Autumn Romance

"I'll tell Bessie when I see her. I just hope that he gets well fast. I hate seeing him there and looking so helpless.
I have fallen in love with him, Avalon but today it showed me the bad side of being in love. The complete helplessness of not helping the one you love and care about." Allanna spoke sadly then stifled a yawn.

"I certianly hope so. I think that I will go to my room now. Thanks for listening to me." Allanna spoke as she laid her hand on Avalon's and smiled.

"Alright. Thanks. " Allanna went to her room and laid down in her bed where she fell fast asleep.

((Ask and ye shall receive! And it sounded great. ))

The night past quietly except for the blowing wind which blew snow up against the castle. The snow was 10 foot high on the north side or back of the castle while the front had a few inches. Still it snowed as the sun tried to push the clouds away but had to give up. The windows were indeed frosted and the sky was very grey and it was bitterly cold outside.

Allanna woke up from a deep sound sleep. She was surprised that she had slept through the night. She tossed off the covers and opened the bed curtains. She walked over to the window to see the world all covered in snow.

************
Albert woke up after sitting up for a while with Kadern who seemed to be doing all right. He sat on the side of his bed, stiff and sore.

***********

Bessie woke up and dressed quickly so that she could go to Allanna's room.

*********

Wolfgang woke up slowly and groggily. He was feeling his age now days but today was worse than any other day that he could remember. He got out of his bed and sat in the chair next to the fire.

**********

Stephanwolfe got out of his bed and walked to the window to see the outside. It had indeed snowed and it was a deep snow.

*********
Meg was glad not to be with her uncle and in his store. Perhaps if she would do well then maybe she could stay here at the castle. Only time will tell.

*********
Eric had been up and tending to the Royal Horses. Four beautiful matched black horses. He also was over the other two who were redoing the carriages and taking care of the Ladies Horses.
Tom was over Lady Allanna's and Mike was over Lady Avalon's.

*********
James and Cookie got up and dressed. Not many knew that they had been married for a great many years. Their children had long left the castle and never came back, leaving them sad and lonely for them.

Bessie went to Allanna's Room but she was dressed. She would clean up the room while Allanna went downstairs to breakfast.

Albert soon dressed and using his cane, he left his room to go eat. Then his plans were to go to the court room. He headed to the Parlor to wait for breakfast.

Cookie soon had the maids hopping about and started cooking the breakfast meats. Staff of course would have the left overs.

James began to fix a tray for their prisoner of sorts. He knew that Albert had the habit of holding court early.
Once the tray was done, he took it to Zari.
"Good morning. I am allowing you out to eat then you will be seeing the king when he is ready to see you."

The father and son came out of their rooms at the same time so they walked downstairs- neither one spoke.

"You are welcome. I will bring fresh clothes for you to wear and such. " James spoke then left her to eat.

"I slept like I always do, I am just a bit more stiff this morning is all. You look fresh and lovely, my dear. I trust that you slept well." Albert rose and walked to Avalon and gave her a kiss.

"Sounds like a lovely trick to use." Albert smiles at her.

Allanna walked in and spoke

"Good morning. How is Kadern feeling?" she asked.

"I am letting him sleep in and I'll find out from his manservant." Albert spoke then added
"Good morning, Allanna."

"Most likely the usual. Eggs, meat, potatoes, juice, toast" Albert shrugged as he headed for his chair.

"Good morning, King Albert." Wolfegang spoke.

"Good morning, King Albert, Grand Lady Avalon, Lady Allanna. I trust that everyone slept well." Stephanwolfe spoke.

"Good morning." he nods to the two of them as they sat down.

"Good morning." Allanna spoke quietly.

"That is quite understandable. Long jumps will do that. Not that I do them anymore. Glad to see you up and about, Wolfgang. Trying to keep up with your young pup?" Albert asked.

"Couldn't sleep so got up. Stomach didn't help. Plus this cold is a bit unbearable. Thought it would hold off another day or two." he spoke.

"Not this year. I could tell in my bones. Type of a cold that one needs to snuggle in with someone." Albert spoke as he looked at his hands.

"True enough. But I guess not for this old wizard." Wolfgang spoke sadly.

"10 years now since they left us......" Albert replied.

Wolfegang only nodded.

"Not quite. Cousins. Lost our wives in the same kind of snow storm. The boys grew up together for a while. I gave up on this place and the cold. I like my own castle in the sun." Wolfegang spoke bitterly.

"Wolfegang never could take the cold and after Helen and Kathyleene died in the last bad snowstorm, we both feel bad about snow" Albert spoke.

"It is how you look at Life. Everyone has their ups and downs. I am now on my way back up and hopefully start staying up for a while." Albert spoke.

"Speaking of the boys..... mine is here but where is your lazy boy at?" Wolfegang asked.

Stephanwolfe glared at his father.

"He is sleeping off a spider bite." Albert spoke as he stood up.
"It is now time to go to breakfast. Buffet style as always. Ready to my dear?"

