The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 150
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Thank you my Prince, for sharing this with me. Thank you for bringing me to your home,” Laurel spoke in a soft voice, her eyes luminous and filled with love.
“This is our home mo ghra. Our Clann. You are the only woman I have brought here. I have never shared this much with anyone before. I have never been so happy mo stor, and it is because of you,” Caleb replied, as he took her face in his hands once again, and kissed her deeply.
After a few moments had passed, Caleb released Laurel from his kiss, as he looked down at her adoringly. Laurel smiled back at him lovingly as he took her hand and they began to walk back towards the house. Laurel would pause from time to time picking off leaves or entire pieces of plants she would notice, excitedly explaining the use for each one, as she told him some she had recognized from her training and others that she suddenly seemed to know what they were for. Caleb was amused by her enthusiasm, as she walked ahead of him picking up leaves and pieces as she walked along. Brody came from around the side of the house and walked up to Caleb who was still happily watching Laurel collecting plants.
“Caleb. Liam sent over a farm hand to see if you and Laurel would still be coming to see them. Seems they are preparing quite the midday meal for you both,” Brody informed Caleb, with a wide smile.
“Yes, we will be on our way very soon. I am just waiting for Laurel to finish up,” Caleb replied, gesturing over in Laurel’s direction, as Brody looked over.
“What is she doing?” Brody asked, in amused curiosity.
“She is collecting pieces of wild herbs and different plants. She is an Ollam,” Caleb responded, in answer to Brody’s questioning expression.
“Oh, yes. I had forgotten about that. She has only been referred to as, the Princess, and Caleb’s new Bride. Never the Ollam. I suppose we have all forgotten,” Brody explained with a slight laugh, as they watched Laurel walk towards them with a happy satisfied smile.
“So mo stor are you ready to go to Liam and Clodagh’s farm?” Caleb asked, as he placed his arm around her shoulders and began walking towards the house.
“In just a few moments I need to place these in the house first. I am most impressed with the variety of wild herbs that grow here Caleb. It is just as varied as I have seen in the meadows in Gwenlais, perhaps not as plentiful but certainly much in diversity,” Laurel replied, with a bright smile.
“Glad to hear that an Ollam approves of our wild flora,” Caleb smiled down at her, as they continued to walk to the house.
Upon entering the spacious and bright kitchen, they saw Killian sitting on a stool while Sorcha kneaded her fingers into his right upper arm and shoulder.
“The shoulder acting up again Daideo?” Caleb asked with warm concern, as he walked over to where Killian sat.
“Aye. My old Patrol injury acting up again, that be all,” Killian answered wincing in pain as Sorcha continued to massage his arm and shoulder.
“No, it is your old age acting up again. I told you should not have hammered in so many boards on the porch. That is why I am here Daideo,” Brody chided him with a smirk, as everyone chuckled but Killian, who only rolled his eyes and shook his head, wincing again.
Laurel looked on in sympathy then looked around the kitchen for a moment, going to the open cupboard and finding a pestle and mortar, took it and placed in on the large wide table used as a work station. Laurel then began to tear up a few of the long and slender leaves she had gathered, then placing them in the bowl of the mortar and began crushing the leaves with the heavy wooden pestle, adding just a few drops of water. She looked around once again, and then asked the curious female servant who had moved closer to watch her, for some clean rendered fat.
“Yes my Lady, we use it to make our pies and tarts,” the servant answered with a bemused smile.
“I will only need no more than a soup spoon or two. I shall be right back,” she said to everyone, as she walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
“What she be doing lad?” Killian asked with an enquiring tone, as they all turned and watched her leave.
“I am really not sure Daideo,” Caleb chuckled amusingly.
“She is an Ollam,” Brody stated, to which Killian and Sorcha’s reply of “Ah”, seemed to be the logical thing to say, as Caleb laughed lightly at everyone’s expressions concerning Laurel’s eccentricities.
She returned in only a few moments a look of concentration on her face, Caleb smiled as he recalled seeing her make that face before when he said goodbye to her at the House of Healing, and watching her in the apothecary tending to her duties.
