Less Than a Hundred Years Mid-Autumn Festival
Prompt: Gahbae
Eight Month: October
With her belly already round and heavy, Eun Soo favored sitting over standing. The King had forced her out of the Medical Hall after the incident with the false labor, and to rest, until after the baby was at least one year old. Considering the fragility of childbirth in the age of Goryeo Eun Soo sighed, resigned, and simply let it be. She'd been home, resting properly, for a month, and through the nurturing and care of those around her she was ready to start climbing walls. Eun Soo wasn't fragile, after poisoning, kidnapping, time traveling and marriage she was ready to tackle this baby thing (literally and figuratively). Choi Young was happy, at least he now knew where she was at all times.
Peaceful thoughts, he would murmur in the middle of the night, when she started to huff and complain, in the worst of cases rant angrily around their room. She had to admit that the General was doing a great job as a father-to-be; he managed to find her all the cravings, all her desires were brought to reality, her every words was a command for him, the servants and even Lady Choi, who was becoming quite familiar with the house. The boys were ordered to keep her happy, disappearing the dead or hurtful things that might not allow the baby to develop correctly; all of them, without the General finding out, have felt the baby kicking and moving within her, but of course it was the General who first touched the round kicks his child could produce while inside her.
"Isn't it amazing?" He asked, while he peeled a small sweet mandarin orange she'd been craving since the morning. Choi Young had gone to seek the small item, taking his time selecting it; she could not eat any disfigured or damaged foods, and he was rather strict with such things. "Your body has expanded and has four legs, four arms, two heads and two beating hearts."
"Hmm." She took the mandarin slice from him, finding it perfectly cut, and smiled. She hadn't gained much weight, the development of the baby so far was good, and although she couldn't be certain she was pretty sure she knew what sex the baby would be. Yet she refused to tell.
"Imja," Choi Young said softly, offering another piece of mandarin, she finished the one she had quickly, something that had started happening after the fourth month of pregnancy, and took the next slice greedily… before gasping and taking his hand. "What?"
"Do you feel it?" She asked, smiling. They remained still, waiting… And his eyes widened. "Our baby likes your voice."
"I know."
"Hmm. I told you the baby always moves when you speak to me." It continued to be a wonder to her, and Choi Young simply smiled.
"Maybe is just your name the baby likes." And again the baby moved towards Choi Young's hand, making the father smile. "Baby, grow strong." He said, leaning to kiss the covered belly. "Aren't you cold, Imja? The breeze is strong."
"No, you are blocking it."
"Let's get you inside, it would be better to keep you warm." And pulling his hand, Choi Young found the small towel he'd dried the fruit with, and cleaned his hands. Eun Soo pouted and allowed her husband to lift her and help her in. "I want to tell you something, would you not be sad?"
"Does it have a happy ending?"
"I hope so."
"Then tell me."
"When Imja was poisoned for the first time, and she fainted, Jang Bin told me it would be good for you to listen to someone talking. So to bring your senses back faster."
"Ah, really?" She didn't know the good doctor had said that to Choi Young.
"Imja's hands were so cold." They entered the room, and after helping her sit, Choi Young hurried to close the door. "I held your hand, like this." And he sat beside the bed, taking her hand and lifting it, holding the warm limb as he had done that day. "I spoke without really knowing what to say. I wondered if I should take Imja fishing."
"We already went fishing."
"So then I wanted to take you to the harvest festival to play Gahbae. You will enjoy the colors and the children playing. "
"You haven't taken me yet." She pouted, looking at him, while holding his hand tight.
"The festival will be in two days, would you like to come with? The King has promised fireworks."
"Really? I can go?" And she attempted to dance, but been so big and round she managed to simply clap and fall back to bed.
.
.
The bright colored clothes delivered for Eun Soo that morning were a gift from the King, not the Queen as expected. Everyone was been utterly compliant with her and Eun Soo was starting to wonder how she would return to be the normal High Doctor after birth, once spoiled, always spoiled. The maids trained by Lady Choi helped her dress, they doubled as her bodyguards and maids during the pregnancy and for Eun Soo it was very unfair, yet she wasn't allowed to complain.
"Peaceful thoughts Imja." Kept repeating Choi Young. The King had been kind enough to avoid struggle while her baby grew, but the day Choi Young was forced to leave her side to stomp a small rebellion in the outer regions of... Wherever she had cried herself to sleep, silently; upon his return he endured a cleansing ritual so no bad spirits would haunt the child or mother-to-be, what kept him away even longer. Eun Soo was aware the baby could feel what she felt, and this love she felt for the child's father was so big, she doubted the baby would be bitter; instead this child would always overlook bitterness and have a happy face because it would know what true love was like.
