Child of the Kindred, page 28
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
The Falconer sat unnoticed in a quiet corner of the kitchen, eating his simple breakfast of soft boiled eggs, bacon and thick bread. Taking a long drink of his tea, he listened with great interest to what had just been revealed. His associates would need to be made aware of this new development. He did not relish the idea of how it would be received.
“I hope I do not sound presumptuous, but you must allow me to be the baby’s nurse, Laurel. Especially now, that I will be joining you in Heathwin,” Tulla gushed, her lovely brown eyes happier and brighter than Laurel had seen in a long time.
“Of course Tulla! I could not imagine having anyone else,” Laurel related, laughing as she spoke.
“I woke up this morning and was startled for just a moment, as I felt Owain’s arms around me. It all then just rushed upon me at once, all that has happened. I became overwhelmed for a brief time, but Owain awakened and comforted me. Can you feel so happy, that everything you have ever felt or known suddenly seems new and different? It is almost as if, I have opened my eyes for the first time, that I have just started to feel alive,” Tulla explained in a trembling voice, her eyes filled with happy tears, reaching over and taking Laurel’s hands.
“I am so glad for you, my dear Tulla. You deserve to feel this way, more than anyone. With all that you suffered and endured for me, I…I can truly never repay you. But, I do promise you, that it will never be forgotten,” Laurel replied, leaning over and embracing Tulla warmly.
Tulla smiled through her tears, feeling Laurel tremble with the emotions which the reminder of the recent tragedy evoked. Tulla then felt concern, not wanting Laurel to become overwrought. Pulling away slightly to look into Laurel’s tear filled eyes, Tulla wiped the tears from her own eyes and smiled at Laurel benevolently.
“Owain informed me that Queen Alana insisted on planning our wedding. My head is spinning with the very idea!” Tulla exclaimed giddily, attempting to lighten the heavy emotions they were both feeling.
“He actually tried to talk her out of it, saying he felt it would be too overwhelming for you. She, however, would not be convinced, especially after Aiden’s remark. I can assure you, it will be a beautiful event, no matter how small she claims it will be,” Laurel replied, laughing lightly.
Tulla put her hand to her mouth and began laughing, almost embarrassedly. Laurel looked at her smiling, but in bemusement, at Tulla’s sudden expression.
“I was thinking of how just before you left Gwenlais to live in Heathwin, that I had said to you, to remind me to never marry a Sentinel,” Tulla said, leaving them both laughing at the happy irony.
“Oriel. Please come over here and help your sister pack some things for you,” Aiden directed, his voice tinged with impatience, as Oriel continued to refuse to get off the bed.
He had just returned from the Gwenlais Lodge, bringing back saddle bags for each of them, to pack what they could for the ride back to Heathwin.
“No! I am not leaving!” Oriel yelled as she continued to cry, lying on her bed.
Marina looked at Aiden with sad frustration, as she had been unable to get Oriel to comply with her requests to begin readying for the trip to Heathwin. Aiden picked up one of the saddle bags and walked over to the bed.
“Orrie, sit up, please. Here, I have brought your bag, now sit up, and come with me to your wardrobe,” Aiden requested to her, his voice kind but becoming more firm.
Oriel looked over at him, then sat up still sniffing back tears, and wiping her eyes. Aiden smiled and placed the saddle bag next to her on the bed. Oriel looked at it for a moment, then reaching over, grabbed it and threw it on the floor, lying back down and crying once again. Aiden looked surprised at first, then completely irritated. Marina and Jamison looked back at him, becoming emotional at Oriel’s continued anger and belligerence. Aiden walked over to them after picking up the bag, handing it to Marina and another as well.
“Here love. Take these and go and gather your things and Jamison’s. I will stay here and deal with Oriel. It is alright mo daor. I am a Sentinel Captain, love, I think I can handle a stubborn little girl,” Aiden replied with a grin, at Marina’s concern.
“Alright. I shall gather Jamison’s things first. Then I will collect mine. Please come for me if you need me,” Marina spoke quietly, as she looked over at Oriel with concern.
