Schwan (15 Heartbroken)

This thing just keeps going on, doesn't it?

But here is another installment in The Fuzz's "Schwan" sires; Chapter 15 "Heartbroken".

15 Heartbroken

Lady Juliet could not sleep.  She had been looking forward to spending the evening with Fredrik.  But he had seemed preoccupied, and excused himself early.

As she lay awake, she thought of her mother.  She had been a good woman.  But the Duke had sent her away when she had become inconvenient to him.  She was sure Fredrik would never have done such a thing.  There was a world of difference between the King, and her own family.  Perhaps it was her mother, coming out in her, but she was beginning to prefer Fredrik.

Her father, the Duke, was expecting her to find a way to get Fredrik to marry her.  He had made it plain for her to do what ever was necessary, even if it meant seducing him.  The Duke hoped to control Fredrik though Juliet, as his wife.

But Juliet's thoughts had taken a different turn by now.  She still hoped to become his wife, but for her own reasons.  She would be glad to leave Morlana behind.  And she no longer thought Fredrik to be quite the fool that her father did.

She had heard of the Duke's orders to hold Fredrik hostage in the castle.  She wondered if she should warn him.  Maybe then he would see how she felt about him.

In her mind she played it out.  She would order the gatekeepers to let them pass.  They would leave together.

Juliet drew her robe around her.  She had made up her mind.  She would find Fredrik.

✠

With Duke Richard safely locked in his own dungeon, it was time for Fredrik and his men to look to their own escape.  At the stable, they surprised the grooms, and tied them up.  Fredrik had his men saddle the horses.  On the way to the stables, they had seen that the portcullis had been lowered, blocking the gate.  There would be no chance now of them rushing the gate.

There was a chance that they could bluff the guards into letting them pass.  But it was unlikely.  Fredrik wondered, if they overpowered the guards, how long it would take to raise the heavy portcullis again.  And… would they have that time?

They quietly led their mounts into the courtyard and waited in the shadows.

✠

When Lady Juliet reached Fredrik's room, there was no answer to her knock.  When she tried the door, it opened easily.  There was no one there.  There were a few candles still burning.

In the dim light she could see the remains of a hasty meal.  It looked as if there had been a small gathering there recently.  On the table, beside an empty chalice, lay a bouquet of wild flowers.

Juliet could see only one explanation for these.  But that was impossible.  How could it be true?  And who?....

But then of course it couldn't be what she thought.  If it hadn't been already on her own mind, the thought would have never even occurred to her.  Apparently, one of Fredrik's men must have fallen for one of the servants.  He would have arranged this for them.

One of the kitchen workers entered the room.  He was surprised to see Lady Juliet there.  Assuming she knew about Fredrik's hasty wedding, he addressed her.

"They have already left, M'Lady."

Curiosity got the best of her.

"And who was married here tonight?"

The man looked at her in surprise.  He had thought she knew all about it.

"Why, the girl... Elise... from the kitchen."

Lady Juliet had a vague memory of the girl.

"And who did she marry?"

Now the man looked around uneasily.  Juliet was waiting for his answer.

"Why didn't you know, M'Lady?  She married the King...  King Fredrik."

Juliet gasped.  She stumbled to the open window, and the cool air.  The pieces began to fit together in her mind.  Elise was the girl that had been sent each night to Fredrik's room.  Now she recalled how he had acted that day at the kitchen.  It was Elise he had seen there.  And by now she knew that Fredrik would not have taken advantage of the girl, despite what was said of him.

As the servant left hastily, she stared out into the darkness.  As her heart slowed, she noticed the clothing lying about the room.  There were a couple of the castle guardsmen's surcoats, and some other things.  It looked as if someone had left in haste.  And then, she noticed her father's lounging robe, tossed in the corner.  She was sure of it.

Had he been here as well?  The idea was absurd.

Juliet hurried to her father's chambers.  The guardsman at the door assured her that the Duke had never left his room, and did not wish to be disturbed.  He was probably in bed by now.

"As I would expect you to be, M' Lady, at this time of night."

"Yes, of course... it is late," she said and turned away.

But she was not satisfied.  She had still not found Fredrik.  With few options left, Juliet descended to the courtyard.  Perhaps the wedding party was there.

✠

Rolf and King Fredrik were talking quietly in the shadows as the two others held the horses.  They needed a way to get the heavy gate raised.  It would take several men to do the job.  They were gambling on passing for the Duke's own men.

If that failed, they would have to overpower the gatekeepers, and raise the portcullis themselves.  And all before an alarm could be given.

"It's not much of a plan, your Majesty," Rolf said.

"Do you have a better one?" Fredrik answered him a weak smile.

Rolf just shrugged.  Then he broke into a smile.  He had spent most of his life helping his friend out of trouble.  Things hadn't changed.

Rolf took command now, and explained the plan to the two Guardsmen as they mounted.  They had been chosen for their loyalty.  They would follow the King to the death.  Fredrik hung back, hoping not to be recognized.

Then, as they were about to step out into the moonlight, a figure appeared.

✠

As Lady Juliet walked into the main courtyard, she nearly collided with a group of horsemen in the shadows by the stable.  She looked up in surprise, straight into the face of Fredrik, himself.        

It was obvious that he was planning to leave; and... without her.

"Fredrik, the Duke has..."

"I know."

"But you can't leave!"

"I can try.  And I will."

Juliet took hold of his bridle.

"Take me with you," she pleaded, although she knew it was too late.

"I can't," he said.  "Now let me go."

Juliet reluctantly dropped her hand.  Her hope faded, and her eyes filled with tears.  She stood and watched as the horsemen spurred their mounts toward the gate.   

To be continued*...

*However, it is possible to read Schwan in it's entirety at this link.