I know I just posted yesterday, but I wrote a scene not too long ago that I thought you all may enjoy reading. This will take place in book two, but I do not wish to give too much away.
 Ever yours, Madeline

The pool was black, blacker then the rest of the night, it looked like a hole in the ground or a black eyes staring at him. Theobald felt a sickening dread as he approached it. He had never seen this pool before, and though it seemed foreboding, it also drew him closer. He drew his sword, why he knew not, he just felt safer with it in his hand; slowly he knelt down by the black pool.

Theobald lowered his head and looked into the hole, at first he saw nothing. He wondered if there was anything in it, it was this curiosity that caused him to lower his hand into it; he was surprised when he felt something cold and wet; he jerked his hand back. There was water in that hole! Ice cold water.

“What is this,” he murmured to himself, carefully he laid his sword down and peered more closely into the blackness. This time he saw something.

There was a ripple in the black depths, he was surprised that he was able to see it. As he watched the ripple grew. It was so unexpected that Theobald could not take his eyes off it. He watched with wide, staring eyes, as the water grew lighter, no longer was it black, now it was a dark gray, and ever growing lighter.

The light stopped growing after while, then the ripples started again; this time they changed into shapes. Theobald stared harder, he leaned forward as the shapes began to form into faces. He strained his eyes, he knew those faces!

The first face was Maddock's, it was soon followed by Carwyn's. The others followed, Julian, Kenrick, Iris, even Trisli's face shown in those watery depths. Their expressions were happy at first, but they soon changed; horror entered their eyes, fear and pain. Theobald felt pity for them, he longed to help them.

Theobald was reaching out his hand to them when another face replaced them, it was a face that haunted his dreams, that had tormented him for the past 10 years of his life; it was the face of his cousin. Only this time the face was not of a little, helpless boy, it was that of a man. He looked Theobald in the eyes and it was almost as if he was talking to Theobald, asking him for something.

“I am sorry!” Theobald cried out to his cousin, reached out to him; yet once again before he could touch the water the face faded. This time it was replaced by his mother's face.

The look she gave him was one of deepest tenderness, it went right to his heart. No one had ever looked at him liked that, he liked the look and wished he could see it always. He knew then, beyond any doubt, that is mother had loved him deeply. Tears stung his eyes as he looked at her, once slipped down his cheek and splashed into the pool; it caused the ripples to start again.

The ripples erased his mother's face, he was saddened to see it go; however, once again another took its place. Theobald's heart beat wildly when he saw whose face it was, the eyes that were looking up into his, the smile that went right down to his heart and warmed him. It was Adalee.

“Adalee,” he whispered her name, and returned her smile even though he knew it was not really her. “Adalee!”

“Theobald,” when he heard his name coming from the water Theobald stumbled backwards and trips. Quickly he was back by the pool's side again, looking into the water, she was still there.

“Adalee?” he whispered her name, uncertain what was going on.

Something happened then, something he was never able to explain even in later years. It almost seemed as if she stepped out of the pool and came toward him, hand out stretched. “Theobald,” she said again, “you came for me! Just as you promised!”

He was confused. “I will always come for you,” he said, he forgot she was not really there. “But, are you in danger now?”

As the words left his mouth her eyes widened in fright, she looked over her shoulder. She spun back around and looked at Theobald, there was a look of horror on her face. “They're coming!” she cried.

“Who?” Theobald reached for his sword, “who is coming Adalee?”

Adalee had turned her back to Theobald, she was starting to shake wildly. “Theobald! Theobald help me!”

Theobald leaped to his feet and reached out for her, but when he touched her his hand went through her. As he stared in surprise someone started to laugh, a voice filled his head.

“You cannot help her!” the voice sneered, “what you are seeing is in the future, a future you or no one can change!”

Theobald watched in horror as a man now stepped to Adalee's side, he held a sword in his hand, a sword covered in blood. He looked at Theobald, smiled with disdain, and spoke.

