The Legend of Chastity Lorna
Chapter Six
By Alicia Jennings
~
Dumbledore rose from his chair. The clock on the desk read 1:00AM. Harry and Hermione were still wide awake, however, their eyes wide at the story Dumbledore was unfolding. Harry's arm was around Hermione's shoulders, and she was curled up beside him. He walked to the window, surveying the moonlit grounds.
"Professor?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" He turned to face them.
"What happened to Chastity and Perrin next?"
"Well, Perrin felt mighty ashamed of his actions. He hadn't wanted to taint Chastity or hurt her. Chastity was a little shaken after discovering Perrin's true identity, but told him that she'd been forced into actions such as the ones they'd partaken in many times before. Lord Richard was not a man of morals. Neither was the man he worked for, James Scott, who was an illegitimate son of the king - Chastity's half-brother. He envied Chastity, and wanted more than anything to hurt her."
"Did Perrin take Chastity away from the manor?" asked Harry.
"Well, of course. What, did you expect the man to leave his beloved to the dogs? I think not. Yes, Perrin paid a small fee to Lord Richard and then took Chastity far, far away from that wretched place. They went to a small chapel, and after arguing with the priest for several hours, convinced him to marry them. After that, Chastity and Perrin had to decide what to do. They could remain drifters, or Perrin could return to his manor and Chastity could return to the King to ask his forgiveness for running away. They opted for the latter..."
~~~~~
Back to 1693, and to Chastity and Perrin
"Oh, I am so tired," said Chastity. She was riding on the same horse as her husband. He sat behind her, one arm around her waist, one arm occupied with the reins.
"We shall be there soon, my beloved," Perrin whispered the last two words in her ear. "You can see the city from here."
"I wonder how we shall be received," Chastity mused. "We have so much to tell."
"Yes, indeed," said Perrin.
"Perrin?"
"Yes, my dear lady?"
"I have something to tell you. It's.....rather important."
Perrin looked at his wife. "It is? Well, come then, do tell."
"Dost thou remember our last night at Lord Richard's?"
Perrin's face clouded. "Yes. I remember - and I still ask for forgiveness."
"Oh, for God's sake, let it go," snapped Chastity. "I have told you this over and over. That was my job. Whether thou dost like it or no, that was my job."
"I don't care," said Perrin stubbornly. "It was still wrong of me to take advantage of you."
"Anyways," Chastity said, before Perrin could continue, "I had something to tell you."
"Yes?"
"Perrin, I think...I know....that I'm pregnant."
~~~~~
Perrin's head swam as he tried to comprehend what his wife had just said. It couldn't be. He couldn't have heard correctly. This had to be a dream.
"Art thou not happy?" asked Chastity.
Perrin tried to form words, but it took him a few minutes. "I...I do not know what to think."
"Perhaps we should stop so you could gather your wits..." Chastity started, but Perrin cut her off.
"Chastity, are you happy about this child?"
Chastity's eyes shone, and she placed his hand on her still small abdomen. "More happy than you could ever, ever know."
Perrin let out a whoop of joy. "When?" he asked through his wide grin.
Chastity's smile mirrored his. "At my best estimates, around the last week of February."
"That's grand," he said, enveloping her in a hug. "We've only a few more miles to London. We shall be there before nightfall."
"Good," said Chastity, leaning back against him. "I'm very tired." The late September autumn air blew leaves across the path of their horse as they closed the distance between them and destiny.
~~~~~
Harry and Hermione sat, captivated at this tale of love. Dumbledore chuckled. Little did they know, little did they know.
"When they were back in London, Chastity didn't go to the king immediately. She and Perrin went to the Allen manor. They recovered from their long journey and Perrin had some finer clothes made for Chastity, much to her displeasure. But she couldn't return to the king a pauper.
"On October 31...Halloween...Chastity and Perrin made the long-dreaded journey to the castle."
~~~~~
(A/N - just a warning - i have no idea what Buckingham Palace looks like on the inside. So if I do something absolutely horrid, I apologize ahead of time!)
