The Truth Must Be Told Chapter III
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me
This is the next instalment please review and let me know what you think.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
So with a gulp, Danielle put her first foot forward in a step towards the unknown. She was quivering in nervous anticipation
The forest scenery was quaint and beautiful but for once Danielle failed to notice it.
As the palace drew nearer and nearer Danielle's quivering turned shakier, and obvious, she was now completely petrified, and couldn't control herself. She half slumped to the forest floor and was only saved at the last minute by Henry's strong arms.
" Calm down darling, please." Henry spoke softly so as not to upset her further.
"I'll never let anything happen to you again, you'll never have to return to the Baroness. Your safe with me"
Slowly, Henry's reassuring words, and strong warm arms began to make an effect.
'She needs so much reassuring' Henry thought 'she must really be hurt deep.'
It pained him to witness his love deal with such obvious pain and torment.
Danielle inwardly scolded herself for being so weak. The last thing she wanted right now was to upset Henry further, he had had enough to deal with today. She still could not get over the fact that he did not mind about all she had told him.
They continued on in comfortable silence, and soon the back of the palace drew into view. Servants could be seen scurrying around the back courtyard, kicking up clouds of dusty earth with their feet in their haste to complete their daily tasks. As they noticed the prince arrive each fell hastily and clumsily into low curtsies, Henry, however did not notice, he was to preoccupied in his mission, so Henry and the rather overwhelmed Danielle speed past the servants and left them to wonder and gossip in whispers about what the prince was doing there, and who the mysterious and beautiful young woman was, who was accompanying him.
Henry and Danielle strode through the large scrubbed wooden kitchen door, and stepped inside to the royal kitchens. The room was made of magnificent proportions; everything was large and grand according to the standards of the day. At the very head of the kitchen, a rather robust, red faced woman was yelling orders a young, thin, little girl, whilst turning an impressively large spit. Sweat was streaming down her face and she was so preoccupied with her strenuous task that she had failed to notice the entrance of the prince. It was only when the little girl, who had been reduced to tears, gasped and fell to the ground in an inelegant curtsy that the woman realised who had recently entered her kitchen.
The woman regained her composure slowly and then she herself sank into a curtsy of her own.
"Your Majesty" she breathed, for turning the spit was tiring work. "Whatever brings you here. How can I be of some assistance?"
The little girl, with flaming red hair was still deep in her bow, but her racking sobs could still be heard, for all that she was trying to muffle them into her faded, worn pinafore.
Danielle looked down on the girl with the sorrow of recollection and memory in her eyes. Then on such strong impulse, she fell to her knees and gathered the startled little girl into her arms and cradled her gently.
"Do not be sad darling," she whispered so only the child could hear. "Do not be afraid." Danielle remained on the floor holding the child, while a rather startled yet touched Henry began his business with the woman, who was in fact the head of servants in the royal household.
"Madame Bundel" Henry began knowing he needed this woman's full co- operation, support, confidentiality, and agreeance for his plan to be successful. He knew also that she would probably require a bribe for her silence also. Normally Henry would judge the woman harshly for some of these home truths, however after knowing Danielle he had found new leases on life that he had never considered before. So he began gently and laid all his cards on the table.
"I have an urgent and private matter I must take up with the King and Queen immediately, however it is essential that Mademoiselle De Barbac is safe and hidden while this is taking place. It is my hope that you will keep her here for a few hours, and take care of her every need."
Madame Bundel looked down at the beautiful, kind looking, compassionate young lady, who was getting her lovely courtiers gown filthy by crouching on the ground as she was to tend to the little girl. She wondered briefly what such a kind humble young lady was doing being escorted into the palace kitchens with the prince who was well known for his intolerable arrogance and pride.
"Certainly Your Highness" Madame Bundel replied dropping a bobbing curtsy "It would be a grand honour to tend to such a lovely young woman."
Henry was startled to say the least. He had expected haggling, bargaining and bribery to gain the normally shrewd woman's silence. But as he followed the woman's gaze down to Danielle he realised what she was feeling. She would never have given her services freely to him, the future king of France, but she would lovingly and willingly care for the polite, compassionate girl that was his Danielle.
"You do realise Madame Bundel" Henry continued determined to ensure his point, "That this matter must be kept extremely quiet, no one is to know she is here."
"She'll arouse suspicion dressed like that Sire, I can't stop people gossiping if that's what you want, and they will gossip Sir."
Henry looked momentarily worried, Madame Bundel was right. However Danielle soon interrupted him and soothed his fears.
