Child of the Kindred, page 57
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Aiden, please do not tell Caleb. He will just be mad at me and spank me for it,” Oriel pleaded, beginning to cry once again.
Aiden knew this was not completely out of the question, as Caleb had already threatened to spank her once before for venturing off into the forest, a month ago. But he also knew that even though strict, Caleb was fair, and was becoming quite fond of the children, and would not be overly harsh with them.
“No, he will not. Especially after I tell him you and I have already handled this between ourselves. I cannot promise you, though, he will still not punish you some other way. I can say more than likely you will be restricted to your room for a bit, but that will be all. Now here, dry your eyes, and then go and apologise to your sister,” Aiden said, handing her a clean, dry cloth from a nearby shelf.
Oriel wiped her face with the cloth, then let Aiden direct her back over to where Marina was. She was relieved to find her sister now sitting down in a chair, and talking with the attendant who had come to examined her.
“Just had the wind knocked out of her, no bumps or bruises, Sire. A nice warm cup of tea by the fire and she should be just fine,” the young man said smiling warmly.
“Thank you, Callen. I am feeling better already,” Marina said kindly.
“Yes, thank you for coming so quickly Callen,” Aiden said reaching out and shaking his hand.
“My pleasure Sire, Miss. I wish you a pleasant evening,” Callen said, his blue-green eyes twinkling as he left.
Oriel then stepped forward and put her arms around Marina’s shoulders and began to cry again. Marina held her close, smiling and gently rubbing her back, resting her cheek against Oriel’s head.
“I am so sorry Marina! I did not mean it!” the little girl sobbed wretchedly.
“I know Orrie. You just become too emotional at times,” Marina said in a loving voice.
“I will never do it again, I promise,” Oriel looked at her still crying.
“I know dearest, I believe you,” Marina said, gently stroking Oriel’s pale gold curls.
“It is time for you to go home now Orrie. Remember what I told you, that you are to go straight to your room,” Aiden said sternly but smiling slightly at her.
“Yes Aiden, I will,” Oriel said, her voice still shaking.
“I will take her home. That way she does not have to walk alone,” Ardal suddenly spoke up, his eyes filled with sympathy as he looked over at Oriel.
He had become close to her in their few weeks of working together at the stables. Oriel was a quick learner and enjoyed when Ardal showed her something new each day, whether it was a new knot or a different way to brush the horses. He was also grateful she had not let him take the blame for the incident.
“Thank you Ardal, that is quite chivalrous of you old man,” Aiden said smiling, giving the boy a friendly pat on the back.
Ardal took Oriel’s hand and quietly lead her out of the stables, her head slightly bowed, with a saddened expression on her face. The sun was setting lower in the sky which made the air feel cooler, as a slight breeze whipped up small wispy drifts of snow that had just begun to fall. Ardal squeezed Oriel’s hand a bit tighter, noticing she was starting to shiver. Oriel looked over at him and smiled shyly, her tear stained cheeks flush from the cold.
As they arrived at the Lodge and entered the Grand Hall, both children noticed right away that Caleb, as well as King Fergus, were talking with the evening Sentries by the fireplace.
“Back from your chores already I see. Come over here by the fire and warm yourselves a bit. Come and have a hot drink before you return home Ardal,” Caleb directed them.
Ardal and Oriel glanced at each other nervously but did as Caleb requested.
As they approached closer, Caleb looked at them curiously, as they both wore the same nervous expressions. He walked over to one of the nearby refreshment tables, gesturing for the children to follow him. They did so, and he handed them both a cup of warm mulled cider.
“So. Is there anything either one of you would like to tell me?” Caleb asked in a quiet voice.
The children glanced at each other again, yet neither knew what to say.
“Let me start again. Oriel, is there anything you would like to tell me? I am asking you first, because you look like you have been crying, and Ardal only looks as if he feels sorry for you,” Caleb requested again.
Oriel lips began to tremble, but she still could not answer, as tears spilt down her cheeks.
