Taking the Long Road ~ Section I

By Delwyn

Section I, Next Section

Chapter One

Posted on Thursday, 14 August 2003

Will had long since escaped the hustle and bustle of the castle. There was too much of a likelihood that he would be pulled into some task against his will. Instead, he snuck out of the servants' entrance, managed to sneak past the guards, and climbed up the path leading away from the castle to lounge by the roadside where he knew there were some excellent blackberries growing.

He'd found a particularly good bush of the berries and was risking his hands to pick and eat them with relish. He hadn't thought to bring food with him during his flight from the castle.

A voice startled him.

“I say, can you tell me if the castle is nearby?”

Will turned around to look at the speaker. He was surprised to see a young woman in a lovely pale blue and yellow dress, a grey, hooded cloak slung across one shoulder, and a sack strapped to her back. Even more shocking was her long, wavy, brown hair hanging loosely down her back, and the smudges of dirt just visible on her face. But he was drawn to her eyes, which sparkled with amusement and seemed brightened from the exercise of walking.

In a little louder tone of voice, she slowly said, “Can you tell me if the castle is nearby?”

“I can hear you, no need to shout,” Will retorted.

“After you stared at me dumbly for a minute, I was beginning to doubt.”

Will was shocked once more to be addressed in such a fashion. It was almost an insult! “The castle is just down that lane. Two minute walk.”

“Oh, thank goodness!” she exclaimed with a sigh. “I've lost my way twice already this morning. You'd think it would be simple.”

“Where did you come from?”

“A small village called Meryton in the corner of the kingdom. About sixty leagues away.”

“Sixty leagues! You didn't walk the whole way, did you?”

“I hiked for the first ten, and then I was lucky enough to get a ride in a hay wagon for about five leagues yesterday afternoon.” She sat down beside him, shaking off the sack on her back. “I started out yesterday morning. It was a pleasant walk and I wasn't disturbed at all where I slept last night.”

“Where did you sleep?” his curiosity getting the better of him.

She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Don't tell, but I slept in someone's barn. Just crawled into the hay with my blanket and slept until dawn.”

“How were you not caught by the farmer coming in to milk her cows?”

The girl shrugged. “I don't know. I call it luck.”

“You believe in luck, do you?”

She nodded. “Don't you?”

“I don't know.”

They fell into a small silence. Then the girl said, “Can I have some?”

Will looked at her blankly. “Have some what?”

“Some blackberries. You've got them smeared all over your fingers and your teeth are stained a little. All I've been living off of since I left is bread, cheese, and apples.”

Will felt somewhat embarrassed, but he said, “Sure. Though I must say an apple sounds a lot better than blackberries.”

“Oh? Well why don't you have one then? I won't be needing it since I've reached my destination. I packed more than enough for myself.”

She opened the sack and pulled out a number of odd things, including a ball gown. She dug her arm deep into the sack and pulled out a green apple. She handed it to him. “Here. It's from my father's orchard, so it's really nice and fresh.”

Will bit into it. It was sweet and juicy. His eyes must have shown his appreciation, for she smiled at him.

After munching on a couple of bites, Will asked, “What's all that?”

“Oh, this. Well, have you heard of the ball tonight?”

“Vaguely.”

“The prince needs to marry, so an invitation was sent to all the young ladies of the kingdom to the ball this evening, where he shall choose his bride. My mother made me go, but none of the horses could be spared from the farm, so I just walked. I've always been a good walker, though.”

“And that's your ball gown?”

“Yes. Not much, I know. But I'm not really expecting to be chosen as a princess. I've just come for the adventure.”

“A ball? An adventure?” Will said incredulously.

“Not just the ball, the whole thing. I've never been this far north in the kingdom, never walked so far, never seen the castle, never glimpsed royalty, and I've never been to a ball. I'd call this a grand adventure.”

“I can see how you would consider it so.”

She kneeled next to the blackberry bush and began to pick the berries, putting them into the bowl made by her skirt, ignoring the stains the juices made. “Why, don't you think so?”

“No. I live around here, so none of this is exciting.”

“That's a pity.”

“What's your name?”

“Oh,” she laughed and sat back on her heels. “I'm Elyssa Bent. But most people just drop the E and call me Lyssa.”

“Pleased to meet you. I'm Will. So what are you going to do until the ball?”

“I'd prefer to put off going to the castle as long as possible. It's such a beautiful day I think I'm going to remain out here.”

“Would you like to accompany me?”

“Accompany you to where?”

Will shrugged. “I'm escaping from the castle as well. I figured two fugitives are better than one.”

She laughed mirthfully. “All right.”

Will continued munching his apple contentedly, looking about the roadside.

Lyssa went back to picking the berries. Finally, when she had a small pile, she dug a roll from her sack and broke it open. She proceeded to smear the berries onto the roll halves and eat it.

She grinned at his curious stare. “Breakfast,” was all she said.

Will couldn't help but chuckle at her.

Soon, a large carriage slowly passed them by on the road. The occupants stared disdainfully at the rough-looking couple on the roadside.

When the handsome carriage was out of sight, Will laughed.

“What?”

“That was the Duchess of Grendy and her daughter.”

Lyssa looked at him in surprise. “How do you know?”

“When you live around here long enough, you begin to recognise some of the nobility - especially the ones to avoid.”

“And I assume she would be one to avoid.”

“Oh yes!” Will nodded emphatically.

Lyssa laughed gaily.

“Are you done with your breakfast?” Will asked, tossing the apple core into the bushes.

She nodded.

“Then are you up for a short hike? More of a climb, but the view is definitely worth it.”

“Let me just hide my sack out of sight and then I can fetch it later.”

She bundled all her things back into the sack, stuffing the poor ball gown in last, then leapt through the bushes into the woods and hid it in a hollow made by tree roots. She returned and said, “Let's go.”

They walked away from the blackberry bushes and Will led her up the road and then into the forest to the left. They trudged noisily through the forest for ten minutes before it began to get steeper. Soon, the forest went steeply upwards.

“No, no. This way,” directed Will. “The trees and roots are like a ladder, just put your hands and feet on the roots and climb up.”

She began to follow him up.

He stopped and looked down at her. “Are you going to be all right in that skirt?”

“Don't worry about me, just keep going before I slip.”

He kept climbing. He nearly stumbled once, but regained his footing and kept moving up the slope. When it began to level out, he stood upright and turned to see Lyssa right behind him. He held a hand down to her and she took it. He pulled her up and she smiled at him, both of them panting a little. “Would you call this an adventure?” she asked.

Will grinned and shook his head. “Nope. I do this all the time.”

“Do you, now?”

They continued walking up the ravine, occasionally grabbing onto a young sapling to help them up.

“You must be a very lazy, naughty young man,” she teased.

“That I be.”

The forest leveled out and they were soon walking flat again. Finally, after they had been hiking for half an hour, the forest ended and opened out onto a wide, grassy field full of wildflowers.

“Oh my goodness gracious!” Lyssa exclaimed, stunned at the natural beauty of the place.

“That's not the best bit.” Will was grinning. He grabbed her hand and they ran through the field. He glanced at her and was struck by the beautiful sight of her hair flowing behind her.

Will slowed down, still holding onto her hand. He walked more slowly then Lyssa noticed the view spreading out before them. They had to be several hundred lengths up looking out over the countryside for leagues around. As they walked closer to the edge, she could see the castle below them.

“This is amazing!” she breathed.

Will beamed at her.

“Can we just sit down here and admire it all?” asked Lyssa.

Will nodded. They walked closer to the edge of the cliff and stopped. Lyssa looked down at his hand still clasping hers. He saw her and muttered, “Oh, sorry.”

She just smiled at his embarrassment and sat down on the grass, settling her dress around her. He lay down on his side beside her, propping his head on his hand. She looked lovely just sitting there in the sunshine. So serene and peaceful. She smiled sweetly at him.

“How did you find this place?”

“Years of exploring.”

“Adventurous exploring, eh?”

He nodded.

She plucked a blade of wide grass, placed it carefully between her two thumbs, then blew on them. A loud, piercing screech was emitted, startling Will.

“Ooh. That's a good one!” exclaimed Lyssa in delight.

“So much for the peace and quiet of the meadow,” Will snorted.

“Haven't you ever done this before?”

He shook his head.

“Really?! Didn't anyone teach you this in school?”

Will shook his head again.

“You poor, deprived child,” she pitied him.

“I was a very deprived child,” agreed Will, sadly.

“Shall I teach you then?”

“Could you?”

“Of course. First, you have to find the right blade of grass. It has to be quite wide. About half a measure wide, like this one.” She plucked a blade of dark green grass and showed him. “But you have to pluck it so it's long enough.”

Will chose a piece of grass and showed it to her.

“That's a good one. Now, put your thumbs together, side by side. You see how there's that tiny concave gap? You're going to hold the blade between the two knuckles of your thumbs, like this…. And you see the blade between them. You try.”

Will did as she instructed, finding it difficult to keep the blade of grass there. He became frustrated. A gentle hand on both of his calmed him down. “Just be patient,” she said, gently.

He tried again, and on the third attempt, he got it.

“Good. Now you put your lips at the gap, keep your hands open, and blow.” She emitted a loud SCREEEEECH. “See? You do it.”

He put his lips to his thumbs and blew. He didn't quite get it a couple of times, emitting only a few whines. Then he tried one more time and got a substantial screech from it. He pulled back and grinned with glee.

“That's incredible!”

Lyssa laughed.

“Pick another blade of grass and do it all on your own.”

Will sat up and looked around for a suitable blade. Finding one, he wedged it between his thumbs, his tongue sticking out with the effort, then blew through it and made the loud SCREEEEECH noise.

Lyssa clapped her hands. “Well done. It's easy, isn't it?”

“What else do you know?”

“Oh, I don't know. These things just sort of come to my mind randomly. I can't think of them all now. Oh, we could do a daisy chain!”

“Uh… you go ahead and make one. I'll just watch.”

Lyssa leapt to her feet and went to search the meadow for some daisies. She came back five minutes later with two handfuls. She settled down beside him again, pouring the flowers into her skirt, and began to twist the stems together in a small chain. Will was content just to watch her in her task.

After several minutes of silence, he asked, “You don't think you will be chosen by the prince to be his bride?”

Lyssa laughed. “Look at me. Do I look like princess material to you?”

Will did look at her appraisingly. “Maybe the prince will think so.”

“I doubt that. Especially next to all the fine, wealthy young ladies who will be there tonight.”

“What does wealth have to do with it?”

“They'll be dressed much nicer, that's for sure. They're certain to be more beautiful and elegant. They've been trained that way.”

“You can be beautiful without money. When it gets a little later, we can go into the gardens and make that kind of chain with roses for your hair. That'll look lovelier than any diamonds or jewels.”

“You think so?”

Will nodded.

“I do, too. But I didn't think it would be appropriate for a ball like tonight.”

“If you're not going there to impress anyone, why should it matter?”

“You're right.” She paused. “But wouldn't we get in trouble taking the roses like that?”

Will waved his hand dismissively. “The head gardener and I go way back.”

“Old friends, huh?”

Will smiled at her mischievously. “Nope. Old enemies.”

Lyssa chuckled.

After a long pause, Will asked, “What would you do if you were princess?”

“I don't know what a princess can do, but I would like to make the southern people have more of a voice.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… take two years ago, for example. There was a severe drought in the south and a lot of people lost their crops. We sent requests to the castle for more food and we were sent more cattle. Yes, cattle is food, but it requires grain we didn't have to keep them alive. So we had to slaughter them all immediately, salt and smoke the beef to preserve it, and then we had unhealthy diets for a winter. If the south had had more of a voice in the castle, these misunderstandings would not occur.”

Will nodded, impressed.

“What else?”

“I would get rid of the Milk Bucket tax.”

Will's eyebrows flew up. “Really! Why? It was supposed to be the best decree sent out last year.”

“But it was misguided. It was meant to tax the rich more than the poor, since the rich supposedly would own the milk buckets that they get their wealth from. But what the nobles did was require all the people who milked their cows to provide their own bucket to work and receive wages. So now it's only the poor people, who barely make a living milking the nobles' cows, who get taxed.”

“I didn't know that.”

“Besides, what's going to happen is that people will stop using milk buckets altogether.”

“What else would they use?”

“They'll use something else … like… cooking pots at first. Then they'll design and make something new that's not a milk bucket, but could be used for collecting milk from a cow, thereby avoiding the tax. What about you?”

“What do you mean what about me?”

“If you were the prince, what would you do?”

Will was taken aback by the question. “I don't know.”

“Come on. There must be something good you would like to do for your people in that kind of position.”

Will thought for several minutes. “I would redo all the road signs.”

Lyssa laughed out loud.

Will was offended. She saw the look on his face, and assured him, “No, no. I think it's a wonderful idea. I'm only laughing because I've had some very recent experiences with those.”

Will's mouth cracked into a lopsided grin.

“What else?” she prompted.

Will went back into a brown study. “Um… I'd like to …” he paused again. “How about if I limited the number of cows a person could own?”

“What about large families where each person `owns' their allotted number of cows, making the herd huge?”

“Well then, limit the number a family could own, too.”

Lyssa looked doubtful. “It could work, if you studied the statistics enough. What else?”

“I would try and bring back the prestige of the Music Guild.”

“Ah!” she said with pleasure. “Why?”

“I feel that music is an important part of our culture and that it can also be a useful tool for teaching.”

“I like that one. What else?”

Will continued to think while Lyssa worked on her daisy chain.

“I would make school compulsory for all children.”

“Why?”

“Because… because with an educated public, the whole kingdom fares better.”

“But what about the peasant farmers who need their children for harvesting and planting?”

“I could make it optional during those important seasons.”

“What ages is it compulsory for?”

“What do you think?”

She smiled down at him, knowing his tactic of asking her. “I think from age 6 to 14 is good.”

Will nodded his approval. Then he asked her, “What would you do about the nobles' disapproval over all of this change?”

She considered her answer for several minutes, then stopped her dainty work, resting her hands in her lap. “I think I would do the change a little at a time, not all at once. And I would charm them into thinking they thought of the idea.”

Will believed she was completely capable of charming anyone. She was certainly charming him.

She returned to her task. “I also may use popularity and ostracism to keep the nobles in their place.”

“What is their place?”

“Lower than the royal family.”

“What is their purpose?”

“They are supposed to guide and protect the peasant farmers on their land.”

“What if they don't fulfil this purpose?”

She looked at him in surprise. “Now, there's an interesting thought.”

“What?”

“If nobles weren't so steadfastly hereditary, they could maybe lose their title if they don't fill their obligations.”

“But who is to decide whether they fulfil the obligations or not?”

“Yes, I see the difficulty. Whoever is the judge would think themselves higher than the nobles. It would have to be a mix.”

“Like what?”

“There would be a group of people, one man and one woman of each; two nobles, two guildmembers, and two peasants. Together they would decide.”

“A tribunal of sorts.”

“Yes.”

Will nodded. “It might work. But you would still have to be careful of the powerful nobles.”

“At first, yes. It would have to rely on honest people. Otherwise the nobles would be able to easily buy off the peasants.” After a couple minutes of contemplative silence, Lyssa said, “Look, I've finished!”

She held up the ring of closely-knit daisies.

“Put it on,” he said.

She gently laid it on her head like a crown. “What do you think?”

“More beautiful than the royal crown.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

She brushed the remaining daisies from her lap and stretched her legs out.

He picked one up and began to pluck the petals from it one by one. “What are you going to do after the ball?”

“Walk home. What else would I do?”

“I don't know. You could find work around here.”

“What would I do?” she laughed.

Will shrugged.

“Would you marry me instead of the Prince?”

Lyssa leaned back on her hands and smiled mischievously. “Saying it that way implies that if the Prince asked me, would I pick you over him.”

“Yeah.”

“Ah. So this is hypothetical.” He didn't reply, but continued to keep his eyes on plucking the tiny daisy petals. “I don't know. I haven't met the Prince, so I don't know what he's like. If he's anything like what I expect, yes, I would pick you over him.”

“What do you expect?”

“A spoilt, snobbish, stuck up, immature, selfish man,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Ouch. That's harsh.”

Lyssa shrugged. “We don't hear much of royalty where I live. I almost want him to be like that. Then I won't have to regret not dancing with him.”

“You don't think you'll even dance with him?!”

She shook her head. “I doubt he'll even notice I'm there with all those other women around.”

“Well, I would think him a very silly fool not to notice you.”

“Thank you.”

“So, if I asked to marry you after the ball was over…?”

“I don't think my father would approve.”

“Why not?”

“He'd like to see me in a financially stable marriage.”

“You don't think I'm financially stable.”

She smiled sweetly and shook her head. “You're up here with me instead of working.”

“Ah. So you think I'm a vagabond.”

“Not necessarily. You could be a Duke and I would still be unimpressed.”

Will's eyebrows rose. “Explain.”

“Because you're up here wasting your time with me instead of overseeing your land.”

“This could be my first day off in months.”

“Yes, but you said you came up here often.”

“I did, didn't I?”

She nodded.

“So what about you? Would you approve?” he pushed.

She looked at him seriously. “I don't know you.”

“You don't?”

She shook her head gently, careful not to let the daisy crown slip. “I don't know your last name, I don't know what you do for a living, I don't know what you like and dislike.”

“Oh. Well, I like spending time out here. I like horses. I dislike cabbage.” Lyssa chuckled. “I don't like stuck up nobility. I like flavoured ice.”

“I've never had it,” Lyssa said.

“Really? It's so refreshing on warm days.” He continued. “I don't like lessons. I like my parents. I don't like being an only child. And I like spending time with you.”

She smiled at him.

“All right. Now your turn,” he said.

“I, too, like horses. I love my father, but have a hard time getting along with my mother. I love my older sister, but find it difficult to like my three younger sisters.”

“You have four sisters?”

She nodded.

“Any brothers?”

“No. Just five of us girls. I like the first batch of my father's apples. I like listening to music; I like to sing.” She thought for a few moments. “I like bumblebees and birds. I don't like snakes and wolves. I like maple toffee. I like honesty and loyalty. I dislike insincerity and deception. I love beautiful sunsets. And I love flowers, especially daisies and roses.”

“Do you like dancing?”

“I don't know how to dance that well. I can sort of do it. My mother made all five of us learn, but I usually snuck out to climb in the apple orchard.” Will chuckled. “That's another reason why I wouldn't make a good princess.”

“You can learn dancing.”

“How?”

“I'll teach you.”

“Do you know how?”

“Sure. I had to learn same as the other lads my age.”

He stood up and brushed off his plain brown trousers and thin natural linen shirt. He held a hand out to her. “Come on.”

She looked at him dubiously, then with a sigh took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

He held onto her hand and guided her other to his shoulder, slipping his around her waist. They stood close together and looked into each other's eyes. He hadn't realised earlier how tall she was - she was able to look him almost straight in the eye.

“Ready?” he whispered.

“Where's the music?” she whispered back.

“It's in our heads.”

Her serious face cracked into a slight smile. “What do I do?”

“Just follow my lead.”

“All right.”

He began to move them, stepping backwards then sideways and turning them slightly. Slowly at first, soon they picked up speed. “How are you doing?” he asked her quietly.

“I think… I think this isn't so bad.”

He laughed quietly. “Not so bad? Let's see what we can do about that.” He broke their grip, holding onto one hand, he spun her around a couple times.

“Will!” she cried out.

He stopped. “What?”

“Warn me the next time you're going to do that!”

He grinned mischievously at her. “Try this one.” He took her waist in both hands and swung her around once as she gripped his shoulders.

She laughed. “I don't believe they do this in the court.”

“They should,” he said.

Taking her hand, he pulled away from her then pulled her towards him and she spun several times towards him, her skirt and hair billowing outwards. He clasped her, then began to move around with her in synch. Several times he picked her up and spun with her. A permanent smile of enjoyment and merriment was on her face, sometimes laughing with him. Soon, she began to be daring enough to do her own moves. She grabbed her skirts in one hand, held out the other gracefully and improvised her own steps on the soft grass, doing little skips and jumps.

Will marveled at her grace and natural beauty. Yes, her hair was in tangles; yes, her dress was stained; yes, her face was a little dirty; yes, she wasn't fashionably alluring. But somehow, none of that mattered, or else it just made her more beautiful somehow. She was carefree and joyful.

When they were both out of breath, they stopped and collapsed onto the grass. She began to laugh. Will looked at her. She just continued to laugh.

“What?” Will said, chuckling himself from the contagion of her laughter.

She just curled up on her side and covered her mouth, turning her laugh into giggles.

He poked her a couple of times. “Tell me.”

When she was able to speak, she just said, “I don't know what's funny. I just feel very giddy and happy.”

Will smiled at her.

She panted, her laughter retarding her capability of gaining her breath back from dancing.

“Did you enjoy that?”

“Yes, I did. But that wasn't anything like what mother tried to teach us.”

“Times have changed since then.”

They were quiet for a good ten minutes, just watching the puffy white clouds passing and changing overhead.

Lyssa murmured, “I'm suddenly very sleepy.”

“Take a nap then.”

“I think I shall.”

“You're welcome to use me as a pillow.”

She raised her head, one eyebrow raised.

“I promise to be a gentleman.”

She looked dubious. But he kept his face sincerely honest, so she acquiesced and shifted to rest her head on his lap, curling on her side to face his feet. He pulled her hair away from her face and fingered as it fell to across his lap.

Soothed by his caresses, she was soon asleep. Will just leaned back on one hand looking out over the view of the land, absently running his other hand slowly through her hair. He just sat there in thought until he, too, became drowsy. He shifted her so he could lie down and settle her against his chest. He rested his head on one bent arm, while his other arm rested on Lyssa's back.

When Lyssa awoke, the sun was very near the horizon, casting a soft orange glow across the countryside beyond the field. She sat up, and felt Will's hand slide off her back. She looked down at him and where she'd been sleeping. He looked tranquil asleep like that. She looked around the meadow and sighed. It had been simply a wonderful day. She was sad that it was ending and she would have to go to the ball that evening. She knew that if she didn't return with sufficient stories of the ball, she would be punished and scolded by her mother.

She looked back down at Will. Despite the short amount of time she had spent with him, she was attracted to him, felt drawn to him. He seemed to enjoy many of the things she did. He was ruggedly handsome, too, in his simple clothes and at least two day's growth of beard showing. He seemed to be just as attracted to her, but she knew that a match between them was unwise.

She leaned over to brush a long lock of hair off his forehead, gazing down at him to memorise his features. She accidentally knocked the hand that had rested on her back and he awoke, opening his eyes to see Lyssa gazing down at him tenderly. He reached up and straightened her daisy crown, then stroked her cheek gently.

“I should be getting to the castle,” she said softly.

His face saddened.

“I'm sorry this day has to end, too,” she assured him.

He sat up, stretching the stiff arm that had been tucked under his head the whole time. She stood, brushing off her skirts ineffectually. Then she offered him her hand. He took it and she helped him to his feet. He looked around and realised it had become quite late.

“Come on, then. Let's return to the road.”

She nodded.

“But first,” he said and she looked at him curiously. He stepped closer to her, looking at her earnestly. “May I kiss you before we return to the real world?”

She gazed at him for several moments, deliberating. Finally, she leaned forward and he met her half way. Their lips met softly, caressing and exploring tentatively. They parted and he looked at her, seeking approval and further permission. Seeing it, he returned to kiss her more firmly this time. His hands, which had been holding hers, let go and instead took gentle hold of her face. Hers circled his neck, pulling her body flush against his. Their hearts pounded as they shared this intimate embrace. Finally, she broke away. She kissed him a couple of times on the cheek, then pulled out of his arms. Very reluctantly, he let her go.

“I think I just made it more difficult for myself,” she muttered.

“Lyssa,” he said. She looked at him gravely. “You shall always remain special to me.”

She smiled ever so slightly. “And I shall never forget you.”

He took her hand and they strolled away from their meadow through the forest, carefully down the steep slope where Lyssa soiled her dress even more, and finally to the road. They walked slowly, side by side towards the castle. Lyssa stopped to pick up her cloak and sack from its hiding place. They continued walking in silence, each walking more and more slowly as they got closer to the castle.

Twice they had to move aside to let carriages pass; both times the occupants looked out disdainfully snobbishly at them.

When they finally came in view of the castle, they both stopped, looking at it. Lyssa sighed. “I don't think I'll enjoy this ball as much as I had thought I would.”

Will smiled at her. “I hope you're wrong. I hope you have a wonderful time there.”

“Thank you.”

“Maybe I'll sneak in and see how you're doing.”

She looked at him, expecting his mischievous look, but instead saw a sombre one. “I would like that,” she said softly.

They were silent for a few moments. “Lyssa… I've really treasured our time together. I didn't expect to, but I did.”

“Me, too.”

He paused. Then taking something off of his wrist, he said, “I want you to keep this.”

“Will, no,” she protested, gently.

“I mean it. Just wear it for me.”

“I can't.”

“Please.”

She couldn't refuse the look he gave her.

“All right.”

He took her wrist and attached a silver chain with a round pendant on it, then he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “When you get to the castle, show this to Mistress Reynolds. She's a dear old friend of mine. She will take care of you.”

She looked at Will in wonder. He just smiled at her. She looked closely at the bracelet he'd given her. The pendant looked like it was some sort of seal - a coat of arms. But she knew nothing of coats of arms. She looked up to ask Will what it was, but was shocked and dismayed to find him gone. She ran a little down the road, and saw Will sprinting towards the castle gardens. She stood and watched him as long as she could. When he was out of sight, she hoisted her sack onto her shoulder and began walking down to the castle.

Chapter Two

Posted on Monday, 25 August 2003

He took her wrist and attached a silver chain with a round pendant on it, then he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “When you get to the castle, show this to Mistress Reynolds. She's a dear old friend of mine. She will take care of you.”

She looked at Will in wonder. He just smiled at her. She looked closely at the bracelet he'd given her. The pendant looked like it was some sort of seal - a coat of arms. But she knew nothing of coats of arms. She looked up to ask Will what it was, but was shocked and dismayed to find him gone. She ran a little down the road, and saw Will sprinting towards the castle gardens. She stood and watched him as long as she could. When he was out of sight, she hoisted her sack onto her shoulder and began walking down to the castle.

The castle was a truly intimidating sight - tall and formidable, with five towers around the central tower, each gaily decorated with banners and flags.

When she reached the drawbridge crossing the moat, she drew a deep breath and crossed it, passing between the guards. She walked up to the huge double doors, going by a carriage that had just emptied its passengers.

She walked through the main doors, but was stopped by a footman.

“Servants,” he said in the haughtiest voice Lyssa had ever heard, “use the back entrances.”

“I have come for the ball,” Lyssa firmly replied. “I was told to see a Mistress Reynolds.”

A matronly woman was hurrying through the hall when she heard Lyssa say her name. The woman came forward, saying, “I'm Mistress Reynolds.”

“Oh, um, Will told me to show you this and that you would … you would tell me where to go.”

She held out the bracelet, feeling not a little foolish.

Mistress Reynolds keen eyes flickered from the bracelet to the woman wearing it.

“Come, my dear. I will show you to your room.”

“My room? No, I just need a small, private place to change.”

“Follow me,” was all the reply Lyssa received.

“Howard, you will bring her things.”

Howard, the haughty footman, stepped forward to take Lyssa's things. “No, no. I can carry them myself.”

The look Lyssa was given stopped her protests and she released her things to him. She meekly followed Mistress Reynolds up a large, carpeted staircase. For the first time that day, Lyssa was more than conscious of her appearance. She tried to smooth her hair, but realised that she must look so dreadful that no smoothing of hair would fix her appearance.

Lyssa became more alarmed and shy the more grandeur she saw. She suddenly realised how little she belonged at this ball. She wished she could run and go back to the meadow again. It was so perfect up there.

Mistress Reynolds turned down a hall and led Lyssa into a large bedchamber. The bed alone was almost as big as Lyssa's room at home. It was sumptuously draped with scarlet hangings embroidered in shimmering gold.

“Oh, Mistress Reynolds. I believe there has been some mistake.”

“No, madam, there has not. You shan't be returning home tonight, correct?”

“Um, no, but I hadn't planned on staying in the castle.”

“Nonsense. This is your bedchamber. Now,” Mrs Reynolds eyed Lyssa's dress dubiously, “is that what you are wearing tonight?”

Lyssa laughed. “Oh no. Not this.”

Mistress Reynolds' face relaxed.

“My dress is in there,” Lyssa pointed to her sack and Mistress Reynolds worried face returned.

Lyssa took her sack from Howard and opened it, pulling out the poor, rumpled gown. Mistress Reynolds took it and held it up, tsking with her tongue. “This will need pressing. Howard, see to it that this gown is pressed and fixed up nicely.”

“Yes, madam,” Howard bowed.

Lyssa watched in dismay as her dress was whisked out of the room.

Mistress Reynolds went after him and told Howard, “Oh, and tell Lucy to bring a bath for this young lady.”

Mistress Reynolds returned to Lyssa's room and said, “What is your name, dear?”

“Elyssa Bent. But people just call me Lyssa.”

“Would you like to rest before the ball, Ms. Bent?”

“No. I took a nap this afternoon in the field.” Lyssa realised what she'd said, but couldn't take it back.

“Very well. I would normally take you on a tour of the castle, however, with the ball this evening, I'm afraid I'm too busy.”

“No, that's all right. I have a book I brought with me that I can read in here.”

“Your bath should not be long.”

“Thank you, Mistress Reynolds.”

The kindly woman bowed her head slightly and began to walk out of the room.

“Mistress Reynolds?” Lyssa called out after her. She turned and looked at Lyssa. “Could you thank Will the next time you see him?”

Mistress Reynolds smiled and nodded.

Lyssa, feeling overwhelmed by the situation, pulled the great wooden chair over by the window and settled into it with her book and an apple. She munched on it happily, reading her book. She felt like she was at home, now.

Only a few minutes after she'd finished the apple, she was startled by a servant walking into the room with a large copper bathtub. He set it down in front of the empty fireplace. He was soon followed by eight servants each carrying two buckets of hot water, which they poured into the tub. Lyssa was shocked. She'd never had a bath inside before.

Lastly, a young woman walked in carrying a large towel, a scrubbing sponge, and a new bar of soap. She closed and locked the door behind her and set the things beside the steaming tub.

“Come on, Madam.”

Lyssa realised that she was expected to take a bath with this woman in the room. She stepped forward and began to take off her dress. Once she was nude, she slowly, gingerly, climbed into the hot water, sinking down into it. The maid rolled up her sleeves and began to scrub Lyssa. Lyssa had a difficult time keeping her blushes hidden. She had never been bathed before. But the events of the evening kept her silent.

After the bath, she did feel much better. She stood beside the tub, wrapped in the soft, warm towel. A knock came at the door which made Lyssa yelp, holding the towel more closely to her. The maid opened the door and received a gown from a maid outside. The maid who had bathed her handed the maid in the hall Lyssa's pale blue and yellow dress that she had worn travelling. Lyssa opened her mouth to protest, but stopped when she saw her ball gown. It had been pressed beautifully and she was shocked to discover minor details added to it. She walked forward to look more closely. Yes, it had pearls embroidered into the skirt, and more lace had been added to the bodice. She didn't know what to think of it. Perhaps there was some sort of standard dress code that had to be met that evening.

The maid helped Lyssa into her underclothes then directed her to sit while the maid began to work at Lyssa's hair. Lyssa obediently sat, staring at the elegant tapestry that adorned the wall in front of her. She didn't even cry out when the maid hurt her.

Another knock came at the door, but Lyssa didn't see who it was. The maid returned to her work and had soon pulled the sides of Lyssa's long, wavy, brown hair into a crown of braids, while the rest of it hung loosely down her back. The maid helped her into the ball gown, tying the back and making sure it fit snugly. Then, the maid brought forward what had been given to her at the second knock on the door.

Lyssa gasped when she saw a crown of roses that matched her gown flawlessly. They were small roses, each perfect in shape. Will must have had a hand in this. The maid rested the crown on her head and secured it, then stepped back, admiring her work.

Lyssa smiled a little under the scrutiny.

“Ye'll do,” the maid said.

“When should I go to the ball?”

“Whenever ye like. It started an hour ago.”

“An hour ago!?”

“But it's not unusual to be late, madam.”

“I don't know the way.”

“Come, I shall show ye.”

When Lyssa left the room and reached the main stairs, she heard the music wafting through the halls. All of a sudden, her stomach was full of butterflies and bumblebees.

She followed the maid through the halls, trying to keep her eyes on the maid instead of on the splendid grandeur all around her. Finally, the maid stopped and Lyssa could see the ball through the majestic double doors. Taking a deep breath, she walked through them and down the steps. A few people turned to look at her, but then turned away with disinterest.

She was surrounded by the luxury and splendour of the royal ball. She couldn't see a sign of the royal family yet, but there were plenty of nobility milling around, dancing, and talking. Lyssa felt out of place. She kept to the edges of the room, just watching everything in wonder, trying to store all the details in her memory to tell her family back home. She didn't know if she could describe it. The floor was covered in sparkling mosaics, candles were everywhere, and three exquisitely sparkling chandeliers hung from the muraled ceiling. The minstrels played on a low balcony, their music filling the ballroom. Each wall had a mural painted on it and was surrounded by gilt mouldings; couples danced in the centre of the ballroom. Lyssa was quick to notice that they danced much more like her mother had instructed than Will. She still found herself preferring Will's kind of dancing.

For half an hour, Lyssa wandered around the perimeter of the room, just watching and observing. She did take one glass of the drink that was offered, but found it had a metallic taste she didn't like.

She was startled, then, to hear her name being spoken softly. She turned to her left to see Will standing there, absolutely dashing in a full black evening suit and clean-shaven face.

“Will!” she gasped, thankfully not too loudly.

He smiled at her. “I told you I would try and look in on you. You look… you're the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Lyssa, still unable to fathom the complete change in him, stammered, “How are you…? What…? Who…?”

“Would you like to dance?” he asked her, holding out his hand.

Still in complete confusion, she accepted. Had she been thinking clearly, she would have turned him down in favour of talking. He took her hand, and paused, fingering his bracelet on her wrist fondly.

Lyssa flushed.

He smiled at her, then led her through the crowds to dance in the centre. There, they faced each other like they had earlier that day. He smiled slightly and guided one of her hands to his shoulder, keeping the other in his, while his second hand slid around her waist. They began to move together in time with the music. Lyssa couldn't take her eyes away from his. She felt thoroughly bewildered.

“You dance beautifully,” he said softly.

She couldn't reply. She didn't know what to think. Finally, she tore her gaze from his and focussed on her surroundings once more. She stiffened, noticing that they were the centre of attention. That was when she realised they were the only couple dancing on the floor. Everyone else was watching them. Lyssa suddenly became very afraid.

She looked back at Will who was watching her warily. “Who are you?” she whispered.

“Will.”

“No, who are you?” she demanded.

“I'm the Crown Prince Fitzwilliam of Shire.”

She felt her body stop moving, her breath becoming laboured. Thousands of thoughts and images and memories flashed through her mind in an instant. She looked down at the floor, her hand reaching up to her chest, as if to lift the sudden burden pressing down on her there. She needed air. She needed to get out of that awful ballroom. Vaguely she could hear him calling her name, but she couldn't register him. She looked wildly around, seeing all those people's eyes staring at her. Then she spotted the door to the garden terrace. She tore from Will's - the Prince's - grasp and ran towards it, pushing through the crowds. She burst through the doors and ran down the steps. She felt one of the roses from her crown fall off, but she just kept running. She knew not where she went, for it became too dark once she had left the light of the ballroom.

