Child of the Kindred, page 91
part #2 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Yes. Yes, I am, my love,” Marina answered in a small soft voice.
Aiden slowly and carefully directed Marina to lie beneath him, as he kissed her deeply and passionately. Marina whimpered, her breath catching slightly.
“It is alright, my darling. I love you so much, Marina. Thank you, mo ghra, for what you have given me,” Aiden whispered, brushing the tears from her eyes as he kissed her once again.
They became lost in the wave of euphoria that washed over them. Marina felt both consumed and emboldened by feeling Aiden respond to her, telling her again how much he loved her. His strong arms almost crushing her, as he embraced her in the height of his passion. Then they lay on their sides, facing each other in peaceful contentment. Aiden reached over to stroke Marina’s hair back, laughing quietly at her drowsy expression.
“Why are you laughing?” Marina asked smiling almost shyly, reaching over to touch his face.
“You just look so utterly adorable right now. Come here, and lie against me,” Aiden replied, taking her in his arms.
Marina placed her head against his chest, lightly running her fingers across his skin.
“It was all I had dreamed it would be, Aiden,” Marina whispered, feeling Aiden’s lips turn into a smile before he kissed her forehead.
“I am so happy to hear that, my love,” he said in a low voice, then kissing her face softly.
“Was it…was it pleasing to you?” Marina asked in a halting tone.
“Could you not tell?” Aiden inquired with a charming grin, placing his hand on her chin to have her look at him.
When seeing her luminous eyes and vulnerable expression, Aiden shifted and sat up slightly, smiling patiently as he looked down at her.
“You took my breath away, mo stoirin oa. In fact, after we have rested a bit I have every intention of becoming breathless again,” Aiden said grinning slyly, as Marina giggled, blushing brightly.
The next morning, Aiden slipped away quietly to the house to arrange a light breakfast of tea and scones for him and Marina before departing to Welstone for their honeymoon. Aiden had secured the special private room at the inn for two days. They would spend the first day shopping in the city square and relaxing at the inn. Their last day would be spent visiting the small outlying villages known for their old bookshops and several artisans who designed jewellery and articles made of blown glass. Then as they were heading home, they would go for a ride to the river trading post. It was a day through the countryside where they would meet up with Gawain and Leod and two other Sentinels. King Fergus advised them to have a small group of escorts, as this trip was in a more remote area of Welstone. Today, however, Aiden looked forward to “spoiling my new Bride a bit,” as he had mentioned to Caleb last night. Walking into the house and closing the door with barely a sound, Aiden made his way to the kitchen, glancing into the large front room, noticing the maid Nell was stirring up the embers and adding more wood to the large fireplace. Aiden smiled at seeing Sorcha shaping scones and placing them on a baking tray, while Kilian sat in his rocker in front of the wide kitchen hearth sipping tea.
“Maidin mhaith, my sweet boy,” Sorcha said in a warm voice, as Aiden walked up kissing her on the cheek.
“Maidin mhaith, Maimeo. Baking scones for breakfast again I see. You are spoiling us all. Mother has scones made only one day a week. Father insists if we have them any more than that, we will become flabby and unconditioned,” Aiden explained with his charming grin, Killian laughed quietly, taking a sip of tea.
“Well, it is a holiday for everyone after all. And I only have the chance to cook for all of you a few times a season, so I must indulge you while I can. Killian dear, please take the first batch of scones out of the oven,” Sorcha directed, wiping her hands on a small towel.
“I will do it, Daideo. Sit and finish your tea,” Aiden spoke up, as he walked over to the brick oven built above the fireplace.
Using a large wooden paddle and carefully slipping the baked scones onto it, then placing it on the work area, waiting for Sorcha to hand him the next batch of scones. Sorcha then walked over, expertly slicing two of the hot scones in half, adding butter and jam and placing them on a small tray, while Aiden prepared two mugs of chicory root tea. Sorcha then set four soft boiled eggs in a small bowl, adding that to the tray as well. Aiden embraced the old couple warmly, thanking them for all their help with the wedding.
