- So I had to do it. Prince John and the sheriff insisted that I marry the lady Jeannie for her fortune and her lands that would go to her husband upon the death of her very sick father.
- Since that day, many events had taken place. Including the one that I have chronicled for you here.
- Lymeria entered Nottingham castle, finding the dark gloomy hallways and cold walls and floors something depressing. She had always admired castles but this one truly haunted her. She sighed and tried to see the positive side about returning. There was Allan after all, and Seth of course. But Seth worked on the lower half of the castle while she was on the upper part. She passed by Vaisey’s chambers and shuddered when she pictured the coal pit and what new ideas Vaisey would come up with next.
- “Come in jester.” Vaisey said as he heard the bells of Lymeria’s costume.
Lymeria inhaled deeply and sighed before throwing back her
head and shoulders.
-
I may have met my match!
- “Find our gloomy friend and get him relaxed for tomorrow. He’ll need to be completely confident and well rested for his journey.” Vaisey said while dotting his “i’s” and crossing his “T’s” with a quill pen.
- “Yes m’lord.” Lymeria smiled for she had hoped to run across Guy and to test his behavior and mannerisms
- “Use that song of yours to put him out. I want to make sure he’s fully awake for the journey.” Vaisey said without ever looking up from his important documents.
- .
- “Yes m’lord.” Lymeria curtsied and turned away from the sheriff to skip out into the hallway. She stopped one of the servants and asked where she would be able to find Sir Guy. The servant reported that he was in the bathing area of the castle. Lymeria’s jester hat sank in disappointment for who would want attention while they were in the tub? She exhaled from her lips and walked toward the bathing room thinking how things could play out. She knocked on the door and tried to steady her nerves. “Sir Guy? The sheriff has sent me to relax you for your journey tomorrow. May I come in?”
- Guy scoffed. It was just like Vaisey to bother him while he was bathing. Let’s just see how this little whatever she is, will react when I demand a towel from her. “Come in.” he growled, his voice a deep rumble.
- If only Seth could demand respect in a wolf-like tone. Lymeria thought and entered the room. She calmly closed the door behind her and clasped her hands together. “No need to get up sir, I’ve already run through the many ways to relax you.” She noted the sword beside the tub and swallowed harshly. There would be no need for jokes if his weapon was still in arms reach. She rubbed her hands together and walked over to him, moving around the tub to face him. “Which would you prefer tonight? Song? Dance? Mimicry? Or how about contorting? The sheriff loves it when I am able to lift my leg above my head and pretend it was a noose.” She demonstrated this, balancing on one leg while the other reached the sky. She turned her head sideways and stuck out her tongue to pretend her neck had snapped. She recovered within seconds and placed her leg down. “Or perhaps a simple rubbing of the muscles to relieve stress as I sing would be more pleasing for thee?” She reached into her costume pockets and pulled out a little bottle. “I have scented oils.”
- Guy smirked at the jester’s antics. He stood up, like Vaisey had once done to him and said, softly, “Get a towel and dry me off.” He smirked again.
- “Hm.” She said, keeping her eyes at his eye level. “Is your water still warm?” She removed her glove and felt the water. “Very. Have a seat.” She challenged him with bold but mischievous eyes. “Sheriff said to relax you and that is my goal. What better way than while in calming waters.” She moved around him and pressed down on his shoulders, even though she was shorter than him. “Trust me, I know what I am doing.”
- Guy was amused. He thought he detected a bit of discomfort in this little urchin, but he figured what harm could it do. Let the creature massage his sore muscles. “Fine,” he said and sat back down. “Use some of that oil. I like the way it smells. And sing, or whatever it is you call that sound you make.”
