After William's departure, I fell back onto my pillow, exhausted from crying and my ankle didn't make things better either. The droning throb was almost unbearable. An hour later relief came from the nurse who had come in. She gave me some mild form of pain killer and a wooden cane, telling me to stay off of my foot for at least a month. All I could do for that time was finish my sewing, which proved a harder task than I thought. After I finished one dress, I moved to another, then another, and then, well....it seemed an endless chore. The queen didn't visit much; she had her duties somewhere else, so she spent her time traveling. I never did meet the king, which was probably for the best. What would he want with a sewing maid? But I never thought about those two much, all I could think about was William. I hadn't seen him after that day I broke my ankle, and I started to really worry about him. A couple weeks had passed when I heard a swift but silent knock on the door. Feeling for my cane, I told the visitor to hold on, but they had already let themselves in.

"Let me help you with that." Came a voice behind me, reaching for my walking stick and my hand.

"William! It's good to see you again!" My tone was thrilled and nervous all at once. "How have you been?"

"Fair and yourself?"

"Better, I can almost walk, or at least I've been trying to this past week. I really miss being in the open air, and I've been in this room for nearly three weeks."

"I figured as much. Come with me outside, the weather is beautiful."

I agreed almost before he finished his sentence. His smile gave his happiness away, and together, with his partial help, we made downstairs and into the menagerie. He was right, the weather was stunning. We sat underneath the same tree that I had slept under the day of my accident. I had wanted to keep walking, but William was worried I would strain myself. He told me he didn't want me to go through any more pain. Agreeing with him completely, I chose this spot. As summer was coming to an end, the blossoms on the trees danced around us in the breeze.

William and I discussed much under that tree. I talked of my old house and situation and he talked about the war and his duties as being the crowned prince. He mentioned he might have to return soon to Berkanlie and the idea troubled me. He was the only person I really connected to, who understood me. Watching him tell of the horrors of war suddenly made me afraid of him fighting...of dying. Seeing my frightened face, William became startled.

"Maria, have I said something wrong?"

"No" I spoke as calmly as possible. Reclining back, I sighed and watched the distant sun.

"We should head back, it'll be dark soon." William pointed out, pulling me to my feet.

The quiet stream filled in our conversation where words could not as we made our way back to the castle. Before we bid each other goodnight, William stopped me before I entered my room.

"Maria, there is something I want to show you...... will you meet me by the bench where we met, tomorrow night at 8 O'clock?"

"I will, but why?" I asked William, her gaze full of apprehension.

William grinned and his cerulean eyes pleaded with her.

"Please..." his hands reached for mine.

A smile broke across my face as our hands met.

"Yes... I promise."

Sorry, I fixed this chapter after I realized what I did. I was talking on the phone with someone while I wrote this and obviously I made a few mistakes. So here is this chapter again but revised. Again...I apologize.