Ok, let me start out by saying that this is set in the middle ages. And well, hopefully you will like it. It all depends on how well it is received, if I continue with the fiction.
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Squire Ross Geller looked over at his best friend, Squire Chandler Bing. While he had a nice horse, it was the best that his family could afford (they even took one forth of the money out of Monica's, his little sister, dowry to buy it) it was still far from the best. But the steed that Chandler was riding could only be described as one that the king would have in his stables to ride. Since he had no other siblings and his family was well off, his family could afford almost anything.
Although it did come with a price, his mother was a lady in waiting for the queen and his father was the king's own champion. And after his mother gave birth to him and the family line was secure, both of his parents started to have affairs. And Chandler was raised by servants and other knights. So that he hardly knew his parents. He only saw his father, Sir Charles Bing, only three times in his life. Or times that he actually remembered seeing his father. And it was all at court.
He only saw his mother no more than close to forty times in all his life. Two times for each year of his life. His mother was always busy with the queen and the busy and very demanding life as a lady in waiting, as the chief lady in waiting. Plus she had other functions to perform and thankfully, she never saw her husband, she mainly had one affair after another. That was good enough for her, the marriage was one of convenience for the families to untie two powerful names and fortunes, Bing and Tyler. They both despised one another. Sir Charles Bing was always gone on business for the king. While Chandler was raised on the family lands and by nurses at first, servants, then by knights. So he was by far more comfortable with servants than his own peers.
Ross studied his friend's face sadly. While Chandler joked around a lot. Hell, the court jester had nothing on him. Ross could tell that he was very sad and lonely. Here it was close to the twelve days of Christmas, and Chandler had really no place to go, so he insisted on him coming to his home with him.
While Chandler had been to what could only be described as a huge castle or stronghold, the Geller family lived in a hall. The main room was the great hall or the eating room and the bedrooms and kitchen surrounded the great hall. The walls were not as high as the castle, they were still good for defense. Although not as thick. But his family was still there for him and loved him and his family showered all kinds of attention on him.
Sir Jack Geller, was a decorated, respected and honored knight that once rode with the king during the civil wars between him and his scheming uncle. The king awarded his father with a barony and a lot of land and the broken down hall, it was to the south of the capital and meant to be not only fixed up but also to keep an eye on the southern borders. And married him off to a Lady Judy Carmichael, who the queen herself once had as a maid in waiting. She was the king's ward, because of being orphaned at an early age. Sir Jack and the lady Judy soon fell in love with each other. Even though it was an arranged marriage by the king.
Ross's father went to work on the lands and the ruined hall. And made it livable again. And the king even fostered his son as a way of saying thanks though he only did that with wealthy lords and higher ranking ones. That was another way for him to say thanks for being loyal and doing a good job for him.
Within being married a year, his mom gave birth to him. And that made everyone happy. For one thing, they would not have to put up with a dowry for a daughter. Or to put it bluntly, pay a man to marry her. And a son was always wanted. But then tragedy struck, for five years, Lady Judy Geller either had miscarriages or could not conceive. Finally, when Ross was five years old a daughter was born. But it came at a price, that almost killed her and she could not have children again.
Lady Judy Geller was not pleased about the girl. She wanted to give her husband another son and not to be bothered with a girl to have her following her around day after day. So in that sense she was like Lady Nora Tyler Bing. The only thing was she didn't have nurses around to pass her daughter, or Monica, to. So she had to look after her. And while she thought of her as a nuisance, Monica adored her and tried to do whatever she could to win her affections. But it was a losing battle. It was plain and simple, her mother did not want her.
Monica tried to learn everything that she could as in way of cooking and cleaning, managing a keep, sewing, and everything that a lady would learn. Including child birthing and with the herb garden. She also learned how to read, speak three different languages besides the one she grew up with, and write and conduct business. As well as how to manage sheep, horses, cows and crops so that her father could spend his time with the troops. She also learned how to shoot a bow and arrow and a crossbow as well as weld a dagger. Which she carried with her at all times. It was useful and richly decorated but more of a badge of her rank and it was a gift from her father on her tenth birthday.
She may not have been the lady of the keep, but she carried the keys to all of the rooms which included the store rooms. While her mother mainly sat around and sewed and did what a lady did. Monica learned the hard way at an early age to make her mother happy was to be the unofficial lady of the keep and to keep out of her mother's way. The peasants all loved her because she would go out in all weather and help then with their problems.
And that almost killed her one time. She caught the flu that was going around while trying to help a peasant family out. And the only reason that she survived was that she had a strong will and the peasants all went out and looked for certain herbs to help save her life, because of she helping them out. During the time that she was sick, her mother never went to see her. And that left her lonely and sad. Or so Ross heard.
