The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 145
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Oh. So you have never stayed in this room?” Laurel asked with surprise.
“No dearest. Why would I stay in a room like this by myself?” Caleb asked her with a laugh.
“I just assumed because you stay here after your Patrols to the north, that you stayed in your own room,” Laurel mentioned, as she took another bite of scone, licking her finger and thumb.
“No. I stay in the large common room with everyone else, silly girl” Caleb answered laughing again, which caused her to roll her eyes at him.
He then walked over and sat down in the chair across from her, smiling with amusement, as he watched her eat.
“I thought you were going to save me a bite,” he said in a sarcastic tone.
“I have. See? I have saved you several bites,” she smiled at him impishly, as she held out the scone for him to see.
“Hmm. I cannot reach it from here,” Caleb told her in an ardent tone, grinning at her seductively.
“So lean over and take a bite,” Laurel replied giggling, holding it out of his reach teasingly.
“No. You need to come over here and give it to me,” Caleb responded, his smile growing wider at her demeanor.
“Say please first, and ask me nicely,” Laurel told him, giggling again.
Caleb raised his eyebrows at her request, and smirking at her boldness. He leaned forward in his chair, lacing his fingers together, as Laurel giggled even more at his expression, her eyes growing wider.
“Your Highness. I would appreciate it if you would please come over here and give me a bite of your scone,” Caleb requested in an entrancing tone.
“Now was that so hard?” Laurel asked teasingly, smiling demurely.
“It is becoming quite tedious, as you still are not here yet,” Caleb replied back, with a wry grin.
Laurel bit her bottom lip stifling a laugh, as she stood up and walked over to him. Taking her by her waist Caleb pulled her on to his lap, placing her knees on either side of him. Laurel giggled again, then held the scone to his mouth and to her surprise he took half of it in his mouth, chewing and smirking at her at the same time causing her to laugh.
“Now you eat the rest of it,” Caleb told her, after swallowing his bite.
Laurel began to take a small bite, causing Caleb to smirk at her again.
“Put the scone in your mouth Laurel and just finish it,” Caleb said to her, in an officious tone.
“No, it is too much,” Laurel frowned slightly, as she took a small bite.
Caleb surprised her by suddenly pushing the scone in her mouth, causing cream and jam to be all over her mouth and nose, she murmured in annoyed surprise frowning at him, her eyes flashing with her temper as she hit his arm.
“Caweb! Wook what you dwib!” Laurel exclaimed angrily, with a mouthful of scone and clotted cream.
“Wook what I what? Oh please, say that again,” Caleb replied laughing heartily.
Laurel just glared at him, which made him laugh harder. She then reached over and grabbing a cloth napkin, spit the scone out of her mouth, then tried getting off his lap. He grabbed on to her waist causing her to struggle more.
“No. No, please mo stor. I am sorry, wait please. Here let me wipe all this off your face,” Caleb said in a soft voice, as he began to stop his laughter, reaching over to take another napkin from the table. “I am sorry dearest. I was just playing with you. I did not mean to upset you. You are just too hard to resist sometimes. Here, hold still and let me finish wiping all this off,” he spoke in a warm loving voice, as he continued to gently wipe her mouth and nose, smiling at her the whole time.
“You can be such an ass sometimes,” Laurel pouted, in a grumpy tone.
“Yes, I know mo chailin milis,” he continued wiping her face, still smiling at her.
“I have jam and cream up my nose. It is not funny,” Laurel said, in response to Caleb laughing again.
“Yes it is. Here hold still,” Caleb replied, as he tweaked her nose and pulled on it a bit roughly.
“Ouch! Oh! I am not sitting with you,” Laurel said clearly agitated now, struggling to get off his lap again.
“Fine you do not have to,” Caleb replied, smiling wickedly at her, allowing Laurel to get up, only to have her struggling cause her to fall on the floor, landing on her bottom with a thud.
Caleb began laughing again as Laurel sat on the floor glaring up at him. Laurel lifted her foot and kicked his ankle, which made Caleb stop laughing and look at her with a surprised grin.
“I cannot believe you just did that,” Caleb said to her, in a lowered voice, with slightly narrowed eyes, though still smiling at her.
