They settled themselves in the blacksmith's tent. Kate picked up the small steel breastplate made to show all the contours of a woman's form. The piece itself looked like a statue, from each contour of the breasts, to the ab muscles, to the dip for the navel. It truly was a work of art. But it was as if all the work was a waste. Kate silently prayed that God would heal her. Odd thing was, it had been years since Kate had really prayed. Not since her husband had died had she sought aid from above. But she felt that on this day, if any, they needed a miracle.

Her eyes then wondered over to William. His eyes were set outside on the newly started rainfall. He hadn't said more than a word or two in over an hour. He was to meet Jocelyn, but he thought to hell with it. It didn't matter to him how much she would be angry with him. All that mattered to him right then that the life of his friend would be spared. Yes, his friend. Was she? He didn't know. But never had he seen anyone look at him with those eyes. And he'd never looked at someone and got the feeling that she gave him.

It was like every time she came near him, her strength jumped to him. This made him feel stronger. He always felt that he'd be able to go to her for anything and that she'd always be there to hold out a friendly hand. Same was with the boys and Kate, but it was just a little different with Aurora. He didn't know why.

"Its not fair," Watt finally said to break the silence.

"What do you mean?" Roland asked.

" She doesn't deserve the hand she's been dealt," Geoff answered.

"No one that young does," Roland replied.

Kate looked up at them and placed the armor on the ground. She then stood up and walked over their way. " Us talking about it doesn't make her heal any faster. We just need to keep the best in mind and try to keep in the best spirits while we wait,"

" I do have some good news to tell," Roland said. They all looked to him in question. All but William that is. Roland smiled faintly.

"Well what is it then?" Watt asked.

" Christiana and I are to be married," he said, trying to hide his proud smirk. They all smiled for him.

" You son of the devil. How long have you been keeping this a secret?" Watt said as he slapped him on the back.

"Only a little more than a day. It took me three months to get her father to approve,"

"Well, you sly old dog. Isn't that great news William? Will?" Geoff said.

William hadn't taken heed to a word anyone had been saying. He was too consumed with his own thoughts.

" Will? Have you heard a damn thing I've said?" Geoff said, as he approached the knight.

" I'm sorry, what?" Will said.

" Roland just said that he and Christiana are to be wed and you don't even hear the words being said? What is wrong with you man?" Geoff asked.

" Just let him alone, won't you Chaucer?" Kate said, "He's got plenty more things that are on his mind right now,"

"Will, I know you're hurting, but you've got to look the better side of things to pass the time. Now, go to her. She's needing you, I'm sure of it," Geoff said in the soft voice he used often in serious times.

William again found himself knocking on the door of the surgeon. The man opened the door slowly and offered kind eyes to the boy. He opened the door wide and Will spotted Aurora lying on the straw bed.

" I do believe she has been asking for you, dear boy. I'll leave you two to your words,"

" Thank you for taking care of her," William said gently.

" No thanks are needed. This girl is surviving only on her strong will to be alive,"

He left the two knights in the house. Aurora's light eyes were closed and her body relaxed. She was so still, but he was reassured by the up and down movement of her chest. He inched over and kneeled beside the bed, placing a soft hand upon her cheek.

"Will," Aurora said with a smile in a voice barely above a whisper. William placed a light kiss on her forehead and took hold of her hand.

" I should have been there. You should have waken me and I could have taken care of things with out you facing thirty men alone," William began to seethe. Aurora placed a gentle hand on his mouth.

" There. There was….no…way…you could have," Aurora said, her breath staggering and she began to cough. William's eyes grew with worry as her breath suddenly stopped.

"Aurora? Aurora?!"

"Ha. Scared you didn't I?" Aurora said in a normal tone and with a huge grin on her face.

"What on earth possessed you?" William shrieked. Aurora laughed and this made him smiled a bit.

" You think that this would kill me? I'm hurt that you think so little of me. I've been in a worse fix than this and came out on top. But the past is past and here is now. And I'm going to be fine," Aurora said, taking hold of Will's other hand as she sat up.

William collapsed against her and took her into a tight embrace. " I was so afraid for you. I've never been where I had no power to change something. I've never known fear like that before,"

" I promise you, Will, I'll never do it again,"

They continued to embrace for a very long while and broke away, still arm in arm and smiling at each other when who should pass by, but the high princess herself. She was not happy with what it was she saw.