She used to have a very good friend named Lady Rachel Green who was now a Maid in waiting for the queen herself directly under Chandler's mom. So in a way she was like Chandler and very lonely. Although their dad did try and spend some time with her when he could. And he would always invite her along when he went hunting and riding and to business meetings. But that was few and far in between.
So in short his sister would make some man a very lucky husband, someday. If they could marry her off before their mother went in and took more if not all the money out of her dowry box like she was always doing. She would whenever she needed money for something. Like the traders for jewelry or money to buy clothing or cloth. When her father would say something, she would say that Monica would probably never get married.
Finally, the hall came into view. It was a welcomed sight. The dark red and white flag waving off the bailey and smoke coming out of the chimney. And the small village that Monica and their father ran together. Although looking at it now, it was not quite so small. It was a big village that encompassed a small village which had walls around it that was right next to the hall's walls. They then started to slow down and send the horses at an easy pace.
Before they arrived at the town, Ross saw a lot more apple farms, a sheep farm, dairy farms, cattle farms, three hops farms where the grain of alcohol is made at and grain farms before they arrived at the town
While going through the town they passed a blacksmith shop, a harness maker, a chapel, a tin smith, at least twenty hovels. Each containing at least five peasants or at the most, eight peasants. An abbey, a distillery, five bakeries, a tailors, a shoe maker, a pewter and a coppersmith. That was in the inner part of town. And in the center was a garden, a well, an extra chapel and the market place. In short Monica and Sir Jack Geller were doing very well for the town's commerce.
At the gate the horses clopped over the stones that led to the great hall. And they both alighted. Just then a young black haired girl that was petite in height ran down some stairs.
"Ross!" She ran over and hugged him tightly.
"Monica!?!" Ross couldn't believe it. The last time that he left her, she was chunky and now she was light as a feather. It must have been when she was sick that she had gotten thinner. He couldn't believe it. She was really very pretty. He picked her up and spun her around.
Her laughter was genuine and lighthearted. He then sat her back on her feet and looked at her closely. She no longer had a double chin and face was thin and her bright blue eyes danced. Her raven black hair fell unencumbered to her waist, as was the custom of unmarried women. And her skin was a pale color that set off her hair and eyes very nicely. And she even had a very nice figure that her simple dress and shawl couldn't hide. She had changed.
"Brother dear. It looks like you have seen a ghost!" Monica laughed aloud.
"No, it is that you have changed." Ross tried to be nice.
"Ha ha. I am not the same fat little girl I was two years ago." Monica laughed aloud.
"Has it really been that long?" Ross asked aloud. "You were just twelve years old at the time."
"And you were home on holiday from the king who was sponsoring you to be a squire." Monica grinned. Then she noticed another person standing politely off to the side. "And who is your friend? Or shall I make up a name for him?"
Chandler smiled. "You would probably pick a better name than my parents gave me."
Monica's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh really?"
"Oh yes, my manners. Chandler Bing, I would like for you to meet my sister, Monica Geller." Ross introduced his best friend with his sister. "He is going through his duties as a squire with me." Ross then went on to explain. "Since his home is so far away from the king's castle, I told him that he could come home and stay the twelve days of Christmas with us."
"Oh did you now? Without even asking us?" She pretended to pout by placing her hands on her hips but then Monica then grinned. "You know that your friends are more than welcomed here no matter what." Monica then led them inside, while a stable boy took there horses to the stable to look after it and they took their bags inside with them. "Now let's see about getting him settled into a room." She then led them into the main hall and toward a tall clean shaven man that stood in the middle of the hall. "DAD! Look who is home!"
Jack Geller turned around and smiled a welcoming smile. "Ross….it is good to see you." He then gave his son a manly hug.
"You too dad!" Ross pulled back and smiled at his dad. "Dad, I would like you to meet a good friend of mine. Chandler Bing."
"Is your father the Marquise Charles Bing?" Jack asked looking at Chandler with raised eyebrows.
"Uh, yes. And my mother is the Marquise ness Nora Tyler Bing." Chandler stated aloud.
"Oh, then your mother knows my friend the Maid Rachel Green." Monica stated knowingly.
"Uh, yes. She does. I have met her once. And mom says that she is the best maid that the queen has ever had." Chandler smiled weakly. He hoped that the tales of what his mother and father did had not made it out here.
"Oh, yes I met your mother a long time ago when we were younger. She won the queen's favor over me and the king gave me in marriage to my husband." Chandler turned around to see a very noble looking woman standing there in the room. "And word has traveled of what your mother does with her spare time the same as what your father does." As of reading his thoughts. The woman chuckled aloud.
