The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 82
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“I also took the time to explain the particular customs and laws of marriage in Heathwin to her Highness on our way back home. I can completely attest that her Highness was most aware of what will be expected of her. She was also quite agreeable to it,” Phineas added, hoping to smooth things over and ease the King’s trepidation.
“Well I still have issue, but I can see I will have no choice in the matter,” King Garron said with angry resignation.
“Which is really what the problem is. Is it not? You are angry because you feel you have no control,” Caleb stated, with mordant grin.
“I have no control. Yes, it leaves me with a very dissatisfied feeling,” King Garron stated curtly.
“Well, this is not going to go well at all. I know our Princess well enough to know she is going to have one of her more spirited moments, that Caleb and I talked about earlier,” Aiden said with a frown. “So I suggest you all expect it. I feel Caleb you are going to have to be at your most charming tonight,” Aiden added, smiling wryly at his brother.
“I shall certainly do my best. Where is she now?” Caleb asked, looking over at Phineas.
“She is more than likely on her way back from the House of Healing. I had word of your arrival sent to her as soon as I found out you had returned,” Phineas answered sighing as he spoke. “Also before we all depart for the dining room I would like to inform both of you, I will be accompanying her Highness, back to Heathwin. I go as both her escort and her counselor, until after the wedding of course. I will not take no for an answer, for I am still in her Highness service until she becomes Prince Caleb’s wife. I shall not be told otherwise,” Phineas said quite boldly, and looking very determined at both Caleb and Garron.
Caleb smiled at him admiring his boldness and loyalty.
“I certainly have no objections Phineas,” Caleb remarked, hitting his arm roughly but in a friendly manner.
“I have no issues as well Phineas. I suppose it is the least I can do, as you did in fact keep your mouth shut about this whole affair,” King Garron agreed begrudgingly.
Phineas smiled and nodded satisfied with the outcome of their discussion, as they all stood up and headed for the dining room.
As Laurel hurriedly entered the dining hall, she noticed the entire family was already seated. Jamison, as always during their visits, sitting next to Aiden, the two engaged in a lively conversation which elicited much giggling from the girls.
“How kind of you to finally arrive for dinner Laurel,” Lady Ellos said with a sarcastic smirk, clearly annoyed at Laurel being late for dinner, she had planned so meticulously for.
Laurel could feel her cheeks blushing with embarrassment at her stepmother’s sarcasm. Walking towards the enormous wooden table her eyes met Caleb’s warm and sympathetic smile, her anger drifting away as he stood up and pulled out the empty chair between he and Aiden.
“We missed you,” he said softly with a wink, as he bent down to kiss her cheek.
She noticed the servants had already started to serve dinner, the table was fairly groaning with the amount of food that had been prepared. It was far too much for just the family and two extra guests. However Lady Ellos was determined to make an impression on the young rulers of Heathwin, regarding her position as ‘Lady of the realm.’
“Really Laurel, did you have to come to dinner in your work frock?” Lady Ellos said, clearly not finished with her scolding manner.
“As I have said before, my Lady, it is not a work frock. It is my doe med tunic,” Laurel said trying to keep her voice civil.
“Yes dear, forgive me, but I am sure that Prince Caleb would much rather have seen you wear a more suitable garment,” Lady Ellos said her voice less scolding, as she looked towards Caleb.
“Actually I find it rather fetching. If I may be so bold, it quite compliments her figure,” he said smiling broadly, knowing the reaction it would have.
Laurel cast her eyes down at her plate, her cheeks blazing again but for a far different reason, unable to suppress a smile. Aiden and King Garron chuckled out loud as Phineas looked over at Laurel giving her a knowing grin.
“Oh, I see,” was all Lady Ellos was able to say as she rolled her eyes taking a sip of her honeysuckle mead.
“So tell us Laurel, were you on one of your herb gathering excursions again?” King Garron said, attempting to change the subject.
“Yes actually I was. That is why I am late. I am afraid I did not notice how much time had passed until the sun began to change position. If I had brought one of the other doe meds with me I would have probably arrived much earlier,” Laurel explained.
“Do you still go about the countryside without escort? Dearest I assigned you an escort for a reason,” Caleb asked her, unable to hide the concern and impatience in his voice.
Visions of her walking about the rural landscape alone, especially now, was more than he wanted to think about.
“I have gone to the woodlands and fields to collect herbs and flowers for some time now without incident. I do not have the same dangers to contend with here as I did in Heathwin. With all that we have dealt with, perhaps it has made you overly concerned with my welfare. This is the first time I was alone though. I was only in the small field behind the Ollam village. Deaglan brought me home,” she said, softly putting her hand on his arm.
Laurel looked at his face and was confused by his sudden stern expression. She could not understand how something as unimportant as her walks in the nearby woods and fields could make him so upset. Aiden and Phineas exchanged uneasy glances while Lady Ellos looked confused and irritated at the sudden tension that threatened to ruin her otherwise perfect dinner. King Garron cleared his throat loudly and abruptly.
“It is just her way, Caleb. Walking freely about the countryside is something that has always been done since her childhood,” Garron said, without looking up.
