Another chapter...I am not a science fiction writer so explanations of the time travel will have to wait for a while. Thanks for reviewing and sticking with me. I'll keep writing if you keep reading! Hugs!

Henry saw the spiraling towers of Windsor above in the horizon. Stopping the horse for a rest, he looked down at the girl sleeping in his arms. She was leaning against him. The soft golden curls brushing against the bare patch of skin at his collar caused him to lean his head down and bury his nose in her hair. The scent was intoxicating and only managed to arouse his senses even more. It was a floral scent mixed with something he was not aware.

He did not wish to awaken her, but would need to in order to climb down before entering the gates. Kirsa was correct. He did not want to bring dishonor to her by riding into court with her astride his lap.

"Lady Kirsa," he said quietly as he moved the unruly curls aside to see her eyes.

Kirsa blinked a few times and opened up her eyes to see perhaps the handsomest man on the planet smiling down at her. Returning his smile with her own, she sat up. "Oh sire, forgive me. How long have I been asleep?"

"No need for that, we are here. I wish to dismount so that you may ride atop my steed and I shall walk us through the gates. Yonder is my castle."

Kirsa looked up and indeed, there it was. Windsor Castle. It looked quite different from when she visited it two years ago. It looked fresh. The bricks and mortar were still white and there were no other buildings nearby. Only tiny homes scattered here and there across the landscape. To say the least, it was spectacular.

Here he was, the King of England, walking alongside his stallion with a lost woman atop it resembling a ravaged young maiden from yon village. Kirsa nearly giggled aloud at the absurdity of her situation; although, she was far from amused. Where are you Uncle? How am I to get out of this mess?

In truth, she was not having a bad time, but if she had been prepared, she wouldn't feel quite so uneasy. It hadn't occurred to her that she possibly might have altered history by being present. Shit!

Henry's voice jostled her from her reverie.

"Do you approve of the castle milady?"

Kirsa smiled at him, "I dare say there would be scarce anyone to disapprove."

That generated a proud and joyful smile upon his handsome face.

It made Kirsa's head swim to think that she was sitting in 15th century England and chatting up a King of England. Not to mention, a king that has been dead for over 500 years! Oh! The stories she would have for Uncle Quido.

Again, the troubling feeling washed over her. Where was her uncle? He surely must know what is happening and bring her back to the 21st century. Uncle always had a plan. No matter what the situation was, he was the resource that everyone confided. Now, more than ever, she needed his wisdom, for if she put one foot out of line, it could be disastrous not only for her, but for possibly the world itself.

Kirsa was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed that Henry was standing beside the horse looking up at her with a strange expression. Apparently, he'd been watching her for some time as she anguished over her quandary.

"Lady Kirsa, I am concerned for your well-being. I have been speaking to you and have received no reply." He was looking at her most warily.

Uh oh! She had to think quickly. He was most intuitive. Perhaps she could faint again. No…most definitely not. He'd put me in the hands of some 15th century physician. No telling WHAT kind of potions and prodding they would utilize on me. Better just tell him I'm still weak.

"Please forgive me your majesty. I guess I'm still a bit week. I am sure that a few hours in front of a fire will set me to rights."

Henry's eyebrows shot up with her admittance that she was feeling weak. He quickly placed his foot in the stirrup and hauled himself back up on the horse and planted himself firmly behind her once again placing his arms on either side of her making her feel secure in the saddle.

"I have asked you before dear one to address me as Henry. I fear that I have been remiss in your care. You are trembling."

Pulling her closer to his body, Kirsa nearly moaned aloud at how good it felt to be pressed so tightly against his muscular body. He enclosed her within the cloak and made certain that her hands were covered.

"Let me warm your hands." He took both of her hands within his gloved hand. It occurred to her how very large his hands truly were upon enclosing his around both of hers. It also, at that moment struck her that the size of a man's hands was usually a good indicator of the size of their…accouterments. She began to shiver a bit more at the thoughts flooding her mind.

"Do not concern yourself with court. Those windbags have nothing better to do than to involve themselves in my activities. They are waiting for me to commit errors in judgment and in matters of the state. I had quite the rebellious youth."

"I know," she said and regretted it as soon as she uttered the words.

Henry laughed, "Eh eh eh. I will not balk at that remark little Kirsa."

"I didn't mean to offend…"

"You did not offend. I am known throughout the lands as 'Hal' the wayward prince."

She loved to hear him laugh. It was such a carefree sound.

"On to Windsor," he said and drove the stallion toward the keep.

Quido arrived in Windsor. He did love to visit often. The bustling keep was always an event to witness. He would appear incognito usually as a shopper in the midst. He had seen the king once but made no attempts at contact. He would leave that up to his niece.

Kirsa would be stressing about now. If his timing was accurate, which it usually was, they should be arriving any minute now. He stood by the gates to be certain he would not miss them. He was not concerned about his niece. She was quite capable of handling unknown situations. He did however concern himself with her health. There were side-effects to the time travel that he had conquered. Headaches, fever, and vertigo had subsided after his numerous treks through time months ago. By his calculations, Kirsa's age would cause her to be less resilient. It would be setting in and deliver the blow by the time she arrived at the castle. It was imperative that he was present to assist and also reassure her that she had nothing to fear.

As if on cue, the gates began to rise. Quido looked up and there was the king himself towing precious cargo...his niece. As he suspected, Harry had been caring for her. For all intents and purposes, Kirsa was the damsel in distress and he, as told by fairy tales, the knight in shining armor.

She was riding pillion upon the horse. Quido smiled knowing how uncomfortable that can be for not only the rider, but the person in tow. From the looks of it, they appeared to be enjoying one another's company. Who wouldn't enjoy his niece for she had the cheeriest disposition and could charm a king…even the mighty Henry the Fifth.

Upon entering the gates of Windsor, the bustling of the community became silent for all wanted to know whom the king had within his arms upon his royal lap.

"Who is she?"

"She be wearin' his cloak!"

"She must be one of his concubines."

"Probably a whore from his past."

Quido overheard some of the rude comments from the people in the square and could not stop from remarking using his best Cockney English accent.

"You ought not speak such rude natter. His majesty will have you run through."

Some of the onlookers nodded in agreement and the crowds dispersed returning to their daily routines but not before catching a glimpse of the impressive sight before them.

Henry could see the villagers gawking at them and would return a stare with an imperial glower of his own.

Kirsa felt self-conscious and underdressed. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine and wondered if it was a sign that she was getting in way over her head with this whole ordeal.

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, she spotted a grey haired man with a walking stick. He stared at Kirsa and grinned. Uncle! She very nearly screamed aloud.