Val said, “I guess I understand too. The first day, I became a rabbit for him and let him chase and catch me and do rabbit-wife things.”
Jack said, “Oh, is that what wifely things are? Like rabbits and stuff? That’s how babies get born? That’s not weird at all.”
Brenda said, “Well, there’s more to it than that, and wives have more fun than rabbits, but yes son, that’s kind of what it is.”
He said, “Oh, that’s fine. Do that all you want. Momma, you can do that all the time if you want to. I’ve seen rabbits before. If you are doing that, I’ll just give you privacy until you are done. That’s why you like to take your clothes off. I understand now. So, I’ll do that with my Elf-girls when I have them? It seems kind of like a fun thing to do, but I don’t know why. It all makes sense. I mean about the Elf- Queen and being a tamed unicorn and why you call him Master and why your boobies are so um, pretty, and how being a unicorn-wife works and why you would want a collar and a leash. The lady rabbits act all lovey-dovey before they find the rabbit-boy and that’s why you take your clothes off. Not all the time, sometimes you just take them off just because.”
Tanya said, “That why we can’t go upstairs.”
Jack said, “Because they might be doing wifely things like rabbits? Why not?”
Tanya said, “And because they might not wear clothes and they need privacy.”
Jack frowned and said, “I will follow the rules, but I don’t know why we would need to. Now that we know that it’s just rabbits and unicorn stuff, who cares if they do it. If they want to do it in the living room, we can just walk somewhere else and let them do it if they want to.”
Tanya said, “Because sometimes they yell and say funny things.”
Jack said, “Like Oh, yes, fuck me Master! Fuck my little pussy and make me your pretty play toy?”
Brenda gasped and said, “Jack!”
He looked at her questioningly and said, “What? That’s what you say now. Ichabod must have never done wifely things, but now you sound like you really like rabbit games and it’s nice to know that you are so happy. I didn’t know what those things meant, but I think now that it means that he has his penis in your lady part and you like that. I think that’s what fucking means. And a pussy is a name for the lady part between your legs. Isn’t that what it is?”
I said, “Jack, that is exactly what it is. Thank you for being understanding.”
Tanya said, “I think like Jack does too. Momma told me some of it, and it sounded weird, but she didn’t explain it like that. Probably because she didn’t know how because of Ichabod and Goblins don’t do it like rabbits. But I agree. If you want to do fucking and stuff together, go ahead and don’t worry about us. Go around fucking all over the house if you want to. I wish you would.”
I said, “Um, what? Um, wait, Tanya, um, why?”
She said, “Because of unicorns.”
We all looked at her blankly and she said, “Because unicorns like our mommas need to have fun and you do it right and they like it a lot and if you do rabbit wifely things anywhere you want then we don’t worry if you are feeling good and are happy and we don’t lay in bed wondering if we are all happy even though we seem to be because Ichabod was bad and we have bad memories and we think that there were bad secrets and momma would cry and so would Alice and now we don’t think they do, but if we knew for sure then it would be better and if you all go fucking whenever you want to then we will know because you like it when you say I want to suck your cock you big stud because you make me wet then we know you are having fun and Ichabod is gone because you never said those things when he was here. And you never smiled like you do now, and we think now it’s because you get all that wifely activity like rabbits and unicorn ladies.”
Jack said, “It makes sense. Did we get any of it wrong? Is it weird if you want to do that and Tanya and I just know that it’s wifely stuff and we will do that but not now because we don’t have wives to do it with yet?”
I looked to Brenda and she said, “Jack, I don’t think that you got any of it wrong. Thank you for being so mature and understanding. I think that we will still keep the wifely activities upstairs and you and Tanya will still respect our rules, but we won’t be afraid if we make a mistake and something happens.”
Jack said, “And I don’t care if you’re naked. You would be naked if we were swimming and so would I. I don’t care. Girls are pretty anyway, and we men don’t mind as long as it isn’t weird and stuff. I see you naked all the time. Not as much as before, but now that everything is like it’s supposed to be, who cares?”
I said, “This isn’t quite the way I expected all of this to go.”
Stacy said, “No, not at all. But this is good. And the children are right, and we should relax without being negligent or careless. And I understand our unicorn situation, and yes, I want a turn sitting beside you myself.”
Tanya said, “But that’s not all.”
Stacy said, “What else dear?”
Tanya pointed at April and said, “Her.”
April said, “Oh, yes, I have to tell you about it. Is this the right time? We haven’t started eating yet.”
Brenda said, “Oh my, you’re right! Everyone start eating. And put plenty on our Elf-King’s plate. He has two mouths to feed.”
Chapter 25 - And Now, a Word from April
When we had our food and were finally eating, Brenda said, “Before we go on, I want to say something. Jack and Tanya, you know that we don’t use those other words for wifely things all the time. We don’t say them in public, but only between mates for the most part. You understand that don’t you?”
Tanya said, “Well, I know we don’t, but I don’t know why.”
Jack said, “Because it’s code. It’s because they do things that are private lovey-dovey things and like how we wear clothes, but if we are swimming it’s OK to not wear clothes. When they use those words, it’s code and you don’t talk about it to just everyone. Just like Ronin and I talk about man things and use code sometimes. You don’t say boobies when you buy fruit at the market, but you might say that a lady has nice cantaloupes if you are lovey-dovey with her.”
