“I feared it,” Patience said simply. “But I also knew there was nothing I could do about it. Nor can you.”
I sat still, not even thinking. Under the old hut, in a scratched-out hollow, Nighteyes was dozing with his nose over a bone. I touched him softly, not even waking him. His calm breathing was an anchor. I steadied myself against him.
“Fitz? What will you do?”
Tears stung my eyes. I blinked, and it passed: “What I am told,” I said heavily. “When have I ever done otherwise?”
Patience was silent as I got slowly to my feet. The wound on my neck was throbbing. I suddenly wanted only to sleep. She nodded to me as I excused myself. At the door I paused. “Why I came this evening. Besides to see you. Queen Kettricken will be restoring the Queen’s Garden. The one on top of the tower. She mentioned she would like to know how the garden was originally arranged. In Queen Constance’s time. I thought perhaps you could recall it for her.”
Patience hesitated. “I do recall it. Very well.” She was quiet for a moment, then brightened. “I will draw it out for you, and explain it. Then you could go to the Queen.”
I met her eyes. “I think you should go to her. I think it would please her very much.”
“Fitz, I have never been good with people.” Her voice faltered. “I am sure she would find me odd. Boring. I could not-” Her voice stuttered to a halt.
“Queen Kettricken is very alone,” I said quietly. “There are ladies around her, but I do not think she has real friends. Once, you were queen-in-waiting. Cannot you recall what it was like?”