The Princess

After about a week, Ronald was able to sit up in bed. He spent most of his time looking out the window. There wasn’t much to see, but he liked watching the townspeople moving about on their errands.

One day, as he lay gazing out the window, he heard the clattering of a horse on the cobblestones. A carriage came into view. Ronald, watching, saw a young lady, of about sixteen, step out of the carriage and hurry into the hospital.

Ronald lay there, thinking, she looked very pretty and kind, suddenly he began missing his mother, who had died when he was twelve. Just then the nurse stepped in. “A visitor to see you.” She said.

“A visitor?” asked Ronald, he couldn’t think of anyone who would come to visit him, “Who is it?”

In came the girl that had just arrived in the carriage! Ronald quickly sat up.

She walked lightly over to Ronald’s bed. “Hello! My mother’s doctor told Papa about you. Papa said that you probably needed cheering up!” she said, smiling, her blue eyes softened when she saw him.

She seated herself on a chair beside him. Ronald lay there looking up at her. She was a pretty girl, silky blonde hair in a crown around her head, a spray of light pink flowers and dark green leaves were woven into the braid, and she had a lovely smile that could win anyone’s heart.

She smoothed down her pale pink dress. “I’m Kayleen Devon. What’s your name?”

“I’m Ronald Milton. You’re not the Princess Kayleen, are you?”

“Why, of course I am!” she exclaimed, “So your name is Ronald, my grandfather’s name was Ronald.” She adjusted the pillows behind him.

“Thank you for coming.” Ronald said.

“Oh, I like to help people. And I often come to the hospital to visit the patients.” Kayleen replied.

She sat down again. “Would you like me to read you a book?” she asked.

“If you want to, that would be very nice.” Ronald said.

So Kayleen chose a book and began reading. Soon, Ronald fell asleep. Kayleen sat there looking at him. She liked this handsome lad. His hair was light brown and wavy, he had gray eyes and his pale face contrasted with his sensitive mouth. She could hardly believe that he wasn’t a noble’s son, though she knew that his father was a former soldier.

Kayleen looked up when the nurse came in. “He’s asleep. I’ll leave in a couple of minutes.” Kayleen whispered.

The nurse nodded and disappeared down the hall. Kayleen turned back to Ronald. Leaning over she brushed hair off his forehead gently. Then she quietly left the room. After she finished visiting few more of the patients, she left the hospital, stepped into the carriage and returned to the palace.

When she arrived, she went directly up the stairs and into a room. Stepping in, she glanced about the dark quiet room. “Hello, dear.” Said a gentle voice.

On a canopied bed was a lady. She was very pale, but she was quite beautiful. “Hello, Mother.” Said Kayleen. She walked over to the bed.

“Where were you, dearie?” asked Queen Jenelle, for it was she.

“I was visiting the patients at the hospital.” Kayleen replied.

“Ah, I see. I hope that visiting the hospital isn’t boring you, I’ll do it again myself when I am strong enough.”

“Oh, I enjoy it a lot, Mother. There was a boy there today. Papa told me that there was, but I didn’t expect one so close to my age.” Kayleen said.

“Speaking of your Father reminds me that he wants to see you in his study.” Queen Jenelle said.

“All right, good-bye, Mother.” Kayleen said affectionately.

Kissing her mother softly on the cheek, she left the room. Upon reaching the door to the study she opened it, and stepped in. Sitting at a desk was a handsome and thoughtful looking man, it was King Arthur. He looked up when Kayleen came in. “Hello, sweetie.” He said.

“Good morning, Papa, do you want to see me?”

“Yes, I do. I heard you visited the boy in the hospital.”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Did you like him?”

“Oh yes, he’s a very nice boy.”

King Arthur smiled. “Do you know why he’s in the hospital?” he asked.

“No, why is he?”

King Arthur told Kayleen the whole story. When he had finished, Kayleen turned to her father. “Oh, Papa! I think that it is dreadful to allow criminals to kidnap people!” exclaimed Kayleen.

“Honey, we don’t allow criminals to do that, that’s why they are criminals.” Said King Arthur, smiling.

“I think those men who hurt him should be arrested! Especially the one called Mike! He was heartless! Cruel! Horrible!”

“Honey! Remember your manners!” interrupted King Arthur, “The soldiers are out looking for them, they should be caught anytime.”

Then King Arthur and Kayleen began talking of other things, but Kayleen’s thoughts kept drifting back to the lad in the hospital.

End of Chapter Four