Chapter 11: Saved at Last

Disclaimer: Blah…blah….blah…

A month passed before Amanda felt totally comfortable again. Bishop Ahias would be leaving soon, much to Amanda's, and everybody else's, content. The fact that Joseph was staying had little effect on anybody, let alone Galahad. For Amanda however, much of her life now was spent either in her room, with Nicolarious, or in the library. Usually being alone, Amanda had her own time to do what she please, which was usually rubbing her aching head, strained eyes, and thinking various. Arthur still hadn't said a word to her, and not a word escaped from her lips to him. Every time she would see him, and he would see her, he would turn around and walk in the other direction, or start speaking to someone near by. Gawain had been teaching Nicolarious, and had left a week ago to teach him to track, and to meet the Woads. Amanda was also now worrying about Nicolarious and Gawain, praying they wouldn't get hurt. One day, during the week after Nicolarious and Gawain had left; Amanda was walking around the palace, searching for something to do. However, her aimless wandering had led her back to her room, and she walked in, hoping to find some sleep. Walking towards her bed, Amanda felt someone touch her shoulder. Turning, she saw Bishop Ahias standing behind her, with a wide grin. She had seen that grin before, and her heart beat sped up. Before she could do anything, the Bishop revealed a dagger he had hidden in his robes. Holding it to Amanda's throat, he pushed back to the bed, and she sat.

"Lonely are we?" he asked. Bishop Ahias pushed Amanda down, moving the dagger away and climbing on top of her. Amanda pushed him away, punching him in the eye, and screamed as he held onto her arm.

"Help!" she screamed, and Bishop Ahias pulled her back to the bed, punching her in the stomach.

"Shut up!" he said. Amanda pushed away his constantly grabbing hands.

"Help me! Somebody! Help!" she screamed again. Amanda felt a surge of pain on her face, as the Bishop slapped her, and her hopes were beginning to diminish. Suddenly, the sound of wood hitting stone sounded loud and clear, and a deep voice spoke.

"Get off of her! Get off of Amanda now, Bishop Ahias," the man said. Amanda took advantage of the off guard Bishop and punched him in the nose. He fell heavily to the floor, holding his bleeding nose. Amanda sat up to see Arthur there, sword drawn and anger written on his face. He looked up at Amanda, and Amanda rush forward over to him. She stood close to his side as the Bishop rose, and Joseph came rushing to the door.

"Tell me one thing, Your Highness," Bishop Ahias spat, "does this slut provide you with pleasure ever night? Or it she just amusing to look at?" Arthur stepped forward and placed his blade to the Bishop's throat.

"You tell me, Bishop, man of God," Arthur said angrily, "Why you choose to rape innocent girls. Is it in the name of God? Go home to Rome; find your own girls there. This girl is far from a slut. You are far from something too. Your promised seat in Heaven."

"If it's promised," retaliated the Bishop, "then I may, and will, do what I please."

"Then I'll make sure you wind up in Hell," said Arthur.

"You still haven't answered my question, Arthur," said the Bishop, "does she provide you pleasure?" Arthur's eyes narrowed and he held the blade closer to the Bishop's neck.

"No. But if she ever does," answered Arthur, "It'll be more pleasure than you'll ever receive." The Bishop huffed and Arthur removed his blade.

"Go," said Arthur, "Get out of my country. Off of my island. Go home to Rome." The Bishop took one last look at Amanda, and left the room. Joseph didn't move when he walked by, causing his uncle to ram into his shoulder. But Joseph's strong build didn't budge, while the Bishop lost his balance and fell to the floor. Arthur turned to Amanda, and sheathed his blade.

"Forgive me Amanda," he said. Amanda looked up at him in confusion.

"For what?" she asked. Arthur took a side glance at Joseph, and then looked back at Amanda.

"Come with me," he said. He took Amanda's hand and led her out on to the wall.

"Forgive you for what?" Amanda asked again when he stopped.

"For not keeping my promise," answered Arthur. Amanda knitted her eyebrows together, and thought about what he was saying. Remembering, Amanda sighed and looked up at him.

"Arthur, Bishop Ahias is a sly person. Unless you stood at my door every hour of the day, you couldn't have protected me form him, even if you did promise," said Amanda gently.

"No, no, no," said Arthur, "I promised you no harm would come to you and look at what he's done to you!" Amanda placed her hands on his shoulder, causing him to calm slightly.

"What are you so mad about?" asked Amanda calmly.