“You could have saved her, but no, you continued to love her. Your love brought her to her death!” and with those cold words he turned, and ran his sword into Adalee's heart.

Adalee gasped, and fell to the ground, with her last breath she called out Theobald's name. Theobald reached out his hand to her, but he was too late, she was dead. He felt as if a sword went into his own heart, he dropped to his knees, then fell to his side.

Theobald was dying. The enemy had won.

***

Adalee stopped and stared at the figure on the ground. It looked at the shape of a man, a dead man. Her heart leaped into her throat and she wanted to turn and run; but she didn't. What if he needed help? How could she just leave him? Slowly she crept forward.

When she was close she bent over the figure and rested her hand on her arm, slowly she rolled him over, and screamed when she saw his face. It was Theobald! She dropped to her knees beside him and rested her ear against his chest, his heart beat was weak, she could barely hear it.

“Oh Theobald!” she looked down into his pale face, “who did this to you?” She could see no wounds on him, and she knew not how she could help him.

Adalee brushed his hair from his face and looked closely at him. Tears burned in her eyes as the realization hit her, Theobald was dying. She grabbed his hand and held fast to it, lowering her face close to his; she began to whisper in his ear. “Don't die Theobald, please! I cannot bare to loose you!” she began to sob, and it was in this manner that she fell asleep.

 I think I should post again. I am on chapter 6 of Despair and Hope, it is coming along well I think, but that could be my oppion. :) Here is chapter two, I hipe you enjoy it!
 In His name, Madeline

Chapter II...A friend in a time of need

Maddock hadn't seen her once that day. He had waited for her to come to the clearing as she always did but when she didn't appear he figured she must be in the garden again. He saved some of his lunch anyways and decided to take it to her later that evening.

Once the brothers had their sheep safe in the pen for the night they set off to their home, all but Maddock. “I'll be there soon,” he told his brothers as he set off for Carwyn's house.

“Here, take this to her,” Julian thrust an honey, oat cake into Maddock's hand and smiled. “She could use the fattening up,” he said in answer to his brothers look.

Maddock grinned and nodded in hearty agreement. When he reached her small, dingy home he found one of her brothers out tilling the garden and her mother cooking supper.

“Is Carwyn about?” Maddock asked the young man who was thumping his hoe against the hard ground.

“How should I know?” Stanton shot back with a scowl. “Do I look like her babysitter?”

Maddock looked him up and down and just to annoy him replied, “No, but you could use one.”

Stanton scowled even darker but held back his anger. He knew he could not take Maddock on, just then at least.

Maddock walked over to the open door and poking his head in called out, “Good evening ma'am!”

“What do you want!” Carwyn's mother answered back in her normal sharp tone.

“Carwyn!” Maddock did not let the grin leave his face and made sure to answer the woman as cheerful as ever.

“She isn't here!” Marella could not stand that young man and wished he would stop showing up.

“Where is she then?” Maddock asked, he knew of her dislike but that had never stopped him before and he was not about to let it now.

“Fiddling away her time as always!” Marella snapped as she turned her sharp eyes on him. “I told her to go pick berries soon after breakfast and she still is not back, and now I shall not get the pie done this evening! She is doddering about somewhere like as not! She is the laziest thing that ever was!”

Maddock had to bit his tongue, hard, to hold back the words he longed to say. He bowed low to Marella and said, “Well, I will be on my way then!”

To which he received a, “Don't come back anytime soon!”

Maddock walked until he was out of sight of the house, then he took off running. He knew were Carwyn would have gone to pick berries, there was only one place where they would be ripe this time of year. If he hurried he might meet her half way and be able to walk back with her.

Maddock flew over the ground, running as fast as he could. He was certain he would come upon her anytime, but that was not to be. On and on he went until he came to the berry patch, and still he had not seen her.

Stopping at the edge of the patch Maddock called out cheerfully, “Carwyn! Carwyn where are you?”