“Marina and I will be back to say goodbye before we leave for Welstone,” Aiden promised, smiling as he took the tray and made his way towards the front door.
Upon entering the cottage, he saw that Marina was still asleep, curled up under the covers, her hair falling across her bare shoulder. Aiden placed the tray on the table, looking over and smiling warmly, not surprised that Marina was still sleeping. They had made love again last night, even more passionately than the first time. After bathing quickly, Marina had fallen asleep a few moments after they had returned to bed. Aiden walked over from the table, sitting on the edge of the bed then leant over and kissed Marina’s shoulder as he moved her hair aside. Her eyes fluttered open as Aiden’s lips moved to her face. Turning over to look at him, Marina raised her hand to touch his face as Aiden placed his arms on either side of her.
“Maidin mhaith, mo ghra,” Aiden said lovingly, leaning down to kiss Marian’s forehead.
“Good morning. I really must learn old speak,” she replied, giggling sleepily.
“Of course, my love. After our lives settle in a bit I will help you with that,” Aiden replied, drawing a curved finger down her cheek.
“Laurel speaks it quite well,” Marina mentioned sitting up and holding the covers to her.
“Well, I would not say quite well, as yet. She does, however, understand old speak better than she can speak it,” Aiden replied, as he leant in to kiss Marina.
Marina placed her arms around Aiden’s neck drawing him closer, while he took her into his embrace, leaning back against the pillows. Aiden pulled away slightly to look at Marina, her face showing surprise.
“If we do not stop, the breakfast I brought over will be cold,” Aiden whispered, his voice trying to contain his growing passion for her.
“What did you bring?” Marina asked in a soft, breathless tone, turning her head to look at the table with her arms still around Aiden’s neck.
“Um…scones, a few boiled eggs, and tea,” Aiden answered, looking over at the table thoughtfully for a moment. “I suppose nothing would be ruined if we took a little time to ah…reacquaint ourselves,” Aiden remarked with a sly grin, as he pulled off his shirt and uncovered Marina taking her into his arms once more.
By the time Aiden and Marina had gone back to the house, they saw that all were now awake and enjoying breakfast. They walked into the dining room, with everyone bestowing hugs and wishing them well. Caleb and Aiden were talking together alone for a moment when the sound of someone whimpering caught their attention. As they looked over at the large dining table, Marina could be seen sitting in a chair with Oriel hugging her. Oriel’s shoulders were shaking, as Queen Alana rubbed her back, smiling sadly.
“We will only be gone a few days, dearest,” Marina murmured, stroking Oriel’s hair and hugging her tightly.
“Why is Orrie crying?” Aiden asked Caleb, becoming concerned.
“She is just overcome by everything. She will be fine. She mentioned to me last night that she was sad, having realised she would not be able to sleep in Marina’s room any longer. Oriel simply needs to adjust to you and Marina now being a married couple. Things will all settle down when we return home, and they take on a more regular routine and adapt to their new rooms as well. Also, the school will be starting up again after I return from Gwenlais. Once that happens, both children will be happily occupied,” Caleb explained assuringly, placing his hand on Aiden’s shoulder for a moment.
They walked over to the table just as Marina was able to have Oriel step back. Aiden stood behind Oriel, leant down wrapping his arms around her shoulders, resting his cheek against hers.
“There is no reason to be upset, love. Marina and I will only be gone a few days,” Aiden relayed in a calm voice.
“But…but then it will all be different,” Oriel sniffed and rubbed her eyes.
“Really? How so?” Aiden asked patiently, sitting down in a chair next to Marina, holding Oriel’s hands in his.
“We are down in the garden house now, and you will not be able to play Pass the Boar before bed any longer, or have breakfast together,” Oriel whimpered, causing Jamison to begin crying.
Aiden looked at them, then at Marina who was now looking pitiful as well. He sighed, smiling sadly, gesturing over for Jamison to come over to him. Aiden held their hands and spoke to them once again.
