OLD & NEW
Sora watched her husband sleep. It was one of her favourite activities. Typical of men, he slept soundly after lovemaking & t`would require a fire to waken him. Or. The redhead grinned & trailed her hand lower. Taichi shot up, & looked at her laughing face. "Blast women, I told you not to tickle my feet to wake me!" His wife laughed openly, than gained control of herself & explained "I have a question of thee."
Taichi settled back down close to her & asked "What?" "Whilst thou were gone, an announcement was made. The princess of our land is to be wed in a fortnight's time. All are invited, & I hoped that we could be able to attend." Taichi looked at her hopeful face & sighed. "T`would seem I am unable to deny thee anything." Sora squeled & threw her arms around him, then lept up & began babbling about how grand it would as she dressed.
When she was gone Taichi gathered his thoughts. A royal wedding. He had narrowly escaped one of his own. He knew that his father was friends with the king of this realm. Unless that friendship had dissolved, King Yagami would likely be there. He risked getting indentified after 6 years if his father recongnized him, but Sora's excited face lingered in his memory.
He had not the heart to disappoint her so greatly by refusing to allow her to attend. He would just have to be careful. If he was caught he could lose all that was dear to him. Putting the thought out of his head, Taichi dressed & went into the kitchen where Sora was making breakfast. He was immediatly accosted by the only one of his children who could walk.
Sora watched fondly as Taichi gave each of their children the greeting he had failed to when he returned last night. When she had first met him she had suspected for a naught a moment she would one day be so happy with him. Yet here she was now, married to him for 6 years, with 4 children & a perfect life. Her thoughts were interrupted when Taichi asked "Is breakfast done?"
Sora nodded & removed it from the little woodstove. The children that could immediately attacked their shares. Taichi fed their 2-year old & Sora began nursing the youngest. The next week flew by in a blur for the redhead. When the time came to leave for the wedding they got up early to give Anya instructions, packed & then left for the country's capital.
The journey was half a day's ride, during which Sora's excitement mounted considerably. Taichi was just the opposite, he became more withdrawn each time his wife tried to talk to him & finally she said in a hurt voice that he did not have to be here should he not desire to be. There he roused himself & reassured her that there was nowhere else he would rather be then with her.
They arrived at the inn they were staying at, stabled the horses & left for the chapel. Sora looked in awe at everything, wishing that her wedding had half as many lovely things, while Taichi examined the guests. Recognizing none, he breathed a sigh of relief & turned his attention to the ceremony, relaxing & smiling at Sora when it began. The bride was radient. Obviuosly a love match.
The ceremony was lovely, & when Sora got the chance to personally congratulate the new queen Taichi knew there would be no sleep tonight for him. She rejoined him briefly, sighing contentedly. "I wish our wedding had been like this," Sora murmered enviously. "Thy father was as lavish for it as he could afford to be," Taichi responded sharply, wishing that that golden-haired girl would turn her attentions from him.
Sora blinked at her husband's sharp words & tone alike. She was certain now that he wished not to be here. She suggested they go & Taichi hastened to agreed. The couple left & Taichi began to relize that Sora was upset when they entered their room & she began dressing for bed without a single look at him. Her snaked his arms around her waist & kissed her behind the ear.
"What be the matter with thou? I thought thee were looking forward to this day," he asked her. Sora pulled loose of his grip. "I was," she replied tartly. "If thou had not sulked so, perhaps I would have enjoyed more." "I agreed to come," the brunette shot back "I said nothing of taking pleasure from it." This turned out to be the wrong thing to say. Sora's eyes filled with tears & she turned away from him again.
Taichi groaned at this behaviour. "What be wrong?" he asked, carefully reighning his temper in. "Thou does not want to spend time with me," was the tearful reply. Taichi mentally sighed. Sora only acted this irrationally when she was with child. The idea hit him that that could be the problem, & he asked gently "Art thou pregnant?" There was a slight nod & Taichi hugged her again, this time in comfort. "Let us sleep."
The next morning they set off on the road back home. Sora was happy to remember yesterday's events, & Taichi could not remove his thoughts from the girl he had seen at the wedding. She was familiar to him in a way that was disturbing to him. He puzzeled over where he could have seen her before all the way home, but could not think of it & finally discarded the thought in frustration.
When they finally arrived at the farm the sun was high in the sky. They dismounted & handed the horses over to the valet for care. Anya came out to meet them, their youngest in her arms. She greeted them with a brief nod, the turned to Taichi, flushed. "M'lord, I know I am but a servant, but thou gavest me no instructions for business so I told the lord Blaise that thee wouldst go to farm to look at his new stud."
