by Mlyn Hurn
Avalon turned as she heard the thunder of hooves behind her. She smiled as she saw her husband. She didn’t see his furious expression at first. “Good afternoon, husband! I’m nearly done here, just a few more minutes.” She turned back to her gathering as he dismounted. When he didn’t reply, she looked up at him about a minute later. She was immediately struck by the look on his face. “Is something wrong, sir? Is it your father?”
Brand shook his head angrily. “Where the devil have you been, woman?”
Avalon stared up at him. The force of his anger stunned her. “I’ve been in the field all day, sir. I told the guard at the side gate where I would be.”
Brand could see by the look on her face that she was surprised at his anger. He knew he was acting out of proportion, but the fury he had felt when he realized that she had gone missing once again, compounded by the fear when he couldn’t find her, had been overwhelming and clouded his reason. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. “Come, I’ll take you back with me.”
Avalon smiled up at him. “I need a few more things first. You can go on back and I’ll walk back when I’m finished. I don’t mind.”
Brand could see that she was too preoccupied in what she was doing to pick up on his unspoken cues. He considered pulling her up and tossing her onto his horse, but he paused in his actions. Things had been going so well between them of late that he didn’t want to “upset the apple cart,” so to speak. After a moment, he dropped the destrier’s reins, knowing he wouldn’t move until commanded, and lay down beside his wife. He watched her lean down and peer at what looked like a weed, in his opinion, and then she carefully worked her fingers down to the earth and eased it free, bringing it with its roots pretty much intact.
“Might one inquire as to what you are doing? My father has a hothouse of flowers if that is what you are seeking.”
Avalon didn’t look up from her task of gently shaking the dirt from the root. She shook her head though. “I don’t want those kinds of flowers yet. I’m starting with what grows wild, in nature.” She carefully placed it in her bag. She then opened a small book and wrote in it. Brand watched as she shifted her bottom, and then scooted a few feet to the left. She seemed intent on a blade of grass this time, and he admitted that maybe this marriage and uprooting her from her home had been too much for her. Perhaps she had lost her wits from the strain.
“If you want flowers in your room, Avalon, you have but to ask,” Brand offered as a solution to a problem he wasn’t sure of.
Avalon shook her head. “No, but thank you. I must follow the instructions exactly, that is what the book says, or it won’t work.” She paused to study something, but shook her head, closed her bag, and came to her feet. “I’m ready to go back if you are,” she told him with a smile.
Brand followed her over to the huge horse waiting so placidly. He took her sacks and looped them over the horn of his saddle. He mounted and then held his hand down for Avalon. As he looked down at her mussed hair and grass-stained clothes, he was struck by how youthful she looked. She could easily be mistaken for a young girl, as long as one didn’t look beneath the loose fitting clothing. Avalon hiked her skirts up and put her foot atop his and then took his hand. He easily pulled her up to sit in front of him.
* * * * *
Avalon shifted to get a sturdy hold because she expected him to gallop back to the castle. She was quite surprised when he set the horse to a gentle amble across the field, as if he had all the time in the world. She felt his arm encircle her waist.
“We haven’t ridden like this since after the wedding.”
Avalon flushed remembering the trip to his home. She shook her head, not saying anything. She had been embarrassed as some of her adventures had been recounted over the dinner table, or she overheard the servants whispering. She felt him catch the reins with the hand at her waist while the other hand came up and brushed her hair to one side. He lowered his head and lightly kissed the side of her neck, just below her ear. He moved up and lightly nibbled and teased the lobe of her ear. She shivered at his touch.
Ever since their arrival at his parents’ home, he had kept all of his amorous advances confined to their bedroom. He had made love to her every night since they had arrived, and often more than once a night. She often overslept in the morning, and when she would come downstairs, she would be greeted with “newlyweds” and “you remember how it used to be.” And Avalon would blush once again.
* * * * *
Brand moved his hand back around her waist and up to cup her breast. He let the gentle bouncing caused by the horse’s gait move the globe in his hand. His fingers brushed the already hard nipple, and he heard a soft sigh escape Avalon’s lips. Brand smiled as he continued to nibble her ear and play with her breast. He stopped a short distance from the gate, not wanting anyone to see him fondling his wife in public. He rode to the front steps and dismounted. He tossed the reins to a young stable boy, who had run across the yard to take charge of his master’s steed. Brand reached up and lifted Avalon down. When she stumbled, he caught her, seeing her blush.
Brand wondered if Avalon’s “weak knees” could be blamed on her response to his playful lovemaking during their ride back to the castle. He doubted she would credit it, but he was hopeful. The surprise on her face was quite evident when he didn’t leave immediately. She blushed when she heard him order dinner to be delivered to their room later, and then he walked up the stairs with her.
The door no sooner shut than he took her sacks from her and lifted her into his arms. He traveled the few steps to the bed and lay her down. He was beside her a moment later, and moving her clothes out of his way.