Suddenly, she tripped over a small statue. She went flying forward, and putting her hands down to stop herself, she skidded on the stones. She crumpled up in a heap, sobbing and cradling her bleeding hands to her chest.

It wasn't the physical pain of her skinned hands and shins that she was crying over, but the stabbing pain in her heart. Will wasn't Will. He was some other man she knew nothing about. He had used his last day of freedom to dally with a peasant girl. He had lied to her. The most beautiful day of her life had suddenly become the worst. She heaved sobbing breaths, tears streaming down her face.

She didn't even move when she heard footsteps nearing her. When she heard Will's voice cry out, “Lyssa!” she did curl tighter into a ball.

He bent beside her, whispering her name over and over. He gently lifted her up and cradled her against him, stroking her hair, kissing her wounded hands.

“Oh, Lyssa.”

She had to calm herself. She had to tell him to leave her alone. When she had regained enough breath and composure, she whispered, “Please go. Leave me alone.”

“I can't.”

“Yes, you can. You're the Prince, you can do anything,” she said, bitterly.

“I'm Will. Your Will. Please, Lyssa.”

“Please what?” she said, her sobs subsiding to anger. “Please allow you one more day of dalliance? Please allow you to deceive me even more? Please come and grace your ballroom for a night?”

“No, no.”

She tried to turn away from him. “You lied to me,” she whispered.

“I did not,” he protested. Then he acceded, “Well, I did in a small way.”

“A small way?!!”

“I was truthful about who I am in every way but my title.”

“That's leaving out a huge part of yourself.”

“Please, Lyssa. You have to understand.”

“Why?! Why must I understand?!! Go away.” She subsided into a sobs again.

“No,” he said firmly, holding her tightly to him. “I won't leave you. Not while you insist on misunderstanding me.”

She didn't say anything.

He continued to talk to her. “I had no intention of spending the day with anyone. The castle was full of preparations and I wanted nothing to do with them. I hated the thought of this ball. Hated the whole idea. But I had wasted enough time, and my parents thought it high time I found a wife. So they were forcing me to choose tonight. I escaped to spend the day away from the castle. Then you came, and I enjoyed your company. I figured we could both waste the day away. But I didn't want you to think of me as the Prince. I wanted you to know me for me. Not my title. I enjoyed every second I spent with you. You challenged me in ways no one has ever made me think before. You are so beautiful and special. I wanted to choose you for my bride. But I didn't want you to accept just because I was the Prince. Now I realise I should have told you earlier. I should have realised how much of a shock it would be at the ball in front of all those people. I'm an idiot, I know. But please, Lyssa, please forgive me.”

She just sniffed quietly, her breath still heaving sporadically. “So, the bracelet… Mistress Reynolds, she knew?”

He nodded.

“And the gown….” She turned her face away from him. “You just couldn't stand up with me for who I was. You had to turn me into a wealthy-looking lady.”

“No. No, Lyssa. I thought… I thought they were nice gifts. I didn't mean it that way. I assure you, Lyssa. I want nothing but to please you and gain your forgiveness.”

Lyssa didn't know if she could forgive him. Her heart still felt wrenched in two. She remained silent.

“Please, Lyssa. I swear to be honest and true to you from now on.” Lyssa realised he was now beginning to cry. He just kept begging, whispering “Please, Lyssa,” and kissing her head and forehead.

Slowly, Lyssa began to realise how much he had at stake. She realised that by turning him away forever, he would feel as devastated as she was feeling. Except she felt her heart mending with every kiss he placed on her. She shivered, holding onto him more tightly. Finally, she lifted her face up. He began to bestow kisses on her damp cheeks and eyelids. He kissed her lips softly, gently over and over again. She began to return them, feeling her heart lifting with every kiss they shared. She still felt a few tears slip down her cheeks. He deepened the kisses, pouring his desperation and passion into them. After several moments, he calmed down and slowed his kisses until he pulled away and held her tightly against him, his hand caressing her cheek.

“I love you, Lyssa. I want to be the only one to have the honour of being your husband. I want you by my side until we die. Please, please say you'll have me.”

Lyssa trembled hearing his impassioned words. She hesitated, considering the massive change of life-style. “I don't know,” she whispered.

“Why can't you? Can you not forgive me?”

“I don't know if I can fit into your world,” she murmured softly.

Will didn't say anything at first. “I can only promise to try and make it as easy and pleasant for you as possible.”

Lyssa realised that she could choose a life of difficulty with him, or a life of hardship without him. She nodded.

Will grasped at the gesture hopefully. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she sighed.

He lifted her face to look at her. “Will you be happy with me?”

She smiled slightly. “If you continue to be like you were earlier today, yes.”

“We can go visit the meadow as much as we can,” he promised, his smile lightening his sombre face.

She raised her hands to clasp his face and kiss him, but she was startled by the pain and he was startled by the dampness on her palms. She jerked her throbbing hands away, curling them to her chest.

“My love, you are hurt.”

She half-laughed. “And I have just smeared my blood all over your face.”

“Never mind that. Let's get you inside so Mistress Reynolds can deal with your hands.”

He stood up from his crouching position and lifted her up by the arms. She stumbled, pain screaming from her shins and knees at being straightened.

Will looked down to see the scraped, torn and stained gown at her legs. “Oh, Lyssa,” he said, sadly, and bent down to scoop her up into his arms.

“Will,” she protested weakly.

“Shh.”

Lyssa wrapped her arms around his neck, careful not to stain his evening attire with her hands. Will walked with her through the gardens and finally through a servant's door. He climbed the stairs and came out into the cobbler's room. He exited it and walked through the halls. Lyssa was too tired to notice her surroundings or where they were going. She just closed her eyes and rested against him.

When she felt them going through a door, she opened her eyes and realised she was in her bedchamber. He was moving to set her on the bed, but she said, “No. I'll sit in the chair.”

He acquiesced and carried her to the large wooden chair still in front of the window. She slouched into it as Will rang for Mistress Reynolds. He knelt beside her as they waited.

Lyssa looked down at him and shook her head, chuckling. “Do you not have a handkerchief?”

“Yes, of course.” He pulled one out of a pocket and handed it to her. She took it gingerly with her fingers and then took his face in her hands.

“What…?”

“Be still. I'm trying to get some of my blood off your face. You look like I've gouged your face with my nails.”

Will sighed and submitted to her tender ministrations. She couldn't get all of it since it had begun to dry.

Mistress Reynolds knocked and walked in. When she saw Lyssa's state, she exclaimed, “Good grief, Your Highness. What did you do to the girl?”

Lyssa hastily explained before Will said anything, “I fell in the garden.”

“Oh, child,” muttered Mistress Reynolds. “I'll return with some supplies. You behave yourself,” she said sternly to Will.

When she had left, Lyssa looked down at her gown and bleeding, dirty hands. “Everyone calls you Your Highness?”

Will nodded. “Everyone but you. You call me Will. Oh, and my parents call me Fitzwilliam.”

“Your parents. The King and Queen.”

Will nodded again.

Lyssa sighed and sank back into the chair. “I don't know if I can do this, Will.”

“Please, Lyssa. You must. For me.”

“For you?”

“I'll be desolate without you. Can't you see how I am so alone in my gilded cage?”

“So you want me to join you in the gilded cage so you're not alone.”

“No,” he assured her. “You have the key to my freedom.”

“How?” she whispered.

“I don't know. I was listening to you today, and you just gave me a tremendous sense of agency. When you were talking, I felt like I could be anything and do anything. You even said that to me. I had never viewed it that way before. With you, I see a future of doing worthwhile things and being happy together.”

“You see that?” Lyssa sighed. “I can't see anything.”

“That's because you need to believe in me. Believe in us.”

He leaned forward and kissed her softly. She returned it briefly, but Mistress Reynolds came in and Will leapt backwards away from her.

Mistress Reynolds, fixing Will with a stern eye, bustled into the room and set a bowl full of different bottles and bandages at Lyssa's feet.

“You're excused, Your Highness.”

Will opened his mouth to protest, but Mistress Reynolds glared at him, so Will meekly left the room.

Lyssa was amazed. Obviously not everyone deferred to him.

Mistress Reynolds lifted Lyssa's gown to reveal her shins and knees. The woman tsked with her tongue and took out one of the bottles. With a rag, she dabbed the ointment on Lyssa's wounds. Lyssa flinched, but bit the insides of her cheeks to keep silent. When Mistress Reynolds reached her knees, Lyssa couldn't stop taking an intake of breath in a hiss.

“It's a nasty cut, but you'll mend in a few weeks. What were you doing to get so scraped up?”

“I was running away from the Prince,” Lyssa sighed.

One of the woman's eyebrows rose as she looked up at Lyssa.

“I tripped on something in the garden and fell.”

“You must have been running pretty fast to get these cuts.”

Lyssa blushed.

Mistress Reynolds didn't say anything more. When she reached Lyssa's hands, Lyssa caught sight of the bracelet once more. “What is it?” Lyssa asked softly.

“This? It's Prince Fitzwilliam's birth identification. Though the chain has grown since, he has worn the pendant ever since he was born. It has his own personal coat of arms on it.”

Lyssa's heart clenched and she could feel tears starting to force their way to her eyes again. She swallowed with effort and leant her head back against the chair with a deep sigh.

Finally, Lyssa's hands were bandaged lightly.

“Now,” said Mistress Reynolds, gathering her things back into the basin. “You need to change out of that ruined gown.”

“I'm sorry. And after all that extra work was put into it.”

Mistress Reynolds waved away her apology. “I shall take it and have it repaired. No doubt you will want to save it for sentimental value.”

Lyssa was surprised to hear that. It was frightening to think of a time when she would look back on this day sentimentally.

“I shan't be returning to the ball,” Lyssa said.

“Are you sure?”

Lyssa nodded emphatically. She did not want to go back to that place.

“Can I just wear my blue and yellow dress from today?”

“Yes, dear. It has been washed and pressed.” Mistress Reynolds opened the large wardrobe and took out the lone gown in the large space.

Lyssa took off her ball gown and put on her much more comfortable dress. She felt better just wearing it. Then she realised the crown of roses was still pinned to her hair. Sadly, she took it down with some awkwardness due to her bandages and laid it on the chest at the foot of the great bed. A couple of the roses were somewhat crushed, and there was the one missing.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” asked Mistress Reynolds.

Lyssa shook her head. “Thank you very much for your help, Mistress Reynolds.”

“It has been more than a pleasure,” the formidable woman smiled gently at Lyssa, then left her bedchamber, leaving the door open.

Lyssa peeked outside, but didn't see Will. She returned to the chair by the window. She couldn't curl up in it like she preferred to; she couldn't even cross her legs. Gingerly, she stretched them out and propped them against the wall; she rested her hands palms up in her lap, looking out into the night sky, thinking.

Ten minutes later, she heard a soft knock on the open door. Lyssa turned around and saw Will standing hesitantly in the doorway.

“Come in.”

He walked in, closing the door gently behind him. He looked at her sitting in the great wooden chair that seemed to envelop her.

“I like that dress on you better anyway,” he said.

Lyssa laughed a little.

He went over to the chest and gently picked up the crown of roses, setting it carefully on the bed. Then he picked up the chest and moved it beside her chair to sit on. He looked up at her and asked, “Better?”

“You sitting at my feet like that, or my injuries?”

Will smiled slightly, “Are you feeling better?”

Lyssa nodded.

They were silent for several minutes. Then Will said, “I have noticed that you have lost that sparkle that I saw in the meadow. That spirit.” He looked down at his clasped hands, leaning his elbows on his knees. “I don't want you to be unhappy. More than anything, I don't want that. So… if you do not think you could be happy here, then I shall,” he heaved a deep sigh, “not hold you back.”

“I don't know what this life is even like. I am so much of a country girl that I can't even fathom how you live. But, I am adaptable. I have been known to make the best out of a situation. And I do want to be with you.”

Will looked up at her. “If, after giving it a try, you still cannot be happy, you must tell me.”

She nodded. “I will.”

He reached over and caressed her face. He leaned forward and she met him halfway, their lips meeting and softly caressing again and again. He pulled away only to begin planting gentle, feathery kisses on her face.

When they finally parted, Will said, “I suppose you don't want to return to the ball to announce our engagement?”

Lyssa emphatically shook her head no.

“How would you like to announce it?”

She sighed. “I don't know. But I would at least like to meet your parents before we announce it to the world. What if they don't approve of me?”

“That's impossible,” protested Will.

Lyssa fixed him with a serious glare.

Will heaved a sigh. “I shall speak to them first.”

“I couldn't even meet them tonight. My ball gown is ruined and this is the only thing I have.”

“I fell in love with you in that dress.”

“You don't count.”

“Didn't you come prepared to meet the royal family?”

“Obviously not. Please, Will. Could we not keep us a secret?”

Will shook his head sadly. “I'm sorry, dear. My life can't be secret.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I can't keep anything secret in my life. Everyone gossips about me.”

The look of dismay on Lyssa's face made Will realise that he hadn't been wise to say that.

“But you get used to it,” he quickly assured her.

Lyssa made an effort not to completely deflate each time she heard more about Will's completely different life.

“Tomorrow,” said Lyssa. “I shall face your world tomorrow.”

Will looked at her anxiously, considering just running off with her to live in the meadow for the rest of their lives.

“What about your family?” he asked.

Lyssa sighed and looked out of the window.

“We can have them move here if you want,” he suggested.

“No. My father loves his farm, and … I'd prefer not to have my mother and younger sisters in easy visiting distance.”

“And your older sister?”

Lyssa looked at him, saying, “It would be of great comfort to have her here with me.”

He nodded. “Of course.” Then he added, “We can go and visit to tell them.” With a mischievous look he said, “We could walk there. But we'd have to sneak out of the castle together. It wouldn't do for us to be seen.”

“How often do you sneak out of the castle?” she asked.

Will had enough conscience to look sheepish. “Probably too often.” He took one of her hands and played with the fingers that protruded from the bandage. “How long do you think we should wait to be wed?” he asked her.

“I don't know. At home, couples are usually wed within a month, or after the busy season of planting or harvesting.”

“It's expected that there be at least a six month engagement in the noble classes.”

“Six months?!”

Will looked at her worriedly.

“What will I do until then?”

Will now saw the difficulty. She was a stranger in his world and would be without his full guidance for six months. He also knew that with royal weddings the planning could take even longer. He began to see his castle in the air crumble.

Lyssa's face showed fear and apprehension; it pulled at Will's heart. She stood up, wincing a little, and went to lean on the windowsill. Will got up to stand beside her, draping his arm around her shoulders.

“Listen, here's an idea for a plan,” Will began. “We won't introduce you as my betrothed to anyone but my parents and Mistress Reynolds. You can stay here for a couple of days and I shall show you around, then we can both return to your home. I shall speak to your family and you will remain there for the duration of our engagement while I visit very often. When the time is near for our wedding, you can come here with your older sister. How does that sound?”

Lyssa turned to look at him. “I like that plan very much,” she replied softly. “But what will you tell the rest of the court?”

“We could say that I am marrying a woman from another kingdom, which would explain why you won't appear in court before the wedding.”

She looked into his eyes, saying, “That is more deception.”

Will looked embarrassed. “You're right. What do you suggest?”

Lyssa shook her head. “I don't know. I don't like the idea of telling the truth. Perhaps we shouldn't tell them anything.”

“People will want to know.”

“Let them be curious. You will just say you are engaged, but you're not revealing who she is.”

“Is that what you want to do?”

“Do you think it would work?”

“For a while. We can try it.”

Lyssa nodded. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist. “Will.”

“Hmm?”

“Let's only tell my father. If my mother found out, she would tell the entire kingdom. I shall let Jane, my older sister, know who you are, but I shall conceal your title from my three younger sisters and mother.”

Careful to keep his tone of voice neutral, Will asked, “Lyssa, isn't that deception?”

“It's necessary.”

Will yearned to point out her double standard, but decided not to. He didn't want to start an argument. Besides, he had already admitted that he should have told her before they parted that late afternoon. He just said, “Whatever you wish.”

They stood embraced in front of the window for some time. Will would occasionally kiss her head, otherwise remaining silent and still. When he sensed her sleepiness, he said, “Why don't you go to bed?”

She nodded and embraced him more tightly. He rubbed her back and stroked her hair. “Lyssa, why don't you climb into bed and go to sleep?”

“Hmm hmm,” she murmured.

He gently pulled away from her, lifting her face to kiss her softly. “I shall say good night, my dear.”

Lyssa smiled at him drowsily. “Good night, Will.”

“Thank you for saying yes.”

They kissed once more, then Will left her bedchamber. Lyssa took off her outer dress and climbed into the gigantic four-poster bed. She felt lost in it, but her physical and mental exhaustion was such that she went to sleep within a few minutes.

Chapter Three

Posted on Saturday, 6 September 2003

Lyssa was woken the next morning by Mistress Reynolds. “Rise and shine, child.”

Lyssa stretched and suddenly recalled her surroundings and what had occurred the previous day. She looked down at her hand to see if it was true. Yes, there were the bandages and the bracelet.

Lyssa curled into a ball and put her head back on the pillow with a moan. She realized her life would never be the same again.

“His Highness is waiting to eat breakfast with you in the garden.”

Lyssa lifted her head to look at Mistress Reynolds. “You mean Will?”

The matron smiled and nodded.

“What hour is it?”

“Nearly nine.”

“I have nothing to wear but that same blue dress.”

“If you get out of bed, I shall measure you to have new gowns made today.”

“Oh, but….”

Mistress Reynolds put her hand up to refuse any protest. “His Highness has ordered me to see that you are properly outfitted and supplied with everything you need.”

Lyssa supposed she shouldn't harp at the messenger, so she got up, careful not to scrape her knees, shins or hands on the great four-poster bed. She stood straight as Mistress Reynolds made quick work of measuring her with a knotted piece of rope. When she had finished, Lyssa washed her face in the warm basin of water provided for her and then put on her blue and yellow dress. She was beginning to think of it like a favourite childhood blanket.

“I have brought my ointments so that I may see to your wounds again.”

Lyssa considered this a command and promptly sat down in the wooden armchair and lifted her skirt to expose the tender scrapes on her legs. Mistress Reynolds gently massaged ointment on the raw flesh, and then unwound the bandages on Lyssa's hands to smooth in some more ointment. When the balm had dried on her hands, Mistress Reynolds wrapped them in new bandages.

“If you are ready, I shall take you to your breakfast. His Highness gave his express wish that you be kept away from the court's prying eyes .”

Lyssa nodded, still feeling a sense of fear in her stomach about being an impostor in this majestic lifestyle.

Mistress Reynolds led Lyssa through the hall to which her room let out, and then down a back staircase to the servants' domain. Lyssa could smell the kitchen nearby and heard chatter out of a few rooms. Hurrying to catch up, Lyssa followed Mistress Reynolds down a small, winding staircase that opened into a beautiful garden. Winding through paths of rose and lilac bushes, crossing patches of soft, emerald grass, they eventually reached a small pond graced by three weeping willows. Beside the pond were a table and two chairs, on which a small breakfast was laid.

At first, Lyssa just admired the pleasant surroundings, but then a movement caught her eye, and she saw Will parting the draping branches of the nearest willow and walking towards her, a bright smile of delight on his face.

Lyssa returned the smile and went over to meet him. He took her left fingers in his and gently kissed her hand, before drawing her into his embrace. He looked at her, asking, “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded. “It felt like only ten minutes between the time I closed my eyes and when Mistress Reynolds woke me up. And then I thought all of yesterday was a dream.”

He began to kiss her face softly, saying, “It was no dream, however dreamlike it may feel.”

She moved to catch his lips with hers and they exchanged their first kiss that day. Just being with him again restored Lyssa's confidence. When they parted, she sighed contentedly and rested her chin on his shoulder.

After a few moments, Will asked, “Shall we sit down to breakfast?”

Lyssa nodded. They parted and walked over to the table. Lyssa sat and rested her elbows on the table, leaning forward to gaze out over the peaceful pond and its surrounding garden.

“This is a lovely place,” Lyssa said quietly.

“It is. It's one of my favourite parts of the garden.”

“I wonder why you escape to the meadow, then.”

“Because at the meadow, no one can disturb me. I've never taken anyone to see it before you.”

Lyssa was both surprised and extremely flattered. She started to entertain the question of how exactly she of all women caught his attention, but pushed it aside for a later time.

Will offered her some tea and she nodded. As he poured it, he said, “I spoke to my parents last night.” Lyssa swallowed and nodded. “First, I told them that I had chosen a bride, to which they were delighted to hear. Then I explained how I met you - I didn't tell them any details about the meadow or anything. I told them about you and a little of your background. Enough for them to understand that I was going against the usual practice of choosing a bride from the nobility or neighbouring royalty.” Lyssa had begun to pick up her teacup, but decided she was shaking too badly to prevent a spill. “They would like to meet you. I did have to do some convincing that this is what I want. But I've put off finding a wife for so long, they don't have much room to complain. They have given their permission on the condition of approving you first, which I don't see as much of a problem.”

Lyssa licked her dry lips and asked, “A-and when would I m-meet them?”

“This evening in a private audience.”

“Oh.”

“You should have some gowns made for you by then.”

“Really?” Lyssa's gowns had always taken several days to make, but then she hadn't had an army of seamstresses to work on them.

“Meanwhile, I have every intention of spending the day with you. What would you like to do?”

“I think it would be best to do something quiet to avoid unwanted attention. While I would love for you to show me around the castle, I do not think it would be very wise.”

Will nodded sadly.

Lyssa took a pastry and began to spread blackberry preserves on one end. She smiled at him and said, “We could go blackberry picking.”

Will returned her smile. “If you want to. Or you could choose something we haven't done already.”

“Would it be all right to walk around the surrounding countryside?”

“An even better idea is to ride.”

“Horses?”

“Well… unless you planned on riding donkeys.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“The donkeys?”

“No,” she laughed. “Riding horses around the countryside.”

“I like the idea, too. We can bring a picnic lunch with us.”

Lyssa was determined to enjoy her time rather than let it be spoilt by her dread of that evening. The weather proved ideal for riding - breezy with the sun shining around puffy white clouds. As they rode, Will told her about the area; he told her its history, its main characters, and its habits. Somehow, he made her forget the impending royal meeting, he made her laugh, and she actually discovered she was enjoying herself.

They neared the castle as the sun set behind the hills, leaving a spectacular show of orange, purple and deep blue colours on the horizon. Lyssa decided to ask Will a question that had been at the back of her mind for some time. “Don't you think this is sort of a rash decision?”

Will looked to his left at her, puzzled. “What is?”

“We've known each other only for two days. Do you not think it is foolish to make such a big decision like marriage - and your marriage as a prince makes it even more important - based on knowing a person for one day?”

Will nodded in understanding. “If you think about it, I got to know you five times more than any bride I would have picked from the ball.”

She had forgotten that he was supposed to have chosen his bride at the ball.

“Why didn't your parents arrange a marriage for you? Isn't that the usual way of things?”

“I… uh… put up a bit of a fuss when they suggested it.” He looked slightly sheepish.

She turned her keen eye on him, raising one eyebrow in the fashion he was growing to adore. He grinned mischievously.

“You've already seen how I like to escape the castle. I simply threatened to run away if they tried to arrange my marriage. But then, of course, it gave them the opportunity to push me into a marriage. The longer I put off choosing a bride, the more they began to plan an arrangement. The ball was actually a compromise.”

Another thought occurred to her - a horrible thought that would not go away once it had entered into her mind. She did not want to voice it. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer, and she didn't know what good it would be to know the answer anyway. But the horrible thought still plagued her. Lyssa focused her gaze on the view of the road between her horse's perked ears.

Though he had known her for so short a time, Will perceived something was bothering her. He waited, hoping she would tell him without his having to ask her. When the heavy silence continued for many minutes, Will gave in. He knew he was asking much of her to take this leap of faith for him. He already understood from the previous evening that she did not agree to marry him for her own ambition. Rather, she had agreed for his sake, and for the sake of what she felt for him - or what he hoped she felt for him.

“Lyssa,” he said.

She looked over at him questioningly. He held her gaze. She looked back down again, knowing what his look meant but not wanting to say anything.

Will maneuvered his horse close enough to hers to grab her hand in his left.

“Tell me.”

It sounded like a command, but a gentle one said in a tone that would allow her to disobey it only at the risk of disappointing him.

Now that she meant to express her horrible thought, she could not find a way to put it into a coherent stream of words. And even as she made the attempt she became more aware of how horrible it would be to express it. However, she did try and make him understand how she felt. “Am I…. Are you using me…” it sounded so much like an accusation. “Is your decision to marry me… an … act of rebellion and defiance against your parents?”

“No.”

That was all he said, but for some reason, his simple, honest, firm answer did more to convince her than any speech or shocked protestations.

He did elaborate further after a few moments, his tone low and earnest while his steady gaze held hers. “I had an escape plan all laid out. There was no way I was going to settle for a bride merely because it was convenient for my parents. I want someone who I can trust, enjoy, respect, and if I am lucky, love. It just happened that I found that person on the day my parents expected me to announce my decision.”

It seemed so unreal. She gazed at him, gauging his sincerity by his open expression. In another, distant part of her mind she wondered if it was a birthright that princes should be so handsome.

“I'm sorry,” she whispered.

“Don't be. You have every right to be suspicious.”

“It wasn't suspicion,” she protested. “I'm just… wary. And not a little disbelieving.”

“Do you trust me?” he gently asked.

“I will.”

“But not right now?”

“Give me some time. It takes time to build trust.”

They reached the path that led into the gardens.

“Wait here. I'll ride in and get Mistress Reynolds to come and take you to your room.”

Lyssa understood the need to retain secrecy. Will leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Don't worry about this evening.”

Lyssa gave him a dubious look before he turned and made his way to the castle entrance. Lyssa dismounted and found a relatively smooth rock to sit on. She propped her head in her hands, avoiding the wounds, and tried to think about whether she had made a wise decision. Supposing she had said no, she would have missed him for sure, but she wasn't sure if she would have forgotten him over time and then married happily in her province. Lyssa sighed. She had never exactly fit in with the populace there in the first place. And her mother was forever telling her to keep her pert opinions to herself. Maybe she wasn't meant to live a provincial life. But then she considered palatial life. She didn't think she fit in that society, either. Only when she considered Will did she feel like she belonged somewhere. He made her feel at ease and seemed to like her for who she was.

Lyssa stood up at the sound of footsteps coming through the garden's gravel pathway. Mistress Reynolds appeared around the bend and smiled at her.

“Come along, my dear. We haven't much time to get you ready.”

Lyssa felt the bottom of her stomach drop as she remembered the impending royal meeting. Her face must have shown it for Mistress Reynolds took her hand and patted it consolingly.

“You must show strength, child. Keep your head up, stand tall, and be proud of who you are.”

It was the best advice Lyssa could have received. It nudged her pride into action once more. Besides, what was the worst that could happen? The King and Queen would be displeased with what they saw and she would begin the journey home to her normal, provincial life. It was only then that Lyssa realized just how much she now wanted to stay with Will.

Lyssa meekly followed Mistress Reynolds through the servants' entrance and through the halls to her chamber. A steaming bath was ready for her and Mistress Reynolds soon had Lyssa stripped of her clothes and cleaning off the day's grime in the water.

Lyssa's apprehension only grew as the preparations for her royal meeting progressed. Mistress Reynolds brought out a long, lovely gown of a soft, pale green. The dressmakers had only had time to embroider it with a winding vine pattern along the two princess seams on the bodice. Lyssa was grateful it was a dress she was comfortable wearing.

While Mistress Reynolds put Lyssa's hair up into a delicate but beautiful arrangement on the top of her head, she explained the procedure of the meeting.

“The private audience chamber is on the fifth floor of the central tower. It is relatively small with two ordinary thrones by the fireplace.” Lyssa didn't know there existed ordinary thrones. She knew only of extraordinary ones. “The King and Queen should stand when you come in. You must walk toward them and then when you're a small distance away, you curtsey low, count to three seconds, and then say `Good evening, Your Majesties.' After that… well… you'll just have to improvise.”

Lyssa felt such pressure by this point she nearly whimpered from despair.

“Here, put these on to cover the wounds on your palms.” Mistress Reynolds handed Lyssa a pair of long, white cotton gloves that just covered the palms and went around her thumb. They concealed the wounds nicely.

“Don't worry, you'll be fine. Now, you look lovely, dear.” Lyssa carefully stood and moved away from the stool she'd sat on while Mistress Reynolds had fixed her hair. The woman sighed and smiled. “You really do look lovely.”

Lyssa's confidence was somewhat boosted by this comment. “Thank you for all your help.”

“Well… it is in my interest to help you.”

Lyssa looked puzzled.

“Should you and His Highness get married, you would be my future Queen. I have seen enough nobles and people of all classes in my life to spot a character worth keeping. His Highness seems very happy with you and that is what would be best for this kingdom.”

Lyssa was not a little stunned at this speech. She now felt a sense of duty to her kingdom settle on her shoulders. It was a new feeling for her, but she now realized it was what was constantly weighing Will down. The more she could take on her shoulders, the less it would burden him.

Mistress Reynolds turned and opened the door. “Come along. Try and look casual, like you're not going to meet your royal in-laws for the first time.”

Lyssa followed, keeping her head bowed and her eyes on Mistress Reynolds' heels. Her gown flowed behind her elegantly as her soft, slippered feet moved across the marble and stone floors.

Finally, Mistress Reynolds stopped, asked her to wait for a few seconds and went inside a set of large dark paneled doors. Lyssa's hands felt clammy and damp with sweat. She was thankful her gloves would disguise any evidence of her nervousness. She took a deep, slow breath and closed her eyes, imagining the meadow where she had become acquainted with her fiancé. It helped slightly.

The door opened and Mistress Reynolds beckoned her into the private audience chamber of the King and Queen. It was much larger than she expected, walls flanked by vibrant tapestries and a long, rich carpet leading to the huge fireplace at the end of the hall. On either side was a large wooden chair. Standing in front were the King and Queen, watching her carefully, steadily walk toward them. Beside the King's chair, standing just in the shadow of the King, stood Will, smiling at her.

That, more than anything Mistress Reynolds had done or said, gave her the confidence she needed to walk forward with her head held high, stop ten feet from the royal couple and curtsey as low as she could without losing her balance. She looked at the carpet for three seconds, then rose gracefully to face them.

“Good evening, Your Majesties,” Lyssa said in a clear, firm voice.

“Good evening to you, my dear,” said the King.

He had called her `my dear,' that must surely be a good sign. As she looked at him, the King had a gentle look on his rather austere countenance. His dark brown eyes, Will's eyes, put her more at ease.

“It is nice to have the opportunity to get a closer look at you than we were afforded last night.”

Lyssa suddenly realized that they would have been present at the ball and witness to her rather ignominious flight. She dropped her eyes and felt the heat rise in her face.

“Yes,” she began. “I apologise for my hasty exit. I had been given… rather a fright.”

“I'm sure it would be,” the Queen spoke.

Lyssa wondered how much Will had told them. It did seem ridiculous that she would not have recognized the prince. But she doubted many peasants in the land would recognize any of the nobility without their usual trappings and finery.

The Queen gently suggested, “Why don't we all sit down?”

Lyssa turned and saw that Mistress Reynolds had brought forward two more chairs and placed them in front of the thrones. Lyssa settled into one of them and only just remembered not to cross her legs and to keep her back straight.

“Fitzwilliam informs us that he has chosen you as his bride.”

Obviously the King wanted to get down to business, thought Lyssa. She glanced at Will and then replied, “Yes, he has informed me of that as well.”

This caused the King to give her a second, closer look, which Lyssa calmly returned. Finally, he continued, “You have grown up on a farm, have you not?”

“I grew up on an orchard, Your Majesty. My father's estate produces various fruits and nuts.”

“Do you feel prepared to undertake such a position as the wife of the heir to the throne?”

“No, not yet. But I am adept at learning and adapting.” She paused, uncertain of how to refer to Will. She decided to just use the only name she knew him by. “Will has expressed confidence that I will do fine.”

“We understood you two to have been acquainted but two days.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“How can he have formed such a judgment of your abilities after such a short acquaintance?”

“I'm sorry sir, but you would have to ask him that yourself,” Lyssa replied firmly, feeling her irritation increase. For goodness' sake, Will was sitting right beside her.

The King ignored her impertinent comment. “Do you yourself feel capable of fulfilling the role expected of you?”

Having now had a glimpse of the Queen, she had begun to assume that as a princess and queen she would be expected to remain quiet, passive and acquiescent. This was something she did not feel she would be able to do. Lyssa decided to continue diplomatically. “It depends on what is expected of me. I'm afraid I have no familiarity with the royal court.”

There was a long pause broken only by the crackling of the wood in the fire.

“You will be expected to bear children.”

“As far as I know, I am able to do so, Your Majesty,” Lyssa replied, her face becoming hot at such a subject.

“You must entertain visiting diplomats and nobility.”

“I have full control over my temper and manners under stress, Your Majesty,” Lyssa replied calmly, though she didn't believe a word she said. She wondered what the punishment was for lying to the King.

He didn't say anything for several moments. “The wedding would most likely be scheduled for next spring. What would you do in the meantime?”

Lyssa noticed that he kept talking in terms of possibilities. “I shall return to my father until such time I am required to be here. Only my father and my older sister would be made aware of my situation.”

“How much do you know of politics?”

“I am most familiar with politics dealing with the kingdom of Eos, which is very close to my father's estate. And I have first-hand knowledge of politics in my province.” Lyssa slipped her hands into her sleeves, her right hand fingering the bracelet and coat of arms Will had given her. She had tried to return it to him that morning, but he had insisted she keep it. Now, it served to give her comfort, and she remembered Mistress Reynolds' words to her earlier: she must show strength. Perhaps this entire interrogation was a test of her strength. Certainly if she displayed her composure under such pressure as this, visiting diplomats and nobility would be relaxing.

“Why did you agree to marry Fitzwilliam?”

To Lyssa, the answer seemed obvious. Then she reminded herself that the court was different from her home, where people generally only married for love. Still, she didn't feel comfortable saying it aloud. She cleared her throat and resisted the incredible urge to squirm in her seat. Instead, she gripped her wrists tightly. She also didn't want her reply to sound like she was marrying him merely because Will wanted her to.

“Will had become … dear to me and the prospect of spending my life with him was agreeable.” It sounded so cold to her ears. She wished Will wasn't witness to this examination. She couldn't wait to get out of the royal presence and relax into his arms. She ached to feel his embrace by this point. “The decision was not made lightly, I can assure you.”

The Queen spoke, then, so softly Lyssa almost didn't hear her. “Do you want to do this?”

This time Lyssa did shift in her seat, avoiding the Queen's piercing gaze. “I am willing to undertake a new life that intimidates me in order to remain by Will's side, which is what I want.”

The Queen met the King's gaze. The King stood and held his hand out to Lyssa. Tentatively, she put her hand into his. He lifted it and kissed it gently. “I look forward to getting to know you better when you become my daughter.”

