The Travelor (closed for Rockinzoe)

[RidePlayer]

Frank Atkinson
Age 21
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The sun beat down on a mid autumn afternoon. Unusually hot for the time of year. Frank having removed his suite jacket and draped over his arm. He walked among the stone pillars that made up stone hedge. Still wondering all these years since people discovered it what could of put them in such a way. The secrets the place held and the site attracting many travelers.

Frank was a university student top of his class as oxford. He was a history major with a writing minor. He someday hoped to recite history in books that looked smaller overlooked things that lead to more major famous events. Like how the attack on pearl harbor was warned by one of the Japanese admirals to be a bad idea and that he predicted all it would do would wake a sleeping giant.

He ran his hand across the rough stones as he smiled wondering to himself what secrets and lesser known mysteries were kept here as well. Walking around he heard buzzing coming from the forest near the site. It was faint but something about it peaked his interest.

He walked towards the noise the sound getting louder and louder as he went further in. He looked back towards stonehedge a little concern wondering off the beaten path. He kept walking though drawn towards the buzzing sound.

Suddenly finding a sudden dip of a steep hill he cursed as he fell. Losing his suite jacket as he tumbled roughly down the incline. His head striking a tree trunk on the way down. When he finally stopped rolling the buzzing sound was unbearably loud especially with his head injury.

Feeling his head slight blood leaked. He struggled to his feet the world spinning as his hand brushed against a large rock he stopped near. Suddenly the world was spinning more violently like it literally spun beneath his feet. He was thrown to the ground stumbling weakly as he wondered away from the stone and back out the forest.

Dazed and confused from his injury he called out where had all the travelers gone? He could only make out one figure at stone hedge. He stumbled weakly his head throbbed and he held his hand to it to stem bleeding. He said "H...hello I fell and struck my head...anyone I need help.

 

[rockinzoe]

Lady Elizabeth, Only daughter of Duke of Somerset, 20
April 1750

It had been a lovely tour of England, the weather had been fine for spring, she had enjoyed the freedom of touring away from her father but alas it was the final stop before the 2 day journey home.

Stonehenge. What a puzzling site it was, rumours had always flew around the stones, they were dangerous to the right sort of traveller, Elizabeth didn't believe the stories.

"My Lady we must be going soon." Her maid had cried from the carriage, her only companion apart from the driver, "It will be dark soon, it won't be safe." Elizabeth had sighed but made no attempt to leave, circling the stone circle one more time when she heard a man shouting at her.

Without a second though she had called the maid and began to head down the hill towards him. "Hello?" She called back, "Wait there we are coming to help." The stranger was both pleasant in the face and strangely dressed, she couldn't help but think he must be foreign!

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank was dazed as he held his head hearing a woman's voice tell him to wait. He was confused when they arrived. The maid checking him and said "I believe the good sir struck his head milady."

Frank sat down 'Milady he thought and her dialect it sounds british but dated.' His head hurt as he slumped down to the ground sitting up. He tried to catch his bearings he was having trouble thinking with the blow to his head.

He looked up saw Elizabeth clearly for the first time. She was stunning as she looked at him from beneath her hat. He tried to find words but he was so confused as his eyes took in her outfit.

Was she a reenactor? A theater group doing dress rehearsal. He had only seen dresses like that in history books. A flush creeping across his cheek as he saw the slight teas of cleavage from her breasts.

 

[rockinzoe]

How strangely he was dressed, perhaps he had been strange even before he had hit his head.

"Well we shall have to take him with us." She declared to the maid, "Fetch smith to help the man to the carriage." She turned towards the man, holding bandages to his head and proclaimed loudly to him "You may come with us, my father has a doctor near his house for some treatment."

She moved closer to him, still distant in case he was in fact mad, "How long have you been here? Do you have a name?" She stared at him, frowning slightly at his appearance, he wore no stocking or court shoes, his clothing was very plain coloured, like a lawyer almost.

At the appearance of her driver she walked back up the hill, leaving them behind and approaching her carriage.

