“My son has informed me about your part in this day’s events young lady, I don’t know how to thank you, you have helped to save our nation from Philip’s invasion.” I gulped as he spoke to me and curtsied as deeply as I dared without falling over.
“It was nothing your Majesty, I did what I could to help.” I smiled at Edward who was beaming at me as he came towards me and took my hands in his.
“Eleanor is and always will be a friend to our land and to its King and to its future King,” he announced.
“What are you going to do to the Baron?” I looked up as Sir Kay strode into the room. He had followed us outside, thinking to ride after the Baron, but changed his mind when he saw the man held captive between the two guards.
“Sir Kay, you want to know what is to happen to him too?” I looked as Sir Kay made his way to his King where he bowed low then turned to look at Edward and me.
“I most certainly do my Lady, he caused me great harm, but I also know I need to get a certain somebody back to their father, he will be distressed beyond belief that his daughter is missing again.” Sir Kay smiled at me, winking. I recognised the double meaning to his words.
I decided I didn’t really want to know what was to happen to the Baron. These were cruel times where traitors were hung, drawn and quartered, then their bodies, or what was left of them, were hung out on show for the people of the country to see, to stop further people becoming traitors. I remembered reading about that particular punishment and grimacing to myself. I had had the gallows hill in York pointed out to me back in my own time, and remembered the feeling of sadness the place gave me.
“We all need to sleep and tomorrow I will tell all about the sea battle my navy had at Sluys. We won and caused great loss to Philip’s navy, but it will suffice until the morrow. Come Edward, Eleanor. Good night to you, Sir Kay, we will talk after our sleep.” With that order the King left, heading towards the corridor leading to the King and Queen’s chambers. Edward and I followed. I had no idea what the time was, but all of a sudden I decided the King was quite right, I did feel like I needed to sleep.
Chapter 11
We awoke to a fine, dry morning, the sun shining high in the sky and the noise of the bustle of the city getting on with its day. We slept late, which didn’t surprise me due to the exhaustion of the day before. I had shared a bed with the Lady Eleanor; we slept in what I was to find out later was the lady in waiting’s bedchamber. Goodness only knows where she had slept. Edward had disappeared into the King’s chamber, I think to talk more before sleeping. I crept out of bed trying hard not to disturb my new friend just as a maid came into the room bringing food and, yes you guessed it, more beer. I ate some cheese and a delicious apple but only sipped at the beer. It just didn’t seem right drinking beer for breakfast, or any time really. Lady Eleanor stirred then opened her eyes.
“Good Morning Lady Eleanor, how are you feeling this fine day?” I smiled at her, gesturing to the window where the sun was shining through. “Are you well rested now?”
“I most certainly am thank you Eleanor, I feel wonderful sleeping in a bed again and not on that damp and badly smelling floor, it was a most horrid experience.” She closed her eyes, remembering again being captive.
“Well, today we are going home.” I hoped so; as I declared this fact, I remembered Sir Kay’s double meaning to me as we left for sleep the night before.
“I do hope so, my father will be desperate. Since my mother died I am all he has left. I cause him to worry so much.” She looked at me and I met her eyes, and we knew exactly at that moment we both caused our respective fathers to worry. We smiled knowingly at each other. I needed to lighten the moment.
“My Lady, can you please explain to me why everybody in this time drinks beer with their meals?” My inquisitiveness will get the better of me, I thought, but I really did need to know the answer to this burning question.
Eleanor smiled at me. “We drink beer because the water is so bad, it carries diseases and most people suffer from problems with their stomachs if they drink it.”
“Then put it in a pan and boil it.” Oh dear, I thought, my bossiness getting the better of me again.
“Hmm not a bad idea, I think I will talk to my father about that when I get home.” Eleanor was out of bed and eating. “I don’t like it either,” she said with a smile.
We cleaned ourselves, dressed and left the bedchamber to find the others who were in the main hall. The King and Queen were seated, having eaten at the main table with Sir Kay and another knight who was introduced as Sir Henry. They had obviously been sitting together talking for some time. Lady Eleanor and I approached and Sir Henry looked from one to the other with his mouth open in disbelief.