“Do you have any small wooden or porcelain bowls I could use, I would only need one?” Laurel asked the servant again.
“Yes my Lady, I shall get one for you,” the servant said, as all the staff was now in the kitchen watching her with amused and inquisitive expressions.
After the servant returned with a very small porcelain bowl, Laurel put the spoonful of clean white rendered fat into the bowl and added the crushed leaves and a few drops of the scented oil she had bought at Welstone. Using her fingers she gently combined all the ingredients together until it resembled a soft ointment. Then smiling in satisfaction she walked over to where Killian still sat on the stool, everyone watching closely for what she would do next.
“Here Daideo, roll up the sleeves of your tunic please,” Laurel instructed with a smile.
“Oh, well alright,” Killian answered, a bit reluctantly.
Laurel then took a small amount of the ointment with her fingers and then rubbing it in the palms of her hands applied it to the old man’s upper arm and shoulder her fingers working his muscles deftly. He winced noticeably more for a few moments then a look of surprise came over his face. Laurel then rolled down his sleeve and wiped her hands on a small towel.
“There now Daideo, how does that feel?” Laurel asked, with a gentle smile.
“Why it ah…it feels better. A bit of a tingle, and a very pleasant scent, but the pain is eased up. Thank ya dear lass,” Killian replied with a grateful smile, as Laurel kissed him on the cheek.
“You are most welcome Daideo. It should feel even better as the day goes on. If it helps you, I shall make more before Caleb and I return home,” Laurel said as she walked over to the dry sink to wash her hands, in a basin the servant had fixed for her. “I am ready to leave now Caleb,” she informed Caleb, with a bright smile.
“Very well mo ghra. I am sure Clodagh and Liam are waiting,” he replied as he took her hand, and looked up smiling at everyone’s amazed faces as they left for the farm.
Laurel suggested they walk as it was not far and the day was bright and sun filled, with only a light breeze. When they reached the farm, two younger and slightly smaller versions of Beck and Kalie were there to greet them, barking and bounding about happily. Dorrin and Benen ran through the meadow when seeing Caleb and Laurel walking up the main path to the house, gleefully calling out to them, sending sheep running in all directions as the young boys ran towards them. Suddenly without warning Benen stopped running and began screaming and crying hysterically holding his left hand with the right one. His brother stopped and ran back to him, as Caleb and Laurel ran to him as well. Caleb was the first to reach him and picked Benen up and began to carry him to the house. Dorrin ran to the house to tell their mother that Benen had been stung by a bee, while running through the Harvest season wildflowers. Caleb did his best to calm the crying child, but Benen would not be comforted as his hand was beginning to now swell. By the time they reached the front steps of the large and comfortable looking house Clodagh was already on the porch. Caleb, held this still crying child in his lap as he sat down on one of the chairs on the porch, as Clodagh tried to examine her son’s hand. Laurel then walked quietly on the porch, kneeling down in front of Caleb and Benen. Taking the struggling child’s hand she placed a wide flat leaf on the bee sting, she gently held the leaf against his skin as she softly blew on it. Benen looked at her with fascination, and no longer crying only shuddering quietly, as he continued to watch Laurel still softly blowing on the leaf. Laurel stopped and looked up at him with a warm smile and took the leaf off his hand, showing him the stinger now on the leaf’s surface. Benen smiled back at Laurel, wrapping his small arms around her neck, as Laurel embraced him back.
“Thank you Laurel, it does not hurt now,” Benen said happily as he leaned back to look at her, them showing his mother his hand.
“I am so happy Benen. I was so sad to see you distressed,” Laurel replied affectionately as she stroked his hair, standing up next to Caleb, who simply shook his head smiling at her in pride and amazement.
“Yes, thank you dear Laurel. I would have not believed it if I had not seen it myself. You did all of that with a simple leaf?” Clodagh asked, after embracing Laurel warmly.