"Mary I think we shall have to let him sit inside it, you must sit up front." She stated, her voice showing there would be no argument

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank was still confused but thankful for the bandages to his head. Hearing the woman say she would take him to a doctor he nodded happy for the help hopefully there would be a phone at the home or theater this woman operated out of.

When she asked him his name he said Frank... frank Atkinson thank you for helping me...I'm sorry I don't think I caught your name."

Mary looked worried for her ladies safety. But her look stopped any objection dead in the maids voice. Simply nodding and moving to the front with the driver.

When Smith helped him in the carriage he thought 'her clothes this carriage what is this why commit so much to the show?' His hand explored upholstery and he said "if this is a prop or replica its well made."

 

[rockinzoe]

"Well that is rather complicated, it's Lady Elizabeth, Dowager Duchess someday perhaps, or maybe even Duchess of something." She replied entering the carriage.

This stranger had clearly never been in one before, he must indeed be poor, what charity she was performing, she would have to tell her friends!

"Prop?" She questioned, "Oh it is a replica of the coach Princess Amelia uses around Windsor, my father shall be so pleased you recognised it!" She proclaimed happily with a grin.

"So, Frank, What brings you to Stone Henge? Are you doing a tour like myself or are you coming to do your trade nearby?" She sat back, removing her hat to put on the seat as she stared at the stranger.

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank looked at Elizabeth saying "lady...duchess?" He thought 'I didn't think Britain still had titles like that.' Thinking the last part his head was still spinning it was hard to think. Princess Amelia sounded familiar.

He looked into Elizabeth's eyes getting lost in them for the briefest of moments. He found himself again when she asked about what brought him to Stonehenge. He said "I was on holiday...from university....I'm a scholar."

His proper queens English being a little odd if he was foreign.

 

[rockinzoe]

She couldn’t help but let out a laugh, “Do not mention that to my father, he thinks scholars have no place in a civilised society.” He was looking at her most oddly.

“Where do you hail from? Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews perhaps, your accent is rather strange.” She pauses again looking the strange man up and down “Do all scholars dress so oddly?”

 

[RidePlayer]

She couldn’t help but let out a laugh, “Do not mention that to my father, he thinks scholars have no place in a civilised society.” He was looking at her most oddly.

“Where do you hail from? Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews perhaps, your accent is rather strange.” She pauses again looking the strange man up and down “Do all scholars dress so oddly?”

He said "Oxford...I'm studying history and wrighting. Its why I was at Stonehenge. I explore little things that led up to major historical events.. exploring things people may not know played a vig part in shaping.....history. Its why I was there...there still so much we don't know about them."

"Oddly....no offense Elizabeth was it...? you are one to talk. I must say your dress is odd. It is really well made. It looks like you just stepped out of the Georgian Era....authentic."

 

[rockinzoe]

“What on earth are you on about? It’s 1750 under George II, is that what you mean about ‘Georgian’ ?” She asked, the bump on his head had clearly affected this mans sanity.

“I think you must have hit your head very hard, or perhaps you are under some strange power of the stones.” She laughed slightly.

“So what do your family do? Can you remember.” She pressed on. Perhaps she best drop him off at a sanatorium instead of taking him home.

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank was shocked 1750? Power of the stones King George? He tried to wrap his head around what happened. He rolled down that hill near Stonehenge. Heard that strange unearthly buzzing touched a strange stone in that forest and now those he thought were actors claimed it was George's rule. His head hurt he needed to think for now he had to play along till he could figure out what was happening.

He said "forgive me Milady." Trying out the word to better blend in. He continued " my injury did seem to rattle my thoughts. I will be okay." Hoping he wasn't riding in a carriage with a loon. Though as they rode and his thoughts cleared it made more sense there was no high rise in the distance for cities no paved roads no cars. Could he really have travelled through time? Hearing Elizabeth's question he had to think of something that was fitting for the period. He said "My mother tended to our families home. My father is a blacksmith. They realized young how smart I was and scraped and saved so I could attend university." Hoping his apology and story would appease her.