The sound of the door opening made her and the maids turn; Choi Young was also wearing new clothes, in trademark gray and blue but new. He looked her over and smiled; he would complement her later when they were alone, this much Eun Soo knew, and she smiled brightly at him.
"Is the Festival starting?"
"People on the streets are quite merry, yes."
"I can't wait to see it!" The mere prospect of leaving the house made Eun Soo giddy. Lady Choi appeared from the side, sighing and entering the room, Choi Young lowered his eyes for a bit and then looked up at Eun Soo.
"I will insist some more, excuse me;" she said bowing and making Choi Young turn away. "It's too windy outside High Doctor, won't you consider staying in, for the child's sake?"
"But I want to see the games." Pouted Eun Soo, turning to see if the robes were in place; with her belly growing she wasn't even sure if she was putting on the same colored shoes. "Besides the baby is fine! Things like bad thoughts, or ugly things won't ruin things for us: the baby will be healthy and gorgeous, just look at the genes it has!"
Nephew and Aunt stared at her, confused, and she shook her hands. "The baby is healthy, and it is good for the mother to walk around and exercise. I've gained ten pounds already and if I want to get a head starts in slimming down to my former self I've got to start now that I have the enthusiasm. Then it would be too late and I'll get bloated and fat, and… Uh! Are those strawberry rice cakes?" The two of them turned, watching a maid walk by with a tray covered in small rice cakes, how Eun Soo knew they were filled with strawberry was a mystery, but she followed and stole one from the tray, smiling at the girl, who simply gave a bow and continued her path. Sighing Lady Choi watched over the woman.
"Aunt, just let her walk to watch the Gahbae game and back, it won't hurt her and I will be with her."
"I worry about the child."
"She's used to other customs, other traditions; if she says the baby is fine even while windy the baby will be fine."
Lady Choi turned to her nephew and nodded, understanding. "Just make sure she'll be in before sunset, she might get spooked by any of the festivals attendants, and it could be troublesome."
"She'll be in, the WooDalChi kids are planning a small dinner party for her."
"Yah! Punk! That'll be worse than getting spooked on the streets!"
.
.
When the commanding General had announced his wife was pregnant to the troops joyous cheers were heard. Here was a man that had looked for death, and it had evaded him miserably, while now he looked forward and in his looking he'd found a wonderful woman who loved and cared not only for him but for all of them, as individuals and group, and who was creating life, along with the general within her. They had wanted to throw a party, but considering how wild they could get, and that the High Doctor should be present, they decided not to in hopes Eun Soo would have peaceful thoughts.
When the Commanding General announced a small dinner banquet would be thrown for the Mid Autumn's festival in his house, and that only twenty of the WooDalChi were to attend, the troops rallied their forces and wits and decided to settle the assistance to the banquet through a friendly tournament.
A gahbae tournament.
For a month, before the festival, the men had learned how to weave uneven material into colorful strands of long and thick cloth, that would eventually be used; the winning team's cloth would make the gift to the expecting mother, so she can use the cloth for the baby's garments and required items. So the battle wasn't just on for a simple meal would, or for assistance to the party; it was the bragging rights that the baby wore the winning team's clothes. IT had been a rather disturbing week for the royal seamstress and her companions; teaching men of the military to weave an unending roll of cloth. But something good came out of it all, three of the ladies that helped the seamstress were now engaged to be married.
"Deok Man, really, I don't know." Said the only assistant available for the man, as Deok Man pushed the strand of cloth the way towards the younger soldier. "Are you sure this green matches the yellow?"
"Og course it does! It also compliments the dark orange and gray."
"I don't know."
Of their team only fourteen remained, and they were busy with guarding duty; Deok Man had been hell bent in going to the banquet the general was throwing and had arranged a small team to tackle the competition, but the hour was late, the deadline almost here and he was still attempting to weave four meters of cloth before finishing. "Just help me would you! Move those hands faster!"
"Sir!" Called a young recruit, ignoring the weaving because it was such a normal thing right now not many paid much mind to it. "The Vice General is looking for you."
"Tell him I'll be down in an hour!"
"S… sir?"
"Go, go! I'm busy!"
He wasn't the only one in this mess, and the other team, was also having troubles finishing their share.