“You deserved it. You are a mean barbaric brute,” Laurel replied in an indignant tone, still on the floor as she leaned back on her arms.
Caleb smirked at her sardonically, as he leaned forward in the chair.
“I am about to show you how barbaric I can be mo stor,” he said in an edgy tone, his eyes gleaming.
“Fine. Then I shall kick you again,” Laurel answered in defiance.
“You will have a very hard time doing so, in the position you are about to find yourself in,” Caleb replied, with a mocking grin.
Laurel looked at him for a moment, seeing in his eyes he was very serious in his warning. She then suddenly tried backing away out of his reach as she still sat on the floor, only to have him grab her ankle. She let out a little shriek trying to pull her leg out of his grasp, as he pulled her roughly over to him. Caleb then stretched out languidly over her, pulling her arms up and holding her hands over her head. He then began to kiss her face and neck slowly, nibbling her neck and ears as she struggled under him.
“Stop it! Do not kiss me! I am still mad at you,” Laurel said, in an irritated voice.
“I do not know why. I did not cause you to fall on the floor,” Caleb replied, in a very condescending, relaxed voice, as he continued to kiss her.
“You shoved the scone in my face and made me mad. That is how I fell on the floor,” Laurel said back still irritated, as she kept struggling and turning her head.
“So you wish for me to stop kissing you then?” Caleb asked mockingly, as he smiled at her.
“Yes. Stop it. I am still too annoyed to have you kiss me,” Laurel replied, in a huff.
“Very well then,” Caleb answered with a soft low voice, as he smirked at her.
He then held both of her wrists in one hand still over her head, as he used his free hand and pushed it slowly up under her underskirt moving slightly off her, as he watched her expression with amusement.
“Wha…what are doing?” Laurel asked in irritation.
“You know what I am doing,” he said as he continued his ardent attentions, still grinning at her.
“Well…stop that too,” Laurel pouted in a lowered voice, her breath slightly catching.
“Are you sure?” Caleb asked in a warm enticing voice, as he continued to lovingly touch her and kiss her neck softly.
“I…um….yes,” Laurel stammered softly, as she closed her eyes and sighed.
“I am not fully convinced mo ghra,” Caleb smiled at her, as he released her hands, and wrapped his arm around her waist, continuing his passionate affections. “I do not think you are either. Come my darling. Do you not wish to get off this hard floor, and join me in the bed you thought was so beautiful?” Caleb asked, in a warm and loving voice.
Laurel opened her eyes and seeing Caleb smiling lovingly at her, caused her to smile back.
“Yes. I do Caleb,” she replied in a breathy whisper.
Caleb laughed softly, and then taking her face in both of his hands kissed her deeply and passionately, until he heard her sigh and murmur from his kiss.
He stood up and helped Laurel to her feet and carried her over to the bed, having her move the fabric aside, then lay down together, resuming their kiss. Caleb made love to Laurel tenderly and affectionately, happy she was no longer irritated and insolent. Wishing to show her his appreciation for her willingness to comply with his ardent wishes.
The next morning Laurel awoke to a spicy sweet smell, and the sound of dishes being arranged. She opened her eyes slowly and saw through the gauzy fabric of the bed, Caleb dressed and standing in front of the small table, pouring tea. She smiled sleepily, but did not sit up, content to watch him arranging food on a plate, bringing that and a tea cup with him to the bed. Laurel closed her eyes again, as she heard and felt Caleb move the fabric aside, and placing the plate carefully on the bed, sat down next to her holding the cup of tea. A moment later she felt his fingers moving her hair aside, tucking it behind her ear, and then gently caressing her cheek.
“Maidin mhaith mo ghra. It is time to wake up,” Caleb said in a soft deep voice, then took a sip of the tea.
Laurel opened her eyes once more and smiled at him sweetly.
“Maidin mhaith my husband,” she replied in a sleepy voice. “What is that delicious smell?” she asked as she sat up, pulling the covers around her as she had not gotten dressed last night.
“Oonagh’s baker made these enormous sweet rolls, filled with apples, nuts and spices. I have no doubt you will enjoy them. Here have a sip of tea first,” Caleb directed, handing her the delicate and ornate tea cup.