 

[rockinzoe]

The way he kept staring out the window was odd to Elizabeth, however that could be his injury.
“A blacksmiths son! Well at least if the horse springs a shoe you shall have us on the way in no time! It should only be a few more hours till home actually.”

His fashion and manerisms still puzzled her though, he acted like no person she had ever met before, not even in the slightest.
“So what does a scholar keep,” she gestured at the strange pack he had beside him, “for such journeys as this? Your clothes, are they the new fashion abroad?” She asked curiously, everything even his hair style was strange though not unappealing

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank inwardly winced. He knew nothing of blacksmithing and hopped should something happen to the horses she would accept he never learned his fathers trade. Hearing question his bag he said "yes more clothes for the colder nights otherwise it just contains supplies rations for my journeys and a tent to keep me dry at night." Doing his best to not use words or lingo that would be out of place for this time. Or atleast time this woman believed it to be.

His story of a blacksmith son was accidentl. In his studies there was a Lady Elizabeth of summerset who married a blacksmiths son from a foreign nation. The job just clicked and hopefully help keep him safe with this woman's delusions if she was crazy.

He said "lady Elizabeth not to pry but as you reminded me after my injury King George is still ruling Britain at this time correct?" Hoping to get some more info to with play his role in this woman's delusion or stay safe if he has time travelled. He looked at her she really was stunning.

 

[rockinzoe]

She frowned, how could he not remember who their king was.
“Yes George the second, he has been on the throne longer than I have been alive. Named after his father I suppose.” She played a little with the fabric of her shirt.

“So how old are you fair traveler? Are you long married?” She pried into his history, perhaps the more he spoke the more he would come to his senses. “I hope you have not got many children who are waiting for their fathers return, I can only imagine our doctor will have you in bed rest for a week.”

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank noticed the way she subtly played with her shirt. Trying not to let his eyes linger he said "yes I suppose he is. I'm sorry fair lady Elizabeth. Things are starting to get a bit clearer as I talk with you. The rattling my mind took did a number." Fortunatly his knowledge of history may help with any questions she has.

Hearing her he said "Frank Atkinson milady. No no children I'm twenty one and sadly I never married. Hoping to be a good provider I delayed on wedding to focus on my studies." That one wasn't a lie while some of his friends married out of high-school he enjoyed the single college life a bit." He said and gave Elizabeth a warm smile and said " I hope to meet a woman as fair and beautiful in the heart as you are for offering me aid." Blushing a bit as he realized he called her beautiful while trying to compliment her generosity.

 

[rockinzoe]

Her face flushed and being without a fan she picked up her hat, peeking over the top of it as she waved cooler air onto her face. "That's not quite appropriate now is it. Though I will thank you for your compliment." She corrected him and her own body.

"My father insists I marry soon or I will end up the old maiden Aunt," She muttered, "Though if I had received an appropriate offer I would not be in such a position."

Her face finally cooling she smiled at him, "So no lady has caught your eye? Nobody you will be running to propose to on your return?"

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank smiled and said "I did not mean any disrespect Milady. Only to say you are beautiful both in the body and in your soul." He said "no none yet I assumed my parents would try to arrange someone from my home town for me to court after I finished my studies. Though I'm sure if in my travels and studies I met someone I wished to offer my hand they would be happy."

He couldn't help but smile at her again. Finding it easy to talk to this woman of the past if she was telling the truth. A part of him kinda wishing he had traveled through time. So that this nice woman he met would not turn out to be delusional.

He said "you've asked me about my family and studies what about you milady. What brought you to the stones?"

 

[rockinzoe]

"Ah," She smiled leaning back, "My father says I am somewhat too wild to stay at home, I've been on a tour of Wales. Walking mostly and couldn't resist stopping at the stones, its not too far out of my way. I've been taught all the usual persuits, sewing, music and drawing though mine is not as refined as a lady should be. Still I would rather be outdoors, I've heard all sorts of things about the stones, nobody can quite decide what their purpose is." She finished with a grin.

