The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 131
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Yes. Yes I do Sire,” she whispered back, smiling at him lovingly.
“Good, I am most happy to hear that,” he whispered back, and kissed her tenderly once more. “I should let you get up now, for I know Ione or Aiden, will be knocking on my door at any moment,” he said, smiling at her adoringly.
“Just a few moments more Caleb, then I shall be ready to return to my room,” Laurel requested, her voice trembling with emotion again.
Caleb smiled at her in delighted surprise, as she would otherwise have been too shy, to make such a request.
“Of course mo ghra. A few more moments,” he whispered back, kissing her again.
A few moments passed, when there was a not so subtle knock on the door.
“There it is, the dreaded knock. Who do you think it is? Aiden or Ione?” Caleb asked, in a hushed voice, smiling at her charmingly.
“I think it is both,” Laurel answered giggling.
“No, it sounds like Aiden’s annoying knock,” Caleb replied still smiling.
“Alright Caleb I know you can hear me. Release the Princess and open the door,” Aiden said, in a loud mocking tone.
“See? It appears I was right after all,” Caleb told her, with a smirk.
“Come along Caleb, you have had Laurel’s attention long enough,” Ione called, in a scolding manner.
“It appears I was right, Sire,” Laurel said haughtily, giggling again.
“You think you are so clever do you?” Caleb asked, with a wicked grin.
“I know that I am,” Laurel said again, with mock haughtiness.
“Oh, do you now?” Caleb asked her, his grin becoming more sardonic as he turned over quickly, pulling her underneath him.
He then began to nibble and nuzzle her neck, while tickling her side at the same time. This caused her to shriek with surprised laughter, becoming shriller as he continued.
“Caleb! Caleb! Stop!” Laurel laughed, and shrieked again, as he continued tickling and lightly nibbling her neck and ears.
“Alright, I am coming in now, you have been warned,” Aiden said loudly, from behind the door.
He and Ione walked in looking over at Laurel and Caleb lying in the bed, Laurel still laughing, as Caleb looked up at them smiling in amusement.
“Did I not say, this is how they would be? He would put her in his bed and climb all over her,” Aiden said smirking, as he addressed Ione, who began to laugh at him.
“I am not climbing all over her,” Caleb said with a wry grin, as he moved back, to lie on his side, Laurel sighing as she began to relax.
“No dear, you were most definitely, climbing all over the poor girl,” Ione laughed again, as she leaned against Aiden’s arm.
Caleb simply looked down at Laurel and smiled lovingly at her, as he moved her hair out of her face.
“Come along now Caleb. Kiss the Princess goodnight, so we can get our evening started. I have not had enough to drink tonight, and really had my heart set on getting Owain, completely sozzled,” Aiden said, feigning he was annoyed.
“Why would you want to do that?” Laurel asked laughing, as she sat up in the bed.
“Because he is quite amusing. He becomes all arrogant, and irritated for absolutely no reason,” Aiden replied, grinning drolly.
“I have never seen him that way, so this should prove very entertaining,” Caleb remarked, laughing lightly.
“You two are horrible. Poor Owain, practically worships you both, and this is how you treat him?” Ione said chided them, yet still smirking.
Caleb and Aiden looked at each other for a moment, thoughtfully before answering.
“Exactly,” said Caleb dryly
“Yes, yes we do,” Aiden said, at the same time.
Ione rolled her eyes, as Laurel laughed at their reply.
“Let us go my dear Laurel, so we can let these two ruffians have their fun,” she said, though looking pointedly at Caleb.
Caleb grinned at her and got out of the bed, helping Laurel to stand up with him. Then leaning down, kissed her warmly, as he held her by her waist.
“Goodnight mo ghra. This shall be the last time someone takes you from me,” smirking over at Ione, for a moment, then kissed her once again. “I shall see you in the morning,” he said softly, looking into her eyes.
“No you will not. We shall be keeping her out of your sight, until the wedding,” Ione said with a sly smile, as she took Laurel’s hand and began to lead her away.
