Wow.. you're all still here? How amazing! Well thanks again for the sweet responses. Just enough time for an update before I leave on summer holiday tomorrow. Hope you enjoy! R&R if you will :)

White...
Everything around him looked white. Like he was looking straight into the sun without squinting his eyes. But Elmont knew his eyes were open.
If it wasn't for the intense pain, he would have thought he might have been in heaven. But his body was telling him otherwise. His chest and stomach felt as if a fire had been lit inside. His gullet burned. He tried to swallow to get rid of the taste of stomach acid, but gagged the moment he tried. Elmont could taste his own blood as he tried to run his tongue over his dry lips.

His head throbbed and he felt hot. Even the thin sheet that covered him was too warm on his body as it attacked the poison with a strong fever.

Elmont tried to move his muscles, kicking with his leg to get rid of the fabric.

As his eyes adjusted to the brightness around him, he noticed the shape of a small figure leaning over him.

"nurse.. please,...I think he's waking up".

more movement by his bedside... a second shape appeared.

"sir Elmont... can you hear me?" . The strong determent voice of the healer pained his ears.

"I..Is Isabelle... I need..t to". Elmont tried to move his muscles once more. He should go.. fever or not he needed to know she was safe.

"Shhhhh Elmont.. I'm here!". Her small hand clutched his. He could feel her soft lips brushing his knuckles as she raised his hand to her mouth; placing gentle kisses on his fingertips.

He sighed deeply. Knowing she was close calmed him.

He didn't need to ask for anything more. Isabelle attended his needs as if she read his mind. Gently she placed a cool wet cloth on his forehead. Then another touched his lips, so he could drink just a few droplets of water.

The taste of it soothed the strong acidic flavor in his mouth. But Elmont still felt very nauseous. Drinking any more would probably make him throw up. But by gently feeding him the water drop by drop, Isabelle made sure he could hold it down.

"You'll be fine..."she whispered.. "I know you will"..

He tried to give her a reassuring smile.

She removed the cloth from his lips, and replaced it with her mouth.

The princess of Cloister, kissing the captain of the royal guards. He would have liked to see the healers face at that. Elmont thought to himself as his feverish body pulled him back into a deep sleep.

When he opened his eyes again, Isabelle was gone.

But he wasn't alone.

"Please tell me, you didn't poison yourself to impress a girl!"

"Hello Crawe".. Elmont croaked.

"You look like hell, my friend" Crawe replied honestly. "You know, you could have just forced Roderick to eat the poisoned food. If he had denied you'd have made your point too!... But no, you had to add a little drama.. right..?"

Elmont smiled at his companion. The truth was that, in the heat of the moment, he never thought about it. Tasting the poisoned food was just a reflex. The quickest way to show the danger; before anyone else would take a bite.

"You had us all worried there, Captain". Crawe continued in a softer voice.

"I'll live"... Elmont replied dryly.

"We weren't so sure of that, three days ago!"

"Three days?" Elmont muttered.. "are you saying that I've been here for three days?"

"Like I said sir, you had us truly worried".

Elmont had lifted his head from the pillow in shock, but let it fall back in the pillow as her realized just how close to death he'd been. Wicke must have added at least a dozen of ground beans to the stew. Just one spoonful would have been enough to kill anyone.

"You were right, Elmont.. Roderick did have plans to murder the King. He confessed to it all.. not that he needed to anymore, the evidence was pretty clear".

Elmont nodded.. "What happened to him?" he asked truly curious about how the king might have reacted to this betrayal.

"He, and his little helper were exiled for good. Brahmwell thought that even keeping them in the dungeons would be too close for comfort".

"Good".. Elmont smiled.. "and what of his marriage to the princess?".

"Annulled of course... I believe Brahmwell wrote up a whole new law saying any union can be annulled if the intension is to murder ones father-on-law. " Crawe said, laughing at his own joke.

Elmont let go of the sigh he'd been holding. It has all been worth it. Knowing that Isabelle was finally freed of that horrible man. "That's good news, Crawe. Good to know our princess has a chance to be happy again".