“You are most welcome. I am very happy I found the leaves growing in your meadow. It is the only one that will do that. It is called wasp wing. As you can see it resembles the wing of a wasp. I picked more for you to have on hand. They will last for some time,” Laurel handed the leaves to Clodagh.
“Thank you dear. Well after that bit of drama, let us go into the house and ready for our meal shall we? Liam should be home at any moment from the barn. Come along my darlings,” Clodagh called to her sons, as she held out her hands.
Benen climbed off of Caleb’s lap and taking his mother’s hand walked into the house with her and his brother.
As Caleb stood up he placed his hands on Laurel’s waist and kissed her tenderly for a moment.
“My darling you were truly amazing today. First with taking care of Daideo and now with little Benen. How ever did you do that with just blowing upon a leaf?” Caleb asked, with an enchanted smile.
“It was just the right kind of leaf. Wasp wing is known for its properties to alleviate the pain of any stinging insect. As far as blowing on it, I only did that to distract him,” Laurel answered with a giggle, as Caleb laughed with her and taking her hand, led Laurel into the house.
After having a sumptuous meal of lamb and barley stew with oatmeal bread and wild berry cobbler, Laurel and Caleb were given a tour of the sheep farm, which Liam had inherited from his grandfather. He took great pride in how much he expanded the flock and developing a breed both prized for their fine wool, which produced minimal course hairs, preferred by weavers. As well as fine meat enjoyed by all. Liam’s pride and joy was the new lambing barn that had just been completed.
“I lost more than a few lambs in the early Planting season back a season or two. I was determined I would not this time,” he said with a wide smile, his deep blue eyes filled with warmth and friendliness when he spoke.
“It is quite impressive Liam. There are lambing barns in Gwenlais, not this well-made or designed. It is most ingenious that you have the sheep easily moved from one pen to another with just sliding pen walls up or down,” Laurel mentioned, genuinely impressed.
“Why thank you Laurel. I have had a few other farmers say that very thing,” Liam replied, with an even bigger grin.
“Leave it to my little Ollam who has lived among farmers her whole life to appreciate that,” Caleb said, laughing good naturedly.
“Yes, speaking of you being an Ollam, I wish to thank you for how you took care of Benen. The way my sons and dear Clodagh went on about you, do not be surprised if the whole village hears about it before you leave,” Liam laughed warmly.
“Not to mention what she did for Daideo this morning. Everyone at the house was staring at her as if she performed some act of magic,” Caleb said with a laugh, as Laurel smirked at him, rolling her eyes.
“Do not be silly Caleb I only made an ointment to help with his sore muscles,” Laurel explained, in matter of factly manner.
“Wait, you did this in front of everyone? Did it help?” Liam asked, with a knowing grin.
“Yes, Daideo felt relief almost immediately. He even remarked on the pleasant aroma,” Caleb said with pride, putting his arm around Laurel’s shoulders.
“Well than I can say with certainty, the whole village does know about it already,” Liam smiled meaningfully, with a hearty laugh.
Caleb and Laurel soon made their way back to Hawk Haven, and to their surprise saw a large group of people from the village milling about the front garden and on the porch. Laurel looked at Caleb with a surprised smile as he frowned at the crowd smiling and gesturing at them, as they walked up to the house. Brody walked up to them first with a wide grin.
“Brody what is going on?” Caleb asked with a slightly irked tone, still wearing a frown.
“Seems Daideo did indeed feel better as the day went on, as Laurel said he would. He then went into the village, walked into Gavin’s pub and preceded to tell everyone that Caleb’s new Bride, the Oonam as he calls her, is quite the amazing healer and everyone needs to know about it. The next thing you know he brings this large crowd back with him as you can see, and they all want to meet your Oonam Bride and see if she could help them as well,” Brody explained, trying his best to contain his laughter, looking at Caleb’s expression.
“It is alright Caleb. I do not mind, I am sure it is more of a curiosity then anyone being actually ill. This would be a good way to make an impression on the Clann would it not?” Laurel asked, trying to ease Caleb’s obvious annoyance.
