Willow finished dressing and sighed she was fully rested and her injury was well on its way to being healed having been dosed with more secret healing tonixs her Grandmother had given her, but she was growing restless. A light knock on her door made her smile she walked to the door and opened it Rye stood smiling at her.

“You’ll be leaving tomorrow so I thought you might wish to get outside since you slept a whole day.” He took her hand in his.

“That will be great.” She followed him through the halls heading towards the palace gardens. She smiled as he led her towards the willow tree by the river he sat on the stone bench which had been built strategically for the view he motioned for her to sit she sat and stared up at the cloudless sky, it was the end of spring and the blue hue of the sky was growing lighter with each passing day making Willow smile.

“Are you travelling with us?” she asked hopeful.

Rye frowned and shook his head. “No I have things to do here. Why are you going to miss me?” he teased.

Willow frowned. “Yes.” Rye gasped at her forthright response, Willow stared at him. “Did I say something wrong?” She asked concerned.

“No, your just not usually so serious.” he whispered trying to hide his emotions.

“I’m sorry I just feel slightly out of sorts by all this delay. What if something bad happens to her? She’s all alone I tried to teach her things but I don’t know how much she took in.” Willow suddenly cried worried.

Rye stared at her. “Teach her things, like what?” he asked tilting his head towards her.

Willow let out a pent up sigh. “My sister used to sneak out from the castle and off into the forest to escape I guess. I used to follow her trying to keep her safe she never knew I was there until late one autumn day. She was set upon by some tribal raiders I rescued her in time but she was still an emotional wreck.” Willow stood and stared ahead but saw only the past. “As I led her home her clothes dirty and torn I tried to calm her by just talking of things, like survival techniques, staying calm when being held against your will you know things that help you to get through it. When we returned to the castle my parents where frantic with worry, see I made a mistake I forgot to get her cleaned up so they wouldn’t worry.” Willow trailed off her eyes filling with pain and her body tensing as if awaiting punishment.

Rye stood and pulled her into his arms she struggled briefly until she seemed to realize who held her and she calmed. “I’m your confidant Willow tell me what hurts I will not speak of it with anyone, I never have, have I.” She pulled back and looked at him.

“They thought I had been taking her out into the woods, apparently her absence had been noticed… I lied for her…took all the blame…” she shuddered. “I had beatings in the past but nothing to that it was one of the few times father punished me but it was mother who…” she trailed of. “What will father do this time when he finds out I was lapse in my duty of protecting her!” she was almost frantic startling Rye, he had never seen Willow this upset she was close to hysteria.

Rye hugged her again as her body began shuddering. “Willow, my sweet friend it was not your fault.” He whispered stroking her hair. “He will not punish you.” He stood there holding her his heart wrenched with pain.

King Edward watched silently, he’d been sitting quietly on the other side of the water he shook his head ruefully as he finally understood his squire’s feelings. Though he hadn’t heard what had been said he realised Willow had many bad memories locked up within her. Standing he made his way back to the palace to make the final preparations for the morning.

Fifty mounted men waited in the palace courtyard as King Edward kissed his wife goodbye. Willow donned her fixed helm and pulled her brother’s cloak around her the royal crest gleamed in the light, making her appear to be just another soldier.

“How fares you dear one?” Michael asked from her left startling her. She smiled at him but he stared at her warhorse. “Still sour Odin?” Odin threw his head to the side and took a playful nip at Michael’s brown mare making it shy in fright.

Willow leaned over in her saddle convulsed with laughter as Michael moodily tried to rein in his mount. Willow sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes.

“He didn’t mean it Michael he was just playing besides, you started it.” She winked causing him to avert his face.

King Edward walked his horse over to them stopping before Willow he noticed Michael’s pained expression. “Are you well and ready to move out?”

“Yes and yes. Odin and I where just having a battle of wills, and I sadly Odin won.” Michael added feigning injury.

Edward looked at the warhorse with some surprise. The horse was from good stock he was unique, his body as black as night and his mane and tail the colour of the stars. “Is he not too much for you to manage?”

