Heyo! So sorry, I just finished my freshman year of college, my computer is still fried, and soon I will again begin my job as a meat packer (WAH!) Well, here is the next chapter. ENJOY!

Chapter 8: Yer a Warrior

Ilene keep watch over the king for hours, late into the night. She changed the cool cloth on his forehead a few times; crushed and mixed herbs for later bandages, and boiling water. However, she soon had to accept the fact that only time, and fate would tell if the king was to survive or not.

She sat next in the far corner of the room and stared into the flames in the fireplace. Her eyes began to grow heavy, and flutter, and falling asleep on duty was not an option. To keep she began to think of what she was doing here. She had the perfect opportunity to sneak away and back to freedom in the forest. She got up and walked over to the window; put her hands to the glass ready to open the shutters, jump, and make a run for her freedom.

She shoved the shutters open, but before she could jump she looked back to the king. He was weak, pail, and she knew he wouldn't survive without care in the future. She then thought of the queen, and the little girl calling out to her father who would not respond. If there was something Ilene knew they had in common it was pain. She slowly closed the shutters "I will stay until the king is well, or has passed" she whispered

She walked back to the chair, sat down and once more stared into the flames. Trying to keep her eyes open she began to think of all that has happened in one day. Ironically her mind was not on the bear attack, the healing process, or the fact that she was welcomed into the presence and castle of the king and queen. All she could think of was the queens face when she was called back up to watch over the king; a face that was full of worry for her daughter, her little girl in a situation that she could not control.

Ilene was used to that face; she saw it many times during the years her mother was at her side. As she stared into the flames her mind wandered to a time when her mother was at her side.

It was dusk and the chill Ireland air stung her face as she breathed out clouds of frost. They had been walking for hours, and ordered to keep quiet. Finally the group stopped and began to set up camp. The woman began to sow, and cook while the men began set up wrestling in a muddy section of camp. This was done frequently the men would wrestle, and bet whatever they had on who they thought would win. Except they would only make the young boys fight, as if they were animals.

Seven year old Ilene was sitting across from her mother, her inspiration, her role model, and the most beautiful woman she ever saw. Her long wavy brunette hair flowed in the wind, the way she threw her head back and laughed at the world who laughed at her gave Ilene strength. Her deep brown eyes shined reflected her kind and caring soul, and she was a fantastic mother. She loved Ilene more then life itself, and wanted to do anything to give her freedom. But freedom seemed impossible, everyday Ciaran would threaten her. If she ran away they would be found and he would make her watch while he would kill Ilene slowly. Ilene heard this everyday, she was used to it and told her mother that she wasn't afraid; she wanted her mum to have a happy life.

Ilene never liked being a "lady", she loved doing what the other women would call "boy" activities. She was often put into training with the boys, she could shoot, throw knives, and run better then any of them; however she was not strong, being extremely small and a girl she was often kicked down, and beaten by the other boys.

Well, almost all the boys, the eldest and strongest would not lay a finger on her. His name was Angus, at only thirteen years old he was as tall as an adult and as strong as an ox. His black hair glistened in the moonlight, and his deep blue eyes snapped when he spoke, and his mischievous smile made any young girl swoon when they passed through villages. He was strong and brutal in his fighting, but outside he was Ilene's best friend. They would often bow hunt, run and talk about talk about adventures together. Angus was not like the other boys who would treat her like a girl, punch her, and jump her while the men cheered.

He came over to her and her mother and sat down quietly. Ilene smiled up at him faintly, knowing what was about to happen.

"Angus!" yelled Ciaran, "Get yer lazy carcus over here and fight like a man!"

Angus rolled his eyes and got up and whispered "We are all sheep to a slaughter"

Ilene agreed, but could only watch her friend as he made his way to the circle of jeering men.

In frustration for her friend Ilene grabbed a knife nearby and stared throwing it at a nearby tree with speed and accuracy. Soon she heard a woman scoff and yell at her mother behind her. "Why do you let yer daughter, indulge herself in such savage activities. You are encouraging her to act like a boy! She has lost everything lady like about her!"