Brenda said, “Well, that’s a good way of explaining it I guess.”
Tanya said, “So yeah, we won’t say those words unless we need to use the code and why would we. But what about April?”
Brenda looked around the table and the adults smiled and winked as if to say that it was all OK.
April took a breath and said, “We all know the story, don’t we? A few days ago, I was a 15-year-old girl and just a child. But then we found out that we didn’t know it all and now I’m a 27-year-old woman and ready for an Elf-boy. So, we have to tell people a story. They can’t know about Elves.”
Tanya said, “But what kind of a story? I could say that you were an enchanted princess and Ronin came and broke the curse, but they wouldn’t believe me, and it would look like you married your daddy.”
April smiled and said, “That’s exactly right. But Ronin has a story and I think it works out just fine. I’m wearing a dress because after dinner I am going on a pretend journey. I’m going to leave the house and go to a faraway village to visit our relatives and become an apprentice doing something that a girl would learn to do. Maybe to become a baker or a clothes maker. People will say, ‘Oh, how nice for her. You must miss her terribly.’”
Tanya grinned and said, “Oh, she was such a sweet girl. And so pretty. The village won’t be the same without her.”
April smiled and said, “But a little bit after I go away, someone is going to knock on the door and say that her name is Nova and even though she looks mostly just like April, she’s a different girl who is older. There’s more to the story, but Nova can tell you when she comes.”
Jack said, “A good plan. Well done Ronin. There will be no aspersions. April goes away and a new girl who looks older comes and no one thinks it’s strange at all. A very good plan. And I never liked April any
way.”
April exclaimed, “Jack! Why not?”
Tanya grinned and said, “Nope, me neither. She was too pretty and too nice. I’m glad that she’ll be happy with our relatives, but it’s better this way. We won’t miss her.”
April said, “Why not?”
Jack said, “Oh, don’t get all in a huff. You said that Nova will tell us about it when she comes, so we’ll tell her about things when she comes too. We’ll tell her all about you and she’ll see what we mean. But you better get on your way before it gets too late.”
Tanya said, “And don’t get eaten by a bear. It would smell awful. Thanks for being a good sister. Bring me a present if you come to visit.”
Jack said, “Don’t you trust us yet? Nova will see that we’re right about this. Hey, don’t eat too much food. Nova might want supper when she gets here.”
April said, “Aren’t you upset at all?”
Jack said, “Oh, we all knew this would happen someday.”
Tanya said, “Jack, we can write letters from April and she can tell us about her adventures and how happy she is and we can show them to Grandma Jean and get her to bake some cookies that we will send to April, but then we have to eat them and write a nice note about how much she enjoyed them and wants more soon.”
Jack said, “Well, we’d have to, wouldn’t we? How else will people believe our story? Are you finished with dinner? My spies and I could walk you to the edge of the village if you want us to.”
April said, “This isn’t what I had expected to happen.”
Jack said, “Did you expect us to be upset and beg you not to go and can’t you stay and play with us more? April has to go away, and Nova has to come, and everybody is happy. Unless you want to stay a little girl. Is that what you want? Girls are weird sometimes. But I guess we love them anyway. Who knows why?”
April said, “Um, well, I don’t want to stay a little girl and…”
Tanya laughed and said, “It’s a little late for that now! You got real lady boobs. If you wanted to stay a little girl, you should have thought of that before. I want everyone to know that I may have my own room now, but if anyone wants to sleep with me just sometimes, you can. Even Nova. But that’s why.”
I grinned and asked, “Why what Tanya?”
She said, “That’s why I need my own room. Because I’m growing up and need more closets for all the pretty dresses that you are going to buy me because I am going to ask you too.”
I imitated Jack from earlier and said, “It does explain it.”
Jack looked at me and said, “Ronin, you love this Nova girl? Like all wifely and love-dovey?”
I said, “I do indeed Jack.”
April said, “So, I guess I should say goodbye and whatever. I thought this would go differently.”
Jack said, “Are you still here?”
Tanya said, “I’m going to throw away all of April’s old clothes. They weren’t very nice. But I guess Goblin’s can’t afford nice things and don’t care if their daughters look like orphans. She’ll be happy with our relatives. As long as she doesn’t get eaten by a bear.”
April barked, “You infuriating little weasels! You know what? When Nova gets here, she’s going to be one of your mothers and I’m going to tell her that she needs to get you to do all the chores until you learn to respect her properly.”
Jack said, “Oh, we’ll respect Nova plenty properly. She’s Ronin’s mate, not some dumb teenager.”
April fumed and said, “Oh, forget it. It’s all ruined now!”
I smiled and said, “April, Sweetie, wait just a minute. I think that they are just saying that because they really will miss you.”
Then with the elven speech, I talked to Jack and Tanya silently. I had never talked to the children that way, but I took a chance.
I said, “Tanya and Jack, can you hear me?”
Both of them snapped their heads up and stared at me in amazement.