Wolfgang and Stephanwolfe quickly followed Albert out of the room.

Allanna shook her head for she knew that one of the men should have offered his arm to her. She followed them to the dining room.
Once she was in the dining room. Albert noticed that neither of the other even offered Allanna his arm.

"Ladies first." Albert spoke and stood in front of the other two.

"Thank you, King Albert." Allana spoke softly as she went to the buffet.

"Guests next." Albert announced.

"You are still stuck in those ole stuffy ways of knighthood? Humph, the new ways will be here one day and you will not be ready. The old ways won't last much longer and I will be King." Wolfegang spoke arrogantly as he began to pile his plate high with food.

"Father! For one thing the old ways have outlasted many fads and wars. I don't that much will disturb them as long as romance is alive and well." Stephanwolfe spoke out against his father as he took a much smaller portion than his father.

"These will out last those old fuddy duddly ways, mark my words, boy." Wolfegand spoke back as he left the buffet spilling food as he went.

"Still you are not yet King. I think that until you are a king of somewhere, you should be seeking the kingdom that you wish to rule." Stephanwolfe spoke.

"I think that is enough bickering. You may bicker in the court room but not else where.
I have learned that these two will bicker to be bickering. It always has been and always will be. Avalon, I am sorry if they upset you. If I didn't promise to see them in 10 years time, I wouldn't have them here at all." Alfred helped Allanna sit then went to hold Avalon's chair.

"Thank you, King Albert." Allanna spoke.

Eirc was finished with the chores and went to castle by the long way since the back side was blocked closed. A rope was tied to his waist and was plenty more than what he needed to get to his destination.

He was huddled over as he walked for he knew the way very well because he grew up here. As he walked something caught his eye. He walked over to it for it was an oddly shaped hump. As he got there he realized that the hump was a human and he could only hope that who ever it was, he was not frozen.

Once he reached the still figure he saw no movement. It didn't surprise him but it did sadden him. He uncovered the face first and placed his cold cheek next to the face. Oh thank you for the was barely any warm breath but enough to say that the person was alive.

He uncovered the body and pulled him to the castle. He slammed the door open which would earn him a scowl and a lecture but he didn't care and doubted that James wouldn't either once he saw that Eric was dragging a body inside.

"Just what in the na........ Bring him in further, Eric what are you thinking man! To the the hold area for now. A warming bath should work for the poor soul" James spoke as he opened the doors wide so that the man could be brought in.

As they went past the cells, Eric noticed the one that he brought in but he was too busy to say anything else. Across from the cells was a special bathing room where they could place the man in a cool tub and slowly warm him up with water.

Eric stood up and when James went to the feet, together they placed the man in the tub. A keg was placed under the hole to catch the water as it was drained out.

"Found him on the way in. Couldn't just leave him outside you know." Eric explained as he checked to see if the clothes would be taken off.

"Just leave the clothes on. I'll get several servants in here to get him warmed up. I must get a message....no it would be best if I went in for they are at breakfast and will wonder what the slamming was." James spoke.

"I'll go with you after you bring the ones here to warm him up." Eric spoke to James as he left.

"What is your name so that I may tell the King. He will want to know a bit about you."

"It is good that you can talk. Shortly here there will be some servants who can get you warmed up. They will use water that is cool but it will feel warm to your skin. As they work, the water will be warmer and warmer until they can get your frozen clothes off. They will keep warming you up until you are able to sit up against the back of the tub. You will get warming drinks slowly." Eric explained.

((Time to go for doing dinner))

"That is ok. Now rest for I see that James has brought a few in with him. They will take good care of you. I'll see you later." Eric smiled.

"There he is. Gladys, you will lead and you two men take orders from her. I'll be be back in a while. She has done this a good many times.
Eric, you come with me." James instructed.

"You two get the warm water from the cookstove. I will take a good look at him while you are gone." Gladys spoke as she moved about. She was an older lady that kinda waddled while she walked not the she was very over weight but due to her age and that she had worked in the kitchens all of her life.

"A miss at my age? Now that is a good one. Why I have grandsons as old as you look. Now let me examining your limbs first. Hands please." Gladys spoke as she held out her hand to see well the lad could function.

James walked into the dining room and cleared his throat.
"I beg your pardon, your highness....." he began.

"Yes, James?" King asked knowing that it would be important if it was James interrupting the meal.

"Eric found a man outside nearly frozen. Gladys is working on him now." James asked.

"He said that his name was Kalu. He is barely alive, sir." Eric spoke.

"Very well, James. Good job, Eric. You may go back to your duties and thank you for letting me know as well as rescuing him." Albert spoke.

"Yes, your highness." Eric spoke.

"Most certainly. As soon as they bring the water. Here it is now....." Gladus placed a cloth in the water then placed the cloth on his eyes.
"Now leave that cloth on for a bit. You boys slowly pour the water into the tub along the sides. Let's put your arm back in the water for the gloves are frozen to your skin."

Gladys was giving commands every which way.