The Innocent

marriage, had sent for her. I must not judge Isleen by that one visit, Elf chided herself silently. Still, they could have surely afforded the expense of a physician. Yet she loves my brother, and has taken good care of him. It must break her heart that God has not blessed them with sons and daughters. I must greet her as my sister, and as if it were the first time we met. I will love her because she loves Dickon. Has not our dear Lord said we must love one another as we love Him?

'You have not yet taken your vows?' Saer de Bude spoke again. 'Do you really wish to be a nun, and do you never consider the joys of marriage, lady?'

'I have never wanted to be anything but a nun,' Elf answered him honestly. 'I bless the day my brother brought me to St. Frideswide's, although at the time, I was frightened, and confused. I had just lost my mother and never knew my sire, you see. All I had were Dickon and my old nurse, Ida. The nuns, however, mothered me and taught me. And one day I realized how happy I was in their company, how happy I was that I should join their ranks and have the privilege of serving God forever.'

'I can understand,' he told her. 'I always wanted to be a knight, and fight in the king’s service. I am happiest when doing it.'

They rode on in silence for a time.

'Do you think you could go a bit faster?' he finally asked her.

'I think so,' Elf responded, 'but if I become frightened, will you stop, sir?'

'Aye.' He grunted, and kicked his own animal into a gentle canter.

The mare followed, with Elf leaning forward just slightly into the faster gait. She was quite surprised that she could do it, for she had only cantered a few times, but it was not unpleasant at all. She could feel a light wind on her face, and there was a freedom about it that was positively exhilarating. Sister Cuthbert was always teasing Elf that joy was not forbidden within the order, for Elf had a great tendency to be quite serious. Finally after a time she began to grow tired and called to him to stop.

'Forgive me, lady, you are so quiet I almost forgot you are here. Of course you will want to stop and rest a bit. It is not far once we begin to ride again. Let me help you down.' Reaching up Saer de Bude lifted Elf from her saddle, setting her upon the ground. 'There is a stream just down the slope there. Would you like a drink?'

'No, thank you,' Elf said. 'I only wish to stretch my legs a moment before we travel onward.' She looked about her. 'Are we on Ashlin land? It has been many years, but it does seem familiar.'

'Indeed, lady, your memory is a good one. Aye, we are on your brother’s lands. We have just about two more miles to go, and you will be home again.' Then he smiled toothily at her.

He made her uncomfortable, Elf thought. Was it because he was a man and she was not used to men; or was it something particular to him? She glanced casually at him. He was a pleasant enough looking man. Stocky, of medium height with gold hair and dark eyes. His face was just slightly pockmarked, but not enough to spoil his good looks. His round face was edged with a beard and mustache that connected about his mouth. The beard was barbered and short. He was well dressed, but not ostentatiously so, in medium brown and green garments, and Elf noted that his boots, though well used, were of the best leather.

Saer de Bude drank from a small flask he carried. Wiping his mouth with his hand, he went off into the bushes, and she blushed to hear him relieving himself. When he returned, he said, 'If you are certain you want nothing to drink, then let us be on our way again.'

Elf nodded in the negative. She was thirsty, but terrified to drink anything lest she should have to pee. How could she while in the company of this man? 'Let us go, sir,' she said. 'I am as anxious as you to reach Ashlin.' Then she looked past his shoulder as his hands lifted her up into the saddle again. 'Thank you, sir,' she told him. 'I am well settled now.'

He gave her a curt acknowledgment and after climbing upon his own horse, led her off again. Finally they came through a dense wood, and on the hill beyond, Elf saw her childhood home, the small stone manor house lit by the late afternoon sun. Her heart stirred within her, and unaware of her actions, she kicked the little mare into a gallop, racing across a meadow, scattering the sheep as she went. Her companion, startled at first, followed after her, rather surprised by the little nun’s show of enthusiasm. He hadn't expected it in one so meek and mild. He chuckled. The next few days would certainly prove interesting indeed. He wondered if this bit of spirit was unusual, or if beneath her mouse gray robes, and prim little white wimple, Eleanore de Montfort was perhaps intelligent and lively. Isleen was not expecting that, nor would she like it one bit, but his cousin, he knew, would wait to see the lay of the land before making any move. What had begun as a simple mission to bring Richard de Montfort’s sister from her convent was now appearing to become a most fascinating and intriguing matter. Saer de Bude chuckled again.

Chapter 2

A young serf helped Elf from her mount. 'Welcome home, lady,' he said. She did not recognize him at first, but thanked him. 'Please see the mare is treated kindly,' she told the boy. 'She is the abbess’s personal mount, and must be returned to St. Frideswide’s in two days' time.'

He nodded. 'I shall care for her myself, lady. I am Arthur, Ida’s grandson. I did not expect you to remember me.'

'But I do!' Elf exclaimed. 'We played together as children, and when my mother died you brought me daisies you had picked in the meadow. You cried when I went away. I remember you standing by your grandmother’s side, sniffling, and wiping your eyes with your sleeve. May God bless you, Arthur, and always keep you from harm.'

Arthur nodded his head in acknowledgment, a smile on his face, and then he led the mare away toward the stables.

Saer de Bude cantered in through the gates of the manor then, and called out to Elf, 'Lady, wait, and I will escort you to your brother.' He slid from his horse. Grabbing Arthur by the neck of his smock, he said, 'Here, lad, take my horse with you, too.'

'You are kind, sir, but I remember my way,' Elf called to her escort.

'Lady,' he said, walking over and taking a firm grip on her arm. 'I was sent to bring you to Ashlin, and I would not be doing my duty in full if I did not escort you directly to my cousin and your brother.' He led her into the house and to the manor hall. 'Cousin, I have returned!'

Isleen de Montfort turned quickly, a smile upon her face. Then she hurried forward. 'Welcome home to Ashlin, my dear Eleanore,' she purred. 'I am so sorry your visit must be a sad one.'

It suddenly crossed Elf’s mind to say that her sister-in-law might have asked her sooner, and in happier times, but she pushed the uncharitable thought away. Holding out her hands, she went to Isleen and kissed her on both cheeks. 'May God bless you for calling me, Isleen. Your cousin has told me how devoted your care of Dickon has been, but now I am here, and I shall help you. Where is my brother?'

'He is there.' Isleen pointed to the cot that was set by the fireplace. 'He sleeps now, but he will awaken when you call him. I shall leave you alone for your reunion. Come, cousin. You must escort me while I walk about my gardens and take the air.'

Elf did not even notice her sister-in-law and the knight depart. She was staring, horrified, at her brother as he slept. Richard was practically a skeleton, and his skin tone was an unhealthy yellow gray. He had been a handsome man, but now his cheeks were sunken, his nose prominent, and his cheekbones quite visible. The skin was stretched tightly over his skull, and his once fine russet hair was so thin he was almost bald in places. Elf knelt by her brother’s cot, her eyes tear-filled. 'Dickon,' she said softly to him. 'Dickon, I have come home to make you well again.'

Richard de Montfort’s gray eyes opened slowly. A bony hand gripped her