She gave him a decrepit smile “No your majesty we suite each other perfectly. He tries to bite me occasionally but I have ways of dealing with that behaviour.” She chuckled causing Odin to try to bite her unprotected leg. Swearing she grabbed his ear in a gloved hand and twisted, Odin’s eyes watered and he side stepped stamping his hooves on the cobblestone courtyard.

“I’m warning you Odin continue to push your luck and I’ll rip your ear off.” She growled she released his ear and he flicked it stubbornly. The silence of the courtyard made Willow look up everyone stared at her she grimaced.

Michael burst out laughing startling the group out of their stupor. “Gods they taught you well.”

Movement caught Willow’s eye as she looked over King Edwards shoulder. “Look out!” she cried as she pushed Edward from his mount. The force of the bolt threw her from Odin’s back as it bit deep into her shoulder.

Edward groaned and panted for breath. His men where formed up protectively around him they helped him to his feet keeping him covered with their shields but he was more concerned for Willow. He gasped as he noticed her injured on the ground he tried to rush to her aid but her warhorse barred any attempt with terrifying force.

Michael dismounted and knelt by his sister. “Willow you all right?” he asked his features ashen with shock.

“Yeah fine, but will you remove the bolt please ‘tis rather uncomfortable.” He braced his knee on her chest and pulled she let out a muffled swear word and paled. “Well I wouldn’t suggest for that to become the new way to dismount.” Michael shook his head torn between exasperation and fear.

“Commander Michael,” King Edwards’s concerned voice reached them.

Michael turned, “Odin move aside!” he barked and to his surprise Odin neighed and moved aside as Edward rushed to their side followed by Squire Rye. Rye bound Willow’s wound in silence as the courtyard filled with more soldiers and activity.

“Maybe it would be best that you remain here.” King Edward whispered. Two pairs of almond shaped olive green eyes locked with his he sighed in defeat, “very well.”

“If I can stand I’ll be able to ride,” she groaned as she stood. “I’m going to be bruised for a month, lucky the arrow was only a normal bolt head though painful it was not barbed for added injury and I don’t think it has been coated in poison, lucky me.” She mumbled her companions cringed from the thought they watched as she limped towards Odin she must have landed awkwardly as she put her hands to her side and hip. Odin neighed and the mount uncharacteristically rubbed its face against her in concern she stroked his neck then coughed in embarrassment.

“Don’t get sentimental on me now,” she whispered taking an apple from her pack that he snatched up and munched happily. Willow ever thankful she was as tall as most men mounted with little difficulty but she didn’t completely manage to hid her wince and groan of pain as she leaned in her saddle, she took a steadying breath and sat up ready to leave, the men watched on in admiration for her determination.

King Edward turned as a guard approached him. “The assassin is dead my liege he jumped.” Edward nodded and sent the soldier on his way . Rushing to his distraught wife’s side he bid her return to safety.

His men began to mount awaiting his orders. Approaching Rye who held his horse’s reins he grew sighed this was not how he had wanted to start this journey.

“She’ll be fine Rye,” Rye flinched and looked at the floor. “Find out all you can on the assassin and what his purpose was use every contact you can.” He barked growing angry he hated movement from the tribes and he sure as hell didn’t want another war with Daedal’s forces.

Rye sighed. “Very well my liege. Stay safe.” King Edward nodded and mounted he ordered his group to move out. Looking around for the Alexandra children he spotted them near the head of the column. Edward suddenly smiled he knew exactly what he was going to do to thank Willow for saving his life he was going to knight her.

That night as the group set up camp King Edward waited until everyone settled then stood. “My loyal men before we partake of our food I wish to award a special honour upon one who has proved themselves a valiant warrior and protector of their King.” The soldiers and knights waited expectantly.

“Lady Willow Alexandra, approach.” Willow blushed and walked towards the king. “Take a knee Lady.” The camp filled with gasps. King Edward withdrew his sword and placed the tip on each of her shoulders.

“Do you swear to uphold the laws of my lands, to keep the people and peace safe from harm and to always be loyal to my crown?”

“I swear upon my life an oath.” She replied without hesitation.

“Then I dub thee a knight of my court Dame Willow Alexandra. Arise, Dame.” The camp filled with cheers as Willow stood and took a bow then winced. The mood in camp was charged with joy as they celebrated Willow’s knighthood, the night promised to be filled with joy instead of fear.