Well, here comes again a new chapter of the story, for you to read, which however goes pretty bleak.
There is no suitable listening music to this chapter either. My apologies.

****

Julian was awakened from his sleep, sleeping chamber door bumped close. After a while he had imagined was dreaming, when he saw a dark figure disappear through the door. But his ears are accurate, however, heard footsteps outside the door, so he realized that it was not a dream and sat up. When he was fumble a moment he found a tinderbox and a candle. Kindled a candle, which dim light, he saw the parchment on the night table.

Brow furrowed, he watched the parchment. It was certain that it hadn't been a bedside table as he went to sleep. Someone had brought it and that it was probably someone who had just disappeared out of the room.
Julian took the parchment in his hand and read the message. His face turned pale with fright, when the content of the message revealed to him.
"What have I done", he gasped in horror and rose from the bed, so that the coverage went as the floor. He knew that it was in a hurry and cared nothing about his own safety after the rush of that man, who had been leaving a message.

Candle in his hand, he ran out of the room and came to a plateau, but too late. Julian saw how the three men attacked that thin man who was wearing his royal clothes and sank the sword in his chest over and over again.

"No", Julian said quietly, and he realized then that he could not just stand there and watched how defenseless man were beaten, "Guards!" He roared so loudly that his voice echoed dreary along the silent castle and saw how those three ran away, after hearing his voice.
 

He didn't hesitate, but ran down the hall and directly to Erik's creates, who lay motionless in place next to the wall. Gendly Julian turned him on his back and saw how Erik's horrible pale face looked horrified. He saw how terrified Erik was, but he had no time to talk say anything to him, when he heard running steps, which was approaching fast.

"My lord, you called", Said breathless guard, who was arrived at the scene running feet, and the second came soon after him.
"One of you get the best healer of mine here as soon as possible and the other goes into alarm. Those men must be get caught", Julian shared the orders at a fast pace. He knew that it was in a hurry.
"Happens right away, my lord", Soldiers belt out to one mouth and run fast to carry out the given orders.

Julian waited, and it felt like a long time, when he tried to stanch bleeding wounds that Erik had a lot of his midriff.
"How didn't I realized earlier", Julian said quietly, and felt a twinge in his heart. That man had saved his life, although he had been cruel and nasty to him. "Erik." He said quietly.
"Forgive me, this is all my fault." Erik slurred barely louder than a whisper and Julian saw how this raised his hands to protect himself, like he would expect to receive a clip on the ear. He put his hand on Erik's hands as a gesture to calm him down, because he saw how terrified he was.
"It's me who should apologize for you", Julian said, not knowing how to get Erik to understand, that he didn't want to hurt him anymore. "Don't try to move, you're badly wounded", he added that what was true.
Julian had concerns about all those deep wounds that Erik had been on his chest. He saw that they were deep and deadly. Nevertheless, he expressed the hope that Erik would survive.

"I ... I have to clean up this mess. "Erik slurred and tried to get up.
"No, you will need to lie still, cleaning isn't hurry now", Julian said, and in the same time soldier came back, with two physician, who at once rushed to help Erik.
"Good, and now you'll go and wake my son Lucius. I have a mission for him", Julian said, turning to the soldier side.
"Immediately, my lord", Said the soldier, and ran to seek Lucius.
 

Healers brought Erik to stretcher and carried him to infirmary, folloed by Julian. He wanted to be there and hoped that healers success to save Erik's life, even there wasn't much hope.

After a while, Lucius walked into the room, soldier behind him.

"Father, you wanted to see me", Lucius said, and looked at his father. He didn't know what father wanted, and the soldier hadn't told it either.
"Yes I wanted to. You must find Brother Ignatius to your hands, he is the only one who knows where Erik's wife is", Julian said and tell where he could find Ignatius.

"Why do you want her here?" Lucius asked puzzled.
"Maria is the only one who now can to infuse will of life to Erik", Julian replied.
"Very well", Lucius answered, even he didn't quite understand what father meant, and left.
"Hurry up, time is of the essence", Julian said, before Lucius disappeared through the door.
"No... no... Please... I pray... Let Maria to be", Erik applied for and all the feelings that he had had to include so long, broke out. Tears rolled down his face rampant, "please, not Maria... Please be so kind, not Maria", he slurred inconsolable crying leave, it was afraid of what Julian would do to Maria.

"No, Erik. Now you've got me wrong. I don't want to hurt her, I want her here to help you", Julian said, and tried clumsily to calm Erik down, who clearly was terrified and feared for his loved ones.
"You have to leave now", Another healers said because she understood that the patient wouldn't calmed down, before Julian left the room.
"All right, but please come soon to tell if there is any changes in his condition", Julian asked, emphasized that, before walked out of the room.

Julian felt a deep guilty for what he was done to Erik and now began to understand what kind of man he really was. Down in the dumps, he walked over to the throne and hardly noticed at all that his wife arrived at the site.

"Julian, what's going on?" Margaret asked, and received the Julian cringe.

Margaret was awakened noise and noticed that Julian wasn't by her side, as usual. That's why she had risen and come to see what was going on.
Julian was first silent, and looked thoughtfully at his wife, who stood still a few wrinkle caused by concerns on his forehead.

"I have done something unimaginable evil, and it may take noble man's life", Julian said quietly, and felt how tears escaped from his eyecorner and rolling on the cheek.
"Then what have you done?" Margaret asked, and looked at her husband, which she had never been seen like this.

Penitent, and in a quiet voice he explained to his wife what he had done, and what farther he got, the more Margaret's facial expressions changed.
"Why on earth did you do that?" Margaret asked at last, but Julian could not answer.

He bowed his head down and felt a deep guilty and repented yet more deeply-making that was so shameful and cruel that he should never have to do it. Margaret knelt down next to her husband and took this hands her own. She looked at the serious face which now drew their outline in deep furrows.

"I know that you have a whit of goodness in you, otherwise you would have been so kind and loving to me and your children", Margaret said, and lightly stroke the light ringlet off her husband's face, "You just have to be adapted to your sins and ask for forgiveness to Erik. I know that you do all you can to get him into shape and make up for him all the things you've done to him", she went silent and Julian nodding barely louder than significant.
"He's just so horribly out of shape, I don't know, he will survive, whether he even see the morning", Julian said, looking to his faithful Margaret, "I sent Lucius to get Maria here. She is the only one who might be able to help him", he went.
"I knew that there is something good in you", Margaret said, and pressed a gentle kiss on the her husbands forehead.

****

On the other hand Lucius rode like gust of wind way forward, towards the monastery, the location of the father was told. Trees teemed in his eyes and the horse's hooves drumming country steadily, taking him to fast-forward.

It was dark, but somewhere far away on the horizon began twinkle the light of day. Only a small thin stripe, it was yet, but as soon as it magnifies and the sky met all of the red and gold colors.

The sky glowed rose-red when he finally reached the monastery yard. He landed almost swing down off his horse and went almost the same way for the monastery to the door, which he start to bang hard. It took a moment before the door was opened, and in the doorway stood a monk, who looked at him confused.

"What's the matter?" Brother Fransiscus asked, and wondered how someone was so early in the move.
"I ... I should need to see Brother Ignatius now", Lucius said.
"Why?" Fransiscus asked, but let Lucius inside.
"Since I have things to him, and it can not wait at all", Lucius replied impatiently and strode inside behind the monk.
"All right. Wait here", Fransiscus said, and disappeared to search for Brother Ignatius, who was preparing the morning worship.

Ignatius stood in front of the altar and studied the Bible, wondering what he would spoke to the people this morning, when monk, who had opened the door to Lucius, came running to the scene.

"Brother Ignatius, I'm sorry to disturb your peace, but one man wants to meet you", Fransiscus said.
"Why?" Ignatius asked, sensing that something wasn't right now.
"He didn't tell me, but he said that it is urgent", Fransiscus answer.
"Very well, I will come right away Brother Fransiscus." Ignatius said, and made a quick sign of the cross and strode after the monk.
Fransiscus gave a brief Lucius, and soon they came to the lobby, where the monk was Lucius left.

"You wanted to see me." Brother Ignatius said, and looked at the young man, who seemed to be very nervous.
"Yes I wanted to, because I need to find Maria MacBear right away." Lucius said.
"What you need her?" Ignatius said, and began to discern evil.