Taichi mulled the decision over in the brief time he had before Sora grabbed his arm & protested "But thou just returned from his last trip!" Taichi sighed, his wife was right. On the other hand, their old stud was aging, and he know Lord Blaise to be a fair business man, as well as a good friend. No doubt the offer came from his knowledge of the state of Taichi's breeding shed.
"It would be an insult to refuse a friend's offer for no reason, & we do need a new stud. The old one hath sired precious few offspring in 3 years." Sora bit her lip. "And Blaise is not far away. T'would take me but a week to return," Taichi pointed out, & Sora gave in. "Promise to return within a week?" "From the day I leave," Taichi promised gently. "Come, let us regale the children with stories of the wedding, as we promised."
*2 days later*
Taichi sighed as he sat close to his wife, but Sora's mind seemed to be somewhere other then the embrace. Finally bored with his wife's lack of response, he broke away & asked "What be on thy mind?" Sora turned to him, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Taichi could tell immediately something was wrong, but wasn't expecting what came out of her mouth. "I wish to seek an abortion."
He stared at her in shock. "Why?" he finally managed to choke out. Sora loved children, especially theirs. Why would she want her womb scraped of one? "Because my body requires rest," she replied pleadingly. "Our youngest is not ready to be weaned, and I cannae nurse two at once. Belive when I say t`was nay an easy descision to be made by me either."
Taichi looked at her pleading eyes & understood more then he cared to. "Let me sleep, & I shalkt reveal my decision on the morn." Sora choose not to respond, but lay her head on the pillow, & pretended to be aseep. Taichi could not do so & lay there, pondering Sora's question. His answer would have to come forth by morning, or Sora would have to wait until he returned.
That could put her in danger, trying to remove a child from her body too late. Besides, she was right. Another child could not be taken. They had not the money, or the circumstances. With a sigh he turned to her & shook her "Has thou any names?" Sora immediately nodded, all prtense of sleep gone. "I received a recommendation from the midwife who delivered our other childen." Taichi nodded his assent & Sora hugged gratefully. The next day he was gone.
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Sora sat on the bed, knitting a new dress for the youngest, when she heard the door bang open. Dropring the needles she slid of the bed, wincing briefly at the pain in her lower abonm from the abortaion, then ran to the gretting room. An regal man & a lovely blomd girl were there, the man regarding the room in distaste & saying "This be where my son ran off to? This shack?"
Indignant at the insult to her home, Sora alerted the pair's attention to her by clearing her throat. They looked at her & then the man demanded "Where is thy master?" She looked back at him brazenly & rplied "What art thou doing within my house?" To her shock he immediatly had her raised above the floor & his hand around her neck. After he repeated his question, the girl behind him protested.
"She cannae speak whilt thou art choking her. Release her." Sora was dropped & edged away, rubbing her neck & coughing. The blond knelt by her & said gently "We are looking for Taichi Yagami. Where is your master, girl?" Sora shook her head. "The only Taichi here is my husband, Taichi Motmiya, & he is away." The blonde exchanged looks with the man. "So he did change his name."
"Who art thou?" Sora demanded, flickers of fright licking the edges of her mind. After an exchange of looks, the girl said "This is King Yagami, & I am Princess Mimi. Taichi is his son, & my betrothed." Sora looked at her shock. Son? Betrothed? The redhead shook her head, clearing her mind. "Thou art raving. Taichi's family hath been long since desceased. My apoligies that ye wasted your time."
Mimi restrained King Yagami then turned a sympathetic gaze to Sora. "How long hath thou known him?" "Six years since we were wed," Sora replied, slightly proudly. "A year of courting, & the six months afore that during which we became acquinted." Yet another exchange of looks, then Mimi said "It fits perfectly. The first six months on the road, then the rest of his time here."
Whatever was to be said next was interrupted by Anya's arrival. The maid entered, then stopped, startled. "I was unaware thee was receiving visitors, m'lady," She said, then startred to back out. Sora stood, tyhen held up a hand, stopping Anya's departure. "take the children for a walk. I have much to discuss with our guests that I would not have them hear."
Curiosity flamed in the maid's eyes, but like a good servant she held her tongue & hastened to obey her mistress. When they saw her leave There was an exchange of questions & answers, until both sets of curiosity were sated. Sora collapsed on the couch, stunned at the deceit visited upon her. Mimi & Yagami were silent, Mimi looking sympathetic, Yagami just impatient.
Eventually they left, after Sora agreed to send Taichi to the inn they were staying at, The Dragon's Gold, when he returned. When Anya returned with the children, Sora had them fed & put to sleep, then she & the maid retired, Sora steeling herself against what would happen tomorrow when Taichi returned & she honoured her word & returned him to his father & affianced.