As Laurel sipped the tea Caleb broke off a piece of the roll, and offered her a bite, placing his fingers just on the edge of her mouth, as her lips took the sweet spicy filling off of them. He smiled at her warmly watching her eat the roll.
“Mmm. Oh, Caleb this is wonderful,” Laurel exclaimed as Caleb offered her another bite, then taking one himself. “We should have these made for us at home. Aiden would love them. He is quite fond of apples,” Laurel said enthusiastically, as Caleb gave her another bite.
“Yes, but they would have to be less sweet for his taste, everyone else’s for that matter. You are the only one who adores sweets like a child, my love. There are three more on the table. You will have to wrap them up so we can bring them home for you,” Caleb replied, as he offered her the last bite.
“I certainly do not need all three. I am more than willing to share,” Laurel spoke with an impish smile, licking her lips.
“Well mo stor, as much as I would love to keep you in bed all day in your present state, you will have to get up and have a bit more of something substantial. I would like to show you the villages of Adare and Ardara, today. We will actually be staying in Ardara for a day or two,” Caleb conveyed, with a warm smile, as he ran his hand down her back.
“Is there an inn at Ardara we shall be staying at as well?” Laurel asked, leaning over and kissing Caleb’s face softly.
“Not exactly. You shall see. Come dearest, time to get up,” Caleb enthused with a warm grin.
“I shall need my robe, Sire,” Laurel mentioned smiling, as she knew what he would say next.
“Yes, unfortunately for me I knew you would want your robe. I have placed it on the back of your chair,” Caleb informed her, smiling roguishly.
“Well, will you get it for me please?” Laurel asked, with a demure smile.
“No,” Caleb answered her quickly, smirking at her, as he kissed her nose before getting out of the bed.
He then walked over to the table and began putting eggs, potatoes, and sausage on their plates. He glanced over at Laurel, who had wrapped herself in a sheet, smirking at him mockingly as she went to put on her robe. Caleb waited for her to pick it up, then reaching over, grabbed the sheet and pulled it quickly off of her. It made her gasp lightly in surprise, but then smirked at him annoyingly as Caleb laughed at her expression.
“You are horrible,” Laurel pouted, as she put her robe on and sat down.
“No I am not. I simply enjoy how lovely my Bride is. I also enjoy how bashful you are. You have quite the overdeveloped sense of modesty my sweet girl,” Caleb smiled at her, as he sat down to join her at the table.
“As I told you, I am not accustomed to walking about unclothed. Just because you and Aiden grew up swimming in the river and loch naked, does not mean we all have,” Laurel smirked again, taking a bite of egg.
“That reminds me. You do not know how to swim do you?” Caleb asked looking at her intently.
“Um…no. Not really. I never had the opportunity growing up,” Laurel answered suddenly feeling shy, revealing this.
She knew that Caleb and Aiden were excellent swimmers, and excelled in all things requiring physical strength and dexterity. She could dance well, as her mother had insisted she be taught, but was not very good with any other physically demanding endeavor.
“No problem dearest. Next Growing season I shall teach you at the loch,” Caleb said, very decisively, as he enjoyed his breakfast.
“That is alright Caleb. It really is not that important,” Laurel answered unable to hide the trepidation in her voice.
“Yes it Laurel. It is a skill that is easily learned and really in your best interest if you know how. Each Growing season, the entire family spends a fortnight together at Loch Tay. There are a good fifteen small wooden sleeping shelters built there. There is also a small house but it is only used to store food goods and to cook, and eat inside if the weather should get rough. The huntsmen and fishermen stay there during the hunting season and when the salmon are spawning. But we all descend there for a fortnight, and have a very loud and rowdy enjoyable time. We only bring vegetables and dried goods, because we fish and hunt for our meals. Whatever we hunt in the forest or catch in the water, is what we have for supper. We sit around the camp fires, telling stories and singing old songs. You will enjoy it very much my love. I happen to enjoy it even more than the Family gathering in the winter. And yes I am teaching you to swim. All the children know how, even the little ones,” Caleb smiled at her warmly, as he took a long drink of tea.
“I look forward to it Caleb, it sounds wonderful. Though I will admit I am nervous of learning to swim. I have always been a bit afraid of the water,” Laurel admitted, feeling a little inadequate.
