*"The Minstrel Knight" (12 June 1824)

Canzonett, Opus 14, No. 3

With an accompaniment for the Harp

Composed by Benjamin Carr, 1768-1831.

Philadelphia, PA: T. Carr's Music Store,

No. 132 South Second Street

[Source: 037/003c Levy]

A/N I used as much of the song in this chapter as the public domain site had. Apparently, their source is missing part of the song.

Chapter Ten

"Are you sure?" Adam stood next to Hoss talking about the Bannock Indian who had once more come onto their land.

"He wants us, Adam." Little Joe appeared out of nowhere.

Adam took a step towards his brother only to have the scenery change and his brothers disappear.

Sheer pain shot through Adam as he felt himself floating in the air as he watched flames, stoked by Matsu, reaching up to grab him.

"Adam, Adam," Sarah again stood a few feet away from Adam calling his name the same way she'd called it before, soft and with a comforting sound. It reached through the fog Adam found himself and pulled him out.

Adam blinked his eyes and looked around the room his friends were letting him use; it was just big enough to hold a bed, a dresser with a small area to move around if necessary. By the time he'd finished looking around William and Rebecca, who had also been awakened by Adam's screams, were in the doorway.

Knowing Adam never felt like talking the first few minutes after having one of his nightmares, Sarah did her best to smile at the Pulsiphers and said, "He had a nightmare: he'll be fine."

Knowing his friends as well as he did, Adam forced himself to nod in agreement and managed to get a few words out. "I'm fine, really. Sorry for waking you up," he kept his head forward the whole time he was speaking.

William didn't like it, but figured Sarah had it under control. He tapped his wife on the shoulder; she was still looking at Adam with concern in her eyes. "Come on; let's get back to bed." Only after they had shut the door did Sarah sit down on the edge of the bed.

"What was the dream about?" Okay, in some ways that was a stupid question; on the other hand, she figured it was a justifiable one. She wasn't surprised when Adam closed his eyes and didn't answer right away. Finally, after a few minutes, he began talking.

"I tracked Matsu down, not hard to doing seeing how much he'd talked about the place before leaving the first time, made a deal with him…I…I was dreaming about what happened afterwards." Adam opened up his eyes and looked at the only person he'd ever met who had succeeded in getting him to talk about the past. Sooner or later, he knew he'd have to tell her the exact details, just not now. He lifted up his hand and laid it on her cheek, brushing it with his thumb.

Sarah would have pulled back and insist that he continue talking only she seemed unable to move, as if Adam's touch seemed to have an effect on her she had not expected it to have. Before she knew Adam had her in his arms and was sliding his tongue into her mouth. This time it wasn't the kiss of someone simply sending a jerk the message that he'd best keep his hands off what wasn't his. It was more of one who had found a life line to hold onto and was desperate to keep that lifeline around.

Finally Sarah, who had wrapped her arms around Adam and allowed herself to melt in his arms, made herself back away. He needed her listen, to help him, not to allow the two of them to find themselves falling into the fire just because there was such a strong need for security. And she felt strongly that exactly would happen, if she didn't exercise some self control.

"I'm sorry," Adam apologized, and then let out a soft, half amused chuckle, "here I ask you to marry me in name only for your own protection and then I do that." He paused as he again closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "It won't happen again." He'd make sure of it.

Sarah felt her heart go to Adam and she smiled. "There's nothing to forgive, Adam." She then stood up and shocked him by climbing into the bed and moving behind him. "What you need,…I can give without making it so we can't get an annulment later after we get married." She then sat against the headboard and, wrapping her arms around his back and around his chest, she pulled him towards her. Soon he was resting his back against her, his head resting under her chin.

Her actions and words "….without making it so we can't get an annulment later after we get married" told him that, if nothing else, he had one of the best friend's he'd ever had. He couldn't help but wonder how she knew just badly he simply needed to find comfort in something as simple as being held like a child…without having the embarrassment of asking his father or mother, or in his case, stepmother, to do it. After all, he was still very capable of taking care of himself. Only thing was, even the strongest of men needed a shoulder to lean on once in awhile. As he closed his eyes, he was again amazed as Sarah began singing softly, singing a song he'd heard many times over the years.

*A wand'ring Minstrel weary came

to a Castle at an ev'ning hour

where many a Knight and lovely Dame

were met to hold a festive bow'r

Songs of war were loudly sung

by other bards of ancient pride

But the Minstrels Harp in Love was strung

and was sweeter that all beside

was sweeter than all beside

So sweetly sweetly

Sweetly to Love his Harp was strung.

A Maid within this Castle dwelt

more fair than any that grac'd the Hall

tho' many a Knight for her had knelt

she lov'd the Minstrel best of all…

By the time Sarah finished the song Adam had fallen asleep. That left Sarah to think on everything that had happened, and everything she'd learned, since joining Adam on his quest to fight the demon memory inside him. She couldn't help but smile as she closed her eyes and did her best to rest. She'd never slept sleeping upright before. Still, if her mother could do it for everyone from her father to her and her siblings, she could do it for a friend who needed what comfort she could give.