* * * * *
Avalon gasped as he bared her legs and caressed her soft lips between them, finding her wetness already pooling there. He managed to shift her upper clothes and bare her breasts to his mouth. While he sucked and teased her breasts and nipples, his hand found her pleasure point, and worked it without mercy until she cried out in ecstasy. He moved over her, and filled her wet, clenching channel slowly, easing himself into her body. When he was fully seated, he had her lift her legs and encircle his hips.
His hips began moving more quickly, thrusting into her heat, and pulling back. Her flesh clung and tugged at his hard male organ each time he pulled back, making each movement more erotic and arousing. And then, without warning, he cried out and stiffened. His body jerked forward and back quickly and filled her womb with his seed.
He rolled them on the bed so she was lying over him, draped across him like wet cloth. He repositioned her legs to lie atop his, capturing and holding his cock within her cunt. He wanted to keep his seed buried inside her so it might take root and get her with child. He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think she’d had her monthlies since they had wed. But he had also learned that some women never had them regularly.
He had been busy since his marriage learning other useful things as well. One interesting fact he learned was that by elevating a woman’s hips immediately after making love could sometimes help as well. So the last few nights, he had propped Avalon’s bottom on a couple of pillows, and asked her to stay there, but didn’t give her any explanation. She had fallen asleep and slid off them, and he managed to not reawaken her to reposition them beneath her once again.
Brand heard Avalon’s soft snore, and realized she had fallen asleep, literally on top of him. He smiled. He wished he knew whom to ask about Avalon’s monthlies. If his own mother were alive, he might ask her to broach the subject, but he didn’t feel comfortable enough with his stepmother for that topic. He was sure that Althea would know, but he didn’t think he should approach her. He did finally decide with a great sigh of relief, just before he dozed off, that he would ask Gandalf to ask Althea.
Chapter 10
Avalon was out in the field near the side entrance the following day when she heard her name being called. She looked up and saw it was Althea. She waved to her, inviting her to join her. Althea was on
horseback, so she crossed the field quickly. She dismounted and looked at her cousin, who was sifting through flowers, weed and grass.
“What the devil are you up to now, Avalon?”
Avalon looked up at her cousin and grinned. “I’m on an adventure, Althea. And it is a secretive one at that. Can you keep a secret?”
Althea paused before answering. It wasn’t good for a wife to have secrets from her husband, especially if the husband were Lord Brandeis. But she nodded her head once, and sat down beside Avalon.
“The most amazing thing happened to me. I met this old woman in the courtyard. She was one of the peasants who came through to sell different things. She didn’t seem to be doing too well, so I brought her food each morning I found her there. On the third morning, she gave me this wonderful old book. After I’d removed the wrapping, I discovered it was how to make all different kinds of scents, and even medicinal potions and unguents are in there. When I went back to thank her, she was gone. So, now I’m gathering what I need, as specified in the book, and then I will start the process of drying, or extracting oils. Who knows what kinds of wonderful things I can make!”
* * * * *
Althea looked at Avalon’s excited face. She didn’t want to discourage, but somehow she didn’t think Brand would want his wife to be an alchemist of any sort. But she also knew how Avalon had been chafing at nothing to do. She had no interest in sewing, recipes, or gossip, as the other ladies of the castle. At least she had not gone hurrying off on one of her independent hunting expeditions. Or, if she had, no one had found out about it yet. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she proceeded with her mission.
“Avalon, there is something I need to talk to you about.”
Avalon didn’t look up, but filled Althea’s lap with different kinds of weeds. “I’m looking for one like this,” she held up the example. And just as quickly went back to poking among the grass and weeds.
“Avalon, dearest, there are things we talked about, before you were married. Do you remember?”
Avalon looked at Althea and grinned. “Silly! We talked about everything, so what are you talking about?”
Althea realized why Brand had gone to Gandalf for her help, instead of confronting her straight on. “Have you been feeling well in the mornings?”
Avalon didn’t look up as she replied. “Sleepy is all. I am tired a lot, but I started taking a nap, and that is helping. Of course, if Brand would let me sleep through the night, I probably would wake up feeling great.”
Althea blushed. “Well, dearest, that’s how it is with husbands. Since you mention it, it reminded me of something else I was wishing to discuss with you.”
“They certainly can be a pain, can’t they? Is that why you are here? I do hope you are happy with Gandalf. He does seem to be a nice enough fellow, but you can’t tell always by how they are in public.”
Althea gasped in surprise and choked back a laugh. “I’m very happy, Avalon. But, since your mother died and I became your mentor as you grew up, I feel it is my place to discuss something with you now.” Althea paused as she looked at the mess of weeds in her lap. “I was wondering about your monthlies. You always would come to me, when we lived at your father’s. And I just wondered how you were getting along, and if you needed to talk about anything. You know, about being married, or anything like that.”
Althea stopped, out of breath, but still took a mental sigh of relief that she had finally gotten the gist of her speech said. She looked at Avalon, but she was still looking at the grass. She suddenly shrieked, and began digging in the earth with her fingers. Less than a moment later Avalon held up proudly what was probably the most ugly-looking weed with the longest roots that Althea had ever seen.
“Ah hah! I’ve been looking for this all day. Now, what were you saying, Althea?”
