Heart of Rose

The Fight

Chapter 6

 

She was running through the woods as fast as she could, running from her past, running from everything dreadful in her life, when all of a sudden, Gideon appears out of nowhere. He’s just standing there, smiling at her with the most mesmerizing smile she had ever seen, when all of a sudden, this fire overtook him. Finally, he took a step towards her and as much as she wanted to keep running, she stepped towards him instead of running away. It was as if the heat beckoned to her. At last, he stopped in front of her and as if reading her mind, and knowing her wishes, he reached out to her, pulling her into his arms and that’s when it all went black.

 

Rose woke up, sweating and panting from her dream. She was in shock—it had felt so real. It was as if Gideon was taunting her with that statement about making her feel. She knew the cold too well and had learned to trust it, mold it, and bend it to her will. The cold was her friend in a life full of miserable nothingness and she would be damned if she let him take that away.

 

Rose sighed. What was she thinking? No one can will dream on another, granted she had an unusual power most had never heard or even seen, and most would probably run the opposite direction just by hearing about it. Finally bringing herself from her thoughts, she got up from the bed in her new room Marie had shown her to.

 

Marie, that dear old woman, had insisted or more like demanded that she rest for a while before she started her afternoon duties. Breaking her from her thoughts was none other than Marie.

 

"Come child, it is time to start the afternoon duties and when you’re done, you can go watch the men down below in the yard as they train if you would like."

 

"Yes, Marie. That would be lovely to watch a good sparring. It’s just what I have always wanted to do my whole life. You know me so well!" she exclaimed cheerfully.

 

"There is no need for sassing, child. There isn't much else to do around here and it’s a sight better than what you used to watch and shame on you for even taking that for granted!" Marie gave a loud "hmmmph" and stomped over to the bed Rose had just left and began to make it, keeping her hands busy at all times.

 

Rose felt awful. She hadn't even been here a full day and she already was complaining about something she had never done her entire ten years in that hell. She slowly walked over to Marie and gently laid her hand on Marie's. "Marie, I am so sorry. That was terribly rude of me to complain. I would love to watch the men train as long as you would watch with me."

 

"Of course, child. Anyways, I’m good for more than just keeping this place together. I also have quite a good stitch as well and the way some of the younger lads fight these days it is needed."

 

With that said, the both of them walked side by side down to the dining area, scurrying about the castle cleaning and arranging here and there. Rose had caught on quick—she learned long ago that adapting to any situation is what keeps one alive and well fed. Several hours later, as Rose was just finishing up in the main hall Marie came out and gently grabbed her arm.

 

"Come child, it is time for us to watch the men train and pray no one gets hurt."