Part 4

Over the course of the next year, she received many letters from Chris, and she sent just as many back. The two of them kept Baelfire rather busy playing messenger, but he assured them both that he honestly did not mind. Besides the letters, Chris also sent her several gifts. Admittedly, some were more practical than others, but she was enjoying the attention.

It was almost a year to the day when she had first come to the castle, when Chris sent Baelfire with a coach to fetch her to spin again.

She had been dreading this day. The king had been so kind to her, and Chris was so lovely, that the thought of disappointing him by telling him that she had been lying to him was enough to make her physically ill.

Still, she tried not to show it when she was alone with the king.

Their conversation was polite, and Chris tried very hard not to be disappointed. But he'd had to receive her formally.

Eventually, Baelfire escorted her to a lovely guest suite. The sitting room was packed full of straw and a spinning wheel. It looked a bit out of place, considering the décor.

Claudette wanted to cry when she saw it. She numbly followed Baelfire around as he showed her the beautiful bedroom through the door to the left.

"Will you need anything else?" he asked, "You are to have everything that you need."

"….More water," she replied softly, "my throat gets very dry… working with all the straw."

"Of course," he said, "I will be right back."

Claudette stood there forlornly in the middle of the room. It seemed to take Baelfire no time at all to return with a large pitcher of water and a glass for her.

"Anything else?"

She wished that she could come up with another reason for Baelfire to stay, another reason why she couldn't start to work yet, but her mind was a blank, so she just shook her head.

"If you need anything at all, just pull that cord there," he told her, "It will summon a servant."

She thanked Baelfire and he bid her good night.

With nothing better to do, she sat down at the wheel. Clearly, it was not impossible to do, but her efforts yielded the same result as last year.

She started to cry. It was so much worse this time. How could she have let things get this far?
"Please," she sobbed, "I wish-"

"What, here again dearie?"

Claudette gasped and looked up. The strange man looked exactly as she remembered him. It didn't occur to wonder how he had gotten into the room.

"Didn't I meet you here once before?"

"Yes…" she rose to her feet, "Then you… you weren't a dream…"

"No, I'm definitely real," he replied, kicking aside a bit of loose straw, "So you're back here again."

"I am," she said softly.

"What are you going to do now?" he inquired.

"I don't wish to inconvenience you," she said quietly, "But I still can't spin…"

"Didn't learn the trick of it, eh?" he smiled, "So I suppose you'd like some help."

"I can pay you," she said quickly. She unlatched the necklace she had been wearing under her dress. It had been a gift from Chris, a golden pendant set with small, but valuable, jewels. "Ch- the King, gave it to me as part of his payment for last time." She held it out to him, "I thought it should go to the one who really earned it."

He examined it and made a pleased sound. "This will do."

"Will you help me then?" she asked.

The necklace vanished, just as her ring had last year. "I will."

"Oh thank you so much!" she exclaimed. She nearly hugged him, but he was already at the spinning wheel.

Claudette took a seat on the settee. She fully intended to watch him, and learn the 'trick of it' as she put it, but it wasn't long before she fell asleep again.

When she woke the next morning, she remembered where she was. She was alone in the room full of golden thread, just as last time. "Thank you…" she whispered to the air, just in case the man could hear her.

There was a knock at the door.

"Baelfire?" she called.

"I'm afraid not," came a familiar male voice, "But may I come in anyway?"

Claudette gasped and quickly ran her fingers through her hair, trying to make herself somewhat presentable. "Just a moment!"

After some quick, frantic, grooming, she went over and opened the door, allowing the king to enter.

"Good morning sire," she gave a little curtsey.

He gave her a warm smile. "It's Chris. Remember?"

"Chris," she repeated, feeling her cheeks grow warm.

"I hope that you were able to get some sleep last night," he said, looking around in barely-hidden awe.

"Yes, I did," she replied.

"How can I ever thank you?"

She gave a shrug, "You are helping my father and I."

"Still, that doesn't seem like enough," he said thoughtfully. Then he gave her a smile. "Well, I think that I will start with breakfast."

Claudette returned his smile. "That's a good start."

Christopher nodded and excused himself, going back out into the hallway. A few minutes later, several servants arrived with trays of food. He liked seeing her eyes light up at the sight of the meal.

Midway through the meal, he spoke up. "I was wondering if you really need to return home today," he said softly, "And if you would be able to stay another night."

"I…." she murmured hesitantly.

"Not to spin," he added hastily, "Just to enjoy your company."

"Well… I don't want to leave the mill…"

"Surely your father can manage for just one more day without you?" Chris half pleaded.

"I suppose he could," she agreed softly, blushing, "Thank you."