The Guardian by Diana Knightley
Sixty-two - Kaitlyn
Iwalked into the infirmary to pick up Magnus. He was undergoing his last check before he was allowed to leave, something that had been a point of contention for many days.
Fraoch was up in a wheelchair, still very weak, but growing stronger. Hayley sat beside him holding a skein of yarn while he was attempting to knit a pair of hilariously big socks, but he complained of headaches. “They cause me tae lose m’countin’.”
I asked, “Who are the socks for, Bigfoot?”
“Nae, they are for Magnus, because he has big feet.”
He held up the socks that were more in the shape of a hat, or possibly a dog’s sleeping bag. We all laughed a little, but it was good natured, and I truly imagined that once given them, Magnus would wear them everywhere, possibly with garters.
I said to Magnus, “You ready, love of my life?”
“Tae leave this godforsaken hospital, och aye.” He stood from sitting on the edge of the bed. He was dressed in his uniform, his medals upon his chest, his hair trimmed and cleaned, healthy curls springing around his strong jawline, his color returned, and whoa nelly, his virility. I really liked the way he looked in that coat. He straightened it, smoothing the front and said, “Ye look verra beautiful.”
I was wearing a long blue filmy dress, sort of a tea dress, with heels, which I was out of practice wearing, but I liked being in them. I was taller, more impressive, and more importantly, I felt pretty, clean and fresh, civilized, in my makeup and perfume. “I was told to look like a queen.”
“I hae seen a queen — hae ye seen Elizabeth I? I daena think ye look like a queen, ye look like a beauty.”
“Well, that is a lovely thing to say.” I kissed him.
“Tis time tae see the people.” To Fraoch he said, “Master Fraoch, I am released from this dungeon, I will send back messages and food.”
Fraoch weakly said, “I want the food, I am famished. They daena feed us well enough in here.”
Hayley said, “They feed you plenty. You had a huge lunch just moments ago.”
“Och then why is m’stomach so empty? If tis meant tae be filling there is nae enough cheese in it.”
Magnus said, “This is true, but ye will only be here for another week, Fraoch. Twill nae be that hard.”
“I will be a shell of a human, all that will be left of me is a ball of yarn and a skeleton.” He stuck his tongue out and pretended to slump over in his chair.
Hayley batted him on the arm.
Hand in hand Magnus and I left the infirmary for the castle halls.
The workers and staff of the castle lined the hallways to see him. He shook hands with every person there and asked them about their health and their work. He listened to stories about the battle against Sir Padraig, and about their work restoring Riaghalbane. General Hammond and Colonel Quentin followed along behind us, Hammond introducing the staff to Magnus, and whispering reminders.
Magnus, more than once, said, “I thank ye for yer service tae the crown, Master…” To be reminded of the soldier’s name. “I ken I had forgotten, but ye must forgive me, the hospital stay has caused me tae hae a foggy mind.”
And they did forgive him. You could see it in their faces as one by one they were addressed by the king, and then the queen of Riaghalbane. It was my job to say, “It is wonderful to see you again,” and, “It is my pleasure,” and, “How have you fared since the war?” and after hearing one tragic story from a widow of a fallen hero, “My deepest condolences, would you come to see me tomorrow afternoon? I would like to hear the full story of his heroism.”
It took us a few hours to get through the entire receiving line, and though Magnus looked tired it was the tired of having been bedridden for a time and not the tired of a poor heart.
It was like a breath of fresh air filling my lungs and giving me the energy to carry on.