AN: Here's a new chapter! I know, it's about time. This one has kind of a sad tone. Reviews are very much appreciated.
Review Returns-
The ORIGINAL Meathead: Oops. I'll fix that now. I'm glad you liked it. Cry of the Wolf Child: Thanks for reading! sarramaks: Am not! (Much!) Honestly, though, I don't have the next chapter written yet. I think I have an idea though. Thanks for the review. Pink Squishy Llama: I going to stick to the pairings in the books for this story. I'm glad you thought it's sweet all the same. SarahElfE7191: I'm sorry, I had thought that I fixed that before I posted it. That's what I get for using two computers. See above for the completed line. Thanks for reviewing. gatermage: I like Jon, but not for Alanna. I thought that he was rude to her in WWRLAM, and he was kind of distant in Squire, which was my first real glimpse of him. I'm glad he came off as human in this chapter. Thanks for r and r ing. imakeladrygirl: Thanks for reviewing! stillerfan4ever: Well, it was difficult, but I think I pulled it off. Jade-ViPeR08: I think I'm going to try Aly, but I'm not sure that it will be very good. Thanks for reading. no one of consequence: I really liked Thayet in LR, and with each little bit I read about her in the newer books, I just say Yay! peter-pan-equals-luv: I'd like to do Gary the Younger's wife. First I'd have to find out if her name is Cynthera or Cythera… Thanks for reading/ Erkith: I don't like to like Jon either. It was a big challenge for me to write him as a human being, which is why he was impolite and told their friends while she wasn't there. Thanks for reading ( and smiling) ! nativewildmage: glad you liked 'em. Thanx for reading. Serpentira: Like I said somewhere above, I'll try to do Aly, but it might not be very convincing, because I haven't finished the books yet. Avchocaholic: Thanks! WhyshouldI tellyou? Thanks for the smilie! Katria: I'm glad you're happy. Thanx for reading. she who has too long a name: Long reviews are OK. Those were some pretty good ideas. I'll have to think about it. Thanks for r and r ing.
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Tell Him
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Chapter Ten: Fanche Weir
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"Stop fussing," Fanche Weir told Keladry of Mindelan, who was in charge of New Hope. She and Nealan of Queenscove were headed to Fort Steadfast for a week of R and R and celebration of Lord Raoul of Goldenlake's wedding. The lady knight had looked around in last-minute worry about her charges.
"I'm not fussing?" Kel argued. "And where's Neal?"
The sought came running from the infirmary, ready to mount his horse and gallop away. His lady-love, Yukimi noh Daiomoru was waiting for him at Steadfast.
"I'm sorry! I don't tell babies when they're allowed to get born!" he exclaimed.
"Neal!" Kel said, almost shouting to get his attention. "Your hands." The healer looked down and discovered that his hands were only partially cleaned of blood. He let out an exasperated sigh and headed back inside. A few minutes later, he came back, and he and Kel rode off.
Fanche turned back to the camp. She went down to the infirmary to visit the new mother. Her name was Gwenyvere. Gwen had been widowed in the fighting that past June.
When Fanche arrived, Gwen held her new daughter, smiling down at her, though she was exhausted. Gwen looked up at the gruff woman's entrance.
"Isn't she beautiful?" she said, grinning. Her weariness was plain as day, but her joy shone through.
"You're tired," Fanche chided gently. "You need to rest. Let me take the precious girl."
Gwen reluctantly surrendered her child and she soon drifted off into a deep slumber. Fanche carried the little girl to a wooden rocker that was near the window.
The September afternoon was uncommonly warm for the north territory. Children played, and their parents lazed, work temporarily halting for a brief recess. One woman was transplanting wild daisies in a row beside the barracks. Their sweet musk carried on the wind into the infirmary window.
Fanche's mind instantly transported her back to a time of peace. She was a young wife again, setting up house in her cottage in Goatstrack.
Fanche straightened the length of homespun lace that graced the center of her table. She could hear the millstone grinding away in the room beneath. A warm autumn breeze carried through the open window, bringing the scent of the vase of daisies on the table to Fanche's nose.
She continued cleaning a perfectly clean house, and when she could find nothing else to clean, she sat down with some knitting. Fanche needed some kind of work to keep her mind from reeling. Goatstrack's midwife had come by that morning to visit, and bring news of the fletcher's new son. But the gift that she left Fanche with was more precious than anything the young woman had ever possessed. She was with child.
It didn't surprise her. She had married Gothar, the young miller, two years past, when she was just barely fourteen. In the two years since, they had become close, and now were lovers instead of strangers.
Fanche set down the knitting needles and fingered a long cord that she wore looped around her neck. Two wooden beads were strung onto it. One, painted red, she wore in remembrance of her dear departed mother, and the other, a dark brown, was for her father, who had recently passed as well.
How proud her mother would be if she could see her. Footsteps on the wooden stairs startled Fanche. She spun around in her chair to face her husband.
"Hello, my dear," Gothar said, leaning over her shoulder to kiss her cheek. Fanche smiled and continued knitting. Gothar looked down at the tiny sock that Fanche had just finished kneading. "What's this?" he asked, picking up the tiny garment.
"It's a sock," she said. "You know, you wear it. On your foot."
"Well traditionally, a sock is supposed to cover more than a man's big toe," Gothar teased. Fanche snatched the little sock from her husband's hand and playfully smacked him with it, eyes glistening.
"It fits just fine if you have little feet," Fanche said, hinting at her secret again.
"We don't know anyone with feet that small," Gothar said, inspecting his own long foot.
"We will," Fanche said softly. She put aside the knitting and gently pressed both hands to her belly. "I'm going to have a baby."
Gothar dropped to his knees before her chair.
"Really, Fanche?" he asked, eyes dancing. Fanche smiled and nodded. Her impending tears made her voice too weak to trust. Gothar leaned into her embrace, and as Fanche held him tightly, the couple reveled in their newfound joy.
Sniffling with the happy and sad memories flooding through her head, Fanche reached for her necklace. Many changes had occurred to her family since that happy day so long ago. Now Fanche had added a green bead, for Gothar, and seven purple beads, for their daughters.
Fanche was startled by a small coo. She shifted her arm and rocked Gwen's little baby back to sleep.