I said, “Good. Now listen. It’s important to April that she not be teased too much. We need her to make this transition in a happy way, not frustrated and angry. In order for her to feel like she wants wifely things with me, I need Nova to feel really loved by all of us. And she won’t if April is mad at how she was teased. Can you help me and make her happy so that I get to have a nice time tonight when I go to the upstairs of the house with her later? Please? For me?”
The two children kept looking at me in awe as I spoke, but now they both turned toward April.
Tanya said, “April, I was teasing you because I was so sad that you said that you are leaving. I’m sure that this Nova girl is nice enough, but you are my only sister and I am going to be so lonely. I know it’s pretend, but even pretend I might forget and really miss you. I don’t know if I’ll like Nova at all. What if she doesn’t like me and doesn’t know the games we like to play?”
Jack said, “Me too. I was teasing because I was distraught. I think distraught is the word. You are the best sister in the whole world and everything is changing so fast and we still need you to help us.”
Both of the rascals winked at me when April wasn’t looking. I smiled and winked back.
April had a tear in her eye and said, “Oh, I love you both so much! I am going to miss you too. But it’s going to be OK. I’m going to find Nova before she gets here and tell her all about you and all about how to play games and everything and you might think that she’s me anyway sometimes, just that she looks different than I used to. You’ll love her, and she’ll love you, just like I did.”
Jack said, “We’ll make her very welcome and we will treat her with love because of how we love you.”
Tanya said, “And we’ll write you letters and have Grandma Jean make cookies to send to you and we will think about you every day.”
April stood up and spread her arms and had the two of them come and give her a hug.
She said, “Well, I suppose that I should be on my way. I love you all.”
Alice said, “Sweetie, give all of us a hug and a kiss before you go. We know that you’ll be very happy with our relatives. Do you want us to walk with you?”
April began saying goodbye to each one of us and said, “No Momma. I should go by myself. I’m excited to get started now. Please don’t be too sad. It’s all going to be fine.”
We escorted her to the door and waved as she went into the street and walked away. We went back into the house and closed the door behind us.
Tanya said, “Jack, do you want to help me?”
Jack said, “Sure. With what?”
She grinned and said, “Throwing away April’s old clothes.”
Jack said, “OK, but we better hurry. Nova might be here soon. It won’t take April long to tell her all about us.”
The two of them grinned and scampered toward their rooms and left the women and I where we were.
We started back toward the dining room, but since we had finished eating, we went to the front room instead.
Before going to clear the dishes with Alice, Brenda said, “Ronin, the way you hold your pretty unicorn’s leash is very beautiful. It makes me feel loved to see you let her look at you that way.”
Shaheena grinned and lifted her head to show off the collar at her neck but didn’t say a word.
When we were seated in the front room, before I could say anything, Val called out for Brenda and Alice to leave the dishes for now and to join us for a bit before Nova came back. Dishes could wait for now. I started thinking about what to do next, but as the other women joined us, Val didn’t give me much of a chance to do anything.
She said, “Everyone, Ronin has been leading for several days and it has been one adventure after another. And it has been wonderful. We find treasure every time we turn our head or move our feet. Our lives are marvelous and none of us would want anything different. We won’t review all of our adventures and changes right now. We all know what we have been going through. And we couldn’t do it without all of us playing our part.”
Dawn said, “Val is the leader for now Ronin. Be still. You tell us over and over that the one who leads is the one whose time it is. Be still Beloved Husband and Prince. Val is Queen of the Elves right now.”
I looked at Dawn and then at Val and then at the rest, and they all nodded. Shaheena laid her cheek against my thigh and smiled and patted my leg.
Val smiled and said, “Nova is fine. I know exactly when she will arrive. Harmony is with her and she will come when she is supposed to come.”
I was surprised to see that Harmony wasn’t with us. I sat on a small sofa with Shaheena sitting on the floor at my feet. Dawn sat next to me on my left. Val sat across from me on a larger sofa with Stacy and Brenda, and Alice sat in a chair to my right.
I said, “They might be back any minute.”
Val said, “No, they won’t.”
I looked questioningly at her and she said, “I know because you taught us to know. I have been watching both her and Harmony since she left the house. She went out the door and waited. Harmony went out the tunnel and across the street to our offices. She opened the door and April went in with her. They are busy but taking their time and not hurrying. Harmony will ask me before they come back.”
Val smiled at me again and said, “Ronin, you taught us this. The Elven sight and speech, but moreover, careful planning.”
Alice said, “Is that how Tanya knew to talk about unicorns to say what was in Shaheena’s mind? Because you told her to?”
I glanced at Shaheena who shook her head and said, “No. I didn’t prompt her at all. I never thought to. And the truth is that I had intended to describe it as something very different than a unicorn. She came up with that on her own, and it was so much more perfect than what I had planned. I’m happier with her explanation than my own. I was reading my feelings wrong. She explained them to me better than I did myself.”
I said, “They are both remarkable children. The entire dinner was fun.”
Val said, “So now, we have time to rest for a moment. And Ronin, you have time to relax and get a massage or make love or just meditate and take a bath.”
The Heart of the Falcon: The Guardian Maidens Book 3 Page 24