Does Your Soul Remember Mine

Chapter 5: The Crone, the Seamstress, and the Queen

“Your Majesty!” Said a lovely Seamstress wearing an even lovelier dress. “Thank you for your wonderful hospitality.” Her smile was ravishing. “My husband and our family have been travelling through this wonderful kingdom on business. While he peddles his goods I have been designing a new fashion that I'm sure you'll love!” With a proud twirl, she showed off the outfit she was wearing, no sooner had she finished spinning then her youngest son approached the two Queens with two gowns, one in each of their sizes.

“Well, these are truly lovely.” Said Queen Christina with a smile that failed to reach her twinkling eyes. “Don't you think so? My sweet?”

Queen Isabella took her dress and looked to her mother for approval. After a nod from Queen Christina, she recited "thank you".

The merchant stepped forward. “We will be leaving shortly, but before we go, my eldest son and I have another gift for her highness.” He gave a gracious bow as his eldest son, a man taller than the merchant, stepped forward with a bottle of wine and a candied strawberry. “For you, my Queens!”

Young Isabella jumped up with glee, quickly forgetting the gown. “Candy!”

But Queen Christina halted her with a single hand movement. “No, no, my dear. First, you'll try on the gown, then you'll have as many candies as your little heart desires.”

The child queen looked disappointed but sulked away at her mother's request.

Elyse had spent two nights in the Queen's castle and was now watching the scene from the crowd along with other members of the court and an elderly lady who looked very much like the seamstress. Every so often, Elyse would gaze at the woman, open her mouth to speak, but then would close it just as fast. Finally, with a deep breathe, she built up the courage to introduce herself. “I'm Elyse.” She said to the woman. “That's your daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons, right?”

The old crone looked at her with surprise. “No one hardly ever speaks to me.” She confessed. “But yes. Yes, that is my family addressing the Queens and my name is Camilla.”

Elyse leaned in to whisper. “Are they kind to you? Your daughter and son-in-law?”

Camilla nodded. “My son-in-law pretends like I am not there. To him I am a necessary accessory to his wife just as a hat is to one of her famous dresses.” Her face fell into a frown and words she did not intend to say came tumbling out. “I know I am a burden to them but they will not have me living like a peasant for fear I would make them look bad. They refuse to let me care for myself unless I manage to find respectable employment, which I cannot because I have no skills.” After a moment, a nervous laugh left her throat. “Oh my, please forgive me. I just don't know what has gotten into me. I don't even know you…Elyse? Right? Is that what you said your name was? Well, you'll have to forgive an old lady. I love my daughter and grandchildren dearly but sometimes I wish I would have a life of my own.”

Elyse nodded, unable to speak due to the lump in her throat. The poor woman had no idea what was about to happen.

Queen Christina rose with grace, a fire in her eyes. She took the bottle of wine and the candied strawberry. “I sent Isabella away because there is no need for a child to have to witness an arrest.”

“Arrest?” The merchant became pale white as two guards stepped forward to grasp his arms.

“I'm aware of your intent to harm me and my daughter.” Christina's anger was beginning to show despite her poise. “This wine and the candy will be fed to one of our hounds. If the hound perishes than so will you!” She turned to the Seamstress and her two sons. “Where you aware of all this?”

“No!” The seamstress lied and Elyse could hear Camilla gasp beside her. “Please, give us mercy! My youngest son still needs me!”

Christina's hardened gaze began to soften as the youngest boy began to weep. “Very well. You may take your children and leave, but your business must never cross the border onto Spanish soil again. You are unwelcome!”

With relief, the seamstress ran from the room with her two sons while Camilla stood still next to Elyse. “What will we do now!” She said. “My oldest grandson can take over his father's business but it would most definitely suffer a great deal after this!” She shook her head. “I must leave! It was so very nice to meet you miss.”

The empty spot beside her was soon filled with an invisible presence. “Follow the old woman and ask her to come back with you and teach the French language to Don Carlos' children.” Said Constantine.

It would have been odd for Elyse to answer, considering only she could see him. The aristocrats around her would have thought she was insane. So, instead, she simply took the advice in silence, walking out of the room as inconspicuous as she had walked in.

The merchant was sentenced to death after the hound died from the poisoned gifts. His son took over his business but lost a great deal of his family's wealth due to his father's ruined reputation. The seamstress continued to make clothes while teaching her young son the ways of her skill, and all three wished Camille a tearful goodbye as Elyse stood by to travel home with the old woman.

Maria and Carlos welcomed Camille since their daughter was engaged to be married to the son of Count Jean, despite the plan's disastrous outcome. None of them spoke French and it was decided that the girl would be sent off to live in France, so a language teacher was necessary.

Elyse and Camille agreed to say they had met on their journey to the Carlos' manse, Elyse, riding home from her father's deathbed and Camille, riding to request employment since her grandson could no longer be expected to support her any longer, so long as he hoped to provide a comfortable living to any future bride and children. Camille's lessons didn't just reach the ears of the Carlos family children, but Elyse as well.

Camille, who had been born a tavern wench, now carried a respectable job in the Carlos family household far, far away from her tarnished reputation. Here, she was only known as a teacher of the French language. Here, she caught the eye of a widower carpenter who called upon her frequently, putting a blushing smile on the old crone's face from time to time. Here, Elyse could see that the woman could finally find love again as well as a purpose in life; and when it was finally time for Elyse to move on before anyone noticed that she did not age, little Elyse could speak fluent French.