Elena

We stepped outside of the tent. The king held my hand, I could feel it growing warm. I wrapped my free arm around his as he continued to discuss with the gentlemen.

"What is all this fuss about the court wanting you to be married?" The gentleman spoke. He wears a plain brown garment with a loose vest, and his hair a darkish brown and black.

"Tyler I ask myself that, as well. I hate the fact that all countries are now urging me to marry. You have no idea how many visitors I had from the following six months...However, frankly there was a woman in Wales who quite caught my attention. She told me a story how she was born here but deported due to her family's bankruptcy. It was a shame that she was just a servant. But I could never forget her name...Sage. Such an uncommon name, yet something that can't be forgotten. We had a short romance before she left to Ireland."

I pressed my cheek on his shoulder. His scent is the smell of a herbal perfume and the sweet morning fog aroused at dawn. It is growing cold and windy. But the temperature of his body kept my trembling hands warm.

The king turned his head down at me. "Are you cold?" His words came out softly with those pursed smooth lips of his.

"A little, your majesty. But do not worry. The warmth of your hands has the advantage to melt the heart of hungry children in the streets."

The king chuckled and lifted my hand to his lips and breathed out warm breaths to warm it. I smiled and rubbed my fingers on his arm in smooth movements.

Stefan looked at us. "Just out of curiosity, which department are you from?"

"I am from the second department of the House of the Salvatores."

"Are you comfortable there? No problems? Anything that you find unpleasant?"

I lifted my head. "No. I do not have anything in mind of such thought. As matter of fact, I do not exactly live there. I mostly visit and return to my real home."

Stefan frowned. "You don't live there? That is odd. Usually all court woman are meant to live in the specific department. Is there a reason why you chose to live separately?"

"There is no reason. Is just that I feel more comfortable living somewhere I could rest my head peacefully and spend time just for myself. I sleep in the harem if there might be visitors that might stop by...It is nice to live in my own home outside of the village. It gives me the freedom to hide from the world that I see and hear each and every day."

"Where do you live?"

I smiled. "Well, your highness, that question is a bit too personal for me to reveal. But if you are that curious all I could say is that I live deep in the forest, a bit far from here actually. It takes me half a day to reach there. But I have a trouble time sleeping so I enjoy the long journey to kill some time from the following evening. Also it's a lovely experience to watch the sun go down each and every day."

His eyebrows went up. He just doesn't seem to want to stop. "With no horse? Its dangerous for a woman alone to travel so far and long."

"I cannot afford a horse, nor can I afford to take care of it in my home. There is just not much room for a large animal to live in. And I am not concerned of my safety of my journey, I have been doing it since I was thirteen. After all those years, still nothing has happened to me."

"You are quite unfamiliar to me. But you seem to be famous, according to stories I heard along the court."

I leaned my cheek against the king's shoulder again. "I'm not sure if I should be flattered or concerned. I guess all I could say is that I should be very careful with the nobles now, and also learned a bit about your endless curiosity."

Stefan grew tomato red. The king just hid his face in my hair to cover his smile. Suddenly, Saltzman walked in on us.

"Your majesty, the ladies are waiting in the carriage. I must take Lady Gilbert with me."

The king shook his head. "No. No I want her to stay. In fact, perhaps we could bring along another member to join us." He looked down at me. "Elena, please by all means, choose a friend."

I lifted my head. "Hmmm...Ah. Caroline. She is the blonde in the blue dress."

Saltzman nodded and turned around to fetch for her.

I looked up at the king. "Your majesty, you are quite eager for me to stay by your side."

"Well, I can't stand the idea of you leaving me."

"I just hope Caroline and I won't end up in a –"

An arrow shot straight at us. Fortunately, my eye caught the sight of the arrow in time. I pushed the king down on the ground and the arrow thankfully missed. The arrow landed on the ground, it almost landed on my back.