- “Nasty piece of work you are.” Lymeria said. “Almost as rude as the sheriff.” She opened the bottle of oil and let a drop land on her fingertip. She touched the sides of Guy’s head, allowing the oil to fill his nostrils. “You shall have no trouble smelling this strong of oil through that fine Roman nose of yours.” She caught sight of a mole on the left side of his torso and giggled, for Seth had a mole in the very spot. When she felt that Guy would question her sudden amusement, she prayed he would chalk it up to jester insanity. “Lean back for me.” She instructed and winced, for she was giving him orders rather than the other way around. Still, if he was willing to sit back down again, he may be willing to listen. “I find that closing your eyes helps in relaxing. And while I sing, you can bring fully formed pictures into your mind.” She said and removed her other glove, then rolled up her sleeves. She pulled up a stool and sat upon it while massaging his temples. “Inhale and exhale slowly. Imagine any form of stress leaving your body.” She said quietly and had flashbacks of doing this for the sheriff. “Imagine obtaining your goals and fulfilling your life ambition.” She said as her fingers moved his circles. She inhaled and paused for him to take in the sensation of real relaxing before singing. “In the moonlight I felt your heart quiver like a bow string’s pull. In the moons pale you looked at me, nobody knows your heart. When the sun is gone I see you beautiful and haunting but cold. Like the blade of a knife so sharp so sweet. Nobody knows your heart.” Her voice was one meant for the opera, but as she sang, it flowed as silk, soothing to the ears and good for the soul. It was like hearing a mother’s first lullaby, tender and caring. “All of your trouble, grief and pain is locked away in the forest of the night. Your sacred heart belongs to the world of the things that sigh in the dark. Of the things that sigh in the dark.” She began to hum this time for there were no more words left to sing. Her hands drift down to the back of his neck, using her fingers to massage the base of his skull as his head tilt forward. Already she could feel him giving in as most do, for who could resist pampering? “La da da da da da da da, ooh ooh ooh la la la la la la la…” She continued to sing, cooing like a dove to a baby. Her hands moved over to his shoulders and worked on the knots gained by years of stress formed by the sheriff and fear of losing his life. She grunts as one knot in particular took most of her strength to work out, but in the end it popped. “You shall wear me out before the night is through.” She said and drew back a loose strand of hair. “What are you made of underneath? Iron? I will need to call for a black smith to work these kinks out.” She pressed the heel of her hand down upon other knot and began to massage it away.
- By this time it didn’t matter what the creature said, his tired muscles were beginning to relax. Now maybe he could get some real sleep. Sleepily, he said to Lymeria, “Bring me that towel.”
- Lymeria rolled her eyes for she hadn’t finished yet. Still he seemed calm enough to relax for the rest of the evening and most likely past dawn as the sheriff first had. “Yes sir.” She replied and went to fetch the towel. She grinned, proud of herself to have completed her task an imagined Vaisey cursing for not hearing Guy shouting at her. Surely that was his plan from the beginning? She brought over the towel and let Guy rise from the water. “Anything else sir? A drink before bed?”
- Her willingness to please his best of moods was showing, something she could never hide from anyone. She was a clever woman with wits to match that of a fox. But she also seemed naive for her eyes were unmarked by the harsh realities of Nottingham.
- Guy thought for a moment for he was very sleepy from the massage, but A goblet of wine might be just what he needed to send him into dreamland. “Yes,”, his voice a low purr. ‘”Bring me some wine.” If Vaisey thought he was going to get to Guy with his jester, he was not sorry to disappoint. This was just what he needed. “Well,” he said., somewhat impatiently. “What are you waiting for?”
- “I am making sure you don’t fall flat on your nose. You’re drunk tired.” She said while holding onto his arm. “I take it this might be the first time that you have relaxed in a long while. But no worries, there are other opportunities.” She said, finding the timing perfect to ask about Seth since he was not entirely coherent. She hurried out of the bathroom and told a servant to grab her some wine, then quickly returned to finish toweling Guy off. He was so much like Seth in appearance that she could not help but think that her friend was standing before her rather than Guy himself. “Just out of the sake of curiosity, if you had a son how would you want him to be raised? Would you want him to wear your boots some day or would it not matter?”
- Guy stiffened. He turned to look at the jester, suspicion in his eyes. “What did you say?”
- “Well if I had a son I’m certain I would have him learn fencing, gentleman manners, how to use a sword and ride an armadillo.” She threw the last one in there to make it sound like foolish pondering. “Armadillers are rather fast and I hear that the can buck the rider off.” Her eyes sparkled at her own joke as she looked into Guy’s eyes. She stopped moving the towel about his chest as her smile turned to disappointment. “You really ought to smile more, it’ll do wonders for your health.” She sighed and continued to stroke his arms. “Like you would have children anyway. The sheriff has you running around so often that you barely have time to eat.”
- Meanwhile, Seth paced in his chambers worried for Lymeria. He was worried she would feel his father’s wrath in case the man had forgotten about her royal priviledges for being Prince John’s jester. He tilt back his head and sighed while whispering, “Come on….”