“You are in the garden house now, this is true. But you will still be sleeping upstairs a few days a week. I will play Pass the Boar with you then, and we shall have breakfast together those days as well. I know Marina has never been away from you, but as we said, it will only be a few days. When we arrive back home, I promise we will have dinner with you that night and play a game before bed. Things will be a bit different, but not really all that much. Look at it this way, you have two houses to live in, and they are only a few steps away. You will still see Marina every day, and you have the puppies and that Fah thing. It all sounds very exciting to me,” Aiden enthused, while the adults smiled or chuckled at his comment. “Not to mention,” he continued with a wry grin. “we will be bringing home presents,” Aiden said in a sly tone.
Oriel and Jamison looked at each other wide-eyed and smiling.
“What sort of presents?” Jamison asked, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
“You will just have to wait and see. Give us a hug so we can be on our way, and you can begin your day as well. You still have all these companions to play with, so you have no time for moping and fussing about,” Aiden remarked, as he opened his arms to hug them both.
“Well done, old man,” Caleb commented, patting Aiden on the back just before they left to begin their honeymoon.
By the time they had arrived at Welstone, the city was already bustling with visitors coming for the eateries open for the midday meal. Vendors, with pushcarts selling delicious fare of one kind or another, were walking about the busy main way where most of the shops were located. The two newly instated Sentinels who had gone with Aiden and Marina as escorts, left to procure their rooms and inform Oonagh they were now in the city. Aiden secured he and Marina’s horses, then began to walk around holding hands, relaxed and happy. One of the first shops they visited was an old bookshop. Marina had noticed it when she had returned with her Bridal attendants the day before the wedding. Walking in, the smell of old books and scrolls was the first thing they noticed, as well as the dust drifting in the air, only visible through the sun shining in the windows. The bookshop was one of the oldest in all of Heathwin, said to have been owned by the same family for generations. An old man sat behind a large heavy desk, glancing up only a moment at them, continuing his work of copying an ancient scroll. A much younger man, tall and thin with a messy mop of brown hair sticking out in all directions from his brown wool cap, welcomed them warmly.
“Good day to you, Sire. We are most honoured and happy to have you visit our shop. Are we not, Grandfather?” the young man asked in nervous excitement, stepping down from a high ladder against one of the tall bookshelves.
“Oh yes, most honoured,” the old man stated with obvious disinterest, not looking up from his work.
Aiden and Marina looked at each other, laughing quietly in amusement.
“Is there anything, in particular, I might help you find?” the young man asked earnestly, walking up to them, glancing over at his grandfather in mild annoyance.
“I was hoping to find something that might interest my young brother. He is only eight seasons but reads at an adult level. He is most fascinated by birds and animals,” Marina replied with a lovely smile.
The young man paused for a moment, enthralled by Marina’s exotic beauty and captivating emerald eyes. Aiden smirked at him in amusement.
“Um…oh yes. I know just the book, Your Highness. Over here by the window,” the young man said, leading them to a smaller shelf at the other side of the store.
As they walked past the desk where the old shopkeeper sat, Aiden was intrigued by the ingenious device the old man used to enhance the words he was reading and then transcribing to a new book. It was a thick piece of round glass encased in a heavy brass ring, suspended by a thin brass rod which was secured to a heavy wooden pedestal. The rod had hinges that allowed the ring to pivot back and forth to where the old shopkeeper needed it at that time.
“Here it is,” the young man announced cheerfully after a few moments of searching, handing the book to Marina.
The book was broad and long but not especially heavy, not having an excessive number of pages. It was simply entitled, Birds and Animals of Heathwin. Marina opened it, Aiden placing his hands on her waist, looking over her shoulder. They were both impressed by the richly detailed illustrations of the various animals and birds featured in the book. Aiden smiling and pointing to a realistic picture of a marneut.
“This is perfect. I have no doubt my brother Jamison will enjoy it very much,” Marina expressed with a bright smile, turning the pages carefully.
“What is your name, my good fellow?” Aiden asked the young man, grinning at him being unable to take his eyes from Marina as she looked back down at the book.