"Her husband is badly wounded." Lucius replied, wondering could he make the monk believe.
"Are you talking to now certainly true?" Ignatius said, and felt a longing slip in his stomach. Something very bad had happened, and this is certainly not end well, he thought.
"Yes I do." Lucius said, and began to despair. Who knows what father would do if he were to fail now and would return back with empty hands.
"All right, but if this is a ploy, your father is not going to happen very well." Ignatius said the deterrent tone. After all, he certainly would do anything himself, because it was not the church's responsibility to share your judgments, but of God.

"This is not anything like that, and if we're wavering here longer, I don't know if no one can help anymore", Lucius said.
"In that case, we assume without further delay", Ignatius said, though felt little doubt within him. He still hoped to Erik's because of that all would be well, because he had been in his life, enough of adversity.

They didn't discuss any more, but went out to where the horse was imported for Ignatius. They rise on the horses back and set out. During the trip, Lucius told Ignatius all he knew about the incident, which wasn't much, since he was awakened from his sleep, when soldier had come to awaken him. and either father haven't told him much.

Some time after Ignatius slowed steed canter to walking, Lucius making the same. He didn't know why they slowed down, until he saw before him a square surrounded by thick forest, were was a small cottage. In the cottage yard was two boys who were practicing fencing, or so it seemed at first in Lucius's eyes.

Then he looked at another boy in more detail and something disturbed him. The second was definitely a boy, but the other seemed somehow more feminine. Features were softer and slender, but otherwise, the two were so looking so much each other. Lucius estimates for those two to be at least fifteen years old.

"Who are they?" Lucius asked, and stared at the other boy, which he realized now after seeing closer was a girl.
"Erik's and Maria's, twins. Edmund and Elisabeth", Ignatius answer.
"Erik's children", Lucius said quietly.
"Yes", Ignatius said, and thought, wonder if Erik cope for so long, that would have time to see his children at least once and his wife, which he wasn't seen in years.

Edmund and Elisabeth had stopped fencing, noticed entrants. Each will found the young man out of curiosity, but they were silent. Elisabeth saw face and the essence of Ignatius, that something was wrong. Ignatius came down off the horse and young man followed him. They took the horses pen aside and walked to the cottage door, when the twins were followed them silently.
Ignatius knocked on the door politely and then stepped into a small huts, young man, and the twins.

"Good morning, Maria. I am sorry to disturb you so early, but something serious has happened. "Ignatius said, warmly saluted first, Mary and guide her to sit.
"Ignatius, what has happened?" Mary asked, looking searchingly man's gentle, solemn faces. Only then will she saw Lucius and got up.
"You," she yelled, and looked at the young man, eyes sparking with fury.
"W. .. what? M.. Me? "Lucius stammered, frightened and confused. He didn't understand why the woman reacted so strongly.

"After all those years you dare to show your face in here!" Maria screamed and her hand rose. She did not have time to hit, when Ignatius grabbed her wrist caught and brought back to sit down.

"Calm down, Maria." Ignatius said softly.
"But..." Maria began and Ignatius understood. The woman was confused Lucius to Julian, which he certainly reminded very much.
"He is Lucius, Julian's eldest son", Ignatius said.
"Lucius", Maria said, speaking calmly, "I still don't want to see him or his descendants here. Not after what he did", She went, her sound shakeing emotional power.

"I'm really sorry about my father's actions", Lucius began humble and continued, "my father sent me, because we need you", he went and looked a little scared that strong-willed woman, whose face time and internal woes had taken their toll.
"What does he want? Where am I needed for?" Mary asked coolly, as she was sworn in her mind that she wouldn't help Julian, even if he was dyeing, because he was done so badly to Erik and his parents..

"He said that you are the only one who can help", Lucius said gently.
"Tell me just one reason why I would help your father", Maria said.
"No, now, you understood me wrong. My father doesn't need help, but our servant Erik", Lucius said.
"Erik?" Maria said, and felt a nasty slip in her stomach. "What happened to Erik?" She asked and felt bad.
"He was attacked and wounded very badly", Lucius said, and told what he knew about it, and what his had heard from his father.
"Noh." Maria gasped and felt how tears began to roll on her cheeks. She was afraid to Erik's behalf, and hoped that he'll survive or even cope even that long, that he could even see his family for the last time.

"I am very sorry", Lucius tried clumsily to comfort, but saw that it would not make the situation any better, "I know that my father is to blame for this and I would help you if I could. I ... I like Erik. He is so kind, helpful and friendly", He tried.
"That is Erik." Maria said, and sob inconsolably.
"Well, it is a hurry, so don't we would go already." Ignatius suggested because he saw that Maria need something else to think about.
"What about me?" Elizabeth asked, and it seemed that would come along, even if by force.
"You too." Ignatius said, because it would be good if Erik could see his children, although these began to be almost grown. The girl had already marriageable.

Lucius was also noticed her to and as his eyes wandered stealthily girl over and over again. Elisabeth also looked curiously every now and then to Lucius. She wasn't met many boys, in addition to his brother. None Of these weren't her peers. Sunday school were only a few younger boy and one much older boy. None of them had aroused any kind of feelings in Elisabeth, because she had already known them since she was started Sunday school with her brother.

But after watching curiously Lucius, Elisabeth felt something quite new, which has not yet been felt ever before and that feeling wasn't just a curiosity.
Ignatius also notised those looks that young man cast to the girl, and vice versa. He thought it would be good to discuss the matter with both of them, as long as the Erik's matter get managed first.

That small group get the horses, which of two had to be prepared, before they got to go. But when the hand was more pairs, they were soon ready to go.

So they raced forward, landscapes scurry past them. First there was the forest for a long time, until the trees began to thin out and become a hilly terrain, lush green land. They took everything out of their horses as they get, because each of their mind banged, that time was becoming increasingly less, and less.

***

Julian walked restlessly back and forth in front of the sick house door, and waited anxiously for news about Erik's condition. He expressed the hope that the man survived this ordeal, or even cope hang on to edge of life until his wife would have time to come the castle.
The opening of the door switches Julian thoughts and he stopped, looking expectantly to Nadia, who had come to tell the news. He saw a woman's face, that the news, wasn't very good.

"Well, how is that? Is he going to survive?" Julian said and looked at her expectantly.
"If God wants, he may survive, but I regret to say that the wounds he received are too deep and a few have been hit by a very bad place, thus undermining hopes of survival", Nadia said. "But we will do everything we can, so that he would be comfortable", she went, leaving at the end floating in the air like a dark storm cloud.
"How long... before?" Julian asked quietly, and felt a heavy weight come down on his shoulders and it was guilt.
"I don't know. Maybe hours, maybe day", Nadia replied and looked at Julian's face serious.
"Thank you", Julian said, barely louder than a whisper. He had never before felt so bad, as it is now. He didn't know how to offset against to that injustice what he had done. He was just trying to do the best that Erik's final time would be pleasant as possible and with minimal disruption, "can I... Is it okay for me to go to see Erik?" He asked, feeling very humble and penitent.

"Yes, but I must ask that you do not under any circumstances unnerve him any more. He has experienced enough of thrill", Nadia said.
"Thank you”, Julian said, and walked behind the Nadia to the infirmary.

He didn't really know what to say to a man that he had so long plagued and which is unlikely to want to be a friend, even that he did a noble act that would perhaps requires his life. Julian sat down on a chair and looked Erik, who was lying on a bed so very pale.

"Well ... Um ... I wanted to come and see how you feel", Julian finally said, awkwardly.

Erik didn't answer, just looked back and Julian could see the fear in his eyes. It doesn't abated away. It was as if a man would have expected to receive a stick, or perhaps spaces. The moment was very quiet, and Julian didn't know what to do. He wanted to help this man, but didn't know how, and how should understand this. He knew that it was going to be difficult, when Erik was so long accustomed to being the one who was pull apart, threatened and punished, sometimes even for no reason.

"I ... er ... I want to apologize", Julian said, breaking the profound silence, "I do not know how I could replace you with all the things I have done to you. I now understand what a great and noble man you are. "He went on and felt piece stuck in his throat.

Erik still didn't say a word, but just watched Julian, which weighed down his eyes.
"I know how you feel now, because at the moment I am ashamed of myself", Julian continued breaking the silence again, "I am ashamed of what I've done and I know I can't undo it. I don't to be forgiven", he went quietly, feeling the familiar tingling in his eyecorner.
"This was my choice", Erik said quietly and put his hand on Julian's hand.

Julian felt how cool Erik's hand was, and how the work hardened and roughening.
"But I drove you to this." Julian said. "It was my actions that make this happend", he added miserably.

