Wil remained unconscious throughout the day. While the physician and Elizabeth were able to staunch the bleeding, Wylyam’s pulse remained weak and his breathing shallow. The elderly healer took Elizabeth’s hands in his after gathering his things.<br/><br/>“We have done all we can, love. His life is in God’s hands now,” the doctor explained with a thoughtful glance. “Keep him covered up for warmth, and have someone dab a moist cloth on his lips from time to time. Also – don’t forget to pray.”<br/><br/>The ladies of the household took turns keeping Elizabeth company in the chamber, partly out of concern for Elizabeth and partly to avoid even a hint of impropriety. After all, they were unmarried young people – unconscious or not their culture forbade them from being alone together.<br/><br/>The afternoon brought with it good news. Sir Philip arrived home safely with Peter, escorted by the guards Elizabeth had sent after them. The brigands had been dispersed without any further injury. Philip rushed to Wylyam’s side still wearing his armor, clanking all the way as he came. The older man’s eyes were etched with concern as he saw his unconscious squire.<br/><br/>“I heard he acquitted himself well,” Philip said to Elizabeth without hint of either pride or reluctance. “They found the sell-sword that you described. He was armored and well-armed.” Philip turned to face the young woman and offer his thanks. “I also understand that you kept him alive and brought him back here by yourself. I will be forever grateful, m’lady; come whatever may.”<br/><br/>Philip joined her for a while to see if there were any sign Wil might stir. After an hour, though, it seemed Wil was not about to revive from his repose. The knight sighed and shook his head as he stood up and addressed Elizabeth.<br/><br/>“With your permission, I would take your leave, m’lady. I must discuss these events with your father.”<br/><br/>Once they had said their goodbyes the room returned to silnce once again. Hours passed, the sun set and the moon rose. Sometime after midnight Alice the kitchen maid, who had been keeping Elizabeth company, fell sound asleep in her chair. At one point the older woman began snoring – and quite loudly at that – before sliding forwards in the chair and waking herself up. She looked completely miserable trying to sleep here after a long day of work.<br/><br/>“M’lady, would you mind if I pop out for a minute or two of shuteye?” she asked hopefully. “This boy is no harm to you, and I will return before light… if it be acceptable to you, of course?” In that moment Alice was more interested in sleep that propriety.<br/><br/>It was perhaps an hour later when a weak moan escaped Wil’s lips. It was so faint that it was almost unable to be heard. Then it came again, slightly more strongly that time.<br/><br/>“El…Elizabeth…” he whispered through his dry, cracked lips. His eyes began to flutter.<br/><br/>“Mah loove…” he asked, “water… have ye… water?”<br/><br/>Wil needed her help to sit up enough to drink, but he did so eagerly. After swallowing a few sips he looked up at her with a weak and confused expression.<br/><br/>“Are we in Heav’n?” he asked sincerely.<br/><br/>Once she had straightened him out Wil drink some more. Feeling more well-grounded, Wil gathered his wits enough to ask her something he had wanted to all day.<br/><br/>“Elizabeth, Ah cooldn’t ask thes afair since ye waur under duress. Noo 'at yoo’re haem Ah must know – will ye take thes sorry excuse fur a squire as your husband… one day?”<br/><br/>Wil’s eyes widened as a sense of expectation filled him greater than he had ever known. He hoped desperately against hope that her feelings for him were the same now as they were in the forest.