- “Let alone breed.” She finished and looked him over for any other traces of water. “I don’t dry off the naughty bits, you’ll have to do that yourself.” She said, tossing the towel at Guy and walked toward the servant who brought the wine and glass. “Thank you.” Lymeria told the servant and sat on her stool again to uncork the wine bottle. She used most of her strength but could not open it. “Would you mind?” She held the bottle up to Guy.
- Guy peered at the jester and took bottle the by the neck. He deftly uncorked the bottle and handed it back to her to pour. The servant was still standing by the door. Even tho’ he was relaxed, Guy sternly asked the servant, “Well, what do you want?” The servant informed him that his wife would like a word with him. “hum” he sniffed. “Send her in.” Guy was curious as to what this was about. Jeannie hardly ever came near him except at meals. The jester was still in the room as she entered.
- “Uh, sorry to bother you My Lord, Jeannie said. “but I have to ask you…I mean…” she stammered and looked to Lymeria for some excuse for her to be there. She gestured discreetly to Lymeria to offer her the wine.
- Lymeria became fascinated by the sound of wine pouring from the bottle and grinned as the liquid sloshed within the glass. Water and liquid always held a strange power over her as she watched it. At last she tilt back the bottle and handed the glass to Guy. Lymeria handed Jeannie the bottle, not taking to discretion well due to being comical. “We were just discussing what it would be like to have offspring since the sheriff mentioned to me earlier how much he thinks of Sir Guy as his own son.” She said gently, letting the words sink into Guy’s heart if it were possible. “Wine my lady? And I do mean the drink and not the audible complaint.”
- Jeannie colored to the roots of her flaxen hair at Lymeria’s remark. She knew Lymeria was referring to Seth, but still the thought of Guy fathering a son would mean that she would be the bearer of said child. She shot Lymeria a harsh glance, but the jester didn’t seem to notice. Meanwhile Guy had sat in a chair still wrapped in only a towel. Jeannie had dressed for the occasion. She wore her best silk, modest but accentuated her figure. Her hair she wore long, and the natural wave to her hair made it shimmer in the candlelight. She spoke to Guy. “I realize my Lord, that we have not spent much time together.” She sipped her wine. “Perhaps you would like to get dressed in your nightclothes and Lymeria,” she nodded in her direction, “could entertain us both with a song.
- Lymeria was surprised to hear this for she thought Guy would prefer to go straight to bed. However she loved to oblige and turned her eyes onto Guy for his say in this.
- Returning from donning his nightshirt, Guy was so relaxed at this point that he was easily talked into anything. “If my Lady would like to hear you sing than, by all means.” he gestured with his hand. “Go right ahead. He glanced at his wife. For the first time since he first met her, he noticed her appearance. She had lovely blond hair and deep blue eyes, large and animated and she had a good figure. Perhaps if she has enough to drink, she might be seduced to perform her wifely duties. He turned his attention to the jester as she began to sing.
- Lymeria stood before them, curtsied out of respect and opened her mouth to sing the Italian version of “It’s Time to Say Goodbye” gently to further ease Guy’s weary spirit. But Lymeria’s eyes stayed upon Jeannie to see if she was enjoying the song more than her husband.
- Lymeria’s voice had a lovely quality to it that even a tone deaf person could appreciate. Jeannie was educated and therefore her appreciation for Lymeria’s voice and the song she sang touched her deeply. She noticed Guy poured more wine in her goblet, but she continued to drink it. When Lymeria was finished, Jeannie asked, politely, “Please, if you will sing another.” She looked to Guy for his approval. He nodded his head in assent
- Lymeria nodded and thought about the next song carefully. There was so much she wanted to sing to them both for the messages that they contained but knew now was not the time. Instead she chose her own stylized version of Ave Maria. It was both haunting and pleasing to the sound and a little slower for the listeners to enjoy. She felt mechanical more than human, moving slowly to form the words as her hands lift to guide the notes to where they need be. Within her mind she could hear the instruments supporting her as she sang and imagined herself singing before a king and queen. Every word was precise and formed to the way she voiced them. When Guy looked away she motioned with her hand for Jeannie to stop drinking the wine then returned to being robotic once Guy looked up again. At last she finished the song a long note that gently died out and bowed before her audience.
- Mesmerized by Lymeria’s singing, Jeannie did not at first notice the subtle gesture of Lymeria’s hand that beckoned Jeannie to stop drinking the wine. It was a good thing she had for Jeannie was getting a little light headed and she had to keep her wits about her. At the end of Lymeria’s song, Jeannie stood up. “My Lord, I must go now. You need your rest for your journey on the morrow. ” She turned to walk out the door.
