Hope you all had a great weekend! I will admit that I'm really tired and cannot wait to go to bed! LOL! But here is something I learned this weekend: I have an uncle Wilfred!! :) (Well, had...)

Chapter 3

Heather walked out of the palace and through the dis-orderly courtyard. There was planks of wood and partially ruined barrels everywhere, and some soldiers who were unharmed from yesterdays battle began to stack and organize to make it look somewhat clean. She bowed her head and smiled at them as she crossed the wide space, placing her fist over her heart to the soldier who seemed to be the crew’s leader before entering through the courtyard gate. Outside the courtyard, she found temporary and hastily-set-up tents and shelters, some put up and adjoining permanent buildings that were undamaged. As she approached, she passed a few votaries who ran about with different errands to fulfill and entered a tent.

Inside it was a buzz of activity. There were beds and cots everywhere, and each one was occupied by an injured buck. Some of them had minor injuries that would only take a week or two to heal, thankfully. But some, Heather realized, would take a long time. She searched the crowded tent, hoping to catch sight of a familiar face if not Emma or Dr. Ziegar.

“A doctor, yes?” Someone asked. Heather turned and saw a tall white buck standing over a patient, measuring a dose of tonic for a soldier with half of his head wrapped in bandages.

“Yes, I am.” Heather answered, noticing that this buck looked strangely familiar. “Is princess Emma here? Or a Dr. Ziegar?” She asked. The buck smiled.

“Yes, Emma is here. Allow me to finish up with this buck here, and I will take you to her.” Heather watched him as he finished up with the veteran, repack his satchel, straighten up, and motion her to follow him. He led her deeper into the tent and pulled back a flap of the tent to another one just like the first. This tent was just as full as the previous one and had aides running this way and that. A corner of the tent was curtained off and a cluster of rabbits were gathered there.

The buck motioned to Heather and led her to the corner. “Emma!” He called. The curtain opened and out stepped the red and white doe. She looked over the crowd with a serious expression; but when she saw Heather and the buck, she smiled and made her way through the crowd. She smiled and wrapped Heather in a hug.

“Heather! Already itching to get to work?” She asked with a grin. Heather laughed.

“I suppose so!” Emma smiled and looked at the buck who escorted her to Emma.

“Heather, this is my brother Winslow. Winslow, this is Heather Longtreader, the famous Scribe of the Cause and my very dear friend… And a dear friend of our brother, Smalls.” She added with a slight emphasis. But that didn’t catch Heather’s attention. Winslow? Emma and Smalls’ brother? No wonder he looks so familiar! But… what’s he doing here?

The prince smiled and bowed his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Longtreader. I hear you took great care of my siblings.” He greeted. Heather blinked and curtsied, a smile on her face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, prince Winslow.” The prince smiled and bowed his head once more before heading back to his section of the hospital. Emma smiled.

“Its so good to have you back, my dear. We have lots of work to do, however. Let’s replenish your supplies and we will get you to work.” Emma suggested, leading Heather to a table full of supplies against the tent wall.

“Emma, I know we have so much to do, but will we be able to catch up? It all feels so confusing.” Heather admitted as she filled her satchel. Emma smiled.

“I’ll make sure we do.” She promised. “Now, there is a tent near the castle courtyard. Dr. Ziegar is there with only a few aides and nurses. You can help there. Just don’t overexert yourself.” She asked with a hint of worry in her eyes. Heather smiled and nodded.

“Of course, Emma.”

The girls hugged once more before going their separate ways.

“Doctor’s Longtreader! Could you that be, me’s wonder?” Dr. Ziegar greeted. Heather smiled.

“It is, Dr. Zieger! Emma has assigned me to help you out here. What would you like me to do?” She asked. The strange looking rabbit sagged slightly.

“We’s needed to change bandages on war hero’s ouches. Most severest needs tonics. All’s I know at now.” Heather nodded and got to work on the nearest patient. His head was wrapped with bandages and his left arm was in a sling.

“Hello, soldier. I’m doctor Heather and I am going to replace your bandages, if that’s alright with you.” She explained as she set down her satchel and withdrew a roll of fresh bandages.

“Aye, that’s… fine.” He answered through gritted teeth as she removed the wraps. He winced every now and then and Heather made sure to work quickly. As she rewrapped his head, he gave her a perplexed look.

“Wait… are you Dr. Heather Longtreader, the Scribe of the Cause?” He asked. Heather smiled.

“I am.”

His eyes widened and he struggled to get his long legs out from underneath the blanket.

“What are you doing?” She asked, gripping his shoulder gently but firmly. He looked up at her with tears in his eyes.

“You… you gave us so much hope; they said you died… I-I…I want to thank you.” And he managed to bow awkwardly. Heather smiled as tears threatened to escape her eyes.

“That’s not necessary, soldier. I should be thanking you, for the bravery and courage you showed yesterday. You have played a significant role in the coming of the Mended Wood.” She exclaimed, helping him back into bed. He laid his head back on the bed and sighed, his eyes closing.

“I’m beginning to think anything is possible. The prince, Jupiter’s heir, Morbin defeated… could this all be real?” He murmured. Heather’s heart melted as she moved on to the next patient. But that buck’s words echoed over and over in her mind. Could this all be real?

My place beside you,

A. R. B.