* I am invited into the castle * A doctor's visit * Sleep and exploration

* Meeting my host * An indulgent luncheon * A new garment

What castle is this? I wondered as I made my approach, knowing it must be a castle because the light was clearly emanating from a room at a height much greater than even the roof of any farmer's house. The horse carried me closer, his gait stiff and his breath belaboured, and I knew that no matter what strange place I had ridden into, my only chance of salvation was in that building. Our path took us across a small, yet rapid stream that was forded by no bridge.

My approach must have been noisy for before I had the opportunity to knock on the door, it swung open and a tall, dark-haired servant appeared to ask me of my business at that place at so strange an hour. I must have been a sight, standing on the portico with my face bruised and dirty, a mixture of the horse's blood and the wolf's blood on my arms and hands, my blouse tucked into the waistband on one side, while at the other side, the buttons had given way during my fall and the flesh of my un-corseted stomach was exposed; in addition, my jodhpurs were rent at the knees and my cloak was missing. After explaining to the doorman my plight, he assured me that his master would no doubt welcome us himself were he not occupied in his apartments.

He bade me sit on the footstool in the portico that I might remove my boots before partaking of the castle's hospitality and medical care, assisting me when he saw that my twisted ankle was causing me great pain. However, when he touched my stirrup iron, he recoiled severely and in great distress, informed me that he must have injured himself on the metal and that he would not be of much help in my endeavour. I felt horrible that he had caused himself such affliction on my behalf, and I struggled mightily, finally realising triumph in the removal of the boots. I then reminded him that my horse, too, needed attention and he informed me that he had already summoned the stable-master. Indeed, I had a curious glimpse backward as I crossed the threshold, and noticed that outside the tall and thin stableman appeared to be conversing with my steed. That is when the door closed behind me and I limped into the great entry hall.

Candles were burning in wooden sconces on the walls, while large banners bearing unfamiliar crests hung from the highest reaches of the room. I leaned on the doorman's shoulder for several steps and then a pair of tall servants entered, bowed towards me and produced a litter, upon which they effortlessly bore my not inconsiderable weight up the grand staircase. When we had completed our ascent, we passed through a strange doorway, wider than most, and opening into a small anteroom. Behind us, the latter of my bearers closed a cumbersome door of stone, it's enormous mass belied by its smooth motion on invisible hinges. Once closed, I noticed that, instead of displaying a bolt or a catch, the door was meant to be opened by the two iron knobs at its extremities. In addition, there seemed to be another depression in the centre of the door at waist-height, as well as an inset door, seemingly too small for anyone but a toddler.

Although I should have wished to study the curious portal at further length, my bearers paused no longer, carrying me out of the anteroom and into the hallway, bringing me into a small apartment. No sooner had they placed me on the bed and taken their leave than the doctor entered. He, too was strangely tall and slender with dark eyes and for a moment, I wondered whether I could have happened on a castle belonging to some relatives of the Count I had met earlier that evening. But, then I realised the impossibility of such an occurrence, being that the Count's homeland was reportedly of great distance and could be reached only with great difficulty and a knowledgeable guide.

The doctor quickly ascertained that my ankle was not broken, but merely twisted, and after immobilising it with swaddling bandages, he instructed me to rest for several days and offered to give me a tincture of opium to help ease my pain. I accepted his offer, although I knew that I should not be able to remain in that house for several days without causing a fearful alarm back in my home. He assured me that, although I would not be well enough for travel, the master would certainly send a rider to my home in the morning to assuage my fears and the fears of my family. Thus comforted, I felt the drug and the exhaustions of that long day beginning to take their toll, and so I passed into a deep and dream-filled sleep.

Upon awakening the next morning, I discovered that the staff had laid out a large and enticing breakfast for me. After partaking of the buttery eggs and the sweet porridge and the flaky pastries, I attempted to walk to the basin that I might bathe before dressing, but quickly discovered that the injury to my foot made that simple feat almost impossible. Instead, I rang the bell and two maids appeared instantly to assist me in cleaning away the dried blood and other dirt and detritus that had attached itself to me during my travails of the night before. They introduced themselves as Lily and Rose, twin sisters and my ladies-in-waiting. Together we ascertained that my riding garments were beyond salvage, and, having no other clothes with me, I was obliged to wear a dressing gown which had been made for a woman seemingly twice my size. "There is a seamstress in Castle Scudamore," one of the young women told me, "and she has already begun fashioning some garments for you." When I asked how that was possible, since I had not been measured, the girls assured me that the seamstress was of such skill that she could make a perfect gown after seeing its intended wearer for only the briefest moment.

When they left me, I surveyed the room, noticing for the first time a wheeled chair next to my bed. After manoeuvring over to my new conveyance, I heaved myself aboard, happy for whatever mobility it afforded me. First, I inspected my rooms, three in all: a bed-chamber, a sitting room and a dining room. Each was sparsely decorated, but warmed by an ingeniously located central fireplace and well-lit by windows which stretched from floor to roof. Looking outside through the clear and heavy glass, I viewed mountains in the distance, a deep wood attired in the grey of winter, fields of straw and the quick river we had forded in coming to this castle. From my rooms high above the rocky ground, I felt surprised that I could not make out one recognisable landmark. "Perhaps," I said to myself, "it is simply that I have never before had the opportunity of so high a vantage point."