"Dae Man-ssi! The Vice General is looking for you!"
"I need to finish this! Hurry, hold this for me!" And been alone he ordered the young recruit to help him with the weaving. How he and Deok Man had ended up in different teams he didn't know, but the fact that he wasn't going to be serving any meals to Deok Man was clear. The colors of his weaving were light and lined in lines that went from really thin to really thick. Yet it was for a baby, and babies liked colorful things, right?
.
.
Hand linked around the General's arm, Eun Soo was helped out of the small frame of wood created by the large door of her house. The wind was cold and refreshing against her face and she breathed it all in; smiling.
"It's so good to be out!" She said to no one in particular, making the General smile.
"Imja, careful." He said, meaning a rock close by. "We don't want Imja to trip." The maidens behind hurried to follow as the General and his wife moved through the busy streets. Children were playing and carrying little sticks with colorful banners, small for their use, and singing. The ladies around were busy with the harvested items, and as they entered the town the chatter and laughter of people welcomed them, enveloping the usual easiness of life. Eun Soo looked form side to side, pointing at whatever she found amusing. A lady in a small cart with dumplings gave her a small cup with some perfect samples of the food, and Eun Soo took them gladly. A bit ahead a man with warm raisin tree tea offered her some, and she drank it with a smile. Choi Young offered to buy her a few trinkets, and she accepted them all because she loved been spoiled by her husband.
A bag was given to her by another merchant and the small trinkets placed inside. Little gifts were showered to her and she gladly took them, until they reached the small bridge by the end of the market and she announced her need to sit down. Choi Young quickly helped her and settled beside her, his arm wrapping around her waist.
"Remind me to send Pledged Aunt a gift."
"What?"
"When have you heard of free goods in the Market place? No, no; that's Suribang." Choi Young laughed, his wife was too bright for the old band; yet again had they really believed she wouldn't realize?
"Aigoo..." Said the voice of Pledge Aunt, appearing from the side. The tall man always wearing white appeared from the other side, handing Eun Soo flowers and a bag with roasted sweet nuts. "She really is a person from Heaven, or did you tell her?"
"No I did not. She's too bright for her own good."
"Are you coming to the festival? The punks are giving it all."
"What punks?"
"It's nothing, should we keep going?"
"I saw some steamed buns a bit back." Said Eun Soo, smiling, making the boy carrying the spear hurry away in the direction the cart was. "I should get pregnant lots of times!" And she laughed as the buns were delivered, Pledged Aunt sat by her and Eun Soo offered to touch her belly.
.
.
"General, they are ready!" Called one of the Suribang boys appeared through the market crowd while dancers and paper lanterns were dangled around Eun Soo clapping along with the rhythm.
"Imja, let's go."
"But the parade..."
"Come along, its gahbae." He announced as they moved out of the crowd, avoiding anyone who would bump with her. He'd become so overprotective of her and their belly after the fake contractions and was making sure that she would rest properly, was not touched, and protected. The Maidens flanked her, proving the point, and as they walked to the clearing where all the teams had gathered, and were already comparing lengths of cloth and some even finishing their own lengthy rolls; drums were been hammered, dances taking place… Eun Soo watched as they passed by the usual plaza of festivals (as she'd come to call the terrain) and turned to the opposite side, where a small clearing was set, full of WooDalChi and soldiers, even maidens; three groups were there, waiting apparently for them to arrive. The drums they carried were soon started, and word was given that the Commanding General and his wife had arrived; the Vice General bowed at them, and Eun Soo was conducted towards the center of the small sitting area, flanked by all maidens on duty and off duty, making her smile as the men on the field started a friendly game.
Choi Young stood with the Vice General watching the boys losing painfully, as their partners in arms shouted at them that they should not stop been soldiers.
Food and drinks were delivered to the High Doctor, who couldn't understand why they were doing this. One of the maidens, of the two flanking her, crouched beside her, setting a warm scarf around her shoulders; making Eun Soo look up to find the Queen, wearing commoner's clothes sitting beside her. "Highness!" And she hugged the Queen, but since everyone was so merry nobody minded, probably except Lady Choi.
"I've brought you this to keep you warm, are you feeling well?"
"Of course, I'm perfect. How are you? Is the replacing doctor doing a good job?"
"Yes, thank you for having Deo Gi treat me."
"What's going on?"