“We shall be fine dearest, do not worry,” Aiden replied, leading them out of the room and closing the door.
Aiden then looked over at Oriel lying in bed, letting out a sigh of annoyance and frustration, at seeing she had wrapped herself tightly in the coverings. Walking over, he looked down at Oriel, watching her move slightly under the covers, her head now completely covered.
“Oriel, come out from under the blankets, right now. We do not have time for this nonsense and trust me, Caleb is not going to want to deal with it either,” Aiden said with a warning tone, only to be met with Oriel tightening the blankets around her.
Aiden shook his head and then began to pull the blankets off of Oriel, her little-muffled shrieks of protest, heard underneath them. When he had finally succeeded in getting her from underneath her cocoon of coverings, Aiden sat on the side of the bed, making her stand in front of him. Oriel still continued to cry and shudder, stammering in anger and irritation.
“I…am not going! I... I do not want to go,” she yelled out, through her pitiful sobbing.
“Now that is quite enough,” Aiden said sternly, holding her by her arms. “You are not staying here in Gwenlais, with no one to look after you, so you will stop this nonsense. Come with me over to your wardrobe, and pick out some things you wish to take with you. If you continue to argue with me, I will choose them myself. Is that understood?” Aiden asked her, still holding on to her arms, attempting to talk above her crying.
“But…I need all my dresses,” Oriel whimpered, despairingly.
“You can only take what will fit in a saddle bag, at this time. In the Planting Season, we will come back and collect the rest of your things. Now, come with me and let us go and pick out some things that will be suitable, that you will need. I will show you how to roll the clothes up in a such a way, that will allow you to fit as much as possible. I have to do this each time I go on patrol,” Aiden explained, as he opened her large wardrobe.
He stood for a moment in shock, at the seemingly endless array of dresses and tunics, most of them overly frilly and hardly practical. Oriel’s first choice, of course, were the frilliest and least practical. Aiden telling her to make different choices, sending her into a renewed onslaught of sobbing and stammering once again.
“Oriel, I am running out of patience with you. I can see at least a dozen choices, that would be much more suitable. You need clothing that you can wear every day. Like this dress here, did you not wear this once when I took you to practice your bow?” Aiden commented as he pulled out a basic brown tunic dress, with simple sleeves and little adornment.
“Yes, but it is not pretty. Mother told me, I was not pretty like Marina is, and I would have to dress more like a lady,” Oriel explained, still crying, much to Aiden’s surprise.
Aiden crouched down in front of her holding her hands, his expression softened, and more sympathetic.
“Your mother said you were not pretty?” he asked in a low voice, his eyes warm and caring.
“Not as pretty as Marina. That is why I need my dresses,” Oriel explained, sniffing back tears.
Aiden smiled at her sadly, glancing down for a moment in thought, then looked back up into her tear filled emerald eyes.
“Meaning no disrespect to your mother, but I do not agree with that opinion. I find you to be very lovely, just as pretty as your sister. You have beautiful eyes, and hair,” Aiden remarked with a charming smile, reaching up and touching her hair. “But, do you know what I find the most beautiful thing about you?” Aiden asked her intriguingly.
“What?” Oriel asked, now calmer and happy at having Aiden’s attention.
“Your smile,” Aiden said, smiling warmly at her, causing her to smile back at him. “So why do you not help me choose some more practical dresses for you, and pick only one of your frillier dresses. I must remind you dearest, winter is very harsh and cold in Heathwin. Many of your dresses would not be sensible at this time. I know my mother, will have some very lovely, new dresses made for you,” Aiden explained, as he stood and handed her several dresses from the wardrobe, which Oriel willingly took from him.
“Aiden, may I please bring some of my dolls and books?” Oriel asked quietly, as she looked over at the shelves that held her dolls and favourite books.
“Of course love. I will bring back another saddle bag for you, and just fit in as many as you can,” Aiden answered, as he then began to fold and roll up Oriel’s clothes, as she watched him intently. “Here you are love, place that one in the bag,” Aiden said, handing her the first dress.