1693
Chastity's lip quivered as the heavy wooden doors, ornate with gold inlays, opened to the throne room. She grasped Perrin's hand tighter.
"Your Majesty," said Chastity, making a grand curtsy. It was obvious she had lived a high life just through that action.
"Your Majesty," said Perrin, making a large, sweeping bow. "It is I, Lord Perrin Allen. I have returned victorious from your quest to find your daughter. This is the Princess Chastity Lorna."
Queen Catherine let out a small sob after a few moments of complete and utter silence. "Chastity...oh, my dearest..." Catherine ran from her throne at her husband's side and embraced her daughter. "Oh, I have missed you so."
"And I you," said Chastity, her tears flowing freely.
Perrin, standing aside from the mother and daughter, was witnessing two scenes. He was witnessing a wonderful reunion. But he was also watching a power-hungry man who had let something slip out of his control become angry.
"Where have you been?" he fairly roared.
Chastity turned to her father. "Many places, my lord king. I have been a princess at times, I've been a student, I've been a teacher....I've been a slave. But now I am something better."
"And what, pray tell, is that?"
"I am a wife and a mother-to-be, Father."
The veins on Charles' neck stood out so much, Perrin wondered if they would burst. "A wife, eh? A mother? Who is this bastard who has wedded and bedded you?"
"I have, my lord," said Perrin boldly. "I, who hast loved Chastity from childhood. I, who searched the entire land for three years to find her. We love each other, and love our unborn child."
"Well, isn't that nice," sneered Charles. "My daughter, gone for seven long years, leaving her parents to worry and wait, and then when returns has married one of my subjects WITHOUT MY CONSENT!" The goblet Charles was drinking from went sailing across the room. "While you're at it, why not tell me everything you haven't told me! Come, is there anything else you'd like to share?!"
"YES!" shouted Chastity. "My lord and king, I am a witch! That, and your trying to marry me off, is why I ran away in the first place!"
"Oh no," moaned Perrin. "You've really done it this time."
Chastity ignored Perrin. "Yes! I am a witch! Look! I even have a wand! And I can use it!" She pointed to the goblet on the floor, still intact by some miracle. "Serratus!" The goblet shattered into a million tiny pieces. She turned toward her father, a fiery blaze in her eyes. "Let that be a lesson to you!"
~~~~~
"That's never a good thing to say to a king," said Harry.
Dumbledore chuckled. "No, generally not. Naturally, Charles sent for the guards and had them both thrown in a dungeon as they awaited sentencing."
"Sentencing?" Hermione asked faintly.
Dumbledore nodded. "It was the time of persecution for our kind. The newlyweds stood before Parliament and received their sentence - they were to spend the rest of their lives in a remote forest in northern Scotland. Chastity would not receive the throne. Perrin's estate and title would go to his younger sister, who would become Lady Elizabeth Allen. She married another nobleman, and had many children. Eventually, a portion of their descendants would become the Potters."
Harry's jaw dropped. Dumbledore continued. "Anyways, on with Perrin and Chastity...their names were erased from books, records....even conversation. Everyone was banned to speak of her. Eventually, through the years, the Muggles forgot about Chastity Lorna and Perrin Allen. But the Magic community didn't..."
~~~~~
1693
Chastity shivered. Snow covered the ground, the trees, their meager shelter....everything. She used to love watching the snow fall from her palace window, or from her window at Hogwarts. Now, it was her enemy. The snow chilled them and prevented them from finding food.
As she stood, her head spun. She did not feel well. Her head pounded, and her skin felt clammy. Perrin noticed her discomfort.
"Chastity? Are you well?"
A pain ripped through her abdomen, making her feel like she was trying to be torn in two. "Oh dear God..."
"What is it?"
"The baby," Chastity moaned. "The baby. It's so early. It's barely past Christmas."