"Don't you know? The General has offered a small banquet to whoever wins this gahbae game." Announced the Queen, making Eun Soo gasp and turn to her husband, who continued to watch the WooDalChi failing miserably in the friendly game. That man, that wonderful man had done this for her; he'd been the driving force of having the WooDalChi puppies fight among themselves simply to share a banquet with her. The thought made her heart shudder, and the baby inside her take hold of it, hugging it gently. "He has been adamant of keeping it from you."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure, probably because he wants you to be happy." And together they turned to watch the rest of the game.
The WooDalChi lost terribly to the regular army, but even then were quite cheerful.
When the moment to measure the rolls of thick cloth came, Deok Man and Dae Man were standing at opposite sides of the field; Choi Young came to sit beside Eun Soo, and husband and wife stare at the scene before them. Pledged brothers, who lived together, were now struggling to win this weaving contest. For some reason, Eun Soo could just not picture these two war hardened warrior weaving cloth; but there they were.
"They wove those rolls quite quickly." Commented the Queen, making Lady Choi nod; she older woman sat beside the Queen, watching the happenings. They were surrounded by soldiers and Choi Young was close by, who would dare harm them. "I wonder how they'll settle things."
"A wrestling match, knowing those two." Suggested Choi Young, as the Vice General walked to the field, having already measured the rolls. The Queen gasped and turned to the man, Lady Choi doing the same. "I prohibited it, don't worry." He said, to his aunt, and then turned to his wife. "They will let us keep the winning roll."
"Ah?"
"For the baby's sake they are allowing us to keep the woven thread who is selected winner." Eun Soo smiled at him, and then turned to the field. It was hard to decided which one was less difficult to look at. The Queen frowned and shook her head.
"I dread for the winner."
Actually both rolls were hideous, but Eun Soo would take their good heart.
"Those rolls would have matched that crib we burned quite nicely." Said Choi Young, making everyone in his row, nod.
.
.
The Queen's maidens ended up winning the weaving battle. Not only was it much longer than the WooDalChis' rolls, it was also well combined and gorgeously done; the soft green and yellows would go quite nicely with the furniture Lady Choi had given them. So for once, in this Goryeo, men was serving women, and the girls were having a well-deserved rest. The General was amused at both Deok Man and DAe Man, who had started this battle so one could serve the other, both ending up as servants. That should teach them a lesson on humility.
Eun Soo walked to both of them, congratulating them in their participation, getting apologies for having lost so miserably. To each, Choi Young was aware, she whispered: "Too bad, I was secretly ruling for you." What had the boys grinning like fools. After the banquet and for the High Doctor's sake, the fireworks started and could be seen clearly; bright colors adorned the night sky, while food and drinks continued to appear from the kitchens. How did Choi Young manage to get all this ready was a mystery, but Eun Soo simply decided to enjoy the meal and company.
The boys were still in the garden, celebrating; so drunk were they that they had started wrestling matches for wine rice and those winning would remain sober. Choi young found no logic in this and shaking his head turned to his wife, who was attempting to keep awake, unable to watch the matches.
"Are you tired?" And hiding a yawn she nodded.
Quietly he stood, and unnoticed by the celebrating warriors, he gathered his wife up bridal style and left the gardens, walking towards their room.
"Choi Young-ssi." She said softly, smiling. "Gahbae is real fun, can we repeat this next year?"
"Of course, Imja. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"There were many colors, and dances. And those boys sure were silly while playing." He smiled, but said nothing. "We've got cloth for the baby's clothes, and bedding. I thought we would never get enough." She leaned her head against his shoulder, eyes closed. One of her hands fell over her belly, the other loosely around his neck. Another yawn escaped her, and she snuggled close to him. "I really like it."
"Sleep now, Imja." He whispered softly, setting her over the bed, placing a pillow to balance the weight under her large belly, and then covering her with the warm duvet; her hair was combed with his fingers. She hummed in delight and then turned her face away, breathing in deeply.
Choi Young stared at her for a while, caressing the belly, and when he was sure his wife was in deep sleep he stood. The drawers were searched, her drawers and the scarf the Oracle had given him was pulled out. So far none of the words she had given as advice had failed, so he folded the scarf, placed it in the folds of his chest, and looked up breathing in deep.
.
.
Author's ramblings: You know I'm not really sure if this does any justice to gahbae in general, I have no idea what's supposed to happen during this game (because I understand it is a game). With so little information available in the subject is a miracle I pulled this out. But the ends justify the means: Choi Young now carries the scarf and you guys have your gahbae chapter. Read, review and shake my hands for doing so!