Willow's Legend - Original Version

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

A few minutes after Willow settled into bed, a knock came at the door. Willow was a little startled, not quite knowing what to do in this situation; living with two crazy little sisters you weren’t used to people knocking. “Come in?” She replied to the closed door hesitantly.

                A little head peeked from the other side of the door and it took a moment for Willow to realize it was a maid. It made Willow almost feel guilty, she looked so young, maybe sixteen or fifteen.

                "Hello, Ms. Glasspiers. My name is Lucia, I'll be taking care of you." She gave a little curtsy and walked in, looking at her for permission. Seeming to understand Willow was not used to these types of situations where so a young person was so courteous, Lucia smiled, "I know the bedroom is quite lonely looking. They give the Willows the largest, most empty rooms. For some reason they believe that giving you poor girls bedrooms like this might make you feel like royalty."

                Willow frowned, not understanding a single word Lucia had said, but, she didn’t mention anything, just smiled when Lucia looked over at her.

                She looked at Willow for a moment, then perked up in surprise, “Oh! I am sorry to have interrupted your rest, I am just going to start a fire and be right off.”

                Willow shook her head, “You don’t have to do that, I am not cold.”

                “Ma’am, I must insist.” Lucia replied, she wasn’t looking at Willow though, she was already grabbing the massive chunks of wood and throwing it on the spit.

                Lucia had such a small, childlike form, her thin blonde hair was escaping in few loose strands from her bun and she was breathing so heavily from carrying the wood that Willow felt a strong kick of pity inside her chest.

                "Do you need any help?" She asked, not waiting for an answer and just climbing out of the bed.

                Lucia shook her head immediately, not daring to look Willow in the eyes, "Oh no, Ms. Glassp-"

                "Call me Willow,” Willow replied, tired of people calling her by her last name.

                "Willow, you need some rest, ma’am. So many big decisions tomorrow." Lucia said, gesturing to the bed. “And I would get in big trouble if they caught you tiring yourself out for me.”

                “Then it’ll be our secret.” Willow said, smiling slightly as she grabbed the log.

                She grabbed the log off the pile, lifted it about two inches, but dropping it almost right away,     “Ouf! Dear God, this thing is heavy!” She whispered, hoping Lucia had not seen that embarrassing moment of weakness. She ended up half carrying, half dragging the log in the fireplace. By the time she had her one log on top of the other ones, Lucia already six.

                “We’re done!” Lucia said, exhaling loudly.

                "You're welcome…" Although you did all the work, Willow thought silently.

                Lucia easily started the fire as if she had been starting fires her whole life, which she might’ve as Willow thought of it.

                "Alright, I really must let you rest." Lucia got up, wiped her dress off, and started for the door.

                "Lucia?" Willow called, not looking over at her, just staring at the flames that licked the wood and made it turned ashen white.