There was no answer, only the birds singing in the trees. He stepped toward the patch and began to search it, calling out her name the whole time. It was only after he had passed through the patch and came to the other side that he found her. She was laying on a patch of soft moss, her head pillowed on a rolled up cloak. Her arms were bandaged, and in all appearances she looked to be fast asleep.

“Carwyn!” Maddock gasped when he saw her and hurried to her side, knelling down beside her and resting his hand on her forehead. “Oh Carwyn what happened?”

She stirred, moaning softly when she felt his touch and he was greatly relieved when she opened her eyes.

“Maddock?” she asked when she was able to focus on his face. “What are you doing here?”

He smiled her and, then helped her to sit up. “I came looking for you of course! I went by your house but you were not there, your mother said she had sent you to pick berries so I came here. What happened? Are you alright?”

Carwyn looked about her, rubbing her eyes to clear her vision. “Yes,” she said as she looked back at Maddock. “I think I am, I fainted I think.”

“Fainted?” he asked, he knew what brought that on. “When did you last eat.”

She lowered her eyes and refused to answer him, that was all he needed. Opening the small basket where he had stored the remains of his lunch he began to set it out, still wondering to had bandaged her up and laid her on the moss.

“Here,” he said as he handed her a slice of bread. “Eat.”

She did not need to be told twice but began to devour the food. It pained him to watch her, she was always so hungry! He wished he could offer her more then the little he brought her.

“Julian sent you a honey and oat cake,” Maddock said once she had finished the other food. He handed the cake to her.

“Thank you,” Carwyn said, her cheeks reddened at the thoughtfulness. “Julian is kind.”

“Except when he tosses his brothers in snow banks,” Maddock said to make her smile.

While she nibbled on the cake he reached for her basket so that he could finish filling it for her, but was surprised to find it was already full.

“You are fast,” he commented.

Carwyn looked into the basket and shook her head. “I didn't fill it, someone else did,” she said in a low voice.

“The same someone who helped you?” he motioned to her bandaged arms.

Carwyn looked from the bits of cloth to Maddock. “I don't know,” she said almost fearfully. “All I remember is falling over and everything going black.”

Maddock picked up the cloak and stood up, unrolling it. It was made for a taller man. “It is a strange cloth,” he said as he held it up for Carwyn to see. She looked closely and saw what he meant. It was made from brown, green, and gray cloth and could help hide the wearer if he was sneaking through the woods.

“I have never seen anything like it,” Carwyn said as she slowly stood up and took a closer look. “Who do you suppose, left it?”

Maddock smiled at her kindly, plainly hearing the fear in her voice. “Someone who meant you know harm,” he assured her. “Seeing as how he helped you.”

She smiled, but still looked nervous, and Maddock knew there was no way he could ease her fear. He took her hand in his, then bent to pick up her basket. “Come, I will walk you back to your house.”

Smiling, Carwyn allowed him to lead her away; however, she could not help looking back at the spot where she had lain. Who had helped her? Was he still there, maybe watching her even now? If he was she hoped he knew how thankful she was.

***

Carwyn was sitting by the creek when Maddock found her the next day. He made a lot of noise coming up behind her, so as not to startle her. However, she did not turn until he was right behind her, and said her name.

“Hi Maddock,” she looked back at him, and smiled.

“Hello Carwyn,” he sat down beside her; placing his bare feet in the creek. “How are you today?”

She tried to smile, but quickly looked down instead. Maddock felt a stab of pain in his heart; he had seen that look before, she was close to tears.

“Julian and Kenrick thought you might need to go for a walk,” Maddock looked into the creek as he spoke.

“Did they?” she whispered; she was fighting back a sob.

“Yes, they said that after all the excitement yesterday you need to do something fun,” he smiled brightly at her. “What do you say? They let me leave so I could go with you.”

“I guess I should go then,” she looked up this time. “Seeing as they were being kind.”

Maddock laughed and stood up. “Yes, one never knows when they will be kind again.” He held out his hand to her.