"The fact that I couldn't protect you from that man," said Arthur.

"Arthur, you can't protect everyone from everything. God wanted that to happen. Arthur, you believe that He does everything for a reason. You will soon discover why He wanted it so. In the mean time, do not fret over me, of all people. You have hundreds of others to worry about. I am one girl. Please Arthur," Amanda said, "do not be harsh on yourself for something you couldn't stop." Arthur looked at her, and she looked back, an almost pleading look in her eyes.

"You're not saying this because you are a proud person, are you?" he asked. Amanda chuckled and shook her head.

"No Arthur," she answered. She removed her hands from Arthur's shoulders, and smiled at him, "Besides, you did just save me from that man." Arthur smiled and placed his hand on the side of her cheek.

"I can't believe he did this to you. You look terribly ill. Forgive me for not paying enough attention to you," said Arthur gently. Amanda laughed and looked at him.

"Why do you feel like you have to apologize for everything wrong with me?" asked Amanda.

"Because I haven't spoken to you since that night I found you in your room. I was upset," said Arthur. Amanda sighed and leaned into his hand.

"Arthur, really," she said, "you not talking to me were the least of my worries at the time. True, it did bother me, but not as much as Bishop Ahias did." Amanda removed her head from his hand and Arthur drew back. Amanda smiled and turned to face outside the wall, watching the Bishops carriage and soldiers leave hastily.

"Why did you let Joseph stay?" Amanda asked. Arthur walked up beside her and watched the same scene.

"Because, I saw that he was in pain, and I would rather see him aspire here than go back to Rome with that pig," answered Arthur. Amanda nodded, but her thoughts were far off.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Arthur after a long silence. Amanda looked at him, and bit her lower lip.

"Remember when I told you about how I had a feeling that there was another reason for Bishop Ahias's stay?" Amanda asked, and Arthur nodded, "Maybe Joseph is the other reason."

"Reason for what?" Arthur asked. Amanda shook her head.

"I don't know. Maybe just to let his nephew stay. But maybe so Joseph could spy on us," Amanda answered. She followed it with a shrug, letting go of it. The Bishop's carriage disappeared into the distance, and Arthur and Amanda went back inside, while Amanda thought about what she had just said.

The next two days passed quickly, with Amanda and Arthur spending most of their free time together, like two friends reunited after a very long time. Galahad, however, had left them to spend time alone, still troubled about what Joseph had said to him. Joseph spent his time exploring the city, adapting to his new home. On the third day after Arthur saved Amanda, the two were in the library, putting new books up on the shelves that had just arrived from Rome.

"I can't wait to read all of these," said Amanda, flipping through a book on the Arts. Arthur smiled at her, and walked over to see what book she was looking at.

"Ah," he said, "The arts. Hmm, are you interested in the Arts?" Amanda nodded and closed the book, placing it back on the shelf.

"Did you see any while you were in Rome?" he asked. Amanda nodded.

"The first night we were there, my father took me to see a play. I can't remember what it was about, but I loved it," she answered. Arthur pulled out a book and placed it on a table.

"This is what I love," he said. Amanda walked over to see a book of arithmetic lying in Arthur's hands.

"Arithmetic?" she asked. Arthur nodded, a wide grin spread across his face. Amanda smiled and picked up a new pile of books to put on the shelves. Arthur placed the book back and put the last pile of books away. Stepping back and admiring the shelves, Amanda and Arthur smiled at each other. Amanda took a seat at a table, and Arthur sat across form her. Silence passed between them and Amanda looked up at the windows, letting the afternoon sun light the room.

"Why did you fight for Rome?" Amanda asked. Arthur looked at her in surprise, but then smiled.

"I fought for a country I thought believed in what I believed. I thought I would be helping Rome make every man equal, but I shouldn't have been so blind," answered Arthur. Amanda nodded in understanding and rested her head in her hand.

"Do you believe in that?" Arthur asked her.

"Believe in what?" asked Amanda.

"In equality for all people?" Arthur asked.

"Of course. I am no better than you, and you are no better than a man in your country," answered Amanda. Arthur smiled at her answer.

"I totally agree," he said, "Finally, someone who shares my views."

"What about the Knights?" Amanda asked, surprised at what he said.

"Of course they agree with me, but not the way you do," answered Arthur. Amanda nodded, and rose, reaching for a book off the shelf.

"Tell me why you're so interested in Arithmetic," she said.

Okay guys, you know what to do.