- Guy was feeling just good enough to want his wife, tho their marriage was forced upon him, to stay. He grasped her arm and said in that voice that could melt butter. “Perhaps you would like to stay.” He tried to draw her close but she resisted, saying, “I think not. You should get your rest lest you should be unfit for your travels. I will bid you goodnight.” She was out the door in an instant. He clutched the hand that held her arm into a fist, but smiled a half smile. This could prove challenging.
- Innocent but not naive, Jeannie could see that look in Guy’s eye that men get when they wish to conquer a woman. Her father, when he was still strong, had informed his daughter on the ways of man and she had seen this look in other men’s eyes as they gazed at her. Even Prince John had given her that look. Jeannie took Lymeria’s am as she headed out the door. “Lymeria, you must take things slow. You don’t want to ruin it for Seth. He’s probably a nervous wreck, waiting to find out what has transpired. When Guy returns we will work on him some more, but slowly. You got that?”
- Lymeria nodded. “Yes though I am afraid we may be running out of time. Vaisey already knows and it could be any day now that he says something to Guy. We both know that the sheriff loves to make life miserable for others and telling Guy to shock him and anger him may be on his agenda.”
- Jeannie looked thoughtful for a moment. “Hm, He IS that despicable. By the way Lymeria. You have a lovely singing voice. Where did you learn to sing like that? Let’s go see Seth.”
- As they walked down the hallways Lymeria explained, “I am self-taught by listening to the best and then practicing daily for years. I do not know how to read song notes but I can listen to any voice and mimic it close enough to make it sound real. But I am better at mimicking animal sounds.” She waves at the guards standing in certain spots along the halls and they nod back. “I have always had an interest in both music and animals. If only I could combine the two and make animals sing. Birds do not count.” She added and continued down the stairs. “Tell me, Is Guy really all that horrible? He was testing me as much as I was testing him and I could sense a bit of loneliness. Most bullies are usually lonely.”
- “Well, you have a natural talent. I’m sure you could teach an elephant to sing.” Jeannie chuckled,” and that joke about the wine, I had to stifle a laugh, for it would be unseemly for me to do so. As for Guy being horrible. I’m not sure. As I’ve said before the first time we met we had a conversation of sorts but since we’ve been married he barely speaks to me and sometimes her glares at meal tho’ tonight he had a different look in his eye and I was afraid I might not make it out of there. But I must admit, he does seem lonely.” Jeannie became aware of her surroundings. “Why are we going deeper into the castle. I thought we were going to see Seth.”
- “Seth lives below us Jeannie. He is kept away from Guy for his own protection.” She said while skipping down the winding stairs. “Besides, the servants quarters are down here and he is technically my servant.” She explained.
- “Does the sheriff keep him here?” Jeannie was perplexed. “From whom does he need protection since Guy doesn’t know about him?”
- “Seth and I live in a cottage near the edge of the forest. I found him when he was fourteen and we have been together ever since. Four years later I introduced him to Prince John as my escort and servant. When John saw that the sheriff needed to make more money he sent us to Nottingham. I first saw Guy and mistook him for Seth until I got a better look at him. I knew at once who he was and told Vaisey before I knew what kind of man he really was. Vaisey thought it would be a fun game to see how long it took for Guy to notice his son was walking around, but Seth has always been careful thus far. From what I have seen of Guy’s personality, I have often wondered if he would harm Seth for whatever reason he may have. Perhaps out of humiliation for having a bastard son.”
- “To be honest, I don’t know what Guy would do.” Jeannie replied. “However, I don’t think he’s as cruel as Vaisey. Do you think Vaisey will tell Guy on this journey they are taking? If so, then it’s time for some drastic measures.” Jeannie smile slightly, but tried not to let Lymeria see it. She had an idea, but was not sure if she could go thru with it, but if it meant saving Seth from uncertain danger, she might just have to try it.
- “Vaisey isn’t going on the journey, but he might tell him beforehand or after.” Lymeria paused outside of Seth’s door and knocked loudly. When he opened the door she flung her arms around him while standing on tiptoe. “Oh Seth he has a mole on the left part of his side just as you do!”
- Seth said, “You saw his mole?”