Carwyn placed her hand in his and let him draw her to his feet; they set off toward the waterfall. At first they said nothing; Maddock did not want to draw Carwyn into a conversation before she was ready. They just enjoyed the spring day, and each other's company.

“Maddock?” when Carwyn finally broke the silence her voice was so quiet he almost did not hear her.

“Yes?” he turned his head to look down at her.

“Do you think we will always have to suffer in this world?”

Her question caught him off guard. He had not been expecting that from her; all she ever talked about was unimportant things. He thought for a moment, and then said, “Yes, I think we always will have to.”

Carwyn's face fell. “Is there no hope then?” she whispered, her voice was heavy with sorrow.

Maddock stopped walking, pulled her to a stop, and turned her to face him. “Do you know why I think that Carwyn?”

She did not want to meet his eyes but did anyways. “No,” she fought back the tears. “Why?”

“It is something the King told us of,” he said gently. “He said if we are His servants we will suffer here; we will suffer for Him.”

Carwyn looked down at her feet; she could not tell him, but she knew she was not one of the King's servants. Now the tears were coming so strongly she knew she could not hold them back. She wished Maddock would look away so he would not see her crying.

He rested his hand on her shoulder, and was about to say something when a noise startled them both. Looking up, they were surprised and dismayed to find one of Ulrich's men standing behind them. He had his sword drawn, and was smiling in triumph at them.

“What have we here?” he asked with a sneer.

Maddock pushed Carwyn behind him, and faced the soldier. “What do you want?” he demanded, trying to hide the fear he was feeling.

The soldier pointed his sword at Maddock. “Ulrich needs more men for his army; you look like a sturdy young man.”

Maddock bit his bottom lip. “Ill die first!”

“I can handle that,” the soldier took a step closer. “Then I might as well take the girl; he can always use new maidens in his court!”

Maddock felt Carwyn's hand tighten on his arm, and he wished he was armed. How could he protect her if he had nothing to fight with? No matter, he would not let this man take her!

“Run Carwyn,” Maddock turned his head a little, and whispered to her. “When I saw, run!”

Carwyn only held him tighter as he squared his shoulders, and prepared to face off the soldier.

“Leave now, while you still have a chance!” Maddock growled.

The soldier laughed harshly, then lunged forward. It is very likely Maddock would have died at that moment had not the stranger leaped out of the woods, and blocked the blow. Maddock gasped, and stumbled backwards as the stranger stood between him and the soldier.

Carwyn looked over Maddock's shoulder at the man. He was tall, he wore a hood over his head, and in his hand was a long sword. She would have been tempted to ask if he was on Ulrich's side, but for the fact he had just saved her friend's life.

“Who are you?” the soldier snapped; displeasure shown on his face.

“No one of importance,” the stranger said; his voice was deep and rich.

“You're right,” the soldier smiled coldly. “Because after this you will be dead!” And with that he lunged.

The stranger stood his ground; blocking the blow with his sword. Soon both men were locked in a deadly fight. Sword flashed and clanged; it was a wonder either of the men lived. Maddock and Carwyn were struck speechless by the whole thing, and neither moved.

The stranger knew how to handle a sword; his skill far surpassed the soldier, and though the soldier was able to hold him at bay for awhile he was not able to keep him off for long. Soon the soldier lay dead at the stranger's feet. Maddock and Carwyn didn't dare move even then; not until the stranger turned to them. Maddock felt his face pale as he looked at the man, and he quickly pushed Carwyn behind him again.

“Who are you?” Maddock demanded in a stern voice.

Carwyn felt her knees start to knock as she looked at the man. His hood was pulled up over his face, hiding it in shadow. Also he wore a handkerchief around his mouth; his whole face was hidden!

The man sheathed his sword; all the while Carwyn knew he was looking at her. “I am a friend,” he finally spoke again; Carwyn had never heard a voice like his, she loved its sound!

Maddock relaxed a little but he wasn't sure why. “What is your name?” he asked.

