Chapter 9: Memories Revived
Disclaimer: Do I really have to say it again? Oh, by the way, there is nothing historically accurate about this story. It's just a bunch of made up (my own and Arthur's people) people in my story.
The rest of the night went on as planned, minus the two extra guests, and Amanda having to leave early due to Nicolarious being tired and not feeling well. The next morning, however, was not what Amanda hadplanned for. Waking with the sun in her eyes, Amanda dressed quickly in a white dress, and went to check on her brother. Leaving her room, Amanda walked briskly, but unfortunately, saw Bishop Ahias heading her way, alone. Amanda stood in front of her door and tried to think of something quick. He heart beat speeding up; Amanda decided to walk back to her room and wait until he left. Reentering her room, Amanda sat down at her vanity and picked up her brush, trying to get it through her mess of curls.
Please, please, please do not knock on my door, thought Amanda. But it was too late. The knock came and Amanda closed her eyes, Well, I can't ignore him.
"You need to face your past once in a while," Amanda heard her mothers voice echo in her head. She remembered when she said that. Amanda's old friend moved back into her old village, but the two had left each other withunkind words. Taking a deep breath and calling herself back from her memories, Amanda found her voice.
"Who is it?" she called.
"Arthur," said a deep voice. Amanda sighed, relieved.
"Come in," she called. Arthur entered, looking a bit confused.
"Since when did you start asking who it was?" he asked her.
"Since I saw Bishop Ahias walking down this hall," Amanda answered.
"Oh," said Arthur, "Well, I wanted to show you something." Amanda rose and gave Arthur a curious look.
"Really? What is it?" she asked.
"I can't tell you, someone made me promise not to, they said it was a surprise," Arthur answered with a smile.
"Oh," said Amanda, "Well, in that case, lead me to it." Amanda followed Arthur out of her room and down a few halls, and then he turned to face her.
"You have to close you eyes now," he said. Amanda gave him a confused look and sighed.
"Very well," she said, closing her eyes. She felt Arthur take her hand, and he led her away. It seemed like a long walk, and Amanda grew more and more confused with every turn they took.
"Arthur," Amanda said laughing a bit, "Where are you leading me?"
"We're almost there," he answered and his pace quickened. Suddenly, they stopped, and Arthur let go of Amanda's hand. Amanda turned her head, listening for Arthur.
"Open your eyes," he whispered in her ear. Amanda opened her eyes, and nearly fell over from shock.
"Nicolarious told me you were fond of reading, and learning, ever since you came home from Rome. So, It's merely a start, but I think these few books will hold you until some more come in from Rome," Arthur explained. Amanda was speechless, and for a girl like her, that didn't occur very often. Amanda stared at the beautiful room, with shelves and shelves, not yet fill with books. Along the eastern wall were stain glass windows, which bore pictures of Knights, of horses, of blue people, which Amanda assumed to be Woads. There were six of these windows, each filling the room with the mid-day sun. Amanda turned around to face Arthur, who had a huge smile across his face.
"Guinevere and I started it, a year before she died, and after she passed away, I had the room locked up. But Nicolarious mentioned it to me two days ago that you always told him about the wonderful books in Rome and all the things you could learn since he was able to understand you. He told me you loved to read, and I told him about this room. He begged it of me to show you, so here you are, your own place to learn and read as much as you please," explained Arthur. Amanda sighed and could only stare at Arthur, "I didn't realize this would have that much of an affect on you." Amanda laughed and looked around the room one more time.
"Arthur, this is amazing," she said.
"I didn't think you were in Rome that long to learn how to read," said Arthur.
"I wasn't," Amanda said, "But once I left, even though traumatized, I was astonished at all the things you could learn. My father saw how much I loved it, and he taught me all the things they taught in Rome. I still remember the nights when he and I would sit by the fire and he would either help me read, teach me arithmetic, or ask me my thoughts about things going on in Rome. Those were my moments. I'd give anything to have them back for just one night." Amanda finished the last statement quietly, and looked down at her shoes. Arthur took a step closer, and lifted up her chin, to find a small tear rolling down her pink cheek. Arthur wiped it away and looked Amanda in the eyes.
"You can't deny the past Amanda," he said gently, "But you must live into your future. Was it not you who said that your past was your past, and you'd rather leave it there?"
"But, if I leave my past behind me, what if I forget about those times?" Amanda asked softly.
"I promise you, you won't. You don't need to hold on to it forever, but I promise you, you won't forget moments like that, spent so dearly," Arthur said, "You won't forget the happy memories, but you won't forget the ones of pain either. You can't wallow in your past forever. It's not healthy, especially for a lively girl like you." Amanda smiled and Arthur wiped away her final tear, and let go of Amanda's chin.
"This place is amazing Arthur," Amanda said again, "Thank you for allowing me to use it." Arthur smiled.
"It is I who should be thanking you," he said. Amanda gave him a confused look.
"What?" she asked.
"You opened up these doors. Those doors would have remained locked forever if you hadn't come along. My heart would have continued to shut out this place that was intended for so much good," explained Arthur. Amanda smile and turned to the few shelves that held books. Searching through the titles, Amanda ran her fingers along the bindings. Suddenly, Amanda remembered Nicolarious.
"Oh my Gosh, I completely forgot!" exclaimed Amanda as she headed for the door.
"What is it Amanda?" asked Arthur.
"I was going to check on Nicolarious this morning because he didn't feel well last night. Then all of this happened and I totally forgot!" explained Amanda as she left the room with Arthur in pursuit. Amanda broke into a run and headed up to Nicolarious's room. Reaching it after a few minutes of running, Amanda knocked on the door, panting. Arthur came up behind her a moment later.