Again became silent, and neither a single word was said. They did not know what to say. Julian felt weak pressure in his hand, as Erik was trying to encourage or cheer up. He wondered how Erik continuously be so kind to him, after all that, what he had done to him. Pressure, which had been the already weak, weakened more and Julian saw how Erik's eyes began to droop almost forcibly closed.

"Tell me something, anything you want, as long as you're talking to me and stay awake", Julian said, and grabbed Erik's hands, but not very hard, because he didn't want to hurt Erik any more.
"Why can't I fall asleep?" Erik asked in a quiet voice, "I'm so tired... so very tired and I just want to sleep", he continued voice almost disappears into nothingness.
"I can't let you fall asleep, because I'm afraid you'll never wake up", Julian answered truthfully.
"When did you begin to fear for me?" Erik said quietly, and chuckled in small ways.
"Then, when you saved my life", Julian answered truthfully and looked Erikiä earnestly.
"All right", Erik agreed, and began in a low voice to tell about himself and his live, when Julian listening him.

The farther Erik proceeded his story, the worse Julian felt, because he knew he was to blame for all the suffering that Erik had his life been suffered. Now he really knew how much he was ruined Erik's life and how much Erik had been forced to give up. Here's how to take hours and Julian listened to Erik's quiet, weak voice, which told the story of his life, in spite of all the evil which could accommodate some very happy moments.

"You know I wished for when I was still free, that I could be like the others, just an ordinary man. I didn't even my dreams imagined, that I was a noble descent, and I still can't believe it. I was hoped a life without that mark in my hand. That no one would no longer calling me names, throwing me stones or kicked me out", Erik said and unpleasant memories of running like a dark shadow in his eyes, "I hoped that I would have had my own family, and perhaps my own house, even if only a tiny shack in the woods, and maybe a tiny coin of land, which to cultivate, but I never received it. I got a family, even if I didn't have long to keep my family with me. ", He added, and sighed heavily.

Julian was silent and fell down a guilty look. He realized how little Erik would have been content, and how little wished for himself, even though he deserved to get a lot more.

"I am very sorry”, Julian said with a thick voice, and realized now how much Erik had had to give up because of him, "I know that I can't entirely replace everything I've done wrong to you, but I can say from my heart, that I'm very sorry and I'll try my best to pay my debt to you", He went and swallowed.
"If... if I hadn't been in your dungeon, I would never have met... Maria", Erik said quietly, "so, indirectly, you helped us to meet each other", he said, and a small little smile came on his lips when he remembered Maria.
"I've done wrong to you more than any good", Julian reminded bleak.
"Yes", Erik said wearily, "I have long wondered why you did, like you did? Why me?" He asked then.

"Because I was a power-hungry fool", Julian said truthfully, "I wanted power, I wanted something that even wasn't belong to me, and I opened my heart to evil, so my eyes couldn't see the evil, which I did to get access to what I wanted most", he went quietly.
"The devil always comes up with a way to get people to do as he wish", Erik spoke quietly and remembered what Ignatius had taught him, "but if you know how to ask for forgiveness, you will also forgiven, it is what our gracious lord taught us", he went and pressed weakly Julian's hand.
"I don't understand you", Julian said, "I've been a monster to you, and yet you are friendly to me."

"Since our Lord has taught us to be merciful to all, even to those who have done wrong", Erik replied quietly, "he also taught that a good deeds you make good and evil to evil. Good deeds to outweigh the bad", he continued kindness and warmth in his voice.
"I still haven't earned your goodness", Julian said. "I know where I go when my time comes to leave this world. I don't avoid that judgment, for I have put myself in that soup", he continued.
"Let the past be, when we can't no longer change them", Erik said a peaceful, conciliatory in tone.

"I see now that you are a true king, inherited, as by nature and that is why I want to return this back", Julian said, and then took the crown of his head and fell to the small nightstand next to the bed.

"I think that I'm not going to enjoy it", Erik said quietly, "I know that my time is running out", he added, as he felt pain, which is roasted in the entire torso.
"I'll do anything to get you into shape and then we'll go to one tavern to beer and have fun together", Julian tried to cheer up Erik.
"It could be a lot of fun", Erik smiled, though he knew himself, so that would never happen.

They continued their discussion for a long time, hours rolling by slowly. Day began to turn to for the evening and the shadows lengthened. Serene sky began to glow golden, red and orange tones by the setting sun.

Julian saw how Erik became more and more tired. Erik looked like it would have been increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open and his voice began to be choppy. Healers were a couple of times to exchange pandages and Julian had asked of a them, whether after all, was a small chance that Erik would survive, but they weren't given any hope of recovery.

Now, here is a new chapter for you to read. That it turned out faster than I had planned.
I am sorry that I put everything completely upside down, but thought I would try a slightly different style than usual. So, this time it is not just basic bad guy / good guy thing. :)
I hope you enjoy this chapter, even if all of it is a little topsy-turvy, and the characters can be found in new aspects.

***

Since that date Erik was Julian's servant and was forced to do everything ever came up with Julian's mind. Although Erik was a servant, he was treated like a slave. He had to toil from morning to night and every day, which was followed by another, and every year that went forward was the same. He was the first to awake, before rooster singing and the last one who went to sleep.

Every evening Erik, fell tired in pile of hay, which was his bed. He hoped he would never wake up again, but always inevitably morning arrived, as well as new chores.

Erik would certainly plod himself to death a long time ago, unless the other servants and subordinates would have done part of the work that has passed on him.

Erik lost weight again, for he hardly got to eat. He had been passed so much work, that he had no time to eat with the others. And he didn't even dare, for the fear to get beaten on, if something wouldn't be done because of a short break.
Until late at night, he was able to check out whether the kitchen had left scraps to eat, and if nothing was there, he went digging the rubbish heaps, in the same way as when he were a beggar. Usually he found only a very little of anything eatable to compost heap and after that he went to drinking water to rain water barrel. He didn't dare to ask of anything better to drink.

In those very rare moments when Erik happened to have some extra time, he went to the village chapel, praying and slowing down. It was a place where he felt more at home than anywhere else, besides the monastery.

Even Juliankin wondered that Erik ever tried to escape, even though he would have been more than one opportunity to do it. Of course, escape had been Erik's mind several times, but the fear was greater on behalf of loved ones. He was afraid that Julian would find Maria and the child to his hands and revenge to them, if he would run away. That's what he didn't want to happen, so he remained at the castle, and not even considered to escaping and tried to take it all, even if sometimes the suffering and sorrow seemed to be unbearable.

Erik never smiling, nor laughing with the others. His gaze had become sad and empty, scrolling years leaves the deep mark on his face. He only hoped that the death of have mercy on him soon, because he no longer felt that he would cope any more. Mourning the death of the parents was great, but even more he longed to Mary and this smile, a gentle touch and loving nature. He longed to Mary, so much that it was painful.

Erik hid his feelings deep inside him and work almost like an involuntary doll. Julian notice how Erik's appearance changed, and how much he start to look older than what his real age were. At times he felt the sting down inside his heart, but he silenced it quickly.

At no point in Erik didn't think to revenge to Julian injustice for what he has suffered, because it just wasn't his nature. Especially when he had seen how much Julian loved his family and how much cared them, even if he did treats other very cruelly sometimes. Erik doesn't have a heart to even think of that kind of ideas that fought against of all what he had ever learned.

Thou shall not kill, so read in the Bible, and so was Ignatius taught him and he was going to follow it. Maybe he was too nice, but he hadn't learned from life much else, because usually he was left alone, and now he even pulled aside, with longer wanted to make friends with anyone, because he knew that those ties would be cut brutally. He didn't want to experience that gnawing pain again.

Horses were probably the only creatures which Erik cared and who cared to Erik and listened to his worries and sorrows which in those silent hours, which Erik spent whit their company. He took care of those noble animals with care and tenderness, and made sure that they get the best apples and juiciest carrots and the best fodder to eat and clean water to drink.
 

***

One day, Erik was once again taking care of horses that when he heard the three steps, which approached the stables, and finally came to a halt outside. He continued to quietly work with horses which because he didn't want to interfere in any way which if that entrant were Julian and some of his friends. After a while it was quiet, until those three men began to talk, and Erik realized that Julian wasn't with them.

Erik knew that he now have to be even more careful, because the weight of the voices of those men, he was able to read, that this wasn't belong to his ears. Erik knew what men could do to him, and thinking about it didn't make him feel any better. Silently Erik continued preening horse and moved to other side of it, that these men wouldn't see him immediately, if they walk in the stable. He heard every word that these men were saying.

