Page 37 of Promises Made at Midnight
“Aye, my Lord Dristan,” she said, and he gave her a slight smile. She could tell he was proud of her, not that he would say so directly.
“I can see you do not have much energy left within you. Mayhap you can go to the children. See if their parents yet live,” he ordered, before turning from her to go about his own assessment of what was left of the village.
Bridgette stood there staring ahead at what was before her and yet her mind continued to relive the ghastly scene of the battle. Closing her eyes, the sound of crying children finally reached into her heart and some motherly instinct she didn’t know she even possessed took over, giving her renewed strength. Those poor innocent kids needed her help.
Stepping forward she began gathering them all together and leading them over to a small lean-to that had somehow managed to survive the onslaught of destruction. They were grateful for the protection from the rain and one small girl, no more than two, climbed into her lap, stuck her thumb in her mouth and instantly fell asleep. Bridgette looked upon the remaining children, fifteen in all. Some no younger than the girl cuddled in her lap, some in their early teens or anywhere in between. They all looked to her as if she had the answers to their plight, but Bridgette had no idea what would become of these children.
A few parents came over to where Bridgette had gathered the kids and tears of joy as the families were reunited had even Bridgette crying in relief. Yet there were still at least eight children who weren’t claimed, including the girl in her lap. What would become of them?
As Bridgette looked into the frightened eyes of those who were left, she knew she had to offer them some words of comfort. “I know you must be frightened,” she began softly, “and unsure of what your future may hold. But Lord Dristan of Berwyck will see to your care. He will not abandon you.”
One of the boys who appeared around eight leaned forward. “But ’e’s the Devil’s Dragon, milady! I ’eard ’e devours children fer ’is noon meal.”
She gave the lad an encouraging smile. “Do not judge the man for the rumors you may have heard. He is a fair lord and will not leave you to find your way in the world alone at such a young age.” Bridgette could only hope she wasn’t overstepping what little authority she had. If she must, she would fight for the welfare of these children.
“How about I tell you a story while we wait for Lord Dristan to finish his business,” she asked. Many of the children began to nod and edge closer. “Have any of you heard the story about King Arthur?”
The boy who but moments ago was afraid of Dristan became excited with thoughts of a story. “My da told me the story and ’ow the king ’ad a sword called Excalibur. I never tire of ’earing about ’is knights of the round table and the quest fer the ’oly Grail.”
“I am glad you have heard of him, as some think he was only a legend and made up. Shall I begin?” Bridgette asked, and then began to weave the story and more fairy tales from her youth that she thought would be harmless to tell. Minutes turned into what seemed like hours. As the knights began gathering the dead, Godfrey came and took the children one by one to identify their parents if possible. Some came back crying even harder than before, others looked as shocked as Bridgette herself was feeling. Before long, Ulrick made his way to Bridgette, who continued with her stories in an attempt to lighten the situation for these children. He smiled at her as he took in her little flock of lost souls.
“I see you have a captive audience, Lady Bridgette, but we must away and return to Berwyck,” he said, reaching out his hand to her. She accepted his assistance even as she placed the girl she had been holding into his arms. His eyes widened as if he had no idea what to do with the child he held at arms-length. Bridgette bit back a short smile when the girl began to squirm until he held her firmly against his chest. A tiny hand reached out to grab a lock of his hair, winding it between her fingers before she rested her head upon his shoulder.
Bridgette turned back toward the other kids still scared and uncertain of what would happen next. “Come along,” she ordered. “We will find you a knight with whom you will ride back to Berwyck Castle. You will be safe there until Lord Dristan finds a place for you amongst his people.”
Ulrick hesitated only briefly at her command before he, too, ordered the children to obey her. “You will be safe at Berwyck, and no further harm will befall you.”
The children began following Ulrick and Bridgette over to the horses and each child was lifted up into the arms of a waiting knight. Dristan gazed back to see all were settled before waving his hand to proceed home. The village eventually disappeared from view, but the day still remained fresh in Bridgette’s mind for days to come.
CHAPTER25
Ulrick awoke to Bridgette thrashing about the bed in her sleep. Before he could gather the troubled woman in his arms, her cry rang out in his bedchamber when she bolted upright to sit upright with frightened eyes. She quickly scanned the room for any signs of danger. Obviously, the only danger was whatever haunted her dreams.
He gave a gentle tug upon her arm until she settled into his embrace, winding her arm around his waist so tightly he instantly knew the fear of her nightmares. They had spoken about them on a regular basis. She had been unable to stop reliving the battle scene she had placed herself in but days before.
“Be at ease, Bridgette. You are safe,” he softly murmured, whilst caressing her hair.
“A-am I-I?” she stammered. Her body trembled and he tightened his embrace around her.
“Aye. No harm will befall you ever again,” he said placing a kiss on the top of her head.
“You can’t make such a promise, Ulrick. Life can be cruel and probably more so here in the twelfth century.” Her heavy sigh echoed in his bedchamber, reminding him that the sun would soon rise on the distant horizon.
“Mayhap I should wait until midnight to pledge such a promise.”
Her head lifted from his chest and she gave him a slight smile. “Perhaps…”
He gently pushed her head back down. “If I could make a wish, ’twould be that your fears would no longer plague you whilst you slept. I would fight all your nightmares and bring you only peace if I could.”
“I wish it was that simple.” She sighed again.
“I vow to you that you are safe under my care and that of our liege lord.” Silence filled the room whilst he awaited her reply. He knew what tormented her mind.
“I would do it all over again in order to be there when that horrible man was about to kill you,” she murmured softly, even as her body shivered again with the memory.
“And I am most thankful you were there to save me,mon amour, but promise me you shall never do so again,” Ulrick replied. “I cannot lose you to such a fate.”
“I promise,” she said. “From now on I’ll leave the fighting to you and the rest of Dristan’s knights. I’m not sure I could kill someone again no matter how much I feel for you.”
