by Golden Angel
She took her dinner in her own chamber, although she didn't eat any of it. Being with the celebrating staff and her father was too much for her to bear.
That night, she cried herself to sleep again, bitter shaking sobs for the position her life had put her in.
Chapter 9
In the morning Gwendolyn was loaded into a carriage with her father and Brandy, sad brown face gazing wistfully at the meadow where she and Al had spent so much time together. As her amber eyes glinted sorrowfully in the sun, one tear rolled down her cheek.
"Ah, there, there my dear," her father said, patting her hand. "You won't be so far away! There will be plenty of chances for you to come home for a visit, whenever you like." He smiled happily at his pride and joy and she forced a smile back, relieved that he didn't know the real cause of her distress.
The carriage bumped and rolled along, taking her further and further from the place where she had been so briefly happy. It felt as though her heart was slowly closing in her chest, and she wanted nothing more than to jump out of the carriage and run back home, back to the clearing and wait there until Al appeared once more. They could live together in the forest and be happy and nothing would ever bother them again.
Sighing, she turned her face away from the sun that had once shined warmly on their bodies as they loved, feeling cold and empty inside. How wrong was it that she should be forced to marry some man she'd never met, especially when she was in love with another? Useless to protest though, and by all accounts her father had done well by her. The prince was young, near her age, and said by all to be handsome and wonderfully charming. She could have done much worse. There were many noble ladies visiting the keep with husbands two or three times their age, fat and rude. Shuddering at the thought of having to bed a husband like that, she reflected glumly that perhaps she should consider herself most lucky to have escaped such a gruesome fate. Still, the fact that the prince was young had its drawbacks too - he'd want to bed often, especially since he would require a heir and a spare (as the saying went.). Well, he could have her body but never her heart.
No, her heart was flying somewhere free in a clearing with a brown haired peasant lad. If only her body didn't ache so to be there as well.
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Upon their arrival there was much bustle in the courtyard and the King and Queen themselves came out to greet them, making excuses for the prince who was away on much needed business. He would meet his bride tomorrow at court and the next day they would be wed. Planting a smile on her face, only Gwendolyn's eyes showed her sadness as she greeted her future parents, as they exclaimed over her beauty and manners, bestowing many compliments on her humble personage.
She was swept up into the Queen's chambers where she was surrounded by eager seamstresses, pinning long swathes of white fabric around her body. Wedding plans abounded as the Queen and her ladies chattered and tried to make her feel at home, Brandy was immediately caught up in the excitement and joined in as if one of their own. Trying not to make a face - or worse, burst into unhappy tears in front of the Queen - she suffered through the fittings, the gossip and the chattering. Heart heavy, she wandered around one of the rooms as everything bustled about her, eventually sitting at one of the window seats and resting her head on the sill of the open window.
Below her was a rosebush and apparently underneath there was a bench. She could just barely see two heads of hair - one brown and one blonde - and make out two girls gossiping there. What she heard made her heart sink.
"Where be the prince?" the blonde one asked. "Tis fair strange that he be not here to meet his bride!"
"You just miss his charming face," giggled the brunette. "You silly wench… but truth be told his body servant told me this morning that he be in a terrible temper upon hearing that he's to be wed! His father told him naught, knowing the prince's liking for his hunting and hawking, he kept the news from him until it be too late to back out!"
The blonde laughed merrily. "Oh!! What a tizzy he must be in! I've never seen him in a temper before but I bet he looks right nice anyway."
"You light skirt!" her friend accused her. "I'm surprised you haven't put yourself in his bed before!"
"Aye, and now it be too late!" The two girls tittered, and Gwendolyn moved away feeling sick.
Bad enough that she must marry where she willed not, but apparently her husband-to-be had no wish to marry either, not wanting to lose his independence. But the maids were right, it was much too late to back out now. What if she were to just disappear? Never to be found again, no disgrace could be had upon her father that way…
"Lady Gwendolyn, come here and look at these flowers." The Queen's commanding voice interrupted her thoughts and she obeyed.
That night it was mournful thoughts of what might had been that filled her head, her slight form silhouetted in the moonlight as she stood at the window. Sighing heavily, her amber eyes were dull as she looked over her new home. Just how hard would it be to escape and run back to her and Al's special clearing? Perhaps Brandy… No. Her maid didn't owe her that much, and she'd be in much more trouble for her mistress disappearing under her knows.
Looking back up at the twinkling stars and glowing moon she wondered if Al was somewhere out there doing the same.
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The morning was tons of hustle and bustle, and she was carefully bedecked in a heavily embroidered gown of light blue, strands of pearls and diamonds set about her neck. Brown braids were wrapped carefully about her head and crowned with a tiara of silver and sapphires. Looking in the mirror she saw herself, Lady Gwendolyn. A woman not meant for a peasant bride. But she could almost see herself in peasant garb superimposed over this scene of elegance and finery.
"Come my Lady." Brandy was at her elbow, her maid dressed in silks for the occasion with a single strand of beads about her neck.
