I am not certain that I included the fact that this is not going to be historically accurate. Forgive me, but I myself am NOT a historian. I do know a bit about the Plantagenets and Henry V. After all, it is one of my favorite Shakeys plays. Tom is a bonus! I am all about the knight in shining armor rescuing the damsel in distress. I hope you like this chapter. I am working as fast as I can. Thanks for hanging with me.
"Do not make yourself uneasy dear one," he said while turning the horse toward the stable entrance.
By this time, many of his guards had appeared. One gentleman in particular approached them quickly with a look of concern etched upon his face. She wondered if he was Uncle Exeter?
"My Lord," he exclaimed trying to catch his breath and bowed.
"Good Uncle Exeter! How are you fairing this fine morning? Allow me to introduce the fair lady Kirsa."
He merely stared up at the king and Kirsa with a disapproving expression. Taking in her ripped dress and unkempt hair, he looked back at his majesty and continued, "I have been quite despairing over your whereabouts and hath sent ahead a reconnaissance party."
Henry dismounted after the stable hand took the reins. "There was no need for concern uncle, for I have been otherwise agreeably engaged," he said as he grasped Kirsa's waist to assist her down from the stallion. She swore he took his time…pulling her closer to his body than was necessary. His shoulders were solid as was the rest of him. Definitely was hard as steel.
Upon releasing her, Henry turned and continued his conversation with Exeter. Kirsa was shaky and her body ached but her head was swimming causing her to sway a bit.
"Henry," she uttered and leaned against the horse to try and keep her balance, but it was no use, she began to crumple to the ground.
Henry had turned and saw that Kirsa had turned pale and was about to collapse. Before she fainted, he caught her in his arms. Dismissing his uncle's objections, he jolted past him and carried her inside the castle.
"Fetch my physician quickly," he shouted to his servants.
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Meanwhile, Quido had witnessed the entire scene. He was aware that this would happen and he had to act quickly. For now, his niece was in a precarious state. There were no physicians in the 15th century and any that claimed to render aid were nothing more than shysters that charged a fortune to "bleed" a patient. Most patients died from anemia.
After making his way to the rear of the stable quarters, Quido changed and brought his medical satchel which contained bottles of clean water, bandages, antibiotics, and Ibuprofen. He'd be damned if he'd let some 15th century quack harm his niece.
He quickly rounded the stable and entered the interior of the castle towards the royal chambers. Knowing his research of the archives and maps would come in handy one day, he never imagined he'd actually be maneuvering the corridors possibly to save his niece from the hands of 15th century medicine.
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"Kirsa…can you hear me?"
Kirsa felt herself drifting in and out of consciousness. She could hear a familiar voice but couldn't see. Opening her eyes, everything was not unlike her mind, foggy and confused. Someone was lightly wiping her forehead with a cool cloth. A face came into view. A face stamped with concern and intense blue eyes looked down at her. King Henry.
"How is the patient?"
Another familiar voice…Uncle Quido!
Kirsa nearly sat up when she heard his voice, but Henry softly patted her shoulders to reassure her and pin her down. The face of her dear uncle came into view and she smiled.
"You had me worried," he said in his native German accent. The salt and pepper hair had been replaced with longer gray locks and his usually handsome face which had been etched with concern now was beginning to transform to one of delight. He looked so different in his vintage clothing.
"How did you find me uncle?"
"Kirsa," Henry began, "he had been searching for you. Apparently, you have been quite ill and wandered from Eton."
"Your kindness and chivalry in caring for my dear Kirsa is greatly appreciated your majesty. How can we ever repay you," her uncle relayed.
The king raised his hand and shook his head in response. "The only payment I wish to receive is to see your niece well."
After conveying this to her uncle, he looked down at Kirsa and smiled. "I have been agonizing over your condition my lady. If it not for your uncle being a physician…" he paused, "I dare not think upon it."
Kirsa smiled up at him, "Thank you your majesty."
The look upon his face changed to one of dejection, for Kirsa knew her mistake.
