I instantly knelt next to him and pulled the arrow out of his shoulder. He winced in pain as I tried my best to comfort him. I looked around me to see if anyone who could help was in sight but only Lieutenant Woods was there. He was holding a bow in his right hand and was wearing a mischievous smirk. I swear that at that moment I could kill him.
"What have you done?!"I screamed as tears formed in my eyes. "How can you be such a monster?!" I placed my head against Noah's chest. His heart was still beating but I needed to get help. I headed for the door that lead to the ballroom but the lieutenant quickly blocked my path with his sword.
"He'll die before you step in there again."he warned in a menacing tone.
"We'll see..." I said as an idea flashed through my mind. I ran to Noah and withdrew his sword from his belt. It was much heavier than I expected. Before I could charge at the lieutenant, I felt Noah grab my ankle. I looked down to see blood dripping down his hand.
"He is trained to fight with swords. He could kill you in one swing."he begged.
"I would rather die than live with the guilt of letting you die."I said as I positioned myself and prayed a quick prayer under my breath. The lieutenant's first attack came out of nowhere. He was way stronger than I was and almost knocked my sword out of my hand. I tried to take a few swings at him but he managed to block them all. He eventually cornered me to the point where I would either forfeit or jump off the balcony. Noah was now lying helplessly on the floor as he tried his hardest to stay conscious. I took another step back so that I was pressed against the railing now. It was then that I saw Lord Daley walk out onto the balcony. As he saw me dangling at the edge of the railing he quickly drew his sword and sneaked up behind the lieutenant.
"Ah. You have to be faster than that."said the lieutenant as he turned round just in time to block Lord Daley's attack. They started to fight each other and I quickly rushed to Noah. His face was cold and his lips were pale. I was about to kiss him when...
"Look out!" I grabbed my sword just in time and swung it over me and Noah, blocking Lieutenant Wood's attack. I must have swung harder than I expected because his sword went flying over the railing. He was left unarmed and Lord Daley forced him to forfeit.
I paced anxiously across the dimly-lit corridor while the doctor attended Noah's wounds. It was taking even longer than I'd expected. When the doctor finally came out of the room, I could not help but ask about Noah's state.
"He should be fine as long as no infections fester the wound."the doctor said before leaving.
I was still waiting outside Noah's room when Lord Daley approached. He sat on the floor beside me.
"How are you?"he asked in a kind voice.
"Frustrated but hopeful. The doctor said he should be fine."I replied. I looked up to meet his eyes that showed a hint of sadness. "Are you alright?"
"Not exactly."he said as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Why not? 'Tis your wedding day!"I smiled. "Worry not about Noah. 'Tis not your doing."
"'Tis not your doing either."he added. "You love him, don't you?"he asked and I slowly nodded in reply. I guess I did, and now that Lieutenant Woods had been arrested, Noah was surely the one for me. Lord Daley opened his mouth to say something but before he could pronounce the words, he was interrupted by frantic crying from down the hall. We quickly stood up to see what was going on and were left speechless at what we saw. Aunt Monica was crying her heart out, a handkerchief pressed against her cheek.
"What's wrong dear aunt?"I asked as I patted her back.
"You- your... your mother! Your mother!"she shrieked.
"What about my mother?"I asked as worry washed over me.
"Your... mother... your mother l-left us!"she said before she continued to sob and at that moment I ran. I ran as I hoped that this was one bad dream that I would wake up from... that this was not reality. I ran until I arrived at the nearest window. I threw it open and climbed onto the windowsill. I swear that had Lord Daley not followed me and persuaded me to climb back down inside, I would have jumped.
For two days straight I cried inside my room, all alone. I refused to eat and sleep until tiredness eventually took the best of me. I awoke to the sound of my chamber's door flying open. I looked up through heavy eyes to see Lady Riverood; Noah's mother in the doorway.
"I am so sorry to have disturbed you from your slumber."she apologised and retreated out of the room as if to leave me in peace.
"Wait!"I called. "Any news about Noah?"I asked as I limped off the bed.
"Aye, 'tis what I wanted to talk to you about."she said as her eyes met mine.
"Well?"I asked.
"Noah is awake and is recovering in his chamber..."she began. I let out a sigh of relief. I'd already lost my mother... losing Noah too would be unbearable.
"Am I allowed a visit?"I requested as I stood. She just nodded and held the door for me as I slowly walked out. I followed her to the room, trembling all the way. I looked like a weeping widow with my hair full of knots and my tired, blotchy eyes. I would probably scare the living daylight out of Noah, however before I could decline to see him, we had arrived at his door. I knocked and after some moments, Noah's harsh voice answered, allowing me to enter. I entered and shut the door behind me. I turned to see Noah standing by a window with his shoulder fully-bandaged. I don't know if it was the sight of blood on Noah's shoulder or my encounter with too much light after two days locked in the dark, but I felt light-headed and before I knew it, I collapsed to the ground.