**Warning!! Sexual Content!!**
A Memorable Evening
King Hawk
Queen Arianna
Hawk led his new wife away. He had no idea if she was afraid, he knew of
course that she was a virgin. He himself had been looking forward to this
evening for a long time, yet he had experience enough to know it wasn't
always so for women.
"Are you scared, my love?" He asked when they were alone in their new room.
Arianna shook her head no. Deep down she had been prepared for this night
and knew what to expect. Atleast from what her foster mother had told her
she was to expect some pain but she knew that this was the way of things.
"You are so brave." Her husband said caressing her cheek. "I will try to
be gentle with you." This night would be for her, his own needs could wait
a little longer. "Why don't we take a bath together." He whispered in her
ear.
She knew that she could play coy but she was actually shy about it for a
moment. "I'd like that a lot love." She knew how impatient he could be but
she was amazed of how he didn't want to immediately go after her. She was
expecting that much in carnal lust. She wondered if he would always be this
patient or if she would see the carnal lust that he hid.
He had his manservant draw them a bath, and when the servants left he gently
led her to the tub in front of the fire. Then he slowly and carefully
began to undress her, gently caressing her body in the process. "It's
going to be all right, my love." He whispered in her ear.
She smiled and was happy at the way he was caring for her. She felt alive
at his touch and gave a hearty sigh. She then in turn began to undress him
and didn't say one word letting her fingers caress his skin underneath his
garments.
He shivered. It was not really a good idea for her to be doing this if he
was to control himself. So he gently took her hands hands and removed them
from his body. "Let me care for you tonight, my love." He said softly
guiding her to the Bath. Hawk took her in his arms and gently lowered her
into the water. Then he began to sponge her whole body slowly and
sensually, trying to arouse her sexually.
It didn't take much. His touch had driven her wild that she didn't tell him
to skip the bath all together. She was a little hurt that he didn't want
her to touch him, but as stubborn as she was she started to touch him again.
"I care not if you do not remain in composure. This is our night and I
want you. I like you caring for me, but I am wanting you." she said with
her voice barely above a whisper.
"My sweetest darling." He said smiling at her ardour. "This night is
yours. Please don't argue you with me. You will thank me later. "He had
seen enough girls cry on the first night, and he knew it had not been a
happy occasion for his first wife. Inexperienced himself he had taken her
quickly and hide, causing her pain where he found pleasure.
He lifted her out of the bath and carefully dried her off. Then he gently
put her on the bed, his own manhood barely under control as he watched her
beautiful body. "Lay back and enjoy, my love." He whispered.
With one hand he stroked her nipples, while his other hand found its way
between her thighs. His mouth rained gentle kisses on her neck.
She let out a gasp as waves of pleasure found her with his caresses. As he
continued to please her she would let out a soft moan.
He smiled as he saw how much she was enjoying herself. Hawk went a step
further and inserted a finger in her private parts finding her pleasure
spot without trouble. She was very wet now, and his own needs growing, yet
he still hesitated as he wanted this evening to be perfect for her and the
first time would hurt whatever he did.
She let out a whimper. "Please...do not tempt me any longer..." she would
deal with the pain but she couldn't take the torture as sweet as it was any
more.
"Oh my love." He said. He gently kissed her again, and after he extracted
his fingers, he replaced it with his member. "Tell me if it hurts and I
will try to stop." He whispered.
The moment was sweet and though the pain was minute, the exstacy of him
within her took over any pain that she felt. "Don't...don't stop" she
whispered as they moved together in love and she carried him higher and
higher until she herself was right over the edge.
This was not as he had planned things. He had not thought of deflowering
her tonight, and in his own need he forgot the rules he had set for himself
when he would. hawk was in heaven, building up to a climax himself. He had
promised himself he would withdraw just before ejaculating. Yet this bliss
dimmed his senses, and he came deep within her.
She held him close to her and looked into his eyes before she drifted. "I
love you very much."
He smiled half asleep himself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Secrets of Foresight"
Rowena
Lady Diora
Rowena entered the room quietly. Irena was asleep at the foot of Diora's bed. The little princess had not yet seen her family that morning. Her concern was her new teacher. She had promised to learn all she could while she remained here from the Priestess of Morrigan. She did not know why the woman had an apartment like that of the royal house, but it was obvious by it that she was favored by the crown.
Rowena touched her forehead. Her skin was cool to the touch which was good. She was about to pull her hand away when the world spun out of control. She stood in a clearing with two small children close to her. A man bathed in ethereal glory stood off to the left as if watching over herself and the
two small children. Another man stood to her right and it was as if both called to her. Rowena felt herself take steps towards the man bathed in light but as she looked about her, every step towards the man brought a vision of pain, destruction and deception even though she knew that if she
reached him with her children, she, herself, would feel peace.
Diora murmured quietly as she felt the hand on her forehead and opened her eyes. "Ro...Rowena??" she said quietly knowing who the child was.
