Drea
Suddenly there was a crash as the door flew open and banged into the wall. Elvin froze. I dared not believe my own eyes. It was Percival. Of all people it was actually Percival. Had he come to my rescue, just like in all my foolish daydreams? I was so relieved when he told Elvin to get away from me. But I was also ashamed because Percival saw me like this. And on top of it all I was absolutely thrilled, because the tone in his voice betrayed that he cared about me. I could not interpret it in any other way. I could not even answer properly when he asked me if I was alright. I just nodded.
"Wait here, I'll be right back," Percival said.
He took Elvin outside. I felt scared and alone. What if someone came in? But I did not move. He had said he would come back and he did. It had probably not taken him more than a few minutes, but it felt like an hour to me. The look in his eyes when he came back almost broke my heart, it was so full of concern. He kept asking to make absolutely sure Elvin had never harmed me. I told him no and explained how I had always succeeded to evade Elvin until now. Another wave of relief washed over me. I was shaking all over. I could not hold back my tears even though I tried really hard. But Percival put his arms around me and let me cry. I could only think of one thing: That I wanted to go away from Elvin and Gertie and never come back to this house. I told Percival that. I was so afraid he would reject me, saying it was not for him to decide, but I had no one else to rely on.
"You're not going back. I promise you. Let's go right now," he answered. For the first time in years I felt safe.
Percival took me by the hand and led me through the town, up to the castle. I felt that everybody was staring at us, but maybe it was just my imagination. I was proud to be seen with Percival, but those people must be wondering about what I was doing with him, which made me embarrassed. And could they tell what had just happened to me?
We did not speak until we entered the castle yard where there were less people around.
"I … I've been thinking a lot about you, Drea," he said as we crossed the yard.
My heart began to beat wildly again. I did not know how to answer him. I forgot that my brain was not an open book and that he could not see how much I had been thinking about him too. Could it really be that he loved me? I looked up at him and tried to find some words to say, but before a sound passed my lips, we were outside Gaius' door. Percival knocked on it.
It opened and Merlin's head emerged.
"Hello Percival," he grinned.
"Hello Merlin. Do you remember Drea?" Percival said, indicating me with a caring look that made my knees all wobbly, even though I was also anxious that Merlin would notice it.
"Oh, yes, I do. You're the girl who helped us find the Dorocha," Merlin said, to my surprise. "Hello, Drea," he greeted with a good-natured smile.
"She needs to be seen by a physician. Is Gaius here?" Percival asked.
"Yes. He is right here. Come inside. What's wrong with you, Drea?" Merlin inquired as he stepped aside and let us in.
"Oh, I … It's just … " I stammered. Actually I wasn't sure what Percival had in mind. I certainly did not want to make a fuss.
Gaius now joined us and greeted us both.
"Drea's been attacked," Percival explained. "I just thought we should make sure she was alright."
"Of course!" Gaius said, before I could make any protests.
Percival sat down and talked with Merlin while Gaius set up a screen in front of the bunk I had once slept on almost four years ago and asked me to sit down and take off my outer dress.
"Who was it that attacked you?" the physician asked quietly when I had removed the dress.
"It was a man … " I began, but it was so hard to talk about it, that I could not continue. Gaius nodded understandingly.
"How did he attack you? Did he hit you anywhere?" he asked patiently, not rushing me.
"Yes, he hit me here, in the ribs," I said, "but mostly he just … held me fast, and shook me."
Gaius nodded and asked a few more questions while he examined me, but thankfully he did not ask to know the reason why Elvin had attacked me. Maybe he guessed it, or maybe he let me keep my secrets.
"You have a few bruises, but I think that is all. If you are still sore after three or four days, you should come and see me again, but I think it will be gone before then," he said and made to leave so I could get my clothes back in order. But then he stopped and laid a hand on my arm. "What are those?" he asked with a frown. I looked down at the arm that he was holding. It was covered in thin white lines and blots, scars from sores I had given myself.
"That's nothing," I said and withdrew my arm, quickly covering both underarms under my dress, which I was holding.
"Hmm," the physician mused and moved away. When I emerged from behind the screen, he handed me a bowl of hot soup. It smelled like he had added some unusual herbs to it.
"It's for the shock," he explained.
I sat down and ate it slowly. It didn't taste too bad.
"Drea. Percival said you need new place to live. You are welcome to stay with Gaius and me until you find a more permanent one," Merlin said. "You can have my room. I'll just sleep out here."
I wished that I did not have to intrude on them, but I had no idea where to find another place to stay. My savings were back at Gertie and Elvin's so I had no money for a room at the tavern. "Are you sure it would not be too much trouble?" I asked.
"No, not at all," Merlin smiled.
"You can stay as long as you like," Gaius confirmed.
"Thank you. That would be wonderful," I said feebly. Suddenly I felt so tired. It was probably that soup.
Percival sat with me while Merlin got some fresh linen and cleaned up his room. Gaius went around his own business.
"Would you like me to go back and get your things?" Percival asked.
"That would be great."
I did not own very much, just my savings, my change of clothes and a very few knick-knacks. But it would be nice to have them with me. Percival looked like he might go and get the things now, but I did not want him to go just yet.
"Percival?"
"Yes, Drea."
"I … I have … " I wanted to say that I had been thinking about him too, but my courage failed. "I mean, I just wanted to say thank you."
