𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter eight; An Adventure After Sickness
" Love does not have any restrictions, not even time. "

  ELSPETH HAD READ over the short note Sebastian had left her nearly ten times in the past few days. It was nothing of particular importance, a simple explanation of why he'd be absent and a promise to spend time together when he returned.

  But it meant the world to Elspeth.

  "Do you bring that everywhere?" Demetre questioned, pointing to the note resting on a cupboard beside Elspeth's easel.

  "Oh, shut it," Elspeth sighed, stepping back from her painting briefly, "He took the time to write a note for me, instead of letting someone tell me— that means something."

  "Sure," Demetre nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Suppose you painting him means something as well."

  Elspeth's face went hot at this comment, the girl dunking her brush in water and turning to the man with her arms crossed.

  "If you're going to be rude, you may leave."

  "Actually, I'm quite comfortable here—"

  Elspeth angrily grabbed a paintbrush, still coated in deep blue, ready to paint on a living canvas for the first time, until the door of the room pushed open urgently.

  "Oh, hello."

  A nervous castle worker took a deep breath before speaking.

  "Lady Elspeth, Queen Mary requested you meet her urgently— Sebastian is hurt—"

  Blue paint splattered like stars in the sky as the brush hit the ground. It dotted Elspeth's dress as Demetre stood quickly, but nobody seemed to notice as they rushed from the room past the kind girl, who stood in the wake of her nerves.

↬

  "Is Sebastian okay?" Elspeth questioned hurriedly, not quite caring as she burst into the room full of royals.

  "I should have that girl fired," Catherine angrily mumbled, "Worrying Elspeth like this—"

  "Is he okay?" Elspeth reiterated louder, taking everyone by surprise.

  "Elle," Mary gently interrupted, holding her arms open.

  And that was all that needed to be said.

  Elspeth quickly embraced her friend, holding tightly to the only semblance of comfort she could have now.

  He might not make it.

  "Come."

  Henry urged his family to follow him, and attempted to clear Elspeth out of the room— but this was one thing Catherine won.

  "You stay by his side, Elspeth," She said quietly, reaching to squeeze the girl's hand, "God bless you, child."

  Elspeth didn't try to understand why Catherine was being so kind, she had bigger monsters to worry about.

  Nostradamus watched with bated breath as the girl sunk to her knees beside Sebastian. His abdomen was covered in blood, his shirt torn, skin pale, and clammy.

  But she was looking at him like he was golden.

  "Will he be okay?" She asked quietly.

  "I will do all that I can, Lady—"

  "Just Elspeth. Please."

  Nostradamus nodded, turning to find and perhaps mix more ailments.

  Elspeth lightly reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. Her heart skipped when she felt his fingers twitch back.

  "Have I died?"

  Sebastian's lids looked heavy, half covering his glassy eyes as he blinked slowly at the girl.

  "No, dear," Elspeth whispered gently, "No, you're still here."

  "Are you sure?" Sebastian croaked, "You must be an angel."

  Elspeth laughed, shaking her head at the irony of it all.

  "You'll be okay," Elspeth whispered, pushing his hair out of his face, "You'll be alright."

  But even as she said it, Elspeth Liens didn't quite believe it.

↬

  Kenna was trying. She hadn't seen Elspeth so worried since Hans had a small sickness that lasted an entire week— and this was only because the doctor believed it may be Influenza.

  It, very clearly, was not.

  Elspeth was only found in one of two places; in her bed, or by Sebastian's side. 

  Now, to be fair, everyone seemed worried about Elspeth. But, Mary had her duties— which doubled after finding herself caught between two engagements, and so did the ladies.

  Francis had convinced his parents, as well as Mary, that Elspeth was free of hers. Until Sebastian was better.

  Or worse.

  "Would you like to watch the tournament today?" Kenna questioned, pouring cream into Elspeth's coffee, "Apparently, Tomas and Francis are both handy with a bow— I wonder who will win."

  "I'm tired," Elspeth excused lamely, loosely tying her dress up, "I'm just going to spend the day with Nostradomous and Sebastian."

  Kenna frowned, standing from the seat and taking the ties from Elspeth's hands, tightening them appropriately.

  "Locking yourself away isn't doing you any good," Kenna attempted gently, fastening off the dress, "I'm worried about you, Ellie."

  "Attending festivities while Sebastian lays on death's door wouldn't do me any good, either."

  Kenna pursed her lips, turning Elspeth to face her and gently grabbing the girl's hands.

  "Just one day, spend time with us, see the sun. . ."

