Chapter 50 [Passage Outside of Lady Elaine's Chamber]

Even as Ywain looked for him, Malodius stalked purposefully down the guest passage. His tail swung to and fro. His eyes squinted while scanning every inch of the granite stones around himself. His senses perceived Elaine's pain.

Her trail had led him up the winding stairs and down the hall to the far doorway. Her fear and sadness stung his nostrils. Her thoughts stung at his brain.

As he reached the ajar door, he pushed it open with his paw.

Her sobbing wrung at his heart. Her loneliness pushed at his psyche.

He determined to push ahead and help….

[Five Minutes Earlier]

Elaine sulked in her bed. She stared at her bound foot sadly. Her eyes watered. I thought they wanted to include me. Why did they meet without me? She sipped on some water in a goblet before setting it back on her table beside the bed. She had ideas and suggestions. From how the new Queen had talked, she had thought she mattered.

Guess it's more of the same. Maybe Father wasn't so unusual after all. She folded her arms wondering what would happen next. Maybe they'll force me into some marriage for their gain. I'll have to be with some monster. He'll hate magic and me.

A scratching at the door broke her out of the reverie in progress.

Now what? Master Gaius wanted me to stay put. Her eyes met the ajar door curiously. Her heartbeat picked up slightly. "Who's there?"

Malodius eased the door open with his front paw. He walked into the room cautiously. He tilted his head in her direction. A gentle purr escaped his snout.

"Oh, Malodius!" she exclaimed in relief. She recalled the role that the lion and Ywain had played in her rescue. "You didn't forget me."

The lion harunged almost in protest at that statement. He'd well had felt her pain throughout the castle. Granted he'd wanted to be at the sorcerers' council himself. Still he realized that it would be better to soothe her sadness at that point. He walked over to her bedside and settled right there on the lush carpet.

Elaine stared in disbelief at him. "I…I…thank you. What about Sir Ywain? Certainly he needs you too?"

Malodius didn't answer. He licked the back of her hand. As her mood turned lighter, he felt refreshed by her aura. For some reason, he sensed a similar energy…more of a feeling really.

She smiled. Her eyes watered at his display of affection and friendship. "Thanks. Maybe you could stay for a little bit? I know the others are heading north. You need to be with them. Still I appreciate the company."

He simply purred like an oversized house cat easing her tension and pain. He simply relaxed taking in her warmth and her heart's purity. Despite Mood's overcast, he could perceive Goodness' summerlike warmth in her soul. For his part, she was as much of a balm for him as he was for her.

She reached down and stroked his mane. Her heart grew lighter at his presence. I wish he could talk. He'd get the others to listen.

An expectant knocking came from the open door.

Malodius picked his head up and looked in that direction. He growled a warning in that direction.

"Malodius, at ease. It is I," Ywain revealed as he entered the chamber and closed the door behind himself. He looked around the guest chamber to find his companion and the recovering noblewoman there. "Is everything all right here? Lady Elaine, how are you?"

"Better now that I have company. Do not fault Malodius. He was only being protective," she assured him with a gentle smile. Her spirits rose with the duo's presence. She understood that they were checking on her. Still she'd never had a knight show interest around her like that. She rubbed the lion's head again. "I appreciate your being here, Sir Ywain." She took a deep calming breath. "Forgive me though, I'm a sight."

"Nay, Lady Elaine. Do not be so hard on yourself," he assured her. He considered the patient. During the rescue and the events downstairs, he hadn't taken a really good look at her. Given the day's frenetic events, he might have had an excuse. Still, as with a voyage on a large lake, the momentary stillness offered Opportunity and Amor their opening. Now he saw her in a relaxed moment. His eye drank in her flowing chocolate locks. Sol's light further accentuated the silken strands further in addition to the sparkle in her eye with the dust straight from Faerie. He admired how at ease she and Malodius seemed with each other—a rare quality among the fairer gender to be sure. He felt his throat catch.

For her part, Elaine had to keep her hand on Malodius' mane to remain grounded. She swore that Morpheus was toying with her. She trembled slightly hoping against hope that it wasn't all some dream. Her heart beat faster. She wiped away the tell-tale beads of sweat with her handkerchief. Her cheeks flushed.

Malodius perked an eye at her and then at his companion. He sniffed and laid his head back down on the carpet. From the span of his travels, he well knew the warm psychic vibes flowing about the others. Given what he'd felt from them both at times, he wasn't about to impede the process.

"You seem warm, Lady Elaine? Perhaps I can get you some fresh water?" Ywain offered.

"Thank you but I am fine in that regard." She followed that up with a drink from her goblet. "You have enough to worry over on this day and the next."

"I am never too busy to assist a lady such as yourself." Ywain frowned. "Why ever would you think such things?"

She blinked. "Father tells me I'm just an idiot. You can be with any woman save the Queen that you wish, Sir Ywain. Besides you both have the battle ahead. You might die. You should be enjoying yourselves rather than wasting your time with me." Inferiority pushed her eyes down toward her lap away from his.

Malodius snarled in protest at her notion.

"Such thoughts are sheer folly, Lady Elaine," Ywain chided. For some reason, Indignance blossomed within his chest. He felt put off for some inexplicable reason. "We all need the attention of another to flourish through the arid patches ahead. Did you not consider that in doing service to others, we help ourselves? Consider the King. He did not seek riches or rewards. He only helps others. He has a good heart. We should endeavor to do the same. I know you to have a good heart."

She blushed. "Forgive me for doubting myself and you. You are being very kind. Me, not so much."

"From what I've seen, you have had little opportunity to see otherwise," he assured her. He felt his own heart beating faster. "You have a question. I can see it in your eyes. Tell me."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. "Forgive me. You've both been so kind. I hoped that you would carry my colors with you in the battle ahead." She held up a silken strip colored with pink and white stripes.

He strode to her side. "I would be delighted to wear your colors, Lady Elaine. Thank you." He accepted the token and tied it around his forearm. "There it shall stay during the affair ahead." He raised the back of her hand. His lips brushed Amor's delicate strokes across the delicate skin therein. "I would like a favor as well."

"Of course. What might I do for you?" Her heart fluttered at his request. Her eyes slowly rose to meet his.

"I'd...We'd like to visit again upon our return from battle. That is…if it is acceptable to you," he proposed with a touch of hesitancy coloring his tone.

"I'd…like that very much, Sir Ywain. I enjoy your company…both of your company," she replied. Her nerves caused her voice to skip ever so slightly. "Malodius, how does that sound to you?"

The lion purred like a kitten at the notion. He rubbed up against her hand. Then he stood slowly and gently so as not to disturb her. He licked the hand affectionately. Then, with another warm glance toward her, he strode from the chamber toward his purpose ahead.

"It seems Malodius is quite taken with you, Milady. I look forward to our next encounter after the battle ahead," Ywain declared while trying to conceal his own uncharacteristic butterflies. He bowed to her out of courtesy. Then he followed his companion's path after closing the door behind himself.

Elaine sighed deeply. Despair and Melancholy had long since been kicked to the curb. Amor burned warmly in her heart. Hope lightened her soul. May we all live to see happier days! Please come back for that next discussion! Both of you!

On that, she could only hope and pray….