"Luna?" a soft, girlish voice said from behind Philippa. She turned around and smiled at her, adoring the blue eyes and blonde hair. "Are you hungry? We have a meal set up in the dining hall if you are ready to eat."
Philippa frowned, remembering she needed to not be walking around for a while. She grabbed the quill and parchment Bardulf had set beside her and wrote out her question.
[Where is King Bardulf?]
Handing it to the girl, Philippa waited as she read. When finished, the girl said, "He's with Flik and Seth outside talking to a few new people who have traveled here from other parts of Zurus. He told me that if he wasn't back by mealtime, to not have you wait."
Philippa's frown increased.
[Did he say how long he might be?]
"No. Just that you should be cared for no matter what," the girl answered hesitantly.
[I cannot move. Can you bring it up to me?]
When the girl read the question, she frowned at the woman. "Are you well?"
Philippa shook her head sadly and cupped her ribs with one hand.
The girl's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I hope I didn't offend you!"
The woman smiled and placed a hand on the girl's shoulders, giving her a reassuring look. When the girl looked a little calmer, she asked her next question.
[What is your name?]
The girl smiled. "Lynn. I was personally asked by the King to see to your needs. It's an honor, Luna!"
Philippa smiled and took up the quill again.
[I am hungry, but not much. Just give me a little of everything. I am pleased to meet you, Lynn. I can't wait to get to know you more.]
The girl, Lynn, smiled and gasped in delight at Philippa's words, then stated she'd be back with some food. As she scurried away, Philippa turned back to the window and gazed out at the Kingdom of Zurus, Bardulf's kingdom. She was fascinated with how beautiful it was, yet it was cold and dangerous.
Her eyes closed as the sun descended upon the horizon, creating a bloom of colors everywhere she looked, making snow turn orange and pink and purple. She wanted to explore, wanted to do something besides sit around, but was ordered to sit and let her ribs heal. She had never sat so long in her lifetime. It was more exhausting than she thought.
Philippa must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew, she was being carried. Heart hammering, she opened her eyes and looked around, finding a large male body that seemed familiar. She lifted a hand and touched the face that bowed down to look at her. Finding brown eyes that she'd know anywhere, she settled against him and relaxed. "You fell asleep," he said softly.
She nodded and yawned.
Bardulf chuckled. "Lynn saved your plate. Would you like to eat now?"
Philippa nodded again and smiled. Bardulf opened a door to a large bed chamber and put her on a soft bed. She glanced around and memories of her attack came to the forefront of her mind. She clung to Bardulf and investigated all the dark corners for any sign of intruders.
"Relax, my sweet Philippa," he said and cupped her face. "You're safe. I am here now. No one is allowed here. No one can get in no matter what. I won't let you get hurt."
She pointed to the shadows and shook her head, expressing her fears.
"No one is there," he said and made her look at him. "No one can get in here without someone allowing them in. For that to happen, they have to be approved by me." When she still didn't relax, he struck a match and lit a candle. It shed some light to help her see there was truly no one in the room with them. Her face softened and her shoulders slumped. Bardulf pulled her into an embrace. "It's alright, Philippa. I am here. You're safe."
A knock sounded at the door that made the woman jump. Bardulf held her to him and allowed the person inside. The door opened and Lynn walked in with a plate of food. She set it on the desk, glancing at Philippa for a moment, then left so she didn't impose on them any longer.
It was minutes before Philippa finally relaxed and pulled away. She carefully scooted back so her back rested against the headboard, then sighed. Bardulf watched her for a moment before going to get the plate. He saw bread, fruit, and some smoked meat. He walked back to the bed and handed it to Philippa who took it without any hesitation. She began to eat greedily.
Deciding she was content for the moment, Bardulf went into his bath chambers and started some hot water with soothing scents and soaps. He made sure there were no dark corners there and went back to where the woman waited with an empty plate and a tongue licking her lips to get the last remnants of the meal.
"Why don't you bathe for a while and I will have Lynn take care of you?"
