A/N – Okay, I'm thinking that I'm going to address a FEW of the questions in this chapter.  It's gonna be another short one, sorry 'bout that, folks. 

Also – I haven't fully decided who she's gonna end up with, yet.  Hehehe.  However, since she's now in Stars Hollow, be prepared to encounter a lot of familiar faces.  Hmm, let me think…who's gonna be living there? 

A bit of explanation of Stars Hollow in this story…this is set in medieval times, and modeled after England's fiefdoms.  There is a main keep, where the lord and lady and family live, with a small town/village on the lands surrounding.  The people of the town/village pay taxes to the lord, who, in return, provides protection for his tenants.  The lord owns the lands, and typically owns whatever buildings (including all the buildings in the town/village) on said lands. 

At least one person commented that they found the need to produce an heir a bit disturbing, but it is in keeping with the period…heirs were very important in medieval times; women were primarily valued for their ability to have children.  Romance novels aside, love had very little to do with marriages at that point in history.  I'm not entirely sure why Tristan needs a son so badly, but I'm sure it'll be cleared up in future chapters.

Anywho – here's Chapter 4.  (Hopefully I can get it written and posted before 7 P.M…after all, it IS Tuesday…heheheh.)

A GOLDEN CAGE

"Good, good.  Well, come here, young lady, let me get a look at the woman our Tristan has chosen for his bride."  Mrs. Hayden spoke firmly, but kindly.

Rory obediently stood.  When she and Mrs. Hayden locked eyes, both were taken aback. 

"Oh my…it's…" Rory was stunned.

"Rory?"  Mrs. Hayden asked, her own cornflower blue eyes widening.

"Mother?"

"Is that really you?"  Lorelai Hayden dropped the gowns she had been holding, and reached out to her daughter.

"Mother, I've missed you so much!"  Rory found herself in her mother's arms, weeping.

"Oh, child, I'm so sorry!"

After a short while, the two women finally pulled apart.

"But…mother, what are you doing here?  Have you been here, all these years?"  Rory asked, peering into the blue eyes so similar to her own.

Lorelai tried to muster a smile, and failed.  "Yes…I have been here all these years."

"But…why?"

Lorelai sighed.  "Rory, my love, my daughter…I don't know that I can truly explain…not in such a way as to regain the time that we have lost."

Rory looked down, feeling her initial joy give way to the pain and anger she had felt since her mother had left.  "Try."

Lorelai sighed again, and looked down, then up, anywhere but at her daughter.  "It's difficult."

"I can imagine."  Rory's voice had turned to ice.  She turned back to her trunks, an obvious dismissal.

"Rory…please, try to understand."

Rory spun around furiously.  "Try to understand what?  That you ran?  That you abandoned me, without a second thought?  Mother, I don't have many memories of my childhood, but I do remember you promising me that we would always be together.  Do you remember that promise, Mother?  I was nine.  You left the next day."

Lorelai stared at Rory, aghast at her daughter's outburst.  She visibly struggled to find the words to explain to her daughter.

Seeing that her mother was not going to attempt to defend herself, Rory turned towards her trunks once again.  "Perhaps you should leave, Mrs. Hayden.  I would like to be alone."

Lorelai flinched, the verbal blow cutting through her as sharply as any knife.  Steeling herself, she replied.  "Yes, Milady.  Whatever you command, milady."  With a mocking bow, Lorelai exited the room.

Rory heard the door close, and fell to her knees, sobs wracking her body. 

A tentative tap on the door awoke her several hours later.  She sat up, and looked around, trying to regain her bearings.  The door swung open slightly, and Jess's voice could be heard.  "Milady?"

"Yes, Jess.  Please, come in." 

The door opened further, revealing him standing there, awkwardly.  "Mrs. Hayden asked that I escort you to the dining hall."

"Is it that late already?  I must have fallen asleep."

He smiled reassuringly.  "Perfectly understandable, Milady.  You've had a very trying day."

Rory shook her head, trying to clear the last vestiges of sleep.  "Please stop calling me that."

"Milady?"

"Rory.  My name is Rory."

"Milady, I…"

She approached him, and placed a hand on his arm.  "Please, Jess.  As you have said…this has been a very trying day.  I would like to know that I have at least one friend in my new home."

Jess looked at her quizzically.  "Alright…mi…Rory."

She smiled at him.  "Thank you.  Will you allow me a few moments to change?"

"Of course."

A/N – Okay, so it didn't answer any questions at all, but…we'll see.  I can't write any more, because if I go into the dinner scene, I know it will take me more than the half hour I have until GG starts.  I'll try to add another chapter later tonight, after the show.