"Excuse me Madame Bundel, Henry, I do have my own dress in my bag here."
Henry looked at her confused.
"I bought it to change back into before I returned home" she explained however Madame Bundel was now the one looking on at her confused 'what good would another beautiful dress be to the girl, one the same as the other would still arouse suspicions in a scullery kitchen.'
Henry ignored the woman's obvious puzzlement figuring it was up to Danielle how much she wanted to inform or withhold from Madame Bundel.
"Well then I shall take my leave" Said Henry gesturing to Danielle. She placed the child gently on the hearth rug, one very much similar to the one she had slept on so many times in her youth, just like this child, and rose to her feet.
"I hope to return to you shortly with brilliant news" he said, and then more quietly "Please allow Madame Bundel to take care of your back." For the blood on Danielle's back had congealed slightly however still it was slowly seeping out in dregs. Henry's cape had been covering the offensive wound until this point however now she had to return it to him and her shameful secret would be revealed.
Danielle nodded and a single tear fell daintily from her eye. Henry brushed it aside and kissed the wet spot where it had been tenderly.
"Do not be afraid, all will turn out well."
"Good luck Henry" Said Danielle giving him a slight push in the direction of their uncertain future.
"Please take very good care of this woman Madame Bundel, for I love her dearly."
"Of Course Sire" She replied curtsying once again.
Henry removed his cape from Danielle's shoulders gently and caressed her face momentarily before heading off quickly out the door. He could not bear to see his love in so much pain and suffering.
Danielle looked at Madame Bundel "Thank you very much" said she gracefully and graciously.
Madame Bundel was still exceptionally confused at the situation but replied "Not a problem my dear, now come with me to the back room so you can change." Madame Bundel was desperate to know the details, as too such the person she was, however something in her instinct told her not to push to far too fast with this girl.
"This way please Mademoiselle"
"No please, call me Danielle."
Again Madame Bundel was confused, why would a courtier ask a servant, even the head of royal servants, to call her by her Christian name.
"No Mademoiselle I simply couldn't"
"Please Madame Bundel, I could not be comfortable if you were to call me anything else. I am confused by this formal way of life, and greeting"
Madame Bundel was taken aback again but simply replied "Follow me please." and she lead Danielle through another heavy wooden door into a marvellous washroom.
A large tub full of steaming water was on a platform at the tip of the room, in front of a large window which allowed the bright afternoon sun to shine in, giving the room a deliciously warm glow and serenity. Sheets and rough peasant clothes hung from racks along one side of the room, and the other contained buckets and containers of home-made soaps and such.
Danielle was extremely uncomfortable, not only because of the extreme physical discomfort of her swelling wounds but also because now she knew, she would have to reveal to Madame Bundel the truth of her story. For she would never lie to her elder or superior, and she knew Madame Bundel would ask. She also knew that now she would have to ask Madame Bundel to tend for her back, which would be equally embarrassing.
Before Danielle could work up enough courage Madame Bundel stuck her head around the wash room door and screeched in a dreadful tone "Sarah, Sarah get in here now and help me out. God knows I can't do everything by myself."
The little girl whom Danielle had treated with such care entered the room slowly, her head was bowed low, and she appeared terrified.
"Sit there till I call for you child, and for God's sake stop sniffling."
The girl braved a quick glance at Danielle and the look in her eyes touched Danielle's heart. Danielle smiled warmly and Sarah gave a timid smile in return.
"Thank you very much for helping me out now Mademoiselle Sarah." Said Danielle softly so as not to scare the girl "I hope one day I may be able to do the same for you."
Sarah startled a little, noticeably but did not reply, she was too terrified.
Madame Bundel's astonishment was growing as each moment passed.
"I'll get your dress out of this back then Mademoiselle.... aaa Danielle and hang it for you so it shan't be creased, would you like to bathe also?"
Danielle took a deep breath, she knew this was the moment and she couldn't stall any longer.
"Umm actually Madame Bundel, there is something of great favour I must ask of you."
Startled by the worried tone of Danielle's voice Madame Bundel's hardened heart softened a little.
"Yes child what is it? Anything can be done for you."
Danielle, at a loss for what to do next simply turned around so her back, now without the covering of Henry's cape was bare and the soaked blood was more obvious than ever. She heard Mrs Bundel gasp, and a muffled wail of fright from Sarah.
"Good heavens child what happened?" Nothing could have prepared Madame Bundel for this.
