I decided to split what was going to be a longer chapter, and I decided to get this up today and work on the next chapter tomorrow. I also decided to give the meaning of three names that you have read about:
Cristiano – A follower of Christ. A Christian.
Honor – her name is not really a proper name that one might have heard – the way that it is spelt - and it is my own form of Honour which means Honourable.
Raul – The counsel of the wolf. A fearless adviser.
Quick note – the character of Padmé is a character that belongs to DirrtyXtina87, a very great friend of mine, who recently had a really bad trauma in her life. Because of this, this chapter is dedicated to her, for forever bugging me to find inspiration and write it. Thankfully, I have suddenly found my writing ability again and plan to write HTD as quickly as I can in the remaining holiday period.
Okay, have another chapter, and I hope you enjoy it xD
"Open the gates. Please," The low, soft and musical voice said, from beneath the hood.
The guard looked down at the figure nervously. "Where are you from?"
"Rome...that is my home. I was sent on official business," the person answered the guard, never looking up at him from the horse on which they were perched.
The guard peered down at the figure once again. "Open the gates!" he squeaked nervously.
"Thank you," the person said, and nudged the horse forward.
---
Having passed the horse's reins to Jols, who had appeared from the tavern nearby looking slightly bewildered at the visitor who did not speak, the tall figure looked around.
"I am looking for Arthur," the person finally called out to the crowd that had gathered, including a few of the knights.
"And to what purpose do you seek him out?" a dark-headed knight emerged from the crowd.
"I was sent here. Now come, I do not have time to waste. Where is he?"
"Until you tell us, who you are, and why you are here, you will not even see the dust that clouded in the air after he had walked there," another man remarked, walking up to join the first man.
"You enjoy talking in riddles then?" the figure asked them, sighing inwardly. "I was sent here, by Rome's command to see your king, on your king's request. Now, pray tell me, whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"
"The two men before you are two of my most trusted friends," a new voice floated over the crowd.
Instantly, the crowd parted.
Lancelot and Tristan narrowed their eyes as they watched the figure in front of them turn around to face Arthur.
"Arthur," the person bowed.
"Lancelot," Arthur gestured towards the dark knight," and Tristan, my scout. Now, what can I assist you with?"
"I am a healer," said the person.
"And you would not tell us before Arthur arrived?" Lancelot asked, staring at the person.
"Indeed, I was sent to Arthur, for Arthur. I could see no reason why I should disclose my identity to any person before him," the low voice replied.
"Are you a boy not yet a man? For a full-grown man would not have your voice, and yet a healer that is not yet a man cannot be trusted to fulfil his proper duty as a healer," Gawain stepped forward, eyeing the cloaked figure.
The person standing in front of the gathered people pulled back the hood and smiled. "My name is Padmé."
Lancelot stared at the healer in a partially shocked state. She was a beauty! Slightly curly brown hair fell around her white face, whilst her grey eyes showed no emotion.
"Arthur, I was sent here by the Commander Cristiano who requested that I might try and help this girl that is under your care. Might I see her?" the lyrical voice asked.
Arthur nodded. "This way."
Padmé inclined her head to the gathered crowd of people and swept after Arthur.
Arthur smiled at the tall woman who walked beside him. He stopped suddenly, whilst ramming a hand against his forehead. Turning towards the knights that were still standing where they had been previously, he called out to Lancelot to join them.
"You never know when we might need you," he smiled to his friend.
Lancelot nodded and strode in the direction of his chambers while Padmé looked curiously at the two men at her side.
"Arthur, what ails this girl?" Padmé asked quietly.
"I am afraid I cannot say, Padmé. No one knows so far. We have sent for healers from across the land, once the one's that live here, could not clarify what was wrong with her. Everyone knows that there is something wrong, but no one knows what," Arthur shrugged, "That is what we hope that you can find out, if only a bit."
"Aye, I see," Padmé nodded. "And so, to begin with, you wish for me to examine her?"
Arthur nodded.
"Physically or mentally?" Padmé continued.
"Well…what you think is best, Padmé. You came of the highest recommendation that I could trust, and so therefore I place my trust in you to do your best," Arthur smiled slightly.
Padmé smiled back. "That is a very great thing you have placed on my shoulders then, Arthur. It would be our mutual friend Cristiano, I believe Arthur."
Arthur nodded. "Indeed it is, how did you come to know him?"
"I….we met, years ago in Rome. He took me under his wing. He cared for me as I was growing up, and he paid for my training as a healer. When I was old enough, I started travelling with Cristiano when he was spent on small ventures with his army. I gradually was accepted as the only female person in his regiment. I am now one of the healer's within his regiment," Padmé smiled again. "He is the kindest man I have ever met. And you, how did you meet Cristiano?"
"We knew each other as boys. We both dreamed of becoming officers in Rome's army."
"Ah, I see," Padmé's lips curled upwards, not quite a smile.
"Lancelot, will you make sure that she is alone? I think that the less number of people intruding on her, the better," Arthur asked.
Lancelot nodded, and increased his pace, moving ahead of Arthur and Padmé.
"What is the patient's name?" Padmé asked.
"Honor," Arthur replied. "Ah, here we are."
Whether it is fortunate or not so for Arthur, he did not see the expression that flashed across Padmé's face, which lasted only an instant.
"Honor? That is an uncommon name, certainly I have heard of few people bearing the name," Padmé remarked, as Arthur moved to knock on the door.
"Indeed, I know of few people that have even a similar name to it," Arthur replied, knocking.
Lancelot quickly swung open the door. "Come in."
Padmé smiled at Lancelot as she walked past him, her smile never failing even when he stared straight ahead of him, instead of looking at her.
"Honor, my dear. This is a healer to look at you. Her name is Padmé," Arthur walked slowly to the bedside and smiled down at the small bundle on it.
'It is not! It cannot be! Oh God!' Padmé gazed in shock at the bundle on the bed.
"Padmé?" Honor murmured. "She is here?"
Arthur and Lancelot exchanged a look.
"Indeed, my dear, she is a healer come to look at you. Do not worry, if you fear anything, we will be standing right outside. Padmé will not harm you," Lancelot said through gritted teeth.
Padmé moved her gaze from Honor to Lancelot. "Indeed, you are too kind."
Arthur smiled at Padmé as he walked out the door, followed by Lancelot, who seemed to linger in the room until the last possible moment.
As the door shut behind Lancelot, Padmé untied her cloak, slid it onto the nearest chair, pulled her gloves off, and moved to stand at the side of the bed.
"Padmé," Honor glared at her. "What do you do here?"