She shivered, as she began to sit up to get out of bed. Just then she felt herself being pulled back under the covers, as Caleb wrapped his arm around her waist, turning her over to face him.

  “Where are you going?” Caleb asked her sleepily, murmuring into her hair.

  “I am cold. I was going to light a candle and then put on a nightgown,” Laurel answered softly.

  “You are not warm enough here with me?” he teased her, as he held her closer.

  “No. I am afraid not. We forgot to light the fire so the room is very chilly,” Laurel replied smiling, but her voice shaking as she was unable to stop shivering.

  Caleb feeling her body tremble, realized her arms and legs were actually cool to the touch. He begin to gently move his hands up and down her back and arm, kissing her forehead.

  “I am sorry mo ghra. You truly are cold. Stay in bed and I will light a fire and bring you a nightgown,” Caleb said lovingly, as he got up from the warmth of their bed.

  As he stood up, he shivered as the cool air touched his skin. He lit a candle, then walking over to the wardrobe pulled out a warm cotton tunic and britches, pulling them on quickly. He looked about through Laurel’s things and found one of her nightgowns. He walked back over to the bed, as Laurel lay buried under the blankets. He began to laugh softly at her unwillingness to move from underneath the bedding as he tried to uncover her.

  “Mo stor, if you want the gown I am afraid you will have to come out of your cocoon for a moment to put it on,” Caleb said smiling down at her.

  “I thought you were going to light a fire,” Laurel said a bit grumpily, her voice muffled as she lay tightly wound up in the bedding.

  “I intend to your Highness. I thought you might like your gown first, seeing a fire cannot not be lit instantly,” Caleb said with a hint of impatience in his voice. “Someone is being a bit grumpy this evening.”

  “I am not grumpy,” Laurel said sitting up, her teeth slightly clenched as she shivered in the cool air. “I am just cold,” she retorted reaching for her nightgown.

  Caleb considered for just a moment, teasing her by keeping the gown just out of reach, but thought the better of it seeing her discomfort.

  “You are not going to be able to put it on unless you actually get out of the bed Laurel. Did I mention you were being grumpy?” Caleb asked her, with a grin.

  Laurel looked up at him with a pout and reluctantly got out from under blankets to stand in front of him. Letting out a small gasp, from the shock of the cold air hitting her skin. She stood shaking as she reached for her gown that Caleb handed to her. She began shivering so violently Caleb found himself helping her to put the nightgown over her head.

  “Come here you pathetic creature,” Caleb said with an amused tone.

  He held her in his arms and began to rub her back and arms to warm her and stop her from shaking.

  “I forget that you farmers from the other side of the river are not accustomed to the chill during the late Harvest season,” Caleb said teasing her, about her inexperience with the cold Harvest air.

  “Well, we cannot all be like you thick skinned barbarians of the West,” Laurel said, with chattering teeth.

  Caleb began to laugh at her growing impatience.

  “My Princess certainly has a temper. I am not sure what to do about that,” Caleb responded, his voice warm and deep, as he continued to gently rub her back and arms.

  “You knew about my temper long ago, so you will just have to put up with it,” Laurel said curtly, but no longer with her teeth painfully chattering.

  Laurel could feel his body shake slightly as he laughed quietly at her remark, and in spite of herself began to smile. He pushed her away from him enough to look at her face, catching her smile in the dim candlelight.

  “I suppose I could learn to live with your little tantrums you have every now and then. I do find them amusing sometimes,” Caleb looked down at her, with a sly grin.

  “Are you going to light a fire for me or just continue to be irritating?” Laurel asked with an impudent tone.

  Caleb looked at her with surprised amusement. Leaning down closer to her face.

  “You mo stor, are very fortunate I am finding you completely adorable right now. I make no promises for how I might react in the future,” Caleb said in a deep ardent voice.

  He placed his hands on either side of her face and kissed her at first softly, then became more demanding of her, willing her to give her mouth to him as he moved his hands to her waist pulling her closer. He continued his passionate expression until he felt her tremble and melt into him, hearing her moan softly. Releasing her from his kiss he looked into her eyes and smiled gently at her, brushing her hair back from her face. She smiled back at him, her eyes soft and looking a bit sleepy.