Lyssa could hardly grasp his meaning. She managed to remain calm. “I reciprocate the sentiment, Your Majesty,” Lyssa said, standing up.

The Queen moved forward to Lyssa, put her hands on Lyssa's shoulder, then leaned down to kiss both of Lyssa's cheeks, smiling gently at her.

Lyssa must have had a dazed look on her face, for Will turned her face to his with a gentle hand on her cheek. He leaned down and kissed her softly and swiftly. Lyssa closed her eyes, savouring his touch. When they parted, Lyssa blushed to have been so intimate with him in front of the King and Queen.

To her surprise, however, the King was actually smiling. When he spoke, his countenance became grave once more. “Return to your father safely, and be wise during the interval between now and your wedding.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lyssa dipped a shallow curtsey to them before the King and Queen left the chamber. As the doors closed, leaving Lyssa and Will alone, she wanted to collapse in the chair with relief, but Will grabbed her waist and spun her around in circles laughing.

“Will!” she cried, gripping his strong shoulders as tightly as she could with her injured hands.

He set her down and kissed her firmly. “You were incredible!” he exclaimed.

She didn't feel too much like celebrating, however. In fact, she felt her ire rising. “Could you not have warned me they would interrogate me like that? I wanted to just snap at them and tell them it was all your doing anyway.” Lyssa rubbed her forehead and eyes.

“I'm sorry.”

Lyssa looked up at him warily. “Did you know it was going to be like that?”

“Not exactly, no.”

She wanted to be annoyed with him for putting her in such a difficult situation, but she couldn't find the energy. Instead, she said, “Please don't do that again.”

“Do what?”

“Lead me into a situation unprepared for what you knew I was to face.”

Will did begin to look somewhat sorry. “I will try to do better.”

Lyssa was finally able to sink into the chair behind her, resting her head in her hand. She kept her eyes closed, breathing in deeply, trying to contain her passionate emotions. They seemed to be feuding inside of her. She wanted to be angry with Will for the ordeal, angry at the King and Queen for being so cold, relief that it was over, happiness that the last barrier to the marriage had been removed, but also fearful and apprehensive over agreeing to a role she now did not feel anxious to take on.

Will noticed her subdued mood. He knelt beside her and asked softly, “Are you angry with me?”

Lyssa sighed. “I'm trying not to be.”

“Why are you so upset? You succeeded in winning my parents' approval.”

Lyssa then discovered what was bothering her. She stood up suddenly and strode rapidly to the fire, turning and nearly clenching her hands in order to rein in her escaping temper. She spoke rapidly in clipped tones. “I did not exactly come to the castle with designs of becoming your wife. You remember: I was convinced I wouldn't get near the prince and had no illusions about it whatsoever. I didn't welcome the opportunity to become your wife with open arms. You had to use your powers of persuasion. This hasn't been easy for me, it is something I am apprehensive about, but … I care for you and have faith in you enough to trust that this is something I should do. It was therefore disappointing, not to mention hurtful, to be treated by your parents as if I were some girl whose very designs from the crib were to catch you as my husband merely to have the prestige.”

Will walked slowly over to her and took her fingers into his hands, a gentle expression on his face. He waited several moments before he spoke, waiting for her distressed face to relax. Looking at her intensely, he said, “I'm sorry. I am fully aware that you are no such young woman. You are remarkable in more ways than just that. But you must understand that my parents have a duty to be cautious, not only for my sake, but for the sake of the kingdom. You also have no idea what kind of an impression you made on them.”

She snorted tearfully. “What? A bad one?”

“No! Quite the opposite, I assure you! You were diplomatic and didn't allow my father to fluster you. You didn't divulge any information you didn't want to. You behaved impeccably, but at the same time showed them that you could be strong enough against the nobles and politicians of this court. They were impressed with you. They didn't expect me to find someone so well suited for me and to be Queen.”

Lyssa couldn't believe it. She just simply was skeptically incredulous. She wiped her damp cheeks with one hand. “You're just saying that to make me feel better.”

“I can assure you I am not,” Will replied in such a firm tone with a hint of resentment at being so accused that Lyssa felt compelled to believe him. His offended expression relaxed into one of concern. He pulled her into his embrace and bowing his head so his mouth was next to her ear, he whispered, “As sure as I love you, you will suit the role of my wife. You are exactly what I need.”

She sniffed and whispered back, “What about what I need?”

“What do you need? Tell me,” he implored.

“I need a haven of happiness and love. You are not an island. You belong to a family. If I were happy with you and at odds with your family, I would be unhappy and discontent.”

“My parents will learn to love you as they do me. Just give them time. I'm sorry they did not welcome you with open arms. That's just not how they are.”

Lyssa knew she was being silly. What kind of king and queen would they be if they did just let her waltz in and marry their son when they knew so little of her? Especially when what little they did know was so dubious. She buried her face in his shoulder and cried a little more. He felt her short breaths and heard her sniff. Holding her more tightly, he rubbed her back and whispered to her, “It's all right. Don't fret any more. I know this has been difficult for you. I wish I could have made it easier.”

After several minutes, she managed to pull herself together. She pulled away and wiped her face. Will took it in both his hands, looking down at her a little from his height. He wiped some tears from her cheeks and looked into her brown eyes. He gazed at her several moments before leaning down to kiss her ever so gently. When he pulled away, he said, “I have someone I would like you to meet - someone who will welcome you with open arms.” Will smiled wryly. “He greets everyone with open arms. Wait here.”

Will released her and walked rapidly out of the hall. Lyssa sighed shakily, using her glove to wipe her face off and try to compose herself enough to receive company. She sat down on the stone hearth in front of the fire, feeling the comforting warmth emanating from the shimmering embers. She became entranced - mesmerized - by the flickering cinders. It was difficult imagining her future at this point in time. She couldn't imagine her life as a princess here in the castle. But she also could not imagine returning to continue her old life like it had been.

Lost in her thoughts, she did not hear Will enter the hall with his guest. They walked toward the fireplace, their footfalls muffled by the carpet. Will's pace slowed as he neared her. She looked like a vision as she sat there, the fire's soft glow lighting her serene countenance.

“Lord, Will, she's lovely!” he heard his friend breathe in his ear.

That she was. The comment, however, brought him back to himself. He moved toward her and she looked up, startled.

“I'm sorry,” she laughed a little. “I was … thinking.”

“Drowning in thought, I would say. I thought I'd lost you,” Will teased, helping her to her feet. “Allow me to introduce you to my most trusted and beloved friend, Charles Bailey.”

Lyssa curtseyed to the tall, dashing, blonde man. Charles Bailey bowed low to her in turn, then straightened with a grin on his face. “Forgive me, my lady, if I am not yet coherent. If I didn't know Will never fooled people, I would most certainly believe he was trying to fool me by telling me he is engaged. I am still quite in shock.”

Lyssa smiled at him. “I confess, I am still not over the shock myself. It may take me several years to absorb the truth of it. And what do you do for the prince that he calls you his most trusted and beloved friend?”

“Ah… clean after his messes, would you not say so, my Lord?” Charles turned to Will with a mischievous look.

“Among other things,” Will added dryly. With a more serious look, he told Lyssa, “Charles runs important errands of state on my behalf, he is my fencing partner, and he is my bodyguard.”

“I also stand in for him at social events he wishes to avoid at all costs,” added Charles. “I have played the prince to numerous visiting diplomats and royalty.”

“I'm sorry,” Lyssa replied gravely. “I had no idea you were so essential to him. We must become great friends, then.”

Charles took her outstretched hand and bowed over it, kissing it gallantly, but not flippantly. “I would do me great honour, my lady.”

“Oh goodness! Do not call me that for I am no lady,” she protested laughingly.

Will opened his mouth to object, but Charles replied, “I use it more as a mark of respect and a result of the person I see before me, not as a title.”

Lyssa was chagrined to feel herself blushing. “Thank you,” she mumbled.

Will suddenly sat down in his father's chair, looking every bit the rightful resident, and gestured to the two chairs in front of him. “Sit down, for we have much to discuss.”

Charles and Lyssa obediently sat down, this time Lyssa allowed herself to cross her legs, though a bit gingerly as a result of her still-painful wounds on her knees.

Will began. “I told you, Charles, that Lyssa lives on an orchard in a small province in the southeast corner of the kingdom. We have decided that it is best for her to return to her father's estate for the duration of our engagement. Indeed, no one even knows about the engagement but Mistress Reynolds and my parents. We must keep it secret for Lyssa's safety. I shall visit Lyssa and will write to her.”

Charles nodded as if he already understood why Will was telling him this and what was expected of him. “Shall I accompany you to the province in order to learn the way?”

“We leave tomorrow morning.”

“Very good, Your Majesty.”

“Wait a moment,” Lyssa put it. “It must be a good day's ride to my home. You cannot expect Charles to do so much traveling just to be our messenger.”

“Lyssa, if we are to keep our relationship secret and secure, we must be confident that our correspondence does not fall into the wrong hands.”

“Do not worry, my lady. It will not take me as long as you believe. I would have fast horses at my disposal at ready intervals. These delicate tasks are my purpose.”

Lyssa still did not feel comfortable, but understood their reasoning for its necessity.

Charles stood and said, “If we are to make a journey tomorrow, I have several things to attend to. We shall have the opportunity to talk and discuss tomorrow. If you will excuse me my Lord, my lady,” Charles bowed, “I shall say good night.”

“Good night, my friend.”

“Good night, sir.”

Charles stopped and turned on his heel after several steps. “And may I say congratulations to you both. I am sure you will make a wonderful King and Queen together.”

When the man had left the hall, Will turned to Lyssa. “So?”

“So what?” asked Lyssa, puzzled.

“What do you think of him?”

“He seems a delightful man, and it does my mind great ease to know he befriends and protects you.”

“He is handsome is he not?”

In an offhand way, Lyssa said, “Hmm… I suppose so, but he is more my sister Jane's taste than mine.”

“Hmm.”

Lyssa looked sharply at him. Suddenly, she shot up from her chair and began to walk as rapidly as she could to the door of the chamber.

Confused, Will called after her. “Lyssa?”

She ignored him and kept on walking, nearly running. Will did run to catch up to her before she reached the door. He leaned on the huge wooden portal as she tried to pull it open enough to escape through it.

Grabbing her wrists and pulling her in front of him, he asked, “Lyssa! What is the matter?”

“It angers me enough that you do not know. It means you are becoming mentally lax.”

Will looked stunned.

Seeing his continued ignorance, Lyssa snapped, “What was that last question about? You asked me if I thought your friend handsome. Why would you ask me that if you did not doubt my faithfulness to you? What man asks about his friend's appearance unless it bothers him in some manner?”

“No, you are wrong.”

“Am I? Will, that is horrid!” Her face showed her revulsion. “In fact, perhaps this is for the best. Here,” she took off the chain and seal from her wrist, stuffing it into his hand. “Don't bother about an escort tomorrow. I'm quite capable of traveling on my own.”

She pulled open the massive door with some effort, but Will slammed it shut before she could slip through. She stepped back away from the door and kept her eyes focused stubbornly on the brass door handle.

Silence engulfed them for several minutes.

“If you are so quick to become jealous of your `most trusted and beloved friend,' what will become of you when I must entertain the court, some of them quite determined and experienced womanizers? Not only is it the deepest insult you could give me, it is also most wounding to your best friend!”

“Lyssa, please,” Will began. “I did not know what I meant when I said it. It just came out. It was a silly, irrational thought that escaped my mental doorkeeper and passed through my mouth. I know in my heart of hearts that the idea of you and he betraying me is preposterous. But you must understand that Charles has had a way with women since we became men. I never minded before. Only now, I did wonder if you would not have preferred him had he found you first. Would you have been more eager to leave your province for him?”

“If you were being assailed with doubts of your own worth and my devotion to you, why did you not ask me outright, instead of insinuating through deceptive questions?”

“I should have said something directly to you, I see that,” Will replied with shame.

“Good. I'm glad you do. How long do you think we'll last if you become jealous at the tiniest provocation? You must trust me, or else our union will fail, and I shall retreat sooner rather than later to ensure that I have time enough to get a new position in life.”

“I understand and you are perfectly right. I shall not make erroneous and damaging assumptions about you.”

“No, it must go beyond that. Don't just not make them, don't even think of them. Just trust me. And if you have doubts, you must tell me of them so I might put you straight before the thought eats at your mind.”

Will nodded, looking properly humbled, not attempting to speak.

Lyssa sighed gustily and rubbed her eyes with one hand. “And I must learn to control my temper,” she muttered.

Neither said anything for several minutes, both wondering how to proceed with the other. Finally, Lyssa moved toward him, reached up to cup his cheek with one hand and kissed him softly. “You forgive me?” he whispered.

“I must,” she replied.

He captured the hand on his face, pulling it down. “Then may I return this to its rightful place?” He held the chain and seal in his other hand.

“Are you sure this is wise? I mean, this is like your badge of office.”

“You don't have one yet, and I shall have another one made for my use. It means a lot to me for you to wear this.” He clasped the chain around her wrist.

“How will I explain this to my friends and family at home?”

“Have you had any ideas on how to explain any of this to them? You'll have to explain why a handsome young man travels a great distance to visit you.”

“I could say I'm engaged but to a man who works in the castle.”

“Yes.”

“But doing what? What do you do here in the castle, my dear fiancé?”

“Um… I work as a butler?”

“Don't ask me, I have no idea what people do in this place.”

“All right then. You're engaged to a butler.”

“And this seal is merely …”

“…Merely the only family heirloom I own and gave to you as a token of my devotion.”

“What is your name, my beloved butler?”

“I should think it best for you to call me Will. Nobody will think Fitzwilliam from that.”

Lyssa nodded. She reached up and slid her arms around his neck, resting her head against his shoulder. Will wrapped his arms around her body. “It's been a long day and we have another long one tomorrow. You should get to sleep.”

“Hmm….”

“Come on, Lyssa.”

She reluctantly pulled away and kissed his cheek. “Lead the way to my room, then.”

“I daren't. Let me fetch Mistress Reynolds.”

Lyssa waited until Will returned with Mistress Reynolds.

“Good night, Will,” she said, then followed Mistress Reynolds to her chamber where she crawled gratefully into her bed. But she could not sleep for a good hour for all the thoughts that swirled in her head.

Chapter Four

Posted on Monday, 15 September 2003

Mistress Reynolds woke Lyssa early the next morning as the sun was just rising in the east. She had already packed her sack with food and the few belongings she came with. Her blue and yellow dress was already laid out and waiting for her.

Lyssa slid out of the huge bed and asked Mistress Reynolds, “What is to become of the gowns that have been ordered for me?”

“They shall be stowed away safely to await your return, my lady. And I've put some extra bandages for your hands into your bag.”

“Thank you.”

Lyssa dressed and had her hair put up. Then Mistress Reynolds led her through the servants' halls and out a side entrance into the garden. They walked through the garden to the back entrance that led to the road east.

“They shall be along to meet you shortly.”

“Thank you ever so much, Mistress Reynolds.” Lyssa hugged the woman who patted her shoulder awkwardly.

“There, there. Very well. His Highness has impressed me suitably with his choice of bride. I think you will do very well as his wife. I know you will keep him in line.”

Lyssa smiled and nodded.

“Be safe, my dear.”

Mistress Reynolds left her standing alone at the edge of the garden. Lyssa turned around and surveyed as much of the castle and grounds as she could see from her position. She tried to commit as much of it to memory as she could. Presently, she heard the sounds of several horses coming up the road.

Will and Charles appeared, riding tall on their horses. Charles led a third horse behind him which appeared to be a packhorse, carrying four saddle bags. When they reached her, both men dismounted. Will drew her to him and kissed her softly.

“Good morning.”

Smiling at him mischievously, she returned the greeting.

Looking at her suspiciously, he asked, “What is it?”

“What?”

“You look like you're up to something.”

“Nothing that you aren't up to as well. I find it rather amusing the three of us stealing away from the castle like outlaws.”

Charles snorted. “You didn't see us trying to hide the fact from the stable boys that we were saddling this old girl with a lady's side saddle. They are nosy little buggars.”

Will cleared his throat pointedly.

“Oh, pardon my language, my lady,” Charles hastily added.

“Good grief! I've heard far worse than that from my little sister. You need not consider my ears so delicate. I probably know more swear terms than His Highness here.”

Charles laughed. “Would you teach me some?”

“Charles!” exclaimed Will.

“Come off it, Will,” scolded Lyssa. “If you don't want to listen you don't have to.” She caught his eye and raised one warning eyebrow. “You're not going to turn overprotective of me are you?”

“No,” he grumbled.

Will went to move the saddlebags from the third horse to theirs. Charles moved to help, then put her own sack behind the saddle. Will lifted her up onto the saddle so she was settled.

“I hate riding side saddle,” she muttered.

“You can sit astride once we've left this province.”

Charles and Will mounted their horses and the three set forth along the road. They soon turned left onto a rocky path through the woods in order to avoid the busier high road.

It took several minutes for Lyssa to get comfortable. She had always disliked riding side saddle. Not only did she feel quite unsafe, perched precariously on top of a moving animal, but she also felt uncomfortable.

For the first half hour, Lyssa told Charles about swear words, her sisters, and then the various interesting neighbours in the region she lived in. Will listened contentedly in silence. He was happy with her. Every so often she would turn and catch his eye and smile brightly, lifting his heart as she did so. He wished he could hold her hand, kiss her, hold her, not let her go. While he knew the plan of leaving her safely, anonymously with her family was necessary, he disliked it more and more as they drew closer to her province.

When there was a lull in the conversation, Will suggested, “Why don't we get our stories straight?”

Charles and Lyssa looked at him in amused puzzlement. Realising that they hadn't been privy to his inner train of thought, he explained, “How are we going to explain this whole scheme to the public? Who am I to your family and neighbours? Who is Charles and what's his relation to you and me? How are we going to have me marry you without it turning into a fiasco? Things like that.”

“Oh,” said Lyssa. Then gave it some thought for several moments. “Well… we've already decided that you're a butler in the castle.”

“What am I, then?” asked Charles.

“You can't be his servant of anything.”

“Could I be a friend?”

“A friend who rides fifty leagues to deliver letters?” snorted Lyssa.

“What do you suggest, since you're the cunning one?” asked Will.

“Why could he not be a messenger to Lord Albester?”

“Who is Lord Albester?” asked Will.

“Aren't you supposed to know your own court?”

“Yes, but it doesn't mean I do.”

“He's the lord of my province.”

“If he claims he is a messenger to Lord Albester, then he would actually have to deliver messages to him.”

“Don't you have messengers to and from the castle?”

“Yes, but not ones that only go to and from one place.”

“How convincing does this story have to be?” asked Lyssa.

“Pretty convincing,” Charles spoke up gravely.

“Why?” she asked.

“For your safety - both of you. There should be no doubts and no ties between you leaking out.”

“You're not getting a bit paranoid, are you Charles?” said Lyssa.

“No, my lady. It is my job to think of these things, and I have made it my livelihood to do so.”

His tone of voice and the look on his face made Lyssa realize that she was putting herself in some danger by linking herself with Will. The thought was a sobering one, but did not give her fear. Rather, it made her consider her position more seriously, adding more weight of responsibility to her shoulders.

“What do you advise?”

“I think the messenger idea is a good one. But to make it convincing, it should be partially true. I shall take up the position of a messenger, deliver messages like I am supposed to, but I shall drop in on your farm frequently.”

“What is your excuse for doing that?”

“I shall have befriended you of course.”

Before Will could protest this, Lyssa hurriedly said, “I have a better idea. Why don't you befriend one of my sisters? If I am engaged, it would hardly be proper for you to visit me so frequently. If you were seeking my sister, however, it would be seen as perfectly natural.”

“I could never give such a false impression to your sister.”

“She need have no illusions. Jane is my confidant and I have every intention of telling her the truth about what has happened at the castle. Her and my father. You needn't mind about deluding my other sisters and mother. Mother will be absolutely delighted, and will most likely give you every opportunity to advance your relationship with Jane.”

Will added, “And I would feel a lot easier if you were checking in on Lyssa regularly, Charles. I shall visit as often as I am able without raising suspicion.”

“All right?” asked Lyssa.

Charles still seemed hesitant.

“We can ask Jane her opinion of the plan if you are still unsure.”

“All right. What about the rest of the court?” asked Charles.

“Why can't I be who I am?”

“Apart from making your political career difficult from the beginning,” Will said caustically, “It could also make things difficult for your family. You've already expressed a wish not to have your family moved to the castle.”

“It wouldn't work to say I'm from somewhere else, would it?”

“No, that would prove difficult. People would investigate wherever we said you were from.”

“We can't fabricate an entire history for me, could we?”

Will shook his head. No one spoke for a while, each thinking and considering various options.

After discussing several different ideas, the trio decided to put the issue aside for a while. They dismounted and rested the horses at midday, eating a small lunch from the saddlebags.

Lyssa, enjoying her time with Will while it lasted, was in her element, lying in the field by the side of the road. The sky was fairly overcast, but it was still dry.

Lyssa wrinkled her nose in distaste at the apple she had been provided. Will chuckled at her.

“Just you wait until we get home. I'll show you some apples unsurpassed in the kingdom,” she stated.

“You will, huh?”

She nodded emphatically.

The sky continued to darken as they continued their journey south. Finally, Charles asked, “Shall we find shelter before it rains or shall we continue on?”

“Where do you intend to find shelter?”

“At the next village there should be an inn.”

“That would be an excellent way to bring attention to ourselves,” Lyssa said. “Why don't we just find an old barn?”

Lyssa realised then that the prince and his bodyguard had probably never taken shelter in an abandoned barn before.

She slapped the reins onto her horse's neck and nudged her forward. “I'll find one for us. Hurry up or we'll be wet.”

Nevertheless, it was beginning to pour steadily when Lyssa spotted a structure on a hill top above the road. She turned her horse from the road and began breaking a path through thick underbrush. She glanced behind her to see Will and Charles following.

Ten minutes later, she dismounted and opened the double doors with some difficulty due to their long disuse. She led her horse inside and took her sack off of him. She set it out to dry, shaking her thick, woolen cloak to dry off. It was quite dark inside the barn, but there were enough holes in the wooden siding to let in enough light to see by.

Will and Charles walked in leading their mounts and waited for their eyes to adjust to the gloom.

After taking a long look around, Will said, “This beats a suite at an inn any day.”

“If you don't like it, you can keep riding in the rain,” Lyssa snapped.

“Hey, I wasn't being sarcastic. I've never roughed it like this.”

“There's always a first for everything.”

“Are you all right with this, Charles?” Will asked.

“Definitely. I'm more used to sleeping out in the open with the elements.”

“We passed other barns earlier, how did you know this one was abandoned?” Will queried Lyssa.

“Because of the neglect of the fields surrounding it. You noticed the brush we had to come through.”

Charles looked at Will and said, “She's good.”

Will grinned.

Lyssa brushed at the floor with her feet and settled down on the dirty floor. She looked up at the two men still standing rather awkwardly. “It's not going to get any cleaner. Come on, just sit down and relax while you have the opportunity.”

Will sat down beside her while Charles relieved the horses of their burdens.

“Are you hungry? Should we eat now?” asked Lyssa.

“How long do you think we'll be here?”

“Judging by the weather, I think it would be best for us to spend the night here.”

“Then we should wait until we're hungry to eat.”

“Hence my first question,” answered Lyssa, drolly.

“Oh. No, I'm not.”

“Good. Now you can teach me.”

Will looked at her blankly. “I'm sorry. Teach you what?”

“Teach me what I shall need to know.”

“For what?”

“As your wife.”

“Um…” Will began to look uncomfortable. “Like what?”

“The politics of the court. Who should I watch carefully and who is good to have as an ally. That sort of thing.”

“Oh! Right!” Will looked considerably relieved.

Noticing his look, Lyssa smirked and asked, “What did you think I meant?”

Will flushed. “Nothing.”

From the look she gave him, she let him know that she was quite aware it wasn't nothing, but she left him alone.

“I'm going to take the horses outside so they might eat before nightfall.”

He walked out of the barn into the pouring rain, leading the three horses. As soon as he was gone, Will leaned toward Lyssa and kissed her softly but firmly. He pulled away a little and murmured, “I've wanted to do that all day.”

Lyssa's surprised face relaxed into a smile, and she leaned forward to kiss him more firmly. Will's hand crept to her nape while she held his face in hers. When she felt herself getting carried away by the feelings he seemed to evoke in her, he pulled away. Breathing faster than usual, he said in a low voice, “I suppose it's a good thing Charles is here to chaperone us.”

Lyssa chuckled softly. “I'd hardly call Charles a suitable chaperone.”

“Well… he's better than nothing.”

Lyssa asked him seriously, “You wouldn't … if we were alone … would you?”

Will sighed. “Of course not. Charles just makes it easier not to.”

Lyssa shifted closer to him so she could wrap her arms around him and rest her head on his shoulder. He clasped her as a nasty thought entered his mind. Remembering the last time he'd offended her, he decided to ask her honestly.

“Lyssa?”

“Hmm?”

“You've never…. Have you ever loved….”

“No.”

“No?”

She pulled away to look him in the eyes. “I've never loved anyone before. I was… not suitable for a country wife, so no man ever seemed tempted to seek my hand.”

“For which I am heartily grateful,” he murmured.

She smiled at him.

Will saw Charles returning, and pulled away from her after quickly kissing her nose.

“I'm not sure who are the best allies in the court, but I have a veritable list of people to avoid.”

“But isn't that list going to include people who merely wanted you to marry their daughter?”

“Of course. Which makes it an excellent list for you, since I am positive you will have no friends among those people.”

“True,” she admitted ruefully.

“Besides, by the time you arrive at the castle, it is likely that the whole political situation will have changed anyway.”

Using her sack as a pillow, Lyssa lay down, crossing her ankles as she said, “Tell me more about politics in the castle.”

“You really want to know?” asked Will, slightly surprised.

“Yes, I do,” she replied seriously. “Not only does it interest me, but it also makes me feel more prepared.”

“All right, then.” Will settled himself more comfortably facing her. His face was more business-like than she could ever remember seeing it before. “There are essentially three factions in the kingdom. There are the falcons, the rabbits, and the turtles.”

Lyssa laughed. “Are you joking?”

With an earnest face, Will shook his head. “No. I'm perfectly serious. The falcons seem to itch for war. Right now they think we should invade Windham. The rabbits are completely passive, and believe we should allow Handerly its independence. Then the turtles are so indecisive and slow to act they never get anything done.”

“Are you just using those names to make it easier for me to remember?”

“No. They're unofficially referred to by these names in court. Because the three groups aren't exactly grouped neatly into active parties, they don't really have official names. For example, there is a group of falcons who are almost malicious about wanting to go to war. There is a group that just think it's the right thing to do for the glory of the kingdom and all that, and then there is a group which thinks it's necessary to invade in order to protect ourselves. So you see it's not as simple as it seems.”

“What are you?”

Charles snorted. “Turtle,” he mumbled so low that Lyssa wondered if that was truly what he said. When Will shot him a glowering look, she guessed that she had.

She grinned at him. “You're a turtle, eh?”

“No, I'm not,” Will protested.

“What are you then?”

“It is possible for one to be a mixture of the sentiments, and not purely a rabbit or purely a falcon.”

“That's right,” said Charles. “They're called turtles.”

“Charles!” snapped Will.

Charles merely smiled innocently.

Lyssa nudged Will's thigh with her foot. “Continue.”

“It depends on the issue that is being debated,” he hedged.

“Like what? Tell me about some of the debates right now.”

“Some of the falcons believe we should control the northern tip of Windham - basically from the Arnclivian border north to the Arcadian border.”

“Why?”

“It would give us a border with Roble as well as Arncliffe.”

“So what?”

“It means we could trade with them without having to go through another kingdom and pay taxes and be subject to security problems there.”

“Oh, I see.”

“It's a decent idea except for the fact that Windham rather likes its Northern Province.”

“I could imagine.”

“No, they particularly like this province because it is rich with minerals.”

“Why is our reason for gaining that province to do with trade and not the minerals?”

“Ah! See, now you're thinking like a courtier.”

“I don't think I like that much,” Lyssa said, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

“A lot of the nobles who favour the idea of taking over that chunk of Windham are nobles from provinces sharing a border with northern Windham, or very near it. This would mean they would have much easier access to those minerals, and definitely the nobles on the border would want to invade just to enlarge their provinces with the land from north Windham.”

“Makes sense. So why the ruse about trade routes?”

“As long as these falcons say they want north Windham for trade routes, it sounds like a reason much more to do with the welfare of the kingdom as a whole, not just for their own gain.”

“Ah, yes, I see.”

“While espousing the more selfless reason of trade routes, they gain more allies.”

“Yes, they would. What is stopping them from conquering that province, then?”

“Windham. You can imagine that with a province so rich in minerals, they would have plenty of protection established there. They have several formidable castles dominating the hilly countryside, and fiercely loyal subjects living and working there.”

“Does seem to present a difficulty.”

“As well,” Will continued, “You can imagine that both Arcadia and Roble would not be too pleased with us taking it if they seek it, too. They'd rather Windham keep control than let us have it.”

“Why?”

“We would control more strictly. We wouldn't sell nearly as much of the minerals to them as Windham does since we have more need of it in our kingdom. Actually, one plan several years ago, had been to marry me off to Princess Karina of Windham with the condition that north Windham be her dowry.” Will grinned. “But I got out of that one.”

Lyssa didn't smile. Instead, she took off her bandages to inspect her hands. Some of her wounds had reopened from using the reins all day.

“It's all right,” Will assured her. “It wasn't like I wanted to marry her.”

“I know.”

Will figured out that that wasn't what bothered her. “What is it then?” he asked.

“What is what?”

“What's bothering you?”

“Nothing,” she said innocently.

“It's not nothing.”

“No, really.”

Will didn't say anything. He just sat there and watched her avoid him, waiting patiently for her to explain her ire.

Finally she said in a low voice, “I don't have a dowry. My father couldn't afford to since he has five daughters.”

“I know that.”

“But… surely your marriage would do so much more good for the kingdom if you married someone with a dowry like Princess Karina's.”

“First of all, Princess Karina's dowry was not north Windham which is the reason why the marriage didn't go through. And second of all, you are assuming that I would go along with such a marriage. The whole reason for the ball was because I refused to cooperate with an arranged marriage.”

“That doesn't change the fact that it would be much better for the kingdom for you to marry a lady with a dowry to bring to Shire.”

“Shire has more need of a good queen than a lady with a dowry.”

“There have to be ladies in all these kingdoms who have a dowry and would make much better queens that I shall be.”

“But I would not love them. I would not be a happy king. And an unhappy king is the worst thing of all for a kingdom.” Will shifted to sit right beside her torso, leaning over her with a hand on either side of her shoulders. In a low voice he continued, “With you, however, I am happy. With you I feel energized and empowered to do something for the kingdom.” She looked up at his eyes burning into hers. “How can you not admit this is vitally important and beneficial to Shire? At least better than a dowry bringing something the kingdom does not necessarily need. Besides, there was no guarantee what the lady brought as her dowry was going to be the Northern Province in Windham. Often, the ladies brought furniture or carpets for their dowries. Marrying you is the best decision I have ever made as the Prince of Shire.” He leaned down and kissed her firmly, softly … slowly.

Lyssa, aware of Charles' proximity, laid a gentle hand on his cheek and lightly pushed him away. She held his eyes as she delicately traced the features of his face. She decided he had too many worry lines and too few laughter lines. She hoped to do something about that.

“Help me sit up?” she asked him.

He pulled away reluctantly, and pulled her up by the waist. Lyssa rummaged in her sack and found the ointment Mistress Reynolds had given her for her hands. Will took it from her, and gently, deftly applied the ointment to her hands for her.

Charles began to lay out food for their supper, beginning a conversation on Lyssa's family and the orchards.

Soon after supper, Lyssa announced that she was going to sleep. She lay down, using her sack to pillow her head and her now-dry woolen cloak to keep her warm. She was lulled to sleep by the soft, deep murmur of her fiancé and Charles' voices.

Chapter Four - Continued

She was woken some time during the night by a soft, feathery touch on her hair. She turned her head sleepily and could make out Will's outline in the darkness. She wondered how long she had been asleep. She shifted onto her back and noticed Will jerk his hand back. She guessed that he hadn't meant to wake her, and she felt a soft glow of warmth spread through her at the private show of affection toward her.

She sought his hand and squeezed it. “What are you doing up?” she whispered.

“Couldn't sleep,” he replied.

“Why? Are you too used to a soft feather bed?” she half-teased.

“No.” He lay down on his side next to her, leaning his head on his elbow as he gazed down at her. “I'm concerned about you.”

“Why?”

“I don't like leaving you alone for so long.”

“I'm not alone, Will. I'll be with my family like I have been my entire life. I've survived so far.”

“Yes, but now you've stepped into a much bigger and more dangerous world.”

”I only poked my toe into that world. I haven't stepped in completely yet.”

His hand caressed her face, seeking her touch. “Just by agreeing to marry me, you have stepped into my world. Unless you change your mind and will not marry me.”

“So what if I'm in your world now?”

“It's dangerous, especially for someone like you. Hence my worry.”

“What do you mean `someone like me'?”

“You're unused to the malicious games of the court. You're innocent and too trusting.”

“You say that like it's a bad thing.”

“In my world, it is.”

She reached up and carefully, so as not to hurt her hands, took his face in her hands. “I'm more capable than you realize. I shall be all right.”

He didn't say anything for several moments. He merely looked down at her as if memorizing her features. “Lyssa….”

“Yes?” she prompted after several moments of silence.

“If… something should happen….”

She didn't like the sound of that.

“… There is a hermit who lives in the hills of Tatton. She will provide you safe haven from anything. Even me.”

That was something she really did not like. Her eyes searched his in confusion and wariness. In a low, grim voice, she demanded, “Explain yourself, sir.”

“I cannot.”

“You will.”

He paused, then leaned down to kiss her gently. He kissed her a second, then a third time, each one longer and more searching than the last. After the third, Lyssa pushed him away and gave him a look that made him quite aware that she would not let him do anything more until he explained himself. He sighed.

“I do not wish to frighten you.”

“Too late,” she quipped.

“Lyssa, I love you.”

She waited, not allowing herself to be dissuaded.

“Politics can be nasty sometimes. I may be forced to do something I do not want to do. While I do not expect anything of the kind, I want to prepare for the contingency.”

“That what?”

“If I am forced to do something against the one I love.”

“I don't understand.”

“You are now my weakest point, my Achilles' heel. If someone finds out about you, but more importantly about how valuable you are to me and what I would do to prevent any harm coming to you, they could use that to their advantage. It would put both the Shire and you in danger.”

Lyssa felt herself shaking, shivering. She had not realized she meant so much to him. It didn't seem possible that she could after such a short acquaintance. She'd always assumed he was acting on a hunch that they would become a good couple as they got to know one other. He sounded as if she were already something so dear to his heart. While this knowledge was overwhelming in itself, the implication of the danger this presented to both her and him was doubly so.

He felt and saw her reaction. Swearing at himself for telling her, he gathered her up into his arms, wrapping them tightly around her as her head nestled under his chin. He calmed her, soothed her with his hands rubbing her back, his lips kissing her head, and his soft voice whispering reassurances.

Somehow, Lyssa drifted off to sleep while resting contentedly in his arms. She woke up to sunlight coming through the open barn doors and the sound of Charles moving around outside tending the horses.