Aiden continued to fold and roll several others before having Oriel try her hand at it, which she did very well, to her delight, with Aiden praising her efforts.
Just as Oriel was placing another dress in the bag, Marina quietly walked into the room, smiling at seeing her sister much calmer.
“Look Marina. Look what Aiden taught me to do. I have been able to fit in six dresses,” Oriel said with happy enthusiasm.
Marina was overjoyed to see her sister acting more herself, since the tragedy of losing their mother.
“That is wonderful dearest, but you must leave some room, you have not added any stockings or bloomers,” Marina replied with a light laugh.
Oriel and Aiden looked at each other with amused grins, which caused Marina to laugh at their expressions.
“Well, I see my expertise has now come to an end. I will now let Marina finish helping you pack Orrie,” Aiden said, with Marina and Oriel giggling at him.
“How nice to see all these smiling faces. I was told that was not the case earlier,” Caleb remarked, walking into the room holding Jamison.
“Caleb, I just do not want to leave Mother,” Oriel revealed, her voice and eyes becoming teary again.
Marina placed her hand to her mouth, looking away for a moment, trying to compose herself. Jamison’s lips trembled as he put his arms around Caleb’s neck and leant against the side of Caleb’s face. Caleb smiled at Oriel, moving over to her bed, sitting down and holding Jamison on his lap, then gesturing for Oriel to sit beside him. Placing his arm around her as she leant against him, he looked up and smiled compassionately at Marina, before speaking.
“The day we are to leave for Heathwin, we will ride to the Ollam meadow, so you may say goodbye to your mother. There will be no one else there, no crowds, no noise. Your mother loved you all, very much, and she would want you to be cared for and happy. I promise to you, that Laurel and I will do everything we can to make that possible. After we arrive in Heathwin, I will be making all of you, my wards and family members of our Clann,” Caleb explained in a calm, low voice, looking up meaningfully at Marina, who was now in tears and leaning against Aiden, as he placed his arm around her.
“What does that mean?” Jamison asked, in innocent bemusement.
“Well, it means that you will become part of our family. Because I am making you my wards, people will look at you, as my children,” Caleb explained smiling, as Jamison and Oriel looked at each other with wide-eyed happy surprise.
“Does that mean I will be a princess?” Oriel asked excitedly, as Caleb and Aiden laughed lightly at her question.
“I suppose that would make you a princess of sorts,” Caleb answered with a broad grin.
“Princess Orrie. I like the sound of that,” Aiden spoke up with a charming smile, as Marina giggled, wiping tears from her eyes.
“Then I do need to take all my dresses,” Oriel replied emphatically.
Caleb looked over at her wardrobe, giving her a wry smirk.
“You will be more than fine with what you have dearest. My mother will have all new dresses made for you. In fact, my mother and father are truly happy you will be coming to live with us in Heathwin. They wish for you and Jamison to call them Maimeo and Daideo,” Caleb said, in a warm and caring voice.
“We have never had a Maimeo and Daideo before,” Jamison chimed in happily.
“So you see, there will be many exciting things waiting for you. I know it will seem a bit frightening, and very different at first, but we will help you to adjust,” Caleb replied, looking at them all in turn.
Just then, Laurel walked into the room with a cheerful smile.
“Look who has come back to join us,” Laurel announced, as Tulla walked into the room right after her.
“Tulla!” the children said in unison, hurrying over to her, causing Tulla to laugh and opening her arms to them.
They had both been so distressed earlier, they had not noticed Tulla quietly entering the room.
“I have missed you both so much,” Tulla gushed, then kissed them both.
“Tulla, we are moving to Heathwin,” Oriel declared, her eyes becoming emotional once again. “Caleb, can Tulla come with us?” she asked, with trembling lips, as Jamison also looked at him expectantly.
“I shall let Tulla answer that question,” Caleb replied, as he stood up from the bed.
Both children looked at her with wide eyes, waiting for her response.
