Chapter Twenty: The Return

The nights grew colder and colder. I often curled on the small mattress, trying desperately to draw in heat from my bed and body. The two thin covers I was allowed were not enough to deter the wind that blew through the small gaps of the tower walls.

During the winter when the icy wind would blow through my room and when at times, I cried myself to sleep, for all my hope had gone of being able to end my service for Ethel and her daughters, I would think of Thomas and how we had been before I left. The thought would ease my tears.

In the late spring, the kingdom announced that Thomas had come home. He wrote to me of his return and told me he'd like to see me sometime.

I agreed and said that I would meet him in the old castle, in the tower room, the day after he got back. The problem was; how was I going to get out of the house and not be missed for the remainder of the day?

As I made the noon meal, I overheard Ethel talking to her daughters in the dining hall.

"We're all going," she was saying. I heard Hazel complain. "I told you dear," Ethel, continued, "Tomorrow is your cousin's birthday and you will do well to remember those manners taught you at the royal castle and come."

"But Mother, I don't want—"

"Countess Edith will be very disappointed if you do not attend her gathering and I will be shamed if you don't. But it doesn't matter if you don't want to leave," Ethel said shrewdly, "You're going. Pack your things now girls. We leave tomorrow at daybreak."

My stepmother strode into the kitchen and cringed when she saw me. "Honestly Eva, where is your sense of cleanliness? You look unsightly! Do me a favor?"

"What would that be milady?" I asked as pleasantly as I could, trying not to grind my teeth in my irritation.

"Take a bath," she replied simply. I could hear the mocking tone in her voice. Edith was about to leave when she turned around and said, "My daughters and I are attending a celebration tomorrow and will travel to another town where a sister of mine lives. Don't expect us back until a week has past.

"I imagine you will keep up your housework and spend the lesser of your hours playing. I will have someone check on you at the end of the week. She lives in town and if anything should happen, you are required to call on her. She is one of my loyal friends."

I nodded.

Ethel had answered my prayers! I could leave and it wouldn't matter. No one would know! I was so relieved I could've laughed and danced. I decided on a silent chuckle and then, went back to work.

The next morning, after my step family left, and Ethel had a firm discussion with me, warning about what my punishment would be if the manor were a wreck when she got back, I clothed in my best gown. I washed the ash and filth from my face and went to the stables to get Meta.

As I entered the orchard, I saw that Thomas's black steed, Phineas, was grazing on the grass and apples. I left Meta beside him and walked into the great hall. A thrill of excitement zipped through my body as I ascended the stairs and entered the tower room.

As soon as he'd seen me, Thomas stood up and ran to my side. "EVA! Oh, I'm so happy to see you. It's been so long!" he said with a wide grin.

I smiled back kindly as he escorted me to an unkempt chair at the table. It took all my teachings from my etiquette lessons, but I was able to hold back the vivid thrill I felt of seeing him again. I would've seized his hands and drunk him in with my eyes for evermore. I would've laughed and shouted with all my bliss at the sight of this prince. I would've kissed him if I had not an ounce of self-restraint.

But now I gazed at him with a manner of placid coolness. If Thomas was to look in my eyes he would see them dancing in pleasure, and not the mask I veiled myself in. I studied him quietly. He had become taller since the last time I'd seen him. His face was broader as was his shoulders. I noticed his skin had gotten slightly darker. It must have been due to those months on the sea.

"Look at your hair!" he said in surprise.

I bit my lip uneasily, tugging at a strand.

"Oh, but I like it." He smiled to encourage me. "It's so good to see you," Thomas said again.

I smiled. "It's good to see you too. So…did you want to tell me something?" I asked slowly, unsure of what else to say.

"Actually, I just wanted to talk, you know, like how we used too," Thomas said shrugging.

We sat there for a long time, talking about what had happened to us in the last two years. He told me about his voyage to the Ambrey Sea and asked how I had fared.

I bit my lip and prepared to lie.

Thomas knew only half of my life at my home. To him, I exhausted my days laughing and riding horses, swimming and shooting arrows. Though at one time my life I had fared that way, now it was an entirely different story. Instead, I cleaned the manor and tended to other's needs, prepared meals and slept in a tower.

Ethel made sure that I was reminded of my sins and dishonor by cutting my hair once a year on the anniversary that I had returned from my runaway adventure. And each time Ethel cut it, my hair was a little shorter than the last time.

That spring, the length of my hair was two inches off my neck. Her treatment seemed to work too. Every time I glanced in a mirror, I was reminded of my servitude which had lasted for what seemed like an eternity.

"Do you remember when you told me you would teach me how to shoot an arrow well?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Could you remind me of a few lessons? I wouldn't mind brushing up on my archery skills."

I laughed, surprised by his unexpected request. "Certainly. But I'll have to go back to my manor to get them."

I stood up from the table and walked back to the door.

"I'll come with you," he said.

I nodded and we ambled outside and mounted our horses. I led him to the manor and told him to wait in the great hall, while I fetch my things. I walked back down from my living quarters holding my stuff and told him we could practice in the forest.

Thomas and I walked to a small clearing in the woods and found an old tree to practice on. He had already known how to shoot; Thomas just didn't have much skill. I taught him as well as I could.

I watched him notch a silver arrow in my bow. The day had become very humid and was searing hot. Perspiration trickled down his temples. His eyes were locked on his mark as he pulled the arrow back. Thomas's hair hung tussled and limp in the humidity; his lips set tightly in a frown of meditation. Thomas let his arrow go. It sped across the clearing and struck the middle of the dead tree.

"Great!" I smiled. "That was wonderful. I told you, you were getting better."

"I think I believe you now," he answered wiping his brow with his forearm. "Are you thirsty?"

"Yes I am," I agreed and we went back inside. I walked to the kitchen to prepare our drinks. I rummaged around the cupboards and, finding two cups, I poured cold water into one.

"Why are you doing that?"

I reeled around and saw Thomas standing behind me. "W—what do you mean?" I for a split second, my blood thrilled with adrenaline.

"Don't you have servants that make the drinks and meals? Why should you have to do their work?"

"Do you not remember me?" I asked coolly, swiftly recovering from my surprise and coming up with a quick excuse to misguide his thoughts from the truth.

Thomas gave me a puzzled look.

I laughed and said, "I like to get my own food when I feel like it. I don't like to wait around."

Thomas smiled playfully and grabbed the empty cup and said pouring cold water into it, "Well, if it'll lighten the load..."

We laughed.

I spent the rest of the afternoon with him, and it did remind me of how it used to be at the royal castle. It was almost the same. Following his target lessons, we rode horses and after, talked by a tree in the pasture. I bid him farewell as Thomas climbed up on Phineas and waved good-bye.

I sighed as he disappeared down the road. It had been a lovely day. I then wondered if I'd see him again soon.

My query was answered two days later.

A Note From Me: Some time has passed. More will pass in the following chapters. I did this for a few reasons. I wanted Eva to grow up in two ways, physically and mentally. She is more resigned after being a servant and being reunited with Thomas interrupts that routine she had had living as a servant. His presence is a blessing to her and at the same time, it is a curse. In the following chapters you will see how Eva faces these new (and old) challenges and what becomes of them. The story is not over, I just thought I would let you know, in case you wondered how long this servitude thing was going to drag on. In the next few chapters, more changes and challenges will come.