Ilene just rolled her eyes, she was used to criticism by the other woman of her actions. She chose to train, and when Ciaran saw her potential he forced her to train with the rest of the boys. Ilene's mother did not object, she wanted her daughter to be safe, and she knew that Ilene loved shooting a bow and fighting.

Ilene's mother just tucked a stray strand of her brunette hair behind her ear and responded "Well, she never was much of a lady." The woman scoffed and stormed away.

Ilene smiled back at her mother and she smiled back. "Ilene come here." She said.

Ilene obeyed and walked over to her mother. Her mum cupped her daughters face in her hands and pressed their foreheads together. "Know that I love you. Know that you can be whoever you want to be and I will follow you, and know that one day we will both have our freedom away from this fowl place."

She pressed a kiss to Ilene's forehead and they embraced. Her mothers grip grew tighter as footsteps began to approach. Ilene looked up and saw Ciaran, and knew that trouble was about to begin.

"Were short one fighter." He said with his gruff voice and a smile. With force he reached down and grabbed Ilene from the back of her outfit, yanked her out of her mother's arms, and began to carry her over to the fighting circle as if she were dead game.

"No!" Ilene's mother shouted and grabbed Ciaran's arm. He whipped around and smacked her in the face with so much force that she fell to the ground.
"Mum!" Ilene shouted

A demonic smile spread across Ciaran's face, he loved the sound of suffering. "Grab her" he told his men. Both Ilene and her mother were dragged to the fighting circle. "Hold her down!" he shouted. A few men forced her mum down on her knees and held her there. "And make her watch!" he said with laughter trying to force its way out of the words.

Ciaran threw Ilene into the mud filled circle while the men jeered. Ilene looked around, she caught Angus's eyes. His face was swollen and he was holding his side, she then knew, this wasn't a child's fight. Ciaran pointed to one of the soldiers. He was tall, rugged, as big as a horse, covered in scars from many battles and looked as if he had way too much to drink for his own good. One of the warriors yelled "Carful Phillip, don't want to get mud up her skirt!" they all laughed

Time seemed to go in slow motion as she caught the eyes of her mum. Her face was filled with worry and she could do nothing to help her daughter.

The warrior charged, Ilene dodged as the warrior fell into the mud. She knew she could use her speed to her advantage. He got up, and lunged for her again, she dodged again and while his face was in the mud she yelled "Wut's the matter! Did you get mud up yer skirt?!"

In a rage he got up, and took his sword out of his belt. Ilene's mum screamed, and tried to get away of the grip of the men holding her down. The warrior swung the sword wildly in her direction, the men cheered louder, with ever dodge she made. With a final harsh swing the warrior lost his balance, dropped his sword, and fell to the ground. She took her chance, jumped on his back, and held him in a chock hold, and squeezed with all her might. He staggered up, and began to punch her face trying to make her lose her grip. However, the more he struggled the tighter he held. After a few minutes he fell to the ground, unconscious. The crowd was dead silent, Ilene slowly stood up, her face was slowly beginning to swell from all the punching.

The whole crowd was silent, Ilene stared Ciaran down, to prove to him he wasn't afraid. He just laughed and walked toward Ilene's mother. He grabbed her chin with his hand and strokes her cheek with his thumb. Ilene began to run toward them, but someone quickly scooped her up and held her. She struggled to get free "Let me go!"

A voice quietly replied "This is fer yer own good!" It was Angus.

"Ye have a feisty girl on yer hands. I would hate for something to happen to her." He then turned to Angus "Put the girl down boy!" Angus obeyed. "What do you say to yer competitor?"

Ilene steped wared the fallen warrior in the mud, he began to moan and stir. Ilene turned slowly then spat on him. All the men laughed and released Ilene's mum, she ran to her daughter, droped to her knees and hugged her daughter, and however Ilene did not return her hug. She stared Ciaran and the other men as the laughed and headed toward the fires to drink the night away.