Rowena didn't answer. Her eyes were closed and a look of pain was on her face. She didn't totally understand what she was seeing. She heard a voice call her but found she couldn't escape from the vision before her.
Diora did something she never had done in a long time. She pulled herself to where Rowena was inside her dreams. "Rowena." she called to the child. "Come away from him and come to me. You are safer with me. He will pull your soul from your body." She said calmly reaching towards the child. It was then that she saw who Rowena was pulling herself too...It was Gwilym, the other man she hadn't seen before but figured that she would soon enough.
Rowena turned confused for she had been seeing through Diora's eyes and now she saw Diora. She reached a hand out to her and took it and suddenly found herself looking down at Diora on the bed. The room swam as she fought to steady herself.
Diora had her hands on the girl's arms to keep her from falling. "We'll talk when you are ready." Diora said to her with a sigh of fatigue.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to wake you." Rowena whispered wide eyed.
"It's ok. I needed to wake. What disturbed me the most, was that I almost lost you through me. We are going to have to learn to control what you see in other's dreams. Tis something that I can teach to you as well. Your sight is greater than my own, but I can teach what I know." She said quitely
with a smile and patted the bed beside her. "Now describe to me what you saw and I'll explain to you what was going on."
"I saw two men. One was bathed in light. Both called to you and two children. Every time you were tempted or took a step towards the one in the light, bad things happened to those around you." Rowena explained quietly. Her eyes searched Diora's.
"The one bathed in light was Gwilym. He is my late husband and the father of my children. In watching over me and them many have died including himself. He is telling me that it's not our time to join him yet. Thus the reason for the pain and the bad things that have happened. The other
gentleman, I don't know him, or if I do, I'm not too familiar with him. With Gwilym, how did you feel, did you feel loved, safe and at peace? That's how I feel when I had seen him, you may think me mad, but I spoke with him in my feverish state." She said emabarrassed looking at the floor.
"You must have loved him very much to have such a connection still." Rowena said quietly. "I do not think you mad."
"Aye, I did. Well, at least we know I carry twins now eh?" she said with a bit of a smile to Rowena. "I find it hard still to let him go, but I know he'll always be with me."
"You will not get better if you do not let him go." Rowena pointed out.
Diora sighed. She knew the child was right and wise beyond her young age. "Aye, my heart and health would be better to let him go but I don't know how." she said quietly.
"I have not the wisdom or the living to help with that." Rowena admitted. "But, it will take time, I know that. Though, I would caution that you take care of your body first and foremost."
"Twill take time, and I know that it's not something easy to put in the back of my mind. I do know I do not need to be ill any longer." She said to Rowena. "As it goes, thus I will put myself on the strictest care and guidance as I continue your lessons." she said finally realizing she was talking of being on bedrest for quite a great length of time.
"I thought perhaps, lessons could wait. Besides, how do you know I might turn to you to continue?" Rowena asked suspiciously.
Diora just shrugged. "You do what you feel is best. Though I may have a small gift in foresight, I know Elianor would not have it. In her mind, I'm still learning. In quite a few ways I am, but the clarity in which dreams come to me do not have to be induced with herbs. They come to me when needed, unlike you, you are both princess and seer. There is more in training than even Elianor can teach. She never had the gift of sight nor claimed to. Tis why we are sent to the Tor in the first place."
"I don't mind lessons I guess. I am just tired of herblore." Rowena admitted. Elianor had her reciting recipes in her sleep practically. "I want to spend some time with my parents."
Diora smiled. "That was what I was going to suggest. I'm here if you wish to learn, but enjoy the company of your parents while you can. I didn't have that luxury. I was sent to the Tor at age 6 and didn't leave except for a funeral." She said regrettably. She didn't want to depress the princess. "Even though you were at the Tor learning, enjoy the times as a child as you must. You will have ample time to be an adult. I know they press there that you come to them that you are no longer a child, but you must still have fun otherwise you grow old before your time and I'm prattling." Diora said finally. "Go, I'll be fine, you can come back and visit me soon if you like. Hopefully you'll be able to help in birthing children before you go back, if you wish. I'm leaving it all up to you." Diora said with a smile knowing that Bronwen was close to her time.
"I would like that." Rowena got up. "I hope that you will follow your own treatments and rest." Rowena flitted out of the room as only a small child can.
Diora watched the child leave and realized how much one little girl has on her shoulders. She shook her head and sighed as she rested taking up her own advice and getting as much rest as she could.
----------------------------------
"The Morning After"
King Hawk
Queen Arianna
When Hawk woke up the next morning, Arianna and he lay entwined. He
smiled as he brushed some of the hair out of her face. How much he loved
her.
She let out a little whimper from her sleep and opened her eyes when he
brushed her hair out of her face. She smiled and looked into his eyes.
He looked concerned. "Do you have any pain, my love?" he asked holding her
close.
"Nae, no pain what so ever." she said to him enjoying the feeling of him
beside her.
