Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 27 The Proposal

The hunt was a success, despite the loss of deer meat, the castle was happy to recieve the prized boar. The dead animal was delivered to the kitchens while the men together with Elenis toasted to the success of the Earl. She suspected that Justine had something to do with the earl's conquest but she would not reveal her knowledge.
Eyeing him surreptitiously, hearing Justin wax eloquent over the Earl almost made her choke on her wine but she knew it was necessary for the Earl was a dangerous man. She had sensed his depravity from the first moment of their encounter. Stealing a glance at lady Sarah she noted the lady summon a couple of serving wenches to ply the Earl with wine, one of them even sat on his lap while he slapped her buttocks making the girl shriek with sultry delight.
Not wishing to stay any longer she slowly made her way out of the hall and walked purposely toward the stables hoping to catch her horse and gallop into town for some distraction. Her hope of finding some solitude was dashed the minute Wulfric caught her arm and yanked her to face him.
"I understand if you wanted to escape from such stifling presence but I was hoping you would not do it alone." His voice was firm yet gentle. "I would offer some company" he added with a hint of humor in his countenance.
"I would respectfully decline" she replied. "You have to speak with the lady Sarah at some point why don't you do it now while you have the chance. I doubt she'd fly away again, the shift can be taxing on her body, she will stay in her current form for a while until she gathers enough energy to do otherwise. I suggest you take advantage of it " she suggested amicable, pulling herself free of his grasp as she continued toward the stable.
Not to be dismissed lightly he continued to follow her "but you would be alone and that would not be right" he argued.
"I will be fine Wulfric" she said reassuringly "take my advise and catch the crow before she flees. You have but a handful of chances to be with her. "
"This does not feel right" he replied reluctantly as he helped her mount her horse.
"Trust me" she bade him before turning her steed and leading him out into the courtyard. He watched her leave until he could no longer make her silouhette before he walked back toward the keep.
Justin had watched Elenis leave the hall, his keen eyes taking notice of Fitzwilliam following at heels, he would have followed feeling the need to keep an eye on Elenis when the knight was around but the presence of the Earl had kept him from the task. Just as he was about to motion the wenches to remove the Earl from his presence, Wulfric returned without Elenis. He watched the knight approach lady Sarah which meant he would be free to peruse Elenis as he had wanted.
Nodding to the wenches he saw that they took his queue and started dragging the Earl to the stairs, Sarah not far away but with the knight in pursuit. With everyone distracted he silently left the hall no summoned his squire to fetch his horse..
It was not difficult to follow her trail, she had gone into town and he would find her soon enough. As he journeyed, he recalled their time in the turret when he showed her the way of her power. He suspected its benign state all those years ago when he had come upon her practicing the art of archery. It had hidden beneath her core but despite its dormant state, it had reached out to him. It was a shame that his work had barely been accomplished then, if it had burgeoned under his tutelage such wonders would have been unleashed.
Benevolence had sent her back to him, perhaps Morgana had been right in claiming that it she would seek him in time. Such was the energy that linked them together, and now that he had her back, there was no returning to what her life had been for it was clear she had come full circle into her final destination. There was only one bump on the road .
Upon reaching his destination he looked about him searching for where she could be, her energy was palpable. Ignoring his subjects he guided his horse and was stunned to find her charging toward the well.
Dismounting with speed he charged after her seeing that she was reaching into the well, he caught her before she fell into it both of them dropping to the ground with a sudden force. Despite the screams and gasps from the onlookers his attention was completely fixed to Elenis who was catching her breath.
"I saw him, he fell into the well!" She exclaimed with dread.
"Who did you see?" Justin asked holding on tightly to her slight form but Elenis continued to struggle in his arms.
"The the boy, he fell into the well." She was panting trying to recover from the shock of what she had just witnessed. " I tried to save him but ...." She shook her head in defeat.
He saw her distress and realized that she had a vision. The crowd that gathered around them had witnessed her distress, concern was written on their faces. Waving them away he helped her to her feet.  He ordered the crowd to disperse and motioned for his horse. After helping her to mount he sat behind her and galloped away from the town.