Sorry for the delay, people.
A Nanny Fairy Tale
Chapter 5: Alleluia, here she comes
Sir Niles woke up very early, next morning. His night of sleep had been really relaxing: he had fallen asleep looking at the flower, which he had put on his pillow, besides his head. It seemed to represent the witch he couldn't stop smiling at the thought of, and he felt wonderful when he woke up and discovered that the flower was still there and beautiful, as if magical hands had prevented it from changing place and aspect.
It was still dark but Niles felt like getting up, so he made his morning prays, shaved, washed himself and put the tights, and the light shirt he used to exercise. He needed to go out and find something physical to do while he waited for the sun. As an afterthought, he took his sword with him.
In fact, every detail of his life seemed illuminated by a new light. It was like any thing could bring a sign, a meaning, and he was very attentive to each thought that crossed his mind.
The knight got out of his room and descended the back stairs of the Castle, enjoying the solitude of that area of the building. That was the part of the Castle the servants used, in order to do their duties without being seen by the nobles. He liked the smell of cleanliness of the corridors, that showed how people seen as 'low' could be careful with details.
The Castle had a beautiful solarium where some sellers used to put their products, and Niles reached it soon, on his way to the gates. The people were already organizing their things to a day of Fair, and it was not with total surprise that Niles saw Fran among them.
He thought about talking to her, but then decided not to interrupt what seemed to be a very harsh negotiation over some herbs. He had seen sellers talking like that, and knew it was their way to maintain the order. There was no problem for him to solve, and no reason to meddle in other people's peaceful affairs.
Niles reached the gates, greeted the guards and started walking on a road that went into the closest rural area.
It was still dark, and there was no one to be seen. The fresh air on his skin and the still nocturnal little sounds made him feel a familiar feeling. The forest felt like that, most of the time: full of life and peaceful. He loved that. He loved to be able to hear his own breathing, to have all the time to enjoy the landscape and to understand something about his surroundings. Sometimes he would even try to think as an animal would, wondering what the wild creatures saw and felt.
Sir Niles frowned – he would miss terribly the experience, if he had to give it up.
But… why would he give it up?
His thoughts were interrupted by some young men he saw at a distance. They seemed very dedicated to a task, so he decided to see what they were doing.
He discovered the guys were preparing an area for something. It seemed to be really important.
'Good morning, young men', he greeted.
'Good morning, Sir Niles. What an honor!', they were at least ten boys, and all of them were very impressed by his appearance.
'I was passing by and saw your activities. Are you preparing for… a training session?'
'Yes, Sir', a lot of voices answered.
'Our families are not noble and we have to work, but we always have time to train and be ready to defend our King', one of the bravest added.
'To participate on the Castle activities would not be bad, too, would it?'
They blushed and seemed shy, but it was clear it was not a reprimand. 'Yes, Sir'.
'But it is a dream', one of them murmured.
Niles looked pointedly at the guy, who almost face palmed when he remembered he was in the presence of a forest wander with a keen hearing. 'Why? Don't you believe yourselves? God helps the ones who believe, son'.
'We believe, but we know the men that live in the Castle have more time than us to practice'.
Niles nodded. 'It is true, as it is that some things can't be changed. However, I shall give you some advice and keep you company, once we have meet and your acts are honorable'.
They trained until the sun came out, and the guys devoured Niles lessons as if he was a mythical being who was doing them a great favor.
The time for work came with the rising sun, and the boys regretfully said their goodbyes. Niles guaranteed them he would be back, and they promised him to practice for the time being.
Deciding it was time to get back to the Castle, he was thinking about his experience with the boys, and the way they had to fight to have the opportunities in life. Denying opportunities should be in the list of most terrible sins in the world, because you never know the lost talents…
The idea of prohibition came again to his mind: it is forbidden to feel desire, but honest desire can put peace in your heart; it is forbidden to let foreigners in the forest, but the forest were so beautiful it seemed to be wrong to deny anyone of its beauty…
Was he having second thoughts about his own faith? Was he starting to change his mind on his mission of protecting the forest? What would happen if he decided he didn't agree with the rules anymore?
He stopped his musings at the gates, where Fran was talking to the guards. Now, she had the King by her side.
