Elvira Woodruff
Historical novel
128/214
Summary
The next morning, Forrest entered the Bloody tower in a gloomy mood and found Maddy singing and drawing with a candle on a table which was a present from a priest who was a friend of her family. They talk about Maddy's nurse Flora; about how she was wise and taught Maddy various things. They come to understand each other as English and Scottish people and forget about the stereotypes. Forrest gains a deeper understanding of Scottish people who were forced to fight and accused for treason. Maddy entrusts Forrest to give a twig of Rowan which Flora told her that it keeps away harm to her father who is imprisoned in another tower. Forrest hesitates but accepts when Maddy offers a golden ring with ruby on top in return. Forrest takes it to save Ned by paying his indenture and also takes the twig to pass on to her father. Also, Maddy gives Forrest another twig which is meant for him and wishes him luck.
That night, the Harpers gather around the fire and do their own things. Forrest thinks carefully again about what he is about to do that very night and the consequences. Forrest shams and pretends to be going for a walk with Tuck and leaves the house. He walks courageously and reaches the tower Maddy's father is in the Bell Tower. He sees to tall figures guarding and takes a step closer then one of the guard calls out "who goes there" and he recognizes the voice. It was Warder Bothy who was standing guard with Warder Finch that night. They talk about the Scot prisoners and how they will be sent tomorrow and executed the day after. Forrest shows them Tuck's tricks and they are amused and enjoys it as they have nothing else to do for the rest of the night. Forrest asks Warder Bothy if the warder in front of Maddy's father's cell would be interested in the tricks and Warder Bothy takes him there. Forrest shows Tuck's tricks to them and while they were engrossed in it, Forrest tiptoes to the cell and hands the twig to him. Then unexpectedly, he receives a paper and the man says "For her eyes only" and Forrest returns home with it.
The next day, he wakes and smells the stench and realizes that it is washing day which is the day he hates the most. Then he also realizes that his mother takes his breeches on washing day and springs up to see it safe. He checks the pockets and finds the twig and the paper in one side and checks the other side and finds nothing! He realizes that he must have lost Ned's lucky nail and Maddy's ring from a hole that was in his pockets, probably made from the nail. He sets off to the Bloody Tower with the mug for Maddy with Tuck. Forrest finds Maddy curled up in her cape asleep on the floor. He reports that he sent the twig safely but couldn't save Ned yet and also tells her that she will be transferred within an hour. Forrest hesitates to give her the paper from her father since it could cause him danger but tells her to count on their friendship and hands it to her.
Reflection
It was unexpected to see how Forrest and Maddy comes to understand each other but also unfortunate when one side of the pocket for with the paper and twig is safe but the other side with Ned's lucky nail and the ring that could save him disappears. I think Forrest became rather careless about Ned and fell in love with Maddy to do such dangerous things for her although she is his enemy. I am curious about what will happen to Maddy and how Forrest will help her.
Passage
"I believe you are innocent. So whatever happens, you can count on my friendship." Forrest says this to Maddy at the end. He fully understands the how dangerous his pledge of friendship is. So I think Forrest will do whatever it takes to save Maddy and meet the same end as her, die or escape together.
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