Caleb sighed deeply and walked over to Oriel and gently lifted her face to look at him.
“My dear little Orrie. Are you in trouble yet again?” he asked with slight frustration.
“Yes,” Oriel said softly, sniffing back tears.
“I see. Well, go to your room, and I will be up in a moment to talk with you about it,” Caleb said quietly.
The little girl just nodded her head and turned towards the central staircase.
“I can safely assume Ardal, that you know what this is all about?” Caleb asked the boy, sounding a bit tired.
“Yes sir I do,” Ardal answered in a quiet voice.
“Well come over here and tell me all about it then. Do not leave anything out for Orrie’s sake, for I shall hear about it again anyway,” Caleb replied, as he put his arm around the boy’s shoulders directing him to a small couch.
As they sat down on the couch together, Ardal began to relate what had happened at the stables. Caleb did not speak or react, just listened to the boy’s retelling of the incident. Caleb did smile slightly, however, when Ardal mentioned how Oriel spoke up in his defence, not letting the blame be placed on him. He put his hand on Ardal’s shoulder when the boy looked sad and heartbroken, at telling how Aiden had scolded and then spanked Oriel as well, before sending her back to the Lodge.
“Thank you for telling me Ardal. Sit here and relax until Owain comes to bring you home. I appreciate very much you looking after Oriel for me. You are a good friend for her, which I knew you would be,” Caleb smiled at him reassuringly.
“I know she did not mean to hurt Marina. She just does not think at times,” Ardal said with a sad smile.
“I know Ardal. You will probably not see her for a few days. She will be restricted to her room for a time. I hope after this incident, she will start to think a bit more about her actions. I need to go and speak with her now. Do not look so sad Ardal, she will be fine, I will only talk with her. Aiden, I am sure, made her regret her poor decision. Give your mother my regards, and that Laurel and I look forward to seeing her next week at the Family Gathering,” Caleb said as he stood up to leave.
Caleb made his way up to Oriel’s room, thinking about how he would talk to Oriel about what she had done. He knew she would never want to intentionally hurt her sister, but she needed to understand how dangerous the situation was, and how serious it could have been. He knocked quietly on the bedroom door, not entirely surprised to hear Laurel answer. He walked in to find Laurel and Imagin sitting on Oriel’s bed, the little girl between them, her head against Laurel’s shoulder as Imagin held her hand. Laurel glanced up smiling sadly, Imagin appeared as if she were about to cry as well. Oriel looked miserable as she had begun crying again, though he did notice she seemed more comfortable, as she had been helped to change into one her soft, warm nightgowns, her hair brushed and placed in a long loose braid.
“If you would be so kind my dear ladies, and allow me to have a few moments alone with Orrie. We have some things we need to discuss,” Caleb said, smiling warmly at the three of them.
“Of course, Sire. Come along Imagin. Let us go and let Caleb and Orrie have their talk,” Laurel said, standing up and holding out her hand to Imagin.
Imagin reluctantly stood up but not before giving Orrie a kiss on the cheek, promising to be back later. Imagin gave Caleb a sad look before leaving the room with Laurel.
“You sound as if you had quite the afternoon mo daor,” Caleb said in a serious voice.
Oriel looked up at him, her emerald green eyes filled with tears, her lips unable to stop trembling. Caleb looked down at her with a wry smile. He sat down next to her on the edge of the bed, putting his arm around her as she leant into his side and began to sob pitifully.
“There, there Orrie. Come now, Aiden could not have spanked you that hard,” Caleb said, in a quiet, comforting voice.
“No...it is not that,” Oriel said, sniffing back her tears.
“Then what is it?” Caleb asked her softly.
“I was just upset to see them kiss in front of everyone at the stables. It was not supposed to be that way,” Oriel said between her sobs.
“What do you mean, mo daor?” Caleb asked gently, trying to draw her out.
“Aiden...he was supposed to love me,” Oriel replied, as she put her hands up to her face, and sobbed broken-heartedly.