"I'm glad." He said kissing her. "Sweetheart, I will talk to Diora this
morning. What happened last night was never my intention, I got so carried
away by you." He blushed. "I will find out if she has any thing that will
help you not get pregnant."
I'd rather you didn't and I want many more nights like that with you. I
know how my body works so you need not fear in me getting pregnant for
awhile." She said and felt hurt by the fact that he wanted to spoil their
morning by speaking of such things. "Besides, I would know and I know I am
not. Rest assured, I want you to be completely carried away with me and no
fears on what is to happen. I have every intention of growing old with you,
children or not." She said to him quietly.
He kissed her forehead. "You know how difficult it is for me, I have lost
two women I loved already, and now I see Diora suffer." He took a deep
breath. "Yet I want to trust you, and enjoy every moment with you. Just
promise me one thing, if you ever think about getting pregnant, discuss it
with me first."
"Aye that I do, and I know that it's difficult for you. Don't worry about
Diora, she will be fine and is under the best care. You'll find that she'll
be well when we return. Believe me, you can trust me that if even before
something like that happens we'll discuss it fully. I will not have you
scared because I didn't talk to you about it before hand. I don't need you
going mad on me because of something that wasn't discussed." She said to him
kissing him on his cheek afterwords.
"I do love you very much." He embraced her. "I feel like such a lucky
guy. Here we are married at last, and a few days in which nobody gets to
interrupt us." it had been a long time since he had had time for himself.
"Aye indeed, so what shall we do this day, milord?" she asked him quietly
snuggling into his arms.
He seemed to think. "Let me see what I can come up with, that is certainly
a difficult question." He kissed her again.
"Oh I believe we can think of something." She said half purring as she
rolled him and kissed him once more.
"I wish we could have a proper honeymoon. I would love to show you the
whole country." He said between kisses.
"Then why don't we go. You could use the break and when we come back you
can take charge of things once again." she said to him.
He thought for a moment. "Things are more quiet now, yet I find it hard to
leave. My little sister has just returned, and I don't want to leave her.
Of course I don't want to burden my parents too much at the moment they
have gone through a difficult year." He sighed. "Honestly I don't know
what I want."
"You need to be sure of what you want. That's want makes you strong.
Weakness lies in indesiciveness. I have a feeling your little sister will
not be going anywhere for awhile. Even if it's just to get away for a
couple of days." She said to him.
He kissed her. "Let's get away than. Just you and me, no king and Queen."
"Now that's the best decision I have ever heard." She smiled and kissed him
back.
"Where do you want to go, my love." He asked.
"You wanted to show me the realm, I'm leaving it up to you." She told him.
"How about I show you were I grew up. My father's estates. People are far
less formal over there."
"Sounds fine by me, but in a little while" she said quieting all chance of
his interruption. She then made love to him again that morning.
--------------
"A Kings Work is never Done"
His Royal Majesty, King Gwalchmai ap Iorwerth (Hawke)
Lady Raelin Morgance
Lady Raelin Morgance looked down at her pale grey dress. She hated the
colour. But it was needed. Beside her stood Padric, her father's man at
arms. He carried documents on her family's holdings.
She sat and waited for the king to summon her. She had to remain calm and
composed, she told herself. She needed him to look on her case with unbiased
eyes. She just hoped he would. Though as king he could make it that her
lands were given to some untitled knight, as she was the only heir.
Hawk wasn't working much at the moment, Arianna and he were still taking
time for each other to get to know the other well.so he and needed urgent
things, and he had agreed to see this young lady.
"The King will see you know, my lady." a servant announced and showed her
into the King's private study.
Rae nodded and stepped shyly into the kings study. Padric followed like a
silent sentenial.
Rae stoped a respectful distance and curtsied to the king. "Your majesty"
"Wellcome, my lady." The King said graciously. "Please have a seat and
tell me what I can do for you."
Rae held out a large scroll. "Your majesty, " She began formally. " As you
know my name is Raelin Morgance, I travelled here with my father... Only he
died in an attack en route to the capital. I am his only heir." She paused.
"I was hoping that you would be able to formalise my claim to the lands of
Morgance, which have been in my family for generations."
He looked at her. "I see. You have no brothers or any other male
relatives?" The King asked scrutinising her face.
Raelin shook her head. "No Sire I do not have any male relatives."
"my lady, not that I don't believe you, yet I will have to check on that.
It's unusual for a woman to get custody of so much land." He said
apologetically, it was not a rule he really liked, yet even as King he
couldn't make too many changes at once.
Raelin nodded. "I understand Sire." She said trying to keep calm. She knew
she had no relatives. And she chafed at the delay. She straightened. ""Your
majesty I am curious if there can be an investigation into the attack on my
father. We were on our way to the capital... we believe it was people from
the one god religion."
"we will look into that, I can promise you." His own recent encounters
with the priests of the one God hadn't been good. "In the meantime you are
well come to stay at the Palace." He offered.