"NORA! He is a guest!" Jack Geller was shocked.
Chandler smiled weakly. "That is ok. Baron Geller. I am used to having people whisper and talk. Maybe I should go to my room now. If you do not mind."
"This way." Monica then led him to the best room that was used as a spare.
Jack Geller looked down hard at his wife. "I am going to tell you this one time and one time only. I have heard a lot of what that poor boy has gone through, and I do not want you to give him any trouble. Is that clear?"
"I see, be good to the poor little rich boy." Baroness Judy Geller sniffed.
"Mother, dear. That poor little rich boy has barely seen his father three times during his whole life. His mother left him to be raised by servants and then later on knights. He has no real family to speak of except for the people that he grew up around. And they are now either dead or have families of their own. So he has no one. Maybe it was not that good of an idea to bring him here. But he is my friend and I do not want him to be alone during this time of the year. But don't worry, he probably will stay at the castle with the knights or with the army next year. I just wanted to show him that there was some people who cared for him." Ross explained to his mother. "Now please do not say anything else that would hurt him anymore."
During which time, Monica showed Chandler to the best room in the house. She then bent down and with her keys and unlocked the door and went and opened the window. "I will see about getting a fire started and will leave the windows opened for some fresh air to get rid of the musty smell in the room. The last person to use the room was the king himself five years ago when Ross went with him to the royal castle to begin to train as a squire."
Chandler smiled. " I guess I should feel honored, then."
"It is the best we have. I will bring in some fresh sheets and clean blankets as well as have some wood brought in. My family may not be rich but we will make sure that you stay comfortable." Monica looked over at Chandler and smiled.
"It is a nice room." Chandler mused looking over at every thing. "Really."
Monica smiled shyly, "Thank you. I will make sure that the room is cleaned out before the sheets and blankets arrive and that you are given some warm water to wash with."
"Thank you." Chandler looked directly into her eyes. She had beautiful deep blue eyes that he could get lost in forever. Her smile was mesmerizing. And her naturally red lips, pale skin and half way down her back, ebony hair made his heart run faster.
"You're welcome." Monica looked directly in his eyes as well. They were a bright baby blue and had a bit of sadness in them that for some reason she could connect with. His sandy brown hair fell haphazardly over the side of his right forehead and he was tall. She felt her cheeks redden and she quickly looked away, hoping that he didn't see her face turn red. No other man made her feel this way. "Uh, I will get the blankets and the sheets, water to wash with and then to the dinner." She then turned to leave. With the different emotions going around her heart she had to get out of there. "Oh, about my mother. Pay her no mind. When she says something like that to me, I just smile shake my head yes and agree with her and then I ignore her. Maybe that is why we never get along." Monica then left the room with a very confused guest looking after her.
Soon after she closed the door, she leaned against it and sighed. She had just fallen in love. But would he want her. She knew that she no longer had much of a dowry and was not that good of a catch. But she was educated and knew how to manage the land to the best of her ability. Maybe he would want her for that. No, probably not. She sighed sadly and went to get a maid to help her out and to inform the cook of what they wanted to have for dinner and there would be an extra mouth to feed.
Chandler sighed heavily and sat down. She was unlike the other girls at the court. She was fresh and had a spirit and a smile that would go on for days. The other girls like her old friend that he met, that his mother tried to play matchmaker between them both, all were silly young girls who only liked fashion, gossip and court intrigue. What he wanted was a woman who was smart and who actually cared for people. His friend's sister seemed to be just that. She was the one who really seemed to be in charge of the keep or managed the hall. And form the way everything looked to be running, it was quiet well.
Now the question was, why wasn't she married or promised to another man? She was fourteen. And by that time most girls had plenty of callers or were already betrothed. Or even married and some were either expecting their first kid or already had a baby.
Hmmm…maybe, he could talk to her father and ask to call on her. He knew that he was not a knight. But still, he would be by next year. And he had plenty of lands and a huge castle. So they would not have to worry about how much money he made. He would make enough by way of his income.
Well, actually he had three castles, or his family had three. One in the city not too far from the royal castle. OR it actually was really a comfortable palace that his mother mainly used for her residence when she was not attending the queen. A huge castle in the country that belonged to his father's side of the family, which had a lot of grains that were grown, at least five windmills, and many bakeries and a lot of hops farms and distilleries that produced a lot of drink, vineyards and wineries and some dairy farms that produced much cheese, they even had fifteen apple farms. The Fortress that belonged to his mother's side was on the country's borders that was used for mainly defense. But they still had a lot of hills and mined lead and had four quarries, had a few sheep farms, but mainly cattle farms which included both beef and cheese which included twenty each of, a few hops farms and one distillery, a hand full of grain farms and three bakeries or just enough to see to the food needs for the year, and two windmills, ten apple farms, and they also had ten farms that raised magnificent horses. About twenty each on each farm. And they both towns had chapels, abbeys, tailors, tanners, jewelers, weavers, shoe makers, tinsmiths, silversmith, goldsmith, blacksmith, ironsmith, plenty of stores and each town both had a cathedral. And both towns had markets, apacotharies, plenty of wells and gardens and ponds. He would make sure that she was well taken care of.
