Heroes Live Forever (Knights in Time) (21 page)

"I'm sorry. Look, I promise we'll go wherever you want in the summer." Elinor returned to sorting the clothes.

"Nora, does this have anything to do with what happened a few months ago?"

The directness of the question sent Elinor into a mental tailspin. On occasion, over the last couple of months, Lucy asked if everything was all right. She never solicited more than Elinor’s sketchy information supplied.

Elinor mustered as much passivity as possible before she answered. She wanted to extinguish Lucy’s interest. The emotional topic wasn’t open for discussion, not yet, maybe not ever. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Istanbul has a special meaning for me. That’s the only reason.”

"You really are a god-awful liar. I know something happened last fall. It changed you. There's a terrible sadness in you now that wasn't there before. I didn’t want to press you. I stayed quiet and hoped you’d volunteer. But you haven’t and I don’t understand. Why won't you tell me?" Lucy lingered at the door of the closet. "The dark-haired man is involved, isn't he?"

Elinor puttered, adjusting hangers that weren't out of order.

Lucy stepped closer. “The man I saw in the field that day, with you."

The two friends locked eyes, one stare a challenge for the truth, the other recalling a happy memory. Elinor debated what to tell Lucy.

"You saw a ghost.” Pithy and all she intended to say. “Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get out of the closet."

"You don't trust me," Lucy said, sounding offended and wounded as she followed Elinor through the bedroom and down the stairs. "Why? Why not?"

“Please Luce, no more questions.”

“Will you tell me about him someday?”

"Maybe one day, but not now."

A couple of seconds ticked by, Elinor watched Lucy’s expression change from disappointment to acceptance. She didn't protest or argue only grabbed her purse from the end table.

"What are you doing tomorrow? Do we have time for lunch?" Lucy asked, digging in the handbag for her car keys.

"Absolutely. I'm going to take Guardian out for a ride in the morning. Meet me here at noon, and we can eat in the village. I'll pack in the afternoon." Elinor's mood lightened as she discussed the trip and walked Lucy to the door.

****

Typical for Norfolk, the winter day was cold and blustery. A biting wind blew in strong gusts from the channel. The damp chill invaded places normally protected by Elinor's wool jacket. Ominous, black clouds loomed in the distance over the coast. She decided to make it a short ride and headed for the woods on the far side of the road. The wood near her house and the castle were too full of memories, the loss of Basil too fresh.

Elinor rode for an hour surrounded by trees grey and bare, like her broken heart. A loud thunder-clap sounded close. She circled Guardian around and started home, mindful of the slick cushion of wet leaves that blanketed the forest floor. In spite of her caution, Guardian slipped and went down hard on one knee. After several firm tugs on the reins, Elinor managed to raise his head, but he slipped again before he worked his way up. The fall and struggle had him agitated and stressed. Elinor sat quiet and let him snort and blow while he calmed down.

Lightning struck, searing a nearby tree. Elinor jerked, but kept a loose hold on the reins. A frightened Guardian bolted, yanking the reins out of her hands with that first leap. She tried not to let terror override her senses and grasped his mane with one hand. She stretched, leaning far down the side of his neck, struggling to reach one rein and regain control. She’d do what Basil told her and force Guardian to turn. The turbulent movement from his long strides kept the rein just beyond her fingertips.

Elinor braved a glance up. He'd crossed out of the woods, into the flat area, seconds from the road. Panic replaced coherent thought. Desperate, she pushed against the stirrups and lifted completely and precariously out of the saddle to stretch further forward. Only the pressure of her knees and calves kept her astride while she maneuvered.

As it came over the rise and onto the straight patch of empty road, the Range Rover picked up speed. The driver divided his attention between the road and the car radio.

At the edge of the pavement, Guardian came to a sudden halt. The abrupt stop sent Elinor airborne, over his head.

The driver glanced up from the radio. There was no time to slam on the brakes. The impact sent the bags filled with Christmas gifts flying across the cargo area of the Rover.

Lucy couldn't remember a traffic jam this bad on a country road. At least a mile long, it moved at a snail's pace.

The cars inched along for fifteen minutes before she saw the police car ahead. Another five minutes passed before she saw the animal control officer holding a horse by the bridle. In seconds, she recognized Guardian and pulled over onto the embankment. A Range Rover sat fifty yards ahead, the hood dented, the windshield a web of cracked glass. A man Lucy guessed to be the driver rested in the grass being treated by paramedics, talking to an officer.

A second policeman approached and told her to drive on when she got out of the car. "Just tell me, was the rider of that horse involved in the accident?"

Stoic and composed, the officer's professional demeanor betrayed nothing. "Do you know the owner of this horse?"

Lucy nodded.

"Would you come with me please?" She trailed after him firing off questions, which went unanswered.

With the aid of animal control, Lucy got Guardian back to Elinor's and untacked. The police told her not to call Elinor's parents. They'd send someone to notify them. The officer said she could meet the Hawthornes at the hospital.

Lucy wandered around Badger Manor and tried to think what to bring to the hospital beside the usual robe and toiletries. The policeman’s refusal to discuss Elinor’s condition was ominous. How bad was she?