The man took a step backwards. “It doesn't matter,” he said; this time his voice was full of sorrow.

Carwyn stepped to Maddock's side, and he did not stop her. “Where did you come from?” she asked softly.

The stranger stepped backwards again. “Never mind,” he said, turning to go. “Forget you ever saw me!”

“But,” Carwyn started.

The stranger did not wait around to hear more. He turned completely around, and ran off into the woods without another word. Maddock looked after him, then down at Carwyn.

Should we go after him?” she asked; her eyes were wide.

Maddock shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “Let's get back to the village.”

Reluctantly Carwyn followed, but she could not stop thinking of the mysterious stranger.

***

“Maddock?” the voice came out of the darkness, so unexpected Maddock was scared into next week.

“Kenrick?” Maddock snapped as he spun around. His brother stepped into the light from the moon, and smiled almost sheepishly.

For a moment the brothers stared at each other; then Maddock broke the silence. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Kenrick shot back. They spoke in low whispers so as not to awaken the others in the house.

“I was going for a walk,” Maddock didn't look Kenrick in the eyes as he spoke.

“In the middle of the night?” Kenrick sounded doubtful.

Maddock scowled. “I like moonlit nights...”

The look in Kenrick's eyes assured Maddock that his brother was not buying it. He sighed.

“You were going to find that man who helped you and Carwyn today; weren't you?” Kenrick sounded older then his true age when he said it.

Maddock nodded his head, and felt like a little boy caught sneaking sweets before dinner. “I just want to see who he is...” he started.

Kenrick shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I may as well come with you then.”

Maddock could not stop the grin that appeared on his lips. “Let's go,” he whispered; once more making his way for the front door. Kenrick followed right on his heals.

“Not without me your not!” the voice stopped them both; Maddock and Kenrick blushed guiltily.

Julian stepped up to them, crossing his arms over his chest. “Don't you two ever dare thinking of going anywhere without me!”

Maddock smirked. “At this rate we won't be leaving without mother and father as well.”

Julian rolled his eyes, and Kenrick widely nodded his head.

“Yes, be more quiet Julian or you'll wake the hole house,” he said with a grin.

“No fear of that,” Julian muttered. “You two have already woken half of the house!”

Maddock shook his head as he walked to the door. He was not about to waste his night standing in the hallways talking. He was going to find that man; if it took him all night!

 I thought everyone might like to see the first chapter in Despair and Hope. Also, I thought it was time to update my blog, I do not want Heather to scold me for not writing anything on here.
 As you can see Katie has put up a Chat box for me, now I can talk to all of you. Though, I am not on very often; we only have one computer at my house.
 Anyways, here is chapter one. Please let me know what you think; I hope everyone likes it.

Chapter I...The tale begins

There is an island over the sea, one filled with adventure, brave heroes, fearless maidens, and kings who do all they can for their country. The country is called Hemlock, and it was in this country that a great adventure happened once, heroes were born, and an evil was fought, against great odds.

But the tale starts before this.

A cool spring breeze was whispering through the trees that day, the day Maddock heard her crying. He would have known that cry anywhere, he had heard it enough times. At first he was going to pass on as he had always done, he knew she would not accept his help, she never did. However, this time he could not make himself leave her, because he knew what today was.

Taking a deep breath to stop his shaking hands Maddock walked over to the tree she was up in. He looked up into the branches and saw hint of red amongst the green and brown. On a closer look he was able to see her bare feet dangling above his head. Taking a deep breath he made himself call up to her.

“Hallo!”

She ceased crying the moment she heard his voice and he could see she went tense, he immediately felt bad for startling her, he should have been more careful! He tried again, this time in a softer voice.

“Are you stuck?” he could have kicked himself, of course she wasn't! What a dumb thing to ask.

She did not answer him, just moved farther back so that the leaves could hide her better. Maddock nearly went away then, it was useless. There was nothing he could do for her, much as he wanted to. He turned to go, but something stopped him, and instead he reached up and grabbed one of the trees branches. Next thing he knew he was climbing up until he was right below her. She did not look at him.