  “You really need to get back to bed, or I will never get the fire lit,” he said with a light laugh. “Not to mention you look so very tired right now, I will not be surprised to find you sleeping when I return to bed myself,” as he continued to smooth back her hair.

  “You will not be offended then, should I drift off? I am finding it difficult to keep my eyes open,” Laurel replied, her voice soft and drowsy.

  After kissing her forehead, he took her gently in his arms and placed her back in the bed, pulling the covers up over her until she was completely enveloped in them. She started to giggle as he caressed her face.

  “Why are you laughing?” Caleb asked her softly, as he smiled at her.

  “I just find it funny, that you often tuck me in like a child,” she replied her voice slow and dozy.

  “I cannot help myself. It is my way of taking care of you,” he spoke softly still lightly touching her face. “I love to watch you fall asleep, I will not always be able to do so. So you will simply have to indulge me when I can,” Caleb whispered to her, as he watched her eyes grow heavier.

  She smiled at him once more before finally succumbing to her tiredness.

  He looked lovingly at her, listening to her soft breathing as he sat a moment longer enjoying her peacefulness. He could still not believe sometimes how much he loved her, at times to the point that the intenseness of emotions would be akin to pain. Not something unpleasant or unbearable, just overwhelming. He walked over and began to light the fire in the wide fireplace on the other side of the room. As he watched the flames burn more intensely, he began to think about the disturbing finds during the Patrol mission. The increase in the amount of people taken by the slavers. The frequent sightings of ‘the strange foreigners’. Caleb looked over at the bed, watching Laurel peacefully sleeping. At that moment he realized his purpose. It had always been to do everything for the good of Heathwin, for his family, his people. Now it was so abundantly clear, it would all be for her. To give her peace and protection, to love her and their future children without limits. He was determined to not let anything that was beginning to emerge from all the uneasiness to take their love and happiness from them. Even if the future was unsure, it would not destroy what they had, and would continue to build together. When he was satisfied with the size and intensity of the fire, he made his way back to bed. He reached over pulling Laurel to him, she turned over in her sleep and nestled her head into the crook of his arm. Caleb kissed her gently on the top of her head. His mind no longer racing, as he listened to her breathe, feeling her body, now warm and soft against him. Smiling at the assurance of knowing as long as they remained together, they would ride out whatever storm was beginning to brew. Letting out a long sigh he was finally able to succumb to sleep.

  The next morning the bright sun poured in through the floor length windows. Caleb woke up to Laurel gently tracing the outline of his face with her finger. He smiled warmly at her, as he pulled her closer.

  “Maidin mhaith, my sweet girl,” Caleb said smiling, his voice still heavy with sleep.

  “Good morning my Prince. I am happy you slept well,” Laurel answered brightly.

  “I did indeed. I did have a pleasant companion to share my bed with after all,” Caleb said as he kissed her tenderly. “So mo stor. What shall we do this morning? I am supposed to meet with Father and Aiden to discuss the mission, but I suppose I could be a bit late,” Caleb grinned at her wryly, as he began to kiss her neck.

  “No, you will not have to this morning,” Laurel announced happily.

  “Oh really? Why not?” Caleb asked her warmly, smiling at her curiously.

  “Mother said since this was to be our first Patrol as a married couple that she was going to have a late breakfast prepared for everyone. Then you and Father and Aiden could meet in the sitting room after to discuss the mission,” Laurel said smiling impishly.

  Caleb looked at her questioningly as he was wondering what she was up to, by her expression. To his surprise, she suddenly moved quickly on top of him, pulling his arms back and holding them down over his head, the whole time smirking at him. Her actions both surprised and amused him as he laughed out loud at her.

  “So you Sire, are now my captive this morning, as I intend to keep you all to myself,” Laurel said, as she giggled mischievously.

  “So as your captive my Lady, am I expected to beg for mercy?” Caleb asked her playfully, smiling at her enticingly.