"I've had enough of him", Said the first voice.
"We must act quickly, because if we get caught, he is not very friendly to us", another voice said, "and the thought of his dungeons makes my skin to goose bumps", he continued.
"Don't even remind me that place. I've heard so horrible stories of it and I really don't want to get the whole place, if I can avoid it", joined third voice in the debate.
"He doesn't kill you right away, but first tortured his prisoners go insane." Another voice continued.

"One more word about the dungeon Henry and I'll throw you upon the manure pile", first voice snarled.
"I'm sorry, Sir Nathaniel", man called Henry said.
"Good." Said man called Sir Nathaniel satisfaction in his voice, "now we just have to make a plan how we cast down him", he continued.

"Well..." The third voice began.
"So Samuel?" Asked Sir Nathaniel a little impatiently.
"Would it be better to discuss this somewhere else. I mean someone could hear us, and tell to him", Samuel said cautiously.
"Who you would think hear us here? The horses?" Sir Nathaniel asked derisively, even knew that he was now dangerous waters, when considering such a high-ranking person's murder.
"Someone of his servants", Samuel replied.

"I don't think that they want to tell. They want to his death as much as we do", Sir Nathaniel pointed out.
"However, some of them may tell", Henry insisted.
"He's scared them so that they don't dare to disagree with him", Samuel said.
"Well, if someone tries tell and we'll get him, he'll be as badly as his master", Sir Nathaniel said viciously.
"All right, but I would feel better if we discuss in a place where there wouldn't be any extra ears to listen." Henry said.
"I'll give up. Meet me at my house in the evening. I'll make sure that my servants isn't there to listening us. "Sir Nathaniel agreed.

Erik heard their steps going away the and yet discuss low. He already knew who those men were planning to murder, even if it weren't said at aloud. Because he had already heard how other servants were murmuring, but they never were to do anything, because they were afraid of, such as Erik's, too much to Julian and his punitive measures.

Sounds completely dampened and Erik was left alone whit horses. Absently, he gave the horse a carrot piece, which it took and ate with great satisfaction. After a while the horse poked its chub to Erik lightly on the shoulder, as if to say,; give me more to those carrots.

"All right." Erik said quietly, and gave the horse a carrot and another stroking the velvet soft chub. Horse guffaw with satisfaction and looked at the man, which was enough to the time and kindness to it, unlike the soldiers, and the court lords.

Later, when Erik had been stable stable work done, he moved on to work inside the castle. He waited for the right time to tell to Julian, what he had heard. He knew that he could stand back and not to tell, but because he wasn't that kind of person, he wanted to tell. Finally, an opportunity came and he walked uncertain steps to the throne and looked cautiously to Julian, who seemed to be immersed in his thoughts.

"My Lord." Erik said quietly and bowed.

"Now what?" Julian snapped rudely and glared at Erikiä who had dared to disturb his peace.
"I have something to tell you." Erik said, and swallowed. He was afraid of how Julian react and would he believe is what he had heard during the day.
"Well, come on." Julian react and said, and looked at Erik, who was standing thin and scared of him. He noticed how much Erik had changed over the years. Clothes hanging above him like empty bag and deep furrows was seared on his face. There were dark circles under his eyes and cheeks were sunk wells.
"My lord, I am very evil that I have to disturb your peace, but I heard how some people were planning to murder your Highness", Erik said, and told everything to Julian.
"What nonsense is this?" Julian react and growled and rose abruptly stood up, causing Erik cringe and retreat away from the throne.

Erik was silent, he didn't know what to say and looked scared to Julian who didn't seem to believe.
"N.. nonsense, n... no m... my lord. Not nonsense, b... but the truth", Erik was finally called, even if the heart beat with fear.
"How dare you present that kind of accusations against men who are upper than you", Julian react and growled and glared at Erik like he was a dirty rat.

"I... I'm sorry, my lord", Erik said, and fell on his face on the floor, "I'm sorry." He spluttered quietly and waited to the penalty. He realized, that Julian wouldn't believe, and not going to try it again.

Julian saw how Erik was trembling with fear, and how small he seemed to be. His hatred relented slightly and for a moment he felt pity for this man.

"Get back to your work, and never said a bad word against Sir Nathaniel, who has been a my long-term friend and my support", Julian said, and felt a little pleasure when receiving subdue to Erik.
"Very well, my lord", Erik said quietly, standing up and bowed, and then he disappeared into the kitchen, where the chef already anxiously await him.

Just as Erik had guessed, Julian hadn't believed in him, and he had, therefore, to protect this in secret, even if on the other hand he doesn't deserve it. So Erik observers midst of his work environment in to be able to intervene if he would see those men trying to carry out their plans.

It took days and weeks, so nothing happened, but Erik was still alert. One summer day Julian had invited guests to his castle and also those three men whit them. These men seemed to be satisfied, because they now had the opportunity to implement their plans. Erik constantly be near to Julian, so that the men had none of right moment to do anything.

"Shall we go to ride?" Asked Samuel, who thought that perhaps it would be easier to make the murder, somewere else than castle where the king's servants constantly rotating around him, like now, that one skinny servant.
"Why not", Julian said, because it was nice to get out of the castle walls from time to time.

Erik saw that Henry pull the dagger out, which he was holding, so that Julian. couldn't see it. Apparently, the other two didn't agree with the one who had suggested the riding trip, Erik concluded. He lifted the tray and walked toward guests like to offer them something to drink and like accidentally he bumped into a Henry who were holding a dagger.

Erik felt how cold blade slashed a deep wound on his side, but he didn't let it to stop himself.
 

"You idiot!" Henry shouted and slapped Erik to the face with open hand as hard as he could, "now look what you did to my clothing, you clumsy fool!"
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", Erik slurred and hold his stinging cheek and bowed deeply.

The side hurts, but he bit his teeth on and tried to take it. He couldn't show that he had been hurt, the way those three would quess what he was trying to do and the consequences could be terrible.

"What is this? You haven't been clumsy before?" Julian said, looking Erik. with dissatisfaction.
"It was an accident, I tripped over my own feet", Erik said, "I am deeply sorry about what happened, and I promise it will not happen again", he went to the same polite, apologetic tone.

Julian looked silently to Erik, because he could not believe that he was quite clearly lieing, and he hadn't done so ever. He could not understand what was going on, he didn't really had time to think about because his guest, took his attention.

"You should put your servant into the fold." Henry hissed angrily and glared at Erik very ugly. He wasn't so much a cranky on spilled wine, as spoiled try assassinate Julian.
"He'll get his punishment later", Julian said to calm down Henry.

He wrinkle brows, when he saw a red coin spread to Erik's right side, although he tried to cover it up. Erik was perhaps, after all, telling the truth, Julian thought and saw how Erik's face had gone pale even further, so that the place where Henry's palm had been hit, shone a nasty red.

"I'm sorry, but I changed my mind, I'm not going to ride with you today, nice as it would be. But if you still want to go, my servant may put the horses ready for you", Julian said, and broke the momentary silence. Something was going on, he knew it, and wanted to avoid the risks for now.

"All right." Samuel said, but seemed to be a disappointed, when his plans fell through too.

Erik nodded silently affirmatively sign and headed to the kitchen to prevail upon the tray and broken glasses off before he could go to the stable as to prepare the horses ready for men. He heard how those men were shouting obscenities and mean things after him, but he didn't cared about them, he was already used to hearing those kind of words and mean things.
 

****

Erik began to prepare horses for riding trip, when he heard steps outside of the stable. They stopped and impatient, irritated voice began to speak to the other, which answered back almost back angrily.
"You and your riding trip", Henry snorted.
"You wasn't successful either when that clumsy servant ruined everything", Samuel replied.
"Since this doesn't work, then we need to act at night", Sir Nathaniel said.
"During the night, then", Henry buckled, even if he knew how risky it was.

Erik knew that he should prevented it at all costs, and he thought that he wouldn't sleep at night, let alone to see the next morning. He worked as usual and took the horses to men.

"Get lost you clod", Henry hissed and aimed at well-directed kick to Erik, "and watched that the rooms are in good shape when we get back, or you get that kind of penalty, that you don't sleep on your back on a week", he snarled.
"Yes, my lord," Erik said quietly. He was a long time ago used to command and intimidation, so he didn't care them now either. Sure, he would do what he was commanded, when he doesn't have any other options.

When men leave out of the gate, Erik headed to manage other chores, which was enough for him. That's what he just didn't know that Julian had seen what had happened in the yard, and was followed how Erik went to kitchen head bowed and shoulders hunched. He knew how to conscience knocked and thought, if he could just ease Erik's workload a litle bit. But it was forgotten when other things took his attention.