Another arrow shot across before everybody took cover. I watched the arrow with widen eyes. It landed straight at Stefan on his right breast. Tyler caught him before he collapsed. I crawled off the king and grabbed his hand.

"Get up, your majesty." I pulled him up and ran behind the trees. The two guests carried Stefan and followed us in time with no trouble.

The soldiers are thankfully here. Saltzman was clever to arrange all safety to be close by the camp. While the soldiers were chasing after the unknown criminals, I stepped back for the king to weep for his brother.

I bend down on my knees. "We must take him to a surgeon. Your servant has already called for one, your majesty. We must take him to one immediately."

The king nodded and wiped his tears away. He grabbed Stefan's shoulders and lifted him up as Tyler lifted Stefan's legs. I followed them from behind as they rushed for the surgeon. When the two of them just rushed inside the tent, the surgeon immediately gathered handfuls of his equipment off the surgery table. The two of them lowered Stefan down carefully on the table. The surgeon rolled up his sleeves nervously and secured his crooked spectacles.

The surgeon unbuttoned Stefan's vest and the front patch of the garment. "I-I need som-someone to help me. I can't exactly do this alone."

I stepped forward. "I volunteer to help, sir. I have little experience about medicine, but I have treated injuries many times."

The surgeon nodded. "Alright, miss. Come here beside me."

I instantly ran beside him. The surgeon grabbed the arrow. "Now once I pull the arrow, I need you to get a thick cloth and block the wound tightly with both hands. The blood will flow out uncontrollably, but I need your help to clean it so I could sew it."

I nodded. Behind him I grabbed the clean folded cloth and went back beside the surgeon. He looked up at the king and Tyler. "I need you two to grab him, if you be so kind."

Stefan groaned and tightened his teeth. "...Damon, I ca-can't go through this...I can't..."

The king grabbed his shoulders. "No you can. Once its over you will be relieved, I promise. Tyler grab hold of his legs."

Tyler gripped tightly on Stefan's legs. I could see Stefan's nervous eyes looking straight at the surgeon. I took his hand to comfort him. The surgeon gripped tightly on the arrow with both hands and pulled.

Stefan screamed and his body began to shake. I tightened my teeth as his hand gripped tightly on mine. I could feel the fresh bruises forming on it. The surgeon stopped for a moment then tried again. Only a few centimeters of the arrow is out. I could pull it out easily, and I'll be doing a good favor for Stefan. This man is too slow and terrified to risk pulling the arrow all at once.

"Sir, perhaps I could help."

The surgeon looked at me uneasily, but nodded with a shaky head. I gripped my hands tightly on his and pulled. When a centimeter was out and he was about to stop, I urged him to continue to pull the arrow all the way out. The two of us finally succeeded. The surgeon took the arrow as I pressed the wound with the cloth tightly with my hands.

'The herbal medicine! Of course, I can't believe I forgotten.' I lifted my head up. "Your majesty, can you please take over for a second. I forgotten I have some medicine for his condition."

The king nodded and took over. I quickly fished out the sack out of my bosoms. I opened the sack. "Sir, these crushed herbs will stop the bleeding and help the skin to grow on the wound. But the powder must be burned once it touches the wound, for it is flamable. I need a match. If you don't mind I'll take over this stage."

The surgeon took a bit of the herbs and gave it a taste. He savored it for a moment without swallowing. He nodded and spit it out over his shoulder. I took out my handkerchief out of my sleeve and stuffed it in Stefan's mouth. "This is going to hurt, your highness. Try not to break your teeth." I took a handful of the powder. The surgeon placed the match box by the table where I could reach, and he grabbed both Stefan's shoulders. I sprinkled the whole powder on his wound. Stefan screamed in agony, his body fought fiercly; shaking madly till his muscles gave up on him. I picked up the matchbox and quickly took out a match. I ligted it. Stefan's eyes widened by the sight of the lighted match as I lighted the powedered area on fire. The fire spread out in a quick move, but the wound quickly turned black and the fire went out after a few seconds. The blood stopped and left a black tarred circle.