“I am going with you. Owain and I will be getting married, so I shall be living in Heathwin as well,” Tulla answered back, her voice filled with happiness and excitement. This announcement causing great excitement in the children.
“Now seeing as we are all in a much happier mood, Tulla wanted us to have one more tea party before we leave. Let us go to the study and do just that,” Laurel suggested, giving the others a knowing smile, as she and Tulla led the youngsters out of the room.
“That should help the rest of the packing go a bit easier,” Caleb spoke up after the children had left the room.
Marina suddenly became very emotional, as Caleb and Aiden smiling at each other sadly.
“Come here, mo daor,” Caleb gently said, taking her into his arms. “It is going to be alright Marina. I know you are frightened and overwhelmed, and I admit it will not be easy on any you, but we will help each other through the changes. I will do my very best, to be a good father to them Marina, and to take care of you as well,” Caleb told her, in a comforting and reassuring tone.
“That is, of course, until someone else decides he would rather have the job of taking care of you,” Aiden replied with a wry grin, gently pulling Marina over to him, kissing her forehead, causing Marina to giggle and cry at the same time.
“Which reminds me. Where exactly does your Uncle Alistair live, dearest?” Caleb asked with a slight grin.
6: THE JOURNEY HOME
“Excuse me, Sir Alistair. Prince Caleb has just arrived with a very impressive guard, out in the courtyard. He is requesting your presence,” an elder male servant announced, walking into the sitting room where Alistair and his wife Fenella were having tea.
They looked at each other, first slightly alarmed, then smiled at one another cunningly.
“He has changed his mind, no doubt. This is the opportunity we have been waiting for Fenella. We will be asked to care for the children, and then we will make our demands. If we are to look after the miserable little urchins, then we will demand compensation for our time and effort,” Alistair said as he stood up, straightening his tunic front.
“And rightly so Alistair. I feel you should also address the way he so rudely spoke to us, at the funeral. You saw the way the rest of the Nobles looked at us afterwards, it was humiliating. Then to once again be shunned and ignored, by not being invited to the afternoon meal at the castle, that was completely inexcusable,” Fenella huffed, as she smoothed the front of her dress, and joined her husband to make their way to the courtyard.
When they reached the courtyard, they both paused for a moment, in surprise, to see Caleb and twenty Sentinels all on horseback, wearing their long black riding coats, and stern expressions. Caleb moved Lorcan up closer, then dismounting directly in front of them.
“Good afternoon Prince Caleb. Why do you not step inside? We were just sitting down to tea. I assume you are here to discuss the children’s welfare? Please keep in mind, though we are their only living relatives, we feel a reasonable compensation will be necessary to care for them,” Alistair said with smug confidence.
Caleb looked at them with raised eyebrows, as the Sentinels with him looked at each other with wry grins.
“Why yes, Alistair, a s a matter of fact, I am here to discuss the children’s welfare. But there is no need to discuss this inside, everything I need to address can be talked about right here in the courtyard. However, I do want to start off by saying, there will be no compensation,” Caleb remarked with an officious tone.
“You cannot expect my wife and me to open our home to three, I might add, incredibly spirited children, and then not be compensated for it,” Alistair replied, with an affronted tone and expression.
“You are correct, and I do not. In fact, I am here to tell you the children will no longer be a concern for you. We will be taking them with us, back to Heathwin, where they will be made my wards and family members of my Clann. I am not here to ask your permission, as my station as the Prince of Heathwin, does not require the consent of a Noble of Gwenlais. My wife and your future Queen, has designated the children as her siblings. As they are now orphaned, by my right as her husband, it is my responsibility to care for their needs. I am simply informing you of our decision, and I do so only as a courtesy to you and your family. In all honesty, I would no sooner leave a flock of poultry in your care, let alone three incredibly spirited children.” Taking one more step closer, Caleb continued. “So no, there will be no compensation forthcoming. As of this time, you may consider yourselves relieved of any and all responsibility in regards to the children. Good day to you sir,” Caleb replied, not trying to hide his complete disdain for them.
