1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Thirty-six

Linda sat there on the floor, her head resting on the edge of the bed, reading. She was in her parents room, and she was very aware of her mother looming above her, looking over Linda's shoulder. She shot her mother a playful look, closing her book shut. Caralinda rolled her eyes and slumped back on the bed, continuing to weave her tapestry. Vaisey was away on a business trip, leaving the two women alone. Not that they minded.

It was dark outside... and stormy. Linda liked the sound of rain; it was calming and light, not heavy and fearsome like—

Crash! From outside, thunder boomed, and lighting cracked. With a shriek, the 12-year-old girl climbed up from the bottom of the bed, hiding underneath the covers. Caralinda chuckled lightly in amusement.

"My little flower," she soothed. "Why does the thunder frighten you so?"

Linda shuddered and snuggled close to her mother. "I fear that God's wrath will come to harm us," she whispered. "No, even worse: I fear that is the hand of Prince John... just waiting to bring us down. Waiting to find out..." Her voice became quieter.

Caralinda sighed and removed the covers, revealing Linda's head. The girl looked up at the women with fear. Caralinda smiled softly at her child. She removed a price of hair from Linda's face and kissed her temple.

"My dear child," she said gently. "That man is nothing more than an oaf and a buffoon. I will never come to understand why people claim to love him."

"Because they are afraid. Like me. I am afraid of the sounds outside." Linda huffed. "But I don't want to be afraid. I want to be fearless and tough like you, Mother."

Caralinda smiled. "Do not fret, my child, for we are not all unbreakable. We can all break like glass. Give us a reason to tip over even the slightest, and we crash and shatter." The woman held her daughter close, the girl relaxing in her mother's loving embrace.

Just close your eyes,

The sun is going down.

You'll be alright,

No one can hurt you now.

Come morning light,

You and I'll be safe and sound.

Oooh. Oooh. Oooh. Oooh.

La la (la la)

La la (la la)

Safe and sound.

Caralinda's voice was smooth and sweet, instantly calming little Linda. With a yawn, she snuggled close to her mother. Caralinda smiled and pressed a kiss on Linda's forehead. But the girl didn't feel it, she was already fast asleep.

******

Linda woke up to the loud "boom" outside. Jumping, she whipped her head around.

Thunder. Not surprising.

Groaning, she ran a palm down her face. Why was it now that her fear of thunder and lightning had to come back? Before, she got over it. Now it was here again. Maybe it had something to do with both her parents being dead.

With a sigh, she hopped out of bed and exited the room. Linda wandered around mindlessly, not really knowing where to go. She could still hear the rain from outside, and for once she felt calmed. She liked rain. She could deal with that.

Talking a turn, she suddenly stopped. It was the right door, but could she go inside? Maybe in the past, but now? Would it be too awkward? No, she decided. At least it shouldn't be. So with shaking hands, Linda quietly opened the door and stepped inside the bedroom, grinning when she saw him sleeping peacefully underneath the covers. She could've watched him all night if she wanted to. She—