  “Oh...well no Sire. I shall be most compassionate with you,” Laurel smiled, as she leaned down and kissed him passionately.

  After they had finished their kiss, Caleb smiled at her wickedly and then flipped her underneath him quickly, as she let out a surprised little shriek.

  “I seem to have turned the tables on you my darling. You are now my captive for the morning,” he smiled at her slyly, as he looked down at her.

  “Very well Sire,” Laurel said giggling. “At least I will not have to beg for your mercy,” Laurel said, smiling coyly at him.

  “I did not say that,” Caleb replied, with a roguish grin.

  “What do you mean? I was willing to show you compassion,” Laurel said, her eyes wide with surprise, as she feigned insult.

  “Of course you were mo chailn milis. You are far nicer than I am, you know this,” Caleb replied, as he held her arms down. “So I am most definitely going to ask you to beg for mercy,” Caleb said, his grin becoming broader as he spoke.

  “I will not be that easily succumbed Sire. I will not beg for mercy. There is nothing you could you do, to make me do so,” Laurel said smirking, with a haughty tone.

  “Oh, we shall see about that,” Caleb said with smile, as he moved his hand down to her waist.

  As King Fergus and Queen Alana began to walk down the corridor from their room, Aiden opened his door, smiling as he joined them. As they came closer to Caleb and Laurel’s room, they were stopped as they heard Laurel screaming loudly and yelling.

  “No! No! No!” she screamed out. “Stop! Stop!” Laurel continued to yell.

  Aiden looked over at the shocked expressions on his parents’ faces, which mirrored his own. He rushed over to the door, then suddenly heard Laurel scream again, but this time she also let out a high pitched laugh, while still yelling no. He stopped just as he reached for the door handle, then turned and smirked at his parents as he heard her continue to laugh and then Caleb’s voice.

  “No mo stor. Say it. Say it,” Caleb said, lightly laughing.

  “Mercy! Mercy, mercy, mercy!” Laurel screamed out, laughing again.

  “Dog,” Aiden muttered, grumpily as he walked away, as his parents followed him, laughing heartily.

  They walked into the dining room just as the servers were beginning to bring in the morning tea and biscuits. They talked about the chill in the morning air, how bright the sun was, anything other than what they had heard in the corridor. A few moments later, Caleb walked in, wearing a heavy robe over the clothes he had slept in, smiling at everyone as he sat down and took a cup of tea. The family all just looked at him expectantly, each one with a different expression.

  “What?” Caleb asked curtly, as he looked at everyone curiously.

  “I am just going to ask you, since our parents are too polite to do so. What were you doing to poor Laurel this morning? I was about to burst through the door, with all her screaming. Then we heard her laughing, so we figured it was just you tormenting her again. Honestly, I do not know how she puts up with you,” Aiden remarked, smirking at Caleb mordantly.

  “I appreciate your concern for my wife’s welfare, but the door was locked, so you would not have burst in too quickly. I was just tickling her,” Caleb answered smiling broadly, as he took a bite of a biscuit.

  “Really? The wretched Tickle Torture was it? You actually made the poor girl beg for mercy did you?” Aiden asked, as he shook his head laughing.

  “Do not criticize me Aiden until you have done it yourself. Laurel and I were actually having an amusing time. I was far more amused then she was however,” Caleb said grinning wickedly.

  “Well, I shall have to remember that,” Aiden said thoughtfully, as he smiled back at Caleb.

  King Fergus laughed heartily, the Queen however just gave Caleb a disapproving smirk.

  “Does this mean the poor girl will not be joining us for breakfast?” Queen Alana asked Caleb, with mild annoyance.

  “No. She will be joining us in a few moments. She is making herself less..... rumpled looking,” Caleb answered smiling, as he took a sip of his tea.

  “So Caleb, what did you think of the enormous basket Laurel made for you?” Queen Alana asked, with a delighted smile.

  “It was wonderful. She could barely lift it, for how full it was. As I told her earlier, it will take us a month to eat everything that is in it,” Caleb answered laughing lightly.