"The wound will soon crack and release its pus. It must be cleaned with lemon juice and wine. He will not be able to eat or drink for half a day. He must take a drug to silence him to sleep so his body can rest. Thankfully the blade did not pierce his heart, because I could hear his pulse clear as a bell now. So in conclusion, there is nothing to worry about his condition for now, your majesty. Just rest assure." I spoke breathlessly.

The king looked at me with those tiresome eyes. "Thank you, Elena."

I just nodded. Tonight is certainly some memorable, yet unpleasant and miserable day.

~ The king stayed beside Stefan. The two gentlemen were outside and Caroline seems to be entertaining them better than I did. I remained with the king, along with the surgeon. The surgeon examined so closely to the herbal powder; he cleaned his spectacles couple times as if he doesn't believe his eyes. I snatched the sack away. I tied it quickly and stuffed it back in my bosoms.

"Wait! Wait can't I keep that, miss! Never in my life have I ever witnessed those type of medicine before. The more surprising thing is that the scent of the herb is quite familiar, some of the combination actually grows here. Please let me have that to study more further."

I refused. "No, sir. I cannot let you have that. Forgive me of my refusal, but this medicine belongs to a friend. She will be furious if I ever gave it away to someone else."

The surgeon looked at me desperately. "Please, then let me take a sample. I must know what that powder is made of. It will be very useful for my other patients, not to mention his highness the prince almost died an hour ago. Now come on miss don't be stubborn and just give it to me."

"No." I walked away. The real reason why I can't give it to him is because he will find something odd about the ingredients added in that powder. He will discover sign of witchcraft, then I'll be arrested and sooner or later, including Bonnie.

I poured the pitcher of water into an empty bowl. Apparently there are no more clean cloths to use. The surgeon used them all to clean the Stefan's wound. He is asleep, but droplets of sweat are just falling down like raindrops during a storm. The king is also in a vulnerable state. I can't just leave him like this. I crouched my back and lifted my skirt. I grabbed the second layered skirt of the dress and ripped it off until I got a rectangular shape. I took the piece and dropped it in the bowl. I lifted it and placed it on the floor beside me as I bend down in front of the bed Stefan is sleeping on. The king lifted his head at last.

"You ruined your dress."

I squeezed the fabric and wiped it on Stefan's forehead. "I am aware of that, your majesty. But how could anyone leave a pitiful patient with a burning head."

The king smiled. "Thank you so much, Elena. I can't thank you enough. Without you, my brother could have been dead or at least went through a more serious condition. He could be bedridden for months. But because of that medicine you carried he will be back on his feet after only a few days."

I carefully wipe the drops of sweat, carefully without letting a single drop of liquid fall down Stefan's eyes. "It is not what I have done, your majesty. I thank the nature and the great knowledge of medicine that was given by God and by man's knowledge to protect and save mankind."

The king suddenly reached for my hand. I stopped and my face just froze right there looking at him. "Well right now, I do not thank God nor man's knowledge that saved my brother's life. At this moment, I thank Elena Gilbert who saved my brother's life...I was really terrified I might lose another family member. My only family, Stefan is all I have left."

I care for the king. But I think I'm really giving him the wrong impression. Oh dear this is not good. I tried to pull my hand away from his grip, but he refused. "Your majesty, you should rest now. Please you went through so much. You need rest."

The king shook his head. "I don't think that is what I need. I think what you should be asking is who I need."

'Somebody stop this! Anybody! I would rather go through a restless night with Wallace other than the king...Oh gracious, not the king. Not the king!'

The king stood up from the small stool and headed toward my side. The breath inside me disappeared, my heart pounded loudly to my ears. His dark dangerous eyes glowed in the dark, staring right at me. 'Somebody please...Anybody...'

I looked over my shoulder. The surgeon stared at an open book dully. He closed it shut. "I'll be back. I need some air. Excuse me, your majesty."

