Less Than A Hundred Years
The Simplicity of Life
Prompt: Travel
There was very little to say about the wedding.
There were no flowers, or offering, or a single chant done by or for them, they just promised to hold and care for each other, and in the darkness of night or the broad spectrum of light to be by each other. No matter if time ever separated them, they were now one.
Beyond its simplicity and the many vows, along with the sunset and the way Eun Soo seemed to glow nothing more seemed to capture Choi Young. Once again he might remember every single syllable said during the ceremony but only because it was like a binding verbal contract that meant that she was finally his.
Afterward, as they walked down the path to their horses, Eun Soo was quiet; coldly so. She seemed lost in thought and tired, so Choi Young left her to her thoughts and wondered how far out the men were. They hadn't left as early as he'd wanted and late as it was they might even be behind the marching WooDalChi. He suggested, in a soft murmur, they hurry and had the horse move faster, her following (even when lost in through) close-by. Tired, he thought, she must be so tired. And for a while they were quiet. She had been following mutedly, and if there was something that usually worried him was when she was mute. Eun Soo was a volcano of words (Korean and Heavenly) ready to burst at any moment.
They continued in this terrifying silence until finally catching up with the rest of the WooDalChi, who welcomed them with smiles and nods. Choi Young kept his serious face, while Eun Soo watched the men around her cheering her on, clapping for her; making her pale face flush with embarrassment. They reached the head of the crowd, and found the men had stopped for one of the carts was broken. Choi Young dismounted quickly, and attempted to help the men, while Eun Soo dismounted and holding the reigns of her mare watched. She was quiet as they worked, making the men around them exchange worried glances, wasn't she usually lively and willing to chip in her opinion or help?
"High Doctor." Came forth Deok Man, looking at her face and making her frown at him. "Are you alright?"
Her hands came to hide her lips.
"Don't look at me like that." She said quickly, coyly while her eyes closed and she suddenly moved her head to hide her features away.
"Huh?" He was able to produce, confused with her reaction.
And with a whisper she added. "I'm a married woman!" And her body started to dance in happiness, moving to the field and away from view so she wouldn't look too stupid doing so. She moved wildly, giggling and laughing like an idiot, and when she turned… There was Choi Young, arms crossed and the hint of an amused smile in his lips, his eyes were stern (something only he could achieve) as he stared at her. She'd moved too far from the caravan, and it didn't seem to suit him too well; he must have followed without really thinking much and he just stood there, watching her.
"Never leave the caravan without permission!" He cried out to her, making her nod… only to watch her deconstruct into a happy smile and near him; attempting to kiss his lips. He pulled slightly away, taking his lips away from her, and made her frown. "We have to get back."
"But…" And without another word he turned and walked to the caravan.
.
.
Because of the broken cart they were forced to camp close by; the men in worry of the new bride (blushing and giggling to herself while suddenly sitting down to think about matters they were blissfully unaware of), rallied their forces and out of a supply wagon made a small bedchamber so she could rest in private. Using the smallest tent's covers they wrapped around the wooden box, in a bow of blue and gray, creating a wagon with secured bindings to all sides. From the front no one could peek in, and with a couple of coats they made a curtain for her to part as she went in and out; they piled the boxes in the cart to one side and used the General's cot to cover the small space within. His pillow was also set there, along with some wild flowers brought by Dae Man, and her bag.
They even left small tokens of appreciation as gifts for her: a box with a green silk scarf, a pair of mismatched jade earrings, a thick gold ring, and several WooDalChi hair combs. Was her hair really that wild? She was then urged to go and stay in, so they could protect her better, while the general himself attended to the broken cart and assigned the watching posts for the night. She opened the little gifts, smiling and glad the men liked her so well; more for Choi Young's sake than hers. The WooDalChi were usually serious guards and soldiers hardened through the thought battles, she knew that to enter such ranks the first consideration taken was simple ability; not reference, or royal command, or family connections were taken into real account; but if she had managed to enter the ranks, and be well liked, and even go out with them… It was because of Choi Young, and not herself. The boys would follow where he lead, and she would too, even if it meant death. So she had always considered one of the men under his care, but now she was his woman as well. So been liked by the WooDalChi was like getting a hundred or so brother's in law. Eun Soo used the privacy offered by the thick cloths to take off her outer garment, and settled it next to the wood, in case she turned too hard and hit it. Then proceeded to pull out her black bag, unzipping it to reach for a particular item.
At the moment a soft voice interrupted.
"Imja, are you comfortable?" His voice managed to make her blush, oddly enough, and turning she parted the cloth of her door and heard him walk around to the back, making her smile with his mere presence. "Well?"
"The boys fixed things very well. See?" and she showed him the little nest she'd created, making Choi Young smile. She had a small land set over the boxes, and he pointed out she should make sure to take put it off to avoid fires.
"You won't be staying with me?" Eun Soo asked, suddenly worried with the realization he was not joining her for the night.
