I Own Nothing!

Characters Belong To Stephenie Meyer. No Copyright Infringement Intended

Chapter Three- Getting Better

The day progressed in a whirl of comfort and pain. The physician Carlisle came to me mid morning and checked upon the number of injuries I had. I didn't realise I had so many and the slightest pressure on them seemed to cause me pain. My left side was the worse.

"You seem to have two broken ribs and bruising on the left side. I am sorry if this is causing you pain Elizabeth but I will need to bandage it quite tight" Carlisle looked at me apologetically as he helped me sit up and forward as he removed the old bandage.

The pain of leaning forward was excruciating and I grabbed onto his arm hard as my whole body screamed in protest.

"I'm s-s-o-rry" I gasped out as he began. My grip on him tightened every so often and I didn't want to cause this man harm while he was tending to me.

"It is fine Elizabeth, try to breathe steadily. Listen to my breathing"

His soothing voice helped me listen and I slowly was able to loosen my grip as he wound a new bandage around my middle. I was embarrassed as my nightgown was pushed up right over my stomach and ribs barely concealing my chest. The covers of the bed covered me from the middle of stomach down but I still blushed.

"I'm finished. It will help if you try and sleep on your right side, you need the sleep. You are pale and there are dark circles under your eyes still. I will request some food and drink for you and soon you will feel better" he smiled at the end and helped me lean back into the pillows.

"Thank you, I cannot be more grateful. I do not understand why the King is treating me thus…"

"Edward is a kind person and when he found you he became quite distraught. I have known him for many years Elizabeth and his face when he saw you was the same when he was informed his mother died. I believe you mean a lot to him even though he does not know anything about you."

My mouth hung open and I struggled to close it and ask my question.

"Why would he be distraught? I am no one! I am not pretty and from the lady I remember attending to me when I first woke up, I am seen as an intruder. I have nothing to offer a King." I felt tears threatening to fall down from my watery eyes.

"Elizabeth, he might be King but I believe there is something more to this. It might be wise to ask him when he comes back from hunting." Carlisle replied with an air of knowing more than he is telling. I did not want to pry and his loyalties obviously were with Edward. I admired that and smiled at him.

"Thank you again Carlisle. I will talk to him"

"There have not been many special people in Edwards life, be careful with him"

And with that Carlisle continued to assess my injuries: bruising on my back, my ankle had twisted but was healing at a quick rate, and my left side needed to heal properly. Therefore I was stuck in this bed but he did say I could walk around the chambers to keep strength in my legs. He departed with a smile and promise to check on me tomorrow.

With time by myself I looked around the room hardly containing my excitement at being in a 16th chamber with a 16th King caring for me. The history geek within me was a light with curiosity and I yearned to touch everything in the room. My eyes wandered to the tapestry again with the marriage scene being portrayed. it seemed to mean a lot to the King if it was in his bed chamber and in close proximity to his bed. The bold colours weaved in and out with each other creating an explosion of patterns that created the bride and groom. Gold wove into silver into red into purple into every colour! It was a master piece and my eyes continued to stare at it drinking in the vivid portrayal of a marriage that oozed love. The couple were holding hands and to me that showed the greatest love: comfort and reassurance is what you felt when your hand was being held by someone you love. However, I could only assume that as no one had held my hand the way the married couple were. I looked down at my hands and wondered if my assumption was correct. It seemed one day I would find out.

Moving away from the tapestry I noticed a fire in the room as well which was burning lightly giving of lovely warmth. I was in some kind of palace made of stone and looking out the window I saw that it was raining and draft rattled the window every few minutes. I was glad of the fire in those moments. The only other thing I could see from my place on the bed was the ornate chairs in the room: one by my bed and the other by the fire. I yearned to be in the one by the fire as a book was sat on the floor next to it. I wondered if my tired body could make the few paces to the chair without failing me. But if moving slightly forward hurt then trying to stand and walk would probably be much worse. I cursed under my breath and settled for turning onto my right side therefore I was facing the tapestry. My head wasn't aching anymore and I carefully leant further into the pillows, a sigh of relief escaping as I fell asleep staring at the beautiful work of art in front of me.

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