The wind had changed directions and gave the sun its power. Summer had finally arrived. Elmont always thought it funny how a little extra sunshine changed the behavior of people. The village was more vibrant, and folk friendlier somehow. Even his own mood had changed for the better these past days. Only one dark cloud still remained... Isabelle's wedding was only a few days away.
Lord Roderick hadn't been too pleased with the stomach-bug- story but he swallowed it nonetheless. He probably knew that by not believing it, it would mean he'd have to call off the wedding all together. However Roderick retaliated in his own way, by being 'overly worried' for her health. He pleaded the King to keep his fiancée inside the castle so she wouldn't get 'sick' again. But today the weather was just perfect, and Isabelle had finally been given permission to go out.
"ah...It's sure is wonderful today .." Isabelle sighed.
She looked happy to be outside. As always, Elmont was happy to be the guard to accompany her.
They had chosen to walk up-stream following the river to the top of the hillside. The fields around them were in full bloom. Around them was the soft buzzing of bees and the gentle tinkling of the water.
Elmont stopped walking. "Now, this would be a perfect spot for a picnic, wouldn't you think so, Milady?" "Picnic?!" Isabelle said, her face grinning... He smiled back at her. "hmm.. Mary was worried you'd starve within the hour so she packed us a little extra". He opened the knapsack he'd brought along. Revealing some fresh rolls and a bottle of apple-cider made from the own Kings apple-orchard. "That's so sweet of her. Please remind me to thank her for this when we return to the castle".
"You are easy to please, milady".
Isabelle laughed "For a spoiled little princess, you mean?"..
"For a woman who has it all, it seems all the more admirable to still enjoy the simple things in life. You do that princess; you still see the beauty in a simple gesture. And I... I mean... people love you for that".
He could see her eyebrow twitch at the Freudian slip he made, but she didn't respond to it.
"Well, in that case you can please me with a sip of that cider"
"I'm going to miss this..." she said looking around the fields.
"Why is that? I though Lord Roderick had decided to stay in Cloister after the marriage." fear crept up his stomach again.
"Yes, he said he wants to stay. I just feel he's never going to let me out of the castle again."
"Oh come on, princess that's seeing it very dark. Surely he'll let you go out once in a while. Anyone needs a little fresh air; even Lord Roderick should see that".
"No, you can see that!". Her voice always sounded cross when he tried to defend Roderick's point of view, Elmont noticed.
"It'll be all right, milady" he tried calmingly.
"No it won't be Elmont! She shouted "I'm being married of to a guy I don't love nor does he like me. After that I am supposed to keep quiet, stay indoors and perform my marital duties until I have produced an heir to the throne".
Elmont spewed out the apple cider from his mouth, in shock when she said this.
He tried dapping his goatee, while still coughing up the cider he had choked on. It took him a minute to recover.
"That ehm.. that's a very un-ladylike comment, if you don't mind me saying so, milady" He winked at the "milady" so it'd wouldn't feel like he was telling her off too much.
Isabelle flushed at his words.
"Well it's true Elmont. If I may believe my so called 'marriage lessons'". She sulked
"Is that what they tell you? How to produce an heir?" he looked at her in disbelieve.
"w..well yes...basically. It's just about being a proper wife and .. and knowing how to behave on the wedding night... and after" Isabelle stammered. Her face reddening.
Elmont looked at her. Not knowing to be amused or appalled by this information. He poured himself another cup of cider. Not really wanting to talk about this 'delicate subject' with her. Isabelle seemed not to want to drop the subject just yet.
"I know I have rules of behavior now, but this marriage feels like I can't do anything on my own anymore. In daytime I'll be under constant watch by my husband, and even at night I'm supposed to do what he wants." Angrily she broke a twig between her fingers.
Elmont could feel her mind darkening. Inwardly he knew she was right. She would be under his control. Not only would he probably lose these moments with her. Elmont feared he would lose her smile altogether. He just wished he knew what to say to cheer her up.
"Well from my personal experience I can tell you that no rules can keep you indoors"
Isabelle teasingly threw the broken twig at him, in response.
"And besides that... Those 'beside manners' are really not as awful as you make them sound like they are"
Ok, truly Elmont didn't want the image of Roderick and Isabelle together. But he would hate her to think that everything was bad and her life was to be over after marriage.
Isabelle looked at him in utter astonishment. "Elmont...have... have you? ..." she gave him a questioning look
he curved his lips to confirm.
"And out of wedlock?!" ..
This time it was Elmont who blushed.
"Have I just fallen of my pedestal, Milady?" He found it hard to look at her straight in the eye. Not quite sure if she'd be all right to know this about him.
"For loving a girl, exceeding the rules of conduct and church? Elmont... you should know me better then that". She smiled at him "Did you love her..?"
Elmont smiled as he remembered the young girl that first made his heart jump when he was coming to age.
"I thought I did,... at the time... . The thing is with love, you always think that you are until it truly happens and you know for sure." he said pondering
"Hmm... so if you know now you didn't love this girl then, does that mean you know what love is now". A cheeky sparkle flashed her eyes. Elmont knew he was in trouble. She would not so easily give up on this subject.
"Very smart, Milady... Now shall we continue our walk?"
"Nice try Elmont... Tell me, have you fallen in love? Who is she, tell me please"... she begged.
Elmont chuckled: "I'm glad to see that my personal affairs seem to improve your spirits, princess. But I'm afraid there is nothing to tell. The woman I love can't be mine. So I guess we both have to try and find other things in life to be happy about".
"Now what nonsense is that!" Isabelle stood up from the ground wiping her hands on the grass.
oh no, she really isn't going to drop this!
"Come on, Elmont .. every girl in Cloister wants to be with you, haven't you noticed. If you're too scared to tell her then I'll do it myself. Come on, we're going...where does she live?"
Was she kidding right now? Elmont couldn't quite make out whether or not she was serious. She was smiling, yet her eyes looked gloomy.
"Princess, that wouldn't make a difference. Her father has arranged a good union for her... He ..he wants the best for his daughter, and.. and.. he is right in wanting that". Elmont desperately tried to wriggle his way out of this situation but his words only seemed to make Isabelle more determined.
"You're the Captain of the Kings knights!" she shrieked "You can't just let her go. Don't you see... at least one of us has to find true love" The bitterness in her voice could not be missed.
"Elmont, You are the best a girl in this Kingdom could be offered."
He sighed.. "No...not if this girl is the princess of Cloister". ..