"Come lass," her mom said "Let's get ye cleaned up." She then turned to Angus "Thank you." She said Angus nodded in reply.

A few minutes they were in a nearby river wiping off all the mud from their clothes and faces. "Och, hold still lassie!" said her mum as she was trying to wipe her mud caked face. Ilene laughed and splashed her with water, she splashed Ilene in return and soon they had a full fledge water fight. Laughter filled the evening air as if it was wiping away the memories of the past few hours. Once the splashing subsided Ilenes mum knelt next to her and said "Ye had yer first fight tonight. I did not like it."

Ilene was afraid for a moment that her mother would make her stop shooting and fighting. "Ye could have died, ye could have been hurt badly, but you pushed know what that means?" her mum said

"What?" she replied

"Yer a warrior." She said with a smile

Ilene smiled and hugged her mum. Then she heard her mother say "Wake up! Young lady wake up!"

Ilene's eyes shot open as a made was shaking her shoulder. She fell asleep, when she was supposed to be doing a job. She looked out the window and saw the sun start to peek over the horizon. "I'm so sorry!"
The maid ignored her reply and said "The queen has returned with the princess and needs to see you in the healing quarters immediately. I will stay here and watch the king."

Ilene nodded and headed down to the healing quarters, almost getting lost along the way. She was used to large forest and vast fields not fancy castles. As she entered the healing quarters she saw the queen holding the young girl with fiery hair.

"My lady queen?" Ilene asked

"Please, come look at my daughter and see ye can do anything."

The queen set the girl on the table and Ilene began to examine her. With Merida on the table they were both around the same height. She saw that the girl was clutching her left arm. "Please, let me see yer arm."

Merida let go of her arm and Ilene said "This will hurt." and lightly squeezed her upper arm. Merida winced, and closed her eyes tight. "Well princess, yer arm is not broken, just a little banged up, some cool cloths and some rest will help that."

Ilene then examined her face, and the rest of her body making sure nothing was damaged or broken.

"She was limping when I found her, and now she cannot put any weight on her leg." Said the queen

"Her leg seems to be fine." She replied, as she was checking the rest of her body. When Ilene touched her left hip the princess yelped in pain. Ilene saw the queen was restraining herself not to intervene.

The princess's hip felt oddly shaped. Ilene felt her own hip, and then she knew the problem.

"Princess, yer gonna have to lay on yer side, and hold yer mummy's hand real tight." Merida obeyed and reached for Elinor's hand, Elinor took it confused.

Then Ilene whispered to the queen "Yer not gonna like what I have to do, but ye have to trust me if this will aid her."

Elinor paused then said "Do what you must."

Ilene felt the princess's hip one more time. Lifted her hand up and smacked the hip with all the force she could muster. A popping sound followed and the princess didn't yelp, or scream or cry. However, Elinor felt as if she was going to do all three.

"How do ye feel?" Ilene asked

"Good." The princess replied

A maid then ran in "Me lady! The king as woken up and is asking fer ye."

Elinor turned to Ilene "Take care of her." And rushed out of the room

There was a few minutes of silence as Ilene grabbed cool clothes and applied them to the princess's face.

"I'm Merida, wot's yer name?"

"Ilene."

"Did you help my daddy?"

Ilene paused for a moment "Yes." She replied

Merida suddenly hugged Ilene. Ilene had not hugged anyone after her mum died. It was strange, but she felt so much of herself in this little girl. She hugged her back.

After Merida released "So how did a young lady like yerself end up with all these injuries."

"I'm not a lady."

Ilene couldn't help but smile.

"I left me bow in the forest, and took mum's horse into the forest to look for it."

"It looks like ye fought for it." Ilene said with a smile.

"But I didn't get me bow back."

Ilene stopped what she was doing and looked Merida and said quietly "You pursued, ye could have died, but ye kept fighting. Do you know what that means?"

"Wut?"

"Yer a warrior?" Merida smiled. They both knew this was a start to a great friendship.

Yay! Hope you enjoyed that. New characters! We will dive into him later. And what did you think of Ilene's mum. Please review J.