“Now that Laurel has become my betrothed, surely Sire you can see how this would put her in a more vulnerable position,” Caleb said, his voice and eyes, conveying more than he wished to say aloud, in front of the rest of the family.
“The problem lies in the fact that Laurel refuses to appreciate the importance of her privilege or position in this arrangement. The sooner dear you come to grips with the fact that you are indeed the daughter of a King and betrothed to a Prince, and stop all this foolishness with pretending to be a commoner, the better it will be for everyone,” Lady Ellos said, with frustration and anxiety, as she did not want dinner ruined over confrontations.
“Meaning no disrespect Lady Ellos, but following in the footsteps of one’s beloved mother who was also a much loved Queen, is hardly foolishness,” Phineas retorted quickly, coming to Laurel’s defense.
King Garron could not help but smile at Phineas’ loyalty to both Laurel and the late Queen. Lady Ellos however was livid at the remark and began to stammer in frustration.
“No insult was intended towards dear Milna or Laurel, Phineas. I simply feel Laurel has enough to contend with, being the Princess of Gwenlais, and the betrothed to the Prince of Heathwin. I feel she is putting far too much on herself,” Lady Ellos said defensively.
“The problem is, all of you speaking as if I am not in the room. If I had known just going for a walk alone, would have caused all this strife, I assure you I would not have done so,” Laurel spoke up, completely exasperated at this point.
Caleb put his arm around the back of Laurel’s chair and leaned in closer to her side.
“My concern for your welfare was not intended to cause anyone strife, especially you dearest,” Caleb said speaking softly, but still loud enough for everyone else to hear.
Laurel smiled up at him noticing his face once again had softened and no longer looked tense and stern.
“In a fortnight I will no longer have to worry as much concerning your whereabouts,” Caleb said, with a satisfied tone.
Laurel looked at him feeling perplexed by such a statement.
“Why? What will happen in a fortnight that you should feel less worried?” Laurel asked him.
Caleb closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. He had completely forgotten King Garron had said that she was unaware of the wedding date, which had been set, or the time for her return with him to Heathwin. Caleb opened his eyes to find everyone was looking at him for the answer to Laurel’s question, with the exception of Aiden who was wearing a smirk on his face, and Garron whose face had gone a bit pale.
“Well, shall you tell her or shall I?” Caleb directed his question to Garron, his annoyance made clear in his tone.
“Tell me what? Father what is happening in a fortnight?” Laurel asked her voice slightly quivering with anxiety.
All eyes were now on the King, and as much as he wished he did not have to discuss the subject, Garron realized he had no choice but to explain to everyone what was happening.
“My dear girl, I must apologize to you, and well everyone for that matter, for not being straight forward with you from the beginning. Several months ago the date for your marriage to Caleb had been set. I should have told you sooner, but I was having a difficult time bringing myself to do so. In a fortnight, you leave for Heathwin in preparation for the wedding. Because of the laws there, you must marry in Heathwin, in front of the four Clann Chiefs in order for your union to be recognized. This was something I did not fully agree with which is probably why I could not tell you sooner,” Garron said as a sudden weariness filled him.
Laurel’s eyes grew wide with disbelief. She looked over at Caleb who said nothing but smiled reassuringly and drew a bent finger across her cheek.
She glanced nervously down at the table, closed her eyes briefly and then addressed her father with a shaking voice.
“Father, how could you not tell me sooner? How did you expect me to prepare for my departure at such short notice? I have not even begun to pack or have Mother’s dress altered. I have not had time to discuss my leaving with Mistress Gavenia. And now you expect me to leave my entire life in just a fortnight?” her voice now filled with emotion.
“I am truly sorry for this my dear, I just let the time slip away from me,” Garron said in a feeble attempt to apologize once again.
“That is all you can say? Did you really think so little of my feelings to the news of my impending wedding that telling me at the last possible moment was sufficient? I cannot believe you did this!” Laurel said, standing up now trembling with anger and frustration.
Caleb reached over to take her hand but she refused to be comforted by his gesture.
“Phineas, did you know of this?” she asked, not sure if she wished to know the answer.
“Yes, my Lady. I was told that it was not my place to inform you. It was agreed, after Prince Caleb's arrival, that you would be told before this evening,” Phineas said in a calm sad voice.
The realization that there was no counsel he could give, no words that would take away the frustration she was feeling, made him feel helpless, and inadequate.
“Please Laurel do try to calm down, as I said, I am truly sorry I did not tell you sooner. Again, there were circumstances I did not entirely agree with, and felt that as time went on perhaps they would be worked out,” King Garron spoke as calmly as possible hoping to smooth things over with his daughter before it escalated any further.
Laurel still standing just shook her head her eyes brimming with tears.
“And what exactly did you expect to be worked out? I was made aware of the marriage laws of Heathwin before returning home from my last visit. I accepted what would be expected of me, but that does not mean I do not require time to prepare for it. You were the one that wanted this union did you not? Did you not think it would actually happen?” Laurel asked in frustration.
