Chapter four
Narcissa was struggling against a rope that bound her, it cut into her wrists and around her ribs and chest, tighter and tighter it pulled. The harder Narcissa struggled, the tighter the rope became. A sudden gust of wind and the taste of salt on her tongue made Narcissa aware that she was on a ship. The ropes that rubbed her skin were binding her to a mast. Her hair was loose, blowing in her face, whipping her skin, her face was being battered by sea spray. Narcissa tugged again, in vain, trying to free herself from her bonds. A huge wave smacked against the side of the ship, coming over board and washing down the deck. Narcissa found herself suddenly on the floor, in agony, soaked to the skin. In front of her were a pair of boots. Craning her neck upwards she saw that they belonged to a man. He had long blond hair and was wearing a long black cloak. He carried a short staff that had a snake's head on it's tip. He was holding a knife, dripping with blood. All at once Narcissa realised it was her own blood. But he was not killing her, he had just set her free, the tatters of ropes that had held her a moment before were held in his hands. This was all wrong. Narcissa looked down at her hands and saw them dripping with blood, her blood. Her wrists were red and raw from the ropes. But then her saviour, this strange man with his fair hair and silvery grey eyes, was picking her up. To him she seemed as light as a new born bird. He supported her as they walked across the deck, and then he put his hands around her waist, lifting her up once more. They were now at the bow of the ship, below them Narcissa could see waves chopping angrily at the sides. The man lifted her high, and Narcissa realised with a sudden surge of horror what he was about to do. Struggling in vain she gasped as he threw her over the side of the ship. She seemed to fall slowly, backwards, gracefully. The last thing she saw of the man were his silver eyes, gazing down blankly at her as she fell, so softly, so slowly, almost as if in a dance towards the thundering waves below.
Panting and gasping for air Narcissa sat up in bed, clutching at the sheets and holding on to the oak bedstead behind her as if to convince herself that she was safe. Breathing more slowly, she relaxed, more accustomed to her surroundings, now realising that it had only been a dream. Soft light was falling into her bedroom, and as she cast her eyes around the room she remembered the night before. Turning sharply to the bed next to her she saw it was already empty. Narcissa slumped back down into bed and closed her eyes. He never stayed. Narcissa had never seen Lucius asleep, he never allowed it. The bed next to her was always cold by the time Narcissa woke up. Remembering only flashes of her dream, Narcissa realised with a jolt that those silver eyes had belonged to her husband… her own husband had thrown her overboard. Shutting her eyes tighter she willed herself to go back to sleep, forget the dream, forget her husband, leave her miserable life away with the world of the living. A timid knock came on the door and Dobby entered, carrying a tray with breakfast laid out on it.
"Would Mrs Malfoy like her breakfast served in bed, Mistress?" squeaked the house elf, his huge eyes seemingly full of pity as he surveyed his Mistress looking so distressed and unhappy. Something about the elf's pity irritated Narcissa, and she glared at the green canopy above her.
"No, Dobby, I shall eat in the breakfast room. Take that tray away at once, I do not need to be waited on as if I were sick and dying."
Dobby seemed a little taken aback. "Dobby thought Mistress was tired, Dobby is sorry if he intrudes wrongly."
"Yes, Dobby was wrong. Leave me alone." Narcissa replied, angry with Dobby but angrier with herself for letting her anger with the world show. It was not fair of her to take it out on the house elf, yet why shouldn't she? Was she not Mistress of the Malfoy Manor? Ignoring the conflicts within her Narcissa went into her dressing room to prepare herself for the day ahead.
Lucius was nowhere to be seen when Narcissa emerged downstairs, freshly dressed in flowing summer robes of white, her face a mask of cold politeness. Dosky appeared immediately, and pulled out a chair for her to sit on to eat her breakfast in the breakfast room. Narcissa sipped at her coffee, staring out of the windows to the extensive grounds outside. These windows faced away from the village, and the grounds stretched away as far as the eye could see over the hills. That way lead to freedom, away from the world, away from icy masks and fake smiles. Narcissa loved to walk alone in the hills, away from everything. It had been in those hills that she had believed herself to have fallen in love with Lucius. Narcissa gazed out at the summery meadows, remembering.
