AN: Another update. (And it didn't take forever LOL)
...
The next morning, Wheatley got out his journal and wrote about both conversations he had the night before. One left him uneasy, while the other left him curious. (He had quickly become quite fond of writing.)
There was a knock at the door, and Wheatley got up to answer it.
It was Eliza.
"Mornin' Wheatley. Sleep well?"
Wheatley nodded.
"Good. Good."
Wheatley stared at her. "What is it?"
"Well...this morning I heard you talked to the Princess last night."
He nodded.
"I was just reminding you not to..."
"...not to mention her to anyone. She wants her privacy. I know Eliza. We go through this every time she's here. I just don't understand why she doesn't want people to know she's here. Most people don't even realize she exists."
Eliza nodded. "That's the way she wants it. So remember, not a word."
Wheatley nodded. "I know. I won't say anything."
"Good." Eliza smiled. "Well, I've got to get back to my duties. I'll talk to you later." And with that, she left his room.
Still don't get why the Princess likes to be so seclusive.
...
A few minutes later, Wheatley was outside, doing his daily routine with the Queen. Today, she had exchanged his wooden pole for a metal one, and added a third bucket of water on each side. Needless to say, this made him struggle quite a bit, almost as much as day one.
"Lift it higher. I don't want you to spill a drop of that water."
He did as she asked and tried to lift the water higher.
"Above your head."
He strained and struggled to lift it. One of the buckets fell and splashed the Queen's horse, causing him to throw the Queen off. Without hesitating, Wheatley dropped the pole and buckets and ran to the Queen's side.
"I'm so sorry my Queen. I didn't..."
She raised a hand to silence him. He got quiet. By the look on her face, she seemed to be trying to hide how much pain she was in. The guards helped her up, and escorted her to the medical wing. Wheatley was then escorted to the holding cells in the dungeon until further notice.
...
It seemed like hours had gone by, and Wheatley was still locked inside this tiny room. No mattress, no windows, nothing but a small bit of torch light coming from down the hall. He felt so miserable. He didn't mean for the Queen to get hurt. He was just trying to do as she asked.
He slumped down onto the dirty dungon floor.
I'll probably die down here.
A few minutes later, Wheatley could hear someone coming. Straining to see, he tried to get a good view. The guards had entered, escorting a young man to one of the holding cells, specifically, the one right across from Wheatley's.
Once the guards left, the man spoke to him.
"So, what did you do to get down here?"
Wheatley didn't like the look of this guy, so he said nothing.
"Oh, I see. A spy from another kingdom. I tell ya. They will have a blast torturing you for information." The man laughed.
"I'm not a spy from a different kindom. I'm the Queen's jester."
This made the man's eyes grow big. "You work with the head bitch herself? No wonder your down here." The man laughed again.
Wheatley wasn't sure why, but the fact that he insulted the Queen pissed him off.
The man sat on the floor next to the cell door. "Your probably gonna die ya know?"
Wheatley's heart sank. The man was probably right.
"Could be worse though. She could torture you. Oh, wait. She probably will." The man started laughing again.
"Do you have anything better to talk about than my inpending death?"
The man continued to laugh.
Wheatley just sighed.
"You know, it wouldn't surprise me."
Wheatley knew he should just ignore him, but what the hell. He was going to die right? So what's the harm.
"What wouldn't surprise you?"
"If the rumors were true."
Wheatley looked confused. "What rumours?"
The man looked at him. "I guess you guys are "protected" from them living in here." He laughed. "Rumor has it, the King isn't so faithful to his beloved Queen. Heard he'd slept with several dozen women while visiting other kingdoms just this year. But when you have a heartless shrew to come home to, who can blame him." He laughed again.
"You do realize the Queen has feelings don't you?" Wheatley said angrily. He wasn't sure where the anger was coming from, but all he knew was that his guy was a complete asshole.
The man laughed. "Judging by your accent, and the fact your trying to defend her tells me your fairly new here."
Just as the man finished his sentence, the guards had come down the stairs. Two of them approached Wheatley's cell. The taller one unlocked the door. "Let's go, Jester. The Queen requires your presence."
He got up off the floor and followed the guards down the corridor.
"Hope you had a nice life, cuz it's about to end."
He could hear the man's laughter even as they reached the door.
...
Wheatley found himself being escorted to the Queen's chambers.
She's going to torture and kill me here? He thought.
After the guards pushed him into the room, they shut the door behind them, leaving only Wheatley and GLaDOS.
He stood there and looked at his feet.
"Come here."
He obeyed.
"On your knees."
He complied, never taking his eyes off the floor.
"I would like to appologize to you, Jester."
Wheatley wasn't sure he heard right.
"I know the only reason I fell was because you were doing exactly what I asked. I cannot fault you for that."
Wheatley looked up, shock written all over his face. The Queen smiled. "You may stand."
He did so.
"It seems that I have broken my right wrist. Therefore I need someone to do all my writing and other such things. I have chosen you for that."
"You have, my Queen?"
"Indeed I have. Is there a problem?"
Wheatley knew that doing this for her ment he wouldn't have as much time to help Eliza with the kids, but he knew better than to refuse the Queen.
"No, of course not, my Queen."
"You may return to your room."
With a bow, Wheatley left GLaDOS's chambers and returned to the servents quaters.
...
Everyone seemed shocked to hear that the Queen had actually apologized to someone. That was unheard of.
"So...she said it was her fault?" Daniel asked.
"I guess so. She just said she couldn't fault me for doing what she asked."
Eliza's eyes were big. "I've never know her to do that in all my years of working here. How did you do it?"
Wheatley shrugged his shoulders. "Hell if I know."
Daniel shook his head. "We all thought you'd be in the cells forever, if you'd even come out at all."
"Guess I'm lucky."
"Your more than lucky, Wheatley." Daniel got up. "Well, I have to go help finish dinner, and congratulations on the victory."
Wheatley just laughed as Daniel returned to the kitchen.
"Maybe the time really is coming..." Eliza muttered to herself.
"What was that?" Wheatley asked, not hearing her clearly.
Eliza shook her head. "Oh, nothing. Just still in shock over the Queen's apology.
"I know I can't believe it either." Wheatley paused. "Eliza, there's something else."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You see, the Queen's right wrist is broken and she has appointed me to do all her writing for her. Which means I won't be able to help as much with Chell and Doug." He hung his head. "I'm sorry. I hate to do that to you, but how do you refuse the Queen?"
She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's ok. I understand. Daniel is a big help already, and if things get too bad, I'll ask Vincent. He seems to like the kids."
Wheatley's head sprung up and his eyes got big. "Eliza, I don't think that's a good idea."
She looked confused. "Why not?"
"Well..." he hesitated. "Vincent seems a little TOO interested in Chell, if you know what I mean. I don't feel comfortable leaving him alone with her."
She shook her head. "Wheatley, I know you think of me and the kids as family, and we love you for that, but you don't have to worry so much." She kissed the top of his head. "Now I have to finish a few things before the nights over. I'll see you later."
Wheatley nodded. "See you later, Eliza."
"And try not to worry so much? Ok?" She smiled.
He smiled back. "I'll try."
...
Yay, Chapter Eight complete! Hope those of you reading are enjoying this story. :)
Reviews are always welcome.