At the door, she spied dozens of cassette tapes. None of the holders listed the songs or artists names. The lack of detail struck her as odd and out of character for Elinor.

She hurried to the hospital and found Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne already there. They hugged her and thanked her for helping, then informed her Elinor was still in surgery. Other than that, no one would offer any opinions. Except for the initial small talk, they all waited in quiet, alone with their thoughts. Every time a nurse walked by, Elinor's mother straightened, her anxious gaze following the staffer only to slump down when they walked on.

"Why do you think hospital waiting rooms are painted green?" Mrs. Hawthorne circled the room as she commented on the décor. "Not just any green, but a green with no name. It's never ivy or sage or even lime green, but some shade they must save just for hospitals." She stopped and stared up at the florescent ceiling lights. “And then there’s the lighting. Have you ever noticed it somehow makes those of us waiting look like we should be admitted?” She circled again, same path, opposite direction.

Neither Lucy, nor Mr. Hawthorne, had an answer for her, assuming she really wanted one. Mrs. Hawthorne sat down.

At last, the surgeon came out and spoke to them. His assessment was brief. He'd done everything possible. However, the internal damage had been tremendous. Elinor's parents tried to question him more. The doctor met each inquiry with an evasive response. He cut them off before they were finished. He ended the conversation by saying she'd be moved to a private room. The staff would be advised her family could stay as long as they liked.

The room was Spartan, even by country hospital standards. Elinor lay motionless. Her skin was paler than the white hospital gown, the back of her hand bruised where they’d inserted IV needles. Lucy stared at the heart monitor, the green blips coming sporadic and slow, logging the inevitable.

She walked down the hall to the water fountain near the exit. The glass doors were shut tight against the black night and the storm's cloud cover that still loomed. As she bent to drink, cool, crisp air filled the corridor. Lucy turned to see if the doors had blown open. Her eyes widened as her throat worked to swallow the mouthful of water.

Basil stood silent.

"I know you,” Lucy blurted, her eyes alight with sudden recognition. “I saw you in the field with her. Nora told me I saw a ghost. I thought she was being sarcastic. I never believed in ghosts.”

Basil smiled. “Neither did I.”

“You...” The words trailed off while she adjusted to his presence and sorted out the meaning in her mind. “...You've come for her."

He gave a small nod.

"She always loved knights," she whispered with a quiver in her voice.

"I know."

Lucy's tears echoed softly off the walls of the empty corridor.

Basil approached. With an upturned palm, he raised a hand towards her cheek in an open gesture she knew was meant to reassure.

"You were her dearest friend. She loved you very much."

She tipped her head, eyes to the ceiling, Lucy blinked hard several times. More composed, she lowered her head and returned his gaze. “Sorry, give me a moment.”

He waited.

When she was certain she could maintain her emotions, she said, “I’m fine.”

He dropped his hand. "It is time."

She studied Basil. He was all she hoped a knight would be. "This will sound strange, but, I kind of envy Nora." Lucy took a deep breath and managed a weak smile. "Don't tell her."

"I won't." Basil gave her a courtly bow, "I take that as a great compliment, Lady Lucille."

****

Basil's kiss warmed Elinor's lips. Her eyelashes fluttered open and he lifted her into tight embrace. "You came."

The color high in his cheeks emphasized the flash of white teeth as he smiled. "You're the keeper of my heart, how could I not?"

Dressed the same as the last time she'd seen him, the polished pommel of his sword and shiny mail reflected the light. Understanding without regret filled her. Elinor's fingers slid over the fine material of the bronze silk dress she wore in her dream.
Now, the dream comes true.

Basil rose and waited at the door, resplendent in his medieval armor. Elinor whispered good bye to her parents. “Don’t be sad. I'm not alone, and I'm happy.”

Mrs. Hawthorne sat on the edge of the bed and took Elinor's hand and kissed her forehead as the monitor flat lined. "My baby's gone."

Her father went to the window. His back to the others, the former Royal Marine's shoulders shook with the stout man's quiet tears.

Lucy watched as the magnificent knight led her friend away. The bruises gone, Elinor glowed. Her complexion was flushed with a healthy pink color. Her eyes bright with new life, she never looked more beautiful. The fine gold netting on the dress sparkled as she turned and waved, the dark knight holding her close. Lucy smiled and waved back as they faded from view.

Outside, Elinor ran to greet Guy who had waited with Thor and Saladin. He opened his arms wide and pulled her up in a strong embrace. The beloved charmer of Edward’s court bent her backwards, "Milady." Mischief and light danced in his eyes as his lips came within an inch of hers.

"That will be quite enough." Basil expertly extricated Elinor from Guy's grasp. "What do you think you're doing?"

"What? I'm merely showing our lovely Elinor how happy I am to see her," Guy's brows rose in mock innocence, "how much I have missed her." He gave Elinor a flirtatious wink and a rakish grin.

Basil snorted as he lifted her onto Saladin's back and mounted. "Shall we go?"

Elinor shifted in the saddle and turning her head, stretched so her lips touched his. She savored their firm fullness and the heat of his kiss. A lock of his hair fell forward tickling her nose. She wrapped the inky strand over her finger and sniffed it, "Your hair does smell like chamomile, so clean. I dreamt it did."