The High Road (On Hold)

Chapter Thirteen

          Christelle was running. Her heart pounded in her chest like a hammer striking an anvil. The only light came from the moon and she almost tripped over one of the uneven cobblestone pavers her feet passed over. Her breathing was quick and shallow; she felt like she had been running forever.

The road disappeared. She looked down and saw a black chasm below her, but didn't fall. She stopped, confused.

No, she thought. He'll catch me.

Her feet picked back up and struck the invisible ground as she ran into the black.

Christelle's eyes opened.

Her fists were clenched tightly to her sheets. It was still dark; the moon shone through the window of her room in castle Inverness. She ran her fingers through the hair on her scalp and stood up in bed.

Only a few hours more, she thought.

She rested her head softly against the pillow. It was cold; she had not realized she had stood up in bed for a few minutes rather than a few seconds. All the warmth from her body felt confined to her chest. Her fingers and toes felt stiff and rigid. Soon enough, she fell back to sleep.

When dawn finally broke, Christelle still laid in bed. An hour or two past the sun's raising she still laid silently in bed. No man could enter her room without her express permission, so her guards, puzzled, stood outside, waiting.

Madewin finally woke the Princess. "Arise you", she said. "The sun rose hours ago and we have much to do today."

Christelle groaned, but Madewin interpreted it as recognition of her statement. She was still very groggy from her restless sleep. She propped herself up on her bed frame and glared at her friend.

"Get you dressed. Our journey to Edinburgh starts today. We wait on you", said Madewin as she passed through the threshold of the door.

Christelle rubbed her eyes. Her fingertips were still frigid. She looked out her window; the sun was hidden behind clouds that scattered across the sky. Christelle inhaled a gasp of cold air. It was late autumn in Scotland. The Princess picked herself up and stood on the cold ground. In that moment, standing in her room at Inverness castle, she felt more foreign in this new land than ever before.

Christelle approached the heavy wooden trunk she had brought with her from London; Madewin has brought a similar one. From the trunk she pulled out a thick woolen cloak. It was dyed brown and bore a gold brooch. In addition to the cloak, she put on her green-gold dress and left the room, instructing her guards to bring her effects.

After descending the stairs and entering the great hall, the Princess found King Malcolm, Stéaphan, and the other knights from her unit. They spoke to each other in low voices as to not alert anyone else of their dealings; it was, after all, a covert mission they were embarking on. She silently approached the gathering and curtsied to the king and spoke saying, "Good morn, your Majesty." Upon seeing her arrival, Stéaphan and the knights bowed to the Princess.

"I am glad you've woken, Princess. Today marks the first step on a proud journey of peace between our nations. May it ever last", said the king.

The other men present repeated the phrase "May it ever last" in unison, showing respect for the bold diplomatic action. The king pulled a piece of parchment from his cloak, turned to Stéaphan and spoke again:

"This, Captain, is your letter of marque. Present this to my son, Prince Edward, upon your arrival at Edinburgh and you will not be executed for dealing with Englishfolk."

"Aye, my king", responded Stéaphan as he accepted the letter.

The great hall door opened and sunlight flooded the room. Meriadoc stood in the doorway, then approached the others. He saluted the king and spoke to Stéaphan.