"Don't ever do that again," he said as Amanda walked into the room, "You scared the daylights out of me." Amanda smiled and then looked at Nicolarious, who was still sound asleep. She walked over to his bedside and felt his forehead. His head felt warm to her touch.
"Arthur," she whispered, "come feel his forehead, I can't tell if he's warm, or my fingers are just cold." Arthur came and felt the boy's forehead gently.
"He's fine. Probably just tired from the celebration," said Arthur quietly. He nodded his head to the door, and Amanda agreed it was best to leave her brother alone for now.
Lunch came soon after that, and Amanda walked down to lunch with Galahad, who had gone upstairs to fetch her. As they entered the room, the found lunch already under way, and that Joseph was sitting in Amanda's seat. Seating herself next to Gawain, Amanda began to eat, listening to the conversation going on between Arthur and the Bishop.
"Your Majesty," said Bishop Ahias, "The Pope and the Emperor wish me to tell you that you must either return the land to Rome, or renounce your citizen ship from Rome. I would advise you to do the former, because if you don't give the land back, then Rome will send an army." Amanda saw Arthur almost choke on his food at the Bishops last statement, and much to her surprise, Arthur began to laugh.
"Tell me Bishop," said Arthur, "Why should I give land back to those who didn't care about it only four years ago? You can tell your Pope and Bishop that I renounce my citizenship, and to send as big of an army they can, it's nothing my men can't handle." The Bishop gave Arthur an appalled look. Leaving the room, Bishop Ahias slammed the door behind him, and Joseph was quick to go.
"Some man of God," said Gawain. A long silence passed over the group, and then Amanda cleared her throat.
"Where is Bors?" she asked timidly, hoping she wouldn't get snapped at due to the ruckus the Bishop caused.
"He went home with Verona," answered Galahad with a smile.
"Oh," said Amanda. Arthur then cleared his throat and stared angrily at the door. Amanda looked at him for a moment, but then returned to her lunch, thinking about the Bishop.
"Excuse me," she said, "I'm going to check on my brother." Amanda left the tension filled room, relaxing after she left. While slowly wondering up the stairs to her brother's room, she heard someone call her name.
"Lady Amanda! Lady Amanda wait!" Amanda turned to see Joseph jogging after her, and Amanda paused. She greeted him with a smile when he reached her side. This was the first time she got a good look at the mysterious man.
"I'm afraid I have to apologize for my uncle's behavior at lunch today. He's very angry with your king, but I agree with your king," said Joseph. Amanda's eyes widened with surprise.
"Well Joseph," said Amanda continuing up the stairs, "I'm afraid that you're apologizing to the wrong person entirely, I am not the one who rules this country." Joseph walked with her, and smiled when she finished. A silence passed between them as they finish climbing the stairs.
"My uncle believes he knows you, is that true?" asked Joseph. Amanda gave him a look of shock, "I apologize for my bluntness, he just never stops talking about how he thinks he knows you." Amanda sighed and shook her head no.
"No, I don't think your uncle and I have ever met. Not that I remember anyway," Amanda lied.
"Oh, he must be mistaken," said Joseph. Amanda turned to face him, reaching Nicolarious's room, and looked Joseph in his brown eyes.
"Well, you must excuse me now, and I suppose it would be best if you went and apologized to King Arthur," said Amanda, reaching for the door knob.
"I'll see you then Lady Amanda," said Joseph. Amanda nodded and he left her. Making sure he was out of her sight, Amanda entered Nicolarious's room, to find him lying awake in his bed.
"Good morning Amanda," said her brother.
"More like good afternoon, Nicolarious," said Amanda, "how are you feeling?"
"Fine," answered Nicolarious, "Better than last night anyhow." Amanda smiled and patted her brother's arm.
"That's good news. Well, when you're ready, lunch is waiting for you downstairs," said Amanda, "Until then; if you're still tired, go to sleep. Otherwise, get dressed, eat lunch, and Gawain said he'd be waiting in the library for you."
"So he showed you did he?" asked Nicolarious with a wide smile.
"Yes, Arthur showed me that marvelous room," answered Amanda.
"I knew you'd like it," said Nicolarious. Amanda smiled and kissed her brother on his forehead.
"I loved it," she answered. Nicolarious sat up and rose out of his bed, and Amanda left him. Walking back to her room, Amanda was happy that her brother was well again. Amanda walked into her room and closed the door behind her. Walking over to her vanity, Amanda opened her mother's old jewelry box, and lifted out her favorite necklace. Looking up into her mirror however, made Amanda gasp and drop the chain. His hand flew over her mouth and his other around her waist. Amanda was looking into the brown eyes of Bishop Ahias.
"I knew I recognized you," he whispered into her ear, "My have you grown. Even more beautiful than I had imagined. And I have been imagining about you since the day you left me in Rome. Tell me, Lady Amanda, do you love him? Oh, I think you do. I can see it in your eyes. In your beautiful, wanting eyes," His hand began to wander higher and higher along her body, finally reaching her breasts, "But how does it feel to love a man, a King, who doesn't love you back? It must burn right through your precious soul like a hot iron rod. Hmm? Well, before I leave you, remember," he paused to lick her neck, "that if you're ever in need of company, I am here for you." He left immediately, leaving Amanda wallowing in her memories, collapsed on the floor, tears streaming down her face from fright.
Soguys,how'd you like it?Wellreview and I'll have the next few chapters up in a bit.