“You most certainly will not,” Caleb said, with an irate tone.
“Of course we will dear, it is tradition,” Ione said calmly, as she moved Laurel behind her, as Caleb walked towards them, causing Laurel to giggle at him.
“What is it with you women, and these ridiculous traditions?” Caleb asked, becoming increasingly irritated.
“It will take a while for me to prepare Caleb. I want to look beautiful for you,” Laurel said smiling at him demurely, as Ione continued to lead her out of the room.
“You already are beautiful dearest. You do not need to do anything more than, wash your face and throw the gown on,” Caleb said to her, with a wry grin.
Ione and Laurel looked at Caleb with amused smiles and then looking at each other, laughed gleefully, as they entered the corridor.
“Come on old man, you sound more pathetic each time you open your mouth,” Aiden said, hitting him on the arm, and leading him down the opposite end or the corridor towards the sitting room.
Laurel looked over at Caleb once more, seeing his sad smile, she squeezed Ione’s hand, and looked at her, smiling wistfully.
“I shall be right back,” she whispered, as she suddenly ran quickly down the corridor towards Caleb.
Caleb smiled in delight, enchanted at seeing her run over to him. Catching her up, by wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her off the ground. Laurel put her arms around his neck, and they shared one last passionate kiss. Aiden and Ione looked at each other from across the corridor, Aiden smirking and shaking his head, as Ione put her hand to her mouth, stifling a surprised laugh. As they ended their kiss, Caleb gently placed her back down, still holding her waist.
“Goodnight my Prince,” she whispered, her eyes luminous and filled with love.
“Goodnight my love,” he whispered back, as he slowly let her go and watched her walk back towards Ione.
She turned to smile at him once more, before she was ushered into her room, and the door closed. Caleb sighed, and turning around, met Aiden’s mocking smile.
“Shut up,” Caleb said dryly, only to have Aiden laugh at him.
When they reached the sitting room, Cahir and Owain were just finishing their game of Tablut, with Rian and Deaglan looking on, drinking the last sips of their ale.
“There he is. Calmed the poor girl down, did you?” Cahir asked, smiling at Caleb.
“Yes, after he finally stopped mauling her,” Aiden answered, before Caleb could reply, causing the others to laugh.
“I was not mauling her, and yes I calmed her down. She was actually more embarrassed than anything else. Plus she was just a bit overwhelmed I think,” Caleb said, smiling at remembering, their brief time alone.
“You cannot blame the poor girl. Maiwen alone is overwhelming, can you imagine being in a room, full of others just like her?” Cahir asked, as he shivered and made a disgusted face, causing everyone to laugh at his reaction.
“So do you have any idea as to when our wives will be ready to leave?” Rian asked, with a grin.
“They will not be. I was told by your wife, that she and Eavan will be staying with Laurel for the night. So you two will be on your own,” Caleb said, smiling at them wryly.
“I hate sleeping in that great giant house alone. Owain you are coming over,” Rian grumbled.
“I have an alternative idea. Seeing my dear Eavan, will not be coming home as well, I say we move this party over to my house, just a short walk down the corridor. I have an exceptional unopened bottle of port, I was planning on giving you tomorrow as a wedding gift Caleb. I will just give it to you tonight. We have a nice cold roast gork in the pantry, and a large loaf of brown bread. We will drink, and play Tablut all night, and harass the three bachelors here,” Cahir grinned, as he gestured over to Aiden, Deaglan and Owain.
“It sounds splendid. Let us go now, before I walk back to Laurel’s room and make a fool of myself,” Caleb said, as he turned to leave the room.
“You mean again?” Aiden called out mockingly.
“Shut up!” Caleb called, back in the corridor.
After making their way to Cahir’s home, they all comfortably settled themselves in the large front room. Having eaten most of the gork and drunken most of the port, a lively conversation once again ensued.
“I just do not understand, why you would even begin to think, you would have an enjoyable wedding night, knowing you have just made your Bride’s bottom quite sore with paddling her. It just makes no sense to me at all,” Owain said, quite officiously, taking another drink of port.