Having seen all there was to see in the rooms of my apartment, I wheeled myself to the hall doorway, opened the wooden door and made my way through, delighted at the first sight that greeted me. The long hallway was lined with bookcases, filled with beautiful tomes of all shapes and manner of binding. There were the works of literature I had so long cherished, volumes on Natural History and the Sciences as well as a large collection of folk-lore and fairy stories. Each book was more interesting to me than the previous one and I passed the better part of the morning in inspecting this trove of knowledge.

After quite some time, I realised that it was odd that no one had passed me all the while I had been browsing the library. No sooner had I thought this, than I heard footsteps coming from what must have been one of the other apartments off this corridor. The footsteps grew close, then a door opened and into that passageway walked Count Meta. I could not contain my surprise and delight at seeing this mysterious man in such an unexpected place, but my glee immediately turned to horror as I realised that I was not appropriately attired for meeting anyone but house staff, let alone the man of my dreams!

He made no mention of my unconventional garb or my being seated in such a strange contraption, merely bowed and took my hand for kissing. "My dear Lady Fairweather," he said, "after our first meeting last night, I had hoped to see you again, but I had not expected this pleasure would be mine so soon. How came you to this place?"

I explained to him my impetuous ride of the previous night, my encounter with the beasts, my disorientation and my discovery of this place of refuge. It was at that moment that I remembered the doctor's promise of the previous night to alert my father of my predicament and my safety. When I mentioned this, the Count said, "Yes, I have seen to it. A rider was dispatched at first light and should have arrived at your home already with the news."

Feeling somewhat confused by his statement, I asked, "Your words indicate that you are the master of this castle, yet upon our meeting, you told me that your home was very far away. How can this be?"

"This castle," he replied, "belongs to my people and is maintained by the Four Families of my homeland for whomever of our land might require its safety. When I am in the castle, then I am Master of it." When I indicated some understanding, he continued, saying, "Come. Let me assist you with your chair and I will show you some more of this place." I agreed and he came around behind the chair and began to push me along, like a child in a perambulator. We moved from room to room along that seemingly endless hallway of books, entering one splendid chamber after another. After some time spent exploring, I realised that I was quite famished, and once again, no sooner had I thought a thing than it appeared, this time, taking the shape of a banquet table in the very next room we entered.

The food was well-prepared and much to my liking. I fell to immediately, joined by the Count, and when I had consumed a hearty portion, I leaned back in my chair and rested my hands on my swollen abdomen, thankful for the looseness of the robe. "I am glad that I shall not be staying here long," I said, "for the food is of such excellent quality that I fear an extended stay would find me quite stout!"

"Stout or not," my host replied, "you would still be the most beauteous guest ever to have graced this castle with her presence."

"Once again, you flatter me," I replied, blushing at his compliment.

"And once again, I insist that, though it might sound so, the truth can never be mere flattery."

"As you wish," I answered. "Now, tell me how you came to be in this place and exactly where this place is."

"My presence here is due to no such dramatic events as you encountered. I was merely weary and knew of this refuge," he answered. " And this place? This is the castle Scudamore, an ancient place, and far off the roads and by-ways of the present day. A castle stood on this ground, I am told, before the days of Arthur, before the Romans came to Britain, before even mighty Atlantis sank beneath the waves. Fanciful stuff, but of this I am certain: few have stumbled on this place by chance. Whomsoever comes here is led here."

"Well," I replied, "if I was led here, then it was by a pair of wolf guides whom I have slain."

"Perhaps you were led here by your steed? It is often said in my land that the animals speak to us in ways without words. Your mount may have understood something beyond your ken."

I laughed, then felt terrible about my rudeness in mocking my host. "Forgive me," I said, "but I have been reared in the strictures of Science, and such a proposition as yours hearkens back to the dark days when our ancestors believed in fairies and magick. Those beliefs do not hold up under cold and rational examination. My presence here is merely a strange coincidence."

He smiled at me in a manner which suggested amusement at my ignorance. This made me somewhat angry, but before I could express myself, he arose and said, "As you wish, My Lady. But surely you must be tired by now and I must take you back to your rooms for I am quite certain that the seamstress will soon be finished constructing a gown suited to your beauty that you might dazzle my eyes some more over dinner." He then wheeled me back to my chambers, bowed and took his leave, whereupon I lay down on the soft bed and fell into a solid slumber.

When I awoke, the first thing I espied proved that the Count was correct in his assertion that my new garment would be completed. Laid out on the dresser was an incredible gown in iridescent blue and rich grey, edged in a cream-coloured lace so intricate in its detail, that I was certain even my microscope would be inadequate at determining the fineness of its pattern. Leaning against the edge of the dresser for support, I loosened the belt of the dressing robe and let it drop to the ground, then slipped the gown over my head, discovering that the young maids had been absolutely correct in their admiration for the seamstress's eye. It fit like no other garment I had ever worn, tracing every rise and fall of my flesh as if it were a living skin. I did not hear them enter, but suddenly, the two dark-haired girls were attending to me, assisting me in fastening the back-catches, then adorning me with necklaces of amethyst and moonstone, as well as a curious silver chain embellished with beads of pure amber with which they girdled my hips. The looking glass reflected back to me the picture of a striking contrast: the round face and riotously red hair of a child, surrounded by the generous and full-bodied proportions of a mature woman.

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