“Twins?” He finally found his voice looking to Sir Kay for confirmation.
“Not exactly,” replied Sir Kay, but he didn’t explain further, he looked at us both.
“My Ladies, we must be on our way, we have a long ride ahead of us and if we are to visit ‘our friend’ we need to make haste.” He looked at me as he spoke. I, of course, knew who he was referring to, but Lady Eleanor didn’t and looked puzzled.
“Don’t worry, I’ll explain on the way,” I whispered to her.
Edward came into the main hall and we both made our way to him where Lady Eleanor gave him a low curtsy. I followed suit, making it as low as I could. He laughed at us both and caught our hands with his own. His mother and father watched us fondly; he would make a good king, I thought, when his time came. He had his father’s presence and great intelligence mixed with his mother’s genuine goodness and kindness. A winning mixture.
“We must take our leave, Edward.” I told him the bad news. It did feel like bad news to me as I felt close to him, he felt just like a good friend, like Hugh and Richard, and I would not like it if I didn’t see either of them again. “I doubt if we will ever meet again, your Highness, but I will think of you often.”
“And I of you Eleanor, and I of you,” he repeated as he looked into my eyes before addressing Sir Kay and Sir Henry.
“Sir Kay, Sir Henry, will both of you return these Ladies to their respective homes for us, please.” I liked the way Edward always said please when he asked for things. My mother would like him a lot, I decided, she liked polite people with good manners.
“It will be our pleasure, your Highness.” Sir Kay bowed low to the young Prince. “Come, my ladies, we will be on our way.”
We made fond farewells of the royal family, the King giving Sir Kay a parchment to deliver to the Lady Eleanor’s father when we arrived back. The Queen gave us each a hug and promised to visit soon. Edward told us that he would ride north with the Queen if his father could spare him and so we would meet soon; he looked at me when he told us this and we both knew it was wishful thinking on his part. We would not meet again, not in this time, I thought to myself, and felt tears in my eyes at the thought. I quickly curtsied and followed Sir Kay and Sir Henry through the corridor to the courtyard, where we found our mounts ready and waiting for us to make the long ride back further north.
Chapter 12
On the way through the city we called at the monastery to see Brother Dominic, who caught hold of the horses’ reins and held them while we went indoors to find Sir Kay’s brother, Brother Simon. We found him writing at a desk. He came towards us and gave Sir Kay his hand. Sir Kay kissed his brother’s hand and then gave him a hug. I saw him look from Lady Eleanor to me and then back again. Sir Kay told his brother that he must not question, as the answer would take too long and we needed to be on our way. Brother Simon told us he would thank God in his prayers for the capture of the Baron De Quercy and hoped they would find and punish the usurper in York. I thought this an odd thing for
Sir Kay’s brother to say, and looking at Sir Kay, he had noticed it too. We looked at each other. Sir Kay called to Sir Henry and spoke to him in whispers. Sir Henry then left the monastery and rode out and towards the castle. I looked at Sir Kay but he seemed
deep in conversation with his brother. Lady Eleanor and I made our way to the desk and I lifted up the parchment Brother Simon had been writing on. As I did this, Brother Simon noticed me and made to snatch it from my hand. Sir Kay was quick and drew out his sword and held his brother against his body with the sword at his neck.
“You are a traitor to the King, Simon, no better than the Baron you have just been condemning.” Sir Kay looked red with anger. “I knew something was amiss when the Lady Eleanor and I stayed here awaiting the King’s return; you seemed to know he was on his way and only Eleanor and I knew the King was making an impromptu visit to York.”
Brother Simon struggled in Sir Kay’s arms but he held him firm. We all looked up as Sir Henry entered the building with the King’s guards behind him.