Raelin bowed her head and when it rose she said politely. "For your offer
Sire I thank thee, but I have lodgings within the city. I feel more
comfortable there." She hoped he would not take offence. The last thing she
needed was to become marriage bait.
"if you could come back in a few days. In the meantime of course you are
welcome to spend time at court. My mother and my wife always enjoy meeting
new ladies." He said friendly.
Raelin stood and nodded. "Thank you for your offer and your time your
majesty. I am sorry to have intruded on your time." She curtseied deeply.
"No intrusion." He said smiling while she left. He hoped he would be able
to help her.
--------------
"Wind and Sea"
Lady Raelin Morgance Lady of Morin
High Knight of Wind Aidan Lochlainn
Lady Raelin Morgance Stood waiting for her guard to
saddle her horse outside the stables. She stood
silently and unmoving, looking at the ground. her grey
dress fell around her and she wanted so badly to
scream out her grief and rage.
Aidan had dismounted his stead and was leading him
slowly back towards the stables. He didn't notice
anyone in his path until he bumped into someone.
"Sorry" he said as he looked around and down.
Raelin slowly picked herself up off the ground and
dusted off her dress. "No tis I who is Sorry Sir, I
should not have been standing there. My appologies."
She curtsied and stepped to the side.
Aidan sighed. "No milady it is I who should apologize
if I had been looking where I was going I would not
have bumped into you in the first place." he said as
he lead Night into his stall.
Raelin looked up as Padric lead her horse out of the
stable. She took the riens and watched as her guard
followed the knight back into the stables. She did not
know what else to say to anyone these days.
Aidan put Night in his stall and moved out of the way
quickly. "Is something wrong milady?" he asked, as he
started to remove Night's saddle.
She looked up at the taller man. She was tempted to
say yes but she shook her head. "Nay Sir, just tired..
I suppose."
"Are you sure milady you look out of sorts." he said
as he removed the bridle from Night's mouth.
She glanced down at her grey dress. "If thou means
that I am in mourning Sir then you are right."
He nodded. "Yes and well something more milady, but
that is none of my concern. Good day." he said as he
started to rub down Night.
She nodded and turned and led her horse out of the
stables. "Good day." she replied though her words had
no feeling in them
Aidan sighed, but continued to work on Night. It had
been a long day and he was not exactly glad to be here
though he had to be.
----------
"For Company's Sake"
Mathius ap Cornelius
Diora di`Annagar
Mathius had spent the past few days reading through Alleria's history and speaking with people regarding the Sanglett led civil war. He needed to know what kind of effect it had on the people, so that he could use it to better improve himself over his family name. Eventually, Mathius knew he would end up meeting another Sanglett, and he needed all the information necessary to handle the situation with proper care.
During all of this, Mathius also held concern for his friend, Diora. The night of the reception, Diora had shown clear signs of the fever, a sickness that kiled those who were not properly cared for. Mathius knew that she was being well cared for but didn't like that he wasn't being informed of her condition. The reception had caused a little stir as members of Allerian Society found the two dancing in the middle of the floor. Mathius was the new Lord attempting to gain control of Sanglett land, and Diora was the newly widowed wife of Earl Gwilym.
Not caring anymore about etiquette, Mathius left his studies and headed for Diora's room to check on her condition. He wasn't sure who would confront him first but needed to talk with anyone to know how things were going.
There was a quiet "Enter" that was heard from within. Diora was sitting quietly in bed with her embroidery listening to the world going on outside. She looked much more rested and her fever had finally broke. She glanced at the door with her eyes bright and not dull like they had been a fortnight before.
Mathius smiled happy to see Diora in a better condition than when they last saw each other. "You are looking much better, Di. You don't realize the good that it does my heart to see you like this now. You had me in quite a scare ... almost as bad as the scare the ladies who were watching over you had me in. They can be pretty stern given the right situation. The Princess may be young of age, but her demeanor was rock solid that night, and she let everyone know it." Mathius began to chuckle remembering the scolding of sorts that the other lady received when the Princess announced her name.
"Were they now" she said lightly giving him a smile. "Tis the first time I had heard that, they are keeping much from me these days, but that seems to be the norm. I'm sorry for giving you such a fright my dear friend. I'm afraid I wasn't much myself."
"It matters not what you were like. All that matters is how you're doing now." Mathius went and sat next to her on the bed grabbing her hand. "Your Princess introduced herself in a rightful fit of anger at the way the other woman was speaking to her as if she was but a normal child. I decided it was best that I leave and not get involved in the situation." Mathius rolled his eyes for emphasis.
"I don't think that Irena knew who she was speaking too and you were better in not saying anything." She said with a smile. "Tis nice to know that there are those that look after me such, as sometimes I forget myself." She said giving his hand a squeeze.
"I am not the only one who has interest in your well being. I have learned that you have quite a few friends in the courts who care deeply about you." Mathius replied returning her squeeze. "Have the healers said if the baby is also doing well?" Mathius knew it was a difficult question for fevers tended to cause birth defects in new borns.