She discovered herself to be resting her head on Will's shoulder, one arm draped across his chest while his were wrapped around her. She pulled away gently to allow him to continue sleeping. She crept out of the barn and away from Charles to find a private bush to relieve herself.

She recalled Will's conversation last night. It had seemed so real, so frightening during the stormy night. Now, in the glistening morning sunshine, it seemed difficult to imagine such grave futures. She was on her way home, where she would be safe until she could get married.

She returned to the barn and found Will awake. He glanced up at her when she walked in. He held his hand out to her. She hesitated, then walked over to him. He hugged her and asked, “Are you all right?” His eyes searched hers.

She nodded.

After breaking their fast, they mounted their refreshed horses and continued their journey towards her home.

They reached her province by late afternoon. Lyssa was thankful that the daylight would hold until they reached her father's estate. She became more excited and more apprehensive and nervous the closer they came to her home. It had seemed so normal and right at the castle to meet and become engaged to the Crown Prince of Shire. But now that she was in her familiar surroundings, where she had grown up as a provincial nobody, the idea was becoming increasingly preposterous.

But Will had remained by his decision unwaveringly. Unless she begged to be released from their engagement, he seemed determined to see this through. This confidence and determination did much to buoy her own confidence and reassure her.

At dusk, they approached her father's estate.

“This is the boundary of my home.” She turned her horse from the road down a path that followed the inside of a low stone wall built by her ancestors. To their right were rows and rows of different fruit trees. As it was yet still summer, the fruit was young on the bows.

Lyssa looked around her with new vision provided by her first prolonged absence from her home. She adored this place. The grass beneath the trees was bright green and soft. The forest to her left, on the other side of the wall, rustled happily in the evening breeze, as if greeting her.

She continued down the path for ten minutes, then turned right abruptly, walking between a row of apple trees and the beginning of the rows of walnut trees.

Finally, they could see the end of the orchard approaching. It opened out onto a wide field where a cow and three horses grazed lazily in the dusk. Their arrival startled a large flock of starlings. The birds took wing in a cloud of twittering black shadows against the pink dusk. Lyssa paused and watched, looking around her with fondness.

Will stopped beside her. He saw a house at the bottom of the field with a stable nearby. The house was not large by his standards, but supposed it to be a very good establishment for Lyssa's station in life. It was made of sturdy stone with a grey slate roof. The wood trimming on the doors and windows was a lovely green colour, matching but brightening the somber stone. It had two stories of windows, but Will supposed the attic was used, too. It looked cozy. A far cry from his own home - a castle.

“Welcome to my home,” Lyssa said.

Will looked over at her. “Thank you. It's lovely.”

“Come on,” she said, kicking her heels into her horse's flanks. “We should be just in time for supper.”

“I think I should speak to your father first,” Will said as he caught up with her.

“I think so, too.”

Charles came up on her other side, saying, “This is a charming place, my lady.”

“Thank you. It has a special place in my heart.”

“I look forward to spending time here,” Charles replied with a smile lighting up his face.

Lyssa knew that was exactly the kind of comment to make Will's jealousy and envy flare. She looked at him, but only saw a sad wistfulness.

Lyssa dismounted as she saw a head poke through a lower window.

“Lyssa!!!” the head cried, and disappeared.

Chapter Five

Posted on Tuesday, 23 September 2003

The door flew open and figures spilled out of it excitedly. One immediately sprinted toward Lyssa and threw herself at the traveler. Lyssa caught her and spun her around laughing. “Oh Jane!” she cried. Lyssa hugged her as tightly as she could. “How I've missed you!”

It seemed but a brief moment before she was being pulled away and into other hugs with her sister Katy, then her mother and father. Maria kissed Lyssa's cheek and solemnly welcomed her return. Lida just stared at the two gentlemen who now stood beside their mounts silently watching.

“Who are they?” Lida demanded.

At this, the whole family became quiet and turned their attention to the mysterious company. Lyssa took a deep breath, walked forward and with a look that told Will, “This is it!” she took his hand. Leading him forward, she said in a firm voice that belied the bees in her stomach, “This is Will, my fiancé.”

There was a stunned silence.

Into it, Lyssa added, “And that is his friend, Charles.”

Another moment of silence ensued before Lida snorted, “You're joking!”

Lyssa felt Will lace his fingers through hers and squeeze her hand. Lyssa smiled up at him, who returned it with a wry one of his own. “No, I'm not.”

At that, the family erupted again and moved toward the couple en masse. Jane kissed her sister. Lyssa told her fiancé, “This is Jane.”

Will released Lyssa and took Jane's hand, bowing and kissing her hand as he said, “I am delighted to finally meet you. Lyssa has told me only the highest praise of you.”

Jane opened her mouth in shock, and was unable to recover in time before Lyssa said, “This is Maria, Katy, and Lida, my youngest sister.”

Will bowed to each.

“And this is my mother.”

Lyssa's mother bustled forward and took both of Will's hands in her own, squeezing them enthusiastically.

“Forgive me if I am not over my shock, sir. Lyssa is the last of my daughters I would have expected to bring home a fiancé. Oh, I am so delighted!”

Will smiled, replying smoothly, “As am I, Mistress Bent.”

Finally, Lyssa said, “Will, this is my father.”

Will bowed. “Master Bent.”

Master Bent eyed this gentleman keenly with a grave face.

Will said, “I would like to speak with you privately as soon as possible, sir. I have many things to discuss with you, and no doubt you have concerns you will wish to discuss with me.”

“You're absolutely correct in your assumption. Why don't we retire to my study now?”

“Wait a moment, father,” asked Lyssa. She beckoned Charles forward.

Seeing that the horses were content to graze where they were for the moment, he stepped toward the family gathering, feeling not a little awkward and out of place.

He bowed to them all.

“Charles has been good enough to accompany Will and me here.”

Mistress Bent smiled warmly at him. “You are very welcome, sir. Please, come inside with us. We are about to sit down to our evening meal.”

“Thank you, madam. I shall attend to the horses first, if you would not mind allowing me the use of your stable.”

“But of course,” Mistress Bent said. “Oh, and normally Lyssa would be the one to help you, but I suppose she will be giving up those duties now.” Mistress Bent's voice trailed off as she looked dazedly at Lyssa, the realization still sinking in.

Lyssa shook her head. “Not for many months, yet, Mother.”

Charles assured them, “I'm quite capable on my own, thank you.”

Lyssa asked Jane, “Would you be a dear and go with him?”

Jane looked slightly puzzled at being asked but agreed. She took one of the horses and smiled slightly at Charles, leading the way to the stable.

Will caught Lyssa's eye and raised a quizzical eyebrow. She smiled innocently in return and slid her arm through his. They followed everyone inside the house.

In the small central hallway, Mistress Bent announced, “We shall prepare three more places at the table while you talk with Master Bent.”

Lyssa led Will to her father's study and managed to kiss him quickly before her father walked in and shut the door. He stood facing the couple, his face grave, but not angry or antagonistic.

Lyssa decided she had better start. “Father, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Prince Fitzwilliam.”

Will had to be impressed in spite of himself when his future father-in-law's only reaction was to raise one eyebrow. The feeling disappeared when he realized it was merely skepticism.

“Forgive me if I sound rude, but may I see proof?” Will's face must have shown disbelief and surprise, for Master Bent added, “My second daughter has a reputation in this family for playing us for fools. This is exactly the sort of thing I would expect her to do.”

Lyssa's face flushed deep red. Out of anger or mortification, Will didn't know.

“Certainly, sir,” Will said, and turned to look at Lyssa.

“What?” she demanded, hotly. “I've never done any fooling as outrageous as this!”

“That's not what a meant. You have the only proof I could give of my identity.”

“What?”

“The seal.”

“I know what you mean,” she said brusquely. “But… how could you have given me your only way of identifying yourself as the prince?!”

“It was the only thing I have that was truly mine. Everything else seems to belong to the kingdom or my parents more than me.”

“But… but,” she spluttered. “How will you do without it? This is ridiculous!” She began to take it off.

His hand wrapped around her wrist, preventing her. “No. We've been through this before. Besides, I'm having a new one made.”

“And meanwhile?”

“Uh… meanwhile you have the only seal for the Crown Prince.”

“What if something were to happen to you on the way home? What would you do then?”

“I don't intend to get into trouble on the way home.”

“But on the off-chance that you did?”

Will shrugged. “I'll deal with that when I get there. That's what Charles is for. Meanwhile, you are keeping that thing on your person.”

Lyssa glowered at him, even though her heart glowed at his defiant devotion to her.

Master Bent cleared his throat, startling the bickering couple. They'd forgotten they had an audience. Master Bent was leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

When he had their attention, Master Bent made a short bow to Will. “I believe I am convinced that Lyssa is telling the truth, Your Highness,” impressing Will with his correct address.

“Good,” said Lyssa. “But you may see this all the same.”

Master Bent sat down and lit another candelabrum so that he might better see the intricate silver seal hanging from the chain on her wrist. He nodded, and sat back in his chair, indicating that his daughter and her fiancé should sit as well.

“Perhaps you should begin with an explanation from the beginning.”

Lyssa explained how she had met Will, about the ball - glossing over her distress and her reluctance - and finally to her meeting with the King and Queen.

“Because I am staying here until the wedding, our engagement will remain secret. Only you, the King and Queen, Charles, and Jane know.”

“How does Jane know?”

“Well… she doesn't yet. But I will tell her the first opportunity I have.”

“What are you going to tell your mother and sisters?”

“That Will is a butler at the castle and Charles is a messenger to Lord Albester.”

Master Bent nodded, lacing his fingers over and over again in thought. After several minutes of this silent thought, Will asked, “Do I have your permission sir?”

“Permission for what?”

“To marry your daughter.”

“I could hardly deny you, Your Highness.”

“I will respect whatever is your decision, sir.”

“If I refused you permission, you would give her up?”

“No. I would do my best to change your mind.”

Master Bent nodded as if satisfied with Will's answer. “Very well. I should probably save time and give you my consent now.”

“Thank you sir.”

Master Bent stood to shake his future son-in-law's hand.

“You do my family honour, Your Highness.”

“I prefer to see it as you granting me the honour of having your daughter. And it would be best if you call me Will.”

The older man nodded.

“There is one more thing I need to discuss with you.” Will reached inside his tunic and pulled out a small sack that just about fit inside his palm. He put it on Master Bent's desk, the clinking sound giving away the contents. “This is to ensure Lyssa's safety and well-being.”

“Your Highness, I will not accept,” Master Bent said, at the same time as Lyssa's protest. “She is still my daughter, and I shall provide for her.”

“You may do so, but it would ease my mind greatly to know that this is here just in case. I'm not talking about normal expenses, but rather anything unexpected that may come up as a result of our new arrangement. I won't brook refusal. Take it and hide it away safely if you want. Lyssa could bring it with her to the wedding untouched.”

Master Bent appraised Will, then nodded. “We'll hide it away somewhere.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, if there is nothing more, we should probably join the family. We have been gone some time.”

Will and Lyssa stood as Master Bent left the study, leaving the couple alone in privacy for a few minutes.

“This is unnecessary, Will,” Lyssa said, firmly.

Will took her face in his hands, bringing his only inches from hers. “Do you remember our conversation last night?”

She nodded.

“Should something like that happen, you have some funds to give you more freedom.”

Lyssa's eyes grew wide at the second mention of such contingencies.

“Most likely it will remain untouched, but it will do my mind some ease to know it is available for you. And I want you to use it even if you need something else. Should the crops fail and your family falls on hard times or something. I just don't want you to suffer at all.”

Lyssa smiled up at him. “Thank you,” she replied.

He kissed her, then pulled her arm through his once more.

She showed him the well where they washed their hands and faces before going in to the dining room. Mistress Bent had managed to find room for three more. She beckoned them in and everyone was soon seated.

Lyssa noticed that Charles did seem to be somewhat partial to Jane. But it was difficult to tell when the other choices for company were Mistress Bent and Lida.

Everyone was curious about Lyssa's trip to the castle and the ball.

“Did you meet the Prince?” asked Katy.

Lyssa, who had never thought of an answer to this question before, said hesitatingly, “Not exactly, no. I was in the same room as he, but I didn't see him close enough to recognize him again.”

“Was he handsome?” Katy asked dreamily.

Lyssa hid a smile with her serviette, glancing quickly at Will, who was doing his damndest to keep his focus on his plate. “Like I said, I never got close to him, so I couldn't see for myself. I heard rumour that he is devastatingly handsome.”

Lyssa felt Will's knee nudge her. She didn't know what he was trying to convey, but she dared not respond.

“Did you get to dance?”

“Only once.”

“With whom?”

“With Will, actually.”

“But was he invited?”

Lyssa laughed. “He's sitting right next to me. It's all right to speak directly to him.”

Will looked at Katy and smiled mischievously. “I snuck in just to dance with the most beautiful woman in the ball room.”

It was Lyssa's turn to nudge him. Again, in warning or thanks she did not know.

Katy sighed dreamily. “What was it like?”

“The ball? Well… it was full of people. There were candles lit all over the place, and beautiful paintings on the walls and ceiling. Two sides of the room had many windows and doors opening into a garden. There was food, all of it made in miniature so that it was possible to be eaten in one bite. There was a large group of musicians playing for the dancers. The entire room seemed full of excitement, but nothing was happening.”

“Perhaps everyone was waiting for the Prince to make his choice of bride known,” said Jane. “Who did he choose in the end? We've had no news yet.”

Lyssa, floundering, turned to Will and asked, “I don't remember. Do you, Will?”

Will swallowed with difficulty the bite he'd had in his mouth. Clearing his throat as everyone looked expectantly at him, Master Bent the mostly keenly of all, he said, “I believe his choice has been postponed. I … the gossip I hear among the servants is that he managed to convince his parents to wait a little longer.”

“He can't wait too much longer, can he?” said Mistress Bent. “How old is he, 30?”

“28 and a half,” Will answered almost automatically, then froze.

“You know that so accurately?” Mistress Bent said.

“Uh… he's the same age as me. Well… I'm younger by six months.”

“So you're only 28. How old were you when you became a butler? 28 is quite young, I thought, for such a position.”

“Oh, I've only been a butler for a year now.”

“What were you before that?” Mistress Bent asked.

If Lyssa hadn't known her mother knew absolutely nothing, she would have suspected her of deliberately taunting him and choosing questions he could not know the answers to.

“Um…” Will appeared to be thinking.

“You were a footman before that, were you not?” Charles jumped in to rescue his Prince. Charles was well aware that Will had no idea what one did to become a butler, nor even the names of the different types of servants in his household.

“Mmm,” was Will's only reply as he quickly ate another bite so he wouldn't be able to answer another question.

Lyssa quickly said, “Charles and Will have been friends for… how long is it now?”

“Sixteen years,” Charles said with a smile.

“You both grew up around the castle then?” asked Mistress Bent.

“Yes.”

Mistress Bent's conversation began to be aimed at Charles, who did admirably both at lying and diverting attention from Will.

At one point, Maria asked, “What did you do to your hands, Lyssa?”

Lyssa looked down at the rather ugly scabs on the heels of her hands. “Oh, I … fell down in the garden. I tripped on something.”

Mistress Bent shook her head. “You always were a clumsy child.”

Will, angry at the insult to his fiancé, opened his mouth to argue with her, but Lyssa put her hand on his knee under the table and shook her head. It took tremendous self control not to say something. After a moment, he said with a calm voice, “Clumsy is one of the last words I would use to describe Lyssa.”

Jane beamed at him while Lyssa just chuckled. Mistress Bent had enough sense not to comment on Lyssa after that. In any case, she didn't want to scare away Lyssa's fiancé.

After their meal together, Lyssa asked Jane to accompany the three travelers on a walk to a hill on the corner of the Bent property overlooking a lake rimmed with mountains.

They walked in companionable silence for twenty minutes until they reached the isolated spot. It was a beautiful place. Very peaceful and relaxing, but most especially, private.

Lyssa decided that she wanted to tell Jane in private. She excused them and began to stroll along the hilltop with her older sister.

“Will isn't a butler,” Lyssa began.

Jane looked at her sister, puzzled. “What is he then? Why does he pretend to be a butler?”

Lyssa took a deep breath. It was difficult convincing someone else when she could hardly believe it herself. “He's the Crown Prince Fitzwilliam.”

Jane gasped and looked at her sister's face, trying to gauge whether she was serious. “How did that happen?”

Lyssa told Jane the story of how she met Will and their idyllic afternoon together. Then she explained about the ball and her decision.

“It's amazing!” Jane breathed, still trying to let the information sink in.

They remained quiet for several minutes as they sat and watched the bright moon shimmering on the water.

“Who is Charles, then?” Jane asked softly.

“He is Will's protection and best friend.”

Jane nodded and they lapsed into silence once more. Finally, Lyssa asked, “Do you think I've made a foolish decision?”

Jane hesitated. “No, I don't think so. He must really love you. And I have faith that you will be an excellent princess.”

“I've asked that you come with me to the castle,” Lyssa said, studying Jane's face intently.

Her sister looked at her, eyes wide.

“If you are willing, of course.” She paused, took Jane's hands in hers. “I need you, Jane. I'll be all alone there and I would miss you too much. You don't have to decide yet. Come and meet them properly. We have more to discuss.”

They got up and returned to where the two men were lounging on the soft grass. When they saw the women, they got to their feet. Jane curtseyed to Will.

“No, no, don't do that,” Will said. “You can't be treating your brother like that. Much too formal.”

Lyssa realized that it was one thing for Jane to accept that her sister was marrying the Prince, but quite another to accept that she would have a Prince as a brother. Nevertheless, Jane was the capable type to hold steady under any circumstances.

“I look forward to the occasion,” she replied with a small smile.

Will put an arm around Charles' shoulders and said, “This is my best friend, Charles Bailey.”

Charles bowed to Jane who curtseyed, blushing.

The four of them sat down together, Will pulling Lyssa to lean against his chest. Whispering in his ear, she said, “Should we tell Jane about the risk?”

“As much as you think she can handle.”

Lyssa explained a little bit to Jane, enough to justify the need for secrecy.

“Will has promised to come visit when he is able, but in the meantime, Charles will be our courier. In order to explain his frequent visits here, we were going to use you as his reason.”

Charles, still uncomfortable with the arrangement, began to pluck at the grass methodically.

“I don't understand,” Jane said.

“The story is that he has become enamored of you and visits frequently on his way to Lord Albester's.”

“Oh.”

“Do you mind?”

“Of course I don't mind being his excuse to come here.”

Charles looked at Will, almost glaring. He really did not like the arrangement, and for some reason Jane's willingness didn't help at all. Will resolved to ask him about it later.

They continued to talk about plans and what they would do during the period of engagement. When the moon's light began to fade behind the clouds, they left the idyllic hilltop and returned to the house. Will and Lyssa walked more slowly until they were alone. Will slid an arm around her shoulders while she wrapped hers around his waist.

“It's a beautiful place,” Will said.

“It's one of the most beautiful orchards in the kingdom, I'll wager. Father has had many people attempt to buy it. The only problem is that he has no sons to work on the orchard or to inherit it.”

“If you're a princess, it won't matter will it?”

“Nothing could substitute this place in my heart. It will always be dear to me. And it would be nice to know the orchard is kept altogether in good hands.”

“Who would it normally go to?”

“My father's cousin. But we don't like him at all. I think he would sell it if the price was right.”

Will kissed the top of her head, giving her shoulders a squeeze. “Maybe you can do something about that in your new office.”

“Will, I don't want to abuse my position.”

“That's why you make a perfect princess. You have more scruples than all the ladies in the court put together.”

“You're exaggerating.”

“Perhaps a tiny bit.”

Before they reached the house, Will turned her to face him. “I feel better about leaving you here. It's a beautiful place, a peaceful place, but most of all, it seems isolated and safe.”

“I'm glad you feel more at ease. I look forward to spending a lot of time with you in all my favourite childhood haunts.”

“As do I.”

“Shall we go inside now? It must be late and we've been traveling for two days.”

“I feel better than I have in many years.”

He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, resting there for several moments, before pulling away and leading him inside.

Mistress Bent was just coming down the stairs. “Oh, my dear sir. I was just explaining to your friend that we have only one guest room. We can put the other one of you in Lyssa's room.”

Hurriedly, Will said, “Charles outranks me and should take the guest room. I'll be content to stay in Lyssa's room.”

Lyssa nudged him, giving him a raised eyebrow and a smile.

“Lyssa, would you show him up?”

“Certainly, Mother.”

Lyssa took Will's hand and tugged him up the stairs, down a hallway and into a room on the left. The floor was just bare wooden boards, there was one window, a table with candles on it in one corner, a bed in the centre of the left wall, and a chest in the other corner. The walls had various drawings pinned up. On closer inspection, Will later discovered they had been drawn by the five sisters at various times in their lives.

The simplicity of the room struck Will, and he began to realize what a big change Lyssa was making to his own luxurious life in the castle. At the same time, he felt like he was becoming closer to her just by being in the room she had spent her life in.

“Rather plain and ugly, isn't it?” she said, smoothing the worn quilt on the bed.

“It's comfortable,” Will replied. “I like it.”

Lyssa laughed.

“Where are you sleeping?” Will asked.

“With Jane.” She paused, then added, “And I'm sure Jane will have much more to talk about. So I'll see you in the morning.”

Lyssa kissed Will's cheek and left him standing alone in her bedchamber.

Lyssa and Will spent the following three days together. Mistress Bent even went so far as to complain about how inseparable they were. They pruned the orchard, occasionally eating a piece of early-ripened fruit. They went swimming in the large lake bordered by the majestic mountains that marked neighboring Eos' boundary.

They took long walks through meadows and fields. They discussed politics, their childhoods, and their future together. Will liked to build castles in the air with all the wondrous things they would do. It amused Lyssa to no end.

While Will and Lyssa flitted about the serene countryside, Jane and Charles were left together. It was slow going at first, both seeming to be too shy with the other. After the first day, however, they were more comfortable, able to hold conversations and laugh together.

Will was loath to leave, delaying their departure each day. Finally, Charles put his foot down. “You must return to the castle, or else we will suffer serious consequences!”

Will nodded, knowing his friend was right. But never had he wanted to stay away from the castle so badly. He wanted to be nowhere else but this charming orchard in the remote corner of the kingdom with his beloved.

“You must go, Will,” Lyssa said gently, slipping her arms around his neck.

He nodded, leaning down to kiss her. “I know.”

“Go in the morning. With good weather, you should be back in the late evening. You will write to me as often as you can. But I don't want you running Charles ragged.”

Will nodded.

“I shall look forward to your return.”

“I shall count down the days,” Will whispered, his eyes gazing at hers with an overwhelming intensity.

Will and Charles left at dawn the following morning. Only Jane, Lyssa, and Master Bent were awake to see them off. Will shook Master Bent's hand firmly.

“Take care, Your Highness,” Master Bent said.

“I shall, thank you sir.”

Jane kissed Will's cheek, but only curtseyed to Charles. “Have a safe journey, sir,” she said softly.

Master Bent and Jane went inside while Charles set off down the path through the orchards leading the horse Lyssa had used, leaving Lyssa and Will in privacy.

Neither could say anything for several minutes as they embraced tightly. Finally, Lyssa whispered, “I… I'll miss you.”

The powerful feeling of happiness, passion, devotion, and love that swept over Will prevented him from responding in any way but to kiss her as ardently as he could, taking Lyssa's breath away. He didn't want to let her go. Not now. He would give anything to remain with her. He wanted to ask her to return with him. Beg her. But he knew she was safest here, and that meant more to him than anything else. As long as he knew she was safe, he could rest at ease.

He heard her sniff and realized she was crying. He pulled away enough to cup her face in his hands and look at her. “You mean more to me than anything else in the entire world. I am a better man because of you.”

She closed her eyes to squeeze several more tears out of them. The droplets ran down in rivulets. He kissed both her salty cheeks, then lingered on her lips for several moments, hoping to drink her essence and take it with him.

When he pulled away, she hugged him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck. “Be safe,” he heard her say.

“I will.”

Eventually, they parted, and Will mounted his horse. He took one last lingering look at his fiancé, then turned and walked resolutely through the early morning mist in the orchard.

Lyssa lingered outside long after he was out of sight, her arms wrapped around herself, partly to ward off the morning chill, and partly to hold onto the memory of his presence for as long as possible.

Ten minutes after Will had left, Jane came outside to fetch her younger sister.

“Come inside, dearest. He shouldn't be coming back soon.”

Lyssa sniffed, rubbed her cheeks and nodded. “I know.”

Jane tugged Lyssa inside.

At breakfast, Mistress Bent lamented the absence of the two handsome men to the point where Lyssa dropped her knife and fork on her plate loudly and left the table. She retreated to her room, hoping that evidence of Will's three-day stay was still there.

She had wanted to tell him that she loved him, but for some reason she had balked and they had parted without her ever having told him. She was most afraid of such a powerful emotion from such a strange relationship. They had become engaged after knowing each other one day. Will never seemed to be disturbed by this. She supposed that he was still better off than had he been in an arranged marriage, or even married a courtier he did not know. Even if he had met that noble lady many times, he still would not have known her like he knew Lyssa, for that noble lady would only have acted for his approval.

Still, she hadn't felt comfortable expressing an emotion that defied all her reason and logic. It frightened her.

She entered her room and to her absolute delight, she discovered a letter waiting for her on her bed. Her heart clenched in anticipation and love. She locked her door, quickly opened the letter, and climbed onto the bed to read it.

My beloved darling,

I miss you already and I have not even left yet. But by the time you read this, I will be gone. How I wish I could remain by your side for eternity. However, it gives me comfort to know you will be safe and happy here. That is the only thing that prevents me from begging you to return with me.

Every morning, I awake and wonder whether I have woken from this dream yet. You have changed my world so much merely by opening my eyes to it. I thank the Fates every day that we met on that roadside. I dream of the time when we will not have to be parted like this. I wonder how much use I shall be at the castle without you by my side. Not that I was ever that useful in the first place.

I could go on adoring your person on paper, but I must save some for future missives.

I love you more than there are drops of water in that lake.

~ Will ~

Lyssa read and reread the letter five times, then lay on her bed imagining him sitting at her desk writing it. She curled up, clutching the letter to her and lost herself in memories of him. She fingered the seal and chain absentmindedly. He was right. This seal meant more than anything else he could have given her because it was his. He had worn it since he was born. And now she kept it with her always. The chain was a little too big for her smaller wrist. With a little effort, she was able to take it off without unclasping it. Gradually, still clutching the letter in one hand and the seal in her other, she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Six

Posted on Friday, 3 October 2003

Two weeks of summer passed before Charles returned to the orchard. When Lyssa saw him she dropped the knife she had been using to prune the rose bushes by the house, nearly cutting off a toe. She ran to him eagerly.

He dismounted, laughing at her. He hugged her first, giving her kiss on her cheek before he delivered the long-awaited letter. It was thick, Lyssa felt with a delight.

She wanted to run off alone to read it, but felt obligated to make sure Charles, who must be tired, was cared for. Fortunately, Jane appeared from inside, wiping her hands of silver polish on her apron. She smiled her beautiful, tranquil smile.

When she approached, she said in her gentle voice, “Good evening, Charles. You must be tired.”

“It wasn't too bad a journey.”

Jane went with him to the barn to take care of Charles' mount.

Lyssa, now free to retreat on her own, dashed off to one of her favourite places to be alone. She ducked under pear branches and around the large walnut trees until she came to a grove of young birches beside a babbling brook. She sat down and looked at the seal on the letter. It was anonymous. On closer inspection, Lyssa realized it was the shape of a daisy. She smiled giddily.

She hurriedly opened it and shuffled through the five or six pages of elegant scrawl that she had come to familiarize herself with from the previous letter he had left. The letter spanned several days, explaining the size of it.

She began to read, her heart throbbing with love and pounding with anticipation.

My beloved darling,

I have never yearned for anything as much as I yearn to see you again. I keep trying to sneak off to see you, but Charles has taken to keeping a closer eye on me. If he had ever been in love, he would not be this cruel to me! He takes great amusement in my melancholy. For indeed, I am exceedingly melancholy while you are far away.

Mother and Father ask after you. I met with them soon after my return and told them about my visit. I told them how beautiful your orchards were, how pretty the countryside. I told them how sensible and intelligent your father is, and how sweet and good your older sister. They have agreed that it is all right for her to come and live at the castle when you come to marry me. I love saying that. It is very difficult for me to contain this entire engagement in secrecy. I want to shout to every lady fawning over me that I am in love with Lyssa, and none of them could possibly compare. I wonder what the people around me think of my moods. For sometimes I am deliriously happy thinking of you coming soon, but most of the time, I am morose.

Charles has news to tell you that I may not write down. Things are going well here in general.

The letter continued, and Lyssa read each word avidly. She felt somewhat restored with each paragraph. He was subtly different on paper. Aside from being much more vocal about his love for her, he was also more playful and light-hearted than he usually was in person. She felt like she was seeing more of the real Will that was inside. At the end of the letter, he wrote, I love you more than there are blades of grass in our meadow above the castle.

The daylight soon faded, and Lyssa returned to the house to discover the family already sitting down for the evening meal, with Charles in the place of honour between Master Bent and Jane.

Lyssa slid into her place and began to eat.

“How is Will?” asked Master Bent.

Lyssa looked up at him, swallowing. She was grateful for her father's interest. “He does well, thank you.”

Charles laughed. “He does well aside from lovesickness and melancholy. But that is not to be helped.”

Lyssa flushed, smiling a little.

Katy piped up, “Lord! I never thought we would have the opportunity to tease Lyssa about a beau!”

The family laughed, but Lyssa took the teasing good-naturedly. The meal continued pleasantly with Charles' company.

Afterwards, Charles asked Lyssa to accompany him on a walk.

“Would you not like to rest before we talk together?” Lyssa asked.

“Thank you, but I not too tired.”

Lyssa strode beside him as they made their way to the lake once more, this time on a darker night.

When they were a sufficient distance from the house, Charles asked, “How have you been, my lady?”

“Charles,” Lyssa sighed. “Must you insist on calling me that?”

“You will be my princess soon. It would be best for me not to become used to calling you anything else.”

“I don't want you calling me that when I've married Will, either.”

“Do you want to hear my news or not?” Charles asked, avoiding the subject.

“Please go ahead.”

“The King and Queen announced that their son, the Crown Prince, has become engaged,” Lyssa gasped, “but did not divulge who the lady was. The court was abuzz with gossip of who it might be. No one mentioned you.”

“When will the King and Queen announce who his fiancé is?”

“I do not believe they will do so for several months. They will not do so until they need to.”

“How risky is this?”

“The King and Queen know what they are doing, my lady.”

Lyssa nodded, telling herself to trust her future parents-in-law.

“The King of Windham has taken a fall off his horse and is seriously injured.”

Lyssa looked up at Charles with wide eyes.

“It is uncertain whether he will survive. This has thrown our court politics into a bit of a frenzy regarding whether we should invade. In anticipation of our invasion, Roble and Arcadia have formed an alliance with Windham. They will fight us should we invade the Northern Province of Windham.”

“Why would we go ahead with the invasion against such opposition?”

“There are several of our nobles who do not believe Roble and Arcadia will truly risk troops against us. Roble does not have a strong army at all. It has more strength in its navy, which is useless for this dispute. Arcadia does have capability to be strong unless it is harvest time.”

“But surely we would suffer the same losses at harvest time should those nobles decide to act then.”

“Not if our nobles are ruthless and foolhardy enough to demand farmers to leave their harvests.”

Lyssa gasped in shocked horror. “They wouldn't!”

Charles nodded gravely. “Greed will push a man to do extraordinary things, my lady.”

“What does Will think of all this?” Lyssa finally asked.

“He is hoping that it blows over.”

“Is he doing anything?”

“Will tends to work subtly. He'll casually mention something to a few choice people, manipulating them so cunningly, they don't even know they have been influenced. It is therefore difficult for me to say exactly what he is doing. My guess is that he is trying to work on the younger sons of these foolish nobles. A couple of the sons are nearly 17 or 18, an impressionable age. Will merely expresses his contempt and boredom for such hawk politics. He is clever at making dove politics seem popular.”

Lyssa glowed with pride for her fiancé.

The conversation turned to more mundane matters. Lyssa pried every piece of information about Will she could from him. When Lyssa perceived Charles' exhaustion, they returned to the house and Lyssa made sure he was comfortable in the guest room before retiring to her own room to reread by candlelight Will's letters.

She stayed up late into the night finishing another letter in reply to him, adding it to the four others she had written before.

Charles stayed for two days, spending it mostly in the company of Jane and Lyssa, before he went on to Lord Albester's estate to deliver his message. Lyssa tried not to worry about the political situation she had been informed of by Charles. In the end, she persuaded herself to stop her fretting since she could do nothing about it.

Five days after Charles had left, the Bents received the news of the Crown Prince's engagement from one of their neighbours. Mistress Bent was excited by the news, and Lyssa had to act the part of someone hearing this for the first time about a person she had never had contact with. Lida and Katy spent a couple of days speculating on who it could be, before the subject lost its appeal and was dropped altogether to Lyssa's relief.

Lyssa somehow managed to pass another fortnight before the next visit from Charles. It helped that she was busy working on the orchard as harvest time drew near. She was thinning the apple bunches when Charles arrived. Jane was the one to greet him as he rode up to the house.

“Charles,” she said, smiling her usual serene smile. “It's always a pleasure to see you.”

“Thank you. You look as radiant as usual.” Charles took her hand in his, bowing to kiss it.

Jane blushed prettily. She couldn't find anything to say, so she just led the way to the stable.

While Charles unloaded and brushed his horse down, Jane attempted to make conversation. “How have things been at the castle?”

Avoiding her face, Charles replied vaguely, “They're the usual.”

“The King and Queen haven't said anything more about the engagement, have they?”

“No. But the courtiers have by now figured out that it must not be anyone living near the castle since he doesn't see any woman more than the rest. This has led to speculation of a marriage to royalty in a distant kingdom.”

“Do you think anyone will discover Lyssa?”

“It's doubtful, but not impossible.”

Charles finished in a few minutes, and was then free to deliver the Prince's letter to his fiancé.

“I think I know where to find Lyssa,” Jane said, leading him toward the apple orchard.

They began casually strolling through the rows, talking quietly together. Every now and then, they would scan the trees for a sign of Lyssa before they kept walking.

Lyssa's concentration on her task was broken when she heard the sound of laughter. She began to peer through the branches, attempting to see who it was.

“Jane?” she called out.

Then Lyssa heard a familiar male voice call back, “I have something you might want.”

Lyssa squealed with glee and clambered out of the apple tree. When she was on firm ground, she saw Jane walking with Charles down one of the rows. She ran to him and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before taking the letter. It was another thick one with the same daisy seal and the same elegant scrawl. Her insides began to flutter and twist and roil.

She stayed beside Charles and Jane, but couldn't help shifting her weight from foot to foot in anticipation of reading Will's letter.

Finally Charles said, “What are you waiting for? Don't stay on my account.”

There was a sadness in his voice and face that only briefly registered in Lyssa's mind before she tore off toward her retreat. She returned to the birch wood and settled against the trunk of one of them to read the letter. It began in the usual manner of melancholy, fervent adulation, and effusive declarations of love. She found herself grinning just to be able to read his amusing observations of courtiers and courtly life. He kept this up for the first three letters, but in the fourth, the subject was more serious.

