The Star King

Fear & Valor October 1415

She walked back to the camp in a daze. Her mind was reeling. She had met the King of England. Shaking her head as she stumbled through the trees she cursed herself again for being so rude. "ah, what an Idiot" she mumbled to herself as she left the trees behind and entered the sea of tents that stretched for miles across the muddy field.

She liked him that was the bitter truth, she tried to deny it to herself and pretend that she didn't care but every time he appeared before her she had this rush and her heart would almost explode with happiness. But he was so far away from her, yet so close, it made her heartache. She had never been in love before and had never thought that she would be lucky enough to find it, but why did it have to be him?

Sighing, she thanked God that he hadn't ousted her back to England.

Some soldiers had fallen asleep whilst others sat quietly round dancing little fires, staring glumly into the burning light. Silence covered the camp like a low hanging mist and Elisabeth felt the fear trickle through her blood as she walked past the silent and petrified faces.

Elisabeth decided to visit Willow before going straight back to the tent. She thought it may perhaps calm her erratic thoughts.  She walked along the edge of the field near the clearing. Which was where the horses were being kept. Willow who was tied up to a tree along with the rest of the horses looked glum as she approached. As soon as she saw it was Elisabeth she neighed and shook her head from side to side.  In the moonlight, her mane shown silvery-white and the diamond looked as black as night. " I know, I know. I am sorry that I have brought you here." She coaxed softly, stroking her nose gently. The horse nuzzled her affectionately. The other horses looked on as if jealous of the tenderness and attention Willow was receiving. Willow pawed the ground and snorted. "I'm sorry I didn't bring any food." Willow turned her head away as if upset. 

Elisabeth laughed "I see how it is. Your only happy to see me when I have food." Willow turned back and neighed again as if in response before bending down and chewing on some grass ignoring Elisabeth's existence. "Alright, well I will leave you be then. I am glad to see not much has changed with you." 

She muttered before leaving Willow and going back towards the tent. 

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Elisabeth went into her tent. The boy was asleep but having a nightmare, sweat trickled down his pale and drawn face and his head rolled from side to side. Elisabeth went to him gathering him up into her arms. She sang a soft ballad to him and stroked his hair, running her fingers through it surprised at still how soft it was as hers had become brittle with many split ends.

Not waking the boy, after a while he calmed and settled back into a sound sleep. Elisabeth watched as his stomach gently rose and fell. Closing her eyes she heard his steady breathing as it evened out.

Before she realized it a tear had tumbled down her face. It felt cold against her skin, as it slid down over her cheek and fell Into the sleeping boy's hair.

As she closed her eyes she pictured her children running towards her as she stood outside the manor house looking out over the fields of barley and wheat turning gold in the summer sun. The birds flitting from tree to tree and the rabbits munching the lettuce's whilst the farmer tried to chase them away. She heard the sounds, felt the sun, and saw it all as if it were right in front of her. Picturing her mother with her kind nature and her chestnut hair with wisps of white and lines that covered her once alluring face. Her intense crystal blue eyes. That held a fire burning within them, so unlike her daughter's hazel eyes.