Philippa shook her head and made herself comfortable under his covers.
Bardulf chuckled and scooped her up, taking her into the steamy bath chambers. "It will help you relax, my Luna. You need to relax. I promise you will feel better afterwards."
He saw her roll her eyes, but her head nod in acquiesce. He sat her down on the edge of the tub and called for Lynn. Philippa held onto him, nuzzling her nose into his chest, and breathing deeply. He didn't mind. He liked it when she found him as something to hold onto when everything seems scary.
Lynn appeared with a knock and Bardulf made Philippa let go. Telling her he'd be in the other room, he kissed her head and let Lynn take over. When he shut the door to give them privacy, he saw his mate's gaze never left him, watching him like he might never appear again.
"Can you stand?" Lynn asked Philippa once she had the dress down the woman's upper body.
Philippa nodded absently and with shaky legs, stood, holding onto the girl for support. Lynn quickly pulled the dress down to Philippa's feet and let her sit down before taking the piece away. She removed her undergarments and undid Philippa's hair from her plait, then helped her into the hot water.
Philippa gasped at the heat and melted at the soothing sensation it created on her body. She sat still while Lynn washed her down and did her hair. Bardulf had been right, she did need a relaxing bath. Her muscles loosened and her mind turned off the fear it felt a few minutes before. She simply floated and breathed, simply became mindless to her surroundings.
"Luna!"
Philippa opened her eyes to the sound of Lynn's panicked voice and nearly choked on water trying to look around. Hands grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to the side of the tub where the girl's face blurred into focus.
"Are you okay?" she asked with worried blue eyes.
Philippa nodded, making a confused expression.
"You were under the water! I was just grabbing you night clothes when I found you drowning! I didn't know if you were okay!"
The woman smiled and nodded to herself that she was fine. Then, they jumped at a loud knock on the door.
Lynn hurried to answer it and Philippa heard Bardulf's loud voice. "What is wrong!"
"N-nothing, King."
"Why did I hear splashing water?"
"I-I, Luna- "Lynn stammered.
At a cloth thrown to her back, she looked at Philippa who gestured to let Bardulf in. Lynn widened her eyes and opened her mouth to protest, but Philippa smiled and made a nod that was her consent. Lynn turned to the King and stepped to the side, telling him what her Luna wanted.
Bardulf rushed past her and found Philippa in the tub, hair wet, body covered with soap bubbles, and eyes glowing with happiness at seeing him. He knelt beside the tub and cupped her face. "Are you alright?"
She made a few hand gestures and explained the situation just now.
Bardulf sighed. "You must be exhausted. Lynn will get you dressed. When finished, I will bring you to bed so you can sleep. Don't scare anyone like that again, okay?"
Philippa gave him an apologetic smile and nodded.
Bardulf kissed her and stood. He ordered for Lynn to finish the bath and to dress Philippa then let him know when it's done. Once he was gone, Lynn hurried to work.
Bardulf only waited for five minutes until Lynn appeared from the bath chambers and nodded. "She is ready."
"Thank you. You may go rest now. I don't think she will need you until morning."
"Thank you, my King." With that, Lynn disappeared.
Bardulf went into the bath chambers and found Philippa fingering the soft material around her body. She seemed to be confused and in awe, but not disliking it. He knelt in front of her and grabbed one of her hands. "It's nothing special. Just something for you to wear in bed."
She made a few hand gestures that expressed her anxiety of wearing it, of ruining it somehow.
"Don't fret, I am sure we are perfectly secured, and you aren't strong enough to rip it to shreds. Just let me handle the destroying part, okay?"
She smiled and wrapped her arms around him as he picked her up and walked her to the bed where he laid her down gently. She still didn't let go, though, and kept her face against his chest. Carefully, he blew out the candle and climbed in beside her. Pulling the covers up to her chin, he pulled her close and held her safely throughout the night. Bardulf closed his eyes and listened to her breathing steady as sleep overcame her. He stroked her hair and made sure all his men on duty were where they were supposed to be before letting slumber take over his body as well.