Eleanor (81 page)

“Will and Amelia don’t think you’re an idiot, they just don’t always appreciate your type of humour. They do love you,” Eleanor assured him. “Freddie, can I ask a favour of you?”
 

“Always,” came Freddie’s immediate response.

Eleanor smiled. “While you’re on this trip with Conlan, please make an effort to get to know him. Pull him out of himself, don’t let him wallow in silence and don’t let him spend the whole time talking to Merl in Dwarfish. Force him to talk to you, tell him about being a fireman. He’ll be interested, I promise. Tell him that story about the woman in her nightdress with the cat, he’ll find it really funny. If he gets difficult, tell him
I asked you to talk to him.”

“What if I irritate him?” Freddie asked.

“I irritate him – a
lot – and we’re still friends. Two people don’t have to agree on everything and do everything the same way to be friends, Freddie. So long as you tolerate and try to understand each other’s differences you’ll get along great. You never know, he might surprise you.”
 

Freddie raised an eyebrow and looked very doubtful, but he nodded his agreement to her request.

Dawn the next morning was cold and overcast. Dark, heavy rain clouds on the horizon hid the rising sun, making it feel earlier than it was. Merl was already packed and mounted, impatient to leave as Conlan and Freddie loaded up their things. Will and Amelia stood wrapped around each other in the chill, looking half-asleep. Nials had come to see them off and had given them some last minute supplies and instructions. Eleanor had not been able to get a quiet moment to talk to Conlan and she did not think hugging him and begging him to be careful would be something he would want her to do in public; however, not being able to say goodbye properly was making her miserable. Freddie saw her and walked over.
 

“Cheer up, I’ll look after him and we’ll be back in twelve days,” he said, giving her a lopsided grin. At least she could hug him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and as she did so she pushed an energy string out to Conlan and gently caressed his shield. Freddie pulled away, smiling at her; she gave him a smile back, which turned his smile into a wide grin as he mounted his horse. Conlan did not look at her, as his view was fixed firmly on the road ahead, but his eyes did hold a slightly glazed look and he had a small smile on his face.
 

Eleanor stood and watched them disappear into the distance while spreading her energy string out over Conlan’s shield, wrapping round it and supporting it. She had no idea if he recognised it, but she only pulled her string back when she felt it start to stretch so thin it was breaking apart. As it did so, Eleanor realised that the itch that had started in her brand was now a burning pain, indicating that Freddie was travelling out of mental contact with them. Will came and stood next to her, rubbing his brand, too; it was similar to Amelia’s, but his five wavy lines were horizontal across his wrist, not vertical, looking like waves on the sea. He put an arm around her shoulders, his voice soothing when he spoke.
 

“You’ve been stood here hours, Eleanor. It’s starting to rain, come inside.”
 

She nodded, allowing him to lead her back to their rooms, the weight of separation making her feet drag.
 

Trying not to dwell on the huge hole that Conlan and Freddie’s absence had left inside her, Eleanor concentrated on getting Meran well. She was determined to have the animal restored to his former glory by the time Conlan returned. Thankfully, Meran seemed just as interested in achieving the same objective. With Horse’s help she took him through his paces and started to strengthen his muscles, and with the help of Laurice’s bemused chefs, she fed him lots of oil, fat and protein-rich food, cooked specially for him. Will and Amelia had given up trying to persuade her to sleep in her bed. Will had worried that one of the animals could move in the night and step on her or roll over and flatten her, but Eleanor had laughed herself silly at the notion and he had backed off, accepting that she was happier in the stables. What she had not told Will and Amelia was that sleeping with Meran and Horse’s warm bodies near her was the only way she could stop the dark, evil thoughts that preyed on her in her sleep. Horrific nightmares of Daratus murdering Merl, Freddie and Conlan stalked her dreams. It was fear she was able to keep a grip on during the day, but it surged forth to swallow her whole in the chilly black nights. The smell of horse and the warm, dozing bodies pressed into hers reminded her of the day she had spent with Conlan, bringing a measure of the peace she had found and giving her a few hours of undisturbed rest; enough to keep her going.
 

