Singing Hearts

Chapter 3: Cut the Knot

Edorta had done this a hundred times.

“Milady, there is nothing to worry. Do not worry, your dearest has gone to pasture. Gorges can simply ask one of the stable boys to lure her in with a carrot or sugar lump."

        Edorta gripped the sheets in white knuckled fingers, repeating her assurances. Adwan thrashed against her, kicking her several times, but Edorta squeezed the silent tears from her eyes and held on. After grueling minutes of jerking and bouncing as Adwan fought, Edorta let go as an exhausted Adwan fell asleep. 

She climbed off the bed, making her way through the room and putting out the candles before opening the door and stepping into the lit stair landing knowing that when Adwan woke, she would be lucid, and would ring for her. She made her way to Gorgos’ room, knocking softly.

        “Come in! Come in!” he shouted. Opening the door cautiously, Edorta was greeted by his booming voice. “Edorta! What a nice surprise!”

        “Milord, I did not mean to disturb you-”

        “Not at all!” Gorgos boomed. “It is never a bother to be visited by such a young and beautiful maiden such as yourself!” Edorta’s face flushed bright red, cheeks burning. “I jest, I jest!” Gorgos was a jolly man, with a big pot belly and a sense of humor just as large. He did not weird swords or boast incredible wit like many of the other nobles, but he was kind and well respected among the people of his lands.

        “Yes, of course, Lord Gorgos, but I actually came to ask you- well there was a knight named Timon that helped me with Lady Adwan, and-” 

        Gorgos’ face darkened.

        “Edorta, whatever you are asking of Sir Timon is impossible,” he rumbled, voice taking the dark undertones of a stormy day.

        “But why is that, milord?” she asked, unfazed.

        “King Tyrus has bid all the knights muster at the kingdom borders. The people of our neighboring kingdoms have, for one reason or another, declared war. Sir Timon and his fellows depart at dawn.” Edorta nodded in understanding, gaze falling to the floor.

        “I shall see them off,” she decided, “and upon their return, I will again request Sir Timon’s assistance.” She left, easing the door shut behind her. Despite herself, Edorta felt a pang of sadness at the thought she would lose her recent companion.

        After being ordered out, Timon wandered the halls at random for some time. After circling the entire manor house twice, he decided to see if Edorta had returned to her usual duties. With determined steps, he stalked toward the kitchen. His thoughts raced, the parchment that had been left under his door this morning after he had left with Edorta, to be discovered only when he had returned a few minutes prior to his decision to search for Edorta. 

        I will ask for her hand, if she is not already married. Will you ask for your father’s blessing? Silence. You ask too much of him, you are a disgrace to him you bastard child. If she knew... As Timon passed under an arch and into the dining room, a shout caught his attention.

        “Timon! Sir Timon!” 

Timon whirled to find himself face to face with-

        “Edorta?” He breathed.

        “Yes?” She asked, annoyed.

        “I was coming to find you, I-”

        “When did you plan on telling me you were leaving?” She demanded, poking his chest. Catching her finger in his palm, Timon frowned.

        “You walk and speak like a man,” he grumbled, “no other woman would dare act as you do.”

        “Other women don’t wrestle with the Lady Adwan,” she retorted. Timon fell silent. 

“I don’t know who you think you are, and if you think you can get away with anything because you’re related to Lo-” Timon covered her mouth with his hand, scooped her up, and carried her back to Adwan’s stairwell.

        “So you’ve got me cornered,” he murmured. “Don’t tell anyone else, or a swear-”

        “You’ll what?” Edorta interrupted. “Don’t threaten me; I’m a bigger worm in Gorgos’ ear than you!” 

Timon didn’t deny it, averting his gaze.

        “I didn’t know I was leaving until just before I came to find you,” He told her quietly. Edorta’s features softened.

        “My apologies, Sir Timon, I was mistaken. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” She lifted her skirts and dipped into a quick curtsy, preparing to leave.

        “Wait,” Timon wrapped his arms around Edorta as she backed up. “Before I go, I must know if your hand has been promised to another.”

        “If my parents did make such a promise, they died before they had chance to tell me of it, nor has anyone stepped forward to claim me,” she answered curtly.

        “Edorta, if your hand has not already been given, might I have it?” One of Timon’s hands trailed down to her waist, cupped the small of her back and pulled her still closer. “Perhaps you have only just met me, but I have watched you for an eternity,” he breathed, leaning in, “and you are beautiful.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, a sweet kiss.

        “Sir Knight,” Edorta said her voice barely above a whisper. “I cannot be given as a wife like another woman; I have lived too long in the world of men to easily become an obedient wife. Perhaps it is simply not-”

        “If-” Timon’s voice cracked for a moment. “If you cannot be my betrothed, what could you ever-”

        “Your lover,” Edorta breathed, tangling her fingers in his hair and rising to her tiptoes to brush her lips against his. Timon’s heart seemed to have developed a wish to break from his chest. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. 

“Even without any wedding vows, we can still have our own happily ever after, Sir Knight.”