- “Not by choice mind you.” She kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry lovey but he wasn’t thrilled over the hypothetical question of having a son. In fact he looked rather startled then grumpy. But since he’s always grumpy it was hard to tell which direction he would take soon after.”
- “Jeannie thought for a moment. “I could get in the way by keeping Guy away from Vaisey in the morning before he leaves, or I could tell him myself….tonight.”
- Lymeria and Seth both looked at her with fear over the idea, but it was Lymeria who said, “Are you sure that’s wise? He might come after me demanding that I tell him what I know since it was I who mentioned it earlier.”
- I would feel better having to ‘accidentally’ walk into him during a tour of the village.” Seth replied.
- Jeannie addressed Lymeria first. “I could tell him I saw him in Nottingham, which is the truth.” To Seth she said, “That would not be wise either Seth. You don’t know how he’ll react when he sees you ‘accidentally’. Let me handle it. I know just what to do.” She hoped no one would notice her false confidence, Jeannie was prepared to help her new friends anyway she could. Maybe it would help her with her relationship with Guy, but she was still afraid of the consequences her ‘actions’ might have.
- “I assume Vaisey would want Guy’s mind cleared for going after the outlaws so he may wait until later to tell him. Possibly during supper and in front of everyone.” Lymeria played with a strand of hair while leaning against Seth. “Either way he is bound to find out eventually. We might as well try it out before the sheriff does.”
- Jeannie resisted the desire to bite her nails. “I’m going to go speak to Guy right now. I figure that it’s only a matter of time before I have to ….you know….wifely duties and all. So it might as well be on my terms.” She looked from one to the other, with an eyebrow arched.
- Seth looked disgusted but otherwise said nothing while Lymeria was still trying to figure out what “wifely duties’ consisted of.
- “I suppose I wouldn’t mind having a younger brother or sister if it comes down to that.” Seth shrugged in trying to support Jeannie’s idea. “But if I were you, I would keep an eye on your child at all times.”
- “Lymeria,” Jeannie prompted. “Help me out here. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
- Not at first but after Seth’s comment I’m beginning to.”
- Seth grinned for his friend had nothing to do with men. Ever.
- “Right, that’s it. Here I go. Jeannie smiled. ” I’m off to…..take care of business. Wish me luck. If you don’t see me tomorrow, well you’ll know I tried.” Jeannie knew she was being a bit dramatic, but she was also trying to be amusing in hopes that her friends would not worry about her. “Who knows, maybe I’ll like it, ha ha! Bye.” and she turned to go back above.
- As Jeannie approached Guy’s bedchamber suddenly her legs got wobbly and she was afraid she might fall thru the door as soon as she opened it. But she kept her feet and quietly entered the room taking several deep breaths. Going to the side of the bed he was facing away from, she bent over his ear and whispered, “Guy.”
- Guy stirred and turned his head to see his wife leaning over his shoulder. He smirked, ever so slightly, thinking, ‘She can’t resist me’.
- “I have something for you.” Jeannie said, in a soft, seductive voice. “But you have to do something for me.”
- Guy asked, “What is it?” He was intrigued.
- Jeannie replied still using a sexy voice, “Just a little promise you must make to me.” she smiled sweetly.
- Guy: eyes narrowed, “What kind of promise?
- “This will be easy. All you have to do is promise to meet someone that I know and be kind to him.”
- Guy was suspicious, “Him?” he questioned.
- “Yes.” said Jeannie still in a soft soothing tone. “Do you promise?” Guy turned to take her into his arms, but she pulled away. “You must promise not to betray me, Guy. You know betrayal is the worst thing a person can do. You’ve said so yourself. So promise.”
- Guy lay back on the pillows. He smiled at her and
- Jeannie thought she had never seen a more beautiful smile in her life.
- “I promise.” Guy said, sincerly.
- Again he tried to take her in his arms but she stopped him. “The girls in the tavern say that they like it so if you make sure I do, then maybe I’ll let you do it again.”
- Guy furrowed his brows. “What are you doing talking to tavern girls? They are wh…”
- Jeannie cut him off before the word got out of his mouth.. “What difference does that make? If those women can enjoy it, why can’t a married woman? Hm?”
- Once again Guy smiled. He wondered why he hadn’t taken the time to talk to her before.
- This time she let him hold her, but before he could kiss her, she said, “Remember your promise.”
- “I remember.” he said, his voice low and throaty. Then he pulled her to him and kissed her.