Maddock leaned back against the trunk of the tree and racked his brain for something to say, he was never at a loose for words!

“What is your name?” he finally asked.

“Carwyn,” he was shocked when she actually answered him, for a moment he could not answer back.

He already knew her name of course, he knew a lot about her. He knew she was Pillion's only daughter, knew she was very shy, and he knew that this day was her thirteenth birthday. And he knew she should not be crying on her birthday.

“I'm Maddock,” he said, once he was over his shock.

“I know,” she said in a low voice.

Of course she knew, everyone knew who Maddock and his wild brothers were. Even without his brothers there were few who did not know him. He hoped she did not think he was so wild and unruly that he could not be trusted, that was the last thing he wanted.

“Would you like to go for a walk?” he looked up at her, she did not look him in the eyes. “I know where a water fall is, there are berry bushes there too.”

Carwyn met his eyes that time, hers were so sad it cut him to the heart. She quickly lowered hers when she found he was looking at her, but she did not seem frightened any longer.

“I would like that,” she said in a low voice. And that was how Maddock won a new friend, his new best friend.

***

Three years later

“I can't seem to shake this beastly cold!” Julian moaned as he wrinkled his nose, about to sneeze again.

“You had better do it soon,” Kenrick smirked at him. “It is almost spring, can't have a cold in the spring.”

“It IS spring,” Maddock rolled his eyes as he walked over to his brothers.

Julian looked at his younger brother and rolled his eyes. “Just because you have removed your boots does not make it spring.”

“There's still snow on the ground!” Kenrick scolded.

Maddock ruffled his younger brother's hair, even though he knew it annoyed Kenrick. “Only in patches,” he said with a grin. “And I can avoid those easy enough.”

Julian looked over at Kenrick and saw his youngest brother was thinking the same thing. Without a word they each grabbed one of Maddock's arms and threw him into one of the patches of snow. Maddock tried to yank them in after him but they were too fast, once they had him in the middle of it they took off running as fast as they could go. Maddock leaped out of the snow and stood for a moment in the warn grass.

“Wait till I get my hands on you two!” Maddock yelled after his brother's retreating figures. “Don't you dare come home if you value your lives!”

A soft giggle caused Maddock to turn and he felt his face slightly redden when he saw Carwyn step out of the trees. He smirked at her as she walked over to him.

“How are you today?” he asked, bowing to her.

“Better then you from the looks of it,” she eyed his red, bare feet.

“Don't worry about me,” Maddock shrugged his shoulders. “I will get them back later.”

“I'm sure you will,” Carwyn did not doubt it, no one could pull pranks better then Maddock. “Where are your sheep?”

Maddock wished she had not reminded him about them. Maddock and his brothers, Julian who was twenty and Kenrick who was sixteen, were shepherds. It was their task to care for the sheep in the Under Forest, and it was something that kept them on their toes all day long as the sheep loved wandering off.

“They are in the north clearing,” Maddock said, speaking of one of the few clearings in the Under Forest. “Julian and Kenrick can keep on eye on them for a moment,” he added, crossing his arms over his chest.

Carwyn smiled but said nothing. Maddock was used to that by now, she never said more then she had to but he liked her for that. She was quiet but she was as mischievous as him in many ways and over the past three years they had become really good friends.

A twig snapped, resounding through the quiet woods, and Carwyn turned quickly. She hated having to be on edge all the time, knowing that at any moment one of Ulrich's knights could leap out of the woods at them.

Ulrich was the usurper of the Hemlocan throne. After the death of King Percival and his wife Ulrich had taken over as Lord Protector of their young son Jemuel who was two at the time. However, when Jemuel's uncle had returned to be Lord Protector till his nephew was old enough to take the throne, Ulrich had had to step down; but not for long.