"Aye, both babies are doing fine. They found out while I was with the fever that there are more than one baby in there." she said with a sigh. "So I am placed on bed rest until they decide to make an appearance."
Mathius listened and was happy for a second for his friend. Twins, what a marvelous gift. But he could see that she was not so estatic and realized the gift was less than pleasing when still mourning the loss of her husband. "A week ago, if you would have told me that you were being guarded by a servant and a child, I would have helped you escape this place. Now that I know who they both are ... I'm sorry, my friend, but you're on your own." Mathius offered her a smile to accompany his joke. He was mainly trying to change the topic so as to keep her from depression and in a good mood.
Just being in his company lightened her spirits. "Aye, now you see why I said I feel caged. Though my rooms are nice, I would like to every once in awhile like to see something of the outside." she said with a smirk. "Sometimes I wish I could climb that oak in the main garden and hide from them all, but alas, those days are gone." She said with a chuckle.
Mathius laughed along with her. "I have a feeling if I attempted to climb the tree now, I'd fall straight on my bum. Then I'd be lying in bed next to you ... on a pillow." He always enjoyed the somewhat different conversations the two managed to have.
She laughed then and kept her thought to herself. This was her friend she was thinking of. "So how are your treks going? I haven't heard anything of any sort in a fortnight and that's because I have been locked away in this 'tower on high' so to speak."
"Really, Di, not much has happened with me since we last spoke. I am anxiously awaiting my next discussion with the King. He had said he wished to speak with me again after he has had time to think over the Sanglett lands. The longer it takes him to get back to me, the worse I feel the outcome will be. I have mainly spent my time studying within the great library here in Alban." Mathius had not really made his rounds through the king's court, yet. He worried that if he did, he'd look a fool if the king decided to dispurse Sanglet land within the the king's own holdings. Mathius figured time and prudence would best in this situation.
"It may be the first thing he does when he comes back from his honeymoon as well..." She said quietly.
Mathius knew about the wedding and all that had been going on in Abertawe. "Yes, I know I am sounding impatient, and in truth, I am. But I have said nothing to anyone save you about my desires to move forward with my claim. I do not fear the investigation to my claim. It is legitimate. I just wish I knew if the king would accept the petition and seek the truth or forfeit the lands. It would help me better to understadn what my next move would be concerning my life."
Mathius realized he was rambling and began to laugh, "I am sorry Di. I do not me to go on so. You are just the only person in Alban who I can trust to talk to. My worries can wait. You are the one that is left ill in bed. Is there anything I can do for you?"
She let him ramble. She knew it did him good to do so. "Nae do not fret. You keeping me company through most of my day has been enough. I have forgotten how much I had missed you, my friend. You have a good right to be concerned for others could try to userp your claim." She said patting his hand. "Anything you can do for me. You can continue to come and visit me. I do get lonely sitting here day after day with no one to talk too."
"Thank you so much, Di, for allowing me to ramble. If your only desire is that of company, then I will visit you once a day to ease your loneliness. For now I must leave you though. I am riding out to the Sanglet Estate to see to it's condition after the war. I fear I have much work ahead of me." Mathius rose from Diora's bedside.
"Tis my pleasure, dear friend. If there is anything else then I will let you know, but for now I will let you return to your duties." She said with a smile watching him go. She then settled down to look at the ceiling for a turn before dozing off to sleep once again.
---------
“Red Sky at Morning: Part Four”
Aine ui Caerdydd, a Lady of Caerdydd in Llandaf
Rhianriod and Gwynneth, NPC servants
Lord Darcy Caedmon, NPC nobleman
As promised, the carriage arrived precisely on time. Aine was waiting for it impatiently up until they noted it was incoming, at which point she was as placid as the surface of a pond. Her dress was of green silk and brocade sewn with gold thread, expensive enough to look at but not quite as expensive as one would require for a full ball. The green set her eyes into a state where they nearly glowed with a visible, luminous light by being dark, as shadows did for a patch of sunlit leaves. Her hair was braided and back under a netting of gold that dangled what appeared to be emeralds off each crossroads of thread. She was every inch a Lady, down to the green slippers that peeked from beneath her long hem on occasion, and even her ladies in waiting appeared to be dressed for the occasion.
She couldn’t have gotten rid of Gwynneth and Rhianriod if she had tried. It would not only be entirely too scandalous even for Aine to hazard, but also be easier for her to hear and see things that might prove useful to her with another set of eyes and ears to implement. As far as Aine was aware, the Captain didn’t know she was even going anywhere. Not yet at least. She’d left a note for him, however, that stated she would return as soon as possible, and where to send a missive via a knowledgeable person from the little town.
The carriage ride was long and silent. Gwnneth and Rhianriod had nothing to say to each other, and thus had brought their needlework for just this occasion, while Aine had nothing to say to them. It gave her plenty of time to relax and think, her eyes closed, and enjoy the fact her own hated needlework was behind them in her room. She hadn’t had to ask for it to be left behind. Her servants knew she would be far too preoccupied for it.