After receiving a small respite, Erik tied the wounds and took care of all the chores conscientiously, which belonged to him, even though the side hurt hard.

Men returned from a late night riding trip, and they weren't any more happier than they were when left either.
Nathaniel came down steed back and let Erik take care the horse. Erik was able take horses tostalls and began to take away from these equipment, when he saw Nathaniel arrived at the stable with his friends.

"Hey you!" Henry snarled.
Erik startled at the roar, interrupted his work and turned to see a man in fear.
"Yes", Erik said quietly and stayed humble wait to see what the man had to say.
"Come here, we want to talk to you a little", Henry commanded rudely.
"All right", Erik said, and stepped out of the stall, closing the door behind him, so that the horse wouldn't escape.
He had hardly got outside the stall, when Henry grabbed him in to lapel and threw him against to the wall. Frightened peep escaped from Erik's lips and he raised his hands instinctively to protect himself.

"We know what you're trying to do, you nasty rat", Nathaniel hissed and glared ugly at Erik.
Erik dared hardly breathe either, and didn't answer. He knew, however, that it would be no any use anyway.
"No need to whine, because your master is unlikely to help you", Nathaniel continued and Henry pressed Erik harder against the wall, and he struck the back of the head badly on the wall.
"I beg you, please don't do it. Don't sink to his level, because you aren't murderers, but men of honor", Erik said quietly and looked pleading to men. He didn't want to, that men shouldn't come murderers of one man's sake. He didn't want the innocent family would suffer these men's actions. It wasn't right.
He was now between the devil and the deep sea and decided to not even try to get men to retreat, that it took care of a bloodless, without anyone's honor would stained.
"We will do what we want, and you, stay out of our way, or you will go wrong!" Nathaniel snarled angrily.

Erik could only nod, because he understood very well that men wouldn't give up their plan. So he had to go in between, whatever it will cost. Henry struck his fist Erik face, before let him go. After this, the men took off their separate ways, leaving Erik alone.
Erik had become accustomed to the pain, so not even this was no exception. He suffered all in silence and continued to work, even if the head and face acheing unkindly.
When he had been treated horses, he could only wait. Hour after hour passed and the castle fell a deep silence. Finally tried a moment when Erik was able to move off.

He sneaked into the Julian's office, took a piece of parchment and began to write;

Dear King Julian

I don't know what else I can do, but you didn't leave me any other option. I warned of the danger that threaten you, but you didn't want to listen to me, so this is the only way to save your life.
I can understand if you look at it appropriate to punish me for insubordination, but I just can't stand by while your family torn aparts and the innocent will suffer. It is contrary to everything that I have learned in my life and that is why I have to act like this.
I'm sorry for everything, but I hope you understand.

As Brother Ignatius said to me once; Our lord, has said that we all are his children and we have to take care of them.

Over to the Lord.
Erik MacBear

Erik looked yet the message that he was written on parchment and stood up. He walked in the night as quietly as he could, and took the parchment Julian's bed chamber, leaving it on a bedside table.

After this, he wore Julian's royal outer clothing and quietly faded into the throne room, stepping with steady steps on the stand and sat down to the throne for wait.

****

He didn't have to wait long time, when those three men rushed out the shadows. While the men were dwarfed by the face detection hampering, Erik recognized them easily. He remained in place and was waiting for, even if he felt how fear bridge the cold tentacles around him. He heard steps and silent curses, when the men approached the tenacious in throne which he sat and waited.

"I heard from one person of your intentions and I decided to wait", Erik said in lofty tone of voice and stood up, even though he was afraid. It's got the men to stop. "I didn't have to disappointed. Now I would like to know what you want from me", he continued in the same prestigious voice, which had crept into some faltering.

"What are you doing your master's throne, and why you are wearing his clothes?" Nathaniel asked, disgust in his voice, stopping at in front of the throne platform, and recognizing Erik. He was infuriated that he had gone so cheap.
Erik didn't answer but stood there like a statue.
"You could tolerated to sanction for your insubordination", Nathaniel said, and rose up the steps to Erik's create, by Samuel, and Henry following in him.

Erik didn,t have time make a single sound, when those three attacked him and he let it happen. He didn't care about the pain, because he was numb it the passing of time. The attack was fast, powerful, and cruel, so in no time, when the men were ready.

They were going to head to the Julian bed chamber, when they heard his roar coming from the upper platform. Men escaped and pushed Erik passing over him, so that he rolled down the steps to the throne.

He stayed lying at the foot of the stairs, with blood appearing chest wounds and a, spreading into a deep red pond under him.

Although the forces were disappeared from his limbs, somehow he managed to turn himself on to stomach and lift up on to his hands and knees. Slowly and painfully he began to drag himself towards bucket of water which was near the wall, because his confused mind banged compulsive thought that he have to clean up the mess, before Julian arrived on the scene.

Forces stopped completely after he was reaching to the bucket and he managed to accidentally knock it over.

Wash water is spread with a splash on the floor and on top of him, watering a fine robe soaked. Vague, fearful utterance escaped his lips and fear turned change to the horror. He didn't know what to do, when he heard bare feet leaving a soft tone against the cold noble stone. Someone was coming.

Well, here is this chapter, I hope you like it and I'm sorry, that this time, I didn't put any listening music.

***

Days pass by in and changed to months, when Erik was learning new things. He even tried to learn swordsmanship, but soon realized that it was not his strength. He knew that would have had to learn that skill from an early age, now it was a little late to learn all of it, not to mention the fact that he did not even really want to hurt anyone, let alone fight.

Richard also saw that Erik wasn't created to kill anyone, because so strong were the teachings of the monastery in his mind. Richard was surprised that Erik was not on that wretched period of time, before settling in the monastery, had gone into evil ways. Some higher power must have been guided Erikiä, to this rocky road, he concluded, and thought that, yes this still be a good king , even though he was not keen on fighting.

Around the same time Maria had noticed changes in herself, which are telltale pregnancy, which come into full fruition over time. Erik think that Maria looked even more beautiful than before, when she aglow with future motherhood.

Erik was nervous about Maria's pregnancy and he wanted to protect her from all evil, and hoped that their children would have a better life, than what he himself had been.

Although he didn't talked much about it to Maria, he was afraid that the coming child would like for him was happened and in his mind he hoped and prayed to God to protect the Maria, as well as the unborn baby.

***

Richard decided it was high time to introduce Erik to the people, it became subordinates to know what kind of man they would get their ruler when the crown would change ownership. Erik was very nervous about coming day, as he was supposed to give a speech to the people. He decided to be honest and tell all about that shameful mark. He didn't want to be secretive about this matter any further, because before long might happen that someone would see that mark and accidentally blabbed it to the world.

Finally arrived that day, and they walked a large podium, which was built in the market place. They sat on the throne, and Erik saw people looking at them partly honor, partly expectantly, as Very rarely the royal came out, behind the stone walls in the middle of ordinary citizens.

King Richard stood up and spoke to the people, the end of which was followed by cheering and clapping. When the people were silent again, Erik rose cautiously to his feet and take a uncertainly step further. He was scared, but this was to be done. He looked at the people below the surging, took a deep breath and began to speak.

Erik told them the whole story, even he wanted to forget most of what he had experience.
"I will not force you to like me and if you think that I do not fit your king, I can give up the crown. I just wanted to be honest with you, so that you will know what I am . "Erik said gulping quiet and silent.

People was quiet, no one cheering, nor patted and Erik started to expect the first spawn ammunition, which would striking at him. He was used to it, and didn't felt the physical pain, but the inner hurt even more. He turned and walked slowly back to the throne, until suddenly started to hear screaming, cheering and clapping. Confused, he turned to look at people who clapped, cheered and chanted his name.

This was new to Erik, as he had been used to hear the name calling, slander, and received only blows, kicks and rotten vegetables and fruits. Small embarrassed smile spread on his lips and for a moment it seemed to him that everything will go in better way, when suddenly a very familiar figure rushed up, along with a couple of other men. Before anyone had time to do anything Julian had already slashed the king's throat open and attacked to the Queen.

Erik looked horrified at this, but realized that he had to act now if wanted to get his wife to safety. So he jumped to Maria and pulled to this with him, Ignatius striding behind him. They ended up in an isolated street, where they stopped for a moment.

"Ignatius, best friend of mine, I beg and pray, take Maria with you and take her out of here, get her to safety", Erik asked and looked at his old friend begging for.
"I will", Ignatius said and strode to Maria.