Nodding, Lady Gwendolyn turned, her heart ice - as it would be forever more - and she followed her maid to court, to meet the man she would wed on the morrow
Chapter 10
Lady Gwendolyn descended the staircase, bedecked in gems and silks with her maidservant a few steps behind in. Before her was the court, spread out in brilliant colors and sparkling jewels, a long pathway to the thrones lay before her. In front of the thrones were the King and Queen, looking resplendent in purple and crimson. Beside them, leaning around the throne to talk to someone, was a man whom she guessed must be her new husband as he was the only other person on the dais. She traveled through the room as his back remained turned to her, feeling nauseous and sick that her husband wasn't even looking at her so intent was he in his conversation. The impulse to flee back to Al’s and her clearing was at its strongest and she felt sure that if so many eyes were not upon her she would run for it.
Stepping up to stand before the King and Queen, her husband-to-be still turned away and speaking in whispers to what she now saw was the King's Seneschal behind the throne, she curtsied.
"Lady Gwendolyn, you grace us with your presence," the King smiled benignly at her, handsome and kindly expression as he grabbed the arm of his son and pulled him around. "May I introduce your husband-to-be, Prince Alexander; Alexander your future wife the Lady Gwendolyn."
The man turned and she looked into very familiar and warm brown eyes and thought she would faint, sound rushed in her ears and it seemed as though the whole world was melting away as they gazed at each other, completely shocked.
"Now, I wish to see you share a dance so that you may get to know each other." Somehow the King's voice managed to break through the spell as he shoved his son towards her, who nimbly caught her about the waist and pulled her the floor where they posed for the first step as the musicians started to play.
"Al…?" Her voice was soft, unsure, and she felt as though she was in some kind of dream which was sure to turn into a horrible nightmare because nothing could possibly be this wonderful.
"My Gwennie…" His eyes w
ere devouring her, his arm strong about her waist as they danced. "So you are my Lady after all…"
"Oh Al!" She could feel tears sparking in her eyes as joy and relief flooded her body.
"Shh," he said, smiling with all the happiness of the world. "No crying… we must try and get to know each other."
That made her laugh. "Yes, we must."
Up on the dais the Queen leaned over to the King. "You see? I told you that once he saw her they'd be fine."
"It's not the dress." the King grumbled.
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Never before had a bride and bridegroom looked so joyous as they kissed, the watching crowd cheering wildly as their Prince was married to a Lady of their own Kingdom! There were celebrations in the streets as the banquet and festivities went on in the castle. Mimes, jugglers, tamed animals, acrobats, musicians… there was nothing lacking in the spectacular feast that the royal family had laid out for this momentous occasion. Both the Prince and his new Princess bore it up nobly, no one else in the room even guessing how eager they were to depart from their feast to consummate the marriage.
To Gwendolyn's surprise (and some distress) her father broke down crying, tears of happiness for his daughter and sorrow for losing her. Looking embarrassed, her brother patted him on the back and threw a helpless look to his sister who shrugged and turned away so her father could recover himself. She was very grateful that her older brother had been able to come back from the outskirts of their lands where he had been settling disputes in time for her wedding, even more so since her father was now left in very good hands.
Finally it was time for the happy bridegroom and bride to depart, and they were swept up to their separate changing rooms where they were prepared for the night.
"Now you mustn't be afraid, my Lady," her maid chattered at her as her heart fluttered with excitement. "Men can be brutal beasts I'm told, but you must just smile and bear it and try to flatter him on his prowess. I'm sure that once he's gotten a heir upon you he'll leave you alone and you'll have some rest from him. Try not to think about the pain just remember that it will soon be over with. It will probably feel good eventually, although noblemen aren’t too fussed about whether or not a woman enjoys herself." On and on Brandy lectured, trying to comfort her mistress for the upcoming event, while Gwendolyn's eyes blazed happiness and she ignored every word that Brandy said.
Dressed in a light satin gown she was tucked into bed and her maid gave her one last kiss on the forehead, her voice now a mere whisper. "Now remember, you don't have to stay in his bed if you don't want to, once he breaks your maiden head and puts his spunk inside of you, you can leave as soon as he falls asleep. I'll wait up in the other chamber."
Gwendolyn smiled gently, and kissed her maid's cheek. "Thank you Brandy, but that won't be necessary, I think I'll be staying the night here."
"Well, I'll wait up for awhile anyway, in case you change your mind," said the loyal blonde firmly, nodding her head at her mistress' braveness as she left the room. No one could fault her mistress for lack of courage, that was sure.
Nervously Gwendolyn tugged at her satin gown, suddenly unsure of herself. What if he was displeased with her? After all, he’d thought she was a peasant before. What if it did hurt too much? What if something went terribly and horribly wrong? It didn't seem like this much happiness could possibly be real. Thoughts flew through her head, making her more and more nervous, anxiety burning a hole in her stomach. When the door suddenly opened and Al appeared, clad only in a brocade robe, she almost gasped with relief at the interruption to her thoughts.
"My Lady." His endearment for her, like a benediction, was all he murmured as he flew across the room after closing the door, shedding his robe as he crossed to the bed. Then he was on her, lips devouring her own, fingers tracing burning paths of arousal up her body.
"Oh Al…" she said, moaning.
