The Grey Dawn

by Stacey DeMichael

  “Must I get down on one knee in the shape that I am in? Don’t just open and close your mouth like that. If there is one thing that’s true about you, it’s that you are never at a loss for words,” Valen said sarcastically, but his eyes were soft.

  She shook her head. It wasn’t true. She was completely at a loss for words. “I have no dowry.”

  He laughed softly and then groaned as he lowered himself onto one knee. “Marry me, Ellalee, and I will spent my life trying to be worthy of your love.”

  “Do you love me?”

  “What I said in that chamber was the truth. I have loved you since you arrived at my fire. I just didn’t believe that anyone could love someone as scarred as I was, inside and out, a beast of a man.”

  Ellalee sighed, “It’s funny because I don’t see your scars anymore.”

  “My knee hurts,” Valen grumbled. “Are you going to answer eventually?”

  “Yes, I will marry you.” Ellalee smiled at him as he stood back up before her.

  “Pray tell, dear lady, what do you see?”

  “The face of my beloved,” she said and put her hand on his face and standing on her on her tiptoes she softly kissed his lips.

  He groaned, pulled her closer, and kissed her passionately. She could feel herself melting into his arms.

  Then Valen chuckled, “We will need to be married soon. Ow! Don’t hug me! The ribs, beloved, the ribs.”

  Chapter Thirty: A Squire, a Bride, and a Wife and a Half

  Ellalee rubbed her burgeoning belly as she sat watching her lady’s maid complete Daniella’s hair. Daniella had never looked so enchanting.

  “You are a beautiful bride,” Ellalee said as she reflected back on all the changes that had happened in the two years since they’d eradicated the castle of the curse and sent Mistress Murray and the swindling steward to the king for trial along with the body of “ghost” of Castle de Avium to be displayed in a gibbet. Displaying the dead body was Kent’s idea, which Ellalee thought was particularly gruesome.

  In fairness, the publicity seemed to have the desired effect. Few feared the earl or his castle any more. Rather than infamy, Lord Valen was now the object of popular curiosity. Invitations continued to flood into Avium, though only a few were accepted. Lady Ellalee had a better head for society and rather enjoyed the social events whenever she could drag her husband to them. These days, however, were spent mostly with close friends as her time was only a couple months away.

  “Is he here yet?” Daniella asked.

  “Christopher and Kent will be here. Don’t you worry! They left a week ago from Bressott. I am surprised it has taken them this long. But you know how Kent and Christopher always manage to find trouble. You’d think one of them, knight or squire, would have some common sense.”

  “That’s what worries me,” Daniella said.

  “Uh, this baby won’t stay still. I don’t think it ever sleeps,” Ellalee complained, rubbing her belly.

  Daniella laughed. “Well, then it must be a girl because she is just like you.”

  “Ha! All I do is sit still. If I even so much as stand too quickly, Valen rushes to my side. Do you know I dream of running?”

  Daniella just laughed again. “Oh, I think that will be a dream coming true! I bet once this little one gets to walking, you’ll find that you rue this day where you complained about sitting too much.”

  Ellalee laughed too.

  There was a knock on the door. Ellalee groaned as she pushed to her feet.

  “They are ready for you,” Winslow announced. Winslow looked at Ellalee with such pride that she often felt like she was some prized brood mare.

  “Are they here?” Daniella asked.

  “Oh yes. Came in with the Baron de Bressott complaining of how slow the entourage moved. You won’t believe it, but I swear Christopher has grown since we’ve seen him last. He came in right through the kitchen door telling Cook that he was starving. I think when Lord Valen straightened his leg, he hollowed it out as well. It is the only explanation for where he puts all that food,” Winslow said and gave his dry raspy chuckle.

  “I’ll go down and wait for you to come,” Ellalee said and gave her sister a kiss on the cheek.

  “And I will escort you,” Winslow said.

  Ellalee gave Daniella the side eye, and Daniella laughed.

  The ceremony was lovely, and Sir Walter, head knight of Castle de Avium, was proud to escort Daniella, his beautiful bride, to a celebration supper in the main hall.

  The Baron de Bressott had come by invitation and at Valen’s insistence. Ellalee had declined every opportunity to visit the baron and fastidiously avoided him when testimony was given to the king, and she intended to continue doing just that.

  At the celebration, Valen never left her side, even when the baron caught sight of them and began making his way over. Ellalee tried to slither out of Valen’s grasp, but he held fast to her arm.

  “I’m feeling unwell, Valen,” Ellalee demurred.

  Valen was not fooled and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Have I let harm come to you? Why fear this man now? Would it help if I brought you a skillet?” Valen’s eyes were warm with humor.

  She frowned at the baron as he approached.

  “This is a lovely affair, Valen. It does my heart good to see the doors opened at Avium once more,” the baron stated with a short bow.