"I'm sorry…Henry."
"She should not address you in such an informal manner my Lord."
Immediately, Henry's face changed to that of annoyance. "You forget yourself dear uncle. I do not ask for your counsel nor company. Now, if you will, I wish to speak with my guests in private."
Exeter departed the chambers leaving the three of them alone.
"You will have to forgive my uncle. He is most cautious and has a tendency to exceed boundaries within my personal life."
Quido nodded. "No need for explanation sire."
Turning to Kirsa, he gingerly swiped a loose curl from her forehead. "I am pleased that your fever has subsided. You will be up and around in no time."
Kirsa had just noticed her surroundings. She was in a large and lavishly decorated room. There was a roaring fire in a massive fireplace along with many fine tapestries, rugs, and paintings. The bed she was lying in was immense. It then occurred to her that she was possibly in HIS chambers.
"Am I in your chambers my Lord?" She felt small compared to her surroundings.
"Yes. I would not have you anywhere else. You were in need of medical attention and my chambers are the most comfortable. Do you not remember what occurred?"
Of course she remembered passing out, but she didn't expect to put anyone out of their rooms; least of all the king!
"Oh no! I cannot be in here!"
The king looked at her in confusion. "Why ever not?"
"It is not suitable and besides, I would never want to inconvenience you."
Quido went about fidgeting with his satchel and different potion bottles that were filled with water. He had the appearance of a man about to burst. Clever girl.
"Dearest Kirsa, you are my guest and you are ill. You are no inconvenience to anyone least of all me. My only wish is for your health to return."
Placing the blanket snugly around her, he stood.
"Now then, I leave you to your uncle. Make her well sir. I have some matters to attend and I shall return. Should you need anything, my guards and servants are at your service." He looked down and smiled at her once more, winked, and walked out the door.
Kirsa nearly fainted again because of that wink and sexy grin.
She sat up as her uncle sat beside her on the bed and embraced her. Kirsa couldn't stop the deluge of tears that spilled.
"It's alright my darling. I apologize for not arriving sooner. The time had to be precise. Apparently, it worked out as I calculated."
Kirsa backed away from him and looked at him as if he had gone mad. "Uncle Quido…you sent me here without any prep or instructions…what do you mean 'apparently it worked out as you calculated'?"
"You have enjoyed being here? Is he everything you thought he would be?"
Kirsa couldn't stay angry with her uncle if she tried. He was right. She was frightened in the beginning but the more she remained, the more exhilarated she had become. With the exception of feeling like shite from the time travel.
Quido was well aware he had struck a chord within her. The smile that was slowly appearing across her face was a telltale sign.
Leaning back against the lush down pillows, she smirked. "Will this pass eventually? You are worrying him. Remember now, most people died from trite colds in this era."
Quido rose from the bed and gave her an Ibuprofen and water. "Take this, drink the water, and get some rest. It will pass. Tomorrow you will feel one hundred percent."
"Now then," he began, "tell me all about him," he said as he settled himself in the lush armchair.
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"You know I prefer not to meddle in your affairs sire, but this girl…who is she? From whence does she hail? Is she nobility, gentry, or is she a simple servant girl," Exeter questioned him.
Henry was seated at his desk going over the latest reports of France from his emissaries. He was becoming agitated and his uncle was not helping matters.
"Dear uncle, you are badgering me about assisting a helpless girl whom I came across in the forest that was near frozen to death. She is ill and was in need of my help. She might have died."
"I am aware of that your majesty, but as you know, I was appointed by your father to advise you in matters of such delicacy."
Henry became incensed, "Matters of delicacy? You mean my reputation as a 'wayward prince'?"
Exeter nodded his head. "Need I remind you that soon the meeting with the Lady Catherine of France will arrive…what then my Lord?"
"What indeed uncle? I have no intention of marrying…least of all a child."
Exeter wanted to continue his discussion, but Henry ignored him completely as he marched out of the room leaving him behind fuming inside.