“Well not on our honeymoon darling,” Caleb responded in frustration.
“There she is. Here is our little Oonam,” Killian said with a gleeful voice walking over and taking Laurel by the arm. “There be some folks who want to meet ya my dear girl. They have never met an Oonam before,” Killian mentioned with twinkling eyes, beginning to lead her away.
“For the love of the Maker Daideo! It is Ollam, Ollam! If you are going to parade my wife around like a prized chicken, at the very least, say what she is correctly,” Caleb mentioned, not hiding his irritation.
“Now what has got him all in a snit? He was never good at sharing that one. Anything he claimed as his favourite, he would not let anyone touch it,” Killian said, as he continued to lead Laurel to the house, Laurel turning and smiling back at Caleb sympathetically.
“Wonderful. This was not the way I planned on spending the afternoon with my new wife,” Caleb grumbled, shook his head.
“Come on Caleb. Let us go and see if we can be of assistance to our Oonam,” Brody said with a light laugh, patting Caleb on the back walking back to the house.
By the time Caleb had finished greeting and talking with the crowd outside, he walked into the house and to his dismay found quite a large group had formed a line all the way to the kitchen. Sorcha came up to him with an adoring and happy smile on her face.
“Look at all the folk who have come to meet Laurel my sweet boy. Is it not wonderful?” Sorcha exclaimed delightedly.
“Not on our honeymoon, my dear Maimeo,” Caleb answered, trying to be patient.
“Good day to ya lad. We be looking forward to meeting your Oonam Bride,” one of the older Weavers’ Guild leaders declared with a wide smile.
Caleb looked at him, then at everyone else with an impatient frown.
“Everyone look at me! Now say it with me! Ollam,” Caleb instructed with a stern officious voice.
“Ollam,” the large group repeated glancing about, looking at each other nervously, and repeating it several times.
“Good. Whoever says Oonam again cannot see my wife,” Caleb grumbled threateningly, causing everyone to murmur anxiously.
Laurel made her way downstairs, her hair in the braid she always wore when at the House of Healing. Holding her Ollam bag and smiling excitedly as she saw Caleb at the foot of the stairs.
“Really mo stor? You brought your Ollam bag?” Caleb asked smiling with gentle exasperation, placing his hands on her waist.
“Of course Caleb. I bring my Ollam bag wherever I go. It is part of my vow, my husband. I must always be at the ready to help any who may need my services,” Laurel explained, leaning her head back to accept Caleb’s light kiss. “Now let me see what I can do for everyone and then I shall be all yours Sire,” Laurel said with a sweet smile as she made her way down the short corridor into the kitchen, Caleb following right behind her.
She walked in and greeted everyone with a cheerful hello, as everyone came up to her all at once, either saying hello in turn or telling her of an ache, or rash or some dry cough. Laurel walked to the table and listened to everyone talking at once, smiling back patiently, as she thoughtfully and deliberately took things out of her bag. Caleb stood leaning in the wide doorway his arms crossed, smiling at her with both pride and surprise. He had never really been able to see this side of Laurel. Her kind patience, her gentle way of moving or touching someone, without making them feel uncomfortable. Most complained of aching backs or arms, as this was a busy time of the season for most in the village. Laurel then asked Nell, the servant who had assisted her in the morning, to help her with making a much larger batch of ointment. Nell was only too happy to assist her again, as she felt a twinge of pride, with assisting Laurel in front of everyone. It did not take Laurel much time in making another batch. She asked the older Guild leader to help her in demonstrating how to apply the ointment, by applying it to his arm and shoulder as well. He was all smiles, also commenting on the pleasant scent of the ointment, and the tingling sensation he felt. Caleb continued to smile and watch Laurel happily talk to the group when Brody walked up to him with a look of concern on his face.
“Caleb, may I speak with you for a moment please?” Brody asked, in a quiet but serious voice.
“Of course Brody,” Caleb replied, as he looked once more over at Laurel, feeling the neck of a child who complained of an earache and sore throat.