"Erik, no. I don't want to leave you", Maria asked.
"Mary dear, go. I don't want anything bad happen to you. Be so kind", Erik asked and looked at his wife unhappy. It hurts so much that he had to leave her like this, but it was the only way to protect her.
"All right", Maria said, tears streaming to her cheeks, and go with Ignatius.

Julian didn't noticed this until it was too late and Ignatius had rode out of the city gates, Maria with him.

Erik watched as the two fainter and finally disappeared from the view. He wished that they may get escape and and save from Julian and his subordinates. He didn't do anything to escape, but stood still in place, even when the two thugs arrived and took him over to Julian.

"Did you try to escape." Julian said, and looked at the estimates Erik.
"I didn't try", Erik said, to stood there and watching the tips of his shoes.
"Then why did you run away?" Julian said.

Erik was silent, and did not answer. He looked silently to Julian knew that he did not have to tell him, because Julian already knew what he had done.

"I guess you help your little wife to escape", Julian hissed viciously to got Erik cringe to stepped back. He almost ran thug, who standing behind him and nudged him away from himself.
"So what", Erik said and get rough nudge to his back from thug who stand behind him.
"That little escape will not last long, and when we catch them, you'll look at when they are executed", Julian said, the great satisfaction in his voice, when receiving Erik's clearly fear.
"Julian, I beg you let her live. I'll do anything you want, if you just let Maria go", Erik begged and tears rolled to his cheek.

Just when he thought he was expected to live in peace, all of it was destroyed and taken from him again. His parents were lying dead in front of their thrones and Maria was, hopefully, safe with Ignatius. No longer he had anything to lose and he would die gladly, if it only guarantee to protection of Maria.
"Anything?" Julian asked crooked smile on his face.
"Just about anything", Erik said, and took the crown off his head and handed it to Julian, "I even die, if you want that", he added quietly, hoping that man front of him, have mercy upon him and let him of this pain that gnawed his innermost so much.

"No, you're not dying yet, not before I wanted so", Julian said, smiling contentedly, even though he was a little annoyed at the same time because of how easily this has gone, "I need a servant, and you fit for the job well", he added and dropped the crown on his head.

Now, here is one chapter of MacBear's again.
And here comes a little reading music;

Aerosmith – I don't wanna miss a thing

The Bangles – Eternal Flame

***

But even if they had walked slow, they were deemed to be too fast to sleeping chamber door. They entered, and each was frightened at first, when something crashed into the open door directly to Erik's neck. They calmed down when they saw that the surges was Mary.

"Erik, I was worried", Maria rebuked Erik, blushed and then take a step further away from the man, when she saw the King with him. "Excuse me, Highness." She said embarrassed and made a court curtsey.

"Maybe I'll leave you two alone", King said, amused and retreated back to the door.
"I'm sorry for my behavior", Maria apologized.
"You don't have to apologize", King chuckled and twinkle had returned to his eyes it, which it hadn't seen since the birth of his son, "well, it is just that you take care of him", he went on smiled broadly.
"Thank you, Highness", Maria said, curtseyed again and pressed her head into a small bow.
"I'll leave him now into your hands, Maria", King said, and left, leaving young people togeather Erik's sleeping chamber.

"I'm so sorry, Erik", Maria said as soon as the King had gone.
"It's all right", Erik said, felt a deep affection for the maiden to produce. He realized that she would always remain by his side, and never go away. Erik pulled Mary close and kissed her tenderly, "I love you", he whispered softly, when they diverged from each other.
"I love you too", Maria said, still holding Erik's hand to her own.
Erik felt how soft and warm and slender maiden hands where to compaired to his own work hardening hands.

After a while they were just close to each other, to feel each other's touch. Erik finally sat down on the edge of the bed, Maria continues to put on hold chores. He was followed by Maria view and felt involves mixed emotions of her. Erik loved deeply to that maiden who answered his emotions so mindedly, and didn't fled screaming in the horror when seeing a nasty burning mark on his arm.

However, he did not want to judge the girl at the same hell, where he himself had lived his life. His heart was overwhelmed by these conflicting feelings, hopes and the bitter disappointment which he had experienced more than he wanted to.

"Erik, are you okay?" Asked Maria, who had seen the varying emotions of his melancholy and pale face.
"I am. I ... I'm just wondering whether this will work even then", Erik said at last, and sighed heavily, "I mean, I'm happy now and I want to spend my life with you, but I'm afraid that I condemn you as well to the same hell, where I have been all my life", he finally said, and pressed his eyes on the floor in shame.
"Erik, if that happens, I'll be there with you", Maria said, and sat down next to Erik, "you've been alone for so long, and I want to help you by sharing your burden, if it is my destiny", she went and stroked gendly Erik's thin arm.
"But ... I could not forgive myself if you put to shame because of me. I can't do that to you", Erik said unhappily.
He understood, how strong young woman, Maria, was, and that she'll be standing behind her words, but, after all, he wanted to save that innocent creature against all evils of the world, which he had already encountered.

"I understand you, and I'll say it again, that I stay by your side at all times, no matter what happens." Maria said, and pressed a gentle kiss to Erik's cheek. Erik felt Maria's warm breath tickle to his skin. How soft and gendle her lips felt like. . "I love you, not your crown, not noble ancestry, but you. And only you", she went and looked at Erik's eyes.
"But what your family would say if they knew", Erik said, worried and put his hand on top of his left upper arm.
"Oh, they don't say anything, because my parents died when I was just a litle girl. I have no siblings and my my grandmother, who raised me, died before last winter", Maria said, and felt sad, because she understood Erik well and because of this she love him so deeply. She wanted to be close to Erik, make him happy because for so long he had been without it.
"Forgive me, I'm so sorry, I should have realized", Erik said, embarrassed, and looked at his toes tips.

"Don't be", Maria said softly, "you've been without family and I, if no one, knows how it feels." She went.
"You will still have always been a support and security", Erik said, "in my life, there have been only a handful of people, to whom I'm ever indebted to, and you are one of them", he went and smiled sadly.
"Now you been silly." Maria said, cheeks glowing in red and smiled shyly.
"I'm serious." Erik said, and finally his lips curved to a small smile, "I owe you, because you kept me alive in that hell hole, even though I didn't see you that often", he continued.

"Oh, Erik." Maria said, blushing stronger.
"I love you, Maria." Erik said, looking directly into to her gendle eyes.
"I love you too." Maria answered his and looked at Erik's dark brown eyes, which she could see the sorrow that had been left into the dark depths of his eyes.

Deep silence fell in the room, both of them just watching each other. Unnoticed as their hands roamed over the body anothers. Lips find on anothers lips. They startled when the door opens and jumped apart, when they hear a light amused cough at the door.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness." Maria slur and looked at the Queen, face glowing in red.
"Perhaps we should have the wedding as soon as possible, otherwise the two of you are doing something irreversible", Queen said with a smile and looked at both of them.
"Yes, a wedding", Erik muttered confused.
"Erik, your father wants to have a party on your honor", Queen said, and looked at her son happy that he had been back to her.
"Party", Erik said, and went more and more confused, "I don't know. Not really set the party.", he added, embarrassed. He wasn't just never celebrated anything. Only once in the monastery he was celebrated his birthday, when he reached the age of majority.
"But your father would want”, Queen said, looking lovingly at his son. She well understood reluctance. For him it was only now that so many things to become clear and acclimatization to a new life would still have time.
"Well, alright", Erik reluctantly agreed and asked that the party doesn't render very large for him.

"Wonderful." Queen said with a smile and pressed a light kiss on his son's cheek.
"Uh ... well ... Mother..." Erik started tangled, when he didn't know how he would be expressed his case, "well, as I would like, that we would have our wedding to a small scale. I don't like loud uproar because of it. When the ... when this is new to me", he went on to explain his case in snatches and twisted his fingers nervously.
"Anything you want, my dear son.", Queen said softly and gently touched his son's chin, "let's see what I can arrange."
"I would like that Brother Ignatius would marry us. He is authorized to do such a thing, and he's a good friend of mine", Erik continued and calmed down a little, when his request doesn't knocked out, "in fact, the only friend of mine, in cluded to to Maria", he continued and looked at his toes.
"It fits very well”, Queen said, stepping to the door, then turned, "Maria, would you come with me", she asked kindly.
"Yes, your gracious Highness", Maria said, and bowed in small ways, "bye then Erik. I'll see you again later", she said, and kissed Erik quickly, before almost ran after the queen.

Erik was left alone and sat down on the edge of the bed. There he sat for who knows how long, and stared front of him at the happy smile on his face . Still, he hesitated a little bit of that big case, but he knew in his heart what he wanted and he wanted to be alongside to Maria until his death.