Jemuel's uncle and aunt were killed not long after returning to Hemlock, hung in the castle's courtyard for treason. Not many nights after that the castle was attacked and Jemuel along with his cousin, who was also two, were killed. After that it was an easy matter for Ulrich to claim the throne as his own, and since that day the Hemlocans had had no peace.

Ulrich over taxed them, took young men and women for his slaves when he so chose, and allowed his men to attack the local farms whenever they saw fit. The people had fled to the Under Forest, a thickly wooded place below the hill on which the castle stood. They had found safety in the woods, the bushes and thorns were few men dared to venture. Yet, some times the knights would enter, searching for the people hiding there.

Maddock, who had heard the twig snap as well, smiled kindly at Carwyn while clenching his hands into fists. No one should have to live in fear, Carwyn should not have to be scared of men leaping out of the trees and grabbing her. His people should be free, they should not have to be held under the iron fist of a mad man! It made Maddock's blood boil.

“We could go to the waterfall?” Maddock suggested, holding out his hand to Carwyn.

“Julian and Kenrick won't mind watching the sheep?” she sounded doubtful.

Maddock shrugged his shoulders and smiled his usual mischievous grin at her. “It will serve them right for throwing me in a snow bank.”

Carwyn smiled back and set off toward the falls. Maddock stepped up to her side and together they walked along, neither saying a word. It was a pleasant, early spring day. A cool breeze was blowing, but it was coming from the south and held the promise of coming warm days. The patches of snow were easily avoided, when one did not have one's brothers throwing him in. Over head, in the freshly budding trees, birds sang loudly and cheerfully. It was in days like these that it was hard to believe a cruel tyrant ruled the land.

“You'll be sixteen soon,” Maddock broke the silence and looked down at his friend. Her red hair might of shone in the sun were it not so dirty, it pained him to see her so ragged looking.

Carwyn looked up, her sad green eyes meeting his bright, cheerful blue ones. “I suppose I shall,” she said quietly.

“We shall have to celebrate together, like we did when you were thirteen! And I have a wonderful gift for you!” he wished he could make her smile, truly smile, so that it reached her eyes.

“Oh?” she tried to sound uninterested. “What is it?”

Maddock laughed. “Nice try, but you will have to wait for your birthday.”

She clasped her hands, stopped walking, and looked up at him imploringly. “You wouldn't be so cruel to me would you?”

“Watch me,” he answered back, but by the look in his eyes she knew she could beg it out of him if she so wished.

“We are getting terribly old Maddock,” she said after a moment's silence. “I am almost sixteen, and you are seventeen and a half.”

“You might be getting old,” he said with a grin, even though he knew she was getting on to something.

Carwyn rolled her eyes at him and muttered, “You know what I mean, my point is we are getting older and haven't done anything to help free Hemlock.”

He was surprised to find she was thinking much the same thing as he was. “But what can we do about it?” he asked the sensible question, the one he had been asking himself for months now. They were nothing more then children after all, if the men were unable to do something to stop Ulrich, what hope did they have?

“Surely we can do something?” Carwyn stopped walking again and looked up at him, almost imploringly. “You understand these things better then I do Maddock, can't you think of something?”

He wished he could, but the more he racked his brain for some kind of plan, he came up with nothing. He would have liked to raid the castle but he knew that was unreasonable. He could just imagine himself going up to the castle, and getting caught before he made it within ten feet.

“I've tried to think of things Carwyn,” he admitted, he sat down on a fallen log as he spoke and stared thoughtfully into the woods. “But I still can not come up with anything, without the men there are not enough of us.”

Carwyn sighed. “I guess you are right,” she said heavily. “I still wish there was something we could do.”

Maddock looked up at her. “So do I,” he said in a low voice. “So do I.”

***

The questions Carwyn raised weighed heavily on Maddock's mind over the next week. Everywhere he went it was all he could think about. What could they do? Who would help? Could Ulrich really be stopped? These thoughts tumbled through his mind night and day but no answer came.

