The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 167
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Very well your Highness,” Caleb answered as he walked over and kissed her forehead and then left the room, smiling when he heard them laughing as he closed the door.
Just as he had made his way to the balcony, he noticed, looking down onto the hall, that there was a sudden burst of activity by the entrance, and was surprised to see Deaglan, and his brother and father talking with someone, who appeared to be Colm, the envoy from Gwenlais. Caleb hurriedly made his way downstairs and went over to the group who all turned and looked at him with forlorn and distressed faces.
“What is it Colm?” Caleb asked the young envoy with trepidation.
“I bring the most distressing news Sire,” Colm replied, in a voice filled with despair.
Caleb opened the door slowly, looking over at Laurel, his face sad and filled with concern, as he watched her laughing with Eavan and Imagin. They all stopped laughing and looked at him as he quietly entered the room.
“What is it Caleb?” Laurel asked with unease, noting his expression.
“I must speak with you alone mo stor,” Caleb answered in a quiet sad voice.
Eavan stood up and taking Imagin’s hand, walked out of the door, turning to smile at Laurel before she closed the door behind them. She and Imagin began to slowly walk down the corridor, then stopped and turned in alarm at hearing Laurel’s voice cry out in a mournful wail.
“No! No!” Laurel cried out tearfully from behind the closed door.
Imagin turned to run towards the room only to hear her name being called out from behind her.
“Imagin! Come here dearest. Let them be for a moment,” Aiden said to her warmly, opening his arms to her.
Imagin walked over to Aiden quickly, embracing him tightly.
“What has happened Aiden?” Imagin asked with tearful concern, as Eavan looked on her eyes glistening and filled with worry.
“King Garron has been killed. His body was found in the forest with two of his guards. He was hunting. That is all we know at this time,” Aiden replied, his voice choked with emotion.
“How…how could this have happened,” Laurel asked sobbing, as Caleb sat with her on the bed, holding her in his arms and stroking her hair and back.
“Colm said it was some kind of hunting accident, that is all we know at this time Laurel. We shall find out more when we arrive at Gwenlais,” Caleb replied in a soft deep voice.
“We must leave now Caleb! We must reach Gwenlais as quickly as we can! I shall ready my things and…” Laurel stopped abruptly as she was cut off by Caleb placing two finger on her lips, her eyes wide and bemused by his reaction.
“Shh. It is now late in the afternoon. We will not reach the camp until dark, and I will not have you travel after dark mo stor. No, no, do not argue with me mo chailin. I have made my decision. We will leave at dawn tomorrow,” Caleb replied in a calm warm voice.
“Please, please, Caleb. Let us leave today, I will be ready in no time. Please Caleb,” Laurel entreated tearfully, burying her head into his chest.
Caleb’s heart was breaking at hearing her desperate, heart-broken request, and feeling her body shake from her sobbing.
“No my love. The situation will not change by traveling in the dark, just making the trip more stressful and dangerous. We will leave at dawn Laurel, I promise you. I know mo stor your heart is in pain at this time, but you must try to calm down. It will not make journeying to Gwenlais any easier for you if you are sick and hysterical. Shh, now listen to me my sweet girl. If you do not calm down, I will not allow you to come at this time. I will have father and mother bring you in a few days. If you wish to come with me, you must promise me you will try and compose yourself, I will not have you become anymore distressed than what you already are.
Can you do that for me dearest?” Caleb asked, his voice warm and filled with tenderness.
“Yes...yes, Caleb I will try,” Laurel replied after a few moments, in a trembling sigh, leaning into his chest.
“Very good. I am going to send for Redmond to come and look in on you once Mother comes in. And then I wish for you to rest. I will return very soon, Father and Aiden are already making arrangements for our departure. Oh, here is Mother now. I will be back in just a moment my love,” Caleb told her, giving her a warm kiss then standing up and walking over to his mother, embracing her for a moment.
“My dear Laurel, I am so very sorry. We are here for you darling, we are all here for you,” Queen Alana said in a soft sad voice, sitting on the bed and embracing Laurel, as Laurel cried softly in her arms.
