There and back again, a journey to love.

Chapter 12 - The nursing of Sir Guy.

He lay on the table in the back room of the inn for three days, Auriel never leaving his side. She had run her hands gently over his body to reassure herself that he had no broken bones, but when she bathed him on the second morning she could see dark bruises forming all along the back of his body, from his head even down to his heels and she was thankful of his unconscious state, for the pain would have been so great. The Innkeeper, Silas kept her supplied with everything she needed, even a straw pallet on which she could sleep, but it lay unused on the floor, as she could not rest for fear of him waking and not seeing her there.

That morning, as she was handing over coins to Silas for the service he was providing, he had refused it saying. "It's the least I can do my lady, for though I will never be this man's friend, there is no denying that he showed great bravery in his saving of the child, and I will honour him for that."

She had thanked him and told him that the next morning she was planning to move Sir Guy into the accommodation above what was to be her business premises, even though it was ill prepared for the nursing of a sick man.

He came back later to ask for her keys, saying that the furnishings Sir Guy had brought from Nottingham were still resting in the cart upon which they had been transported and that a storm was expected, "I will ensure that the things are unloaded safely," he said. She thanked him and went back to her patient who was stirring and asking for water.

There was no shortage of helpers the next morning to carry Sir Guy to her sadly unprepared premises and he groaned in pain despite the short distance. As she approached the building, she could see that the upstairs shutters had been repaired, and the front door sported a new rope hinge. Inside fresh miracles were forthcoming as the walls all now sported freshly applied whitewash, furniture had been put in place, and there was fresh straw on the hard packed floor. In the living accommodation upstairs, a dresser had been placed against the wall and a large canopied bed erected, made up with fresh sheets. She turned, not knowing to whom she should express her thanks and saw the family of the rescued child standing quietly in the doorway, watching as Sir Guy was placed gently on the bed.

"Everyone has had a hand in this, my lady," said the grandmother of the child, "and all were glad to do it", and the rescued child, Gwendoline, quietly stepped forward and placed a small bunch of violets on the bed near Sir Guys head. She looked shyly to her grandmother, as if to ask permission, and when her grandmother nodded her encouragement, she stepped forward and quickly kissed Sir Guy on the forehead, before running away to hide behind her grandmother's skirts, while Auriel stood by trying to hold back a sob.

When everyone had left and Guy was again peacefully sleeping, she went downstairs and found bread and other essentials on the table and fresh water from the well in two large ewers near the large stone fireplace, which had been set and was ready to light. Next to the fireplace was a large pile of split wood. It seemed the grateful family of the rescued child had thought of everything she would need. She knew they were poor, but they had given what they could of their time and effort, out of sheer gratitude to the man they still feared, but now respected for his bravery.

She prepared for herself a light meal of bread and cheese, then lit the fire and prepared meat and vegetables for a nourishing soup. When he eventually came fully to himself, Sir Guy would be hungry. She had sent a message to Nottingham Castle to inform them of recent events, and later in the day Sir Guy's manservant Allan had arrived, bringing with him clothing and fresh personal linens, telling her that he had been with his master all through his service to King Richard in the Crusades, and that he had come to assist her in the care of him. Auriel, accepted his offer of help gratefully for she had barely slept since the accident.

Allan swiftly made up the small truckle bed in the back room and brought hot water for her to wash, before she lay down gratefully to sleep, first telling him of the soup which was cooking on the fire downstairs, and showing him the herbal medicines that she had been administering to Sir Guy to alleviate the worst of his pain and advising him of the dosage.

She held out her hands in gratitude, almost crying with exhaustion and he seemed embarrassed by her thanks. "Tis nothing my lady", he said smiling, "for I am glad to do it. You have played your part, now go to your rest."

She awoke with a start some eleven hours later, her eyes scanning the room and wondering where she was. On the floor by her bed, covered with a cloth, was fruit, bread and a small goblet of wine, obviously left by the manservant Allan, should she have awakened and been hungry, but she threw a shawl around her shoulders and ran to see her patient. Guy was lying, propped up on many pillows, but still very pale, and he turned his head slightly at her approach, a weak smile on his face.

"So my lady," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving her face "it was not a dream, for here you are, looking like an Angel, sleepy and slightly rumpled it is true, but still so lovely", and she burst into tears.

Allan more than proved his worth over the following days, coming from his room at the Inn every morning at seven and working through the day caring for his master, bathing him, changing his linens and providing the more basic services, for Auriel could not deprive Guy of his dignity. When she took over responsibility for her patient in the early evenings, he was usually deeply asleep, waking only to partake of the food and wine she offered. Then when he rested easy again, Auriel would go to her own bed, although she did not close the door between them in case he should need her.

On some nights she woke often, perhaps at some slight noise or other, and went to stand above him as he lay there in the darkness. This last evening she had sat with him, sewing until he fell asleep, and when she stood up to go to her own bed, she had bent over him, the urge to kiss him overwhelming her. He was warm, and smelt of sleep and camomile, and as their lips met, her hair falling across his face, he opened his eyes saying quietly, "Hair as soft as an angel's touch, if this be heaven, then I will gladly stay," and she thought to herself that he was likely still asleep and dreaming.

The next day he began to complain about his enforced inactivity, and the fact that he was still unshaven, so Allan brought hot water, some rough soap and a blade to enable him to shave himself. This process took so much effort that he slumped back onto his pillows and slept for several hours afterwards, so Auriel decided to take herself off for a walk along the riverbank as she had not been outside in the air for several days.