The change in Meran was nothing short of miraculous. Eleanor had explained to him that he would be coming with them when they left and that he would be starting a new life with a new master to love him. The animal’s anticipation and excitement were visible in his expressions and movements. His wasted body seemed to fill out before Eleanor’s astonished eyes, new muscle tone showing through; his coat grew back to its old black shining lustre, and with Will’s assistance his sores healed. He was a huge horse, Eleanor realised, as she brushed his coat and plaited his mane and tail. He was taller at the shoulder than Rand had been, but where Rand had been sturdy, solid and mature, Meran was lighter. Just as strong as Rand, Meran’s strength was coiled inside him, making him high-spirited and playful like a teenager. On Eleanor’s careful diet his energy levels began to climb, so to wear him out a little she took him for runs into the surrounding savannah – no saddle, no bridle, just her and Meran, Horse trying her best to keep up behind them. The wind in her hair, the pounding of hooves and the gentle undulation of muscle as Meran galloped at full speed for the distant horizon, made Eleanor want to whoop and cheer at the exhilarating, life-affirming experience. Nials had been horrified when he found out. There was a reason, he said, that they had ceased their nomadic lifestyle and lived in a fortress – just because she had not met any of the roving bands of thugs that called the southern savannah home, it did not mean they were not out there. Eleanor had told Nials what had happened to the last roving gang who had tried to jump her. To her surprise Will had backed her up, telling Nials not to worry, as she was very capable of looking after herself. Nials had given Eleanor a dubious look but accepted Will’s reassurance. However, Will had insisted that she take her sword with her on her rides.
 

She brushed Meran’s coat to a glossy shine, applying a little oil in places where the hair had not grown back fully and loving the warm, silky feel as she ran her hand over his body. The horse was jumpy and excited, mostly because Eleanor was jumpy and excited. They were due back later in the day and she wanted Meran looking his best. She had washed him, dried him, brushed him, combed and brushed his mane and tail, and she had even oiled his hooves. Horse watched, amused, but Meran seemed to love the attention. Eleanor had warned him not to get used to it, as she did not get many baths while they travelled, so it was unlikely he would. Once Meran was ready, she moved on to Rand’s red saddle. Nials had helped her make the adjustments so it fitted Meran’s narrow back, but she still needed to clean and polish it. Amelia came to visit, trying to get her to come inside to have something to eat. Eleanor had ignored the request, showing her how much work she still had to do. Sighing, Amelia had sat down next to her, grabbing a leather stirrup strap and a cloth so she could rub saddle oil into the cracks. They had finished the saddle and moved on to the bridle when their brands began to itch. Eleanor caught Amelia’s eye and they grinned at each other. The pain in their brands moved up to an uncomfortable burning and Amelia helped Eleanor saddle Meran, which was proving to be tricky, as the animal was practically jumping up and down like a dog in his excitement. Taking light hold of his reins, Eleanor led him out of the stables and down towards the main gates. Meran had his head held high and his steps were very pronounced and elegant; he looked stunning and the red saddle looked amazing against the black of Meran’s back, its silver studs sparkling in the afternoon sun. Will was already waiting for them, rubbing absently at his brand. He smiled appreciatively at Meran.

“Eleanor, he looks like a different horse, you did a great job,” he said as they got closer.
 

Eleanor smiled. “I had help, lots of it... He’s not fully mended yet, but he’s eighty per cent there and certainly healthy enough to join us when we’re ready to leave.”
 

The gate was pulled open. In the distance Eleanor could see three figures and her heart leapt. It was only as they got closer that Eleanor realised she could hear laughter – uncontrolled, ‘rolling on the floor’ belly laughter – and with shocked surprised she recognised it as Conlan’s. They walked under the gate, he and Freddie in fits of hysterics about something. Conlan was laughing so hard he was holding on to the front saddle to steady himself. Merl followed behind, a look of amused confusion on his face. Will and Amelia were staring wide-eyed at Conlan, as if he was some strange alien they had never seen before. He sat in his saddle, trying to get himself under control as Freddie leapt off his horse and pulled Eleanor into a tight hug, the pain in her brand disappearing as he did so. He kissed the top of her head and then pulled back, his nose wrinkled in mock disgust.
 

