This chapter may be a bit slow, and for that I greatly apologize. However, things will pick back up in chapter 12. Happy reading! :)

Chapter 11

Several days later, Felicity was still sitting by Oliver's bedside. She smiled as she listened to him complain about having to stay in bed while his men searched for his would be assassin.

"I should be out there helping them", Oliver said for what felt like the thousandth time.

Felicity looked up from her sewing, and gave him a stern look.

"You, sire, are not going anywhere until Ulric gives you the go ahead. That bump on your head is still swollen and the gash on your side needs to mend. So, stop complaining and enjoy my company", she finished with a grin.

Oliver couldn't help but smile at the woman sitting beside him. He stared at her bent head, her blond hair shining in the bright morning light. Over the past few days something had changed between them. Felicity seemed warmer, if that was possible, and her eyes had a new sparkle to them.

He watched her nimble fingers as fixed a tear in a pair of his trousers. The sight was almost mesmerizing, her lips pursed in concentration and her head tilted to the side as she examined her work.

Felicity stood and folded the pants before placing them in the clothes chest. Oliver's injury was very unfortunate, however it had allowed her to catch up on her sewing duties. She had never met a man as hard on clothes as the man before her.

She heard a knock on the door, and she made her way over to open it. She welcomed the elderly physician into the room with a warm smile.

"Good day, Ulric", Felicity greeted.

"Good day, my lady. How is our patient today", the man asked as he moved to examine Oliver.

"Not very patient I'm afraid", she answered.

Ulric laughed, turning to smile at the woman standing opposite him. He examined the bump and then probed the gash looking for infection. When he found none, he turned to the king with a serious expression.

"Sire, I give you permission to be up and around with the condition that you do not over do", the man then turned to Felicity, "I'll be counting on you, my lady, to see that he doesn't do anything that would jeopardize his health."

Felicity nodded at the physician, and then sent a glare in Oliver's direction. The man had the audacity to put forth a very innocent expression.

"I will do my very best, Ulric, but our fearless leader is a very stubborn man."

The old physician did his best not to laugh at the couple as they stared at one another. He had barely known the little blond when he'd first met her four days earlier, but now he greatly admired her.

She would be a woman who could stand by the king's side through whatever the future may hold. She could give him fine sons and pretty daughter to fill his life with joy. The thought made Ulric's old heart lighter as he said his goodbyes.

Felicity watched the man go, and then turned to Oliver.

"Would you fancy a trip to the training field, sire", she asked with a smirk.

"I thought you would never ask", Oliver said with a grin.

They slowly made their way down to the field, people staring at them as they went. Felicity had one of Oliver's arms wrapped around her shoulders so she could help support his weight.

As soon as they reached the grassy field the knights turned and cheered. Oliver smiled at his men, waving off their concern as Felicity moved him to sit on one of the wooden benches.

He placed a tentative hand on his side, the area burned causing him to give a quick inhale of breath. The little woman beside him immediately turned her head, her eyes searching his face.

"I'm fine; really", Oliver said with a smile, "I could use some water though."

Felicity looked at him for a moment, assessing whether she wanted to get the water herself or call one of the knights to get it. Then she watched as a mischievous smile spread across his features.

"You just want me gone so you can do whatever it is you're planning in that thick skull of yours."

Oliver simply shrugged, and watched as she stomped of towards the water barrels.

Laurel looked at the man before her. They both stood in the shadow of the castle wall looking out over the training fields. The sight of Felicity's blond head as she mingled with the knights turned her stomach.

"Does your master understand the plan", she asked in a harsh tone.

"Yes, milady."

"Do you understand your part in it?"

At the man's blank stare, Laurel began to explain.

"Do you see the blond woman down on the training field?"

"Yes, what does this have to do with her?"

"Everything you fool! You must capture her tonight and take her to your master; along with the payment I will give you. I will go along, so it appears that I have been taken also. No one must suspect me in this", Laurel said.

"Everything will work according to your plan, milady. I will make sure", the dark knight said with a sinister grin.

Felicity looked at Oliver and found sweat beading on his forehead despite the chilly weather. She could tell his side was paining him, but she knew that he wouldn't say anything about it.

"I'm cold, would you mind if we went back to the castle", she asked.

She watched as Oliver turned to look at her and she shivered a little for his benefit.

"It is rather cool, and I am getting tired", Oliver said with a wince as he stood.

"Well, then back to your chambers it is."

They walked back in companionable silence until they heard a commotion. Both turned to see Laurel being dragged away by a strange looking man. Oliver pulled his sword from its scabbard ignoring the pain in his side.

Before he knew what was happening a man came from behind and hit him over the head. As his vision blurred, he saw Felicity being grabbed by the dark knight. He was forced to watch as the woman he loved was taken away before his world went dark.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review and tell me what you thought! :)