I'm afraid Charles and I had a bit of a fight when he told me he would set off to see you again. I'd been in a foul mood for a couple of days, and Charles had prevented me from coming to see you three times. When he told me he was going to make a delivery to you, I blew my top. I yelled at him that it was unfair that he got to see you while I, the you-know-what, had to stay cooped up. He yelled back at me, and … what he said was quite remarkable. You will, no doubt, find this very intriguing. He yelled back, as hard as I had yelled at him, that it was even more unfair that the woman he wanted to woo would never know his intentions since it had been arranged, against his will, that their relationship be used as a smokescreen for us. I can only gather from his outburst, that he is falling in love with your sister. But any attentions he tries to give her will be seen as part of the illusion, and not his true actions and feelings. I felt horrible. I am a very selfish person, I can see that now. You must find out what Jane thinks and feels. If at all possible, together we must remedy this situation. For would it not be wonderful to have my best friend and your sister marry?

Lyssa was surprised at this information. She hadn't seen any evidence of partiality on either side. She gave it some consideration and decided that the idea was rather a pleasant one. She hurriedly finished reading the rest of the letters so that she might return and begin observing them with this knew knowledge. It was apparent, from what Will said, that Charles did like her older sister. As she considered it, she came to the conclusion that they would make an excellent match. They seemed to suit one another somehow.

Lyssa reached the last letter and was disappointed that there would be no more for several weeks. Will ended his letter with, I love you more than there are stars in the heavens.

Lyssa laughed in glee, clutching the letters to her breast. Then she leapt up and swiftly ran back through the birch wood, the walnut and the pear groves, until she reached the house.

She didn't find Jane or Charles inside, and they weren't in the stable or in the surrounding groves, so Lyssa decided they must have gone off somewhere on their own.

Better and better! she thought to herself.

Lyssa had to content herself with replying to Will until evening when supper was served.

Lyssa, from her bedroom window, saw Jane and Charles returning from the direction of northern border of the orchards. They seemed relaxed and comfortable together, but Lyssa could not yet discern her sister's feelings for Charles.

Lyssa went down to dinner when she was called. During the meal, her father again asked after Will. No one teased Lyssa this time. They knew how Lyssa had become more touchy the longer the absence from Will.

After the meal, Lyssa suggested that Charles and Jane go for a walk. When they asked her to come, she excused herself, saying she had letters to write to Will. She watched them walk away together, knowing that soon, her mother would begin to speculate on this match.

Much later that night, Lyssa went to her sister's room. She went about it more casually than she had used to do. On previous occasions when she suspected her sister of liking some gentleman from the village, she just asked outright, and invariably Jane laughed and denied it. This time, Lyssa didn't ask. Instead, she talked about Will. She said how much she cared for him and how much she missed him.

The sisters lay in the bed together, Jane's head resting on her sister's shoulder. Lyssa trailed off and was silent for several minutes. Then she asked softly, “Do you ever think you'll fall in love with someone?”

“Yes,” Jane answered firmly but softly.

“Have you ever been in love before? Whenever I used to ask you, you would deny it.”

“No, I was never in love then.”

“So you've never been in love?”

“No.”

“No you haven't or no you have?”

“I have.”

”But I just never guess who it was, huh?”

Jane didn't say anything. She snuggled closer to her sister and whispered, “I'm glad we won't be parted when you get married.”

“What will you do in the castle? Won't you become very bored?”

“I shall be there for you.”

“I'm sure I shall be bored myself. I can't imagine what you will do.” Lyssa giggled. “Perhaps you'll have a courtier fall in love with you and whisk you away to his estate.”

“No,” Jane said.

“Why not?”

“I wouldn't be in love with him.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do.”

“You're not in love right now, are you?”

Jane didn't say anything. The silence, however, was not a stubborn one of secrecy. It was more a sad silence than anything. Lyssa turned over to look her sister in the face. She saw there the depressed face she half expected. Indeed, it gave her hope.

“What is it?” she asked.

Jane shook her head and lay back down on the pillow beside Lyssa. “Nothing,” she whispered.

“Tell me, Jane. I feel awful for going on about my own problems with Will when you are in distress yourself.”

“There's nothing you can do.”

“Tell me anyway. Oh Jane.”

Jane turned over, facing her back to Lyssa. Lyssa slid her arm around her sister and lay down, eventually falling asleep.

During Charles' brief stay, Lyssa made sure to leave him and Jane together as much as possible. She steered her younger sisters away, and managed to distract her own mother with fictional plans for her wedding. Then in her last letter to Will before Charles returned to the castle, Lyssa wrote her own suspicions of Jane's sentiment.

Charles left on the third morning, bidding his farewell to Lyssa and Jane. He kissed Lyssa's cheek in an almost brotherly, friendly fashion, but Jane he kissed on the hand in, what Lyssa could only suspect, was a loverly fashion.

Lyssa didn't bring up the subject of loves or marriage with Jane again. But she did casually mention Charles frequently when she could.

It had been a longer period than usual since the last occasion Charles had visited. Lyssa was beginning to worry and pine for news from the castle once more.

Harvest was nearly upon them, coming earlier to the southern provinces. Lyssa was again up in the apple trees, checking the fruit for worms, bugs, and other blights. She heard someone approaching and called out, “Jane?”

She paused for a few moments until she heard a voice she had ached to hear for so long. “No, not Jane. But I can go and get her if you'd like.”

Lyssa nearly fell out of the tree in shock. But somehow she managed to scramble down from her precarious perch, swinging down on the lowest branch like she was a tumbler.

Will caught her before she landed and enclosed her in his warm, tight embrace. Lyssa laughed a little before Will began to kiss her. Oh, to be back in his arms again! Never had such a feeling been so wonderful. She clung to him, trusting him to keep them on balance as she reeled from his kisses.

Suddenly feeling something rough on her face, she pulled away. He let go of her lips reluctantly. He looked at her stunned face, wondering if he'd hurt her or frightened her with his exuberance. She laughed, her face still surprised. “You have a beard!” she exclaimed.

Relieved that this was all she meant by her surprise, he chuckled at her. “The Arnclivians call it a goatee because their longer ones look like a goat. It's just a small beard on the chin.”

She pulled away a bit more so she could look at his face properly with its new style.

“If you don't like it, I can shave it off.”

“No,” she began hesitantly. “I'll have to get used to it, but I think it suits you. You look older and more dashing.”

Will grinned down at her. Pulling her back into his arms, he kissed her softly a few times, then murmured, “Did you miss me?”

She laughed, as if such an idea that she did not was quite preposterous. “Too much.”

“I've been miserable without you.”

“So I've heard,” she teased.

He held her for several more moments before he asked, “What are you doing leaping down from trees anyway?”

“I was checking for blights in the apples. We'll harvest in a few days.”

“But it's dangerous for you to be up there.”

“No more dangerous than you racing your horse.”

Will gave her a look that fully informed Lyssa of his disapproval of such risks.

“I'm very careful, Will.”

“Even so, accidents happen. And no one is around here to help if you had fallen.”

“I've only fallen out of a tree five times in my life, and only broken my collar bone once.”

“What!?”

“I'm just fooling!” laughed Lyssa. “Relax. I'm perfectly fine here.”

Will wrapped his arms around her, swinging her around several times. “I'm so happy to see you,” he said.

When he put her down, Lyssa asked, “Have you been to the house? Is Charles here?”

“Yes, I've been to the house. And yes, Charles is with Jane now.”

Lyssa grinned up at him. “Are you making plans?”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, tell me. Are you planning something for Charles and Jane.”

“Maybe.”

She tugged at his hands. “Tell me.”

“I will, soon. Come, let's go and sit somewhere.”

She took him by the hand and began to lead him to her birch wood haven. He soon wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“You look well, darling.”

“Thank you. See? Nothing horrible has happened while you were gone.”

“Yes. And I hope it stays that way. I noticed your hands are as good as new.”

“Yes. My mother was sure I would have permanent scars because I kept reskinning them.”

“Lyssa!” he said reproachfully.

“I couldn't help it,” she protested. “Anyway, I'm all better now.”

“I'm glad. I've always felt a bit guilty. You wouldn't have fallen if it hadn't been for me.”

“True, but don't think about it anymore.”

When they reached the birch copse, they lay down on the soft grass. Lyssa cuddled up to Will and they talked until sundown.

At one point, the conversation turned to politics. Gravely, she asked him what the situation was like at this point.

Will sighed. “If anything, the tension has only increased. The King of Windham is still bedridden, his eldest son is not yet 16 years of age.”

“Surely they don't mean to get rid of Windham's monarch all together, do they?”

“No, I don't think so. But I'm not positive, and that's the difficult part. It is never spoken of, and that worries me more as a result.”

“Is anything important going on within our kingdom besides that?”

“Not really. It's a bit of a difficult time for some regions since this is right before the harvest, so food supplies are at their lowest. But there's nothing serious. We've had good rains for crops this year.”

“We certainly have had excellent weather here.”

“So we should pull in an excellent harvest.”

His voice sounded worried, though, rather than optimistic.

“Do you think some nobles will attack during harvest?”

Will didn't reply, but the look on his face made his answer.

“Isn't there any way you can control your nobles?” exclaimed Lyssa, exasperated. “Isn't there any consequence for taking matters into their own hands like this? Going to war should be a decision made by the King and Queen, not by the nobles alone.”

“I'm not sure my father is willing to take the steps necessary to hold them in line. He's been easy on them for too long to suddenly decide to control them now.”

Lyssa wanted to ask what would happen to them if war did break out, but she was too afraid of the answer.

The conversation moved away from politics soon after that.

When they finally returned to the house at dusk, everyone was waiting to begin the meal.

Will and Lyssa quickly sat down at the table, apologizing for keeping them.

“It is good to have you visit us, dear sir,” Mistress Bent said cordially.

“Thank you, madam. I have wanted to come back ever since I left.”

“You are welcome any time,” she assured him.

“Thank you, but I'm afraid my work does not permit me the time away that I would like.”

“Of course.”

Lida piped up, “You work at the castle, don't you, Will?”

Will nodded.

“Then do you know who the Prince is going to marry? No one here seems to know. But I know that you servants must gossip and everything.”

Will couldn't help chuckling. “No, even we servants do not know who the new Princess will be. But I've heard that she will be more beautiful than any previous princess has ever been.”

“Will!” Lyssa exclaimed, glaring at him while she smiled. “Where did you hear that piece of ludicrous gossip?”

“From the Prince himself, my love,” Will replied, looking at her intensely.

Lyssa opened her mouth to retort a sharp answer, but his hand slipping into hers took everything she had intended to say out of her head. She merely blushed and smiled at him.

Charles cleared his throat and said, “Master Bent, it looks like your crops are nearly ripe.”

“Yes, son. We'll begin harvest most likely tomorrow, if you and Will would like to join us.”

Will perked up at this. “We'd love to!”

Lida looked at him quizzically. “Why would you love to help with harvest?” she asked, confused.

“I've never done it before. It sounds exciting.”

Katy and Lida laughed. “You'll get over that very soon!”

Will just shrugged amiably, refusing to let his spirit be dampened.

After their evening meal, Lyssa took Will by the hand. “Come. I must prepare my room for you. This was somewhat unexpected. And I have the letters I've written to you that were meant to go with Charles.”

Will followed her up to her room, making sure to leave the door open for the family's peace of mind.

“Do you mind if I read them while you make the room ready?”

“You're not going to help me?” she asked.

Will laughed and looked at her. “Do you honestly think I know the first thing about it?”

Lyssa, shocked, stared right back at him in disbelief. Then she broke out of it. “Well! You can learn now, can't you?”

When asked by her, Will was prepared to do anything. Even servants' work.

“All right, then. But don't let your family see. They'll wonder what kind of a butler I am if I can't do… whatever it is you do.”

Lyssa laughed. She began to pick up the few odd things that had been laying about her room. Thankfully she hadn't left it in too much of a mess, and certainly nothing embarrassing.

Will, browsing and looking around rather than helping her, asked, “What's this?”

Lyssa looked over at him pointing to a small, very ill-carved wooden box. She laughed. “Open it.”

He pulled off the top and looked inside. “Hey! These are all my letters.”

“Exactly. I made that box when I was 12, and it's where I put them all.”

“Wow. Couldn't someone just come in and read them, though?”

“No, they don't.”

“But they could.”

“Yes, they could. But my family knows I would never forgive them if they did read them.”

Will continued looking while Lyssa fluffed up the pillows and pulled back the duvet. Soon, she was finished.

“Why do people go through all this stuff just to go to sleep anyway?” asked Will. “I mean, I have servants so it's no bother to me. But if you have to do all the work for yourself, why do it? Why not just crawl into the bed and sleep?”

Lyssa shook her head at him. “Because it makes it more pleasant. Not everyone does it. I'm sure your servants, by the time they get to their beds, are much too tired to do all this. And I only do it when I feel like it. You're a guest, however, so the courtesy is extended to you.”

Will still looked like he wasn't convinced, his brow furrowed in deep consideration of the weighty subject.

“I shall leave you to your thoughts, my lord. I need to get to sleep if we're beginning the harvest soon.”

“Good night, then. Oh! And don't let me forget your surprise tomorrow.”

“My what?”

“I brought you a surprise. But don't let me forget to give it to you tomorrow,” he repeated patiently.

“What is it?”

“It's a surprise.”

“But what is the surprise?”

“If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?”

Lyssa scowled at him.

“You didn't think I would come all this way from the castle to see my fiancé without some kind of gift, did you?”

“Actually, I did. It never occurred to me that you would bring a gift. Now I feel guilty because I have nothing for you.”

“There's no need.”

“Why can't you give it to me now?”

“You won't be able to see it properly in the dark. I want you to wait until day light. And I would have given it to you earlier except… well, I got distracted.”

Lyssa, now desperately curious, slid up to him and slipped her arms around his neck. Bringing her lips very close to his, she murmured, “Can't you give me a little hint?” She brushed his lips a couple times, then began to trace the line of his jaw with her lips.

“Lyssa,” he moaned.

“You can tell me,” she whispered.

Before she got any farther, Will pulled away while he still could. Breathing a little heavily. “No. It's your surprise, and I won't ruin it. Now… you should really go to bed now.”

Lyssa smiled at him, kissed his cheek and said cheerily, “Good night, sleep well.”

Will groaned again and shut the door behind her.

The following morning, as soon as Will appeared downstairs dressed for the day, Lyssa pounced on him and demanded to know what was her surprise.

Will smiled at her. “Come on, then.”

“Where are we going?”

“To get your surprise.”

“Where?”

“I left it in a field.”

Will and Lyssa walked through the orchards hand in hand toward the eastern edge of the estate. Will stopped her at the edge of the field. “Wait here,” he said.

He went off across wildflowers and grass toward the far end which was out of sight while Lyssa had a difficult time being patient. A few minutes later, he came back over the rise of the field leading a horse.

Lyssa walked out to meet him.

“She's for you,” said Will.

Lyssa didn't understand what he meant at first.

“This mare is my gift to you,” he explained.

“Will!” Lyssa was speechless as he gave her the reins. She sputtered a bit before forming a coherent thought. “This… this is too much.”

“Why? You'll need your own mount someday soon anyway. I thought you might as well become friends with her now, she'll enjoy the land around here, and you could use her in the meantime.”

“But for you to give me… a horse!”

Will shrugged. “She's bred from my father's prize stallion. But she's so gentle I thought you two would get along perfectly.”

“I don't know what to say, Will. She's so beautiful,” Lyssa breathed, running a hand down the mare's sleek coat.

The mare was a chestnut red colour, with a pair of white socks on her hind legs, and a white stripe flowing from forelock to nose. Her mane and tail were a soft sandy colour.

“What is her name?” Lyssa asked.

“Whatever you want it to be.”

After several minutes of consideration, she said, “I'll have to give it some thought.”

“Shall we go for a ride while you think?”

“A short one. I have work to do.”

“And I'll help.”

Lyssa laughed. “Just like you helped last night, eh?”

Will ignored her jibe and went to fetch his own horse. Ten minutes later they were both riding side by side through the orchards.

“How about the name Blossom?”

Lyssa wrinkled her name in distaste.

“What about Moonlight or something.”

“Too prosaic. “

“Copper?”

She shook her head.

They spent several minutes throwing names back and forth, until Lyssa said, “I know! Firefly.”

“Firefly?”

She nodded, smiling eagerly.

“That's the name you want?”

She nodded again.

“Firefly it is, then.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah, I think it suits.”

Lyssa paused before asking, “How will I explain having this horse?”

“You can say I just bought it and don't have a place to put her at the castle so she's staying with you for a while.”

“All right.” She paused, then added, “Thank you very much, Will.”

“It was my pleasure,” Will replied, meaning every word.

Harvest work began that day. Lyssa and Will worked in the apple orchards since that was her specialty. Almost immediately they had an argument over who would be up in the trees. Lyssa, bringing out a stubborn side Will had never seen before, absolutely refused to let him climb any of the trees.

“Good grief, Will! What if you were to fall out? Where would the kingdom be then?”

“The same could be said for you!” he argued back.

“No. No one knows about me. If I killed myself, only the people on this orchard would miss me. If you kill yourself, then the whole kingdom mourns and it sets off an entire political battle over who is the next heir.”

Lyssa wouldn't budge on her stance and Will knew her to be right, even though he did not want to acknowledge it. So Will stood at the base of the tree, steadying the baskets that Lyssa put apples into.

This was just a first harvest of apples. Lyssa picked only the ones that looked ripe. Some apple trees were farther along than others, depending on their variety and their location in the orchard. They broke for a picnic lunch, enjoying spending the time together. Will made Lyssa's work ten times more pleasant than it usually was with one of her younger sisters. Lida was positively bratty to work with.

They continued to work until sundown. By the time they stopped for the day, Will's muscles were sorer than he had been since his training as a lad. Lyssa seemed to be fine, but she knew he must be feeling their hard labour.

“Would you like to go down to the lake and have a swim?”

“Will it help?”

“A little.”

He nodded. Lyssa went to fetch their horses from the field they had been grazing in nearby all day. They mounted and slowly rode in silence to the lake.

“Won't we be late for dinner?”

“They won't wait long for us. We can eat when we return.”

“How many bushels of apples did we get today?”

“I think it was around 35. A really good day's work.”

Will could have sworn it was twice as much as 35. It irked him even more how amused Lyssa was at his discomfort.

Lyssa led them to a different part of the lake than they had been to before. The shore of the lake was easily accessible here, and Will was struck by a young maple tree already in its brightest scarlet stage. It provided a striking contrast to the stark mountains on the other side of the lake.

“Won't it be cold?”

“Yes. But not as cold as it'll be in the winter.”

“Doesn't it freeze over in the winter?”

“Exactly.”

Will shook his head.

“You don't have to come in if you don't want to. I find a cool swim refreshing after a hard day's work.”

Will wasn't actually going to turn down an opportunity to go swimming with her. Lyssa let the horses drink at the lake first, before leading them back up to higher ground where they could graze happily.

Will had already begun to shed his boots and shirt, which was still quite damp from the sweat-soaking it had received during the day and soiled from the number of times he had wiped his hands and forehead with it.

Lyssa only took off her outer gown that had protected the undergarment from the soil of working in the orchard. The outer one had rips and dark marks from her carelessness in the trees. Will assumed it was part of the territory.

As soon as she had shed her shoes and stockings, she waded in and when she reached water deep enough, she dove in. Will watched until she popped up, shaking her hair out of her face and gasping. Will was entranced by seeing her floating in the clear water, her movement sending ripples across the wide lake, marring its mirror-like stillness.

“Are you coming in?” she asked, her voice carrying over the water.

He stood, and wearing only his breeches, he gingerly stepped over the rocks that bordered the shore, then even more gingerly into the frigid water. He paused, letting his feet become accustomed to the temperature.

“Come on, Will. If you do it that slowly, you'll never make it. You need to just plunge right in.”

Will took another tentative step into the lake, the water rising up to mid-shin. He knew Lyssa was right. He would never make it at this rate. He took a deep breath and took several steps in until the water was up to his waist. Lyssa came toward him then, her soaking dress clinging to her body in a way that forced him to look down at his feet in the clear water. He could have sworn they were turning blue. He couldn't feel them anymore.

Lyssa took his hands and began to tug him in until the water was up to his chest. He gasped. Lyssa laughed at him and swam away towards the middle of the lake.

Will decided to follow her, and dove under the water. Once he was completely immersed and the first shock of the cold was over, he actually liked it. He swam under the water, skimming the rocky bottom, the clear water allowing him to see all sorts of fascinating things in the aquatic environment.

He came up for air a few feet away from Lyssa.

“There,” she said, grinning. “That wasn't so bad, was it?”

Will replied by diving under the water and yanking her down by her ankles. He heard her scream before she sunk underneath. She shoved him and swam away. He came up and saw her swimming. He set off after her, but couldn't catch up to her. She was a fast swimmer.

She turned back and watched him coming toward her and laughed. She enjoyed working and playing with him. She waited for him, and took his hands in hers before he could do any more mischief. He tread water with his legs and looked at her. He freed one hand and pushed back some hair off her face. She looked a bit bedraggled, but no less charming. He didn't know how she was able to stay afloat in the water with so little effort.

She pulled away from him and looked toward the opposite bank. It would take her a good half an hour of swimming to reach the Eosian border.

“Let's go there, Will,” she said.

“What, to Eos?”

“Yes. Let's flee there, get married and live on our own with no courts or courtiers to worry about.”

Will heartily wished they could, but also felt a keen responsibility to his kingdom. “You told me only this morning how my kingdom would miss me.”

“That was only to win my argument,” she replied petulantly, but knowing he was right.

“It won't be so bad.”

Lyssa didn't believe him.

Will moved onto his back and floated lazily, looking at the sky. It was beginning to turn a deep, dark blue as darkness approached. In the east, he could already see some stars.

Suddenly he felt Lyssa kiss his forehead. He looked up at her smiling at him. He grinned back, and raising his arms above his head, he took her waist in his hands. She began swimming backwards toward the shore, pulling him along with her.

“You're so lazy,” she teased.

“You're so willing.”

She reached a depth where she could stand, pointing her toes to reach the bottom. He stood up also, able to put his feet down firmly and still be above the water. She swam behind him, and wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, she rested her chin on his shoulder.

“You think you're getting a free ride, do you?”

“Yep,” she grinned.

Will turned and dove under the water with her still on his back. He was surprised that she managed to hold on. He couldn't swim very well with her on his back, but tried to stay under the water as long as he could, hoping she would need to breathe before he did. She didn't. He finally burst up above the surface gasping. She laughed as she caught her breath.

“You've swum in this lake all your life, haven't you?”

“Pretty much,” she admitted. “You're in my territory now.”

They continued to play around for ten more minutes before Lyssa said, “We should go home now. It gets dangerous at this time of year after dark.”

“What do you mean?”

“The cold descends quickly at night, and we're already very cold and wet.”

Will began to follow her to the shore. Before they got out, Will caught her hand and pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. When they parted, he said, “I've enjoyed this.”

“En par with spending a day on the meadow?”

“Nearly, yes. If I weren't so damned tired, I would say yes.”

Lyssa laughed, rubbed his shoulders a bit, and kissed him.

“Come on. Let's go home.”

Lyssa put on her work penny over her soaking dress, forgoing her shoes, while Will put on his clothes. They walked alongside the horses since they didn't want to get the saddles wet.

By the time they reached the house, Lyssa's teeth were chattering. They put the horses in the stable and ran to their rooms to dry off and put on some warm clothes.

Jane and Charles came to sit with them while they ate their evening meal by the roaring fire. Lyssa had a blanket draped around her shoulders and Will was wearing his cloak.

Charles laughed at the picture they made. “Where were you two? Did you go hiking on the snow-capped mountains?”

“Close,” Will said. “We went swimming in a lake most likely fed by mountain springs.”

Chapter Seven

Posted on Tuesday, 11 November 2003

Will stayed to help with the harvest for two more days before leaving with Charles for the castle. Once again, Lyssa cried as she said goodbye. Once again, she couldn't manage to tell him she loved him. And once again, Will left her a letter in her room, telling her how much she meant to him. I love you more than there are leaves in your orchard. This time, reading the letter made her cry with more sadness. She did love him so much, but wished she could say it. She was angry with herself at the same time as self-pitying.

To flee from the ache of missing him so greatly, Lyssa threw herself into the harvest labour. The entire family, even Mistress Bent, was put to work doing the rush of tasks that had to be done all at once. They even had two hired hands to help out.

Firefly was a tremendous help for Lyssa. They were able to be a team, working together in the orchards. Lyssa strapped four baskets onto Firefly and filled them from her place in the trees, hopping down to move from tree to tree. She worked long hours - from sun up to sun down, often taking a quick dip in the lake to soothe her body.

Mistress Bent deplored Lyssa working so hard, wailing about how much of a wife she would be when she was all wiry and muscular. Lyssa merely ignored her mother. Only Jane understood how she felt.

Lyssa became anxious to have news from the castle. She often thought about the present political trouble in the north-western corner of the kingdom. She fumed as well as worried.

Finally, three weeks after Will had left, Charles rode through the orchards looking for Lyssa. He hadn't even gone to the house, hoping to speak to the Prince's fiancé as soon as possible.

He found her among the pears near the edge of the estate.

“My lady,” he said.

She jumped, startled, and dropped her penny holding a pound of pears. She hugged him enthusiastically as he apologized profusely for startling her.

“Never mind that, give me the news!”

Charles' face turned grave. “I have no letters for you, my lady.” She looked confused. Charles continued, “It would be too risky at this point. In fact, this is the last time I can come here for a while.”

“What?! What do you mean? How long is a while?”

“Until things… are better.”

Lyssa felt panic rise within her. “Will? Is he all right?”

“He's fine for now.”

“For now?!” she exclaimed.

Charles put his two heavy hands on her shoulders to calm her. “Let me explain everything.”

It was a short walk to the birch wood retreat. When she was settled, Charles began. “While I don't want to alarm you, you must understand that the kingdom is now in turmoil.” Lyssa gasped. “We are no longer assured of your anonymity nor your safety.”

Lyssa closed her mouth, which had been hanging open in shock. She took a deep breath, feeling her fighting spirit rise within her. “Tell me everything.”

“The northern nobles have, for some time, been causing discord in the court. While I hate to speak ill of my lord, the King has given them too much leeway in the past. This kingdom has had it easy for some time now. The nobles have become greedier and much less responsible. You are aware that the northern nobles had their eye on the mineral-rich Northern Province of Windham. The King refused to wage war against Windham for territory acquisition of that kind. We've had fairly good relations with our neighbour for many years. The King assumed the final word had been said on the issue. He was king, he had said no, that was the end of the matter. But the northern nobles, having had their way for too long, became angry.”

Lyssa gasped again. “Tell me the King and Queen are all right!”

“They're fine for now. But the northern nobles have declared themselves independent from the throne. They've seceded.”

“No!” she exclaimed, appalled.

Charles nodded grimly. “When I left, no decision had yet been reached about what the King would do. Will fears His Majesty will fight to take them back.”

“What would Will have him do?”

“Will is in a quandary himself. He knows that the kingdom needs the northern provinces. He also knows that the northern provinces will not survive without the minerals the south provides. Will assumes they will soon try and conquer Windham's Northern Province.”

“What if we did nothing, but waited until they invaded the Northern Province, and then surely Roble, Windham, and Arcadia would defeat them.”

“It is likely they would defeat our northern provinces. But consider what would be left. The northern provinces would be wasted. Think how many lives would be lost - both our citizens and those of the other kingdoms. If His Majesty brings the northern provinces back to the kingdom now, it prevents much bloodshed in the long run.”

Sitting on a rock, Lyssa rested her elbows on her knees, her head propped up in her hands. She stared down at the leaf-covered ground. Finally she asked, “What is the King doing?”

“He's still using diplomacy and sweet-talking to bring them back.”

“When I met him, he just didn't seem like the sweet-talking kind of king.”

“He's stern, but he is a bit too loath to take up the sword in my opinion.”

“Will won't fight, will he?”

“Not if I can help it, my lady.”

“What about me? How do you know I'm not a secret anymore? How did they find out?”

“Remember one evening meal when Lida asked Will who the princess was? She said that the servants always know things.”

Lyssa's face turned white. “Not Mistress Reynolds!” she breathed.

“No, no. But several servants waited on you, and one of them must have put two and two together and guessed that it was you.”

“How do you know this?”

“After finding out that there is someone looking for you, I did some investigating myself to find out how he got his information about you.”

“What do you mean he is looking for me?”

“The servant did not know where you were from. He could only give a rough description of you and a guess at your station in life. While this man will have a difficult time of it, I don't doubt that he could find you given enough time. That is why I must not return here until I know things are settled. I came via a very indirect route, hoping to confuse anyone who could be watching me.”

“What would they do with me?”

“The northern nobles know that Will won't let them go as easily as his father.”

Lyssa interrupted him, “But I thought Will was a turtle and his father more of a hawk!”

“The King may once have unhesitatingly gone into battle against these provinces, but in his older age, he's not so keen. He wouldn't be able to lead the men into battle. Will, on the other hand, will inherit the kingdom, and is fully aware how dysfunctional it would be in this conceivable state. While I shall try my best to keep him out of battle, he may try other tactics. Will has a brilliant mind - most likely more so than his father. And because Will is so vital in this, it means you are too. You are the ideal weapon against him. He's told you this before.”

“He was talking hypothetically!” she cried, feeling the panic inside of her rising once more.

Charles took her hand in his. “I'm sorry to tell you all this, my lady. I did not want you to know, but Will insisted that you be informed.”

Lyssa took a calming breath. “Yes. Yes, it is best that I am forewarned. Will is right to tell me.”

“My lady,” Charles gravely said, “Will is almost distraught with worry for you. If he is like this when you are still safe here, I know not what he will be like if he knows you are captured.”

“Don't worry about me, Charles. Tell him I will never be captured. I give him my word.”

“How could you make such a promise?”

“I'm not as important as the kingdom. If removing myself from the equation means saving the kingdom, then so be it. It's no more than what any soldier going into battle does.”

Charles' face conveyed horror. “My lady! Lyssa, you cannot be serious.”

“I am. If I am such a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands, then I shall stay out of those hands at whatever cost. I would do this for the kingdom, Charles. It must stay in one piece. They can't let it be split like this. If the northern nobles are allowed to split away, what is stopping every single province from becoming a kingdom on its own?”

“But think of what Will would go through,” Charles pleaded.

“Will asked me to marry him after spending one day with me. Somehow, I think he would soon find a replacement for me.”

Charles looked at her hard face in amazement, wondering how he had destroyed the warm, vibrant woman he knew Will loved with all his being. She didn't seem to realise Will's depth of feeling for her.

“When do you leave?”

Charles took a moment to register the sudden change in subject. “T-tonight,” he sputtered.

“Come, you'll want to rest before you leave again. And see Jane.”

Charles groaned. “Lyssa, what will I tell her?”

“Just tell her you won't be able to return here for a few months. I'd rather you not tell her everything else. Nor to my father.”

Lyssa began to walk toward the house rapidly. Inside of her was a will to live, a desperate will to live at all costs, that she had never before experienced. She felt continuously on the verge of terror and panic. If she thought about it too much, she would go mad. She must stay ahead, stay alert, and stay alive.

Charles was fed and his horse refreshed and rested in the stable beside Firefly. He took a nap in the guest room. When darkness fell, he spoke with Jane for several moments. Then Lyssa walked with him to the edge of the estate.

“Don't worry about me,” Lyssa said. “Whatever you do, I want Will to be kept safe.”

“Damn it, my lady!” he exclaimed. Lyssa held in a giggle at hearing an expletive followed by the noble address. “He's telling me the same thing - to keep you safe.”

“Tell me this, then. What is your duty? To protect me, or to protect him?”

Charles didn't answer.

“All I'm telling you to do is fulfill your duty to him. I can take care of myself.”

Charles nodded unhappily.

Lyssa stopped at the stone wall that separated her estate from the woods beyond.

Charles hesitated. “My lady,” he paused again. “He does love you.”

“Yes, he's told me.”

Charles didn't know what else to say, so he merely said, “I hope to see you in a few months, hopefully less.”

“Safe journey.”

Lyssa watched Charles ride into the gloomy darkness, beginning his long, circuitous journey back to the castle. She thought on his last words. He does love you. It was an odd feeling … to want to hear that assurance so much, and yet to fear it. If she managed to convince herself that Will didn't love her, it would be far easier to deal with the rejection when it came - on either side. The circumstances between them did not lend themselves toward an easy courtship. If she imagined that she was easily replaced in his affections, she felt freer to act as she felt she needed to in order to save the kingdom. The less emotionally attached, the less pain in the end.

Lyssa lent against a walnut tree, her face contorting in pain as she bent her head to her hand, her shoulders shaking slightly as she sobbed. She didn't know why she cried. There were so many reasons, each in itself no good reason to cry, but all together they overwhelmed her.

Once a good portion of the harvest had been brought in, Lyssa was sent into the village of Meryton with a cart full of deliveries. She walked slowly beside Firefly pulling the cart of goods, lost in introspection. She'd heard nothing of any danger since Charles had left. Rather than making her feel easier, the waiting had begun to tear at her nerves. Constant vigilance, jumping at small noises, the paranoia, ate her alive. Katy and Lida had taken to teasing her recent jumpiness, taking advantage of this display of weakness.

It was a good hour and a half walk into the village. Lyssa's first few stops were to the outlying farms. She picked up wheat, barley, and corn in exchange for walnuts and apples. Then she began making her rounds in the village itself, having to stop for a cup of cider and conversation at most of the houses. She kept the details of her life to a minimum. Everyone, however, wanted to hear about the ball. By the end of the day she was losing patience and tact.

Her final stop was Luke's Lodge, the local tavern in the village. Luke generally had the biggest order of produce from the Bent orchards, using the apples in his drinks. She took them round to the back, and after loading the bushels into Luke's storage cellar, she entered the tavern to chat with the old man and have a drink. The tavern was a dark and smoky place. Little light passed through the tiny windows in the upper walls, spluttering candles on a few tables illumined the centre of the room.

She gave Luke a kiss on the cheek when she found him behind the bar. Luke was a portly gentleman with small, friendly blue eyes and a nose that showed his love for drink. He had the kind of face that encouraged people to talk to him.

This late, autumn afternoon, Luke's face became grave upon seeing her. He brought her under his heavy arm and leaning down to speak softly in her ear said, “There's been some northern gents askin' `round about you. Look, they're over there at the back.”

Lyssa became paralyzed, feeling an icy grip of fear steal over her. She thanked her good fortune for having kept her cloak and hood on, hoping it hid her enough from view so that she would not attract unwanted attention.

“They've been friendly and such, but they just seemed too curious to me. You didn't get in trouble when you went to the ball did ye? You didn't insult no nobles?”

Lyssa managed to shake her head.

Several moments later, when Lyssa still hadn't said anything, Luke assumed that she minded his intrusion. Hoping to apologise for it, he offered her a drink - a stiff one. She accepted it, moving away from Luke and into a corner to nurse her drink.