"I will stay outside for the night, will you be alright?" He answered quickly, not loosing his general's tone.
"Why out there? It's cold." The last was said in a whimper, making him smile.
"I took the first watch, I'll be walking by around midnight." She gave a pout, and he lifted his hand, offering some wild berries. "I managed to save this for you." Lifting both hands she received the meal, and smiled. "I'll be back soon." And she nodded, the cloth been placed back to protect her privacy by her husband (her Husband!) and she turned, using a small cloth to save the berries. As the berries parted a couple of red flowers were revealed, making her smile even wider. Who would have thought she would have such a man as a husband! She was so happy she could start dancing again, but instead calmed down and reached into her bag. The thick purple coat Lady Choi had placed over her back was still warm and cozy, so she unfolded it to use as a sheet, and fixing the pillow dropped on the improvised bed. The simplicity of this life she had started with the man she loved was simply astonishing.
As promised around midnight, Choi Young passed by the cart, calling out her name softly. The men were all asleep or on duty and for a minute he decided to make sure she was doing fine.
"Imja?" He called out softly, listening to her whimper. The last time he'd heard such a whimper she hadn't woken up; the poison in her veins too strong to allow her movement and worried he went through the back and parted the cloth… She was sleeping with her head to the cloth, instead of using it as the WooDalChi had set (with her head covered the wood of the cart) and her hair was wild over the small pillow. He head was tossing and turning, a small frown set on her face. Her hand was fisting slightly, and worried Choi Young touched the limb, finding it warm, yet not hot as in feverish. "Imja?" He called softly, shaking her. "Imja wake up."
Her eyes opened in a flutter, stealing his breath for a second, and Choi Young watched her watch him. "Choi Young?"
"What is it? I heard you whimper…" Embarrassed she looked away.
"A bad dream." A dream where he was hundreds of years away.
"Then you are not sick?"
A smile tore from her red lips. "No." She squeezed his hand, and smiled. "Are you done with your watch?"
"Not yet. A little while longer." In reality he had no intention of joining her in this cramped space, in protection of her face and dignity, but she didn't need know that right now. "Why are you sleeping like that?"
"My chambers got hot, so I switched to have the breeze slipping through cool down my head." He smiled and caressed her hair. "Can I get a kiss?" And with a chuckle he leaned and kissed her forehead. "Are you not kissing my lips now?" He smiled, having his own reasons, and took in a deep breath.
"It's that time."
"What?"
And he produced the dark jar with silver lining, offering her a small cup. She took it, in her happiness she had forgotten about this, and cradling it with her hands watched as he uncorked the jar and filled the little cup. Apprehensive they both watched the water swirl around the small cup and in silence she drank the liquid, swallowing quickly. There was reverence silence from both their parts and his lips pressed together, while she felt tingling running down her spine.
"It's delicious." She said with a soft smile, in a whisper only he would have understood.
"Sleep now Imja. No more bad dreams." Choi Young combed her hair behind her ear, and watched her lips lit in a quiet smile. He took the little cup, and corking the water.
"Wait, wait." Eun Soo said as he attempted to leave, making Choi Young return, and peek in again, and she stole a kiss from his lips. Electricity ran down both their spines, making her pull back and cover her lips while laughing. Choi Young pulled back as well, not in a bad way but too surprised. Was this supposed to be normal? "Come back soon." She cheered him, waving both hands and smiling. He smiled at her boldness and shaking his head moved away.
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Eun Soo woke up because of the movement of the cart. Frowning she got up in her hands and knees and dared peek through the side of the cart, finding they were indeed moving. She quickly turned, putting on her outer garments, gathering her hair in a thick top knot and opened the back of the cart, waving at Deok Man who was riding her mare. "Good Morning!" She called happily, waving.
"Morning, High Doctor! The boys are wondering if you sleep well."
"Like a rock!"
"Did you like the gifts we left you? For your marriage?"
"Yes, I loved the scarf!" One of the guards cheered, slapping the chest of the man next to him and made her smile. "But the earrings are gorgeous too!" That got the Vice General to smile. "Thank you all!"
"The General is ahead, he sent us with you and to keep you in."
"I expected that. How long till the castle?"
"An hour or so. Please go in and rest some more."
"Thanks!" And she went back into her hideout, glad she would be a total surprise for the royals.
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Author's Ramblings: I am very surprised with this story. I've managed to post a lot of stories in different fandoms and while I did have a lot of reviews this story, with as little chapters as it has, has gotten the fastest review numbers in my history as writer. Thanks you so much for supporting me and this little story, you really humble me. I hope you've read my other story, In The Years Imja Was Gone, for it serves as a little prologue for this story. You don't have to read it but there will be some confusing events taking place that have root there.
I'm sure you guys were disappointed I really didn't put much of the wedding, except a vague description of emotions, but there's a reason for that… Just, bear with me would you? Again thank you for your support and keep it coming!