"With you, you mean"..Crawe winked.

Elmont didn't answer. Being a noble knight, still did not mean he was allowed to court with royalty. With Roderick out of the way, Isabelle would certainly be happier. But the future... their future.. was still unsure. Quite possible her father would pick out some other horrible lord for her to make her life miserable again. Or even worse.. he could pick out someone she'd actually like and fall in love with.

Crawe noticed the mood shift in his companion.

"She loves you, you know. " Crawe tried soothingly. "Isabelle has hardly left your bedside these past days. She's only off to sleep now because I ordered her to. And even then she didn't leave before I promised her I'd stay with you and not to let you out of my sight".

"Stubborn girl".. Elmont muttered.

"She is!" Crawe agreed. "well, sir. Best to take some rest now. I'm sure the princess will be here again shortly".

"Allright Crawe... and thank you. .. for everything".

"No problem captain!" Crawe replied as he stood up. Elmont watched him leaving and thought himself blessed to have a friend like him.

"I owe you an apology, sir Elmont"

Elmont woke to the sight of the King sitting by his bedside.

"There's no need for that sir." he replied, while rubbing his eyes "It was Roderick that betrayed you, you're Majesty ".

"Lord Roderick".. The Kind pondered: "I trusted him with my kingdom.. and worse… I trusted him with Isabelle! ..And I should have trusted you, Elmont. I am so sorry. "

Even though Elmont was used to being close to the King, and being spoken to in a friendly like manner. This heartfelt apology made him feel uneasy.

"I was only doing my job, milord" he muttered humbly.

"Elmont you know you are my best guardian. I would have made you Captain, if you didn't already posses that title. But you went against my orders to safe my life and that of my daughter. That took some real guts. As a man and as a father, I can never reward you enough for that."

"Your Majesty... that won't necessary... I am pleased too that everything worked out all right." Elmont found himself looking at the ground. Somehow slightly embarrassed at all this praise. After all he did go against the Kings orders and more so.. broke quite a few rules and protocols along the way.

"No Elmont... I insist... Now if there's anything you wish for... "

Elmont looked up. Anything?! could he truly ask for anything...?

Of all the dire situation he had faced in his life, never did he wish for more bravery than this moment. His mouth was dry. His heart beating heavily in his chest. As that one question remained on his lips.

"Well.. your Majesty ... there might be one thing I'd..."

The door to his room opened. Cutting Elmont of mid sentence. Isabelle walked in carrying a tray with fresh fruits and a bowl of strongly scenting stock.

"Isabelle... You know we have staff to carry out these jobs". Brahmwell smiled at his daughter.

"I know father.." she blushed "But I wanted to do bring this to lord Elmont myself.. I .. I ...think we owe him that much".

"And.. at least now I know for sure, the food is safe"... Elmont winked at Isabelle . "Thank you, milady... that looks lovely. I actually feel hungry today". He took the tray from her hands. Their fingers secretly brushing against each other.

Absentmindedly Isabelle sat down in the corner of Elmont's bed. "so, what were you guys discussing.? ." she asked smiling at her father.

She looked happy, Elmont noticed. It was good to see her act so lightly in front of her father. With her fingers she pressed down the folds on his blanket. Smoothing the cloth around his feet. He was sure that even King Brahmwell would notice the change in his daughter.

"First of all, Isabelle.. I think lord Elmont might appreciate you using a chair... and secondly we were in the midst of discussing his reward for the good services he's given us".

"Oh right..." Isabelle's cheeks turned an even darker shade of crimson as she tried to lift herself from the bed. But Elmont grabbed her arm. Preventing her from leaving his side but keeping her close.

"Yes, your majesty.. about that wish..."

Feeling stronger with Isabelle by his side. Elmont finally dared to say what was on his mind...

Gently stroking her arm with his thumb. Elmont looked Isabelle straight in her eye

"Your majesty… my only wish would be to have your daughters hand in marriage"

….