A Woman from the future

The unexpected Knight.

"come to me, you don't have to run away"

I just can't take the pain anymore, I sat on the ground, the time is now if this darned time activator is going to do anything for me.

"move away from her" I might have only heard that voice once but I recognised it.

the man looked behind him, and there was the Prince, my unexpected Knight in black coat, I didn't even get his name.

"and what if I don't?, from the way I see it I'm closer to her than you" God no, this monster is a persistent one

"I see you want to take advantage of her too, we might as well join forces but if you insist to have her to yourself, you are making a mistake" he has turned to face the Prince and I saw my opening.

I lifted my good leg as high as I could and connected it with his balls, he fell to his knee's clutching his pants, the Prince rushed towards him then and hit him squarely on the face, he collapsed to the floor.

the Prince stood over him, checking to ensure he has passed out before turning to me "can you stand up?" he asked now facing me.

"I think I can manage" I tried to stand on my foot once more, he put an arm around me to support me, but my body had a mind of its own, I felt hot.

he led me back towards the Inn, but on our way he suddenly spoke "what were you thinking?, why would you go out at this time?"

"it's... its, I... i am" I stutter

"look at that, how pathetic, you don't even have an explanation for your foolishness"

I pushed his hand off my back "like you are one to talk, when you came to the Inn late and alone, all the while knowing you are a golden prize, and you preach about foolishness"

"those are two different situations, I'm a man and I can defend myself"

"well you saw what I did back there, I don't need you or your help"

"it doesn't look like that to me, you actually look like you've given up when I got there"

I faced him, shooting glares at him "I don't know what you think of yourself, but I would have defended myself, I just needed him to come close, and that is what looks like giving up to you"

"you are...." I cut him off.

"oh please, you are not my father and you are not the Prince of me, so I am done having this conversation" I turned to leave, that was when I remembered my foot was still hurting, i would not ask for his help, as painful as it is I dragged my foot and pretended I was okay.

all of a sudden the earth spinned, oh sorry more accurately he picked me up, I shoved at his chest "drop me now, I don't need your help, I thought I made that clear, that you are royalty doesn't make me scared"

he didn't even flinch, neither did he stop in his track, so I continued "drop me now you snub monkey" that seemed to get a reaction but not the one I wanted, he smiled, if I wasn't so close to him I wouldn't have seen it.

he carried me all the way to the Inn, then asked me where my room was, at first I didn't answer "I guess we can both share my room then"

"down the hall, the last room on the right" I blurted out, the last thing I want is a scandal hanging over my head, the little time I've spent here has taught me that the people here enjoy getting their hands on juicy gossips.

he dropped me at the door "can you manage from here?" he inquired.

"what do you think" I pulled the door handle and went in without saying goodnight or thank you, I know I'm being a terrible ingrate now but he's sure worse.

I looked down at my ankle, it's starting to swell and it's probably going to look worse in the morning, but I'll manage.

I fell to the bed, I was unable to find the activator but I'm grateful for being safe, I picked my foot and placed it gently on the bed.

now there is one more problem, how do I explain this to Christine in the morning?

I heard a soft knock on my door, I fluttered my lashes, opening my eyes to the sunlight shining through my window, I groaned inwardly, it seems in this time line I am not a morning person.

the knock came again then my brain registered that was my cue to start the day, I tried sitting up, it was mostly painful as my leg was now swollen as predicted, I was about calling Christine in when she pushed the door inward, peeping through to see if I was up.

"hi, good morning"

Christine smiled while making her way to where I sat "good morning Eliza"

she sat at my side and gently stroke my hair, this was the first time Christine would ever touch my hair, I didn't know what to feel, a part of me felt relieved while a part of me felt sad, because this shouldn't be the first time a woman should stroke my hair lovingly, but it has just never happened for me,all courtesy of my mother.

I was about facing her when I felt that sharp pain on my ankle, I hissed, immediately Christine reached for the cloth on my foot and pulled it gently, I could see worry etched all over her face.

"my God, what happened,?" she stared at me wide eyed "did you fall?,"

"I...I was..." uh, this is so bad

"she wasn't being careful" I heard his voice before he came into sight, he made eye contact with me, and man talk about motive... I think he is up to some monkey business.

"she was rather too confident going out like that" my eyes went wide, I am done for

he continued "she could have been in more trouble if I didn't hold Damien's reins properly, he launched at her so she fell back spraining her ankle"

Good lord, I sucked in breaths, that went well, but does the snub monkey have to be so dramatic?, I rolled my eyes at him, cornering Christine so she won't see.

Christine cleared her throat, bringing me back to face her" I actually wanted to speak with you" I nodded, signalling her to go on.

"the Inn is in debt, you see Ed... Ed is trying to do all he can, and so am I, we felt having an extra hand will help with how well the Inn functions, and help turn profit more" she paused "but sometimes, things don't always happen the way we want it to, don't get me wrong, you've been wonderful, but we can't take care of you anymore, we can't pay your dues, and that won't be fair to you"

this is my dreaded moment coming to life, I won't just leave without a fight "and who says you have to pay me, I like it here (maybe) with you, don't make me go, I know no one and I have nowhere to go"

"I know, and that's why we arranged for you to go with the king"

"WHAT?!!, I mean what?" I won't be surprised if I startled everyone, I'm in shock myself.

the king graced my room then, "you don't have to worry, you can always visit Christine every now and then"

I whispered to Christine "I don't know this people, and you want me to leave with them"

she replied, but I guess she missed my point as she focused on something else "you don't know the king?, you are an Englander right, why won't you know your king" she whispered back.

"you know that's not what I meant" I lied "I don't know the kind of person they are, never met a king until now"

"you'd be fine,remember you didn't know me and Ed before coming here too, there's nothing to worry about, and you heard the man, you can always come see me, I'd be happy to have you"

I looked at all the faces now present, the king, his son, Mr Edward's and Christine, then I realized there was no way out of this.

"I... I'll start packing, there isn't much to park anyway" I said looking down at my hands, trying to stop that tear from falling, what in the world was going on?, am I really going to cry over a woman that is not my mother?

I gritted my teeth and smiled as best as I could "give me a minute please, I'd meet with you all outside, let me get my things together"

"we ain't got all day though" the Prince said

I was about staring him down, but I thought to check with his father first, who happened to be staring at me intently, "you'll live for now" I mumbled.

"you said something" there goes the cocky Prince again

I smiled, making sure to show its fake "yes, I said leave so I can undress"

he smirked, ahhh, I hate hate hate his guts, I wanna yell, he's joking around when everything is crumbling for me, I just can't stand this guy.

as if seeing my dark intents, the king parted his son on the back "we are leaving, take your time, I know you would want to spend time with Christine as this is unexpected, you can spend the day, but I'm afraid I have to continue on, there are rather pressing issue's I have to attend to, you will come with William here" he faced his son "and you try to be good" with that he left the room alongside his son.

"I'll see you in a while, can you walk?" Christine

"I'm fine, I'd join you outside"

she merely nodded and left with Ed, I sat where I was a moment longer, wondering if I'm ever going to make it out of this time line, now that i am moving away from where the activator might be.