“Eleanor, you stink. Have you been living in the stables?” he joked.

“Yes she has,” Will said, still not able to take his eyes off Conlan. Freddie frowned. Not wanting to ruin his good humour, Eleanor gave him a wide smile.
 

“So which story did you tell him to illicit that reaction?” she asked, nodding towards Conlan, who was still shaking with sporadic bursts of laughter. Freddie sniggered, looking unbelievably pleased with himself when he saw the expressions of surprise on Will and Amelia’s faces.
 

“I told him about that guy who got stuck in his garden railings.”

Eleanor giggled. “The one who claimed he had slipped?” she asked, remembering the story.

Freddie nodded, holding her gaze. “Thank you, I had a great time.”
 

“Meran?” Conlan asked incredulously. He had managed to stop laughing and dismount, greeting Will and Amelia with a brief hug, which did nothing to remove the looks of surprise from their faces. He regarded the horse, a delighted grin growing as he walked towards Eleanor. At his comment, Freddie seemed to notice the huge animal standing behind her for the first time.

“Eleanor, he looks amazing,” Freddie said, slowly moving around the horse. Eleanor watched Conlan approach. Not wanting to embarrass him by throwing herself into his arms, she pushed an energy string out to him instead, bringing him to a juddering halt in front of her. A shiver passed through his body and his eyes glazed slightly. She smiled at him and handed him Meran’s reins.

“He’s been waiting for you,” she said. Conlan took the reins, brushing more of her hand than was strictly necessary. Not looking at the horse, he stared at Eleanor. Freddie came back from behind Meran and unconsciously wrapped an arm around Eleanor’s waist. Conlan dragged his attention from Eleanor to the horse in front of him, running a careful hand over his back and studying the changes.

“Freddie, want to join me? I’m thinking of taking this fine beast out for a run,” Conlan said as he swung himself gracefully into the saddle. Meran began to step from side to side in eager anticipation of his first run with his new master. Conlan reached forward and scratched behind his ears.

“Sure, but no lizard slippers, OK?” Freddie said, grinning as Conlan laughed again.

“Lizard slippers?” Eleanor asked, confused.

“Don’t ask!” Freddie and Conlan said together, dissolving into more laughter.

“Are we going somewhere? We only just got back,” Merl grumbled, watching Freddie pull his packs off his horse, abandon them and then remount.

“Freddie and I are going to have a run, you stay here,” Conlan ordered without looking at him. He stared at the open gate and the empty horizon with anticipation. Meran leapt forward, going from a restless stand to full gallop in a matter of seconds. Freddie turned Pal around. “Cheat!” he called at Conlan’s back, digging his heels into his horse’s side and urging him to catch up.

Will and Amelia watched them go in stunned silence. Slowly, Will turned his head to look at Eleanor.
 

“What has Freddie done with Conlan?” he asked in English, with a totally straight face.

Eleanor smiled. “That’s who he always was,” she said, knowing all her love for him was in her voice.
 

The sun was setting when Conlan and Freddie arrived back. Eleanor was still in the stables. Horse had decided, since Meran was now Conlan’s responsibility, that Eleanor should be spending time pampering her and had demanded a bathing, brushing and oiling. Merl had been in to sort out his horse and Will’s, as Conlan had borrowed it. Eleanor had asked him how the trip had gone and the older man had smiled, telling her he had not laughed so much in years. Eleanor had nearly finished Horse’s grooming session when she heard the sound of friendly chatting and hooves as Conlan and Freddie led their horses into the stables.

“… not fair, you have a fresh horse that Eleanor’s been pampering for nearly two weeks, while Pal has been carrying me around for days. Of course you’re going to win!” Freddie was saying.

“That’s true, poor Pal having to carry you around, no wonder he didn’t have the strength to keep up for more than half a mile,” Conlan said teasingly. There was a pause and Conlan chuckled as the entered the stables. He noticed Eleanor, a pleased smile spreading across his face. Handing Meran’s reins to Freddie he strode forward and pulled her into a tight hug.
 

“Thank you for restoring Meran, he’s wonderful,” He stopped and pulled back slightly while smiling indulgently. “Freddie’s right, you stink. I think you need a bath.”