Perrin offered up a small prayer. "Come. Let's get you back to the shelter." It wasn't much - pine boughs with blankets underneath it. "Don't worry. I'm here for you."
"Oh, Perrin...." Her face was white. Deathly white. "I don't feel well."
Perrin laid a hand on her forehead. She was warm. Much too warm. But what could he do? For hours he sat by Chastity, trying to help her, but to no avail.
"I think -" Chastity finally gasped out, "The baby's coming." And she gave one last push.
Perrin tied off the umbilical cord as Chastity had instructed hours earlier when she'd first gone into labor. The baby was small...much too small. A girl. Then Perrin noticed something.
Chastity was bleeding. Blood seeped onto the snow, staining it crimson red. "No..." Perrin moaned.
Chastity gave Perrin a smile. "Please, Perrin...let me see our baby."
Perrin knew Chastity was dying. With the blood that flowed onto the snow flowed every ounce of life inside her. He choked back his tears, bundled the still, lifeless baby in his own cloak, and handed it to her.
"It's a girl," he choked out. "A girl, Chastity."
"Mmm," she murmured. "I think we should name her Catherine Anne. After my mother and your mother. Don't you think?"
"Of course," said Perrin, gently stroking Chastity's hair.
"Perrin?"
"Yes, my love?"
"I can hear the angels..."
Perrin couldn't take it any longer. His tears flowed forth. "Please, please, Chastity...don't go."
"I have to, Perrin." Chastity smiled on her husband. "Our baby needs me there. Our Catherine Anne needs her mother."
"I know you have to, but I still don't want you to go," sobbed Perrin. "I need you too! I love you so much."
"And I love you, Perrin," said Chastity softly, taking his hand. "And I always will. Into eternity."
~~~~~
"Those were Chastity's last words on this earth," said Dumbledore.
~~~~~
A/N -
You think the legend's over, eh? Wrong! One more part! I actually cried while writing this. Pretty stupid, eh? I cried buckets of tears over fictional characters. Maybe it was PMS or something. I dunno. *sniff* Oh god....here we go again....
-Alicia
Chapter Six
By Alicia Jennings
~
Dumbledore rose from his chair. The clock on the desk read 1:00AM. Harry and Hermione were still wide awake, however, their eyes wide at the story Dumbledore was unfolding. Harry's arm was around Hermione's shoulders, and she was curled up beside him. He walked to the window, surveying the moonlit grounds.
"Professor?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" He turned to face them.
"What happened to Chastity and Perrin next?"
"Well, Perrin felt mighty ashamed of his actions. He hadn't wanted to taint Chastity or hurt her. Chastity was a little shaken after discovering Perrin's true identity, but told him that she'd been forced into actions such as the ones they'd partaken in many times before. Lord Richard was not a man of morals. Neither was the man he worked for, James Scott, who was an illegitimate son of the king - Chastity's half-brother. He envied Chastity, and wanted more than anything to hurt her."
"Did Perrin take Chastity away from the manor?" asked Harry.
"Well, of course. What, did you expect the man to leave his beloved to the dogs? I think not. Yes, Perrin paid a small fee to Lord Richard and then took Chastity far, far away from that wretched place. They went to a small chapel, and after arguing with the priest for several hours, convinced him to marry them. After that, Chastity and Perrin had to decide what to do. They could remain drifters, or Perrin could return to his manor and Chastity could return to the King to ask his forgiveness for running away. They opted for the latter..."
~~~~~
Back to 1693, and to Chastity and Perrin
"Oh, I am so tired," said Chastity. She was riding on the same horse as her husband. He sat behind her, one arm around her waist, one arm occupied with the reins.
"We shall be there soon, my beloved," Perrin whispered the last two words in her ear. "You can see the city from here."
"I wonder how we shall be received," Chastity mused. "We have so much to tell."
"Yes, indeed," said Perrin.
"Perrin?"
"Yes, my dear lady?"
"I have something to tell you. It's.....rather important."
Perrin looked at his wife. "It is? Well, come then, do tell."