Danielle took another deep breath and began to tell her story.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sorry about the delay, hope you liked it more real soon Love Annie
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me
This is the next instalment please review and let me know what you think.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
So with a gulp, Danielle put her first foot forward in a step towards the unknown. She was quivering in nervous anticipation
The forest scenery was quaint and beautiful but for once Danielle failed to notice it.
As the palace drew nearer and nearer Danielle's quivering turned shakier, and obvious, she was now completely petrified, and couldn't control herself. She half slumped to the forest floor and was only saved at the last minute by Henry's strong arms.
" Calm down darling, please." Henry spoke softly so as not to upset her further.
"I'll never let anything happen to you again, you'll never have to return to the Baroness. Your safe with me"
Slowly, Henry's reassuring words, and strong warm arms began to make an effect.
'She needs so much reassuring' Henry thought 'she must really be hurt deep.'
It pained him to witness his love deal with such obvious pain and torment.
Danielle inwardly scolded herself for being so weak. The last thing she wanted right now was to upset Henry further, he had had enough to deal with today. She still could not get over the fact that he did not mind about all she had told him.
They continued on in comfortable silence, and soon the back of the palace drew into view. Servants could be seen scurrying around the back courtyard, kicking up clouds of dusty earth with their feet in their haste to complete their daily tasks. As they noticed the prince arrive each fell hastily and clumsily into low curtsies, Henry, however did not notice, he was to preoccupied in his mission, so Henry and the rather overwhelmed Danielle speed past the servants and left them to wonder and gossip in whispers about what the prince was doing there, and who the mysterious and beautiful young woman was, who was accompanying him.
Henry and Danielle strode through the large scrubbed wooden kitchen door, and stepped inside to the royal kitchens. The room was made of magnificent proportions; everything was large and grand according to the standards of the day. At the very head of the kitchen, a rather robust, red faced woman was yelling orders a young, thin, little girl, whilst turning an impressively large spit. Sweat was streaming down her face and she was so preoccupied with her strenuous task that she had failed to notice the entrance of the prince. It was only when the little girl, who had been reduced to tears, gasped and fell to the ground in an inelegant curtsy that the woman realised who had recently entered her kitchen.
The woman regained her composure slowly and then she herself sank into a curtsy of her own.
"Your Majesty" she breathed, for turning the spit was tiring work. "Whatever brings you here. How can I be of some assistance?"
The little girl, with flaming red hair was still deep in her bow, but her racking sobs could still be heard, for all that she was trying to muffle them into her faded, worn pinafore.
Danielle looked down on the girl with the sorrow of recollection and memory in her eyes. Then on such strong impulse, she fell to her knees and gathered the startled little girl into her arms and cradled her gently.
"Do not be sad darling," she whispered so only the child could hear. "Do not be afraid." Danielle remained on the floor holding the child, while a rather startled yet touched Henry began his business with the woman, who was in fact the head of servants in the royal household.
"Madame Bundel" Henry began knowing he needed this woman's full co- operation, support, confidentiality, and agreeance for his plan to be successful. He knew also that she would probably require a bribe for her silence also. Normally Henry would judge the woman harshly for some of these home truths, however after knowing Danielle he had found new leases on life that he had never considered before. So he began gently and laid all his cards on the table.
"I have an urgent and private matter I must take up with the King and Queen immediately, however it is essential that Mademoiselle De Barbac is safe and hidden while this is taking place. It is my hope that you will keep her here for a few hours, and take care of her every need."
Madame Bundel looked down at the beautiful, kind looking, compassionate young lady, who was getting her lovely courtiers gown filthy by crouching on the ground as she was to tend to the little girl. She wondered briefly what such a kind humble young lady was doing being escorted into the palace kitchens with the prince who was well known for his intolerable arrogance and pride.
"Certainly Your Highness" Madame Bundel replied dropping a bobbing curtsy "It would be a grand honour to tend to such a lovely young woman."
Henry was startled to say the least. He had expected haggling, bargaining and bribery to gain the normally shrewd woman's silence. But as he followed the woman's gaze down to Danielle he realised what she was feeling. She would never have given her services freely to him, the future king of France, but she would lovingly and willingly care for the polite, compassionate girl that was his Danielle.
"You do realise Madame Bundel" Henry continued determined to ensure his point, "That this matter must be kept extremely quiet, no one is to know she is here."
"She'll arouse suspicion dressed like that Sire, I can't stop people gossiping if that's what you want, and they will gossip Sir."
Henry looked momentarily worried, Madame Bundel was right. However Danielle soon interrupted him and soothed his fears.