A little later, Maria came back over to Erik, who stared at this, for the maiden was now a breathtakingly beautiful, on a derss suitable for a princess.

"You're beautiful." Erik gasped out without taking his eyes off Mary.
"Now you been silly again." Maria said with a smile and cheeks glowing red.
"I have never seen a maiden than you." Erik said, and felt how the heart banged hard in the chest.

He just wanted to be with Maria. Wanted to take care of that maiden and protect her like the fragile flower in his hand. His feelings towards to that beautiful maiden than you was strong. He felt what those feelings were ablaze in his chest like a fire. Those feelings were stronger, perhaps because for so long those feelings were banned from him.

"Erik, you speak so beautifully", Maria gasped and looked at him happily. She saw the sense of the fire in the eyes of the man and knew that one thing would lead soon to another, if they would stayed togeather, bit longer, "I just wanted to come and see you before I go to bed", she said.
"I thank you", Erik said stepped forward and gently took to Maria's hand to his own and kissed up on her cuddly hand, "good night, my love", He continued and pulled the woman closer to pressing a passionate kiss on her red lips.

"Good night, Erik my love", Maria said, and walked out of the room.

She was a little bit on other worlds, because she had seen how strongly Erik felt and wanted to be alongside with him. She wanted him to have to experience everything the other ordinary people. All the things that he had been missed out in his live.

***

A few days later celebrated to Erik's and Maria's wedding, but there was not for many people, because Erik didn't want to keep the noise, and he doesn't even know who to invite. Because none of the monks to the monastery, wouldn't come, except the abbot, and Ignatius was already in the castle. Erik thought that Luke would not have time to come, as he had a monastery to perform and Erik didn't want to interfere with this, so he sent him a letter and tell him everything that had happened to him.
 

However, the wedding went according to the formula by which it was to go into royal, even though the wedding was modest. After the wedding was a small-scale party, and after that Maria and Erik retreated from the room prepared for them. At last, they could be togeatger. At last they could now show feelings to others, without being unauthorized.

Erik pulled Maria's close to him and kissed her passionately.

He felt the woman's warm body against his own and felt her hands that curiosity roamed along her body. His own hands roamed along the woman's body, touching her gently and with care, like the this would have been the most fragile glass. It all happened by itself they had both affectionate to each other, because understood time was right for both the first. They were waiting for each other give each other time, touching each other affectionately mind hand lips. Until late at night they fell asleep to entwined each other and slept down until the morning.

Erik woke up first, but not the heart to wake a sleeping still Mary, her sleep looked very beautiful. He spent his time watching Maria's's face, which are reddish-blonde hair framed beautifully.

Erik did not know how long it had been looking at Mary, when she opened her eyes and looked back with a smile. There they rested close to each other watched each other, without getting enough of it.

Maria's soft fingers made excursions along Erik's body, and he gave it to happen. Woman's gaze glided along the arms, the chest and fingers brushed lightly his scarred back.

Maria felt how to Erik shuddered to her touch, and saw how he closed his eyes, like he was ashamed of his scars.

"Ssh. There is nothing to worry about", Maria said quietly pressed so close against Erik, that their lips touched each other.
"Forgive me", Erik said quietly, and gave his fingers brushed lightly Maria's smooth skin and explore to her soft shapes. "It takes a long time before I learned, if I ever learned", he continued and looked at Maria's face with a gentle, warm smile.

"It's all right", Maria said, and pressed a gentle kiss on her fresh husband's lips, "I love you with all your scars", she added with smiling.
A room of silence descended and the both of them just enjoying each other's company and wanted to weigh every moment of mind, as this was one of the best moments of Erik's life.

"We should probably get up", Erik said at last and toyed gently with one light strand of hair, which finally brought gently to one side Maria's's beautiful face.
"Yeah, I guess", Maria admitted, though she didn't really want to get up from the bed yet.

She wanted to be Erik's company forever, but she knew that they could not be just lying on the bed the whole day. There was so much to do and Erik had still a lot to learn.
That serene moment lasted half an hour, until the servant came in and brought the breakfast tray on a table nearby.

"Your breakfast, your Excellency", ervant said, and bowed.
"But you didn't have to", Erik said, confused, "I had thought to come the kitchen for breakfast", He continued, as he really wasn't used to the fact that the food was brought to him.
"Why your Excellency would bother to come the kitchen?" The servant asked confused.
"Well, uh..." Erik stammered and embarrassed. This was another one of those things that he should learn, "the old way", he muttered at last and stared at the his fingers.
"Your Excellency is welcome in the kitchen, if you wish so, but I would advise to enjoy your breakfast in peace and quiet here", servant said, smiling and hinted eye, "and you don't need to bring a tray in the kitchen, one of us will get it later", he added, bowing and left, leaving the young couple to their own peace.

Erik was silent and just sat still. He was embarrassed, but it was new, and he was still not used to being served. When He was used to being the one who serves and does the work.

"Erik, are you all right?" Maria said and wrapped her arms around Erik.
"I am. I just... this all is so new to me and I don't know how to be properly served", Erik answered her at last and looked at Maria's gentle face.
"I understand, you're been through a lot and you know how brutal the lower caste life can be at its worst", Maria said gravely and pressed a gentle kiss to Erik's cheek, "but you are a noble and kind man and that's why I love you so much", she added, a small smile coming back to her lips.
"Thank you, Maria. I do not know how I would cope without you", Erik sighed and pulled himself closer to Maria. That he knew that if he would have to give up Maria sometimes, live doesn't longer be worth of living, "I'm sorry, I'm not a perfect dream prince", he sighed and wondered miserably again for the umpteenth time, that could he be the ruler after all.

"Erik, I've said that I don't care about the titles or the jewels in the crown. I love you just the way you are and how you met for the first time”, Maria answered him, wondering how much remains to be needed, before Erik evolved into exactly the kind of king than expected.

She wanted to be the man's aid, because that is what he was in need, especially now that his was to fall on the shoulders big burden of responsibility. Maria knew that the thing was a big deal for Erik and this felt that it was in a different way, as if he had lived his life in the castle as should have been if that disgusting man, Julian, had been in existed.

"But ..." Erik began, but received complete a sentence, when Maria put her slender fingers to his lips.
"Ssh, my dear, do not talk. I'll be with you always, and I'll never leave you. I want to be by your side at all times, wherever you go. I go with you", Maria said quietly and looked straight into Erik's dark brown, which had a melancholy look, "I love you, just as you are, because I can see how good and honest you are, even if you have to face so much injustice in your life", she continued and pressed a gentle kiss on his lips.
"What I'd do without you", Erik said with a rough voice, and response for his wife's gentle kiss.

For a long time, they didn't see anything else but each other and just felt each others light touch. Breakfast would have been forgotten from those two, if Erik's stomach would rumble loudly. Erik blushed and Mary got a small giggle, which she quickly tried to suppress.

"I'm sorry." Maria said, looking tenderly Erik.
"It's all right." Erik said quietly and added, "It is high time to eat."

So they enjoyed the castle chef conjured up from breakfast, which consisted of fruit, bread and wine. After breakfast, they laze around for a while, before they dressed on. However, Erik was accustomed to from an early age to work and take care of everything, so this kind of slacking off was new for him, and he still had not got used to it and hardly ever be come get used to.

Maria noticed Erik's uncertainty and occasional gloomy thoughts, who visited like shadows on his face. She saw the how low self-esteem his was pressed and knew that it would take a long time, until it could be fixed, if ever. After all, a man has been a slight change for the better, but would a long way to the front, and not the way it be come be easy.

Maria hoped that her love would help and she felt more strongly desire to be the man alongside with and support this. Because love, acceptance, warmth and kindness is what that man needed right now, because for so long he had been without it.

"What are you thinking about?" Erik asked, and looked searchingly Maria's face.
"You," Mary answered and smiled. Erik didn't say anything, but he smiled.

Both fell into silence again, because company of each other was enough for them.

Later in the evening they went to the great hall, where there was a sumptuous dinner.

It seemed like a tasty for everyone, but Erik ate very carefully, as always, for he was still not used to such a large quantity of food, having lived for so many years by a narrow and sometimes very one-sided diet.

Here is the seventh chapter for you to read, because I don't have the patience to wait for longer than this. But hopefully this chapter pleases you.

***

Erik recovered slowly and injuries healed, but the internal wounds were still open, because it took time to heal, and not all of them never healed. Erik recovered slowly and injuries healed, but the internal wounds were still open, because it took time to heal, and not all of them never healed. But when Erik began to be in better shape, he also got to be up, what splinted leg only allowed.