Caleb smiled warmly at Oriel’s admission. He took her in his arms, placing her on his lap and held her close. Not speaking yet, allowing her to cry out her sadness, and disappointment. When she started to quiet down, Caleb began to talk to her in a deep, soothing voice.
“Shh. Calm down now Orrie. Take a deep breath. Good girl, just relax now,” Caleb said, in response to her efforts to calm herself. “You must know dearest; how much Aiden loves you. I know it is not in the way you wish it to be, but that kind of love you are not yet ready for. Aiden is not the one who will hold your heart, my dear. In time, you will see that Aiden and Marina are perfect for each other. Just as you, and well, whoever it is that finds their way into your heart, will be for you,” Caleb said calmly, feeling her relax as she lay her head against his chest.
“But it still hurts Caleb. It makes my stomach feel…fluttery,” Oriel said in a quivering voice.
“I know. It will be for a bit. Now, however, you should focus on all that you have in front of you,” Caleb replied encouragingly.
“What do you mean?” Oriel asked, with wide tear filled eyes.
Caleb pulled Oriel away from him only enough for her to look at him, as he gently wiped the tears from her face.
“With your lessons for one. Aiden tells me you improve each time he works with you at archery practice. In fact, he says he has never seen anyone as young as you do that well. You are also doing quite well with the horses. When I first brought you into the stables, do remember how frightened you were?” Caleb asked her, as Oriel just nodded her answer.
“Well look how far you have come with that. You can now even brush Lorcan, and he actually enjoys it. Ione says that you are doing very well in your defence lessons. You are also making friends. Imagin and Ardal are both very fond of you. You will be reintroduced to all your new little cousins at the Family Gathering next week. And it goes without saying, how much Maimeo and Daideo love you. So, you have much to focus on and look forward to. Those are things you need to occupy yourself with. And soon, during the end of the Planting Season, Laurel will have the baby. The baby will be a pleasant distraction, do you not think?” Caleb asked her with a warm smile.
“Oh, yes I do. I look forward to the baby very much,” Oriel answered, her smile and eyes much brighter at the mention of the new addition to their family.
“I do as well. So, that is what I want you to concentrate on at this time,” Caleb paused for a moment, as he brushed the last of her tears from her face.
“Now, I feel we need to talk about what happened at the stables. No, no more tears,” Caleb said in response to her quivering lips. “It was a very dangerous thing to do Orrie. I know you did not intend to hurt Marina, but Aiden was right to be angry with you. If he had not spanked you at the stables, believe me, I would have after you returned home. You must promise me, you will never do anything like that again,” Caleb said sternly, but in a calm voice.
“I promise Caleb,” Oriel said, trying very hard not to cry again.
“Excellent, I believe you. However, I still feel you need to be punished for your actions. So for the next two days, you will be restricted to your room. You will only come out to use the bath and for meals. Except for Imagin and all of us, you will have no visitors. Is that understood?” Caleb asked her pointedly.
“Yes, I understand,” the little girl answered, in a small, sad voice.
“Alright then. Now go into the bath and wash your face for dinner. Yes, you are coming to dinner,” Caleb said when seeing her begin to protest. “No arguing. You do not have to change if you do not want to. I am sure that Aiden will come and talk with you soon. Just accept what you have done, and what we discussed, and everything will be fine,” Caleb said to her warmly, as he kissed her cheek and stood her on her feet.
“Go and wash your face, and I will see you at dinner,” Caleb directed her as he turned to leave the room.
“Caleb,” Oriel spoke up.
Caleb stopped and turned to look at her. She walked up to him, putting her arms around his waist, and hugging herself to him.
“Thank you for talking to me. I do feel a little better,” Oriel said quietly.
Caleb leant over smiling and kissed the top of her head.
“You are very welcome my little Orrie. I am happy to hear you are feeling a bit better,” Caleb said warmly, as he waited for her to release her embrace before he left the room.
