Part 3: Bereavement

Lady Babette had just finished the last of her housework when the knock came on the door. She'd planned to try and relax after all of her work was done, but of course, she knew that was impossible. Not until Sir- Commander Daniel was back safely in Gallowmere would she relax. Now she tensed as she made her way to the door. She took her hair down and fluffed it before taking a deep breath and opening the door.

"Evening M'Lady." A young man stood in the doorway, bowing slightly as he addressed her. He couldn't have been older than sixteen but sure enough he was a soldier with his full armor suit still in place. Lady Babette's heart sank. "I'm afraid I have bad news for you."

Babette's hand flew to her mouth. She felt her eyes welling up. "Is it news of Commander Fortesque you bring?"

The young knight swallowed hard and his own eyes glistened. He was afraid to blink. Men didn't cry in front of ladies- even if it was in mourning of a fallen comrade- even if they had looked up to that person their whole life. A tear streamed down his face anyway.

"I fear so, M'Lady." He let out a shuttered breath.

"He's not coming back is he?"

The boy pinched his eyes shut, expelling the overflow of tears. He brushed them away quickly. "No," he answered quietly.

Babette couldn't move. She stood frozen to her spot staring into the boy's face.

The soldier tried to stand tall. "I would have you know," he said proudly, "that Commander Fortesque charged bravely into battle and with barely a hesitation. He shall without doubt be honored for the great leader he was." He stopped for a moment and thought. "He also made sure I knew to send his undying eternal love."

Babette snapped out of it for an instant. "He said that?" Her voice was grainy and her eyes were burning holes in his.

"He did." The soldier swallowed again. "And something else too. He said there was a secret. You are to tell the King and I am to go with you." The soldier saw that Lady Babette was shaking. "M'Lady you're trembling! Say something!"

"Leave me," she said in a voice barely about a whisper.

"But, M'Lady, I am to- "

"LEAVE ME!" She wailed and slammed the door in the boy's face before collapsing in a heap on the floor and sobbing.

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It wasn't until after the funeral that Lady Babette was again visited by the young soldier.

This time she welcomed him in, smiling a sad smile. He stepped in wearily. He had no desire to upset her like last time. "Are you well, M'Lady?" The boy kept his distance.

"Please," she said putting up her hand. "Call me Babette, and I am as well as to be expected. I apologize for that nasty episode last week. I didn't mean to frighten you."

The soldier smiled, obviously relieved, and stepped forward. "No no M- eh- Babette. You were upset." He took her hand. "We both were. You've no need to apologize. Now- eh- about that secret."

Babette pulled her hand away. "The secret. Sir Daniel's secret?"

"You mean Commander Daniel?"

Babette turned and gave the boy a pained look. Then something clicked and the soldier gasped.

"I am no Commander!"

He swallowed hard. "He- he wasn't supposed to lead that battle was he?"

Babette turned and began to pace, trying to think of a way to put it gently. "Sir Daniel had a bad habit of embellishing- quite a bit in fact. All of his stories about dragons and princesses and wizards were just that. Stories." She smiled fondly. "He always did hate it when he wasn't at the center of attention. When our King caught wind of his stories, he immediately appointed Sir Daniel Commander. God love our King but he was gullible."

"And he still doesn't know?" The soldier took a deep breath. "That's why it was so urgent I go with you to tell the King. This'll be hard for him to swallow as it is- but if it were just told to him by a maid- "

Babette was shooting him a glare.

I am not just some maid, she thought bitterly for and instant.

"Well, ahem, then he should be told as soon as possible," he said changing the subject quickly. "When shall we go then?"

"Oh now for sure! He should have known before the funeral before they made all that fuss. They performed a Commander's service for a knight. The King won't be happy about that."

The soldier smiled a little. "M'Lady, if only you had seen him that day. If you could have watched him lead us into battle." He had to stop. When he spoke again his voice was raspy and cracked. "If only you could've seen the pride in his eyes before the battle- then there would be no doubt in your mind of whether or not he deserved to be honored for the hero he was- even if it was just for that one day."

Tears were streaming down both their cheeks by now. "You are wise beyond your years, young soldier," Babette said. "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Well eh, Tim," he sniffed, embarrassed to be crying in front of a lady. "But eh, everyone calls me Canny Tim."

"Then come, Canny Time" Babette smiled, pulling him to the door. "We'll go together to the King and set this matter straight." She held out her hand. "For Sir Daniel."

Tim took her hand. "For Sir Daniel."

THE END