Secret Smiles in the Snow

“Good morning, Maester,” Sina greeted with a polite smile as she shuffled into his working room. She shut the door behind her and relaxed, glad that she could stop her manly charade and talk in a voice that didn’t hurt her throat.

“Good morning, Si. What can I do for you?” Sam asked as he screwed a lid onto a vial and the returned it to its spot on a shelf.

“I uh, have a health issue. Kind of woman related,” Sina admitted with a wince. She couldn’t help but feel embarrassed about coming to Sam since he was her friend as well as the Maester.

“I just made up some more remedy to help with your cramps, and I cut some linen yesterday to catch the blood,” Sam told her calmly, not appearing bothered by her words, which helped to put her at ease.

“Thank you,” Sina smiled as she nervously fiddled with her fingers. “There’s something else, though…”

“Well, you’ll have to tell me sooner or later,” Sam said softly, noticing her reluctance. Sina took in a deep breath and thought of the lines that she had recited in her head last night as practice so she would feel more assured.

“I have an itch down there. And it’s rather red, too. Last night it started to become uncomfortable to urinate and that made me worry,” she explained. Sam’s face remained blank as he scanned his memory for a condition that matched her symptoms. His round face then lit up with a smile as he headed to a cabinet and searched for a container stored near the back.

“I think I know what that is. You need to put this balm on all of the itchy areas, which should sooth and heal it. If it doesn’t, then come back,” Sam directed before handing the container to her.

“Thank you,” she breathed before heading out. As Sam continued with his usual routine of preparing remedies and sending mail, he couldn’t help but smile and feel pleased that he was able to help someone. Seeing the relief wash over Sina’s face reminded Sam of part of the reason why he had become a Maester, and he was extra glad that he could aid a friend. He knew that he had another chance when Jon entered, hugging his cloak tight around his body, snow strewn throughout his hair.

“Sam, you’ve got to help me,” he pleaded after quickly scanning the room to ensure that he was alone.

“What’s wrong?” Sam questioned, alarmed by the thoughts of possible reasons that could have Jon so panicked.

“I don’t know. It’s just all turned red and I can’t stop itching it! I really can’t be itching my-” Jon started to explain his rather embarrassing situation to his friend, but he stopped when he noticed the disapproving expression on Sam’s face.

“I can’t believe you had sex with her,” Sam stated with a slight shake of his head.

“What?” Jon stuttered, dumbfounded by the sudden change of topic.

“You had sex with Sina. How long has this been happening for?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sam.”

“You do so. You both have the same itchy problem! I don’t think that’s a coincidence!” Sam shouted. Jon remained silent for a few seconds, blinking and staring at his friend as he wondered what he should do.

“I love her, Sam,” he mumbled, defeated.

“I told you not to go there. I told you this was dangerous!” Sam continued, unable to believe that his intelligent friend had made such a stupid mistake.

“It just happened! I didn’t have any control over it!” Jon retorted helplessly.

“You should have come to me at the start. We could have stopped it before it got out of hand, before it got to this stage,” Sam explained in a calmer voice, regretting not frequently questioning Jon about Sina and their relationship. He should have been watching more closely.

“Now what?” Jon asked as he took a seat. He sighed and rubbed his palms across his face, stressed about the entire situation. Sam’s yelling had truly made him realise exactly how reckless he had been.

“We’ll figure something out,” Sam promised.