  “I’m glad you are here, William. I’m sorry that my wife and I have not visited. Her condition makes travel difficult at present,” Valen replied evenly.

  The baron cleared his throat. “It would seem, my lady, an apology is not only owed but overdue. I investigated your claims as Valen suggested, and I found that Miss Bane was indeed stealing the wages of others.”

  Ellalee nodded but said nothing.

  “She was put in the stocks for three days, and should have lost her hand for theft. Alas, Valen suggested a more suitable arrangement. She has taken over as laundress under a new housekeeper who keeps a very sharp eye on her.” The baron watched for Ellalee’s reaction and getting none, frowned and continued, “You should not have had to steal to feed your family while you were employed by me. I knew your father by reputation before his untimely demise and was unaware that his children had moved to my village seeking wages. I would like us to be on better terms than we seem to be now,” the baron said. “Forgive me if I have upset you in your delicate condition, but my apology is long overdue.”

  Ellalee looked up at Valen’s placid face. His look gave her no clue as to how she should respond. Apparently, he was willing to accept whatever her decision was regarding this apology. She still had nightmares of that day in Bressott. She took in a long breath and then looked back at the baron, “And I was wrong to steal instead of coming to you, Baron de Bressott. However, if all had not happened just as it did, would we be here today? I’m grateful, even for the hard and scary parts. Let us part this day as friends. Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to sit for a moment. I stay weary these days,” she said and smiled.

  “Of course,” the baron ducked his head respectfully and looked very relieved. Valen looked proud.

  Valen found her a few moments later, passing her a cup of cider, as he sat down next to her. “I love you.”

  “And I love you, treasure of my heart,” Ellalee responded resting her head on her husband’s shoulder.

  “Alright, love birds, break it up,” Kent growled as he approached with Christopher striding at his side. Valen pulled her up to the feet she was having trouble seeing, and Ellalee took in the sight of her brother and the difficult Sir Kent. Every time she saw Christopher, strong and hale, with two good legs, it overwhelmed her with God’s grace to her family.

  “When Winslow said you had grown in the last month, I hardly believed him, but now I see that you have. Our charade would never have lasted.” Ellalee smiled at her brother.

  “No, not any more. I am taller than you,” Christopher smiled. “I can run faster too.”

  “
Yes, well, Winslow could out run me now,” Ellalee responded, patting her belly, and Christopher laughed.

  “Where are Fritz and James, are they not here?” Valen asked looking around.

  “Aw, no. They stayed in Bressott, to hold down the fort as it were, but more likely to keep spreading Ellalee stories,” Christopher said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

  “Christopher! I blame you for this! Why on earth can you people not stop telling these tall tales?” Ellalee was exasperated with her brother. “And no one ever lets me explain.”

  “Oh-ho! In Bressott you are being hailed as the Heroine of Avium, Defeater of Curses, and Defender of the Fortress. You remember that blustering baker? You should hear him boast of the different ways you robbed him and the disguises he’s invented that you wore in your raids. Well, let’s just say he is the person you should blame for tall tales! In fact, he has gone so far as to say that one time, you stole two loaves of bread simultaneously and used them as….”

  “Stop. Just stop,” Ellalee said. “I really don’t want to know.”

  “I do,” Valen said with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye. Christopher stood on his tip toes to whisper in Valen’s ear. Valen barked out a laugh and shook his head at his fuming wife.

  “Well, it’s safe to say you’re the gift that keeps on giving,” Christopher continued. “If that old baker hasn’t sold double the amount of bread from people coming by to hear him, he gets free drinks at the tavern more nights than not from strangers passing through who have heard of you and want to know the real story.”

  Two months later, Ellalee and Valen welcomed a baby boy with Ellalee’s blue eyes which Valen swore would turn to brown within weeks and a mop of soft brown curls. He was instantly the light of their lives. Ellalee and Valen decided to name the boy Ranan which means to overcome and rejoice.

  Dear Gentle Reader,

  Thank you for sharing this time with Ellalee as she traveled a long road to begin a longer journey of faith. If you enjoyed this tale, please consider submitting a review at your favorite online book retailer or book review site. Your review, faithful reader, matters and is deeply appreciated!

  Thank you and God Bless,

  Stacey

  About the Author:

  Stacey DeMichael has her Master of Education degree from the University of Michigan and resides in a small Southern town in Florida where going to the grocery store is still a social event and folks still brake for random suicidal squirrels denying them their ever insidious desire of death by tire tread. This usually leaves the groceries scattered across the back of the fourteen-year-old minivan that she hopes she can nurse through a few more years, at least until the kids graduate from college. She lives with her beloved husband of more than twenty years who, thankfully, has maintained a sense of humor through their decades together.