"Dost thou remember our last night at Lord Richard's?"
Perrin's face clouded. "Yes. I remember - and I still ask for forgiveness."
"Oh, for God's sake, let it go," snapped Chastity. "I have told you this over and over. That was my job. Whether thou dost like it or no, that was my job."
"I don't care," said Perrin stubbornly. "It was still wrong of me to take advantage of you."
"Anyways," Chastity said, before Perrin could continue, "I had something to tell you."
"Yes?"
"Perrin, I think...I know....that I'm pregnant."
~~~~~
Perrin's head swam as he tried to comprehend what his wife had just said. It couldn't be. He couldn't have heard correctly. This had to be a dream.
"Art thou not happy?" asked Chastity.
Perrin tried to form words, but it took him a few minutes. "I...I do not know what to think."
"Perhaps we should stop so you could gather your wits..." Chastity started, but Perrin cut her off.
"Chastity, are you happy about this child?"
Chastity's eyes shone, and she placed his hand on her still small abdomen. "More happy than you could ever, ever know."
Perrin let out a whoop of joy. "When?" he asked through his wide grin.
Chastity's smile mirrored his. "At my best estimates, around the last week of February."
"That's grand," he said, enveloping her in a hug. "We've only a few more miles to London. We shall be there before nightfall."
"Good," said Chastity, leaning back against him. "I'm very tired." The late September autumn air blew leaves across the path of their horse as they closed the distance between them and destiny.
~~~~~
Harry and Hermione sat, captivated at this tale of love. Dumbledore chuckled. Little did they know, little did they know.
"When they were back in London, Chastity didn't go to the king immediately. She and Perrin went to the Allen manor. They recovered from their long journey and Perrin had some finer clothes made for Chastity, much to her displeasure. But she couldn't return to the king a pauper.
"On October 31...Halloween...Chastity and Perrin made the long-dreaded journey to the castle."
~~~~~
(A/N - just a warning - i have no idea what Buckingham Palace looks like on the inside. So if I do something absolutely horrid, I apologize ahead of time!)
1693
Chastity's lip quivered as the heavy wooden doors, ornate with gold inlays, opened to the throne room. She grasped Perrin's hand tighter.
"Your Majesty," said Chastity, making a grand curtsy. It was obvious she had lived a high life just through that action.
"Your Majesty," said Perrin, making a large, sweeping bow. "It is I, Lord Perrin Allen. I have returned victorious from your quest to find your daughter. This is the Princess Chastity Lorna."
Queen Catherine let out a small sob after a few moments of complete and utter silence. "Chastity...oh, my dearest..." Catherine ran from her throne at her husband's side and embraced her daughter. "Oh, I have missed you so."
"And I you," said Chastity, her tears flowing freely.
Perrin, standing aside from the mother and daughter, was witnessing two scenes. He was witnessing a wonderful reunion. But he was also watching a power-hungry man who had let something slip out of his control become angry.
"Where have you been?" he fairly roared.
Chastity turned to her father. "Many places, my lord king. I have been a princess at times, I've been a student, I've been a teacher....I've been a slave. But now I am something better."
"And what, pray tell, is that?"
"I am a wife and a mother-to-be, Father."
The veins on Charles' neck stood out so much, Perrin wondered if they would burst. "A wife, eh? A mother? Who is this bastard who has wedded and bedded you?"
"I have, my lord," said Perrin boldly. "I, who hast loved Chastity from childhood. I, who searched the entire land for three years to find her. We love each other, and love our unborn child."
"Well, isn't that nice," sneered Charles. "My daughter, gone for seven long years, leaving her parents to worry and wait, and then when returns has married one of my subjects WITHOUT MY CONSENT!" The goblet Charles was drinking from went sailing across the room. "While you're at it, why not tell me everything you haven't told me! Come, is there anything else you'd like to share?!"
"YES!" shouted Chastity. "My lord and king, I am a witch! That, and your trying to marry me off, is why I ran away in the first place!"