Sora watched her husband sleep. It was one of her favourite activities. Typical of men, he slept soundly after lovemaking & t`would require a fire to waken him. Or. The redhead grinned & trailed her hand lower. Taichi shot up, & looked at her laughing face. "Blast women, I told you not to tickle my feet to wake me!" His wife laughed openly, than gained control of herself & explained "I have a question of thee."
Taichi settled back down close to her & asked "What?" "Whilst thou were gone, an announcement was made. The princess of our land is to be wed in a fortnight's time. All are invited, & I hoped that we could be able to attend." Taichi looked at her hopeful face & sighed. "T`would seem I am unable to deny thee anything." Sora squeled & threw her arms around him, then lept up & began babbling about how grand it would as she dressed.
When she was gone Taichi gathered his thoughts. A royal wedding. He had narrowly escaped one of his own. He knew that his father was friends with the king of this realm. Unless that friendship had dissolved, King Yagami would likely be there. He risked getting indentified after 6 years if his father recongnized him, but Sora's excited face lingered in his memory.
He had not the heart to disappoint her so greatly by refusing to allow her to attend. He would just have to be careful. If he was caught he could lose all that was dear to him. Putting the thought out of his head, Taichi dressed & went into the kitchen where Sora was making breakfast. He was immediatly accosted by the only one of his children who could walk.
Sora watched fondly as Taichi gave each of their children the greeting he had failed to when he returned last night. When she had first met him she had suspected for a naught a moment she would one day be so happy with him. Yet here she was now, married to him for 6 years, with 4 children & a perfect life. Her thoughts were interrupted when Taichi asked "Is breakfast done?"
Sora nodded & removed it from the little woodstove. The children that could immediately attacked their shares. Taichi fed their 2-year old & Sora began nursing the youngest. The next week flew by in a blur for the redhead. When the time came to leave for the wedding they got up early to give Anya instructions, packed & then left for the country's capital.
The journey was half a day's ride, during which Sora's excitement mounted considerably. Taichi was just the opposite, he became more withdrawn each time his wife tried to talk to him & finally she said in a hurt voice that he did not have to be here should he not desire to be. There he roused himself & reassured her that there was nowhere else he would rather be then with her.
They arrived at the inn they were staying at, stabled the horses & left for the chapel. Sora looked in awe at everything, wishing that her wedding had half as many lovely things, while Taichi examined the guests. Recognizing none, he breathed a sigh of relief & turned his attention to the ceremony, relaxing & smiling at Sora when it began. The bride was radient. Obviuosly a love match.
The ceremony was lovely, & when Sora got the chance to personally congratulate the new queen Taichi knew there would be no sleep tonight for him. She rejoined him briefly, sighing contentedly. "I wish our wedding had been like this," Sora murmered enviously. "Thy father was as lavish for it as he could afford to be," Taichi responded sharply, wishing that that golden-haired girl would turn her attentions from him.
Sora blinked at her husband's sharp words & tone alike. She was certain now that he wished not to be here. She suggested they go & Taichi hastened to agreed. The couple left & Taichi began to relize that Sora was upset when they entered their room & she began dressing for bed without a single look at him. Her snaked his arms around her waist & kissed her behind the ear.
"What be the matter with thou? I thought thee were looking forward to this day," he asked her. Sora pulled loose of his grip. "I was," she replied tartly. "If thou had not sulked so, perhaps I would have enjoyed more." "I agreed to come," the brunette shot back "I said nothing of taking pleasure from it." This turned out to be the wrong thing to say. Sora's eyes filled with tears & she turned away from him again.
Taichi groaned at this behaviour. "What be wrong?" he asked, carefully reighning his temper in. "Thou does not want to spend time with me," was the tearful reply. Taichi mentally sighed. Sora only acted this irrationally when she was with child. The idea hit him that that could be the problem, & he asked gently "Art thou pregnant?" There was a slight nod & Taichi hugged her again, this time in comfort. "Let us sleep."
The next morning they set off on the road back home. Sora was happy to remember yesterday's events, & Taichi could not remove his thoughts from the girl he had seen at the wedding. She was familiar to him in a way that was disturbing to him. He puzzeled over where he could have seen her before all the way home, but could not think of it & finally discarded the thought in frustration.
When they finally arrived at the farm the sun was high in the sky. They dismounted & handed the horses over to the valet for care. Anya came out to meet them, their youngest in her arms. She greeted them with a brief nod, the turned to Taichi, flushed. "M'lord, I know I am but a servant, but thou gavest me no instructions for business so I told the lord Blaise that thee wouldst go to farm to look at his new stud."