Niles thought about what he had seen of her, and decided she was a very open-minded person. Maybe she was the one he needed to search to have a conversation on his doubts.
The dark-haired couple was engrossed in a conversation over the things that should be made better for the servants of the Castle, when he arrived. The King seemed to find everything amusing, what Niles found amusing.
'Good morning, Sir Niles', the King greeted him.
'Your Majesty. Miss Fine'.
'Hi, dear. How are you? Fell out of bed?'
'Not as early as you'.
'You have to arrive early, or you miss all the good bargains'.
King Maxwell never took his eyes off of her to talk to Niles. 'Any news?'
'I beg your pardon?'
Now the king made an effort to look at him. 'You were in the forest, weren't you?'
Oh. 'In fact, I…'
'Look!', Fran interrupted the conversation, her tone of impressed surprise. 'Who is that?'
Niles turned to look and was shocked by the very female figure clad in white that was coming closer to them.
It was her. His witch.
Without even thinking he gave two steps in her direction.
'Someone knows her?', the King asked. 'Niles? Do you?'
Fran swatted the King's arm. 'Keep calm and don't put so much pressure on the guy! It's too far to know yet!', she said and squinted her eyes.
Suddenly awaken by the seller's voice, and becoming very nervous, Niles couldn't decide if he was going to stand besides the King or if he was going to stand before him. He didn't know which action would show the witch he trusted her, because to him both could be understood as support or protection to the King.
And he didn't want her to think he preferred the King over her.
The kind of toga she was wearing was long, and her feet could not be seen while she was walking: it reinforced the dreamy image, and Niles didn't know how Maxwell hadn't entered in a panic just by that hint.
She finally reached them, stopped and stayed there, some steps far, closer to Niles but facing the King. There was a white cloth around her head, and when she raised her face to them, her cold expression seemed to be detached from the body.
The guards were in position to attack her. Niles had already calculated all the possible defensive moves he could do to help her against them.
It was like he would fight the universe for her, but wouldn't dare to make a move or say a word to admit that.
'I come alone. I wish to talk to the King', were her first words.
Maxwell puffed his chest. 'I am the King. What is the subject of conversation, stranger?'
She didn't flinch, she didn't even blink. 'The Great Forest'.
King Maxwell gave a step back, Niles a step ahead – and he could feel Fran looking at him, open mouthed, understanding who that woman was.
The King finally found his voice. 'The Great Forest is not a subject for discussion. You can go away'.
'There are a lot of people relying on me for this, and I am not going back without a suitable answer'.
'The answer is given, suitable or not. I am not discussing this'.
'I shall stay here the time you need to meditate on that'.
'If you don't go I'll have to order you to be detained'.
'You are the King and have the power to do that. But, over me, you have no power'.
'And what is the sense in detaining someone you want to go away, anyway?', Fran asked, frowning in concentration.
Her comment broke the tension a little, but Sir Niles was wide eyed at how right it seemed to have Fran teasing Maxwell while that icy blonde woman fought him – it made the King look at Fran, confused, and made him, Niles, feel like the only one able to talk to the witch.
He decided to act. 'Your Majesty, she is alone, and seems to be the kind that wanders around annoying people. I see no problem in giving her refuge for the day and the right to say her plea'.
'I'm not from the wandering kind, Knight of the Menial Table, and you should not be the one to accuse someone of this…'
'At least I don't show up at people's gates demanding things'.
'Demands are for the brave'.
'He is a King, woman. Can't you see? Why would he hear someone like you?'
'Because my demand is fair'.
'There is nothing fair about you'.
'But my moods are respectful'.
'Why, you…'
King Maxwell interrupted them, agitated by the easy-going argument. 'Enough of this silly conversation! I'll hear you, strange woman. But, after we talk, you'll go'.
The woman opened a bright smile. 'I thank you, Your Majesty'.
Niles didn't know what made him more furious: the fact she hadn't compromised and the King didn't noticed, her sudden soft tone to talk to the dark haired man or the smirk she threw his way when she followed the monarch and Fran inside the Castle.
The fact was the wave of desire was back, and he didn't know if it was fascination for the sweet vision of her in white under the morning sun, arousing from the argument or jealousy for the smiles that were not for him.
He was cursed…