“You will not get away with this brother, I am a servant of the Lord.” Brother Simon spoke in French to his brother with malice on his face. I wondered at how taken in by him I was. Looking at Brother Dominic, I was aware I was not the only one to be taken in by this man’s evil. Dominic was staring at his colleague and all manner of expressions were fleeting across his face. How could two brothers be so very different, Kay so good and chivalrous and Simon so false and greedy?
“Take him back to the King to await his judgement with his friend the Baron,” Sir Kay ordered the guards and they quickly tied Brother Simon’s hands together and led him away towards the castle.
“Well, my Lady Eleanor, and you too Eleanor, we will now ride for your father’s castle and deliver you to him after we visit the wise woman. We must ride fast so hold tight to your horses’ reins. Ready, Sir Henry?” He looked at Sir Henry who nodded his agreement and we were off, leaving the monastery and then out of the City of York.
Away from the last few days, away from the Baron and Sir Kay’s evil brother Simon. I gave a long sigh as I gathered my reins, gave my mount an encouraging kick with my heels and followed the two knights and my new friend Eleanor. I wondered if I would ever return to York and if I did, would I be able to recognise the landmarks I now saw as we passed them? I knew the walls were still there in my time, the Minster and Clifford’s Tower; not quite as they were in the fourteenth century but they still existed in my time.
We travelled for the rest of the day and it was approaching dusk when we came to the small wood, which I recognised held the cottage of the wise woman. Sir Kay and Sir Henry dismounted and led our mounts through the treacherous undergrowth towards the cottage. The lady herself was out of the door awaiting us, as if she knew we were on our way.
“You are come, I have been expecting you, please take a drink in my cottage before you travel further. I think it might be prudent to leave Eleanor here, Sir Kay, until you have returned the real Lady Eleanor to her father. He doesn’t need to know there are two of them, he would be confused and upset to think we have used another child to capture his daughter’s kidnapper.” I agreed with her, imagining how my Dad would feel if he was the father in the same situation.
“Come inside, you can tell me all of what has happened. My Lady Eleanor, tell me who it was who arranged for your kidnap in your home?” She held the door open for us and we followed her inside to the sweet, herb smelling interior.
Lady Eleanor looked at the wise woman, then at Sir Kay who nodded his approval. “It was Glenda, my nurse. She was the one who let the Baron into my rooms and he took me away during the night. She was the one who put a gag into my mouth as I was sleeping and a sack over my head, tied me up like a suckling pig before he took me away. I was thrown over his saddle in front of him and we rode the longest journey I have ever taken away from home and my father.” (You are so like me, I thought, taking a deep breath and it all coming out in the one breath.) The wise woman looked at her with pity in her eyes and then she looked at me.
“Eleanor, I know you must have questions but I would appreciate time with Sir Kay before you start, and my Lady Eleanor I know you must be desperate to get back to your father but I need to make you both aware of something before you leave.” She looked at us both, her gaze into our eyes making us feel suddenly sleepy. I felt my eyes growing heavy and she led me to a rough bunk in the corner of the room. I lay down and fell instantly asleep.
“Sir Kay, Sir Henry, take the Lady Eleanor to her father, it will seem like she has been gone but an hour of the day to him. Don’t ask me how, is all I ask of you.” The wise woman opened the door for them and Lady Eleanor was helped up on her mount and they left to make their way carefully out of the wood and on to her home.
I slept like a full-tummy-filled lion on a hot day in the African plains, until I was woken by the light coming into the room. The wise woman came to the bunk and sat down beside me and gently pushed my hair behind my ear.
“How are you feeling, Eleanor?” she asked.
“I feel like I have just had the best sleep ever,” I answered her, rubbing sleep from my eyes. They still felt quite heavy but I did feel totally awake.
“Can we discuss my destiny now, please?” I enquired of her. I was determined to find out the answers to my many questions.
“You must understand, Eleanor, there are certain things I cannot tell you. You are a very special girl which is why I chose you to find the shield in your time. I know we will meet again in another time and place as your destiny is linked with mine and that is all I can tell you.”