She bent her head over the glass and tried to calm herself down to think rationally. It took several minutes and a couple more sips of her bitter drink before she gained some sense. She stood up and moved casually to sit right behind the two men's table. She slouched over, leaning on the table and hiding her face in the hood of her cloak.

“-said she went to the castle to attend the ball.”

Lyssa clenched her glass in panic.

“Then she comes home with a fiancé. A butler, that milliner said.”

“Do you really think she's the one?”

“Dunno.” There was an implied shrug of the shoulders in the tone of the voice. “We catch her, take her up to the master and he can decide. If she's not the one, then we keep looking.”

“When are we gonna do it?”

“Wait until dark and Bents're asleep. I've heard that there are a lot of `em. The master said he'd cut our heads off if we harm her. He wants her alive and unharmed.”

The second man burped loudly and laughed thunderously. Most of the patrons in the tavern turned to look at the two men.

The first man snorted and grabbing the second's shirt pulled him out of the table. “Come on. We gotta get outta here. You'll just get drunk and screw up the mission elsewise.”

After some grumblings, the voices went away and Lyssa was left to slump onto the table. Twenty minutes later, she left Luke's Lodge and began walking back home with Firefly, her mind awhirl with plans and thinking, all the while pushed on by the edge of panic and fear. She couldn't go to the castle. She knew she couldn't be safe there. Not only would she be an easy target, but word of her betrothal would spread even further - dangerous news in this time of uncertainty. She was no longer safe in her own home.

She could run away. She could go to that hermit Will mentioned. Lyssa clenched Firefly's mane as if ready to leap on her back and flee. She relaxed again in despair. If she ran, the men would simply track her down. There had to be some other way of preventing any kind of search. She could try and kill the kidnappers. No. Even if she succeeded in doing so without getting into trouble, there would only be more kidnappers more sure of their quarry. She had to find a way of stopping the trail dead.

…Dead.

By the time she reached her orchards, she had a plan to escape.

Lyssa took her wooden box full of Will's letters, read through them all one more time, then hid them in the stable with a flint.

Dearest Jane,

When it was dark, she returned to the stable. Her stomach was full of the writhing snakes of nervousness. She knew that what she was doing was dangerous; there was a possibility that she really would be killed in the fire if things went wrong. She tied Firefly to a tree hidden from the house. She took a small sack of walnuts and hid them with Firefly. Next, she took a blanket, soaked it in the horse's water trough, leaving it beside Firefly in case she needed it.

Dear Father,

Finally, she took a deep breath, went into the stable, and took out the box of letters. She settled it in the bed of hay in the corner of the stable at the opposite end of the animals, and lit the flint. After several tries, the letters caught fire. She stood back, pocketing the flint, and watched the letters go up in flames. She bit her lip to keep back her tears and all the emotions that came with it. Swallowing with difficulty, she continued observing as her box caught fire next, warping and sparkling in deep purple, yellow, and white flames. It was but a few seconds before the hay caught fire.

I must leave you.

The horses, by this time, had smelt the fire and become restless. She suddenly remembered she'd forgotten to make sure that all the stalls were open already. Leaving the fire, she rushed over and began unlocking the stalls. She got to the second to last one and had difficulty pulling the latch back. It was the sticky one that always gave people a hard time. Feeling panic beginning to rise in her as she saw the flames grow larger at the other end of the stable, she left that stall and began to lead the Bent's one cow out of the stable. She let her loose outside, taking a deep breath of cool air before rushing back into the increasingly hot stable. There were four horses to free before she could escape. She grabbed the first one, closest to the fire, threw a blanket over its head, and led it steadily out of the stable. She grabbed the blanket and ran back inside as she heard the shouts of her family. She coaxed the second horse out of its stall, tugging a little bit in panic. When she turned to go back in once more, she felt someone trying to stop her.

Burn this letter as soon as you have read it.

“Let me go!” she shouted, and rushed back in.

By this time, the fire was blazing.

I am in danger. I must escape and not be sought for or found.

She began to cough. She struggled with the latch again. She jerked and yanked it, even spitting on it to make it slick enough. The horse inside the stall was beginning to panic, whinnying and showing the whites of his eyes. With a desperate sob that turned into a cough, the latch flew back. Her hand was gashed by the wood on the edge of the stall, but she ignored it. Throwing the blanket over his head, she quickly led him out of the burning stable. One more to go, Lyssa turned back.

You must not tell Will or Charles the truth.

“Lyssa, no!” Maria shouted, tugging her arm and trying to pull her away.

“Stop! Let go!” Lyssa pulled herself free and ran back inside one last time. She freed the mare and as she led it toward the door, a beam in the left hayloft collapsed. She screamed, and had difficulty making sure the last horse was out.

They must not look for me.

She wanted to collapse from exhaustion, heat, and the smoke that made her mind fuzzy, but she knew she had to go in, and not come back out again.

This time it was Jane who tried to stop her. “Lyssa!” she cried at her.

I love you. I shall return when it is safe.

Lyssa turned to go back inside and heard Jane say for her ears alone, “I love you,” and Jane allowed Lyssa to pull away.

Lyssa ran inside, putting her sleeve over her mouth. She squinted, trying to see through the smoke and wavering heat.

She saw the back entrance at the far end of the long stable, and knew she had to pass through it. She must not go out any other way. The danger was that the entire end was ablaze. She decided she had to go. It was either this, or betray Will.

Hide the evidence of the truth.

She stumbled to the end of the stable, thinking it to be an awfully long way away. She felt her breathing become more and more laboured, her mind more and more fuzzy and confused. She was so tired. It was so unbearably hot. A stall door narrowly missed hitting her, but she continued moving toward the exit.

A gust of wind came through the open door and blew hot embers at her. She fell to the ground, feeling her shoulder beginning to burn. She managed to get up, and clutching a hand to the pouch hanging around her neck, she burst through the door.

With all my love, Lyssa

The cool air was just as painful as the hot air had been a few seconds earlier. She whimpered, staggering away from the burning building. When she was a safe distance away, she rolled onto the ground, curling on one side, coughing intensely. The deep, wracking coughs seized her body for several minutes. She became desperate for air. Eventually, she was able to calm herself down enough to get some gasps of air between coughing fits.

She turned to her other side to watch as the roof of the stable collapsed. Over the roar of the fire, she could hear the screams and wailings of her family. Her head dropped to the ground in exhaustion as tears streamed down her face. Another coughing fit seized her for several minutes. When it ended, she managed to pull herself upright and stagger to Firefly. She took the wet blanket and wrapped it around herself, rubbing its cool dampness against her sweaty, tear-stained, sooty face. She tried sucking some of the moisture from one corner, but it only served to increase her thirst. She didn't have enough energy to mount Firefly yet, so she sat back against the tree.

While relieved that the plan had worked, she also felt more alone than she had ever felt in her entire life. She had no one to turn to.

Ten minutes or more must have passed before she was able to pull herself into Firefly's saddle. She slowly rode her to the lake. When they arrived, Lyssa practically fell off of Firefly and onto the shore of the water. She cupped her hands and took deep draughts of the sweet water. She splashed her face, rubbing it a little, before she drank again. She began to cough again, spitting up phlegm. She sat upright to allow herself to breathe easier.

When she was calm and had caught her breath once more, she began to look at the injuries she had sustained during the fire. Her left hand had a deep gash from the stall, and her right shoulder was badly burned, as well as a few burns on the right side of her face. She decided she was lucky her hair hadn't caught on fire. She bathed her shoulder in the cool water, tearing the material of the sleeve away from the wounds.

Finally, Lyssa felt well enough to continue her flight. She mounted Firefly once more, and they began the long journey away from everything she knew.

Lyssa and Firefly journeyed to the foot of the Eosian mountain range, where she knew of a rocky crevice in which the shepherds kept provisions. They spent the night there, Lyssa too exhausted to mind the uncomfortable bedding.

At sunup, they began to make their way along the mountain range south. Not having any other form of guidance, she intended to follow the coast. She soon found a stream that looked to be heading to the sea.

Lyssa felt naked without the seal around her wrist. She had dithered about taking it for some time. She knew that it would present some danger, but could not bring herself to give up the last link she had with Will. After much deliberation, she decided to keep it with her, but had borrowed a small pouch Jane had worn full of herbs when she was ill one year. She was thus able to wear it away from curious eyes. The pouch hung lightly around her neck, but heavy enough to know of its presence.

Following the stream provided her and Firefly a continuous source of fresh water. The mountains were already mostly covered in snow, but the lower areas were ablaze with bright autumnal colours.

After having saddle-sore muscles the first few days, the only discomforts she had left were the burns on her right side, and her hand, which looked to be healing to her satisfaction.

She avoided the villages and farms she encountered along the way, developing a fear of people. Her meager rations, however, soon ran out, and she was forced to stop in a village to purchase more provisions, using some of the money Will had given her. She wore her cloak and hood to prevent her being seen as much as possible.

One evening, as the sky turned a pinkish purple hue, Lyssa and Firefly found themselves looking at the ocean from a high cliff.

To their left, the mountain range continued, rising almost immediately from the water. To her right, was the stream - which had by now grown into a river - with the flatter, rolling hills of southern Shire.

She dismounted, and pulling her cloak tightly around her against the bitterly cold sea winds, she sat down and watched the sunset in a flare of colour. The sight was beautiful, and gave her a sense of tranquility she hadn't had in a long time.

She missed Will, but felt like she was doing the right thing. She felt like she was doing something for him in roundabout way, rather than just sitting and waiting for things to happen.

She listened to the roar of the waves crashing against the cliffs hundreds of feet below. Hundreds of kittiwakes and murres swooped and called to each other along the cliffs. They dove into the water, coming up with their evening meal, returning to their nests in the cliffs.

After darkness fell, Lyssa quickly mounted Firefly and went inland in search of a warm place to sleep. Eventually, she found a place that would do for the night. She unsaddled Firefly and brushed her down with the brush she'd brought with her.

She soon had a small fire blazing, which she used to heat her meager rations. Wrapping herself up in her cloak and blanket, she fell asleep.

Lyssa followed the coast east, climbing up into the snowy mountains to cross the range. This was the hardest part of her journey so far. She had prepared before moving through the mountains at the last village she'd come to. She had bought warmer clothes and as much food as Firefly could carry. The locals directed her to the route usually taken, but warned her that most travelers did not attempt it this late in the year.

She knew the risks, but also knew she did not want to be trapped on the west side of the mountain range until late spring. She had set off with grim determination that soon diminished to cold, feverish plodding. She worried more about Firefly than herself.

Together, they survived the first day of moving through the mountain pass. The snow was not yet too deep. They stopped when they came to a shepherd's summer cabin. She managed to coax Firefly to come inside the tiny shack, and wrapped her in a blanket when she had freed the horse of her burden. That night, Lyssa snuggled up to the warm flank of her horse, dreaming of Will once again.

They continued in the morning, moving slowly and difficultly through the snow drifts. Lyssa's constant fear was a blizzard. She knew that if one did hit them while they were exposed, they would not survive. This awareness spurred her on, walking beside Firefly to make it easier for the mare.

Soon, the snow-covered fir trees stopped, and Lyssa knew that they were now above the treeline. The woman who had advised her of the path through the mountain pass had said that they would not be above the treeline for long. Lyssa could only assume that meant they would soon begin their descent.

She knew Firefly was tired. She planned to stop and rest for several days once they crossed the mountains.

Chapter Eight

Posted on Monday, 1 December 2003

Word of the tragedy on the Bents' estate soon reached Charles. He had the unenviable and rather risky task of informing the Prince. He put it off for a whole day, trying to think of a way to soften the blow. Finally, he decided to get it over with. He packed a saddlebag with liquor and invited the Prince out for a ride. He didn't want to be within hearing distance of anyone.

Will reluctantly rode through the countryside with him. Charles had said he urgently needed to speak with him. Will was in his usual foul mood. He missed Lyssa, worried about the northern situation, and was thoroughly fed up with the court.

When Charles reached a location isolated enough for his satisfaction, he dismounted and sat beneath a tree.

“Sit down,” he told the Prince.

“I'd prefer to pace, thank you,” Will curtly replied.

“Sit down,” Charles repeated more firmly.

Startled at his tone of voice, Will sat down.

“I don't know how to make this easier. There probably is no way.” Charles paused, wishing on all the stars in the heavens that he did not have to do this, that the news had been false. “I've learned of some very bad news.”

Will's face already registered fear. There was only one reason why Charles would bring him all the way out here, away from the castle and its prying ears, to tell him bad news.

“Oh dear heavens above!” he whispered. “Tell me Lyssa is all right.”

Charles' face gave him no hope. “She was killed in a stable fire.”

Shaking his head, Will whispered, “No. No no no no no.” Then more firmly he said, “No! She's not. There must be some mistake. She's smart; she wouldn't get herself killed like that.”

Charles hesitated, unsure if he should tell him of his last conversation with Lyssa. “Will, I have some suspicions that it was not an accident.”

Will looked at him in horror and fury. “Someone murdered her?”

“No, they would not have killed her. They wanted her alive. For this reason, I think she did it herself.”

“No!” he shouted, leaping his feet. “No, she would not have done that.”

“She told me she would.”

“What?”

“When I last spoke to her, I warned her of the danger she was in and she posed. She told me she would kill herself before letting herself get captured.”

“How could you let her think something like that?!” he yelled at his friend.

“I tried to persuade her against it, Will.”

Will paused, his laboured breathing coming fast in pants. He calmed himself. “No,” he said quietly. “She wouldn't have killed herself.”

“Will, you must accept this.”

“No! You don't know her like I do! You don't know her!!” His voice dropped to an intense softness. “I did. By the heavens and my birthright, I did. And the Lyssa I love would not have taken the easy way out.”

He began to pace while Charles wisely kept his silence, pitying his friend from the bottom of his heart.

“Tell me what you heard,” Will commanded. “Every word of it.”

“Lyssa had come back late from making deliveries in the village. The family were all within when they heard the sound of frightened horses. They went outside to discover the stable in flames and Lyssa going in and out rescuing the horses. She got all but one out. She went in for the last one and never…” Charles voice broke, “and never came out again.”

“Which horse was left?”

“I don't know, Will.”

“The seal,” he said. “She always wore it. Did they find it in the ashes?”

“I don't know.”

“Fine.” Will mounted his horse.

“Wait a minute! Where are you going?” Charles said in surprise, grabbing hold of Will's reigns to prevent him from leaving.

“I'm going to Lyssa's house.”

“You can't, Will.”

“I have to find out.”

“Will, this is mad! You're upset, I understand that. Look, I have some ferment here-“

“No, I'm not mad!” Will snapped. “Listen, Charles! If she was in that fire, the seal will be there. It cannot be destroyed by fire. She must have taken Firefly and fled! That's what my Lyssa would do. Everyone will believe her dead and won't come after her.”

“If you believe that, then I'll go. You can't leave the castle at this time. Not only would it endanger any current proceedings, it would also bring much attention to your destination. If Lyssa has escaped, then she should be safe. But if they figure out that she escaped and hasn't died, then her family may be used. You must think, man! You can't go.”

Will slouched dejectedly, acknowledging Charles' reasoning. He couldn't go.

“Very well. You go. I want you to go to that stable, and comb every single ash of that building with a sieve and fine-toothed comb. You come back with that seal and with the name of the horse that did not come out with her!”

Charles mounted his horse.

“Oh!” Will thought of something else. “Find out if my letters are still there and bring them back to me if they are. She kept them in a wooden box she carved herself. It should be in her room. And find out from her father how much of the money I left them is still there. She would have taken it with her.”

Will's fervent, passionate excitement fuelled Charles' own hope that Lyssa yet lived.

“One more thing,” Will added. “If you should find enough evidence to suggest that she lives, don't let her family suspect it. Jane and her father may know, but not the others. And find out from Jane as much as you can. Lyssa confides in Jane, and you can surely get Jane to confide in you.”

“Will, if she does live, and she has fled, where would she have gone?”

Will's horse pranced restlessly, the beast sensing Will's impatience. “She'll leave Shire, almost certainly. She's probably gone to the hermit in Tatton. I will find her.”

Will set off for the castle at a gallop, not looking to see if Charles followed.

Charles blackened his hands for a whole day looking for the seal. He was already heartened to learn from Lida that Firefly was indeed the horse lost to the fire. Lida was unexpectedly sobered by the incident. To be sure, the entire family was still in mourning for their loss.

After the first day of no success, Charles felt more hope rising within him. In the evening, he asked Jane to walk with him.

She was silent and grave for some time. Charles didn't know how to begin questioning her. He was afraid of tripping over his tongue, afraid of offending her, afraid of making the pain of loss worse.

Finally, Jane asked in her soft, gentle voice, “What are you looking for in the ashes?”

“The seal she always wore around her wrist.”

“You won't find it there.”

A thought suddenly occurred to him. She may have given it to someone for safekeeping. If she had known she would die in the fire, she may not have worn it then.

“Y-you don't have it, do you? Will needs it.”

“No, I don't have it. It is not here.”

Charles grabbed her hands. “Jane,” he whispered. “Tell me. Where is she?”

Jane shook her head. “I can't.”

“You can't?”

Again, she shook her head sadly.

“You can't, or you won't?”

“I can't,” she whispered.

“Do you know where she is? Where she's going?”

Jane shook her head.

Charles didn't say anything for a while. He absently rubbed his thumb over the back of her soft, small hands. “Did she love Will?”

“More than anything,” Jane sighed.

Charles nodded, satisfied. “I need you to do me one favour.”

“If I can.”

“Will asked me to bring back the box of his letters to her. Can you find them in her room and give them to me?”

“I'll look.”

Charles, no longer able to resist, tenderly pulled her into his arms, and held her to him as he bent to place his cheek against hers. He treated her as if she were as fragile as a butterfly. She was the sweetest soul he had ever known. She stood in stark contrast to the rest of his dangerous warrior's world. He whispered, “I must go in the morning. Will is probably worrying himself sick. But I shall return again as soon as I am able. Things are difficult at the castle right now.”

She sighed what sounded like a contented, happy sigh. After a moment, “Can you not tell me what is wrong?”

“Not now. Next time. The less you know, the safer you are.”

She now sighed out of resigned frustration. “I know.”

After a pause, Charles gently asked, “Why didn't she want me to know?”

Jane hesitated before admitting, “She didn't want anyone to follow her.”

“Did she say when she was coming back?”

Jane turned her head to rest her cheek against his shoulder, resting her forehead against his warm neck. “When the trouble is over.”

“She didn't tell you where she was going?”

Jane shook her head. “Charles, don't let Will go after her until it's all over.”

“He's difficult to manage, but I will do my very best.”

“Don't use force on him, use reason. Just explain to him why. He's not irrational or stupid.”

“No, thank goodness he is not. Though we have proof enough of his rashness.”

They were silent for several minutes, listening to the cold breeze rustling through the trees. Charles nearly didn't hear her breathe in the softest of voices, “I'm frightened for her.”

Charles held her tighter, reaching a hand up to stroke her fair hair. “She's proven herself capable so often. I have faith in her stubbornness to survive.”

“I'm frightened for you, too,” she timidly added.

Charles felt a swell of emotion fill him. He lifted his head to see her face. She avoided his eyes, her cheeks hot with embarrassment. Using a finger under her chin, he made her look at him. “That makes me very happy.” He bent and gently kissed her. He lingered, then pulled away. He paused, making sure she wasn't angry with him, then returned to kiss her several more times, before gently moving his lips to kiss her cheeks, nose and closed eyes. He stopped when he felt her trembling in his arms.

After several moments, he said, “We should be returning to your house. I need to get some rest for a long ride tomorrow.” He paused before saying, “I promise to return when I am able.”

“I will wait for you,” she assured him.

“I'm sorry you're the one who always seems to be left behind,” he said with a small laugh.

“I don't mind so much. I'm a good deal more patient than Lyssa is, anyway.”

Charles reluctantly released her from his arms. He captured her hand in his as they leisurely walked back to the house. “Is there anything your family needs? I can help you.”

“We are fine, thank you,” she replied. “We have had a good harvest.”

“I am glad.”

“Just… fix this trouble that no one will tell me about.”

“I'm sure you will hear of it soon from the villagers. I will tell you right now that the northern provinces have rebelled against the King.”

Jane looked aghast at him. She never imagined they could do such a thing.

“Now you understand the grave nature of the trouble.”

Jane nodded.

When they reached the house, Charles went to speak briefly with Master Bent while Jane looked for the box of letters he had requested. She informed him of their absence when he went to the guest room for the night. Jane was the only one awake when Charles left. He kissed her and promised once more to return.

Lyssa was half frozen when she and Firefly walked out of the mountains. They had survived the pass merely by the grace of the weather. Numb with exhaustion, Lyssa eventually found a shepherd's cabin. She nearly didn't see it due to its camouflaged appearance. It was made of stone and looked like it was just a snow bluff. The door was only just large enough for Firefly to stoop through as Lyssa walked inside.

She fumbled building the fire, her hands clumsy from minor frostbite. She managed after many tries and feebly fed the fire until it was a modest blaze. Gradually, feeling returned to the extremities of her body. It was painful. Tears leaked out of her eyes as she struggled with the straps on Firefly's tack.

Firefly and Lyssa remained in this shelter for five days. When they emerged, it was hunger that drove them out. Lyssa found a village from which to purchase food, and then found the coast again. She felt like she had been through three seasons, and as many months.

The cliffs were still high. She lingered at one lonely vista, where a waterfall flowed over the rocks and into the sea below. A rickety wooden fence ran along the edge of the cliffs in an effort to prevent the foolish from perishing on the treacherous precipice.

Lyssa spurred Firefly on, anticipating many days before they reached their destination. Her plan, however unpromising, was to take refuge in the shrine, Mont Karmle. She had heard of it once from a pilgrim passing through the village. It had been several years ago, but Lyssa occasionally wondered about it.

The pilgrim had explained that he was on a spiritual journey to Mont Karmle. He said it consisted of a community of women, called Dedicates, who devoted their lives to caring for the shrine and receiving the pilgrims who made the long, arduous journey. Lyssa remembered him saying something about it being an island that one had to walk to. She was sure she hadn't remembered correctly. Or else he had been misinformed.

Nevertheless, Lyssa felt that she could go to this shrine and ask for sanctuary. There, she intended to wait until … well, until she felt it was safe to leave.

The difficulty, however, was finding the shrine. She knew it was in the Gulf of Eos on the eastern coast, and she was still on the southern coast. Eventually, she knew she would reach it if she just continued following the shoreline.

It took her two weeks before she began to work her way north along the eastern coast. It was still a rather hilly terrain, though not quite so elevated as the mountain range she had crossed. The weather continued to get colder, so Lyssa was quite surprised to come across an outcrop of yellow flowers on a hilltop. Upon reaching the crest of the hilltop, she was even more surprised to discover a beautiful lagoon below.

She and Firefly stopped to look down upon the beautiful vista, her breath quite taken away by the sight. If it weren't for her chattering teeth, Lyssa could almost believe that it was summer.

She guided Firefly cautiously down the slope, taking a path that would lead them to the beach. While it was tempting to try going in the water, Lyssa was wise enough to know how foolish a move that could be. Instead, they just took in the scenery before moving on.

Lyssa was very weary of traveling, and nearly without any hope of reaching the legendary Mont Karmle when the terrain began to flatten. The weather seemed harsher, the wind colder with a nasty bite to it, and the natural habitat coarser.

Lyssa came upon a fishing village nestled into a small cove that sheltered it from the sea winds. It looked like most of the inhabitants were out in their boats, but Lyssa did find one elderly woman mending nets with her knarled hands.

Lyssa asked the woman the way to Mont Karmle.

The woman replied with a question, speaking in an accent Lyssa could hardly understand. “Yera pullgrum?”

“Yes, madam.”

“Yeran't wurrin tright close.”

“What are the right clothes for a pilgrim to wear?”

“Pullgrums weyra gone of weyt unna veel of bleck.”

“White gown and black veil?”

The old woman nodded, then stood up with a grunt, took Lyssa's hand, and began to walk toward a house in the village, leaning on Lyssa for support. Lyssa went obediently with the old woman, who took her inside her house, and produced a sheet, which she proceeded to wrap around Lyssa in an odd fashion, until it did look like a gown. Then she took a much smaller black cloth, which felt soft and delicate to the touch, and wrapped it around Lyssa's head, covering her hair and the bottom half of her face.

When she was finished, the old woman stepped back and looked at Lyssa, nodding her approval. Lyssa thanked the woman and began to take off the clothing to give it back. The old woman's hands stayed her, and she shook her head, saying, “Kip em.”

“Thank you, very much,” replied Lyssa, and eventually managed to convince the old woman to take some small payment for the clothing.

As Lyssa mounted Firefly with somewhat more difficulty, the old woman gave her directions toward the shrine. According to the woman, she was only a few days away. Right before she rode out of the village, the old woman stopped her and said urgently, “Bware of duh sind.”

“The sand?”

The old woman nodded emphatically.

It was late afternoon when Lyssa spied a dark spot on the horizon of the sea. She had been keeping an eye out for it, beginning to believe that the pilgrim she had met years ago was correct in saying the shrine was on an island. She was surprised to see the spot, since she had more expected the island to be out of sight of the mainland. She felt her best hope was to look for busy fishing villages taking people to and from the island. It was dusk by the time she was close enough to see the island clearly from the mainland.

The pilgrim had been right. Lyssa gazed at a magnificent spectacle. It was a huge stone shrine on top of a small mountain, with a village around its base. Nowhere, however, could she see boats leading to the island. It seemed like a thoroughly isolated place, impossible to reach if one did not bring one's own boat. Perhaps she should have hired a fisherman to take her to the island from that fishing village earlier. She considered going back to the village, but decided to spend the night on the mainland coast first. She had never been so weary in her life. She felt like she was worlds away from her home and Will and the mess that Shire had been in when she had left. She could firmly believe that everything would be all right now, anyway. She could well appreciate the irony of it if that were the case. Here she had taken weeks to get to her sanctuary, and when she reached it, she didn't need it. But there was no way for Lyssa to be certain that everything was all right for her return. Even if the Northern Province situation was over, there would be plenty of other situations like it. Lyssa turned toward Mont Karmle. No, she would reach this shrine somehow, and spend some time working and relaxing there. For that was what she expected people to do at shrines.

She and Firefly bedded down for the night, soothed by the gentle lapping of the waves, which soon receded as the tide went out. In the distance, Lyssa could see the soft, flickering lights of Mont Karmle. It was frustrating to be so close to her destination, and yet still out of reach.

Lyssa woke with the sun after a long winter-night's sleep. She rolled up her blankets and began tying them to Firefly, who had been up long before having breakfast.

A glance at Mont Karmle produced a view she was not expecting in the least. The water, which had the previous evening spanned the distance between herself and the shrine, was now only a quarter of a mile from the gate of the island. She realised that the tide must recede to the point where she could reach the island, thus explaining how people got onto it.

Standing on the beach, Lyssa stood looking out over the expanse of sand and water. She figured that by the time she and Firefly crossed the exposed sand, the tide would be full out. Then she paused. That was only if the tide was currently going out right now. If the tide had turned and was on its way back in, she and Firefly didn't have a chance of making it without swimming. And any sea that had such a high tide as this one, would not be pleasant to swim in. Least of all in the winter. Then she recalled the old woman's words. Beware of the sand. Lyssa didn't know what was dangerous about the sand, but she decided to heed the woman's words and her own doubts, and wait to cross to the shrine.

She turned back to Firefly and took off the saddlebags and blankets. Firefly, confused, looked at her quizzically for a few moments, wondering what this sudden change of mind meant, but soon went back to finding some more delectable sea grasses to eat.

Lyssa sat on the shore the whole day, watching the tide, the sea, the sand, the waves, trying to learn how to cross safely to the mount. She was very, very glad she had not gone that morning, since she had been correct in surmising that the tide might be on its way in. The speed and depth of the tide frightened her. She figured it had to be 12 lengths high, and it moved so rapidly that she was sure someone caught in the sands could be drowned if they were not careful. That was the other thing. Every now and then, Lyssa caught a bubble in the sands out of the corner of her eye. If the sand was bubbling, it meant it was very unstable. Unstable to the point of sucking a person into it. The thought made her shudder. She supposed that this was what the old woman had meant. Perhaps many pilgrims made it to this point, but never made it to the shrine.

Still, Lyssa was determined not to die at this point in her journey. She decided to ride Firefly across the sands when the tide was on its way out the following day. She knew that horses had a sixth sense that told them where they could walk.

When morning broke, Lyssa watched the tide return, then begin to recede once more. She saddled Firefly, tying her saddlebags and blankets to her hopefully for the last time, and mounted her. Adjusting the black veil and shifting her white gone, Lyssa led the horse down the grassy dune to the wet sand. Then, keeping her to a very slow walk, Lyssa rode toward Mont Karmle.

Lyssa and Firefly made it to the gates of the island with only a few close calls. She dismounted when they were on the solid rock, and led her horse through the very narrow streets of the village which wound down from the shrine at the top. The village, despite its odd location and confined existence, was just like any other village. There were craftsmen working on their trades in their workshops, stores selling wares, and people busying to and fro.

While Lyssa herself did not draw any attention, dressed as she was, Firefly did. Quite a few people stopped and stared, startled at the sight of the horse. It made Lyssa somewhat uneasy, wondering if Firefly was recognizable or something.

At one point, the village stopped, and there was just the narrow stone road leading steeply up to the gates of the shrine. Lyssa looked up at the intimidating view of the stone structure.

This was to be her home for an indefinite period of time. It definitely looked extremely secure. She couldn't imagine any sort of threat to such a sturdy fortress.

Finally, Lyssa reached the gates. She paused, wondering if there were some guard or some other person she should see. Now that she had reached her sanctuary, she had no idea what she was going to tell the dedicates she was running from. She couldn't very well say she was the fiancé of the Crown Prince of Shire and people were after her.

The place seemed very quiet. Much quieter than she had expected. Lyssa waited, catching her breath from the steep climb up to the shrine from the base of the mount, stroking Firefly's mane.

After she had been waiting for a quarter of an hour, a woman dressed in a brown habit hurried down through the outer courtyard. She went by too quickly for Lyssa to call out to her, but two seconds later, the woman's head peeked around the corner behind which she had just vanished.

“Good heavens!” she exclaimed and walked briskly towards Lyssa, her eyes wide with amazement. “Good heavens,” she repeated.

Lyssa didn't know what to say. It seemed like she wasn't welcome here. Perhaps pilgrims were no longer invited to the shrine.

“Whatever are you doing here, child?” asked the woman.

“I… um…” Lyssa hesitated. “I need sanctuary.”

“But… however did you get here?” The woman did indeed look quite astonished.

“I rode here. I've come a very long way. I've been weeks traveling.”

To Lyssa's surprise, the woman cupped Lyssa's face and looked sadly, intently, into her eyes. Softly, she said, “You must have run from a very great danger to come in the winter.”

Lyssa laughed a short laugh, saying, “Or else I'm very foolish.”

Once more to Lyssa's surprise, the woman smiled a wry smile, dropping her hands. “Yes, or that. But however did you manage to get that horse here?”

“I rode. Across the sand when the tide was out.”

“Good gracious.”

“Don't you have horses here?” asked Lyssa.

“No. They won't come across the sand. I'm afraid we don't even have a stable to put your horse in.”

“Oh.”

“Never mind that. We'll leave him? her?...”

“Her.”

“…her in the courtyard until you can take her back to the mainland.”

“Oh! But…”

“Don't worry, the Dedicates have farms and stables aplenty on the mainland, where your horse will be taken care of until you wish to leave here.”

“Thank you.”

“Come along, then. You must see Dedicate Prudence. She's the one who deals with the pilgrims.”

“And what is your name?” asked Lyssa.

“I'm Dedicate Persistence.”

“What funny names,” Lyssa observed politely.

“We drop our old names and are given virtues as our name when we become dedicates.”

“How fascinating.”

“Yes, well, usually they're shortened to something simpler by those of us who are… a little less reverent. I'm called Percy by those too lazy to pronounce Persistence. Just don't go using it around Dedicate Wisdom.”

“Why?”

“She's the Head Dedicate. She doesn't quite approve of such practices.”

They reached a small inner courtyard, and there Lyssa tied Firefly up temporarily. Then Persistence led her inside, through a maze of corridors and doors. They took a winding staircase up a tower, and then through a door into an office.

Persistence asked Lyssa to wait in the chair in the corner while she went to find Prudence. Left alone, Lyssa took in her surroundings. The room was small, made entirely of stone, and contained little furniture. There was a beautiful, ornately carved wooden desk, a matching wooden chair, and then the simpler chair Lyssa sat on. A tiny, slit window provided some daylight, while a sprig of candles on the desk provided the rest of the room's illumination.

Lyssa waited patiently until she heard footsteps coming up the stairs and a woman entered.

The woman came over to Lyssa and bent to kiss her forehead softly. “Greetings, pilgrim. You have made a dangerous journey to come at this time of year.”

Lyssa didn't know how to respond to this, so she kept quiet while Prudence sat down at the desk.

“And on horseback, I hear! Most pilgrims walk their arduous journey here.”

Lyssa decided it was time to speak up. “I am not so much a pilgrim as a refugee. I seek sanctuary in your protective walls.”

“I see. And why else have you come here?”

Lyssa sought for another reason. “To learn.”

“And why else?”

“There is no other reason.”

Prudence nodded, her hands steepled in deep thought as she gazed piercingly at Lyssa. Finally she said, “All right then. We'll leave it at that. If you think of another reason, you must come and tell me.”

Lyssa nodded.

“What is your name?”

Lyssa hesitated. “If you don't mind… I'd rather not say.”

“If you wish. While you are here, you shall be called Destiny, then.”

“Thank you, Dedicate.”

“You will be expected to help out with the work here.”

“What shall I do?”

“That is to be decided. People find their vocation here by their dreams.”

“Pardon?”

“You will sleep in many different locations. Wherever you find restful sleep, that is your vocation. You might try sleeping in the kitchens tonight. It's warm down there at least.”

Lyssa was rather taken aback. She didn't see how this could work. Rather than question the dedicate, Lyssa asked, “What about my horse?”

“Tomorrow, you shall take her back to the mainland to one of our farms. There she will be treated well but given work to keep her occupied while you are here. She will earn her keep.”

Lyssa nodded.

“Come along. I will show you around the shrine.”

After two minutes, Lyssa was lost and believed that she would never find her way again. The shrine seemed a maze that went in all directions. Stairs wound down and up and corridors twisted through and around the many rooms. Everything, however, seemed to centre around the cloister. The cloister was a colonnade surrounding a square garden. The place exuded peace and tranquility. Lyssa yearned to linger there, to walk among the flowers and hedges. The view from the outer edge of the cloister looked out over the sea. She wondered what was on the other side of the sea. She didn't quite believe that the world just ended suddenly like it looked.

The hub of the shrine was the huge cathedral that dominated the mount. Here it was that the dedicates spent their time in prayer and meditation, trying to achieve that oneness with their inner selves that would bring them infinite happiness.

It was time for the evening meal by the time Lyssa's tour of Mont Karmle was through. She sat with three other pilgrims at the end of a long table filled with dedicates, all dressed in brown habits. The food was very simple, but hearty. It was wonderful to Lyssa, who had been living off traveling rations for weeks. No one spoke during the meal; instead, one of the dedicates, positioned on a raised pulpit, chanted in a haunting fashion the proverbs out of the psalm book.