The king did not leave my eyes. "Of course, Borkwick." When the surgeon stepped outside, the king's hands went on my waist and he pulled me closer. I am tempted to protest or at least pull his hands off me and run out the doorway. But I can't, somehow I just fear disobeying him...I just can't...

The king placed one hand on my neck and his lips slowly landed on my cheeks. It pressed lightly on its skin and began to shower down its way with kisses. I closed my eyes, my body still and frozen.

The doorway opened. Saltzman entered. The king stopped and turned around, but he didn't release my hand. "What is it, Saltzman?"

Saltzman looked at us. He knows what almost happened. "Your majesty, I didn't mean to intrude. But the carriage has arrived for Lady Gilbert to depart with her friend."

The king shook his head. "No I will not allow that. I thought I already told you she will stay with me. It is my descision if she can leave or not."

The king is a terrifying man, he seems soft and sweet yet there really is a hidden lion overpowering him inside. I must speak up or else I might be spending the night in an unfamiliar bed. I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Your majesty, I think its best for me to leave. My friend might be very tired. And it is past midnight now, it is time for me to return."

The king squeezed my hand tightly, he turned his head to me. "I thought you walk your way home."

I grimaced, because he's squeezing the hand Stefan almost destroyed while I was treating him. "N-no...Ouch...Um, I spend the night at the harem when visitors stopped by. I will head home tomorrow night, or perhaps stay depending on the weather or according to my appointments."

The king stopped for a moment. "...Alright, you should go. I don't want you to get a short sleep tonight because of me. But I will send something as a token of my gratitude."

I shook my head. "Oh, your majesty. That is too much for you to offer."

"I insist...And I hope to see you again if you are not too busy."

I think I need to hide for awhile. "Of course, I'll remember that." The two of us stood up and stepped out of the tent.

Caroline seems to be having quite an enchanting evening. Tyler is holding both her hands and doesn't seem to want to let go.

"Now sir don't be such a child, I must go back to the girls."

"Oh you just want to go back to see the girls. Or aren't you just eager to go to sleep and dream of me?"

Caroline blushed. Tyler smiled eagerly by this reaction. "So I am correct. Well Caroline you certainly know how to flatter a man."

I smiled. I never seen any man so tender and gentle to any of the girls I know, especially Caroline. She is the only one who talks about dreams to be married and for once be with a man who wants to be with her, other than being interested to get to bed with her. Strictly, Caroline is too a virgin. Bonnie gives away strong doses of sleeping powder to all the girls before nightfall. It always works like a charm.

Caroline saw me and the king coming toward them. "I must go now for real, Lord Lockwood. The king is almost coming."

Before she went on the carriage, Tyler embraced her. "Do not forget me, Caroline. I will make sure a letter will be sent for you. Farewell, beautiful. Sleep well, and if you ever dream of me write me about it. I will always treassure it."

Caroline's eyes dazzled by Tyler's bewitching words. So touching and different from the words men usually call her. Such as "come here lass I got a raise this morning" or "I spotted you by that brunette, I wanted her but since she's taken I might as well have you" or "how much are you according to the hour?".

He finaly released her hand when the king and I made it to the carriage. The king still held my hand as I took the short stairway up to the carriage. I looked at him for the last time. "Good night, your majesty. I hope you sleep well. And I will make sure I will pray for your brother's heath."

The king nodded. But he didn't release my hand as if he expects more for me. There is only one way to cut off this chain. I placed my free hand on his jaw, and looked deeply into his eyes. I leaned close until my lips were planted on his. I did not move my lips and before the king ever got the chance to explosre my mouth I pulled away and got in the carriage. I gave him a quick look as I sat down on the driver's seat and shut the door. The kiss is indeed a mistake. But what was I suppose to do? Let him come along with me on the way? There are just some matters to break the boundaries whether I like it or not. And tonight it saved me.