“Thank you Mother. I…I cannot believe this has happened. It all seems so unreal,” Laurel replied, sitting up to look at Queen Alana.
“Of course it does my dear. The shock of this has not yet had the chance to settle in your mind. But now dear I must ask you, and it is only out of concern, after speaking with Caleb this morning he mentioned how you were feeling lately. Laurel…is there a chance that you may be with child?” Queen Alana asked gently, as she placed her hand on the side of Laurel’s face.
“I…I am not sure Mother, as I have no idea what it really feels like. At first I was assuming I was only feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the newness of everything. It is something I have wondered about, but I am not certain at this time,” Laurel answered, the realization filling her with both elation and fear.
“Have you told Caleb of this possibility?” the Queen asked with a kind smile.
“No, not as yet. I wished to wait until I was certain,” Laurel answered, with trembling lips.
“I see. My dear, I am going to give you a bit of advice. If you wish to be able to leave with Caleb at dawn, then keep your decision to wait and tell him of the possibility, until you are sure yourself. If you tell him now, I assure you he will not let you leave Heathwin at this time, not even to attend your father’s funeral. I do not necessarily agree with his thinking, but I do understand where it comes from.
You must do everything in your power to remain as calm as you possibly can, not just for the sake of going to Gwenlais, but for the sake of the child you may be carrying. I will help you in every way I can my dear. You will not be doing this alone,” Queen Alana spoke, with a voice filled with warmth and compassion.
“Thank you Mother, I know this. Yes, I shall heed your advice. My dear Caleb will be overly concerned as he often is,” Laurel said, trying to laugh through her tears.
“He most certainly will be my dear. Here now, lie down for a bit, I am going to send for some tea for you, Eavan and Imagin will be here in a moment, as they were waiting for me to have them come in. Rest as much as you can Laurel, I have no doubt, Caleb will be back very soon, and will insist you do just that,” Queen Alana said leaning down to kiss Laurel’s cheek, then stood up and quietly left the room.
Within moments Imagin and Eavan re-entered the room, both of them offering tearful and heartfelt condolences. A moment later there was a soft knock and Deaglan entered the room, his face drawn and grief stricken. Laurel got out of bed and walked up to him hurriedly, embracing him as he drew her into his arms. Their shoulders both shaking from silent sobs as they held each other for a few moments, Deaglan softly kissing the side of Laurel’s face.
“I am so very sorry Laurel. I loved him as well. Garron was like a second father to me. I swear to you we will find out what happened,” Deaglan whispered, as he held her tighter for a few moments more.
Just then Caleb walked back into the room, smiling tearfully at them both, as Deaglan attempted to smile back, gently releasing Laurel from his embrace. Laurel walked up to Caleb burying her head into his chest weeping softly.
“Come mo ghra. You must lie back down,” he whispered, his rich accent soft and deep from his emotions.
Gathering her up in his arms once again, he walked over to the bed, placing her in it gently and kissing her face softly several times.
“Redmond will be here soon my sweet girl. He is well aware of what you need to help you to relax and what you wish for treatment. Please let him help you, so that you may rest for a bit. I know you do not feel well, but later on you must at least have some warm broth and bread, I have the cooks already preparing this for you. Then we will retire early and leave at first light. We will be staying the night at the camp. Deaglan and his men, as well as Aiden and two squads of Sentinels will ride ahead to Gwenlais, making them aware of our arrival,” Caleb informed her, sitting on the side of the bed gently stroking her hair and brushing the tears from her cheeks.
“Very well Caleb, I will do as you wish. I know you are concerned for me, and I will not argue. I…I know that there is nothing more that I can do. I hope I can be of some comfort to poor Ellos as well,” Laurel responded, her eyes filling with tears once again.
“Of course you will mo stor. I have no doubt you will be a great comfort to each other. And do not forget your dear Phineas, he will be waiting for you,” Caleb said with a warm smile.
“Yes…poor dear Phineas, I have no doubt he is already taking care of things,” Laurel said with a tearful smile.