Oh blow. What a let-down. I will never know why I was chosen, special girl huh? Linda is more special than me, I thought to myself, in fact everybody is special in some way. I felt more confused than ever.
“Will I ever see Edward again?” I asked, “and the Lady Eleanor?”
“No, unfortunately your time in this time has come to an end. When Sir Kay returns he will take you back to your own time,” she explained.
“How?” I enquired. “How will he take me back?” Not an out-of-the-way question, I felt.
“Ah my dear, suffice to say there are ways and means.” She looked at me in a knowing way.
Don’t you just hate it when adults do that, when they give you an answer that leads to more questions? I was feeling frustrated and she knew it as she busied herself getting me something to eat.
“I don’t like beer!” It came out as a shout, I made her jump, then she turned and laughed.
“Oh Eleanor, I will truly miss you, I can’t wait until we meet again. We will, you know, meet again. Now eat your breakfast.” I did as I was told and the oatmeal was quite delicious as she had flavoured it with honey.
The door opened and Sir Kay walked in to the cottage.
“I have delivered our parcel,” he said to the wise woman. “Now ready to deliver the next one.”
I stood up from the table and walked towards him and gave him a big hug, one of my monster ones which my mum used to tell me made her feel truly loved but ready to break in half. I then gave the wise woman one and she hugged me back, still smiling.
“Was it that I looked like the Lady Eleanor? Is that why you chose me?” You had to give me ten out of ten for certainly trying to get information from her.
“Eleanor, you are you, she is she, you are not alike at all apart from your spirits are alike and that is why you were chosen.” The wise woman gave me another hug and, looking at Sir Kay, motioned for us to depart.
“What happened to Glenda?” I asked Sir Kay as we walked out of the door.
“Oh, she got what was coming to her,” he replied. “She has been taken to York to be with my traitor brother and the Baron to be tried by the King.”
“I am truly sorry about your brother, Sir Kay, it must make you feel really bad.” I met the sadness in his eyes.
“Yes Eleanor, bad things sometimes happen in families, we can’t control the choices others make.” He looked down at the ground. “Simon had been promised gold and a higher position in the Church by the Baron and unfortunately he chose to follow the route of evil.”
I thought about that for a long time as we mounted our horses, waved at the wise woman o
ne last time and made our way through the wood and onto the dirt track and back to the fields.
I thought about choices, about families, about what the wise woman said about meeting me again. It didn’t make a lot of sense to me, I was only ten years and four months old. I liked catching fish in becks and running through the fields with my friends. It wouldn’t be long now, I hoped, until we were together again. I felt the time was right for my return. How I was to return I didn’t know but I hoped it would be painless and quick.
Sir Kay, in front, brought his horse to a standstill, dismounted and dropped his reins to let his horse graze on the long sweet grass. I dismounted and let my horse join in the feast. We were both quiet, we didn’t need to speak, not wanting to acknowledge that we would not see each other again. I looked around me. We were in an open field, the odd hedgerow and tree were to be seen but that was all.
I made my way to Sir Kay and gave him another one of my super hugs and as we hugged, a vaguely remembered mist developed around us.
I felt myself lifted and then down, feet no longer on grass, dressed again in my pyjamas, cardigan and slippers and standing on the solid concrete of the garage floor at home, my home, my own time.
As I looked around at the familiar things on the walls, at the floor where large pieces of old wood lay together with a metal brush and the end of a hose pipe beside them, I felt a sense of belonging. I was finally home. I knew my sister was asleep in her bedroom upstairs and mum and dad were asleep in theirs. My friends would all be wanting to do different things together tomorrow. All back to normal.
I was feeling cold and a little tired, so made my way out of the garage and up the stairs back to my own familiar bedroom where I lay down on my bed, lay on my back staring at the ceiling, thinking about why I was in the garage at this time of night whilst everybody slept. I wondered if I had been sleep walking. What was Dad doing with that old lump of wood on the garage floor? No matter, I would find out in good time.
The Shield Page 10