Meanwhile Carwyn found troubles of her own to keep her thoughts busy. It all started the morning her mother sent her to pick berries.

“I want to make a pie,” her mother had snapped, thrusting the basket into her arms.

“But mother, there are no ripe berries yet,” Carwyn had stammered.

Her words had received her a shaking. “Go to the south end of the forest!” her mother had nearly yelled. “The berries ripen there early, and I shall have no arguing from you!”

Carwyn hung her head and scrambled out the door. She was rather glad to get away from the house, even if she did have to go so far into the forest alone. As she walked through the small village, which was nothing more then seven houses built close together, Carwyn was surrounded by the small children who were out playing in the sunlight.

“Where are you going?” they all sang out as they clung to her skirt and legs.

Carwyn knelt down in the middle of them all. “I am going to pick berries,” she told them as she wrapped her arms around a few of the girls.

“Can't we come, to protect you?” the boys asked, their eyes shone with delight.

“If you all come with me, who will protect your mothers?” Carwyn asked as she looked at the little boys. “And who will protect the girls?”

The boys all looked at each other, then at Carwyn as she continued, “If you stay here to look after things I won't have to worry while I am picking berries and can pick more, then I can give you all some!”

This pleased the children and the boys agreed to stay and look after everyone while she was gone. She then kissed them all and once more set off on her way. She had just gotten out of sight of the houses when a feeling of uncertainty filled her. Carwyn looked over her shoulder, feeling she was being followed.

“Maddock?” Carwyn called out, it would be just like him to follow her. “Come out traitor!” He would pay if he was the one trailing her!

Silence fell over the woods and for a long time Carwyn stood where she was staring into the trees. She finally decided she must have just been hearing things and once more started to walk, but the feeling of unease refused to leave. She found herself jumping at every little sound.

Carwyn reached the bushes well after noontime, her stomach was rumbling by then but being hungry was nothing now to her. She knelt down, tucking her worn skirt under her knees, and set about pulling berries from the bushes. They made dull plunking noises as they fell into the bucket.

The sunlight snaked its way down through the trees and warmed Carwyn's back and head as she worked. At first it was nice to feel the warmth seeping through her, but as she worked she soon became hot. Sweat dripped down her forehead and into her eyes and she had to pause and wiped it from her eyes. She licked her dry lips and wished she had brought something to drink.

Carwyn reached farther back into the bushes to pluck more of the berries. The thorns clawed at her arms and hands, scratching her. She ignored the sharp little pains and continued to work, the sooner she had her bucket filled the sooner she could go home and eat. She imagined drinking a cup cold water and eating a slice of bread while resting in the shade of one of the trees.

She could picture Maddock sauntering through the trees, coming to join her and share the lunch his mother had packed for him; she always packed a lunch for him and his brothers. There would be meat, cheese, and bread with butter, luxuries compared to what she usually got. He would even share his milk with her, she could just taste it.

Carwyn closed her eyes and smiled. She had not realized how hungry she was and remembered that she had gotten no dinner last night, nor breakfast that morning. Had she eaten a noon meal yesterday? No, her mother had made her work in the garden all day. She had not eaten since breakfast yesterday and that had only been a small slice of bread; no wonder she was hungry!

“I will have to find Maddock when I get back,” she whispered to herself as she plopped more berries into the bucket, she was sure it would never be filled.

The sun seemed to increase its heat and Carwyn began to fill dizzy. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, trying to clear away the spots that were forming. She lifted her hand to her head, trying to stop the spinning but it didn't do any good. It now seemed as if the world was rolling up and down like waves in the sea. Carwyn's stomach seemed to be doing the same thing and she began to fill sick.

“I need water,” she whispered, her throat was dry and hoarse.

Quickly she leaped to her feet, but the motion only made things worse. The earth seemed to give one mighty heave and Carwyn fell forward, landing right beside her bucket. For a moment the spots got bigger, and then swallowed her whole; wrapping her in darkness. Carwyn remembered no more.