Aine had to admit, as they pulled up to the gates of the nobleman’s estates, that there was a great deal of land and elaboration involved. Either he or his family had an eye for beauty, and she immediately appreciated it. Her servants, noticing the look of pleasure that she had, glanced at each other and smirked very faintly. “M’lady is pleased with the man already, and has yet to meet him,” Gwynneth said with a little teasing satisfaction.
“Aye, Lady Caerdydd,” Rhianriod chimed in with the same amusement. “Best be wary, or he may not allow you to leave without promising your dowry to him with an engagement.”
Gwynneth laughed softly and nudged Rhianriod. “Oh, you!” she chided. “What if he’s terribly old and already has thirty grandchildren?”
Rhianriod sniffed lightly, much to Aine’s irritation. “Then she would have little time to wait before her freedom, and no need of heirs since it would all go to his sons.” She nodded firmly. “M’lady is well aware, Gwynneth.”
Aine made a little sound in her throat. “Oh, do shut up, the both of you,” she snapped, then immediately regretted her fit of pique. The murmured apologies she received held notes of more satisfaction for it than true apology. She smoothed her dress skirt over her thighs and calmed once more, gaining control of herself. She had no desire for an older husband of white hair, but she could see how easy it would be to remove him, if necessary, and be a dowager. Dowagers had far more freedom and standing than the next Lady of the House, in all truth. All the better if the man’s heirs were removed and caused him enough grief to die, perhaps, of a broken heart. A potential Baroness, if Darcy was indeed the Baron mentioned…. It had a bit of a good taste to it, indeed. And even if he were young, the young could often be hot-headed and prone to accidents, especially in times of strife where battles were common. She would have to produce an heir either way, however, and though she didn’t particularly care for it, she could see the value of sealing herself to the position. It bore considering once more, after the meeting.
Her servants noticed the look in her eyes and went rather silent. They had no idea of the truth of Aine’s thoughts, nor of the actions she had taken in the last four years to make sure that she would choose her own husband. They had heard the rumors, however, of her cursed state, and of her parents’ whispers that perhaps Aine wasn’t fit to marry by the gods’ own rule. Or that perhaps one of them had his eye on her, or a spirit, or a faerie duke… Regardless, there were times when they could see the burning in the woman’s feline green eyes, and were frightened at it.
The coachman helped them out of the carriage, but liveried servants allowed them access. Aine was brought to a sitting room while her servants were shown to a lesser room where the noble’s own ladies and gentlemen could be of service to them. Aine found the castle to be pleasing, and large, fit for a wealthy man. The interior was opulent and yet tasteful rather than gaudy. This was the home of a man who had a mother or wife recently living within it, for she had noticed that noblemen tended towards a lack of anything pretty or too much of it where they hadn’t had a female presence for a while. Or, that is, no female presence that had control of her own duties within the house.
She took a seat near the fireplace in a deep-cushioned chair that welcomed her not unlike a bed, a violet hue in the late afternoon and early evening light. Braziers and torches on the walls, and candles scattered here and there, lit things with a softer light, as did the raging fireplace. She made herself at home in that chair, swallowed by it, but not unaware of her surroundings. If he expected her to stand for what might be a while, his manners were lacking towards foreign guests, and towards Ladies especially. She could suffer an evening with that knowledge, but she wouldn’t enjoy it in the least.
She heard a sound as she let her fingertips trail over a little of the heavy, embroidered brocade of the chair, and she rose immediately. It had been the sound of the door’s handle being turned. She refused to be the one without the grace or manners to stand when the lord of the manor entered his own sitting room. She half-turned to face the door, but let her face do the full gazing. It was a charming pose, backlit by the fireplace, just as she knew it would be. She did little to nothing, including her sudden smile like a bit of light through the coming gloom of evening, that wasn’t intended to enchant.
True to her instincts, the door opened to admit a rather tall man with brown hair that was lit with auburn where the sun had taken its toll, and had the beginnings of grey at the temples. He remained clean-shaven and impeccably dressed. He was handsome in a rather rugged way, with a scar lying across his cheek that didn’t detract much from him. In fact, it was a great help, giving him a less delicate air and a far more imposing one. He was a man who had seen battle, and most likely fairly recently to boot. He glanced at her with hazel eyes and one somewhat shaggy brow lifted in surprise.
He was not, she noted, the man whose head she had seen leaving the area. And, by his surprise at her appearance, he wasn’t the one who had already seen her.
Aeton Archantael, then, Aine thought to herself without losing her smile. I may have gotten the better deal out of this, by the looks of things.
“My man was told to look for the most beautiful Lady to be found,” he said after a moment, smiling at her warmly. “I had no idea that he would go so far as to find Cliodna.” He offered his hand to her as he approached, and she could see that he did indeed have a surplus of manners. “Welcome to my home, Lady Caerdydd.”
