The weather was starting to cool down, and frost was clinging to each available surface by the time dawn's light peeked over the hills. The garden was full of yellow and orange, the hedges a stark emerald contrast. I just had to get out of that damn room, so when Barn, who was "watching" me left to eat lunch with Jane, I made my escape. The garden was admittedly a strange place to go, seeing as I was nearly killed there last month, but it was quiet and it was unlikely that I would be found. I walked with surprising speed and had little need for the crutch. Strange behavior for a cripple… My eyes seem to roll of their own accord. Must be a reflex I gained when spending too much time around new body guards. I'm basically healed, if they would just...
"Rose!" Sam's voice echoes around the corner, panic lacing each syllable. Sighing, I rise from the bench and grab the stupid crutch from its resting place. What did I expect?
"I'm here." I grumble as I hobble over to my obnoxious jailer/boyfriend. He jogs over and grabs ahold of my shoulders, giving me a quick glare before pulling me into a hug.
"The room was empty when I got there with your lunch, I had thought…"
"Yeah, well, I'm fine." I shake off his hands and begin the unsteady walk back to the castle.
He reaches out, grabbing ahold of my arm. "Hey, I was really worried about you."
I hang my head, "I know you were, and I appreciate it… Really. It's just, I've been stuck in that room for a month. I can't practice. I can't ride Jack. I can't even eat lunch with all the guys! I'm so tired of being useless." I look up at him with an apologetic smile for my next statement. "And, while I really do love you guys, you and Barn are one more order to "sit and relax" away from a beating."
Giving me a cheeky grin, he bends down and swoops me carefully into his arms. I don't even bother to protest as we both know I love it when he does that, and there's no one around to see us. I snuggle into his chest as he grabs my crutch and begins heading back towards the castle that's peeking over the tops of the hedges.
As I play with the hem of his tunic, I think back on the conversation I had with Old Tom. It was a month ago, and even the memory of the look on his face makes me internally cringe. He had swept into the room as if the castle guard was on his tail and he'd only just lost them. I snorted, and got a withering glare for it. He hobbled over to the chair by the side of the bed and rested his cane against the wall before lowering himself down.
"How are ye lad… er… lass?" He looked uncomfortable, yet, pissed.
"I'm healing Sr. and ready to take any punishment you've got. I deserve it." I hang my head for effect, but Tom's not fooled for a second.
"I might 'ave never seen ye in a dress, but I know ye better than that William Romenel." His glare is no different than if I had missed practice and was trying to wiggle my way out of laps. My shoulders slump.
"Yes Sr…" So much for that.
"Lass…" He's rubbing the back of his neck, looking more uncomfortable than when Aunt tried to invite him to dinner a year ago. (I hadn't been able to be fearful of my secret being blown, I was laughing too hard.). "I had a daugh'er once, and she was a lot like ye. Always gettin into trouble and tryin' to hide in the stables an watch me train the boys." He got a far away smile and seemed to no longer be in the room with me. He shook himself, returning to the present. "As I said, I know ye Will, and I know that, girl or not, yer a fine student, and will make a good knight." He then gets up, gathering his walking stick and rushing to the door.
"Sir.?" He stops as if caught escaping. He turns slowly, and I can't help but stare. Big sparkling tears were tracing their way down his scarred face.
"What happened to her? Your daughter?"
"She died." And with that, he left, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
"You know, you did make it all the way out here on your own… perhaps you're well enough for an easy ride into the woods and a picnic?"
"Hm?" His voice had rumbled and echoed around in his chest, distracting me to the point of missing what he said.
He laughed, making the distracting vibrations once again. Mentally shaking myself, I heard his proposal the second time around.
"Yes!" I almost squealed, earning another grin.
"That settles it then, we'll go tomorrow."
I'm so happy at the prospect of being allowed out, that I don't even complain when he makes me sit in the bed to eat the now cold soup.