“What I did not expect to happen was my only daughter to be married in another realm. Taken from me when her betrothed decided upon the day, and that I would have very little to say about it. That once you are married there will no longer be trade negotiations, as it will no longer be my decision as to what and how much will be sent to Heathwin. It will strictly be up to you and Caleb, and I did not feel you were ready for such a burden,” King Garron said in a bitter tone, showing his resentment to his lack of control of the arrangement.
“Oh really? Well you certainly do not feel it was too heavy a burden to do all the planning of Mother’s funeral. Would you have been happier if I just fought with you about this, with the fact that I have no say with what happens?” Laurel retorted bitterly.
King Garron’s emotions could no longer be stifled as he pounded the table with a clenched fist.
“Well why not! You have fought with me about everything else, why not this? I did not expect you to be so agreeable with it! Nor did I think he was even going to like you this much!” Garron said coldly, his voice filled with anger.
The dining hall was enveloped in stunned silence. Laurel stood a moment longer, tears running freely down her face, pushed her chair back and fled out of the room. With what seemed like an eternity, Aiden spoke up.
“That went well, exactly the way we thought it would,” he remarked with open sarcasm, after taking a long drink of his mead.
“I am going after her,” Caleb replied in a grating voice, standing up from the table.
“I would not,” King Garron grumbled, “She will not be reasoned with at this point. It is best to leave her be for a while,” taking a long drink of ale.
“Everything that was for the best has certainly not turned out that way has it?” Caleb asked angrily, as he strode purposefully out of the dining hall.
“May I be excused?” a small voice at the end of the table piped up.
“Jamison dear you have not touched your food,” Lady Ellos spoke with concern, suddenly realizing, the children had been present during the entire incident.
“We are not hungry, and Aiden has promised to take us to practice archery,”
Jamison’s physical frailties in no way hindered his quick mind, and ability to get his way.
Aiden smiled at the boy cleverly manipulating the situation.
“I did at that, but what I did not promise was to carry home a couple of ninnies who were overcome with hunger because they were too foolish to eat what was put in front of them,” Aiden replied with a sly smile.
Jamison and Oriel glanced at each other, and then all at once began to eat hurriedly, trying to finish their meal as quickly as they could.
Marina laughed out loud at the noisy sounds of hasty munching of food. The rest of the adults could not help but smile at Aiden’s influence over the children.
“We are finished may we go now?” Oriel asked Lady Ellos.
“Oh by all means, please take your leave and mind what Prince Aiden tells you children,” Lady Ellos replied as the children rushed out of their seats.
“Would you care to join us my Lady?” Aiden asked Marina, smiling at her charmingly.
The young woman blushed prettily and looked briefly in her mother’s direction before replying. Her mother gave an approving smile back to her.
“I would be happy to Prince Aiden,’’ she said demurely with a shy smile.
Aiden offered his hand to her as he directed her out of the dining hall, the two younger children already noisily running out to the lobby.
“At least some of us will have an enjoyable evening,” Phineas said sullenly.
Caleb made his way out into the side courtyard of the great house. Surprised he could see no trace of Laurel anywhere. This was the only courtyard leading directly from the dining hall, it seemed strange she was not here. He scanned the area carefully and could only find a few servants milling about, putting away items or preparing to go to their own homes for the evening meal. An old man was tending to a massive but well pruned bush of pale silver roses. He was watching Caleb intently.
“Excuse me Sire, but would you be looking for Princess Laurel?” he asked casually.
“Yes, I was, have you seen her?” Caleb asked anxiously as he walked over to where the old man stood.
“Aye. I was standing here taking care of the roses as I always do, and then I noticed her Highness coming out of the same archway as you. In a bit of a hurry, not her usual smiling self, she always takes a moment to say hello or ask about the roses or my dear wife, who has been a bit under the weather of late,” the gardener continued in a relaxed manner.
Caleb felt as if he might explode with anticipation if having to endure any lengthy conversation with the old gardener.
“Please, which direction did she go in?” Caleb asked gently, but with a twinge of impatience in his voice,
“To the west Sire, heading down the path that leads to the meadow and the Lodge. She did seem a bit upset. I am sure you will catch up to her much more quickly on horseback,” the old man answered kindly, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he looked at the younger man’s anxious face.
“Thank you,” Caleb answered hurriedly giving the old man’s shoulder a grateful pat, as he made his way to the stables.
“You are very welcome Sire. This old heart remembers what young love is,” the old gardener called out smiling, as he remembered things long past.
When Caleb reached the stables he called out to the stable master to have his horse readied quickly. The stable master had his very reluctant stable boy help Caleb with collecting the reins and bridle for Caleb’s very large, very tall, intimidating dark roan stallion.
The horse stomped with nervous anticipation as he sensed his master’s anxiety. The stable boy’s eyes widened fearfully as the horse began to snort and shake his massive head when the boy moved closer to assist Caleb with the bridle. Caleb growling out instructions did little to ease the boy’s apprehension.
“Do not bother with the bloody saddle, hand me the bridle and be done with it boy!” Caleb shouted, his voice echoing off the massive beamed ceiling.