“My name is Tadgh, Sire. And that is my grandfather, Fynn,” Tadgh replied, gesturing over to his grandfather who just looked up for a moment and smiled slightly.
“Tadgh, would you have any books on herbs or herbal medicine?” Marina inquired, smiling charmingly at the young man who was now becoming a bit flustered.
“Why would you want that, mo chroi?’ Aiden asked as he took the first book from her, placing it on a counter.
“I would like to find something for Laurel, to add to her collection,” Marina answered, following Tadgh over to another bookshelf.
“Princess Laurel? I saw only a glimpse of her when she and Prince Caleb were on their honeymoon. Is it true that she has remained a healer, even though being the Queen of Gwenlais and Princess of Heathwin?” Tadgh inquired in a low tone, looking at Marina and Aiden for a moment, then back at the bookcase intently, drawing his fingers across several old books.
Before answering, Aiden and Marina smiled at each other knowingly, while Tadgh took a small, old book from the shelf, holding it very carefully.
“Yes, she does indeed remain a healer. It is something Her Highness is most passionate about. She was crowned, Queen Ollam, after all,” Aiden remarked with a grin at seeing the young man’s somewhat embarrassed expression.
“Oh yes, of course. I meant no disrespect whatsoever. I just found the whole notion quite remarkable,” Tadgh replied in a nervous voice, turning to glance at his grandfather who was chuckling quietly.
“Is that a book about herbs?” Marina asked, trying to change the subject which had made for a bit of awkwardness.
“Yes, it is, Your Highness. It is ancient and written by an unknown scholar we here in Heathwin have no knowledge of. As the name is Callan, which can be used for either boy or girl, we do not even know if a man or woman wrote it. As you can see, the binding is quite damaged. I could, however, repair it and have it ready by the end of the day tomorrow,” Tadgh offered, smiling brightly.
“That would be perfect, Tadgh. Thank you,” Marina remarked, looking up and smiling at Aiden.
“I see that you have found something for others, yet not yourself. Surely, there must be something you are interested in?” Aiden inquired, smiling back at her warmly, watching her look around the shop.
“Actually, there is. I enjoy reading anything that concerns the history and folklores of Heathwin. In particular, the time during Caleb the First and the Great Battle,” Marina mentioned, her eyes now dancing with anticipation.
“Allow me, Your Highness,” Fynn spoke up, as he stood from his seat and made his way over to them.
The old man walked over to another large desk in the far corner of the shop that had several shelves built on top of it. Reaching up, he took two scrolls out, unrolling them slowly and with great care. He rolled them both back up and walked over with one of them. Handing the scroll to Marina, he smiled at her kindly, his penetrating blue eyes crinkled at the corners.
“I think that you will find this most interesting, Your Highness. It is a very personal account of what the villages of Ardara, Adare and here in Welstone, went through after the Great Battle with the invaders from a distant land. Heathwin was victorious but not without great sacrifice, which you will see as you read the accounts of individuals. I was a Cleric for over forty seasons. I have since retired from official service, but still do a bit of copying when requested,” Fynn explained, stepping back slightly and sighing deeply, his eyes filled with the recalling of a sad memory.
“May I ask what is the difference between a Cleric and a Scribe?” Marina asked curiously, Aiden smiling in surprise of her question.
“A Scribe is the official record keeper as well as spiritual leader of the people. Each village is assigned at least one Scribe and two Lesser Scribes, to keep track of marriages, births and deaths. They officiate at weddings, funerals and sermons on the day of Prayer and Reflection. They also preside over formal ceremonies involving the royal family. A Cleric is more of a historian and copyist of records and historical documents and scrolls. We also assist the Scribes in keeping track of records and documents in the House of Records,” Fynn clarified with a gleam in his eyes, noting Marina’s rapt attention.
“Thank you, Fynn. I look forward to reading the scroll,” Marina replied, smiling kindly and with respect.
“Will there be anything else I can help you with?” Tadgh asked in a friendly voice, attempting to lighten the mood.