  “What basket is this?” Aiden asked, with a wry smile.

  “Laurel made this tremendous welcome home basket. She put every delicacy imaginable in it. There are things we have not had since we were children in it. No doubt she was talking with you about this,” Caleb said smiling, looking over at his mother.

  “Oh yes. Laurel, Ione and I had lovely long talks about your childhood and what a handful you were. You both were,” Queen Alana smirked, looking at both of her sons, as King Fergus chuckled at her remark.

  “Nonsense! I was an absolute joy to be with. I am most definitely raiding that basket of yours, so keep it where I can get to it,” Aiden replied, as he looked over at Caleb.

  “Be my guest. I still cannot get over how much is in it. I would hate for anything to spoil,” Caleb said, as he looked at entrance into the dining room. “Well seeing is how my Bride is taking longer than I expected, I am going to go and check on her and get dressed. We shall be back in bit,” he stated standing up, taking a last drink of tea and then left the room.

  “Father would you be interested in making a small wager with me?” Aiden asked smiling drolly.

  “What are we wagering against?” King Fergus asked, with a glint in his eyes.

  “I say they do not return for almost an hour,” Aiden answered, with the same smile.

  “Hmm. I say he meets her in the corridor and they continue on their way here,” King Fergus countered with a wry grin. “What will I gain when I win this wager?” he asked.

  “I will do the monthly report for you from your next mission. When I win, you do mine,” Aiden said confidently, taking another biscuit.

  “Aiden dear, you will do anything to get out of writing your reports,” Queen Alana said laughing.

  Caleb entered the bedroom, about to call for Laurel, when he noticed her standing in front of the mirror in her chemise and a very flowy and lacy underskirt. Her hair was partially pinned up, so that she was able to better view the fit of the lightly boned ivory colored chemise. It accentuated her small waist and defined her full bust line quite sensually. Caleb found himself unable to remove his gaze from her.

  “Oh! Caleb. I did not hear you come in,” Laurel turned and smiled at him warmly.

  “What are you doing dearest?” Caleb asked as he walked up to her, placing his hands around her waist.

  They both looked into the mirror at their reflection.

  “The seamstress came to see me a few days ago and brought me this chemise and underskirt. She told me it would enhance the new dresses you had made for me. I had not yet had the chance to put them on. So, I put them on and lost track of time. What do you think Sire? Are they not lovely?” she asked, smiling demurely at him from the mirror.

  Caleb smiled back at her seductively. He turned her around suddenly to face him, as she looked up at him, a surprised smile on her face.

  “They are beautiful mo ghra. Now, take them off,” he whispered ardently, as he kissed her deeply.

  By the time Caleb and Laurel arrived in the dining room, the full and sumptuous meal had already been served and the family was just beginning to enjoy it.

  “Nice to have you joining us,” Aiden said, as the couple walked in hand and hand, sitting down at the table.

  Aiden gave his father a smug smile, which King Fergus returned with a wry grin, shaking his head. After they had all enjoyed their meal, they walked to the sitting room. They delighted in spending the rest of the morning together with pleasant conversation. Aiden and his father enjoyed a game of Tablut, as the Queen resumed her embroidery while Laurel and Caleb sat together on the plush couch, conversing with everyone and cuddling together. After a short time Ione entered the room, everyone welcomed her warmly. Caleb then stood up and told Laurel he would return in a moment as he wished to retrieve his notes for his father he had written while on Patrol. Caleb made his way back to the sitting room, when he noticed Master Elphin, walking up the staircase. Caleb stopped in front of the stairs waiting for him. Master Elphin smiled when he looked up and noticed Caleb standing there smiling at him.

  “Oh, good afternoon Prince Caleb,” the Physician said cheerfully.

  “Good afternoon Master Elphin. What brings you to the Lodge?” Caleb asked curiously.

  “I was actually coming to see Princess Laurel, to thank her for her assistance on the mission of mercy. It went quite well and I am happy to report, all the patients are doing fine,” Master Elphin replied, smiling as he reached the top of the stairs.

 

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