Althea closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She took a deep breath. “I was asking if you were having any troubles with your monthly flow. Or if you had any questions about married life, or the like.”
Avalon finished putting the precious weed in her bag. “I haven’t had any since we left home. So, I guess they haven’t bothered me. And as far as married life, it’s all right. Uhm, is your married life all right, Althea?”
Althea wasn’t sure what to do now. She sat in stunned silence for a couple of moments, trying to take it all in. She finally regained her composure. “My married life is wonderful, Avalon. Gandalf is a wonderful man and an excellent husband. But I think we need to discuss something else…”
Avalon nodded and reached for the wine flask she had filled with water. She drank and then offered some to Althea. Althea took a swig and wished it had been wine. She was tempted to return to Gandalf with the news, and let Brand deal with the next part. Before she could go on, Avalon was standing.
“Well, I’ve enjoyed chatting, Althea. But I must get back and start drying these all out. We should do this more often. In fact, maybe you would like to start helping me gather things.”
Althea stood, half-relieved and half-stymied. Before she could decide what to do next, Avalon kissed her cheek, and then took off at a near run back across the field with her sacks in tow. Althea mounted her horse slowly, and rode back to the separate quarters within the castle that she shared with Gandalf.
She wasn’t at all surprised to find Brand seated at her kitchen table with her husband. He looked up at her hopefully as she came through the doors. Althea wondered if her frustration was evident on her face.
Gandalf rose and kissed his wife, and offered to pour her some water. She surprised him by saying she needed a glass of wine. She drank it straight down, and ignored the surprised expressions of both the men. Setting the flagon back down on the table firmly, she folded her hands in front of her.
“I tried my best, but Avalon was quite distracted. And no matter how I tried to redirect her, she was always seeing something that wasn’t there.” She stopped and held her glass out for more wine. Her husband only gave her half a glass this time. She sipped it, several times. “I did try, honestly. I believe that she is pregnant, but completely unaware of it.”
Althea lifted her glass and drained it down, letting her words settle in. When she looked at Brand, he didn’t look happy.
“How can she be unaware of it? She’s a woman, and she should know these things!”
Gandalf tried to choke back his laughter, but to no avail. Althea saw her husband laughing and was unable to stop her own from bubbling forth. Brand’s glare didn’t stop either of them.
“I am sorry, milord, but Avalon’s mind was somewhere else the whole time. And when I started to ask her about married life, well, she assumed I was having problems! You can imagine my frustration. Anyway, it took quite a while before I finally learned that she has not had her monthly flow since your wedding. Therefore, she is probably several months along. I couldn’t tell today, but has she had any physical changes?”
Brand flushed. The fact that he was talking about this had him embarrassed, and also stunned that he was discussing it at all, with anyone! He had hoped that Althea would handle it all. “Possibly, but I haven’t really taken the time to look. I meant to study her in detail…Oh, hell!”
He stopped as Gandalf started on a new fit of laughter. He stood abruptly, looking at his cousin and best friend with disgust. “I can see I’ll get no more help here!” he announced with disdain, and walked out.
* * * * *
Brand waited until at least an hour after Avalon had retired for bed. He had formulated a plan in his head. He would wait until she was asleep, and then he’d creep in, and pull back the covers to look at his wife’s body in detail. Hating that it felt like he was sneaking around, he reminded himself that he needed to check her for a rounded belly, or whether her breasts looked fuller, or different.
In theory it was a good plan. It fell short of success in that in the hour he had to wait, he ended up sitting with his fellow knights and drinking. By the time he recalled his
plan, since he had first started drinking to forget it, he had a hard time just walking up the stairs to his bedchamber. He did manage to open the door without too much noise, and walk across the room to the bed.
He was glad to see that Avalon had left a candle burning at the bedside, since he had forgotten to bring one. Reminding himself to be quiet, he pulled the covers down. He found that Avalon had gone to sleep naked, as he often had her do when they made love. So he found it really quite easy to look at his wife’s naked body.
Easing down to sit beside her sleeping form, he let his eyes move over her face and down to her firm and full breasts. He paused, considering and thinking, and then decided he needed to check her belly. He let his eyes rove down and stared at her slightly rounded tummy. Of course, with her lying on her back, it was rather difficult to tell.
Then he hit upon the excellent idea of checking her physically, with his hands. That he might awaken her was beyond his mental capabilities at that moment. He reached out and cupped one breast. He held it for a moment, and then squeezed it. Not too sure with his findings, he massaged it, stopping to catch the nipple between his fingers as it hardened, and then just cupping it again. He sat for a few minutes, and then decided he would have to check the other. He spent just as much time assessing the other breast, when he decided he would have to do them at the same time. It was as he was holding and checking both breasts, that Avalon opened her eyes.
* * * * *
Avalon looked at her husband, and realized that he was most decidedly “in his cups.” Of course, she had seen many of her father’s knights and soldiers in a similar state, but this was the first time for her husband. She studied his face as he molded and weighed her breasts, all the time looking quite serious and thoughtful. His touch felt different than when he usually was intent on making love to her. She spoke and startled him.