“Undoubtedly. Here is Redmond. I need to speak with Father and Aiden for a few moments, then I shall return very shortly. Evan and Imagin will stay with you until my return,” Caleb told her, leaning down he kissed Laurel gently once more.
Standing up he then embraced both Imagin and Eavan, who were waiting at the door as he was leaving. They immediately went over to Laurel, sitting upon the bed and giving her comfort and support. She spoke with Redmond, telling him that she wished for only chamomile, and a lavender tea be given her. He had no issue saying he would be sure the cooks made her a pot and would bring it up himself. A few moments later he returned, smiling charmingly, and after spending a bit of time satisfied she was calmer, returned to the Infirmary. Owain and Wendell came by soon after, offering Laurel their condolences.
“I told Prince Caleb I would return to Gwenlais with you at this time my Lady, but he felt I should remain here and simply return with the King and Queen. I shall do so, and I will also prepare a lovely drawing of the King in his honor to be shown at the ceremonies my Lady,” Wendell informed Laurel, in a voice desperately trying to hold back his emotions.
“Thank you dear Wendell, that would be most kind of you,” Laurel replied, her soft grey eyes glistening with tears.
“I will be leaving with you in the morning dear Laurel. Caleb will be here at any moment. Let us all leave now so they may get some rest,” Owain directed as he stood up, and kissed Laurel’s cheek.
Owain then took Imagin’s hand after she too kissed Laurel goodnight and led her out of the room. Eavan embraced her warmly, telling her again how sorry she was, kissing Laurel’s cheek as well, then left the room with everyone else, leaving Laurel alone with her thoughts for a few moments. Just as she felt herself becoming overwhelmed again, Caleb, Aiden and King Fergus walked into the room. King Fergus was the first to approach her, sitting on the edge of the bed holding her close as she cried softly into his chest.
“There, there my dear girl. We will take care of everything. Between us and Phineas, you and Ellos will not have to deal with any more than is necessary. Know this my dear, your father was a great King and a man I highly respected, and he loved you dearly, as do I. I shall continue to love you as my daughter and do everything in my power to help you and your family in Gwenlais recover from this dreadful tragedy,” King Fergus spoke in a soft deep rich voice.
“Thank you Father. I love you as well. I know that you will help us all through this. My father greatly respected and admired you also,” Laurel replied tearfully, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hand.
King Fergus smiled warmly and kissed Laurel’s forehead gently, then stood up as Aiden came over and took Laurel in his arms.
“I love you, and know that I am always here for you my dear sister. We will help you through this, and take care of all that needs to be done,” Aiden said with a voice filled with sympathy and love, as he leaned back to look at her.
Placing his hand gently on the side of her face he kissed Laurel very tenderly on forehead, then smiled at her warmly.
He stood up and walked to the door with his father, as they both embraced Caleb briefly then left, closing the door quietly behind them. Caleb walked over smiling lovingly at her, taking her in his arms once again, as Laurel was no longer unable to hold back her emotions, began to sob softly into his chest.
“It is alright mo stor. Yes my love, just release your pain, I am here for you. I will be with you all night,” Caleb whispered as he held her closer, feeling her body shake with her grief.
After the spasms of sorrow finally subsided, Caleb helped Laurel to change into more comfortable attire, as he did the same. The servants brought in the broth and freshly baked bread, and Laurel did eat as much as she was able. Lying back in the bed under the warm covers, Caleb read some of Laurel’s favourite poetry to try and help her relax, reading until she drifted off.
The morning was cold and grey, filled with the threat of rain, by afternoon they arrived at the river camp. The Sentinels sent the day before, had readied the camp, securing and readying only the tents that would be needed. Deaglan and the guards with him as well as Aiden and the two squads, rested for a few hours then made their way to Gwenlais, they would arrive sometime late in the night. After a light dinner of stew and pan bread, Caleb and Laurel retired to their tent, her ill stomach returning. Caleb gently held her in his arms as they talked quietly of days past, of their courtship and wedding, of how much her family enjoyed it and how closer they had all become in that short time. Comforting Laurel once more, he watched her fall asleep, his mind restless with thoughts that left him convinced the King’s death was not an accident.
