Episode SIX

Then she gently cleans Lillianne’s blood-stained face, “…I must say Lillianne, you are very brave for what happened. I assume, you floated down the river from the bridge up that way.”

“Thank you. You can call me Lilly. And yes, we were on the road coming from Thirsk, going towards Pontefract. We were going home. Where are we?” Lillianne replies with a weak smile.

“We’re in Yorkshire, between the Rivers Wharfe and Aire. A little north of Leeds, so not quite at Pontefract yet. Is that where you and your father live, in Pontefract?” Ellie asks trying to learn more about them.

Shaking her head then to answer Ellie’s question, “No, we live in Lincoln, we were going to spend the night in Pontefract. We were visiting my intended that I am betrothed to, Albert…” she mumbles quietly then, “…even though I fancy Arthur, his cousin.”

“Betrothed? But you’re only, what, nine?” Questions Ellie.

“Eight.” Lilly responds while picking up a stick and throwing it in the water, “But it’s okay…it’s my duty.” She lets out a choked-up sigh as she looks back at her father once again.

Elouise takes her in an embrace and says, “It’s okay to cry, when there’s too much on your mind. The clouds rain too when they get heavy.”

Lilly smiles and nods in understanding.

They both walk in silence for some time, picking up and carrying the luggage and boxes alike. As time passes, Ellie starts a small campfire to warm Lilly. After Elouise sits Lillianne down next to the fire and kneels to her height she says, “You can always speak your mind and say something if you are unhappy about the situation.” She holds her hand and looks her in the eye with a reassuring smile as they got into the conversation again about her betrothal.

Lillianne droops her head and shakes it, “I can’t, mother and father says it must happen, and mother always gets her way.” She lets out a big sigh and a sniffle.  Looking behind next to the luggage she again watches her father. “When will he wake up?”

“Well, I’m not sure, but when we get back to…wait…” She pauses her sentence thinking back to what Lilly said earlier, “…You said you were going to spend the night in Pontefract? You were out here all night?”

Rubbing her eyes and wiping her nose, “Yes ma’am. I was scared and cold. Thank you for your help by the way. I’ve forgotten my manners.”

Ellie sits next to Lilly and comforts her in a hug, “It’s quite okay sweetheart, I’ve forgotten my manners in stressful situations too.” She gently kisses her head quickly as she hears approaching whinnying, “Ah, they’re finally here, let’s go greet them.”

Five horses all with riders and two donkeys, pulling a much larger cart than what Ellie said, are trotting to a stop in front of them. “Lillianne Ruthann…” Elouise states, “These are all my children, you know Joseph, who’ve you’ve already met. Then there’s Lenora, Alfred, Luke, Henry, and…” She pauses and looks at Henry, “Where’s Winifred?”

“Oh, she stayed behind to start butchering the stag and start dinner for everyone.” Henry responds.

Alfred includes, “And to ready the guest room with all the medical stuff you might need. Joey was a little vague on the details of the wound.”

All the children finish tying the reins to trees, now all wave to Lillianne as Ellie introduces her, “Everyone this is Lillianne, her father is badly hurt and their luggage was scattered during a bandit attack, we’ve managed to bring all found luggage and boxes here…” She motions behind her, “…start packing it all on the cart leaving room near the front…” Elouise stops Henry and Joseph from walking towards the pile, “…except you two. Help me carry Lilly’s father onto the cart. Lilly…sweetheart…just stay by the fire, it’ll start to become cold as the sun sets and you’re still damp.”

Lilly nods and continues to thank everyone each time they pass her. With the white-haired man loaded onto the full cart, Ellie finds a small spot for Lilly to sit on the cart next to her father. “Luke sweetie, I’ll need you to ride on either Myrtle or Agnes, make sure they pull the cart evenly and try not to have them go over any bumps, Lilly’s father is hurt really bad. Your brother will ride your sweet girl Minnie okay,” She helps him to dismount Minnie and places him on Myrtle.

Luke shyly turns around and says “Hi.” to Lilly who returns the gesture with a nod and a smile.

As everyone starts to head towards the homestead, Henry leading the pack on Jack; followed by Alfred on Minnie; the cart with Luke; Joseph on Gigi; Lenora on Lilia; lastly Elouise in the back on Peter. She looks back at the bloody spot where Lilly’s father laid. She’s worried about him surviving because of the loss of blood.

            Later in the evening they all finally arrive at the family homestead. Smoke billowing up from the many chimneys. Lilly is woken up gently by Elouise and ushered into the house by Lenora.

“Winnie!” Exclaims Elouise.

Winifred opens the kitchen window and peaks her head out, “Yes Mama?”

“Please see to it that Lillianne is given a hot bath before dinner and give her some clean undergarments from the laundry you’ve done today. Nora has gone upstairs to grab one of her night gowns for her.” Ellie commands kindly, “And thank you for staying behind to ready everything, I need to dress his wound before…”

“Bill.” Utters Luke, interrupting Elouise mid-sentence.

Ellie looks at him with a confused look, “What?”

Luke shyly continues, “Her father’s name is Bill.”

“Oh…” she walks over and kneels down to his level, “…okay sweetie, thank you. Did you and Lilly have a nice chat? I saw you turning around on Myrtle several times to talk with Lilly.” Fixing his messy hair, he nods while Ellie continues, “I’m glad you’re chatty today. I’ve missed hearing your voice.” Kissing him gently on the cheek, “Go wash up, everyone else can finish up out here, alright Love?”