Erik walked along the castle with Maria, who was a guide to Erik, telling the history of the building, what I knew. Sometimes he himself roamed rooms watching and admiring the wall murals or beautiful hand-woven fabrics hanging on the walls. He had never seen anything like this before, not to mention that he not even dared to dream of that kind of things.

He particularly liked one of the big room on the wall hanging fabric that flame deep red and gold. He liked the picture, which was of any color, fabric yarns embroidered on because it. He often went out just looking at the picture, but not dared to touch it, even doubted it to feel soft fingers.
Picture fascinated him, and he felt that there was something very distantly familiar, a bit the same way as those feelings that he had received from his mother humming and delicate floral aroma.
 

One day, while he was standing at the picture and had raised his hand to touch the fabric, when he heard cough near him. Erik got scared and pulled the hand away from the fabric and heart pounding he backed off the door.

"I... I'm sorry", he faltered and stumbled anxious towards the door and got entangled in his own feet and crutches and fell against the door.
"I'm sorry", he said again, and felt the horror of creeping in him. "I... I leave right away", he stammered and tried to get up off the floor and open the door at the same time.

He heard how someones the steps towards him and he was trying to panic to escape, but was so nervous that he didn't get the door open and pulled his hand instinctively protect himself, like fearing to have once again met with punches and kicks.

King stepped out of the shadows, but stopped at some distance from the door, because he saw how positively trembled with fear was and realized that the past years had left deep marks inside him.

"Erik", King said at last with a gentle, quiet voice, and approached him calmly, because he did not want to put any more of this terror, "take it easy", he said in a friendly and bent over to help him up to his feet.
"Y. .. you", Erik had a stammer and and looked at the king settles down a bit.
"I didn't mean to scare you", King said, and directed Erik to sat on a wooden padded bench.
"I thought... I thought that I had no permission to be here", Erik said, embarrassed and looked down.
"What are you talking about. Of course, you have permission to be here, this is your home", King said gently, because he realized how much Erik had been suffered in his life, how limited his life had been.

"I'm sorry. I just not have use to all of this yet", Erik said, and began to feel stupid.
"You've been watching that picture often", King changed the subject.
"Yes", Erik admitted and felt his cheeks flushed, "I have a strong feeling that I've seen it before." He then dared to say.
"It may be so", King said calmly, and then sighed deeply, "I showed it to you the day before you were taken", he then said quietly, and looked at the picture.

"I don't remember that day", Erik said, "I think I was very small", He added, speaking more to himself than to King.
"The baby only, but even then you liked that picture." The king said, and turned and looked at Erik, who was now calm down. "If you want, you can watch it closer." He added lips curving into a sorrowfully smile.
"Thank you." Erik said quietly, and rose to the bench.

He walked over to the fabric and look at it more closely, studied the colors and admired the hand skills with which the picture was made a long time ago. Carefully, he raised his hand, approached the picture and gave fingertips to touch it. He felt how soft the fabric was and closed his eyes, letting his fingers move on the surface of the fabric. As flimsy as distant and unclear dream images, he saw how he had once before touched the fabric. He swallowed and involuntary silent sob escaped from his lips, but he did not yet removed his hand from the fabric.

"Erik?" Said King, who had walked Erik's side.
"Yes?" Erik said, and put his hand down.
"Are you all right, or of course you're not, but I mean", King was trying to say.
"Yes I am", Erik replied, and looked to the king with melancholy smile, "I still have a lot to learn, because I have lived my life elsewhere, and I don't know anything about court life, and I don't know all the things I should do or know ... as a prince", he said then gently and smiled in small ways.
"That can be arranged", King said calmly, a smile illuminating his face for a long time.

The two discussed for a long time and many things, but the king never once asked Erik to his past life, because he thought that he would tell himselfthen, when he was ready to do it.

***

Julian squat on the cold floor of the booth and waited for the day when he would be executed. He was angry, harbored revenge and was thinking about wearing out his head, and figured any sensible idea to get to escape from that hell hole.

Julian knew he needed the keys, or any other way the get the booth door open. However, he had noticed a long time ago, that one of the guards didn't seem too smart, so in all likelihood he had any chance to get away.

So he then put his brain nodule in motion and soon came up with the plot, which would free. Then he suffered injustice revenge royal family. So he threw himself on the floor when that big guy come and lay on the field like dead.

Julian had been right guard was not particularly intelligent. His acting went into full to guard, who turned his heels and ran to seek help, leaving the door open. It was an opportunity that Julian had been waiting for.

As soon as the guard had disappeared, Julian jumped to his feet and fled through the open door and then to the corridor. Then he made his way out of the dungeon. Somehow, he managed to avoid the guards.

First thing on the outside the front door, he looked for a suitable hiding place where to be, until the worst of the commotion would be over. He hoped that he would have time to come up with a plan to get that Royal family out of his way and get access to power which he lusted for so much.

****

Erik and the king had sat for hours on a bench and talked of the many things. Slowly, Erik had dared ask about the things that interested him, and the slight hope, live inside him. Hope that this might be permanent.
Suddenly, their conversation interrupted the soldier who ran puffing in the room and then came to a halt in place and did honor to his king as a soldier should be do.

"Excuse me, Excellency, but I came to announce that Julian has fled", Soldier said, and was looking forward to the king's orders.
"Find him immediately. No one doesn't rest until that crook is caught", King said, standing up.

After the soldier was gone became silent, and the king stood there looking increasingly in the direction of where the soldier had ran head over heels.

"I guess it was then that", Erik said sad and felt how good mind flowed slowly away from him, and despair took over the area again.
"What are you talking about, you don't have to go anywhere", King said, and turned to see Erik, whose posture had disappeared and he was sitting in its field head bowed.

"What's to stop Julian from telling all the people from that cursed burning mark which burned to my flesh a long time ago", Erik said quietly, "if he has time to tell everyone, people have time to hear, and they don't want to cursed god-awful man to a prince, and the Ruler", he went on and slowly rose to his feet.

"But that mark has burned in to your skin under false pretenses", King said, and tried to think about how the matter should be cleared up once and for all, as it seemed to be only harm, it is thought any standard.
"People don't care about that, they only see the burning mark and think that it will bring bad luck, even death among people. They want to get rid of it", Erik replied with an empty hollow voice, which tells to the king of sorrow and anxiety, which he felt for the cause.
"There has to be way, because I don't want to lose my son again", King said firmly and looked at Erik, who had seen more of life and its seamy side than the other of his peers ever, "people need to understand, either good or bad", he went on to adamantly voice.

"No, Father. Don't hurt your people, they are just people, and in a way I understand them", Erik said and looked at the king's face seriously, "I was hoping that I would have a home here, but I guess fate has told otherwise, and I do not have permission to ask for more than I get", he sighed and with heavy heart he began to walk back to his room.
"No, you don't need go anywere. You live here with me, and you have a future monarch, no matter what people said", King said after stepping Erik, turned this around and pulled this close to him and hugging his son for the first time since the early childhood.

"Father", Erik said quietly desperate voice, and answered a hug.

"I miss you so much and I was afraid you were dead. But now you are here and I don't want you to get separated to your family again", King said with emotion, it was indeed all these years, hoping that he could see his son before dying. He saw how Erik had grown up, and saw that he was older than his real age, and grown wiser and would be a great ruler, if an accursed burnmark and wicked counselors Julian, wouldn't have been a ruining all of this.
"Father", Erik said, and take a step farther, "I don't want to leave, now that I've found my family, but the best thing to do would be for me to leave, and I wouldn't shame your own house", he continued speaking, his father seriously.

"No. We are looking for a solution to this, for you have suffered quite enough and I don't want you to suffer any more", King said, a determined voice, "and now I'll take you back to your room, because you need to rest. Perhaps Maria is waiting for you", he added, and hinted his eye, smiling mischievously.
"Father", Erik began, but saw his father's face look that objections been good enough, "all right", He agreed and walked beside his father, when he led the him through the corridors of the castle, towards the sleeping chamber.

King was in no hurry, because he wanted to be as long as possible with his son's company and because he saw that Erik's foot wasn't yet in that good condition that it would last harder going. King watched silently, Erik, and he saw that that burn mark and Julian jailbreak was plagued with his mind, so, even though he tried not to show it.

They stopped sometimes and King told stories about fabrics or weapons hanging on the wall. Stories of the men of his family, who at the time were ruled to the kingdom and lived in these halls.