She shifted a little towards him and accepted his hands, and he raised them to his lips to place a courtly kiss to the knuckles. She wasn’t sure what to call him just yet, but she exercised the better point of valor. “Your Grace honors me with the invitation,” she replied demurely, her tone velvet and her gaze downcast by his attention. “Surely my father’s name has yet to come all the way upriver into Abertawe, however?”
He seemed reluctant to release her pale hands, but did so. They slid from his grip softly and slowly, making the most of the contact as if she were reluctant to allow it. “Oh, quite,” he agreed jovially. “Your name, though, has found the ears of my servants when they’ve journeyed into town, and your beauty has been connected to it. As well, might I add, as your interest in myself and another lord of this land, one of my own men who has done quite well for himself.”
Give and take, Aine mused privately, risking a look up through her thick lashes at the Baron. Answer for answer, question for question. This man had to be higher than a mere Lord, if he had a Lord as one of his men. “My servants spotted someone watching us in the market,” she answered easily. “They feared for me, and when I turned, I only saw the man walking away. I asked who the well-dressed stranger might have been, and received your name as well as the Lord Aeton Archantael as my answer.”
The Baron seemed curious, outwardly so, which immediately put Aine on guard. Any high ranking noble who looked curious about an underling’s actions, especially in front of a strange foreign noble, was either unwise or disturbed by it. If the former, all the better; but if the latter, then there was more here than she realized. It must have occurred to the Baron as well, for he nodded at her and waved it off a bit. “I cannot see how any man in the market could keep from watching you, my Lady. I wouldn’t worry about it. He meant nothing by it, I’m sure.” He turned and offered his arm to her, motioning towards the doors. “Shall we?”
So dismissive, Aine thought to herself as she smiled brilliantly and took the man’s offered arm delicately. Lord Archantael means a great deal more than nothing, by this man’s actions. How interesting. “Yes, your Grace,” she agreed with a nod of her head, quite affable. She didn’t ask about the wife he should have had. She already knew he no longer had one, and even if he didn’t know that she had heard, his actions spoke for him. His wife should have greeted her, had he one, rather than himself. An idea came to her as they moved off, chatting quietly about nothing in particular, that perhaps she could stir up a little trouble that was, apparently, already beginning on its own.
------------
"A Father's Love"
Lord Iowerth
Princess Rowena
Rowena left the garden and found her father. Her father had just finished
speaking with that stuffy Lord Alterian. She smiled at him and waited
politely for him to address her. She was trying to show him she had grown up.
In the past, she would have ran up and interupted him. She knew now, that this
was not seemly.
Iorwerth smiled brightly when he saw her. "Good morning, Princess. I trust
you slept well." He bent down to kiss her.
"Yes Papa." She said, turning her cheek up to meet his kiss. Her scarf was
still in place, carefully arranged to hide her scars, or.. so she thought.
her father hugged her tight and then let go. As he did so he noticed
something red in her neck just above the scarf. Probably some dirt, he
thought the child had been playing in the gardens. "Come here a moment,
princess." He instructed and proceeded to pull the scarf down.
Rowena stood quietly and bit her lip. She knew that he was going to be angry
with her. She should have been more aware of things around her. The Raven
should have never snuck up on her in that way. She flushed and would have
looked down at her toes, but he held her chin up.
Iorwerth took the scarf completely from her neck now. What he saw struck him
dumb. The ugly red scar running there on his little girl's neck. 'Somebody
had hurt her', he thought angrily. "How did that get there?" He asked
gruffly without even realising how he sounded.
"The Raven tried to kill me. My protector, Thosa, saved my life." She
answered quietly. He st ill held her chin and she swallowed for fear he would
be angry.
"The bitch!" Iorwerth said forgetting the child for a moment. Then he
blushed, unsure of what to do next. "Does it hurt, little one?" He asked
more softly.
"It did, but now it mostly itches." She said carefully. She looked up at him
with concern. "I am fine, papa."
"Does your mother know, she will know what to do." He mumbled to himself.
Absent-mindedly he patted her on the head. "It will be okay now, little one.
We will keep you safe. And I will kill the bitch for doing this to you."
"You know the Raven, papa?" She asked curiously. She didn't know that
he had met the woman.
"I don't know her, I heard some rumours of course. Yet that's not going to
stop me from killing her." He cursed colourfully. Then again realised that
that was not appropriate at the moment. "Let's get you to your mother."
"I am fine, Papa, really I am." Rowena insisted. "Do not worry mother so."
"bloody hell, you are not. Look at that scar. those bloody Druids
promised to look after you, said you would be safe there. You know what, your brother and I we are going to tear that Forrest apart tree by tree." his children of
Horace knew that he used colourful language, yet he never did it in their
presence certainly not that of the girls.
"She isn't in the forest, papa." Rowena pointed out. She fled and it is
believed she is here somewhere in the capital.