"Oh look, the village! That means we are not too far away from home!" She leaned forward to look out the window, smiling and giving small waves to children. " My father says we must always give a glance of ourselves to our tennants, not be too hidden away." She pointed out various family dwellings as they passed. "You shall be able to see the house soon. It's nowhere near as grand as Chatsworth but it's home."

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank chuckled and said there's nothing wrong with liking the outdoors. As far as the stones yes I've heard several different accounts. Its why I wanted to see them too. Unfortunately I fell I'm glad you were around. I would of been in trouble if not for you.

When they arrived the dated homes and realized 'I really am in the past.' Getting his shock under control before Elizabeth noticed. He said you "have a lovely village Milady. Thank you for your help and hospitality."

 

[rockinzoe]

"Well it's not really my village, the land is my fathers but the village belongs to the people." She clapped her hands as they approached a bend ahead. "Ahh we are nearly at the gates. I am sure you will enjoy some recuperation in the house, what a treat it shall be." She sighed fixing her hat back onto her head. He was still behaving strangely and had been staring like it was the first village he had seen.

"Have you ever stayed in a country house before?" She pried again, she was most fascinated with him.

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank nodded at her explanation of how the village worked. He would have to be more careful with what he said. When she asked about his home he said "no my family grew up near a port town. It was always very urban and well built up do the influx of trade."

When the carriage pulled through the gates he said "I appreciate the aid. I Just hope I won't be an imposition milady."

 

[rockinzoe]

"Urban? What on earth is urban?" She puzzled over the word, perhaps it was new. The carriage slowed as it made it's way up the long hilled drive, rows of trees on either side and walled gardens as they got closer to the house.

"It's a large house, I'm sure he won't mind you staying for a night or two." She spoke airily, of course her father may turn him away in which case the poor man would be left to his own wit.

Footmen appeared as they finally reached the house, opening the door of the carriage and pulling down the stairs, a hand was offered to help her out.

"Thank you James, I've a guest, I've rather found him quite alone and injured, perhaps we should fetch a doctor and let him rest in one of the rooms. Is my father in? He shall have to foot the bill as I fear this man... Frank won't have any money himself. " She walked along the path quite leaving frank behind as she spoke to the footman, pausing for a moment. "He may be mad so perhaps we shall need to keep him in a corner room with a guard." She added before entering the house.

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank would have to be far more careful with his words. He said sorry Milady it is a local term to my home meaning large and prosperous." When they arrived he watched Elizabeth leave sighing as he thought about what he would do now that he had come to accept he was in the past.

Eventually a guard escorted him to a room. A doctor examining him. Elizabeth's father joined her in the lounge. He said "so who is this stranger you brought home my daughter? I hope he did not harm or attack you I would make him the boar at my next hunt."

 

[rockinzoe]

She had laughed as she explained to her Father the odd man she had brought home, he seemed confused and not dangerous though only time would tell.

It was later that night after dinner when she had decided to check on him, he had been ordered to bed rest after all.

Lightly she had knocked on the door before entering, checking behind her to make sure nobody else had seen. She paused a moment before deciding to leave the bedroom door open, so she could not be accused of acting improperly.

"Good Evening Mr Atkinson, I trust you find our hospitality to your liking?" She asked as she entered.

 

[RidePlayer]

Frank noticed her come in. He smiled at her from his spot on the bed the doctor had told him to stay in. He said "yes thank you milady. Everything is great. I Really appreciate everything you have done for me."

He looked out the window and smiled he said "a lesser person would of left me to die probably so truly thank you lady Elizabeth. I hope to someday be able to repay you." Giving a warm smile. One that the woman back in the present always swore would steal there hearts. Though it never did steal hearts It did drop the pants of a couple woman he had dates with back in his time.

He said "I know the doctor said a few days but I will try to not be a burdan."