After the meal, Prudence came to lead her to the kitchens, where she would spend the night. Lyssa had expected to be placed on the floor, perhaps by the fire, perhaps with a blanket. Instead, she was given a comfortable bed, complete with pillows and soft, thick blankets.

Prudence bade her good night and left her alone in the huge kitchens. Lyssa felt rather silly sleeping in such a place, but at the same time, she felt a peace of mind she hadn't felt since Charles had informed her of the danger she presented to Will. She snuggled up in the bed, and sighed gratefully for the most comfortable bed she had had in weeks.

An hour passed, and Lyssa was still unable to fall asleep. She had taken to tossing and turning, flinging off the blanket, becoming cold and pulling it back on. She tried sleeping on her stomach, on her back, on her sides. Eventually, she decided that she must not be used to the comfortableness after sleeping on the hard, cold ground for so long. Desperate for some rest, Lyssa got out of the bed, and curled up on the floor beside the fire with the blanket. She managed to doze off for a little while, but still tossed and turned restlessly.

By daybreak, Lyssa was exhausted. She was beginning to understand what Prudence had meant. She obviously was not meant to be a cook in the kitchens. When the kitchens filled with activity, Lyssa gave up, and began to search her way through the maze of stairs and corridors to find the courtyard where Firefly had spent the night.

Lyssa spent that day taking Firefly across the sands once more, this time with a guide who knew the terrain well. They traveled to a farm five miles inland. Lyssa satisfied herself that Firefly would be happy living and working on the farm while Lyssa remained in the shrine. She just hoped the horse didn't think she had abandoned her. Then she walked back to the shrine, using the guide's help to cross the treacherous sands.

That night, she didn't sleep in the guests' room.

The following night, she didn't sleep in the refectory. Then she didn't sleep in the library, nor the knights' room, nor the pantry, nor the cloister - despite its peaceful soothing atmosphere - nor the Head Dedicate's office. Prudence was becoming quite confused. “It doesn't usually take this long to find one's vocation.”

Lyssa was becoming very grumpy from her lack of rest. If she had known this was what awaited her at her sanctuary, she would have taken a few days more rest before crossing the sands.

Finally, Prudence put her in a small, long, narrow room. It had no windows, and both walls were lined with two wooden poles running horizontally.

“What is this place?”

“It's our falconry. I'm running out of places to put you. I do so hope you finally have a good night's rest here.”

Lyssa heartily agreed and settled down into the bed she was beginning to loathe. She lay down, and in the dim light seeping through the cracks in the door, Lyssa took out the pouch that always hung around her neck. She emptied the contents into her hand and gazed down at it. It glinted softly in the low light. It was too dark to see the details of the seal, but she had already memorised them. She ran her thumb over it, clenching the chain in her fist. Then she turned on her side, and very soon, her eyes drifted close, and she fell into the deepest sleep she had had in many weeks.

She awoke completely rested, feeling better than she had ever felt. She didn't feel like getting up. She snuggled down under the covers, and tucked her hand under one cheek, the other still clutching the seal.

She was woken the second time by Prudence, who merely said, “It looks like we have a new falconer.”

Confused, Lyssa sat up, hiding the bracelet in her hand. “I don't know anything about falconry.”

“You'll have to learn. Meanwhile, I think you've missed the first meal. Come along Destiny, I'll show you to your room.”

“My room? I thought this was my room now.”

“This merely shows you your vocation while you are here. Once you have found it, you are given a proper bedchamber. Don't worry, you won't have any more sleepless nights here.”

Lyssa tucked the seal into its pouch, hiding it beneath her clothes, and followed Prudence. While she ate her meal, Lyssa asked Prudence about the falconry.

“Why does Mont Karmle even have a falconry?”

“When wealthy pilgrims come here, they leave their entire household behind. They leave behind spouses, children, servants, pet dogs, horses, everything. Everything except their birds. They are excessively attached to their birds. And these birds of prey are very, very expensive to keep, and they are very delicate in a way. It's not that you can break them easily or anything, but that they need tremendous loving and care. There is a strong bond between the person and the bird. This is why we have a falconry. It is to house the falcons, kestrels, peregrines, merlins, et cetera, during their master's stay.”

“What will I do?”

“You will care for the birds and the falconry.”

Chapter Nine

Posted on Friday, 12 December 2003

Since there were so few pilgrims during the cold winter months, Lyssa occupied herself by studying falconry from the books in the library, and by helping other dedicates around the shrine.

Lyssa would often sit on the ramparts and gaze out toward the mainland and wonder about Will.

She thought of him frequently, ached for him constantly, and occasionally would remember to think of missing her family, Jane in particular. She wondered if Charles and Jane finally came together.

Spring arrived and with it the first trickle of pilgrims making their way to the shrine. Lyssa helped prepare the guests' hall for their stay. Huge fires were kept in the four big fireplaces, two at each end of the room. Pallets were laid out on the floor and blankets provided.

Lyssa received her first bird just as the roses in the cloister garden were beginning to bloom. The small kestrel belonged to a noble lady who had come from Tatton.

As she took the bird into her care, she discovered that the ability truly did seem to come naturally to her. She and the bird understood each other, responded to each other, and seemed to use one another for support. While she was with the kestrel, Lyssa felt happy and content with her lot in life. The thick leather gloves, or gauntlets, she wore to protect her arm from the sharp talons, soon became worn-in and moulded to her hands.

During the noblewoman's stay, Lyssa took the opportunity to casually talk to her about politics.

“So… I heard from some other pilgrims that Shire has had some problems.”

“Goodness gracious, yes! It's given us all quite a turn.”

“What happened?” Lyssa held her breath. “Nothing happened to the royal family did it?”

“Yes!”

Lyssa's heart stopped. She had to know more. “W-what?”

“Since most of the kingdom had lost all confidence in the old king, he was forced to abdicate in favour of his son or risk losing the throne altogether!”

Lyssa was positive she could not continue standing and holding the kestrel on her arm. He felt heavy and he was beginning to sense her distress. She went over to a bench and sat down, shifting the kestrel to perch on her shoulder.

“Maybe you had better start from the beginning. I… only heard bits and pieces from the man I spoke to.”

“It all started when some of the nobles in the north wanted to invade Windham. The old king didn't take a hard enough line with them, and they ended up seceding. Or at least trying to.”

“How did they prevent the northern provinces from seceding?”

“Took an army against them. Then when the northern nobles tried to muster an army against them, they couldn't.”

“Why not?”

“Apparently the Crown Prince… what's his name…? Oh yes, Fitzwilliam. Apparently Prince Fitzwilliam had gone round to the different villages and people and talked with them! He and his spies convinced them not to stay loyal to their nobles but to the crown and they would be better cared for and rewarded.”

Lyssa was astonished. She felt overwhelmed with love and devotion for Will. He was so wise, so brave.

“What then?” she managed to say.

“After the nobles were … defeated, the rest of the nobles demanded that the old king abdicate in favour of his son.”

“So… Shire is ruled by …”

“By King Fitzwilliam.”

The kestrel began preening Lyssa, straightening her hair and nibbling on her ear.

“Are you all right, dear? You look a bit pale.”

“I'm fine,” Lyssa whispered, stroking the kestrel's mail*.

“I must say that you are a marvelous falconer.”

“Thank you,” Lyssa said, grateful and yet annoyed by the change of subject.

“You're wasted in a place like this.”

Lyssa didn't reply.

*Mail - the breast feathers.

Months passed and Lyssa concentrated on her daily tasks, more than grateful for the routine and simple living of the shrine. She enjoyed the company of the dedicates. Some were not much older than herself, while others had lived many decades.

Lyssa knew it was safe for her to return to Shire. And yet she was more afraid of returning than she had been when she knew her life was in danger there. She felt cowardly hiding in this sacred place at the end of the world.

Her guilt only increased when she was called before the Head Dedicate, Wisdom. She walked into the sumptuous office and curtseyed low to the great woman.

“My child,” Dedicate Wisdom began, “This place is a shrine, a place for meditation and prayer, a sanctuary providing protection for those who need it.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“This is not a hiding place.”

Lyssa swallowed, not looking up at the woman. “Yes, Your Grace.” She had been duly chastised.

Though guilt was a burden she carried with her constantly, her fear of returning was too powerful. How could she go back after all this time? Would she go straight to the castle and just show up? It had been so long since she had left, she could hardly believe the King of Shire loved her and wanted to marry her! She was nobody. She was merely a falconer. It was something about being secluded in Mont Karmle, so distant from the real world, that made reality that much harder to believe. Will was always close to Lyssa's heart, but the King of Shire was very distant indeed. She could picture herself returning to the castle and being summarily dismissed by the Royal Guard. Things had changed. Will was no longer the Crown Prince who would someday take the throne. He was King. In person, Will could make her forget who he was. But he wasn't there to do that. She could never see herself as a queen. And that would be exactly what she was if she returned to marry Will.

She also couldn't return to her home. She was supposed to be dead. How would she explain her actions without revealing her relationship with Will? Jane would be her primary reason for returning, and she may not even be there anymore. What if Charles came and took her away with him? Lyssa would be all alone in the orchards. So she remained where she was, content to live a small, insignificant life in the shrine. But she had no peace. The guilt and longing for Will nibbled at her happiness.

Late in the summer, the shrine received a royal visitor. Prince Richard of Eos came alone, dressed in the pilgrims' garb. Alone but for his hawk, Perdwin. To Lyssa this magnificent red-tailed hawk was entrusted.

Lyssa could tell that this hawk belonged in the royal court. He was strong and powerful, yet gentle and dainty in a way that made Lyssa laugh. She took tremendous joy in caring for the bird, taking him with her wherever she went in the shrine. He was a haggard - a wild hawk caught and trained with painstaking care. This meant that he was a much better hunter, but was also more likely to be lost during a hunt.

On the third day, Prince Richard sought her out. With Perdwin on her shoulder, Lyssa was unable perform the usual curtsey to the prince. “Forgive me,” she said, but he waved his hand, dismissing her apology.

“I am quite amazed at how taken Perdwin is with you. It is remarkable.”

“I find that most birds like me, Your Highness.”

“You are wasted in a place like this. You are not a dedicate, are you?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Where are you from?”

Lyssa hesitated. “I am from nowhere. I have no past, and I have no future. I have only the present.”

Lyssa fed a tidbit of meat to Perdwin.

“Do you intend to stay here at Mont Karmle forever?”

“No.”

“Then why do you have no future?”

“Perhaps it is more accurate to say that I do not know my future.”

“Who does?”

“Most people do know where they will be the following year.”

“True enough.”

“You know that you will be prince, you will marry, you will be involved in politics, and perhaps war…. I have no such certainty.”

The prince paused. “Would you like to go for a walk out on the rocks? Let's see if Perdwin will bring us home some fish. Unless you have fed him recently?”

“No, he should be hungry enough to hunt well.”

Together, the three of them walked out of the shrine and through the village. Lyssa led them down a side path that took them around the base of the shrine to Gabriel's Tower which guarded the mount from any threat coming by way of the sea. Perdwin's rufter* was fitted over his head, and he knew that he would soon be on the hunt.

When they had reached the rocky shore, Prince Richard asked, “Would you like to do the honours?”

Lyssa nodded, and held Perdwin close to her, whispering to him, encouraging him, getting him excited. He fidgeted, transferring his weight from one leg to the other, rustling his feathers. Lyssa took off the rufter, unhooked the leash, and tossed him up into the air. The hawk took flight immediately, and with a piercing cry, soared upwards.

Prince Richard and Lyssa sat down on a rock, watching the glorious flight of this magnificent bird.

“He's so beautiful,” breathed Lyssa.

“That he is.” Prince Richard gazed with pride at him.

Lyssa looked at the Prince and studied him for the first time. He was, perhaps, more handsome than Will in the traditional way. But he lacked Will's humorous twinkle in his eye. She knew that Richard was but a second son of the king of Eos, and yet he looked more like a Crown Prince than Will did. Will was one who looked more at home in the orchards and in the fields than he did in a ballroom.

Prince Richard caught her looking at him thoughtfully. Suddenly, he said, “Why don't you return with me?”

Lyssa looked completely taken aback. “I beg your pardon!”

“Return to the royal castle and take up a position as a falconer there. You underestimate your talents. You're a first-rate falconer. You could be head of the royal falconry after a few years.”

Lyssa still looked astonished. “Are you serious?”

“Perfectly. You could travel back with me, you would have a place to stay in the castle close to the falconry, you would have plenty of birds to work with. And you would be my personal falconer. While I take Perdwin with me most places, there are still some occasions when I must leave him behind.”

“But… Your Highness, I'm not sure… if my skills extend beyond this place,” she stuttered.

Prince Richard looked confused.

Lyssa explained, “I've never been a falconer before I came to Mont Karmle. It's like I was given the skills when I came here. I'm not sure if I would remain a first-rate falconer when I leave Mont Karmle.”

“You mean it's part of the mystery that is in this place?”

“I guess so.”

“But then, you can never know until you try, right?”

Lyssa nodded. She remembered Dedicate Wisdom's gentle admonition, and decided that it was time to at least leave Mont Karmle.

“All right, then. I'll come with you.”

“Wonderful. What is your name?”

She gazed out over the water, squinting against the sun.

“Destiny. But I go by Dusty.”

“What an odd name. It must not be your real name.”

“No, it is the name I adopted here.”

“Dusty?” he said dubiously.

She nodded. “One gets used to teasing nicknames.”

“Yes, I suppose falconry can be a bit of a dusty job.”

Perdwin came into sight clutching a fish in his talons. He dropped the fish in Lyssa's lap before settling onto her shoulder. The fish was a large one - already dead, thankfully. Lyssa praised Perdwin, cooing to him and caressing him in the manner he favoured. Then she replaced the rufter and the leash, hooked a finger in the gills of the fish, and set off with Prince Richard toward Mont Karmle.

After Lyssa had returned Perdwin to his perch in the falconry and fed him, she sought out Prudence to inform her of her impending departure.

They walked around the cloister together, their arms interlocked as the elder woman gave the younger some advice.

“My dear, everyone in this world has a purpose in life. We cannot escape it. My purpose is to welcome pilgrims to this shrine, and I try and do the best job that I can. You mustn't be afraid of your purpose. You won't be given anything you can't handle.”

Lyssa wondered how these dedicates seemed to see right through her. She was afraid they knew exactly who and what she was running from.

“Some of us are given heavier burdens to bear, but that is because we can manage it. You must have confidence that you will never be given something you cannot manage. You must have confidence in yourself.”

Lyssa wanted to protest this. She wanted to say, `It's fine to lecture me like this, but you don't have to face being the Queen of Shire!'

“What is the most important thing in the world to you?” Prudence asked Lyssa.

Lyssa's hand involuntarily stole up to her chest, where the pouch containing the seal was nestled.

“What are you doing for it?”

Lyssa was ashamed of what her answer would be: nothing. She felt she had been so brave to escape and run away. Perhaps she had been. But that bravery had turned into cowardliness when she knew it was safe to return.

“Go with Prince Richard, and see if you can fulfill your purpose.”

Lyssa nodded. Prudence kissed Lyssa's forehead, and turned into the shrine.

*Rufter - leather eye hoods.

Prince Richard left three days later, journeying back to the capital of Eos. They stopped along the way to pick up Firefly, who had been enjoying her stint of being a farm horse in the countryside. Lyssa was thankful the horse still recognized her and was grateful to be reunited.

Somehow, riding Firefly once again grounded her more firmly into her roots. It was so easy, while living in Mont Karmle, to forget the outside world, to believe that it had all been a dream. Now, it was the opposite. Mont Karmle seemed unreal and distant.

It took some time before Firefly was comfortable having Perdwin ride with Lyssa. The hawk made Firefly nervous at first despite the bird's tame nature. The trip to the castle was much shorter than her own journey from her home; and more pleasant due to the weather and the company. While she liked Prince Richard's company, he was also a constant reminder of Will. It made her miss Will even more, wondering what he was doing and if he had decided to take another wife. She wondered if Will even knew she was alive.

Sometimes she thought she saw Richard looking at her strangely, and she began to wonder if she was muttering in her sleep or doing something else odd. Her second fear was that he would begin to imagine himself attracted to her. She began to watch her actions carefully, monitoring them and making sure she gave no sign of interest in him whatsoever. It was difficult enough since he didn't seem to consider her a servant so much as a fellow falconry enthusiast. She was somewhat amazed and relieved that her falconer skills remained after leaving the environs of Mont Karmle. Perdwin was still as attached to her during the journey to the castle as he had been at the shrine. But she did wonder if the birds who had not known her in Mont Karmle would feel the same way.

Eos was different from Shire in that it was dryer. The farms produced different crops, and there were fewer lush forests. Instead, rolling hills of tall grass stretched as far as the eye could see. Lyssa found herself longing for the mountains of her home and the forests of Shire.

Occasionally, they would send Perdwin out to hunt. He usually came back with medium-sized rodents that Lyssa didn't recognize, but were apparently edible. She discovered that Prince Richard went on a pilgrimage to Mont Karmle every year, thus explaining his skills in traveling and living on his own. Lyssa was reminded of Will, who was a dichotomy of independence and dependence. He seemed to yearn to be free of his cage at the same time as needing servants to do daily tasks.

After a week of traveling inland from Mont Karmle, they reached the castle. Lyssa begged Prince Richard to be excused from meeting the rest of the royal family, and after much pleading, he relented. Instead, he had a servant show her to the falconry.

Lyssa was awed by the size and opulence of the falconry. They had a house all of their own. In reality, it was only two stories, with one room on top where the birds roosted, and two rooms on the ground floor: one for equipment storage and one room as living quarters for the head falconer.

Lyssa climbed the narrow winding staircase to the second floor, and found Perdwin's usual perch labeled with a small gold plaque. Perdwin knew he was home, and contented himself to settling in. Lyssa found the water supply and filled his bowls with water and food.

When Perdwin no longer demanded her attention, Lyssa went around meeting the other birds. There were six total. Two were kestrels - which Lyssa had begun to realize were considered ladies' birds - one was a peregrine, one was a red-shouldered hawk, and one was a black falcon. This last one she believed belonged to the King of Eos himself it was so elegant.

Lyssa heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and became very apprehensive. She had no proof of her right to be there. She was just some ordinary stranger intruding in a very protected place.

An elderly gentleman, dressed in the traditional falconer's garb of a leather coat, appeared from the spiral staircase. “Who are you?” he demanded upon seeing her.

“I have brought Perdwin back from Mont Karmle. I rode with Prince Richard. He hired me as his personal falconer.”

“He did, did he? Do you know anything about falconry?”

Lyssa nodded. “I was the falconer at Mont Karmle.”

The man's eyebrows rose. “Let's take the peregrine out to hunt, then. See how good you are.”

“What is her name?” asked Lyssa.

“Bruggen.”

Lyssa took out her gauntlet and put it on, then went up to the peregrine to make her acquaintance. When she felt Bruggen was sufficiently comfortable with her, she offered her leather-covered arm to step onto, transferring the leash from the perch to her hand. Then together they made their way down the stairs. Bruggen tugged at the pouch's strap that hung around her neck.

“Hey, stop that,” she reprimanded the peregrine. But Bruggen still pecked at it occasionally, tugging and pulling at it as if it were a toy.

In the front room where the equipment was, Lyssa found Bruggen's rufter and put it on. As they walked out of the falconry, Lyssa turned to the man and said, “My name's Dusty.”

“Funny name.”

“I came from a funny place.”

“Oh? Where's that?”

“I told you. Mont Karmle. My full name is Destiny.”

“You must have come from somewhere before that.”

Lyssa nodded. “What's your name?” she asked before he could question her further about where she was from.

“Ben.”

Lyssa smiled at him, trying to soften the outer grumpy shell of this older man. She would be working closely with him for an indefinite period of time so she wanted to be on good terms with him.

She rode Firefly out with Ben into the flat prairies that surrounded the castle. When she felt they were in an area that would be sufficiently fruitful for hunting, she brought Bruggen forward, spoke to her, encouraged her, then unhooked her leash and took off her rufter. Throwing the bird up into the air, Bruggen soared out over the prairie. Lyssa kept an eye on her until the peregrine reached her pitch*, catching the hot winds high above and hovering there, her extremely keen eyes searching for her prey. Lyssa then turned to Ben.

“How often are the birds hunted?”

“Not often enough,” grumbled Ben. “Prince Richard's the most passionate about his bird.”

“Perdwin is the finest bird I've ever seen. Perhaps with the exception of the black hawk I saw in the falconry.”

“Jade? Yes, he is a fine one. But he's also stuck up and difficult to manage.”

Lyssa decided not to let Ben's prejudice affect her. Perhaps Jade was just neglected. It mustn't be easy being the King's pet bird.

Bruggen soon returned with a rabbit, dropping it at Lyssa's feet before settling onto Lyssa's outstretched arm. Immediately, Bruggen began tugging at her pouch's strap, almost as if she thought it didn't belong there, as if it were a piece of dirt in her hatchling's feathers. To distract Bruggen from her annoying habit, Lyssa fed her tidbits of meat, stroking her mail and cere*.

“Fine, fine,” muttered Ben. “You'll need somewhere to stay.”

Lyssa nodded, putting the rufter and leash back onto Bruggen, tugging the pouch strap out of the peregrine's beak once again. They returned to the castle, and found Prince Richard waiting for them at the falconry.

Prince Richard grinned wryly at Ben. “Been putting her to the test, eh Ben?”

“Just doing my duty, Your Highness,” replied Ben huffily.

“Treat her well. She's an extraordinary falconer.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Prince Richard clapped Lyssa's shoulder gently, making sure not to bother Bruggen, then left her with Ben.

*Pitch - the height to which a hawk, when waiting for game, rises in the air.

*Cere - the naked wax-like skin above the beak.

Lyssa quickly settled in at the castle of Eos. She avoided all nobility but those who came to see their birds. Then Lyssa was treated as a servant, and was hardly noticed at all.

The months crept by, and Lyssa kept an ear out for news of Shire. She felt a continuous pressure in her conscience - a manifestation of her guilt. She wanted to send word to her father and sister telling them that she was all right. But she didn't know how to do this without attracting attention to herself, and perhaps even detection. She also remembered her promise to them both that she would return as soon as the trouble in Shire was over.

As autumn began to wane, Lyssa received news that the King of Shire was coming to visit. Lyssa was beside herself, not knowing what to do. It reached the point where Ben banned her from the falconry, telling her she was upsetting the birds. He asked her what was the matter, but she couldn't even think of an excuse. She considered fleeing once more, but knew that Ben and Prince Richard, at least, would think this strange.

While she knew she could last the King's visit without him seeing her, she was not sure of her own strength after seeing Will once more. It was still difficult to grasp that Will was the King of Shire. She still thought of his father as king, and Will as… well, as her fiancé, her lover, not the Crown Prince, and definitely not the King. Her muddled thoughts whirled around her head in panic.

She walked to the castle garden and found a secluded spot where she could sit and think. Taking out the pouch that hung around her neck, she poured the bracelet into her palm, looking at it. No matter how hard she tried, she could not envision her life in the court with Will. She loved him so much, yet wondered if she loved him enough to be the Queen of Shire. Fear invaded her heart even imagining such a role in life.

She put the seal back in the pouch and tucked it into her shirt. She wondered if Charles would accompany Will. It would be more difficult to avoid two men if that were the case. She wondered how big a household he would bring with him. If Charles came, would Jane be with him? And if Jane did come, would she be able to remain hidden from her beloved sister?

Lyssa sighed. Perhaps it was better to just hide out in the countryside until the end of his visit.

Two weeks later, with great fanfare, the King of Shire entered the royal castle of Eos. Lyssa watched from the ramparts, searching for a glimpse of Will - her Will, not the King. From this distance, she could not see him; all she could see was the King. The Eosian royal family greeted him formally. Prince Richard stood with his two sisters near the back.

Lyssa looked for Charles, but could not see any sign of him. There were a number of nobles accompanying the King; she recognized no one. When the entire party had entered the castle, Lyssa remained on the ramparts, her legs dangling through an arrow-slit as she gazed out over the land.

It was strange having Will so close to her after all this time. It had been over a year since she had last seen him. She felt like she had grown by many years since that innocent time during the harvest. She yearned to see him - not as the King, but as Will. She wished she could meet him like she had first met him, on the roadside in the garb of a farmer boy.

She leaned her head on the rough stone and began to cry, her shoulders quivering. Her hand reached for the pouch in her shirt, and her heart stopped when she realized it was not there. She panicked, her mind searching for a clue of where it could have gone. She never took it off. She stood up, looking around her on the ramparts, hoping it had dropped near her. When she didn't see it, she ran down the narrow stone staircase in the tower to the bottom of the huge fortifications, and sprinted to her room. It wasn't there, either. Her mind whirling, she tried to think of when she had seen it last. It was always around her neck, she couldn't think of when she last consciously touched it. Usually it was just there, without her having to think about it.

The strap must have broken. She knew it was getting very worn where Bruggen always chewed at it. She rushed up to the falconry, this being her last hope of finding it. She searched among the rushes on the floor, her hands soon becoming soiled with mule*. When she didn't find it, she quickly left before she did any damage to Bruggen in her anger and despair.

She washed her hands in the water trough and then sat down to sob her heart out, desolate at having lost her one connection with Will.

*Mule - hawk excrement.

The following afternoon, Prince Richard came to visit Perdwin in the falconry. Lyssa hovered in the shadows doing odd jobs while she listened to the Prince's conversation with Ben.

“I feel sorry for the man. He's only a year or two older than me, and he becomes king under dubious circumstances.”

“Aye, Your Highness, but is it really better to become king when your father dies?”

“No, that's true,” Prince Richard admitted. “Still, I wish my father wasn't being so pushy about the marriage treaty. Anyone can tell King Fitzwilliam doesn't want to marry my sister, no matter how beautiful she is.”

Lyssa's heart leapt to her throat.

“How much longer can he refuse marriage offers, though? What's he waiting for?” asked Ben.

“Remember a year ago, I think it was, his parents announced that he was engaged?”

“No, I don't remember that.”

“But we never found out who the lady was. Perhaps he's still engaged.”

“If that were so, then where is the lady?”

Prince Richard shrugged. “Just makes me feel sorrier for him.”

“Why don't you bring him down here sometime? Perhaps he'll enjoy seeing the birds.”

“You know, that's an excellent idea, Ben. I shall do so. I believe he would enjoy it. If anything, it would get him away from my father and sister for a little while.”

Chapter Ten

Posted on Monday, 22 December 2003

Lyssa, having been forewarned, was ready to hide when King Fitzwilliam came to the falconry with Prince Richard. Lyssa listened as Prince Richard explained as they walked inside, “And I brought back this excellent falconer from Mont Karmle. Do you know it?”

“The shrine at the end of the world? Yes, I've heard of it.”

Lyssa bit back a half sigh/half sob at hearing his beautiful voice again. It seemed slightly altered - perhaps graver, heavier, deeper.

“She just seems to have this gift with the birds. Ben, where is Dusty?” asked Prince Richard.

The three men were mounting the steps. Lyssa huddled farther into the mound of rushes she had buried herself inside and held her breath, ignoring her cramped muscles.

“I don't know, Your Highness. She's been a bit jittery recently. Upsets the birds sometimes.”

“That's unusual. What's wrong?”

“Won't tell me.”

“She does get a bit unnerved by royalty, though. She won't stay around any of my family.”

King Fitzwilliam murmured, “I knew someone like that once.”

Prince Richard began to show the King the birds. “This one is Bruggen. She's a bit of a troublemaker. And this is Jade. He's my father's, but he doesn't like anyone except Dusty. I suppose it's because Dusty spends the most time with him. I'm sorry you had to see Grutner when she's mewing*. And here…” Lyssa could hear the pride in Prince Richard's voice, “Is Perdwin, my red-tailed hawk.”

King Fitzwilliam said, “He is a magnificent bird.”

“Well,” Prince Richard added modestly, “He's not as grand as Jade, but he's a damn sight better at hunting, especially if Dusty takes him out. Here, take my gauntlet, see if he'll let you hold him.”

Lyssa whispered a few words to Perdwin, encouraging the hawk to accept Will's arm. Perdwin's feathered head turned in its rapid way, his dark, sharp eyes staring at the pile of rushes in the corner. He let out a cry, and Lyssa winced, hoping Perdwin would not give her away. Then he stepped onto Will's forearm and looked at the King eye to eye.

Prince Richard looked pleased and a bit surprised. “There you go, Fitzwilliam. He's taken to you.”

Lyssa saw a glimmer of a smile in Will's handsome face. It made her heart ache and her hand twitched to clutch the pouch that no longer hung around her neck.

They walked to the far end of the falconry, standing by the open window as Will stroked the soft, feathered body of the bird.

After several moments, Prince Richard said softly, “I'm sorry about my father.”

“Why?” asked King Fitzwilliam, puzzled.

“Well… about trying to get you to marry my sister.”

The King sighed. “I should be the one apologizing. Your sister is… a lovely young lady, but….”

“I understand,” said Prince Richard. After a long pause, he asked, “Where is she?”

“I don't know,” the King replied with a deep sigh. “She … had to flee during the trouble last year.”

“You've searched for her?”

“Yes. I've sent my most trusted men all over your country, mine, everywhere. None have returned with even the slightest trace of her.”

“You think she came to Eos?”

“Her farm borders Eos. It would have been but a short journey into your kingdom.”

“What is her name? Perhaps she is in our royal court.”

“No, she will be in no royal court,” Will replied, almost bitterly. “I'm now convinced that she does not wish to be found. She… must not love me.”

“How can you say that?” prompted Prince Richard.

“She never said she did. No matter how much I told her I loved her, I never heard her say it. I thought I saw it, but….”

“There are plenty of women who would love you if you let them. And many would even if you did not let them.”

Will's face registered disgust. “I want none of them.”

“You must marry and produce heirs soon, Fitzwilliam.”

Will nodded. “I just… I just keep thinking that she'll return someday. I worry about her. Think about her night and day. Sometimes I dream that she is dead, and her cold eyes just stare up at me. And sometimes I dream that she just runs away from me, laughing. If I just knew what had happened to her, then I might be able to move on.”

Prince Richard clapped a sympathetic hand on the King's back. “I hope I never fall in love. It looks horrid.”

“No, only when it is unrequited and thwarted. Otherwise, it is the most glorious feeling you will ever have.”

“Come, do you want to hunt with Perdwin?”

The two men left the falconry, leaving behind a distraught Lyssa inside a mound of rushes. Lyssa could no more keep the guilt and tears from coming than she could the tide from surrounding Mont Karmle. Lyssa managed to stumble to her room, disregarding the rushes that stuck out of her hair and clothes like a scarecrow. She collapsed into tears on her bed, great sobs of self-pity and self-censure wracking her body.

When the tears subsided, Lyssa came to the firm decision that no matter what, Will would at least leave Eos with the knowledge that she had loved him. She owed him that much at any rate.

*Mewing - moulting feathers.

Will hadn't been exaggerating one iota when he had confessed to Prince Richard his woes. Afterwards, he wondered that he had opened up to almost a stranger in that way. There was something funny in the atmosphere of that falconry that made him say more than he had in months about Lyssa. No one around him knew of her. Hardly anyone even remembered he had been engaged before being crowned King of Shire.

He was heartbroken. Literally heartbroken. He knew she had lived, he knew she had escaped. He believed she still lived, he believed she knew the war with the northern nobles was over. He believed she did not love him, he believed he would never be able to see her again. And he was heartbroken.

Will had lost his patience and good humour as time went on. While everyone else believed it an incredible display of generosity, Charles knew he had received one of the northern provinces merely to get him and his new wife, Jane, out of his sight. Charles could not find it in his heart to be angry with his king. He, too, lived with the daily reminder of how much Lyssa was missed. Sometimes Charles found himself angry at Lyssa. Angry at the sorrow she caused his wife and his best friend. Sometimes he blamed himself for allowing it to happen, for not following her when he could have, when her trail was not yet cold. Mostly, he felt pity for Will. A pity for Will's lonely existence, having now banned his last friend to the north.

That evening, as Will sat with the Eosian Royal Family at the feast, the Queen addressed him, saying, “We have found an item that we believe is yours, though somewhat dated.”

Will looked confused.

The Queen produced something in her hand, and said, “We recognized it as a seal of Shire, but it is not your current one.”

Will stared at the glinting object in the Queen's hand. Trembling, his mind numb, he stretched out his hand. The Queen placed it in his palm, and he slowly brought it closer so that he might see the seal. He didn't really need to see it. He already knew what it was, and his mind seemed incapable of processing what it meant.

Everyone at the table must have noticed something in his face, for they had all stopped eating and were looking at him, some in concern and some in amused wonder.

Finally, Will managed to say, “Where did you get this?”

“We're not sure,” replied the Queen. “One of the servants gave it to us. They thought you must have dropped it at some point.”

“It was found in this castle?”

“We presume so. Is it not yours?”

“It was once. I gave it away.” Will suddenly stood up from the table. “I must find the owner of it.”

“Why?”

“The owner… I gave it to her… and …” Will felt a tumult of emotions swirling inside his breast. He seemed incapable of coherent thought. “I need her,” he whispered. “How do I find her?”

Prince Richard, beginning to perceive Will's distress, came to his aid. “I believe that the owner of it is a long lost friend of His Majesty's. Perhaps we should call out the entire castle to appear so that His Majesty might look for this friend.”

It was clear that the rest of the royal family were quite confused over King Fitzwilliam's behaviour. If someone were such a good friend to the King in this castle, why did they simply not come forth and greet him?

Will turned a grateful look on Prince Richard, then strode out of the banquet hall, desperate to find Lyssa, yet fearing he would not find her in the castle at all. He wondered if she had meant to return the seal, whether he should consider this the final evidence that she did not care for him.

Lyssa had already penned a note to Will. It was very short. She had struggled for hours over what to say, finally deciding on the simplest form. She had given it to the baker's boy, who would then pass it on to the stable girl, who would give it to the scullery maid, who would give it to a footman to give to King Fitzwilliam. She figured then that it would be too difficult to trace the note's origin. She hadn't signed it. But she hoped he would know.

When she heard trumpets sounding from the turrets, she was confused, wondering what this meant. Slowly, word crept round that there was a muster of everyone in the castle in the main courtyard. Lyssa couldn't ever remember having been called in such a fashion. She followed everyone else into the courtyard, and stood waiting for whatever it was they awaited.

Soon, she saw Prince Richard holding a torch as he and another figure walked down the rows of castle employees. As the couple got nearer, Lyssa realized with a jolt that it was Will. He seemed to be looking at all the people. In a panic, she realized he would be searching for her. The note must have reached him much faster than she had anticipated. She began to slink slowly toward the rear of the muster. Eventually, she was able to slip away into the shadows of the courtyard, and ran straight for her room, secluded away in a corner of the castle.

The disappointment Will felt upon not discovering her among the throngs of people in the courtyard was acutely devastating. He retired to his bedchamber in more of a depressed, dejected state than he had ever been in before. He lay on his huge ornate bed, curled up on his side, clutching the seal in his hand. He cursed his birthright. He cursed his birthright and his father and the northern nobles. He knew that if he had not been king, Lyssa would have married him. The pain seemed too much to bear. He didn't know how he would continue living a life without her. One year had seemed like an eternity. Looking ahead to thirty more years seemed overwhelmingly daunting.