Taichi mulled the decision over in the brief time he had before Sora grabbed his arm & protested "But thou just returned from his last trip!" Taichi sighed, his wife was right. On the other hand, their old stud was aging, and he know Lord Blaise to be a fair business man, as well as a good friend. No doubt the offer came from his knowledge of the state of Taichi's breeding shed.
"It would be an insult to refuse a friend's offer for no reason, & we do need a new stud. The old one hath sired precious few offspring in 3 years." Sora bit her lip. "And Blaise is not far away. T'would take me but a week to return," Taichi pointed out, & Sora gave in. "Promise to return within a week?" "From the day I leave," Taichi promised gently. "Come, let us regale the children with stories of the wedding, as we promised."
*2 days later*
Taichi sighed as he sat close to his wife, but Sora's mind seemed to be somewhere other then the embrace. Finally bored with his wife's lack of response, he broke away & asked "What be on thy mind?" Sora turned to him, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Taichi could tell immediately something was wrong, but wasn't expecting what came out of her mouth. "I wish to seek an abortion."
He stared at her in shock. "Why?" he finally managed to choke out. Sora loved children, especially theirs. Why would she want her womb scraped of one? "Because my body requires rest," she replied pleadingly. "Our youngest is not ready to be weaned, and I cannae nurse two at once. Belive when I say t`was nay an easy descision to be made by me either."
Taichi looked at her pleading eyes & understood more then he cared to. "Let me sleep, & I shalkt reveal my decision on the morn." Sora choose not to respond, but lay her head on the pillow, & pretended to be aseep. Taichi could not do so & lay there, pondering Sora's question. His answer would have to come forth by morning, or Sora would have to wait until he returned.
That could put her in danger, trying to remove a child from her body too late. Besides, she was right. Another child could not be taken. They had not the money, or the circumstances. With a sigh he turned to her & shook her "Has thou any names?" Sora immediately nodded, all prtense of sleep gone. "I received a recommendation from the midwife who delivered our other childen." Taichi nodded his assent & Sora hugged gratefully. The next day he was gone.
****************************************************************
Sora sat on the bed, knitting a new dress for the youngest, when she heard the door bang open. Dropring the needles she slid of the bed, wincing briefly at the pain in her lower abonm from the abortaion, then ran to the gretting room. An regal man & a lovely blomd girl were there, the man regarding the room in distaste & saying "This be where my son ran off to? This shack?"
Indignant at the insult to her home, Sora alerted the pair's attention to her by clearing her throat. They looked at her & then the man demanded "Where is thy master?" She looked back at him brazenly & rplied "What art thou doing within my house?" To her shock he immediatly had her raised above the floor & his hand around her neck. After he repeated his question, the girl behind him protested.
"She cannae speak whilt thou art choking her. Release her." Sora was dropped & edged away, rubbing her neck & coughing. The blond knelt by her & said gently "We are looking for Taichi Yagami. Where is your master, girl?" Sora shook her head. "The only Taichi here is my husband, Taichi Motmiya, & he is away." The blonde exchanged looks with the man. "So he did change his name."
"Who art thou?" Sora demanded, flickers of fright licking the edges of her mind. After an exchange of looks, the girl said "This is King Yagami, & I am Princess Mimi. Taichi is his son, & my betrothed." Sora looked at her shock. Son? Betrothed? The redhead shook her head, clearing her mind. "Thou art raving. Taichi's family hath been long since desceased. My apoligies that ye wasted your time."
Mimi restrained King Yagami then turned a sympathetic gaze to Sora. "How long hath thou known him?" "Six years since we were wed," Sora replied, slightly proudly. "A year of courting, & the six months afore that during which we became acquinted." Yet another exchange of looks, then Mimi said "It fits perfectly. The first six months on the road, then the rest of his time here."
Whatever was to be said next was interrupted by Anya's arrival. The maid entered, then stopped, startled. "I was unaware thee was receiving visitors, m'lady," She said, then startred to back out. Sora stood, tyhen held up a hand, stopping Anya's departure. "take the children for a walk. I have much to discuss with our guests that I would not have them hear."
Curiosity flamed in the maid's eyes, but like a good servant she held her tongue & hastened to obey her mistress. When they saw her leave There was an exchange of questions & answers, until both sets of curiosity were sated. Sora collapsed on the couch, stunned at the deceit visited upon her. Mimi & Yagami were silent, Mimi looking sympathetic, Yagami just impatient.
Eventually they left, after Sora agreed to send Taichi to the inn they were staying at, The Dragon's Gold, when he returned. When Anya returned with the children, Sora had them fed & put to sleep, then she & the maid retired, Sora steeling herself against what would happen tomorrow when Taichi returned & she honoured her word & returned him to his father & affianced.