Prompt 4

Forgiven

With a heavy sigh, Gabriel closed the trunk, turned the key in the lock, and stood up. That was it. Everything, or at least almost everything, that she had brought to England was in there. Her old life, tucked away out of sight, and when the dawn came, her new life would begin.

But tonight, she didn't know how to feel. Between the old and the new, she wasn't sure where exactly she was standing.

She had shoved the trunk into the corner farthest from the door, where she wouldn't have to think about it. There was still more than enough space, even with the four poster bed, workbench and chair, and the few other simple items of furniture. The window, with a candle waiting to be lit sitting on its sill, overlooked the yard and stable behind the house. Bill was certainly generous to let her stay with them, and the Earl of Southampton as well for being so willing to give them all a home on top of funding Bill's work.

And still, Gabriel wondered if she even deserved to be here after all she had done in support of King Philip. Should she have just returned to Spain with the others anyway? Begged for their forgiveness for betraying them? At least she knew who she was there; not herself, but a role she'd been playing for a long, long time…

Her heart sank at the very thought of it.

—

"You alright, love?"

Anne only hummed in response and Bill reached out to touch her hand, finally getting her to look at him. She blinked.

"What?"

"Are you alright? I know this is a big change, it's a lot to adjust to."

She shook her head, "Don't worry about me. I'm more worried about Gabriel, I mean, everything has changed for her. I can't imagine what this must be like for her and I just…"

Bill couldn't help but smile softly. As much as he agreed that their new friend was struggling, it warmed his heart to hear Anne speak so kindly about her. Especially when she had been holding her at knife point not so long ago.

"You just…?"

Anne shrugged, "I just wish I knew how to help her."

"It doesn't have to take much to make someone feel welcome. The smallest thing could mean the world to her right now, you know?"

"… Has she come downstairs since you showed her to her room?"

Bill frowned and sat up, "I don't think she has, actually. I'm not sure whether we should leave her alone or not."

"Hm…"

Anne paused, then looked around the kitchen, lost in thought. Her gaze fell on the window, or, in fact, beyond it, to the yard behind the house. Without a word, she stood and headed for the back door as Bill looked on.

—

Back upstairs, Gabriel took a few minutes to try and arrange what little she had that wasn't locked up in the trunk around the room.

As she passed by the window, movement outside caught her attention and she stopped. In one corner of the yard stood a large apple tree, and Anne was carefully inspecting its fruits. Gabriel kept watching as she picked a few, then froze when Anne looked up and saw her. She was surprised when she smiled up at her, and even waved. Gabriel hesitantly waved back, then stepped away from the window.

It was odd to think she had assisted in the capture of this woman mere days ago. And what's more, she had been the one holding her by the wrists, her dagger poised ready to strike, should the need arise.

Why must you look at me like that? she wondered, Like you could forgive me so easily.

—

After some time, a couple of hours, perhaps, if she had to guess, Gabriel had still barely left her room. The moon had risen and the sky was growing dark, and Bill had insisted on the children saying goodnight to her; she wanted so badly to believe their friendly, though tired, smiles but she couldn't silence the voice in her head that told her they were just being polite. Once he had gotten them to bed, Bill returned to check on her. They talked briefly, and then before he excused himself, he turned to Gabriel.

"Anne's still downstairs, in the kitchen, by the way. I expect she'll be done soon, she'll probably come to say goodnight, as well."

Gabriel just nodded, already assuming he'd be wrong. She wouldn't blame her. But sure enough, a few minutes later, the footsteps coming up the stairs detoured towards Gabriel's room and she heard a light knock at the door.

"Gabriel?"

There she was, just as Bill said. Well, it couldn't do any harm to simply answer the door. She would only be saying goodnight, after all. Then Gabriel opened the door to find Anne was holding two plates, stacked one on top of the other, in one hand with two slices of freshly baked apple pie, and two forks. Gabriel faltered slightly.

"… Oh…"

"Sorry," Anne started, "I know you must be feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything, and you probably don't quite feel comfortable yet being with the whole family, but I wasn't about to let you go to sleep on an empty stomach. And if you don't mind, I thought we could perhaps just… chat? A bit?"

"Well, I-" Gabriel was about to decline the offer as politely as she could when she was betrayed by her growling stomach. Anne bit her lip but couldn't hide her amused smile and Gabriel cringed, "… I suppose that would be nice…" she gave in.

Gabriel kept what she hoped was an acceptable distance between them as she and Anne sat down on the bed with their plates in hand.

"So, how do you like your room? Are you settling in alright?"

"Yes, I think so…" her eyes darted towards the trunk and back, too quickly for Anne to notice, "I didn't expect to find myself in such luxury, certainly not so soon after giving up so much of my life. Thank you."

Anne scoffed, "There's no need for thanks, it's the least we could do after everything you did for Bi-"

"After everything I did…?" Gabriel muttered bitterly, dropping her plate into her lap before she had even taken a single bite. Anne stopped mid-sentence, struck speechless by the sudden shift in her demeanour. For a moment, Gabriel sat there, her head bowed, her eyes screwed shut, regret etched into her features. Then she looked up again and met Anne's gaze, "Is this what I deserve after what I did? The last time the two of us were alone together, I was binding your hands behind your back. Threatening you," her voice was beginning to grow thick with tears, "My orders were to kill you should Bill not…"

Anne wasted no time. She took Gabriel's plate, and her own, and set them aside, then took her hands. She leaned towards her, her voice somehow both gentle and commanding.

"Gabriel, listen to me," she may only be a few years older than Gabriel, but her words, and her tone, made her seem a lifetime wiser, "Those may have been your orders, but they were not your intentions. You had no choice in the matter. I don't blame you for what the king made you do."

"… You don't?" Gabriel asked in surprise, her eyes wide.

Anne shook her head and smiled, "Of course not! I was scared, but… I could tell there was something off. Your grip was slightly loose, you were holding your dagger quite low. You could barely even look at me. Or Bill, for that matter."

She was right.

"I felt like I was betraying him," she admitted, "I felt more loyal to Bill after a few kind words than I ever felt to Lope or Juan or any of them in years," she couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, I'm glad this was the choice you made."

"… As am I."

They shared a warm smile and Anne handed Gabriel her plate back. Their conversation turned to lighter topics until they were finished eating, when Anne seemed to remember something.

"Oh! Wait here, I'll be back in a minute."

She hurried out with the plates and Gabriel waited, as she was told to, until Anne returned carrying a bundle of white fabric.

"Here. Until you find the time to make a new one for yourself, because I'm sure you will, you can borrow one of my nightdresses," she said, handing it to her, "It's probably a bit long for you, but it should do for a night or two."

Gabriel stared at the garment for a moment, then at Anne. That was the final straw; she threw herself into Anne's arms and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you. For all you've done for me."

"You deserve it."