All The King's Men

All The King's Men-Chapter Nine

Amelia stood on the stool and waited impatiently as the seamstress walked around her, holding her chin as she studied the gown. After watching the woman circle around for the third time, Amelia groaned, "You have done well, seamstress. Thank you." She stepped off the stool, and looked at herself in the full length mirror. 

After three days of waiting for her things to arrive from the Country Castle, she had been told by the Queen's Seamstress that none of her gowns were fit for court. So she had to wait another five days for gowns to be made for her. This one was light blue, with white lace trim around the bottom of the skirt, and sleeve cuffs, as well as the collar.

She watched the seamstress leave her chamber, and rolled her eyes to Agnes and Megan who giggled. She sat on a chair in front of her vanity mirror, and allowed Megan to fix her hair, and place her crown on her head. "Have you seen Lucas this day?" Amelia asked Megan. 

Megan shook her had, "Nay, your highness, though I have had word that he is on his way back to the palace." 

"He had been gone for five days," Amelia complained, "I wish he would have take me with him." She stood and wandered to the balcony, "I do not like being inside, with guards barring me from leaving my chamber." 

"It is the safest place for you, when Sir Lucas is not here." Agnes reminded her. 

Amelia smiled at the young girl. "Aye, I know, but the reports that John and Micah have brought me from the village are not good. My people need me to be out there, getting them food..." She let her voice trail off as she stepped outside. The sun was setting, and the sky was filled with black clouds promising rain. She leaned her elbows on the balcony's low wall, and sighed. "Where have John and Micah gone to this time?" 

"They went to the village." Megan replied, "Probably visiting that brothel again." 

Amelia laughed, "They should be here, keeping me from dying of boredom." She groaned, "At least, with me in locked in my chamber, my maids-of-honor cannot bother me. I can lock them out." 

"The twins do not seem so bad." Megan stepped out onto the balcony behind her, "I believe they are too busy preparing their dance for your welcome home feast tomorrow evening." 

"We are to have a feast, while the rest of the kingdom starves." 

"Take heart." Megan patted her arm. "I have heard that the King has ordered the entire Kingdom to celebrate your return. He is allowing hunting in his forests for the morrow." 

The chamber door burst open. Micah and John entered, "Ame." Micah called. 

"Here." Amelia stepped into the chamber, she saw fear in their expressions, "What is it?" 

"Sir Robin has rebuilt the gallows in the village, and is about to hang that boy you saved, along with the boys mother, and several others." Micah told her.

Amelia gasped. "Nay, this will not happen." She covered her face with her hands, "What can I do?" She searched around her room, as if for an answer. Her gaze landed on her bow and quiver laying against the wall in the corner of the room. She had not touched it since coming to the palace. 

She grabbed the quiver and slid it over her shoulders, then picked up the long bow, and turned to her friends. They nodded to her, and followed her out the door. The guards at the door were startled when she rushed past them, and followed. 

"Your highness, you must not leave your chamber." 

Amelia ignored them and lifted the front of her gown with her free hand as she raced through the hallways of the palace. She was out of breath, and panting by the time she reached the time square.