant a bruised Lucifer.

With that, she, Willow and Dash departed.

MY mother, father, and Rush stayed behind.

"You're staying, too, Rush?" I asked him,"You heard most of this story already."

He glared back at me.

"You're damn right I'm staying! I need to hear what that bastard did to you, Lou......So I don't have to imagine it later..."

I nodded my head at him, giving his claw a quick squeeze.

"Go on than, Louie," My mom said,"Tell us what happened."

I looked towards my father before starting. He nodded his head.

I took a deep breath before beginning my tale.

"It started right after I left the palace to start the assignment, I left to the location the Council had told me to go, and............."

I told them as much of the story as I could remember, from the days spent tracking Abinchova, to the attack on Fort Arsis, to Rush's arrival, and the ambush at the campsite, where I met Abinchova face to face. Rush and my father both insisted that I describe the torture that befell me, and I could tell it had a strong effect upon them. Both my father and Rush had looks of anger upon their faces, while my mother began to cry again, holding me tightly like before.

"........And that's when Ellie saved me. The next thing I know, I'm awake in my room, with all these machines around me."

My father and Rush were silent, each in deep thought.

"You made foolish mistake after foolish mistake, boy," My father said, breaking the silence.

I flinched at his comment.

I mean, I did agree with him one hundred percent that I had acted the fool throughout that mission.

"But it makes me proud that you held your own against so many foes. Well done, son."

He smiled at me, his eyes no longer somber, but filled with pride.

I returned the smile with one of my own.

"I learned from the best, dad," I replied.

He placed his claw upon my shoulder, patting it gently.

I felt a bit of pain, but I took it.

My father was proud of me.

Man, I'll never get tired of hearing that.

"I still can't believe he did that to you, dude," Rush said in angry voice,"Don't worry, Lou, when we catch him, we'll make him suffer for all that he's done. You mark my words."

Rush turned and began to head towards the door.

I could hear him sniffling.

I know I saw a tear drop fall.

"Rush, are you OK, man?" I asked, my voiced filled with worry.

He refused to look back.

"I'm fine, Lucifer,"He said,"Just need some air, is all."

With that he left the room.

"I worry about him, dad," I said, still facing the door,"I worry about him, a lot."

"He has a right to be upset, Lucifer," My father responded,"His closest friend was nearly murdered not but a few hours after he left. I could only imagine what's running through his mind, right now."

"He still hasn't gotten over Venom Falls, either," I chimed in, still not removing my eyes from the door way.

My dad just shook his head.

"We did what we had to, son. It was horrible, it was wrong, but it was necessary."

"I know dad, but I don't think he does. He bottles it up instead of talk about it. By the way, where's Romulus, Delilah and Sasha?"

"They're in Odal right now, Louie, visiting Uncle Alphaeus,"My mom replied,"They probably haven't even heard what's happened to you, though we sent word days ago."

Odal was a massive city, almost as big as Monolith. It was old as dirt, being one of the oldest cities in the Kingdom, but was beautiful as well, with it's pine forests and snow capped mountains. It was governed by my father's brother, Alphaeus, who had to have been one of the funniest bastards I've ever met. He was a fat, jolly griffin, always singing and laughing. You couldn't help but like him.  He took quite a liking to me when I was first adopted, and was one of first of the family outside my parents that fully welcomed me into their fold. I write him letters constantly, which he always finds time to reply too.

He'd probably not going to like to hear about my current situation.

"At least they'll be entertained," I chuckled, my parents laughing as well.

We spent a few more moments together in a comfortable silence, as a family.

Yet, there was still one thing I had to know.

"Dad, mom, where's Ellie?"

My dad looked down at me with a smile.

"That dragon wouldn't leave your side the whole entire time you've been unconscious, boy. She's been awake for the past two days straight, keeping watch over you, in case you showed any signs of waking. We had to order her to get some food and sleep this afternoon, when she was nearly collapsing from exhaustion."

"She...she really did that?"

"Yes, Louie," My mom said,"But don't worry, she'll be here soon enough. It's funny, she wanted to be the first thing you saw upon waking."

I smiled.

Good ol' Ellie.

We heard the sound of a voice being cleared as Dr. Angela reappeared in the door way.

"I mean no disrespect, my lord and lady, but the Un-Prince (my parents always cringe at that word) needs to eat and than rest, if he is to heal properly."

"We may visit him in the morning?"My father asked.

"Of course," Angela smiled.

"Well, come along, dear, let's let the boy rest,"My dad said, before giving me my cheek a quick nuzzle.

My mother, in turn, gave my cheek a quick peck, nuzzled me, and followed after my father.

They both stopped at the door way, turning towards me one last time.

"We'll see you in the morning, son, sleep well,"My father said, before he and my mother left out the door.

The early evening progressed into late night, with me finally with a full stomach, and a fresh supply of pain medication.

Yet I couldn't sleep.

The pain wasn't there, but the memories were.

Abinchova grinning.

A knife sliding into my belly.

Seeing me blood burst forth from my body.

Two dead Equines, burnt to a crisp.

God fucking damn.

I could hear my door opening.

It was late at night by now, the room completely dark, along with the hallways outside.

A looming shadow was before my bedside.

I immediately thought of Abinchova.

He clearly scaled the walls, broke into my room, with an intent of finishing what he had started.

That cold blade in his claw........

I was scared.

I closed my eyes, sweating and whimpering, waiting for that fucking dagger to fall into my belly again.

Instead, I felt a large wing cover my body, and the head of a familiar dragoness lie across my chest.

"Ellie.....?"

Her head shot up.

"Louie!"

At once I could feel her nuzzling me all over, peppering me with kisses, crying and laughing at the same time.

I, in turn, wrapped my arms around her as best as I could, crying in relief.

Abinchova wasn't here.

My Ellie was here.

I could feel her long, thin arms wrapping around me.

"Louie, I thought I lost you!"

I nuzzled my head into her chest, stroking her back.

"I thought I was a goner, too, Ellie, but you saved me. You're the reason I'm still around the land of the living."

I sighed in relief as I held onto my friend.

"Thank you," I whispered,"Thank you so much, Ellie."

I was crying. She was crying.

But we were happy.

Happy just being near each other.

"You carried me once to save my life," she said, looking into my eyes with her lovely, sapphires ones.

She licked my cheek, before burying her head into my chest.

"I was just returning the favor, Lou."

I smiled, chuckling a bit, while Ellie shifted her body so that she lay by my bedside, her head on my chest, covering me as best as she could with her big, beautiful wings.

"I guess that makes us even, huh?"

She gave my cheek another quick peck.

"Yes it does, my lord."

That night, we fell asleep just like we did in that cave all those years ago(Twelve years, to be exact), feeling safe in each other's embrace.

And, for the first time in weeks, I truly felt at peace.

I felt safe and sound.

Not even Abinchova could ruin my sleep tonight.