Notes: Woah, it's really been a while since I updated this so big apologies to anyone waiting on an update - still, better late than never, yeah? :) Big thanks as well to everyone who's been reading and reviewing - it's always nice to know what people think!

3.

Although her eyes were closed, Ellena was not asleep but merely content to rest peacefully in Geoff's arms. At the sound of her name on his lips, she almost lifted her head, but instead she made no sign that she was awake and simply listened to his soothing voice. Touched by his words and the kiss to her hand, a little smile touched her lips and she snuggled closer to him.

"I hope I didn't cause you to wake …" came his voice and she opened her eyes – she never could keep anything from him.

"I wasn't asleep." she explained in order to reassure him, knowing how he worried about her lately. "I just didn't want to bother getting up when we were so comfortable."

"And quite right!" he agreed, "There could be no more pleasant way to spend the day than tucked up here with you …"

"But didn't you say there was somewhere you had to be this morning?"

"Yes, love – William requires my services as herald at the tournament, but never fear; I'll make sure you are not left alone and …" he stopped dead and then sat bolt upright. "Oh my giddy aunt!" he groaned, "The tournament – I'm late!"

He leapt out of bed and began pulling on the nearest clothes he could find while Ellena watched in great amusement. Then he stopped in his tracks again and turned to her, but she already knew what he was thinking.

"I'll be fine – don't worry!" she said, sitting up and wrapping the blankets around herself. "I just wish I could go to hear you; how the crowd get behind you …

"I'm not sure that would be a good idea just yet …" Geoff said after a moment's thought. "And I'm sure Will would understand if I was to be … absent – he could always hire another herald just this once … I mean, his entrance wouldn't have quite the same flair to it, but as long as he wins …"

Ellena couldn't help chuckling as she watched the look on his face, seeing him try to hide his true feelings. "Another herald just wouldn't live up to your high standards, would he?" she said fondly, "It's alright, Geoff – I know how you love to get the crowd fired up."

"It does give a certain feeling of satisfaction to ignite such passion with a few choice words … but who says I could not achieve the same effect outside the arena ..." he whispered suggestively in her ear, shooting her a charming smile and a wink, making her swat lightly at his arm. "Alright, my love, I shall silence my wayward tongue …"

"Ha, I'd like to see you try!" she laughed disbelievingly.

"You need only say the word and I shall tell Will I am otherwise engaged – he would understand, you know …"

"No, Geoff, go to the tournament – I will be perfectly fine." she insisted.

"Very well, as long as you are quite sure, my love – I feel you should rest anyway …" Geoff said turned to complete the task of readying himself. "And trouble yourself not about anything, I will return post-haste to ensure all is well and should you need me, you need only send word to the arena …"

"Stop worrying about me, Geoff." she smiled, cupping his cheek with her hand as he paused to lean down to kiss her. "Now go, dazzle the crowds!"

"I always do!" he grinned with a little bow as he left the room, touching his fingers to his lips as a last farewell before departing hastily, leaving Ellena to curl up beneath the bed covers again and lose herself in thoughts of how she had come to love this man.

Flashback

"Wench! WENCH!" came the roar from the tavern owner as he spotted two of his tavern maids engaged in gossip instead of serving paying customers, a sound which send them both hurrying back to their assigned tasks fearfully. He was not a man to be crossed and both women knew it, though one better than the other for she was his daughter.

The pretty redhead was all too well aware that her father lived to make money and that everything, including his family, came a distant second. He was, for a mere peasant, reasonably well-off and yet he was still as miserly as ever. He owned both his tavern, popular with locals and travellers alike, and a sizable farm on the village outskirts and worked his family mercilessly to run them both. His quiet, unquestioning wife kept home while his three sons ran the farm and he ran the tavern, employing his only daughter as a maid though he knew the work to be unpleasant at times.

Ellena loathed the job more often than not – she didn't mind the hard work, having long since grown accustomed to it and she was glad to be out of the house, meeting more people than she would at home. However, many of their patrons did not seem to know the amount of ale they could indulge in before they would become riotous and she often had to endure grubby, grabbing hands, foul remarks and the like. Yet, what choice did she have? And she had to admit, it wasn't all bad …

Finally being allowed a short break after hours of tiring work, she caught up with the young woman she had earlier been caught chatting too and they glanced around furtively before continuing their conversation.

"So who is he?" her co-worker asked eagerly.

"I still don't know – I was on my way home and didn't dare be late so I couldn't spare much time …"

"Couldn't spare time for a gentleman who compliments you like that! Ellena!" came the shocked squeal, but the redhead merely laughed.

"And what would have come of it, Harriet? A gentleman and a serving wench? It's a ridiculous notion!"

"He clearly didn't think so!"

"It's always late and growing dark when I see him – I don't think he realises … what I really am. Though if he was to think straight he would know no lady would be out at such a time unaccompanied …"

"But he wasn't thinking straight – because of you! Oh, Ellena, it's not fair – you're so lucky!"

More laughter from the girl at that. "Well, I think that's the first time anyone has said that!" she said wryly, thinking of her unpleasant job and what she often had to endure at home.

"Please! Not one but two admirers …" Harriet insisted.

"Two?! Who is the other?"

"Your poet friend who comes in here with the jousters …"

"He is NOT my admirer!"

"He always makes sure he's served by you and he always starts spouting that poetic nonsense of his when he sees you – what else would you have me call him? And you always get that little smile on your face when you see him …"

"He's … He makes everyone smile." She tried to fob off her friend casually. "He's just a … a flirt – it doesn't mean anything … And anyway, we had best get back to work – we have more customers. Oh! Harriet, don't look!"

"What?" gasped her friend, starting as the other girl grabbed her arm suddenly and turning to see what had provoked such a reaction.

"I said not to look!" Ellena scolded, but she was unable to resist glancing around herself. "That's him! That's the man I keep bumping into in the village!"

Eager to get a good look, Harriet ignored her friend's protests and stared over at the group of men, realising which one was the subject of their conversation from the description Ellena had given and turning back with a shocked look on her face.

"What?"

"Ellena, I don't think you should have encouraged him at all – if he finds out you're only a peasant, he'll think you were trying to make a fool of him." Harriet said anxiously.

"But I meant no such thing – why should he think that?" Ellena asked, puzzled by this sudden change in attitude.

"Don't you know who that is?" Harriet asked, the same fearful, awe-struck look on her face. But the bewilderment in Ellena's eyes showed that she certainly did not and Harriet shook her head in disbelief. "That's Lord Adhemar!" she whispered, drawing a gasp from the startled redhead.

End flashback

A shiver ran down Ellena's spine at the memory. Geoff was right – it would never do for her to be at the tournament and risk being spotted by Adhemar so soon. She just wished she had never laid eyes on the man and didn't know how she could ever have had a good opinion of him – she had been such a fool. What she would have done had it not been for Geoff … It didn't bear thinking about.

to be continued...