Lady in Waiting

 NIGHT ENCOUNTER

 

The huge bedroom is cold, freezing cold. I wrap myself in a cover and a sheepskin, hobble to a stool near the fire place. It helps but the logs are burning low and I am too weak to lift a new one. Coughing hurts my chest. Bloody kerchiefs lie on the floor since yesterday. The mastiff sniffs them and chews them to rags. Any moment I think I may die and want to do so in bed. I walk slowly and climb back in.

 

Lenora finally brings me a hot toddy but it is bitter and I spit it out. As she opens the heavy door to leave, I hear the doctor's familiar voice. He enters my chamber, feels my body, removes his clothes and lies down beside me. I welcome his warmth but despise his probing fingers. He hands me two small white packets of powder. I am instructed to take one in the morning and the other at bed time. 'Doctor, all day and all night is bedtime.' He laughs at my joke. He may be joking, but his reply does not please me. 'You will feel better after one and I will make you feel better before you swallow the other. Lenora will bring you a warmer toddy.'  I have to bang my cane on the hard wooden floor for her to appear. She gives me a sweeter drink than the first. I only remember finishing it quickly and feeling dizzy. It is morning and I bang for Lenora again to change my bed clothes. They are wet.

 

Night has come. Only one candle still burns near my bed. The door creaks slightly. 'Who is at my door? Do not come in. I am ill,' I tell the interloper of my dreams. The doctor speaks. ' It is I, your doctor. Oh, that you weren't ill, I would devour you.' I throw the glass that held my toddy at the door. It crashes but does not detour the doctor. 'Listen to me,' he says,' here is some water, pour the powder in and drink it in one gulp. I promise you, you will feel better.' He does not wait for me to follow his orders and is quickly naked, trying to get on top of me. I throw the medicine at his eyes and he screams. The mastiff wakes at such a loud scream and jumps on the doctor, gets hold of his arm and pulls him to the door. It is my turn to laugh. Lenora walks right into him as she comes to check on me. Old doctor has no shame and walks out into the hall with his head held high and his member idle.

 

Not once do I cough during the night. I am ready for something to eat. The kitchen is active. A roaring fire roasts half a pig. Big apples and lovely purple grapes invite my pleasure. A troubador strums his lyre. Meade makes me light headed again. I feel so much better I return to my chamber to dress. The light blue eyes of the singer follow me to my room. He does not. My embroidery work waits for me. I stitch most of the day, eat only fruit for lunch. Darkness comes. The kitchen again is busy. Sir Gawain has returned from England and the knights are anxious to hear of his tales. Women must leave. The troubador's eyes again follow me.

 

Lenora helps me undress, don my nightgown, fluffs my pillow and I lie down to sleep. Just as a dream begins, there is a tapping at my door. It does not sound like the doctor. 'Who is knocking on my door?' I call out.
'Let me in and you will see,' comes the answer. I recognize Sir Gawain. His green eyes are even greener in the candlelight. The mastiff makes no move. My uninvited guest removes his breastplate and his cod piece, asks if he can pleasure me.

 

I need not answer. I pat the bed but my cover does not completely cover me. That is enough.