Alas My Love by Tracie Peterson

took great comfort in this action. Somehow with Timothy beside her, she felt Richard’s presence. Her cheeks flushed warm at the thought of Timothy’s life coming out of her love for Richard. What wonders God had wrought and how inconceivable His ways, Arianne thought.
    Just then Helena’s singing ended and somehow its absence made the silence seem overwhelming. Arianne cuddled Timothy closer and nuzzled his soft head with her lips.
    “Dear Father,” she whispered, “let this night pass quickly.”

Chapter 9

    Helena awoke and pushed back the bed curtains, just as the morning sun was streaking the horizon with pale, rose-colored light. Taking the fur that had been placed upon her bed for added warmth, Helena wrapped it tightly around her and stood in the open window.
    As each inch of darkness yielded to the light, Helena felt a small corner of her heart yield as well. It was easier to be brave in the light, she mused. Staring out across the newly plowed fields to the forest of trees in the distance, Helena wondered how much longer she would be able to stay at Gavenshire.
    “Oh, Father,” she whispered in a moan, leaning heavily against the stone that framed the window opening. There was little else to say, for in her heart she had no words. Words seemed inadequate. What more could she ask of God?
    From the village and bailey below her came sounds of the morning. Cocks crowed and hushed voices rose to sounds of merriment and laughter. It was Easter, and today they would celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Helena smiled sadly. She had tried so hard to bury her suffering, yet daily it seemed to come back to life with a will of its own. What strange creatures we must seem to God, she thought.
    It wasn’t long before a young girl appeared at Helena’s door to help her dress for morning services. Helena felt extremely privileged as she donned a tunic of the finest pale pink silk. It felt soft and cold against her body, but Helena relished it. The neckline had been embroidered by her own hand with tiny flower buds and ivy twining. Next came a surcoat of amber velvet. Helena had never known anything so regal in all of her life.
    “You look grand, Milady,” the girl said boldly. And indeed she was right in saying so.
    Helena waited patiently while the girl dressed her hair and secured a thin white wimple to cover her head and neck. She was bringing Helena her slippers when Arianne knocked on the door.
    “Good Easter morn,” she announced, sweeping into the room.
    She was resplendent in her sendal tunic of cream and surcoat of dark green velvet. The sendal material made a rustling sound, causing Arianne to smile. “My finery will no doubt announce me in church.”
    Helena laughed and curtsied. “You are truly a pleasure to behold your grace. Would that your husband could be here.”
    “Aye,” Arianne sighed. “I prayed it might be so.” Her words seemed sad, but still she smiled. “The day is not yet out. Perhaps Richard will arrive after church.”
    “Let us hope so,” Helena replied.
    They made their way to the bailey below with a crowd of others following and gathering around them. Easter was quite a celebration for the people. The villeins would be given time off to enjoy a rest from their labors, knights would test their skills against each other in mock joust, and nobility would survey all from amidst the revelry and deem it good.
    Helena had been a part of Easter celebrations before, but never anything so grand and glorious. They made their way to the church, finding smiling faces and happy greetings wherever they went.
    “I truly love this,” Arianne stated as they walked. “I have enjoyed our own castle chapel, but the church in town allows me to be amidst all the people. I feel as though I’ve always belonged here.”
    Helena grimaced, but did not allow Arianne to see her pain. The words only served to remind her that she did not belong here or anywhere and that only by Arianne’s kindness had