  "Sebastian fought Nostradomous to even allow my company," Elspeth sighed, "He'll only listen to me about resting, always wanting to stay up and talk, worrying about when I'll be there."

  "He will survive a couple of hours without you."

  "What if he dies?" Elspeth argued, turning around, "What if, the one day I'm absent, he's gone the very next?"

  So, Kenna let her go, but not before pulling the girl into a tight hug.

  "Do you need help, Nostradamus?" Elspeth offered, setting a shawl on an empty chair, "Does Sebastian need anything?"

  "Just your lovely company," Sebastian spoke up quietly.

  Nostradamus nodded toward the man— Elspeth smiled and crossed the room quickly, taking a seat beside his bed.

  "Any better today?"

  "The wound is closing," Nostradamus began, "But, if his fever does not break by tonight. . ."

  "What happens?" Elspeth asked tensely.

  "He may—"

  "That's enough."

  Nostradamus pursed his lips but ducked out of the room to leave the two alone.

  "He's scared you, hasn't he?"

  Elspeth didn't answer, only grabbing his hand tighter than before.

  "Elle."

  "I know I've only known you for a short while, and neither of us quite knows what's happening between us, but what I do know is this story is not over yet," Elspeth spoke, though her throat tightened with every word, "I want to be with you, Sebastian, I want to be by your side but not like this."

  "You will be," He said, fighting exhaustion, "And we will. . . we'll go on an adventure."

  "An adventure?"

  "Yes," Sebastian spoke, a smile peeking through, "We'll be together, my heart."

  Elspeth felt her very heart melt at the affection he showed, even in this state.

  "So, it took you to death's doorstep for you to share your feelings?"

  "Perhaps it's the fever," Sebastian admitted, "But I want to be with you. I want to. . . be this noble man you deserve."

  Elspeth didn't speak, because she didn't need to. She'd tell him when he was better. When he was well enough to walk and she could hug him and they were together.

  Because he would get better.

↬

  "Will you stay?"

  Elspeth frowned at Mary's gentle phrasing as she perched on the chaise in her room.

  "Mary. . ."

  "I understand," She smiled lightly, "You want to be by Bash's side."

  "I wish there was a way to stay by yours, as well," Elspeth spoke honestly, shaking her head, "Portugal, Mary, do you really wish to marry him?"

  Mary looked to her lap, not wanting to upset Elspeth more, she chose to keep the incident with Tomas secret. That he had rules and a whipping boy. That he was more harsh than kind. That she wanted to be with Francis, she wanted to stay, too.

  "It's for Scotland," She said, "But you. . . well it would be cruel to go against your parent's wishes, wouldn't it?"

  Elspeth looked up.

  "You love him."

  "It's too soon."

  "Love does not have any restrictions," Mary said, "Not even time. You love him, and if I were to take you away from that. . . I would never forgive myself."

  "I'd have to ask permission," Elspeth mumbled, "I have no place here, not a real one, anyway. I'd only be allowed to stay in the castle with Sebastian if the King and Queen allow it, or if we were. . ."

  "Married."

  "Yes, but we can hardly get married so soon, with Sebastian so ill."

  "True. . ." Mary pondered, standing with far too much excitement for Elspeth, "But, you could get engaged."

  "Mary—"

  "It would ensure a place here, as close to him as ever," Mary continued, "No doubt Henry would allow it— a wealthy woman with a title marrying his bastard son? And Catherine seems to like you, more than I, at least."

  "Running into marriage after a month of knowing him?" Elspeth sighed, "It doesn't sound like me."

  "But, you don't sound like you're turning it down."

  And, in truth, she wasn't. Getting engaged so quickly wasn't something frowned upon in court, if anything it was expected. But for people like Sebastian and Elspeth, who married only for love, it was strange. A foreign idea.

  But, as Elspeth continued to explore the idea with Mary that night, she wondered if getting engaged only to stay by his side was that bad. If it all went wrong, calling off an engagement was easy, and she could join Mary in Portugal or her family in Scotland.

  Though, she didn't think this would happen. Elspeth Liens thought, with her whole heart, that she may very well marry Sebastian De Poiters and stay with him for the rest of her days on that grand adventure that he promised.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
HI I KNOW THIS CHAPTER IS
SHORT AND CHOPPY BUT
these few episodes of Reign
ARE SO HECTIC, like there's
20 different storylines squished
into like 5 episodes, SO FORGIVE
ME PLEASE-- but elspeth and 
bash being cute >>>