The Vixen

Chapter 6 (Roland)

My heart has not stopped pounding since Alice came running and told me of the man in Elena's chamber. I instantly regretted the words I shouted at her. She wasn't to know that Elena does not have a brother, and I'm grateful she realized something was wrong when she saw them together.

I pray that I have done enough to convince Thomas that he will not be pursued. All I know about this man is that he is mad, and I could not risk that he might be capable of taking Elena's life out of desperation. As long as he does not think I will come after him, he won't have any reason to threaten Elena.

I saw that he took her to the road through the woods, but I cannot risk being seen in pursuit. If he discovers that I follow him, he will just point the knife at her throat and we'd be back to where we started. Even if he doesn't see me, he might still be suspicious. If it were me, and I suspected I was being followed, I would watch, hidden, just beyond the tree line for someone giving chase. I sprint through the cover of the orchard, moving quickly and stealthily without my armor. My sword and three arrows are strapped against my back beneath a cloak to cover anything that might reflect the moonlight. I carry only the bow, which I almost left behind. I detest the thought of shooting a man in cold blood, but if Elena is in danger and I can get a clear shot, I know I won't hesitate. I'm terrified to think what the man may be capable of. I cannot erase the image of the blade against her throat, of his grubby hands holding her- as if she were nothing more than a shield.

Soon I hear the hounds baying on the north side of the castle. I'm grateful to Arthur for keeping-up the ruse of a real fox hunt. Hopefully Thomas will hear them, too, and assume I am with the hunting party. What will Elena think? Was it enough of a hint that she will know I'm coming for her? I hoped she would understand from the beginning why I had to let him take her, but I could see the tears on her face when I called her a burden. I have to blink back my own tears at the thought of causing her such pain. I urge myself on, unwilling to risk losing a moment if Elena thinks I have given her up.

The orchard ends just short of the tree line, leaving a gap where there is no cover. I dart into the woods, hoping I remained invisible. I work my way silently along the tree line, continuing beyond the road in case he hid on the other side. I turn back once the woods start to curve away from the castle. Beyond that point he wouldn't have had a good line of sight, so he must have led her straight through the woods. I sprint down the road, staying along the outer edge when it bends to give me the best chance of seeing them before I catch-up. Of course, he might have only gone a little way, and then hidden off the path, so I keep my ears open. I'm starting to think that's what he must have done, since surely I would have met them by now at the pace I'm going.

Then, I hear, "You're turning into more trouble than you're worth." His voice is close, and the next step forward brings them into sight. He's dragging her by her arm, still gagged. I drop the bow so I have both hands free. Staying in the darkest shadows, I move silently toward them. The imbecile never even glances back until I draw my sword and press it to his ribs. "Let her go!" Elena jumps at my growl, then lets out two muffled syllables. I pull her away from his reach. "Give me the knife." He slowly reaches for it, then hands it back to me. I force him to the ground, then return the sword to my back and turn to Elena. She holds onto me as I cut away the gag. I wait as she takes several deep breaths. Then I draw her into my arms, never wanting to let her leave my embrace.

"That was a convincing performance," Thomas snarls. "You had me fooled."

"You are a fool," I answer him angrily, still holding Elena, "to think any man capable of giving her up the way you did."

"If you think I'm going to stay quiet and let you marry her, you are the fool." Elena looks up at me, her eyes wide in despair. I reluctantly step away from her to confront Thomas, who gloats, "You cannot wed her if I claim her as my wife."

I draw my sword to strike him down, "You cannot claim her if you're dead." The mad man comes to his senses and scrambles away as I raise my sword.

"Roland, no!" I ignore her, deafened by the vile, murderous anger that consumes me.

Before I can strike him, Elena throws herself against me, then shrinks away when I give her a wild look. Her fear of me makes me pause, and she steps in front of me, determined. "He will haunt us the rest of our lives if you kill him now."

The severity of what I was about to do hits me suddenly as though I'd just taken a lance to my chest. I step back in horror and drop my sword.

Elena sighs in relief and I kiss her forehead, grateful for her intervention. Thomas snickers, and I step past Elena to knock him hard on the jaw, releasing my pent-up anger,

"What do you want?" I ask, grabbing him up angrily. "Why come after her now?"

"If I must have a wife," he explains with a nasty grin, "an extensive dowry makes the burden worthwhile."

"Ha! The dowry is what you've after?" I'm genuinely relieved that his condition is so cheap. I should have known that's all the man wanted. He is incapable of realizing that Elena is the treasure. "You can have it, provided you keep your mouth shut."

His eyes narrow cynically. "How do I trust we have a deal?"

I let out a dry, disdainful laugh. "I don't want your blood on my hands, that's the only reason you might walk away from this. Let us marry and the dowry is yours. But if anything prevents our union," I threaten, "your life is forfeit." I don't wait for his acknowledgment, but turn to pick-up my sword and take Elena's hand.

I check often to make certain Thomas does not follow us as we walk back to the castle. He's unarmed now, but who knows what a man of questionable sanity might attempt. I stop just outside the castle walls, and hold Elena before me.

"Elena," I ask, my tone imploring, "can you ever forgive me for the words I spoke?"

"Of course," she assures me, her arms wrapping around me. "I know they were said to trick Thomas." Relieved, I lean in to kiss her, but she draws back. "Can you forgive me for doubting you?" she asks sadly. "I'm ashamed to say it wasn't until Arthur said you wouldn't let the fox get away that I realized you meant to come after me."

I draw her close and kiss her passionately in answer, the fear of losing her giving me a new-found tenderness. "I would admit this to none but you-" I say, still holding her close, "I am no stranger to fear, after all my years of battle. Yet nothing compares to the terror I felt this night when you were in danger, and I feared I had let you down."

We cut through the castle to the north entrance. I know Arthur will be waiting to hear whether Elena is safe so he can call-off the false hunt. Gawain is the first to see us. He rushes over and scoops Elena up in a bear hug. She squeals in surprise and I move to make him release her, but then she smiles and leans close to whisper in his ear. His eyes widen and he sets her down. He steps back and bows to her in mock courtesy. "My lady Elena. Forgive my brash actions." He winks. "Your safe return brings joy to all Camelot." He saunters off, smug with her secret.

I cannot mask the wonder in my expression when she turns to me. "I told him if he behaved the gentleman," she answers my unasked question, "I'd put in a good word for him with my beautiful sister."

I laugh and shake my head. "My cunning vixen. Will you never cease to amaze me?" She beams at my praise and I draw her to my side as Arthur approaches.

"We were worried after you," he tells her, "but I knew that Roland had a plan to return you to us safely."

"I'm grateful for your concern," Elena says, "and for making certain I knew he had not let us down." She steps forward and kisses his cheek.

The king blushes in surprise, but then he grins and asks me, "Well, what say you, now that you have felt the bite of the fox?"

I wince, the pain and fear of this night still fresh. "I would caution against underestimating a creature which appears to be gentle and slight." I answer, drawing Elena closer. "Their bite is no small wound." Elena reaches across her body to squeeze my hand.

Arthur's smile fades at my seriousness. "Then I shall heed your advice, and keep my distance should I encounter such a creature."

"On the contrary, I advise you hasten to find one of your own." I answer, then smile down at Elena. "A man could not stive for a nobler prize than to win the trust and affection of a deserving woman."