"Alexander…" He nuzzled his lips against her collarbone as he began to pull her nightgown up and over her head. "I have wished for so long that you could call me by my real name, as you are now my Gwendolyn."
"Alexander." She sighed his name as the gown slipped completely off her as his face and hands buried themselves in her breasts, making her moan with delight. Everything seemed so much headier as they were now completely free to love each other, happiness filling their hearts along with their mutual desire. Gwendolyn moaned as he sucked on her hard nipple, the sensation running through her sweet cunny. They kissed and touched every part of each other, reveling in each other's bodies, celebrating their love and its completion in their marriage.
Spreading her thighs with his hands he began to lick and suck at her sweet juices, and Gwendolyn panted as her hands wound in his hair.
"Come here," she pleaded prettily, "I want to taste you as well."
Brown eyes looked up from between her creamy thighs.
"Not yet," he said. "We will become man and wife tonight… there are many other nights for other things." The heat in his voice made her shiver in delight.
She moaned and gasped as he ate her, making her as wet as he possibly could for the coming intrusion. Licking his way over her shaved mound he pressed his lips against each of her tender nipples and then their lips met again, tongues dancing gaily, as his stiffie began to travel between her thighs. Nudging wetly against her pinkness, he moaned her name again as it found her virgin hole.
Gwendolyn shuddered as his thick cockie started to press into her tender folds, feeling her body opening for him. He pressed forward until he reached the barrier, and then he lifted his mouth up from hers and gazed lovingly into her eyes.
"It will hurt my dear Gwendolyn," he said, looking at her tenderly.
"I know," she said. "And I have hurt for you once and would willingly do so again… take me my Knight, my Prince, my Alexander, my husband. Make me your wife."
Smiling down at her happy face his lips caught hers in a kiss, her cry muffled by his mouth as he broke through the barrier. Slowing his thrust he held himself in place as a few tears leaked from her eyes. Carefully, he began working himself into her deflowered body, inch by tender inch. Gwendolyn moaned as she stretched, and she spread her legs a little wider to accommodate these new sensations, the pain slowly fading away as her joy with her husband was renewed. Gently he pressed into her, letting her adjust to his invading member, feeling her sheath tight and wet around him as he buried himself in her. Sighing happily, her arms reached up around his neck, pulling him close to her as he began steady slow thrusts in and out of her, his lips pressing against her neck, her collarbone and her sweet mouth.
New sensations ran through her body as he pressed against her, his body hard and comforting against her soft curves. Breasts flattened against his chest, she felt wonderfully and decadently his, able to express it in every way possible, reveling in the feeling of his hardness moving in her; their love expressing itself in a way saved for man and wife alone. It filled her with joy and burning pleasure as her hips began to move up against his downward thrusts, their bodies melding in sensual delight, a dance of love and harmony that had begun weeks ago and was only now being completed.
Moaning and gasping they moved together, sweat making their bodies glisten as they made love, the smells and sounds of passionate loving filling the room. Kissing tenderly, their eyes would meet and smile at each other as his penis filled her, making her a creature of pleasure that was all his and his alone.
It was passion and joy in every thrust as they moved, lips covering each other's bodies, tongues tracing small trails as Gwendolyn arched and heaved beneath him, her soft body enticing him to harder and harder thrusts. She squealed and whimpered, delighted by his slow loss of control, knowing instinctively that it was because of her, because of his need for her. His hands were buried in her unbound hair for the first time as he moaned, her sweet scent filling his nose… he felt like she'd intoxicated him, taken over his entire being as he filled her body, pleasure running over him in
waves as he tried to hold off his climax, waiting for her body to catch up to his.
Yearning and moving beneath him, Gwendolyn could feel that elusive burning sensation as he rubbed against her little love button, and she squirmed so that each of his thrusts pressed it firmly. Rubbing and wriggling, she started to pant as the heat between her legs started to mount, molten liquid that he burrowed into, spearing her with pleasurable thrust. Arching her back she cried out his name "ALEXANDER! OH ALEXANDER!" over and over, her sweet juices coating his member as she thrashed and convulsed beneath him. Finally he could let go and he slammed her body hard with a few well-aimed thrusts, and moaned her name into her hair as his fluid finally began to pour into her womb, filling her with his hot cream.
Nuzzling, they came down from their orgasm together, completely happy for the first time in their lives. Still on top of her and inside her, Alexander held her close and she kept her arms wrapped tightly around him, never wanting to let go.
"I feel as though this must be a dream…" she whispered to him, "One that I never want to wake up from."
"Oh, no, not a dream," he smiled at her. "In a dream we'd be in a clearing, and we wouldn't have to face the kingdom tomorrow when everyone will know exactly what we've done tonight." Gwendolyn moaned in embarrassment and her cheeks flushed pink as she realized the truth in his words. He laughed at her and asked, teasing. "So, are you going to keep your promise never to let your new husband be pleasured with your mouth or bum?"
Gwendolyn grinned impishly up at him. "Of course not."
"Oh dear," he sighed, pretending disappointment in her sweet wantonness. "Methinks I married a wench!" And they both laughed as she squealed insult and hit him with a pillow before he could press his lips against hers for another kiss.
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