As a young girl of seventeen Narcissa had been invited with her parents and Bellatrix for the first time to dine at the Malfoy Manor. Her parents had been many times before of course, and Bellatrix a good few, and finally the honour had been extended to the youngest Black daughter as well. Narcissa had sat through the meal, prim and proper in her evening gown, feeling out of her depth with talk of politics and the rise of Dark Powers. In the middle of her last year at Hogwarts, she still felt she had very little to do with 'the real world' – her world was Hogwarts castle, the students, teachers, and her N.E.W.T.s. At this dinner party her mother had instructed her to simply stay quiet and look beautiful, both of which commands Narcissa had fulfilled with little difficulty. It had been a select party, and Narcissa had felt intimidated by the company. Lucius' father had died when Lucius was a young child, so it wasLucius hosting, a young bachelor with many admirers, some of whom were present, all elegant young women with fine clothes and jewels, simpering over him and his finery. Lucius was dashing and extremely handsome, but paid no attention to little Narcissa it seemed. She was of no concern to the powerful young male sitting at the head of the table. Lucius' mother, who had still been living at the time, had sat next to him, looking cold and proud, looking down haughtily at everyone. Narcissa was the youngest there, sitting quietly, talking to no-one. At the end of the meal she had slipped out, feeling stifled and went out alone into the quiet evening grounds. It was when she was walking alone beside the lake that she had seen Lucius coming towards her.
Narcissa had thought that he was taking a walk himself, wishing to be alone, and so instantly shrunk into the trees so as to avoid him, being slightly terrified of this striking young man who dominated everyone so, all the more terrified because of the attraction she felt at his strong masculinity and deep, penetrating eyes. However, the young Mr Malfoy it seemed was not hoping for a solitary walk. He stopped where he had seen Narcissa enter the trees by the lake, and called out her name softly, a slight drawl to his voice.
"Miss Black, do come out, I am not here with the intention of frightening you away into the bush."
Narcissa had blushed furiously, and stepped out shyly wishing she had had more sense than to try and hide. Lucius had stared down at her, not exactly smiling, but seemed to be laughing at her with his eyes. Narcissa had looked boldly up into his face, refusing to look too abashed. Lucius had laughed at her.
"You are a very pretty little girl, you know." Lucius had said, reaching out and brushing a blonde curl from Narcissa's face. At being called a little girl Narcissa wanted to turn around and stomp off at being so patronized, but knowing that this would only increase the 'little girl' image, she stood her ground, raising one fine eyebrow at him, challenging him to make further comment.
"Very well, I read you perfectly. You are a very fine young woman. Will you walk with me?" He was so charming and polite, and seemed in such earnest that Narcissa took his offered arm and together they continued the walk around the lake. He had not stayed with her long. His role as host demanded that he be not absent from the party for any length of time, and so after a short stroll he guided her back to the house."I suppose you find the company a little out of your depth, little Narcissa. I am sorry if you have found the evening a bore." Narcissa again was made slightly angry by the implication that she was still a child – even more so because of the accuracy of his comment. Smiling slightly she shook her head.
"The evening has been charming, Mr Malfoy."
"Please, call me Lucius." He reached out and took her hand, and pressed it for a moment to his mouth. "Thank you for our walk, little Narcissa." And then he was gone.
Narcissa opened her eyes, coming back to the present and taking another sip of coffee. She could just see the glimmer of the lake in the distance. Those had been happier days. That was the very day she felt herself fall in love with Lucius. She had laid awake that night, thinking of Lucius, and his soft kiss on her hand. How she had wished she were older. He had only considered a young girl. The mortification of it! Narcissa sighed. If only he had only considered her a child. If only she had never come to this Manor on that fateful day.
Pushing those thoughts away, Narcissa finished her breakfast and stood up, resolving at once to go out for a walk before her husband returned to keep her in. He was no doubt out on some business or other. There was no noise in the house except the distant movements of the elves cleaning after last night's party. Narcissa stepped outside into the early morning sunshine, feeling its rays on her face like a gift from the gods. Away, away from the house, away from Lucius she would go, and if only for a short while, she would have some freedom.
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Coming soon: Chapter five - Lucius returns, with a proposition.