Caleb looked over at him smiling mordantly, while the rest just chuckled at his remark. Owain became very opinionated and thoughtful when he had a bit too much to drink.
“It is all really in the manner of how it is done Owain. It is really quite delightful, in giving a lovely shaped bottom, just a few loving swats. Nothing painful, just to get her attention. Am I not right Rian?” Aiden asked him, with a sly smile.
“I would not know. Ione has told me if I even thought about doing that, she would brake all my fingers. As seeing she is capable of doing so, I take her most seriously,” Rian replied, and then belched loudly, taking another sip of port. “And as seeing as I need my fingers, well her bottom is safe with me, or from me, or either way, I do not touch it. Well I do, but not like that. I actually love her bottom....” Rian trailed off as Aiden interjected.
“By the Maker! Rian do shut up! I asked you one simple question,” Aiden said in exasperation, as the room was booming with laughter.
“Oh really? Well, what was it then?” Rian asked, with a bemused expression, as the laughter continued, with Aiden scowling at him.
“Cahir what is your opinion on the subject, or are you not capable of answering as well?” Aiden asked, him frowning slightly.
“Of course I can answer old man. I too, find it most delightful, and agree it is all in how it is done. Just simply being playful and silly, then no one gets their feelings hurt,” Cahir smirked at him, pouring himself another drink.
“So how do the men of Gwenlais feel about the subject Deaglan?” Aiden asked him with a grinning wickedly.
“I have yet to experience that aspect of romantic playfulness,” Deaglan answered with a roguish smile, as Caleb and Cahir laughed at his response, knowing Deaglan was far too polite to tell Aiden his feelings on the subject, whether he had knowledge of it or not.
Aiden looked over at Caleb and smiled at him teasingly.
“Do not even think of asking me,” Caleb said, with slightly narrowed eyes.
“Really Caleb, you can be such a whinger. You only do not want to answer because you do not want to say so in front Owain,” Aiden remarked rudely.
“That is right,” Caleb replied, with a smirk.
“And why not?” Owain asked defensively.
“He does not want to talk about Laurel’s bottom in front of you, because you used to admire it, and you are a virgin,” Aiden teased him, smiling at him mockingly, as Rian and Cahir laughed again at Owain’s expense, Deaglan just smiled at him kindheartedly.
“You know..... I am quite sick of the three....the four of you, harassing me over my present state of....of...well my present state,” Owain spoke, in a highly insulted tone.
Caleb just smiled at him shaking his head, as the others snickered and continued to laugh mercilessly.
“So I am going to go and do something about it right now,” he declared, standing on shaky legs, swaying slightly.
“Do you have anyone in mind?” Aiden asked him, still laughing, as Cahir and Rian continued to snicker and chuckle at him.
“Well...no. I thought you might know someone, you are a bit of a slut,” Owain said, with a crooked smile.
Aiden’s smile quickly disappeared, as everyone burst into raucous laughter, at Owain’s remark.
“Now what about Laurel’s former maidservant Tulla? She is a pretty girl, and I am quite certain she likes you Owain,” Cahir said teasingly.
“Tulla? Yes...I like Tulla. She has lovely brown eyes and beautiful red hair, and the softest lips. I am going to see Tulla! Right now!” Owain loudly announced.
“Owain!” Caleb spoke up sternly.
“What?” Owain answered back sharply.
“Sit down and finish your drink!” Caleb told him authoritatively.
“Oh.... well alright. You do not have to be so mean,” Owain said sheepishly, as he sat back down in the heavy plush chair, and then suddenly passed out.
The room once again was booming with laughter.
“Poor sop. Not able to hold his drink is he?” Deaglan asked still laughing.
“He has not been drinking for all that long,” Caleb explained, with a mordant smile.
“He has not been able to discern his limit yet. I took him several weeks ago to Chieftain Remy’s seasonal, all night Tablut tournament. He has six sons-in-law, three are Sentinels. So each season around the same time a large group of us go to his ridiculously enormous home, which he is constantly adding more rooms to, for all his grandchildren. We stay all night and eat, drink, and play Tablut. This was Owain’s first time, he got quite sozzled. The pathetic dolt was still able to win at least six games, before passing out next to the dogs by the fireplace,” Aiden, related to Deaglan, laughing cheerfully at remembering.