"Excuse me Madame Bundel, Henry, I do have my own dress in my bag here."
Henry looked at her confused.
"I bought it to change back into before I returned home" she explained however Madame Bundel was now the one looking on at her confused 'what good would another beautiful dress be to the girl, one the same as the other would still arouse suspicions in a scullery kitchen.'
Henry ignored the woman's obvious puzzlement figuring it was up to Danielle how much she wanted to inform or withhold from Madame Bundel.
"Well then I shall take my leave" Said Henry gesturing to Danielle. She placed the child gently on the hearth rug, one very much similar to the one she had slept on so many times in her youth, just like this child, and rose to her feet.
"I hope to return to you shortly with brilliant news" he said, and then more quietly "Please allow Madame Bundel to take care of your back." For the blood on Danielle's back had congealed slightly however still it was slowly seeping out in dregs. Henry's cape had been covering the offensive wound until this point however now she had to return it to him and her shameful secret would be revealed.
Danielle nodded and a single tear fell daintily from her eye. Henry brushed it aside and kissed the wet spot where it had been tenderly.
"Do not be afraid, all will turn out well."
"Good luck Henry" Said Danielle giving him a slight push in the direction of their uncertain future.
"Please take very good care of this woman Madame Bundel, for I love her dearly."
"Of Course Sire" She replied curtsying once again.
Henry removed his cape from Danielle's shoulders gently and caressed her face momentarily before heading off quickly out the door. He could not bear to see his love in so much pain and suffering.
Danielle looked at Madame Bundel "Thank you very much" said she gracefully and graciously.
Madame Bundel was still exceptionally confused at the situation but replied "Not a problem my dear, now come with me to the back room so you can change." Madame Bundel was desperate to know the details, as too such the person she was, however something in her instinct told her not to push to far too fast with this girl.
"This way please Mademoiselle"
"No please, call me Danielle."
Again Madame Bundel was confused, why would a courtier ask a servant, even the head of royal servants, to call her by her Christian name.
"No Mademoiselle I simply couldn't"
"Please Madame Bundel, I could not be comfortable if you were to call me anything else. I am confused by this formal way of life, and greeting"
Madame Bundel was taken aback again but simply replied "Follow me please." and she lead Danielle through another heavy wooden door into a marvellous washroom.
A large tub full of steaming water was on a platform at the tip of the room, in front of a large window which allowed the bright afternoon sun to shine in, giving the room a deliciously warm glow and serenity. Sheets and rough peasant clothes hung from racks along one side of the room, and the other contained buckets and containers of home-made soaps and such.
Danielle was extremely uncomfortable, not only because of the extreme physical discomfort of her swelling wounds but also because now she knew, she would have to reveal to Madame Bundel the truth of her story. For she would never lie to her elder or superior, and she knew Madame Bundel would ask. She also knew that now she would have to ask Madame Bundel to tend for her back, which would be equally embarrassing.
Before Danielle could work up enough courage Madame Bundel stuck her head around the wash room door and screeched in a dreadful tone "Sarah, Sarah get in here now and help me out. God knows I can't do everything by myself."
The little girl whom Danielle had treated with such care entered the room slowly, her head was bowed low, and she appeared terrified.
"Sit there till I call for you child, and for God's sake stop sniffling."
The girl braved a quick glance at Danielle and the look in her eyes touched Danielle's heart. Danielle smiled warmly and Sarah gave a timid smile in return.
"Thank you very much for helping me out now Mademoiselle Sarah." Said Danielle softly so as not to scare the girl "I hope one day I may be able to do the same for you."
Sarah startled a little, noticeably but did not reply, she was too terrified.
Madame Bundel's astonishment was growing as each moment passed.
"I'll get your dress out of this back then Mademoiselle.... aaa Danielle and hang it for you so it shan't be creased, would you like to bathe also?"
Danielle took a deep breath, she knew this was the moment and she couldn't stall any longer.
"Umm actually Madame Bundel, there is something of great favour I must ask of you."
Startled by the worried tone of Danielle's voice Madame Bundel's hardened heart softened a little.
"Yes child what is it? Anything can be done for you."
Danielle, at a loss for what to do next simply turned around so her back, now without the covering of Henry's cape was bare and the soaked blood was more obvious than ever. She heard Mrs Bundel gasp, and a muffled wail of fright from Sarah.
"Good heavens child what happened?" Nothing could have prepared Madame Bundel for this.
Danielle took another deep breath and began to tell her story.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sorry about the delay, hope you liked it more real soon Love Annie