Caleb made his way back downstairs to the Grand Hall and was happy to see Marina sitting comfortably on a small couch near the fire, Laurel sitting next to her, Imagin standing behind her, casually playing with Marina’s hair.
Imagin had a tendency to do this as a way of showing affection, to whomever her attentions were focused on at the time. Aiden was just coming from the direction of the kitchen, to bring Marina a cup of tea. He walked over to her smiling and then kissed her lightly on her forehead after handing her the tea.
Caleb walked over casually as he began to relax seeing everyone looking happy and content.
“So how are you feeling my dear, after your frightening incident?” Caleb asked Marina warmly, touching the side of her face.
She looked up and smiled sweetly, her lovely emerald eyes bright and shining.
“I am fine. I really was only winded, but Aiden insisted I come back to the Lodge and sit by the fire with a cup of tea,” Marina said to Caleb, and then looked lovingly at Aiden.
“You heard Callen, he said to sit by the fire with a cup of tea, so I am just following orders,” Aiden replied smiling charmingly.
Laurel smiled and giggled at Aiden’s attentive behaviour, as Caleb rolled his eyes and grinned.
“How is Orrie, Caleb? Is she still very upset?” Marina asked him with concern.
“She was, yes, but she will be fine. We talked for a bit, and she fully realises what she did was wrong. I told her she would be restricted to her room for the next two days aside from joining the family for meals of course, and she could not have visitors, and no that does not include you Imagin,” Caleb said, smiling over at Imagin when he noticed her expression. “I do need to speak to you for a moment, Aiden, if you ladies will excuse us please,” Caleb said, leaning down and giving Laurel a quick kiss.
Caleb and Aiden walked towards the fireplace to have a bit of privacy.
“So how is she really?” Aiden asked smirking, as he guessed Caleb’s reason for wanting to speak with him alone.
“She is utterly heartbroken, but for reasons other than what you may think,” Caleb replied, smiling sadly.
“What do you mean?” Aiden inquired, now becoming a bit concerned.
“The poor child had in her mind, that she would be the one you would fall madly in love with. She was just overcome with jealousy and disappointment. When she told me this, she cried more at that, than you spanking her,” Caleb answered, smiling at him.
“Surely, she must see that we could never be together, that way,” Aiden replied, in a sad, soft voice.
“She is a child Aiden. That delightfully enchanting time when any and all things are possible,” Caleb smiling knowingly.
“Sadly, we were not children long enough Caleb,” Aiden smiled back at him in a melancholy way.
“This is true. It is my hope, however, that Orrie and Jamison and the new baby remain children as long as possible,” Caleb replied in a faraway voice.
“I will go and talk to her now. Do not worry Caleb, I wish the same for our children as well. I will mend her broken heart as best I can,” Aiden spoke with a charming grin.
“I have no doubt in your abilities,” Caleb said, smirking at him.
Aiden turned and made his way up the staircase to Oriel’s room. When he arrived, he knocked quietly and waited for an answer, hearing a small voice saying to come in. Aiden entered slowly and smiled warmly when he found Oriel sitting on her bed, holding one of her dolls to her chest. When she saw it was Aiden, she blushed and put the doll down quickly. Aiden walked over to sit next to her, he reached over to hold the doll, picking her up carefully.
“Does your friend have a name?” Aiden asked her, in a soft, gentle voice.
“Her name is Lorna,” Oriel said shyly, her eyes still sad and tearful.
“She is quite lovely. She looks just like you,” Aiden said with his usual charming smile.
“My mother had her made for me, after my fifth season. She is my favourite. I do not play with her any longer, but I still hold her when I need to feel better,” Oriel explained, reaching over and touching the doll’s hair.
Aiden handed her back to Oriel, who took her gingerly, then placed her on the bed. Aiden leant over and gently touched Oriel’s cheek, which caused her lips to tremble with emotion. Aiden reached over and held her to him and gently stroked her hair, as she cried quietly.
