Chapter 3
"Of course, a wise plan," Uther said nodding.
"Thank you, father," Arthur replied. He smiled for a moment before remembering the quivering girl leaning on him for support. "May I present Princess Elaina of Heideen?"
"A pleasure to meet you(my dear does not sound a very Utherish thing to say, no offense). I wish it were under better circumstances." (don't need the Uther said; we know its him speaking)
Elaina stepped away from Arthur and bowed her head at King Uther. "As do I your highness. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your mercy in this situation. I am forever in your debt."
Elaina dipped into a curtsy, but her weakness and shock overcame her. Arthur grabbed her and pulled her to him before she could hit the floor. (no offense but this is more than a little cliché. I understand that she's feeling weak etc but it all seems a little bit melodramatic.)
"She is still weak from her illness," Arthur explained. He picked Elaina up and quickly put her back onto the bed.
"Of course," King Uther said eyeing the girl curiously. "I will have a servant fetch Gaius immediately."
"Thank you," Arthur said as he turned back to Elaina. The door closed leaving Arthur and Elaina alone again. "I'm sorry."
Elaina gazed at him for a moment before speaking. "There is nothing for you to apologize for," Elaina said. She swallowed hard and glanced away from Arthur. "If you hadn't said something to your father he may have had me killed. I owe you my life, Arthur."
Arthur raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What I said was true; you owe me nothing."
Elaina looked up at him and shook her head. "You don't understand what you've done," Elaina said gently. "You saved me, Arthur."
(We don't need the he realized shewas trying to comfort him when you tell us this in his speech.)"Why are you comforting me? It should be the other way around," Arthur said with a smile.
"I am a young woman; it's what I do," Elaina explained.
"And I am a young man. Surely there is something that I can do for you?" Arthur replied.
Elaina blushed bright pink. If Arthur could read her thoughts - well let's just say they were of an impure nature. "You have saved my life, given me clothing, let a perfect stranger sleep in your bed," Elaina pointed out. "Unless you want to give a special gift of some sort then there really isn't anything else you can do for me."
"Actually I think there is," Arthur replied. "You will be needing your own room."
"That is very true, my lord," Elaina said. She glanced away from Arthur and shook her head.
"What's wrong?" Arthur asked in concern.
"I'm fine, just tired," Elaina said quickly. It was too quickly to please Arthur but he chose to believe her.
"I'll leave so you can get some rest," Arthur said as he stood from the bed. He nodded at Elaina before crossing to the door, pausing for a moment with his hand on the handle. "I am sorry about what has happened. Truly I wish we had met under different circumstances."
With that Arthur left the room, leaving Elaina alone with her thoughts. She pulled the blankets up over her head and curled into a ball. The tears she had so desperately been holding back spilled down her cheeks. She struggled to keep her sobs silent, her body shaking beneath the sheets.