“Do not be, my love. I will not let you drown. I taught Owain and Imagin to swim, and they both swim very well, especially Imagin, she is like a little fish. You simply never had the opportunity, which will all change next season. Everyone will be most supportive in your efforts, nothing to be concerned with,” he said, smiling at her shy expression. “If you are almost done, I am going to pack up our saddle bags. Why do you not come over to the wardrobe and take out what you wish to wear, and we will begin to get ready for our departure,” Caleb directed as he stood up, and leaned over to kiss her forehead.
Laurel sat for a moment longer and finished her tea, thinking quietly to herself for a few moments, picturing the family singing and laughing around campfires, coming back to the camps with animals they had hunted, having it cooked on a spit over a fire. Laurel imagined her and Caleb sleeping in a small wooden shelter, after swimming or enjoying the company of the family. She stood up and then walked over to the wardrobe, and was surprised how quickly Caleb had packed up their belongings. She took out a dark brown dress with a fitted bodice of burnt orange. She also took out her usual undergarments, this time wearing a pair of the short bloomers Caleb had just purchased for her, and a simple chemise with high heavy stockings. Caleb playfully swatted her backside as he walked past her, making her jump in surprise. She finished dressing quickly, as Caleb was done packing, just as she put on her short boots. He reminded Laurel to wrap up the extra sweet rolls, and then made their way downstairs, where Oonagh and her family and staff awaited them, to wish them a safe journey home. Caleb and Laurel graciously thanked them for their hospitality, with Caleb informing Oonagh that he and Laurel would welcome the use of the lovely private room once again in two months’ time, on their way back from the northern villages. Laurel glanced over at Caleb in surprise but said nothing at this time.
“We would be most happy Sire, to host your visit once again,” Oonagh replied cordially.
Much to Oonagh’s surprise and delight Laurel warmly embraced her thanking her again for her hospitality. They walked to the stables to find their horses ready and the escorts as well, waiting and smiling as they saw them approach.
“And how was your stay Sire?” Gawain asked cheerfully.
“Very comfortable as always Gawain. How did you all fare? Did you enjoy the wild boar?” Caleb asked them, with a wide grin.
They chorus of approval caused Caleb to laugh happily, as Laurel smiled cheerfully.
Soon they were on their way to the quaint village of Adare, to visit the small but flourishing flower and herb gardens. The river Caldune had to be crossed to reach the village, by a small but well-built bridge. As Padric had assumed, Laurel was indeed impressed with the variety of herbs and flowers that were grown there. She enjoyed talking with one farmer in particular who asked her many questions about her favourite herbs, knowing that she was an Ollam. As a gift he gave her a small but lush rosemary bush in a decorative pot to bring back with her to Heathwin. Laurel thanked him gleefully, as Caleb looked on smiling warmly, happy with how taken the people were with her. As they continued on, several other farmers came up to Laurel, handing her brilliant colored bouquets, knowing they would be visiting their small village. They rode on a short distance and arrived in the slightly larger village of Ardara, where they were known for their excellent weaving skills, as well as their prosperous sheep farms. Queen Alana herself had several shawls as well as her winter riding cape made from the weavers of the village. The heads of the Weavers’ Guild met them at the village square, as well as many of the village folk, all coming up to them, some of the older ones hugging Laurel and Caleb warmly. Laurel found it strange that Caleb had allowed the people of Ardara to touch and greet her so affectionately. She also found it curious how familiar and warmly they greeted Caleb, with hardly the formality used in Welstone, or even the city of Heathwin itself. Most of the towns people spoke only old speak, and Caleb often had to translate for Laurel. The heads of the Weavers’ Guild offered Laurel a beautiful warm shawl of soft grey and pale brown tartan, with thins lines of dark blue and white, which she readily and graciously accepted. They were overjoyed to see her put it around her shoulders immediately. They continued on a bit further until they arrived at a small pub. Caleb had word sent ahead, informing the owner, King Fergus’ cousin Gavin that they would be there for the midday meal. Gavin’s pub was quite famous for its rich stews and hardy breads, making full use of the oats and barley that Adare was able to provide. As they rode up to the pub Gavin walked up to Caleb as he dismounted, and clasped the Prince’s arms in his huge hands.