"She's here?" He looked at his daughter. "Can you identify her?"
Rowena didn't say anything. She didn't want her father combing the city
to commit murder or worse. She couldn't say no, because she would be
lying. She shifted from foot to foot. She knew not only the appearance
of the Raven, but she knew the name she had gone by in court.
"Honey. Please tell daddy, so he can protect you." Her father said more gently
now. "No need to be afraid, sweetheart. I'll make sure she dies."
"I don't want her blood on your hands." Rowena answered softly. She looked up
at him slowly and for a moment he saw aged wisdom in those eyes but then it
was replaced by the sparkle of childlike tears.
"Sweetheart, don't worry about that, you know your daddy is a soldier right?"
He held her in his strong arms. "Getting blood on my hands is what I do for a
living."
"That doesn't make hunting the Raven something you should do." She sighed.
She knew her father, even at nine, she knew him well. "It is Lady Morgan Brasar."
"I knew it. I knew that woman was no good. This time we finally have
evidence." He took his daughter in his arms. "I am going to make sure that
you are safe, and then she will pay."
"Papa, I am safe?" She pointed out. She pointed to the man lounging in the
shadows. He seemed to blend with the very wall he stood. "There is my
personal guard."
"He's only one man, sweetie. I would feel better if you had more bodyguards.
He has to sleep sometime." She couldn't say anything about that argument.
Rowena had to wonder about that. She had never seen this man or Thosa sleep.
But the logic was there. "I think he would take offense." She whispered in
her father's ear. She grinned at him, for she remembered her uncle's lectures
to Bronwen on diplomacy.
"I don't mind." He whispered back. "Not if the safety of my little girl
is at stake." Iorwerth had never been known for diplomacy.
Rowena giggled. She hugged her father tightly. She loved him very much. She
was glad he wasn't king though, he would have been a very unhappy king. She
kissed his cheek and let him hold her close. It felt right in his large
arms. It felt safe.
"Come on, let us get you inside." He said resolutely.
------------
"Fun at Conwy"
Hawk
Arianna
This was a fourth day they had spent on the road, and they were getting near
to Conwy. it was one of the cities his father was Duke of, their main castle
was here, and Hawk had basically grown up there. He began to smile when the
outline of the castle and the city became clearer in the distance. It was
too long since he had been back.
Arianna smiled as she enjoyed the countryside. She was happy that he wanted
to show her where he grew up and she couldn't have asked for anything more
than what she had been given.
"Look love." He said. "Conwy Castle, home." He said it with longing.
The castle was getting closer and she could see it was situated on the
cliffs overlooking the sea. As the sun was going down it was a magnificent
view.
The sight was breathtaking and all Arianna could do was to smile.
Let's go in." he said softly, they closed the gates at dusk, and I don't
want to be trapped out here. They were travelling with a small retinue,
too small actually for a king.
She nodded following him quietly and took in all the sights.
Once they were in the castle yard servants came forward. Their horses were
taken by bringing stable boys, they were polite, yet Hawk was not treated
with the reverence he was in the capital and the loved it.
A large elderly woman moved towards them and without warning flung her arms
around the King. "my little ducky, you've come back to Helen. look at you."
She said now
holding him at arms length." you are too skinny, don't they feed you up
there."
Without waiting for an answer she moved on to Arianna now engulfing her in
an embrace. "You are most welcome here, my heart."
She returned the warm embrace back to Helen and looked at Hawk with an
awkward glance and thought to herself...'ducky...I'll have to remember that
one.' she then gave him a goofy smile.
Hawk looked a little bit embarrassed. "My old nurse, sometimes she still
thinks I am three year old."
Helen chuckled. "Do men ever grow up, I know your father hasn't." She
grinned at Arianna. "If you need advise about this one, just come to me."
Arianna grinned and nodded to her. "I'd be glad too." she said giving Hawk
a wink and made a mental note to go and speak with Helen later.
"Let me show you the castle." Hawk said. While he did so servants smiled
at him and greeted him, some even clapped him on the back. Nobody curtsied
or called him king, and he visibly thrived on it.
She allowed herself to be led by the hand throughout the castle. She
watched him as he explained the place to her with his eyes lit up like a
child at Christmas. She smiled and enjoyed the moment and amazement that
the people here knew he was king but there was no formality as they knew him
since he was a child.
Finally they came to a set of private rooms. They were cosy, and much more
homely then the family rooms in the capital. "My parents home. Before I
became king they spend at least half the year here, we never thought my
uncle would die so quickly. he was a healthy man in middle age, we thought I
would have years to prepare."
She smiled. "Things always happen for a reason, and this seems like the
best place to get away."
"It certainly is. Tonight I am going to show you my room. And then
tomorrow we go hiking, just the two of us, and I will show you the
countryside."
She listened to him and smiled. "I'd like that" she said stifling a giggle
like she was a girl once again hoping not to get caught. She gave him a sly
look before laughing once more.
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