By late afternoon, they arrived in Gwenlais, the people lining the streets shouting out greetings and wished of condolences to Laurel. She smiled and waved until she was overcome with emotion, then simply bowed her head as Caleb reached over holding her hand. When they arrived at the castle, Phineas was the first to greet her, with Deaglan and Aiden in the courtyard as well. Phineas embraced Laurel warmly then led her into the lobby where Lady Ellos and Marina stood waiting for her. The three women held each other weeping openly, as Caleb and the others stood by.
“I am so very sorry dear Laurel. It was such a great shock to all of us. He was only going out to hunt for the morning. Then when his only surviving guard returned saying they were attacked by Rabkins…I…I, could not believe it. Why would they do this Caleb?” Lady Ellos asked in despair, tears streaming down her face.
Caleb walked up to her and embraced her warmly.
“They would not my Lady, at least not the Rabkins here from our two Kingdoms. I promise you I will find out what happened. I will not rest until I do,” Caleb replied in a warm voice.
“Come my dear ladies and friends, let us all retire to the sitting room, I have requested that the servants prepare a light meal for all of us,” Phineas said, as he led everyone into the large and comfortable sitting room. Caleb stood back for a moment talking quietly to Deaglan.
“I wish to see Garron’s body Deaglan, and speak with the guard as well,” Caleb requested in a low voice.
“Of course. The King lies in state in the sunroom and the guard is at the House of Healing, he is expected to be released from their care by morning. I shall send for him and have him brought here as soon as that happens. I find this all very suspicious as well,” Deaglan said quietly as he and Aiden looked at each other knowingly.
“And where is the King’s counselor? Should he not have been here to greet the Princess?” Caleb asked in a mocking tone.
“Yes, I asked the same question. Supposedly he is so grief stricken he has taken to his room, no one as seen him all day,” Aiden answered, his voice filled with contempt.
“We shall have to pay Tramaine a visit tomorrow,” Caleb replied, as they all walked into the sitting room.
He smiled as he saw Tulla and Laurel embracing each other tearfully, as Owain stood smiling sadly next to them.
My sweet girl will have much support, he thought to himself.
He turned and looked in the direction of a small voice calling his name, then seeing Oriel and Jamison coming up to him with unhappy little faces. He picked Jamison up and placed his arm around Oriel as she wrapped her small arms around his waist.
“Everyone is so sad Caleb. Poor Mother has not stopped crying,” Jamison said with a trembling small voice, as he rested his head on Caleb’s shoulder.
“I know my little ones. We are here now and we will help all of you to get through this,” Caleb answered in a kind voice.
“I am sorry what happened Caleb. King Garron was a very nice man. He bought us all new books and toys and let Mother have all new dresses made for me,” Oriel said, in sweet sad voice.
Caleb smiled down at her, playing with her soft gold curls.
“I am very sure if you told Laurel this it would make her very happy,” Caleb said to her, crouching down as he stood Jamison on his feet.
“Then I shall tell her Caleb,” Oriel replied very decisively.
Caleb leaned over and kissed her cheek, then watched the two children walk over to Laurel. He smiled warmly after seeing Laurel embrace both children and kiss them after Oriel had finished speaking with her. Dinner was served shortly after. When finished, everyone remained quietly relaxing in the warm sitting room, a fire just having been lit. Soon everyone began to leave for the night, Lady Ellos was the first to leave, as she was feeling ill. Tulla escorted her while Marina and Aiden brought the children up to bed as well. A few moments later, Tulla re-appeared, and she and Owain walked out to the back terrace together. Caleb suggested to Laurel they sleep at the Lodge as he felt the memories would be too stressful for her. She conceded to his request and soon they were relaxing in Caleb’s private room.
“Do you recall the first night you spent in here with me?” Caleb asked her smiling wryly at her, as she giggled at his question.
“Of course Caleb. It was when you came back to Gwenlais during the Harvest season,” Laurel replied snuggling in closer.