After a miserable sleepless night, Will got up at dawn and decided to get away from the castle for a little while. He wasn't able to sneak away like he used to, but he hoped to have a ride with as little fanfare as possible.

He dressed relatively simply, putting the seal around his wrist once more. He almost felt like he now carried a piece of her, since this bracelet had been hers for so many months. But he would gladly forgo this honour if it meant she still treasured it.

He left the castle, his cloak sweeping behind him imperiously as he strode rapidly and purposefully through the halls and grand staircases. He found the stables and dismissed the stable girl who came forth to serve him. He walked through the huge stables in search of his own mount.

He paused, looking around him when one of the horses snuffled and walked up to its gate, as close as it could get, to reach toward Will. Feeling the muzzle snuffling around his shoulder, Will turned to face the chestnut horse.

The horse looked very familiar. Will stepped back to have a better look. Then he opened the gate and coaxed the horse out of its stall. It was a mare. She had white socks on her hind legs and a white stripe down her nose.

Will called out to the stable girl in a bark. When the startled girl appeared, he demanded of her, “What is this horse called?”

“I believe her mistress calls her Firefly, Your Majesty.”

Will's heart stopped. She was here. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Who… who is her mistress?”

“Dusty. Falconer, Your Majesty.”

The falconer? The one Prince Richard had told him of. The one who would not appear before him. The one who must not have been in the muster the previous evening.

Will left the stable, leaving Firefly to be returned to her stall by the stable girl. After several wrong turns, he managed to find the falconry, a lone small house in the outer courtyard of the castle grounds. His heart thudded rapidly in his chest cavity. Fear gripped him as well as a swelling of love. She was avoiding him, yet he must see her again. He looked up at the falconry, but could see no evidence of someone within at this hour. Nevertheless, he walked in and went up the spiral staircase to the second story. The birds were all roosting; there was no sign of her here.

Will paused, trying to decide what to do next. If she did not wish him to know she was there, he would not go against those wishes. She had formed a new life here, she was good at what she did, and she did not love him. But he had to see her. He would not be able to leave the castle until he had at least seen her, had proof that she was alive and well… and happy.

He left the falconry as quietly as he had come, and retreated to a shadowy corner of the courtyard near the falconry where he could watch and observe without being seen.

He waited there an hour - a long, agonizing hour during which his heart and mind played tormenting games with him. Then, as the courtyard began to become more active with people, he saw someone enter the falconry. He glimpsed only the sight of a tall, slender figure wearing drab working clothes, with a long, dark, unruly braid going down her back. He swore. He hadn't even seen enough to be sure it was her, though he had no doubts. He wanted to move so that he had a view through the gable window on the second story, but he knew that by moving, he would draw attention to himself, and someone would soon recognize him as the King of Shire.

He decided to wait until she came out again. Eventually, as the sun began to warm the cold courtyard, he saw Lyssa emerge from the falconry. She was carrying Jade on her arm, speaking softly to him and tickling him gently. Will felt a surge of jealousy pass through him at the attentions Jade was receiving. He drank in the sight of her. She seemed older, but still very much the same woman he fell in love with a year ago. The unmanageable brown curls still framed her face, helped out of their binding by Jade, who groomed her.

Then Will saw Prince Richard approach her. The Prince greeted Lyssa and then reached out to stroke Jade, but was rebuffed with an open beak threatening his finger. “I'm looking for King Fitzwilliam, have you seen him?”

Will observed the startled, wide-eyed look Lyssa gave the Prince. “No,” she replied. “What has happened?”

“Oh, nothing. He wasn't to be found in his chamber this morning.”

“P-perhaps he has gone for a ride,” she suggested.

“Yes, that is an idea, thank you.”

Will realized she knew him still. She remembered his habit of riding in the morning, of escaping the castle on his own. He watched as Lyssa, standing alone with the black falcon in the middle of the courtyard, stared off into space as if in deep contemplation. Her hand reached up to her chest, as if to clutch something there, but then her face clouded in pain and sorrow. Jade demanded her attention, and her reverie was broken. She walked through the courtyard and out a side gate toward the prairie beyond the city walls. Will yearned to follow her, but held back, reminding himself that she did not want to see him.

King Fitzwilliam remained crouched in the dirty, shadowy corner of the courtyard for some time, staring at the space she had occupied earlier. He knew he must move on, knew he was wasting time and heartache on her, but could not seem to bring himself to forget her. Finally, he returned to his rooms to bathe and dress, ignoring the questions about his absence.

For a week, Will thought of nothing but Lyssa. He found a room that overlooked the courtyard, and there he would sit by the window, staring out. Sometimes he watched her go about her activities, but mostly he just blankly stared out at the view. His courtiers and attendants grew worried over him, sure that he was ill, or worse, going mad. Only Prince Richard understood the reason for his melancholy.

After a week, King Fitzwilliam's head advisor approached him, begging him to return to Shire where he might receive proper care. Once, Will would have laughed at the poor man's assumption of mental illness. Now, he only nodded, deciding that it would be better to remove himself from her presence.

The preparations were quickly made for the King's departure. Apologies were diplomatically made to the Eosian royal family, and Will prepared himself mentally to leave her behind.

On the morning of his departure, Will asked to see Prince Richard. He was making a mistake - he knew that, but he could not help it: he offered an open invitation to Prince Richard, adding, “Bring Perdwin and that elusive falconer of yours.”

Prince Richard smiled broadly, “I will. And might I wish you luck in finding your lady?”

Will's face fell. “No. I have no luck left.”

“Come, man, don't give up like that!”

Will just shook his head. “You don't understand. Never mind.” Will gripped Prince Richard's hand, and bid him goodbye.

As Will left Prince Richard's quarters, a footman approached and bowed to him. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I am to deliver this note to you.”

Puzzled, Will took it and opened the small piece of parchment. There was but one line written in painfully familiar handwriting.

I love you more than there are feathers on a hawk.

A hand seemed to clench his heart and another his throat. He couldn't believe it. But why had she hidden from him? His shock was great as he stood still in the grand hall outside of Prince Richard's quarters. His mind went round in circles of disbelief.

When he was able to move once more, he sprinted through the castle, skidding down treacherous spiral stairs and tearing through sumptuous rooms. He reached the outer courtyard and then the door of the falconry. He paused, catching his breath. He didn't know what he was going to say, but he wasn't going to wait to figure it out.

He burst into the falconry. No sign of her downstairs. He dashed up the spiral staircase, startling the birds. His heart sank at not seeing her.

He heard a call from below and turned with his hopes rising only to find that it was Ben.

“Oi! What do you think you're doing?” Ben cried.

Will came back down the stairs and Ben realized who he had shouted at. “Your Majesty! I beg your pardon, I didn't realize it was you.”

“It's all right. Tell me, where is Lyssa?”

“Who?”

“I mean, Dusty. Your falconer.”

“I don't know.”

“Where could I find her? Please, I must see her.”

“She may have taken one of the birds hunting. Or she may be in the kitchens fetching some food, or she may be in her room.”

Will was dismayed at the difficulty in finding her. He didn't want to wait, he wanted to see her now. He climbed the stairs once more to see if any of the birds were missing. He saw that one was not on her perch: Bruggen.

He quickly descended and asked Ben, “Where would she have taken Bruggen?”

“Bruggen? Oh… well, now… I'd say she would have taken her out on the prairie somewheres.”

Will ran out of the falconry and sprinted to the stables. He mounted his horse, which had been readied for his departure for Shire, and clattered out of the courtyard and through the portcullis, ignoring the shouts and questions called out to him.

Upon reaching the city wall, he didn't know where to go. He looked around him. To his left there were a few farms, but to his right, he could see nothing but prairie, the grass brown with the coming of winter.

He rode west through the prairie, galloping over the hills at full pace, occasionally pulling up to look around from the peak of a hill. No matter what happened with Lyssa, he would be unable to begin the journey to Shire after having exhausted his horse so.

Then he heard the cry of a bird, the piercing cry of the hunt. He looked for the origin of the noise and saw a dark shadow diving at tremendous speed. It was some distance away, but Will turned his steed toward it and with a yell and kick of his heels, urged the horse into a gallop toward the bird.

He kept an eye on the peregrine when she rose from the ground with a wriggling dark object hanging from her talons. He watched where she went and steered his horse in the same direction. He nearly lost sight of her when he saw the bird swoop downwards and could see her no more.

It didn't matter. Will's heart was pounding as he continued to gallop in the direction he believed Lyssa to be. He crested two more hills before he saw a dark figure against the pale prairie. He slowed his horse to a canter and approached her. He knew she watched him. He wondered if she was pleased to see him. All certainty about her had fled with her conflicting messages.

Chapter Ten continued

Finally, he reached her. She stood still, Bruggen on her shoulder and two pelts at her feet. Will dismounted and let his horse rest.

He approached her, not knowing what to say. He wanted to sweep her off her feet, or at least kiss her, but he couldn't approach her with a bird of prey on her shoulder.

After a long silence between them, Will said, “I thought you would at least say goodbye.”

Lyssa's lower lip quivered until she bit it. She replied in a soft, shaky voice, “I'm sorry, but I couldn't.” After a brief pause, she asked, “How did you know I was here?”

“A combination of things. It was Firefly who really gave you away.”

Lyssa looked at her feet, studying the pelts Bruggen had brought back. She'd forgotten about Firefly. She hadn't really expected him to go into the stables, despite her knowing his habits.

“And I was given this,” Will added, holding his hand out.

Lyssa saw what was in it and gasped, crying in delight, “Where did you find that?”

“The Queen found it. She thought it belonged to me. I thought the owner of it was trying to return it to me.”

“No,” she said, sadly. “It lived in a pouch around my neck, but Bruggen here,” Lyssa rubbed the peregrine's head, “had a habit of chewing on the strap and it must have broken and fallen off. I looked everywhere for it.”

Will's heart lifted with the knowledge that she treasured his seal.

“Lyssa…” he said softly, and she closed her eyes in pleasure at hearing her name for the first time in a year. “Why do you run from me?”

Lyssa's brow furrowed in sorrow. “I don't run from you, I run from what you are.”

“How can I get you to stop running? What will it take?”

Lyssa wanted to give her full attention to Will, but Bruggen was fidgeting, anxious to hunt again. Lyssa realised she hadn't put on Bruggen's rufter, so of course she expected to continue hunting.

Lyssa turned away from Will and walked a few steps, whispering to Bruggen, hoping she would stay out long enough for her to deal with Will. Then she tossed the bird in the air and watched as she ringed upwards, her lazy spiral belying her restless activity.

Will now approached her, placing one hand on her shoulder. “Lyssa.” She turned to face him. “Do you love me?”

Lyssa couldn't look away from him. His face was so haggard and pained. She couldn't lie to that face. “Yes.”

“Do you know that I love you?”

“Yes, I do.”

He took both of her hands in his, gazing into the beautiful eyes he loved so dearly. “Will you return to Shire with me?” It was not exactly the question he wanted to ask her, but he had decided to move carefully with her. “I'll give you as many birds as you want.”

Lyssa's face contorted with pain. “I don't know, Will.” She began to cry, and moved forward to wrap her arms around his neck. It felt so good to be in his embrace once more, she didn't know how she could ever leave it again.

“Please, Lyssa. I'm desolate without you. Just a shadow of myself. I need you.” Will's voice choked, clutching her as tightly as he could, burrowing his face in her hair.

“I'm so frightened, Will.”

“Of what?”

“Being your wife.”

“You mean being a queen?”

She nodded slightly.

“You shouldn't be. You mould the position to suit yourself. You couldn't make me a better wife.” He paused. “Your sister is Lady Jane of one of the northern provinces.”

Lyssa gasped. “What?”

“She and Charles replaced one of the northern noble families. Go visit her. She would give anything to see you again. Come, Lyssa. You belong in Shire. An entire kingdom waits for you.”

Lyssa laughed a short laugh. “You're not making this any easier.”

“My love, what do you intend to spend your life doing? Are you going to continue looking after spoilt royal birds? Or would you come and make a man happy and spend your life bettering the lives of the people of Shire?”

“I hate it when you do that,” she said in a muffled voice, still sniffling.

“Do what?”

“Phrase it in such a way that if I turned you down, I would feel like a horrible selfish person.”

“It is only because I know you are a wonderful selfless person that I can do that and make it work. Come home with me,” he whispered, kissing her head. “I promise you a quick, small wedding, and then we can begin living a normal life together.”

He always made it so hard for her to refuse. It was one of the reasons why she had avoided him for so long.

“I have every confidence that you will make a wonderful queen.”

She was glad he had such confidence because she was sure she didn't.

He pulled away from her, capturing her face with one hand to make her look at him. “Come home with me.”

When he looked at her with those eyes, she knew she had no choice. She nodded. His hopes rose. “Marry me,” he asked, hoping to gain full commitment from her.

She smiled a little as she nodded again.

“Never run away from me again.”

“I won't.”

Will let out a huge sigh, and pulled her to him. Holding her as tightly as he could, he bent his head to kiss her. She closed her eyes at the exquisite sensations caused by his kisses. She loved him so much. She didn't know how she had managed to elude him for so long. He kissed her passionately, positive he would never be able to get enough of her.

When they parted slightly, she whispered to him, “I love you more than there are minutes in a lifetime.”

“As long as that lifetime is spent together,” he whispered in reply.

He moved forward to kiss her once again but stopped when he heard the cry of a bird overhead.

“Uh oh, you're going to be attacked if you're not careful,” laughed Lyssa.

She moved away from Will, put on her gauntlet and held out her arm for Bruggen to perch. The peregrine dropped a prairie dog on the ground and landed heavily on Lyssa's arm. Bruggen gripped her perch with her talons and settled herself down. Lyssa stroked the bird, praising her for her success in hunting, feeding her a few bits of meat, then attached the leash and rufter onto her.

“It must be a great weight on your arm when she lands.”

“It is. Perdwin is heavier, though.”

“Shall we return to the castle?”

“If you can grab those pelts, we can begin walking back.”

“You could ride my horse.”

“He won't like Bruggen riding with me. It's all right. I would prefer to walk.”

Will tied the pelts to his horse and began catching up to Lyssa, leading his mount by the reigns. Lyssa had moved Bruggen to the more comfortable position of her shoulder. Will felt safe enough with Bruggen's rufter preventing her seeing him to kiss Lyssa swiftly a couple times, then capture her hand in his.

They didn't say anything for several minutes as they strode through the long prairie grass. Then Lyssa observed, “I shall enjoy seeing Shire's forests again.”

“Is this place too flat and open for you, my love?”

She smiled up at him and nodded. “Though I certainly saw my fair share of mountains and heights at first.”

Will stopped. Lyssa turned to him questioningly. “Tell me. Tell me everything since I last saw you.”

Lyssa sighed. “It's a long story.”

“We have a long ride home.”

“Not right now. I'll tell you when we begin for Shire.”

“At least tell me if … anything horrible happened to you.”

Lyssa saw fear in his face - fear of the unknown trials she had faced. She stepped closer to him, cupping his face with one hand. “Nothing too horrible happened. I spent happy months in Mont Karmle, with the exception of missing everyone I had left behind in Shire. And I have been treated well here in Eos. Prince Richard has always been kind.”

“That he has. I invited him to come visit me in Shire sometime.”

“Really?” Lyssa's face showed pleased delight.

Will laughed a little. “I told him to bring Perdwin and that falconer of his.”

“You didn't know it was me?”

“Yes, I knew.”

Lyssa looked confused. “Now it is your turn to explain yourself.”

Will gazed down at her. “I have watched you this past week. Watched you like the miserable obsessed person that I am … was.”

“You did not say anything before today?”

Gravely, he replied, “I believed you did not love me, explaining why you evaded me. I believed that until I received a note from you this morning.” Lyssa flushed. Will kissed her gently. “So I rushed out to find you, to make you change your mind.”

“You're impossible to dissuade when you have your mind set,” she whispered back.

“One of the few traits you admire about me, admit it,” he teased, kissing her again.

She smiled into his kisses. “You're incorrigible.”

“You're my remedy.”

They began walking again.

Will didn't want to break the subject, but preferred to be prepared for the contingency. He squeezed her hand and asked, “What do you want to do when we get to the castle?”

Lyssa looked at him, realizing what he meant and the implications behind it. She opened her mouth to reply, then shut it, not knowing how to answer. The thought of walking back into the castle and facing all those nobles and the Eosian royal family… and Prince Richard ….

Will, seeing the fear in her face, stopped her and pulled her to face him. “Lyssa, no one will hurt you.”

“I know.”

“I mean that no one will treat you ill.”

“What will they think when you produce the lowly, grubby falconer as your fiancé?”

“I don't care and neither should you. Listen, we can say nothing of this here, if you like. We can return to Shire without announcing anything now.”

Lyssa could see he did not like this plan as much as parading in with her and shouting the news to the entire castle, but she knew she would feel better about any announcements if she just looked the part. In Shire, they did not know she was a falconer. She had nice gowns she could wear and family who would support her. Now, she even had a noble sister and brother-in-law.

“Could we, please?” she said.

Will nodded. “But you will be coming back with me.”

“We should tell Prince Richard at least,” Lyssa said. “He will be sorry to lose his falconer.”

“Yes, but he will understand.”

“Will he?”

Will didn't reply, not knowing for certain how Richard would react.

Chapter Eleven

Posted on Saturday, 3 January 2004

Lyssa went off to the falconry on her own to feed and return Bruggen to her perch and the pelts to the kitchens. Will, meanwhile, informed his entourage that they would be leaving the following day, and left his horse in the tender care of the stable girl.

Now that he was no longer in Lyssa's presence, he could scarcely believe that she was returning with him. It was so easy once he spoke with her, it didn't seem real.

Will returned to his rooms followed by his attendants. They fretted about him, positive he had gone mad. They coddled him and asked whether he didn't think it a wiser idea to rest a few days before making the arduous journey home. Will hardly acknowledged them. He just immediately began sending messengers to Lyssa's family and to Jane and Charles asking them to come to the castle as soon as possible. He sent one on ahead to the castle to inform Mrs. Reynolds that he was bringing his bride home and wanted to perform the ceremony as soon as possible.

When he had finished with his business and dismissed his fussy attendants, he asked Prince Richard to accompany him to the falconry. The Prince met King Fitzwilliam in the outer courtyard.

“I thought you were leaving today.”

Will grinned at him. “I was delayed. I'll leave tomorrow.”

“The whole castle was in a bit of a tiff this morning after you dashed out on your own. Your courtiers were wondering whether to follow you or not.”

“You remember the woman I told you about?”

“The fiancé you can't find?”

“I found her. I found her a week ago, but I didn't think she wanted to be found. To make a long story short, I had been mistaken about her love for me. She's just very … intimidated by royalty.” Will paused. “You know your falconer, Dusty?”

“Yes.”

“Her real name is Lyssa Bent. She grew up on an orchard in the southeastern corner of Shire. We met over a year ago and became engaged. She returned to her home before the wedding, and then trouble broke out with the north. She fled when her own life was in danger. And that was the last I had heard of her, until I discovered her here, as your falconer.”

“Dusty??” Prince Richard looked not a little astonished. “She never said a word of it. Nothing. She never told me anything about her past.”

Will led the Prince inside the falconry where he had agreed to meet Lyssa.

“Meet my fiancé, Lyssa Bent,” Will said.

Prince Richard looked upon the lady with new eyes. She smiled shyly and half curtseyed.

“Forgive my duplicity, Prince Richard. I became used to running and hiding.”

“You do it well, my lady,” Prince Richard assured her, bowing low. “While I am happy that you two have been reunited, I confess to great disappointment at losing a fine falconer.”

Lyssa smiled. “You and Perdwin shall just have to visit us often.”

Will thrilled at the fact that she was making plans in the future that included the both of them in the castle.

“If you would be so kind, please do not let anyone else know about me.”

“Whyever not?” asked Prince Richard. “They will surely be interested.”

“It's just… rather odd for the King of Shire to be marrying a falconer.”

Will scowled at her, but Lyssa merely ignored him.

“I shall heed your wishes. You both leave tomorrow?”

Will nodded.

“What shall I tell Ben?”

“I'll say goodbye to him. I'll tell him I've been hired by King Fitzwilliam.”

This was where Will drew the line. “Lyssa, no,” he said firmly. “You cannot keep telling falsehoods about yourself like this. You are my fiancé, the love of my life. You are Lyssa Bent who grew up on the most beautiful orchards in Shire.” Will had taken her face in his hands and was looking at her sternly, but lovingly. “You must not keep hiding. It is time to come out of your shell.”

Lyssa knew he was right. She closed her eyes and nodded. Will kissed her gently.

Prince Richard and Will went upstairs to see the birds while Lyssa went to speak to Ben.

Prince Richard turned to Will and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Congratulations, Fitzwilliam. You seem to suit each other.”

“Thank you. I believe so, too. She's just… skittish.”

“You have to admit it must be difficult for any peasant girl to make the step up to being queen,” Prince Richard mused. “Think how much training she has missed. I mean… my sisters have been preparing for their roles their entire lives. It's an entire mentality drilled into them.”

“But maybe that's what attracts me to Lyssa. She doesn't have that mentality.”

“It's a paradox, then, my dear sir. You love exactly what makes her unsuitable to be queen.”

“That is what I hope to disprove. I believe she will make a better queen than any woman brought up for it.”

“And I shall be behind you the whole way.”

Will leaned against the window looking down at the activity in the outer courtyard. He mused, “What do you think are the chances that I could assassinate your older brother and have you put on the throne?”

Prince Richard looked up at King Fitzwilliam in shock, but saw the small smile on the man's face that gave away his humour.

“I'm afraid I wouldn't make a good king. I wasn't brought up for it.”

“I was and I still make a pig's ear of it.”

“Not from what I hear.”

Will grew serious. “I owe much of my success to Lyssa, as a matter of fact. She woke me up to my duty and the possibilities being the King could provide.”

“I look forward to visiting you both after you are settled.”

Will looked up at him and added, “As do I.”

Lyssa spent one last night in her small, unpretentious room despite Will's protests. She rode out with the train of attendants, but as soon as they were out of the castle's vicinity, Will rode back to find her and Firefly in the entourage. He refused to leave her side during the whole journey home, sparking numerous rumours among the attendants. On the second day of the trip, Will returned his seal to her wrist. She was grateful to have it back, finally feeling more comfortable about her decision to marry him.

Will did everything in his power to make Lyssa's return a happy, enjoyable one. He stalled until he knew that Charles and Jane had arrived ahead of them. They were still unaware that her sister had been found.

When they were a short distance from the castle, Will and Lyssa galloped on ahead of the rest of the party. Lyssa was anxious not to be caught in a large homecoming gathering. She was already uneasy about the rumours spreading about her. Now she was almost eager to have their engagement announced, thus ending the lies spread regarding them.

Lyssa began to recognize her surroundings as they drew close to the castle. Will pointed out to her the path up to their meadow. Lyssa looked at him eagerly. Reading the look in her face, Will laughed and said, “We'll have plenty of time to visit it another time. But today, you wanted to arrive ahead of the crowd.”

They passed the blackberry bushes, now leafless at the beginning of winter. Then they rounded a bend in the road and came into view of the castle. Lyssa stopped, looking at it.

Will rode beside her and captured one of her hands. Leaning over in his saddle, he kissed her and said, “Welcome home.”

She smiled at him. For some reason, it did feel a bit like coming home. Not like returning to her orchards, but it was definitely a welcome sight after her foreign travels.

Will nudged her forward and they slowly made their way to the castle. As his presence had not been announced ahead of his arrival, no one was expecting them as they entered the main courtyard. A stable-hand came forward to take their mounts, then asked the King if he should sound the alert. Will shook his head, grabbed Lyssa's hand and led her inside the castle.

Mistress Reynolds came forward as usual, and then first recognized the King, then his fiancé. She smiled broadly. “My lady! It is good to see you.”

Lyssa, giddy with an odd sort of excitement, ran forward to hug the older matron. “Oh Mistress Reynolds! You are a wonderful person!”

The woman awkwardly patted her back, flushing slightly with the praise. “Thank you, dear.”

Lyssa pulled away, slightly embarrassed.

“Would you like to freshen up? I have readied my lady's room.”

Will replied, “I would like to see my guests first.”

“Right. If you would like to wait in the private audience chamber, I will show them there.”

Will nodded and took Lyssa's hand firmly in his, tugging her along with him.

“Who are you seeing, Will?” asked Lyssa, walking quickly to keep up with him.

“I have some business to attend to immediately,” he said vaguely.

“Then why not let me go to my room?”

“I want to keep you by my side. You will be helping me with my affairs from now on.”

“I will?” she asked, puzzled.

“You have helped me before.”

“I have?”

“It was you who made me realize the power of the ordinary person. Before I met you, I never even thought about what they thought. Actually… I didn't really think the commoners had thoughts about anything. But you… you showed me the humanity of my own people. And it was from that which came the idea to directly approach the northern people and ask them to follow the crown not the nobility.”

Lyssa stared in amazement at him, but he kept on walking.

“So you see, you've been invaluable to me from the beginning.”

They reached the private audience chamber and went inside. It was empty. Lyssa looked around her. The place brought back difficult memories.

“Will,” she said in a soft voice, not liking the empty silence of the room. “Where are your parents?”

Will looked at her gravely. “They've retired to a country estate in the west. They're content enough there.”

She didn't say anything more, leaving the discussion about his accession to the throne for a later time. She walked slowly toward the fireplace. There was only one throne there, now, and it was not one of those used by his parents. She would not have thought it a throne if it had not stood on the small dais at the end of the grand hall. Other than that, nothing else had changed since the last time she had stepped into it.

She was startled by the door opening. A footman entered and strode rapidly to the fireplace. There, he quickly laid a fire and fed it until it was a steady blaze.

In the meantime, Lyssa turned to Will and asked him, “What is your business, then?”

Will took her hands in his, drawing her close. “Wait and see.”

She leaned into him, feeling the weariness of travel beginning to descend on her in full force.

“It is winter very soon,” Lyssa whispered.

“Mmm. Don't worry. You'll be warm enough in the castle.”

“What about the rest of the country?”

Will pulled away and grinned excitedly down at her. “Do you not see this? Do you not hear yourself?”

Lyssa looked confused.

“You just naturally think like a monarch. It's incredible.”

Lyssa thought it over and supposed that it might be a remarkable thing, but she didn't feel remarkable.

Will kissed her. “It's one of the many things I love about you.”

Mistress Reynolds entered the chamber and announced, “Lord and Lady Bailey of Sylvester.”

Lyssa turned in dismay to the door, not wanting to meet any nobles looking at her worst after a week and a half of traveling and a year on the run. They were a handsome couple of her own age, Lyssa noticed at first. Then she recognized them and gasped.

Jane's reaction was equally astonished. They ran and clasped each other as tightly as they could, laughing and crying at the same time.

“Oh, Jane!” cried Lyssa. “I've missed you so much.”

“Lyssa, my own dear Lyssa,” Jane whispered. “I thought you were never coming back. I thought I would never see you again.”

They held each other for several minutes, just reveling in being together again. Finally, they pulled away and Jane looked her sister over.

“I've seen you look better,” Jane said with a small smile.

“We have only just this hour returned from Eos.”

“So you did go to Eos. When all those men sent out to search for you there returned empty-handed, I began to doubt.”

“No, I did go through Eos.”

Lyssa saw something odd about her sister that was nothing to do with the noble clothes. She pulled away farther to look her older sibling over. She gasped again and cried, “You're pregnant!”

Jane grinned, laughing, nodding.

Lyssa lurched into another fierce embrace, then jerked away. “Oh! I'm so sorry. Have I hurt you?”

“No, I'm fine.”

“Oh, Jane! I'm so very happy for you! I can't believe it.”

“It took me several weeks to believe it myself.”

Lyssa heard a familiar voice from behind her add, “And I swear, if it hadn't been for the great urgency your messenger expressed, I would have refused to let her come at all.”

“But you mustn't be traveling!” exclaimed Lyssa.

Jane calmed her sister, saying, “No, it is still early. I shall be fine. We took care in coming here.”

Will spoke up, “I'm sorry, Charles. I had no idea. If I'd known I would have taken Lyssa up north to visit you.”

“It's all right. No harm done, and this has been a wonderful surprise. Lyssa.” She turned to face her new brother-in-law. “Welcome home,” Charles said quietly.

Lyssa looked him over, both of them assessing the other.

“Thank you, Charles. Thank you for everything.”

Charles knew her thanks was for his part in her escape.

“I confess, I regretted it later on.” Charles' face was somber as he said, “You should have come home sooner.”

Will opened his mouth to defend his fiancé out of hand, but Lyssa interrupted him. “I know,” she said. “I know it full well. My only explanation is sheer cowardice.”

“I hope you have found your courage then?” asked Charles.

“Rather, I have found my fears to be unfounded,” Lyssa replied thoughtfully.

“I'm glad you came home,” Charles said, he moved forward and kissed his sister's cheek. Lyssa hugged him briefly.

“Congratulations. I'm sorry I missed the wedding,” Lyssa said in his ear.

Charles pulled away to look at her. “You were sorely missed. We waited for a while, but we couldn't for too long. I needed Jane with me as we forged a new noble dynasty in our province.”

“I'm sure you do well together as nobles.”

Jane smiled. “I think we receive mostly good responses from our people. They held a feast in our honour when we married.”

Charles turned to Will. “And what about you two? When do you intend to marry? Soon, I hope?”

“Yes, as soon as Lyssa's family and my parents arrive.”

“My family is coming here?” asked Lyssa incredulously.

Will nodded. “I wasn't about to wait until after you'd gone home to see them, so I summoned them to the castle to witness our wedding.”

Lyssa didn't know what to think of it. “Will,” she breathed. “My mother and sisters don't know I'm alive! They think I'm buried in the orchards… or at least my ashes.”

Will and Charles looked at each other, realizing the difficulty. “Hmm, yes, that does make things a bit more interesting, doesn't it?”

“The shock of that alone will be enough to send my mother to the grave herself, let alone discovering that you, my fiancé, are the King!”

Will scrubbed his beard in thought.

Jane suggested gently, “I think it would be best to hold the encounter here. Let's bring in more chairs.”

“And you don't wear any of your royal whatsits,” Lyssa said, poking a finger in Will's ribs.

“My what?”

“The things you wear to intimidate people.”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” scoffed Will.

“Charles and I will be in attendance, which should help calm things down a bit.”

“Let me see my father first,” said Lyssa.

“Yes, that would be better,” agreed Jane.

“When do you expect them?” asked Charles.

Will shrugged. “They could be here any day now. It just depends on how quickly they answer the summons.”

Lyssa didn't want to think how her mother would react to the summons. She dreaded an embarrassing scene.

“In the meantime,” Jane said, “You both need rest. Will, you look awful. Have you not been sleeping the last three months? Lyssa, you look little better. What have you been doing, living in the forest?”

“Her maternal instinct has been acting up recently,” Charles apologized.

“Actually,” replied Lyssa. “I've been a falconer for Prince Richard.”

Will began to steer Lyssa toward the door. “We have lots of discussion and stories to relate, but we can do that over a quiet evening meal together.”

Jane held onto her curiosity with great effort, and urged them both to bathe and dress.

Will dragged Lyssa away and they began walking through the castle. Lyssa stopped him and gave him a long, heated kiss. When she pulled away, she smiled at his slightly stunned expression and said, “Thank you so very much for bringing Jane to me.”

“I would do anything in my power to keep you happy, my love.”

They continued walking and Will showed Lyssa to her room. It was the same room she had occupied during her previous visit.

“I wouldn't allow anyone else to use it,” Will explained, as Lyssa took in the unchanged room, particularly the large wooden chair which still stood in its rather odd position facing the window.

She opened the wardrobe to find the gowns that had been made waiting for her.

“I hope they still fit me,” she laughed.

“You don't look any different.”

“I don't trust your judgment. Now go away so I can have my bath,” she shooed him.

Will paused before leaving and kissed her. “It's literally a dream come true to have you here in this castle once again.”

“I've dreamt of this, too,” she replied. “But this time…” she paused and took a deep breath, “This time I'm here to stay.”

Will's eyes, holding hers fast, suddenly began to shine, then the brims filled with tears. He didn't let any fall. He leaned forward and kissed her arduously. Holding her in a tight embrace, he whispered hoarsely in her ear, “I love you more than anything else in the world.”

“And I love you enough to stop running,” she replied with a short laugh, sniffling and wiping her own tears from her eyes.

Will finally left her, and the servants brought her a bath. After refreshing herself in the warm water, she donned one of the gowns. It was a bit loose on her, but still looked presentable. Will collected her and they made their way slowly through the castle, Lyssa taking the liberty of looking around the castle she had never really got to see.

Their private meal with Jane and Charles was nothing but pleasant and joyous. Lyssa's heart brimmed with love and fulfillment and happiness at being in this company once again. She couldn't remember why she had not wanted to return.

The rest of the Bents arrived three days later. Lyssa first had an audience with her father alone. His elation at seeing her once again was great. It was some time before either could speak, and then it seemed that all words were unnecessary between them. They spoke anyway, to fill the time until her mother and sisters were brought to the private audience chamber.

The meeting with her mother, Katy, Lida, and Maria proved the most difficult for her. Their shock at learning she lived, then the pain and anger at the deception, and finally the explanation of why her flight was necessary was emotionally draining for Lyssa. It eventually ended well. Her mother was still suffering from a bit of trauma and nerves, but would recover, most definitely, in time for the wedding.

Their engagement was announced to all those present in the castle at the time during a ball, in which Lyssa and Will danced how they liked to dance, and promptly scandalized the whole room. But Will didn't care because Lyssa was happy. And Lyssa didn't care because she had decided not to let the courtiers bother her. She knew she would never survive if she were constantly worrying about public opinion.

Five days before the wedding occurred, the old King and Queen returned to the castle for the first time since their abdication. It was a difficult encounter for Lyssa, still retaining a small resentment from their last meeting, but also feeling awkwardness toward the ousted monarchs. She felt guilty, as if she had somehow indirectly caused their downfall. But she took her cue from Will, who treated them deferentially, while still somehow maintaining an air of authority in his own kingdom.

The wedding was relatively small for a royal wedding thrown together with very little time. However, hundreds of people still managed to arrive in time to see their King marry his love, a falconer.

For a wedding gift, Will gave his Queen a newly caught golden eagle. Lyssa was absolutely speechless.

“I know you haven't worked with eagles before, but I thought you would enjoy the challenge and after a while you would have the extremely loyal camaraderie I've heard eagles offer their masters. Besides, only royalty are allowed to have them.”

Lyssa still could not think of any way of expressing her gratitude and amazement. She tried showing him instead.

Topaz proved herself to be an excellent companion for the Queen of Shire. The pair of them soon had their fame spread all over the known world. Queen Elyssa proved Will right, displaying grace and charm with her intelligence and compassion. The reign of King Fitzwilliam and Queen Elyssa was named the Golden Age of Shire by historians of the future who looked back on this time with nostalgia. They were succeeded by their eldest son, Peter, who, along with his three sisters, managed to continue the legacy started by their parents of traveling once a year to Mont Karmle.

Lyssa would often look back and shake her head at her younger self, wondering why she always made things difficult for herself, taking the longer, harder road.

The End

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