"Oh no," moaned Perrin. "You've really done it this time."
Chastity ignored Perrin. "Yes! I am a witch! Look! I even have a wand! And I can use it!" She pointed to the goblet on the floor, still intact by some miracle. "Serratus!" The goblet shattered into a million tiny pieces. She turned toward her father, a fiery blaze in her eyes. "Let that be a lesson to you!"
~~~~~
"That's never a good thing to say to a king," said Harry.
Dumbledore chuckled. "No, generally not. Naturally, Charles sent for the guards and had them both thrown in a dungeon as they awaited sentencing."
"Sentencing?" Hermione asked faintly.
Dumbledore nodded. "It was the time of persecution for our kind. The newlyweds stood before Parliament and received their sentence - they were to spend the rest of their lives in a remote forest in northern Scotland. Chastity would not receive the throne. Perrin's estate and title would go to his younger sister, who would become Lady Elizabeth Allen. She married another nobleman, and had many children. Eventually, a portion of their descendants would become the Potters."
Harry's jaw dropped. Dumbledore continued. "Anyways, on with Perrin and Chastity...their names were erased from books, records....even conversation. Everyone was banned to speak of her. Eventually, through the years, the Muggles forgot about Chastity Lorna and Perrin Allen. But the Magic community didn't..."
~~~~~
1693
Chastity shivered. Snow covered the ground, the trees, their meager shelter....everything. She used to love watching the snow fall from her palace window, or from her window at Hogwarts. Now, it was her enemy. The snow chilled them and prevented them from finding food.
As she stood, her head spun. She did not feel well. Her head pounded, and her skin felt clammy. Perrin noticed her discomfort.
"Chastity? Are you well?"
A pain ripped through her abdomen, making her feel like she was trying to be torn in two. "Oh dear God..."
"What is it?"
"The baby," Chastity moaned. "The baby. It's so early. It's barely past Christmas."
Perrin offered up a small prayer. "Come. Let's get you back to the shelter." It wasn't much - pine boughs with blankets underneath it. "Don't worry. I'm here for you."
"Oh, Perrin...." Her face was white. Deathly white. "I don't feel well."
Perrin laid a hand on her forehead. She was warm. Much too warm. But what could he do? For hours he sat by Chastity, trying to help her, but to no avail.
"I think -" Chastity finally gasped out, "The baby's coming." And she gave one last push.
Perrin tied off the umbilical cord as Chastity had instructed hours earlier when she'd first gone into labor. The baby was small...much too small. A girl. Then Perrin noticed something.
Chastity was bleeding. Blood seeped onto the snow, staining it crimson red. "No..." Perrin moaned.
Chastity gave Perrin a smile. "Please, Perrin...let me see our baby."
Perrin knew Chastity was dying. With the blood that flowed onto the snow flowed every ounce of life inside her. He choked back his tears, bundled the still, lifeless baby in his own cloak, and handed it to her.
"It's a girl," he choked out. "A girl, Chastity."
"Mmm," she murmured. "I think we should name her Catherine Anne. After my mother and your mother. Don't you think?"
"Of course," said Perrin, gently stroking Chastity's hair.
"Perrin?"
"Yes, my love?"
"I can hear the angels..."
Perrin couldn't take it any longer. His tears flowed forth. "Please, please, Chastity...don't go."
"I have to, Perrin." Chastity smiled on her husband. "Our baby needs me there. Our Catherine Anne needs her mother."
"I know you have to, but I still don't want you to go," sobbed Perrin. "I need you too! I love you so much."
"And I love you, Perrin," said Chastity softly, taking his hand. "And I always will. Into eternity."
~~~~~
"Those were Chastity's last words on this earth," said Dumbledore.
~~~~~
A/N -
You think the legend's over, eh? Wrong! One more part! I actually cried while writing this. Pretty stupid, eh? I cried buckets of tears over fictional characters. Maybe it was PMS or something. I dunno. *sniff* Oh god....here we go again....
-Alicia