Everyone joined in laughing shaking their heads.
“At sunrise however it is not all that amusing, as he wakes up quite sick and then has a headache all morning,” Rian mentioned, as he looked over at Owain snoring loudly in the chair.
“Sick? He wakes up sick? Why did you not say anything before this?” Cahir asked in irritated alarm, standing up and walking over to where Owain was passed out in the chair. “Aiden, come over here and help me stand him up. Caleb grab a pillow and blanket from off the couch there. I have given the staff the day free of duties tomorrow, no one will be here, so we will make Owain comfortable in the staff bath,” Cahir directed, as he and Aiden stood Owain up and began to half walk him, drag out of the front room.
Owain groaned groggily in protest looking about with a bleary eyed expression.
“So why are we dragging poor Owain to the staff’s bath?” Caleb inquired tucking a pillow under his arm and throwing a blanket over his shoulder.
“For the simple reason I do not wish to explain why the new rug, Eavan has just purchased from our Ardara trip, when I took her to the family home, was ruined because Owain got sick on it,” Cahir explained in irritation.
“Listen to you, becoming all concerned with annoying your little wife,” Aiden laughed at Cahir’s more passive demeanor.
“Yes, well my little wife, has become much more assertive since she has left her mother’s house, and is enjoying running her own. She has set it up exactly the way she likes it. Marriage does indeed suit my little mouse, she has become much more confident and bold,” Cahir smiled, not hiding his pride.
“You do not miss the shy, little passive creature, you first fell in love with?” Caleb asked, with a snide grin.
“Well she is still not as bold and fresh as your Princess that is for certain. But she has no issue stating her mind, or showing me when she finds me irritating. I rather like it, surprisingly I often find it quite enticing,” Cahir smiled back at him roguishly. “Here we are. Let us just place him over here by the tub,” as they walked into the bath, carefully lying him on the floor.
Caleb walked over as they turned Owain on his side, then placed the pillow under his head and covered him with the soft woolen blanket.
“So we are just going to leave poor Owain on the floor all night?” Caleb asked, looking down at him with empathy.
“We most certainly are. If the sop is going to become sick, he is going to so on this nice easily cleaned tile floor, not my dear Eavan’s favourite rug,” Cahir replied with conviction. “Come on, he will be fine. You can check on him first thing in the morning,” Cahir reassured Caleb, patting him on the back.
As they returned to the front room, enjoying the fire and settling in for the night, talking of times shared in their youth, and of course women.
“Well, the Maker bless their adorable, fussy, stubborn, little selves. They are impossible to live with, but it is unbearable to be without them,” Caleb offered raising his last drink of the port.
“Here, here,” the rest of the company replied.
28: THE WEDDING
Caleb opened his eyes slowly, trying to come into focus with his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was the stiffness in his neck, reaching back to carefully grip his aching muscle. He had fallen asleep in the front room of Cahir and Evan’s house, in one of the overstuffed leather chairs, his legs propped up on an ottoman. The drapes in the floor length windows had not been drawn, so Caleb was able to make out the sleeping forms that lay around him. Deaglan was asleep in the overstuffed chair in front of Aiden, who was in the other chair. Rian’s prostate form lying on the couch, as the light of the early dawn slowly crept into the room. Caleb stood up and made his way to the kitchen to start a fire, remembering Cahir mentioning, he had given the staff the day free of duties. He started a small fire fairly quickly, then placed the tea kettle on the hook over the flames, walking over to take a large mug from the shelf and the small wooden box of chicory root. He smiled as he thought of Laurel spending the night with her Bridal attendants, and all the giggling and sharing of secrets that went on all night, doubting she had gotten enough sleep. Just as Caleb was pouring the heated water into his mug Cahir walked in grabbing a mug off the shelf as well.
