A/N – Thanks for the reviews again! I've figured out the answers to some of the questions, but I don't know when they'll be answered in the story. (The guesses I received from you guys, pointing out foreshadowing I didn't notice, definitely helped!) Answers are not in this chapter. Sorry!
In response to both of pandapearl's reviews – Well, you know how much Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel look alike; it's easy to believe that they're mother/daughter. Also, I haven't said how old Rory is at this point in the story. Way back when, she could've been anywhere between 15 and up. If she's only 15, then it's only been 6 years since she's seen her mother. Or, perhaps there's something we don't know yet – like Rory kept a miniature portrait or something. Sounds like something she'd do. But, we'll have to wait and see how/why she recognized her mother. Also, thanks for the complements regarding my attention to detail, though I think it's largely undeserved. I'm not sure I'm really writing the story, more like just typing it. On the other hand, at one point in time, I was a HUGE history buff, and read everything from the time period that I could get my hands on, from cheesy romance novels to Encarta Online articles. Regardless, thanks for the complement!
Also, to the other reviewers – I still haven't fully decided the pairing…after all, there are more characters to be introduced! There will be some Trory interaction in this chapter, because it's the dinner scene. And, I know more than one of you has commented on being a history buff…so, history buffs, because I can't remember, in medieval times, did they have the Elixir of Life, also known as coffee? The more I think about it, the more I think the answer is no…because isn't the coffee tree "native" to the western hemisphere? Or is that just where it's mass produced now? If it is native to the western hemisphere, it wouldn't have become popular in Europe and that side of the globe til much later than this time period.
Anyway, here is Chapter 5!
A GOLDEN CAGE
Rory reluctantly left Jess's side when they reached the dining hall. She stepped into the room, and moved towards her husband. "Good evening, milord." She said cheekily.
"Good evening, milady. Would you care for some wine?" Tristan replied gallantly.
"Why thank you, kind sir."
Tristan smiled at her, and handed her a goblet.
The two sat, and the first course was served.
Dinner continued on, with the two conversing casually. Rory was even able to forget the stressful encounter of the day, and also able to forget that the gentleman beside her was now her husband
As the last course was cleared, Tristan asked. "Would you like to see the town tomorrow?"
Rory looked up at him. "Could I?"
"Of course…I'll order the stables to have two horses prepared for us."
"That would be wonderful."
Tristan smiled at her. "Perhaps milady would care for a stroll through the gardens tonight?"
Rory leaned back in her chair, unobtrusively stretching her torso. "Yes, I would enjoy that immensely."
Tristan rose, and walked to Rory. He offered her his hand, and helped her stand up.
The two strolled through the extensive gardens at Stars Hollow. Rory gasped in delight when she saw so many new and foreign plants. "These are wonderful…how do you get them to grow?"
Tristan laughed. "Milady, the weather is much gentler here than in your native land. Many of these plants grow on their own, and as they will. We have not employed a gardener since my father's father lived in the keep."
Rory shook her head at him, remembering the numerous gardeners required to maintain her grandparents' gardens.
As they continued their ramble throughout the gardens, a slight wind picked up, causing Rory to shiver. "I should have thought to bring a shawl."
Tristan smiled in sympathy. "Perhaps you would like to see another part of the keep…such as the library."
Rory turned to Tristan. "A library?"
He smiled again, this time looking very pleased with himself. "I ordered that it be built immediately upon your acceptance of our betrothal. Would you like to see it?"
"I would love that."
The two turned, and walked towards the keep arm in arm.
Rory spent the next several hours perusing the books inhabiting the new library, hardly noticing that Tristan had fallen asleep on a chaise, waiting for her to choose something to read. She had finally narrowed her choice down to three books, and went to find Tristan. "Tristan." She whispered gently in his ear.
He turned on the chaise slightly, muttering in his sleep, reached out and grabbed Rory, pulling her down for a kiss. Startled, Rory returned the kiss, then broke away. "Tristan." She said more firmly.
He finally opened his eyes. "Yes."
"I should think that you would be more comfortable in your own chambers."
He caught sight of their surroundings, and chuckled. "I believe you are right." He rose, and the two trekked towards their bedchambers. Outside of her door, Tristan paused. "Milady…perhaps you would be more comfortable in my chambers?"
Rory looked at her own door, then back towards her husband. "Tristan…"
He moved to embrace her, and murmured in her ear. "If you are not ready, I will wait. But I would like to sleep side by side with my wife."
Rory nodded mutely into his shoulder, and they continued on towards his door.
The next morning, Rory awoke, feeling more refreshed than she had in years. She stretched, and looked around the bedchamber. Tristan was nowhere to be seen. She rose, and snuck back to her own chambers, and hurriedly dressed for the day. When she glanced in the mirror, she stopped suddenly. The young woman looking back surely wasn't her. She moved towards the mirror slowly, reaching out to touch the reflection lightly. The woman she saw certainly looked like Rory, with wide blue eyes and long brown tresses. But there had never been such a pretty flush in her own cheeks, and her eyes had never sparkled so brightly before. The sunlight streaming into the room gave her hair unfamiliar highlights that glimmered. She smiled with the realization that she was indeed looking at herself, and fairly skipped out of the room.
She found Tristan waiting for her in the courtyard. "Good morning, Milady."
"Good morning, Milord." She replied warmly, with an impish grin.
Tristan smiled back at her, finding her cheer infectious. "I trust you slept well?"
"Very well. And you, kind sir?"
"My sleep was very pleasant. Shall we continue to the stables?"
She grabbed his hand, still grinning widely, and chirped. "Where you lead, I will follow."
"Anywhere?"
"Anywhere that you tell me to."
"Then follow me, and I will lead." Tristan squeezed her hand, and started off towards the stables, Rory in tow.
"Milord, milady. Good morning to you both."
"Good morning, Dean. Rory, my love, this is our top groom, Dean."
"Good morning, Dean." Rory smiled, and offered a hand to the tall young man.
He took the hand, and, bowing over it, kissed it lightly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, milady. I had not heard what a beauty our new lady was."
Rory giggled almost girlishly, before reclaiming her hand. "There must be something in the air in Stars Hollow, to turn its men into such charmers and flatterers."
Tristan eyed the exchange, and fixed a stare on Dean. "I had asked that two horses be prepared. My lady wishes to see the town."
"Of course, Milord. I will bring them out."
Within minutes, Tristan and Rory were atop their horses, and trotting towards the small town known as Stars Hollow.
A/N – Sorry about the play on the theme song, I just couldn't resist! Hehehe. Okay, so this chapter wasn't a whole lot longer than the previous chapters, but you guys can't really complain…after all, I am updating daily!
Also, I have a quickie poll type question…Rory's starting to get used to the idea of Tristan being her husband…I'm wanting to skip ahead a few months. Do you guys want to read about how Tristan convinces Rory to…um…consummate their marriage, or can I skip that part? If I include it, it will not be graphic at all, cuz I just don't like doing that. It'll be something like "Rory smiled, and he kissed her, pulling them both onto the bed. ::Fade Out, end of part/chapter::" So, it's really up to y'all.