He still might be young and did not want a marriage like the one his father and mother were forced into, but his mind was already on the future. A small knock shook him out of his musings. "Come in."
Monica entered with a young pretty girl. "Mandy, sweep out the room, air it out and clean it up a bit and then make the bed. Would you like to go on the way of a tour?"
Chandler smiled, "Sure."
Since there wasn't much to show, they ended up in the great hall not more than ten minutes later. Chandler was really impressed with how the store rooms were kept up and how the cleaning was also kept up. During the time they were walking and talking, he found a kindred soul with the young girl. They might have been six years apart, but that wasn't that bad. He had heard of fathers marrying their daughters off to men who were old enough to be their father or even grandfather.
A few hours later, Chandler was in his room getting washed up for dinner and he dressed nicely and went downstairs. Stopping on his way to talk to Mandy. He found out from her that Monica was the one who really ran the manor house and hall. And even could read and write. Her father also taught her the game of chess and she even read from Greek and Latin books. Spoke Latin, French, and even German not to mention her own home tongue. Just like him. And that she could write. She also looked after the villagers and their families. And they loved her as their own daughter. The only sad spot in her universe was how her mother treated her. So they were just alike in that way. Except she really lucked out when it came to her father.
At dinner that night, the trenchers or bread plates were piled high with melted cheese, meat and sauce. They even had honey covered apples for dessert. And had honey wine or mead and ale. Judy was dressed the lady of the land in a dark red dress and red and white wimple. Jack and Ross both had on red and white clothes. But his attention was distracted by Monica who was wearing a simple red gown that laced up on both of her sides and she wore a red ribbon in her hair. She was beautiful and would probably get more beautiful as time went on. Right then and there he knew that he had to talk to her father about him calling on her.
Two days later, Ross was talking with his mother in the solarium, Monica was down in the kitchen and that left her father in the stables. He walked silently up to him. "Uh, Baron Geller. I would like to talk with you about your daughter. Please." Chandler held his breath.
"Go on." Jack Geller looked at Chandler with knowing eyes. He had seen the way he was looking at his daughter.
"Well, Baron Geller. I mean, uh. It is about your daughter. I mean, is she betrothed or does she have any callers? I mean I would like to be one." Chandler managed weakly.
Baron Jack Geller smiled a bit. "No, she is not promised and she has no callers. But there is a reason for it. She does not have much in her dowry."
"I do not care about that. I mean I have met a lot of girls who would only be there for an arm ornament, and who have a whole lot of a dowry. But that is all. Monica is different. She actually knows how to think. And she is my friend's sister. And I can take care of her. I mean my income is enough for just one estate. And since I am the only heir to two estates, you know that she would have enough of everything." Chandler explained.
"She is a free spirit." Her father warned him.
"I know. And I will not try and put those fires out. She is very passionate. And it would be a crime to destroy them." Chandler surmised. "Besides I love it when we have our discussions."
"Very well. You have my permission to call on her. And my blessing to marry her after you become a knight for at least five years. And you have to be respected and have seen battle at least once and made yourself well known for how you behave in battle." Baron Geller smiled. He knew that Chandler would take good care of her. But he wanted to see how patient the young man before him was. And by that time, he should have plenty saved up and provide his little girl with a comfortable income and be well respected, he hoped.
"I will, sir. I give you my word." Chandler answered solemnly then grinned broadly and excused himself and ran out.
Baron Jack Geller smiled. He was getting older and he worried about what to do about his daughter, since her dowry was getting lower each year. It was his fault really, he should have stopped Judy at the very first from going into the coffers, but he didn't. He wanted to make her happy. And in doing so was unwittingly denying his daughter a future with a husband and kids and a keep of her own.
He was scared that Monica would have to end up becoming a ward of the king or would have to become a nun. Although the more he thought about it, he hoped that it would be neither. Now, she wouldn't have to worry about getting a husband that was thrown at her, where she could be beaten to an inch of her life if she said something back to her husband, he had heard of men doing hat before. But if he was any judge of character, he believed that this young man would not hurt her. Or being forced into a convent as a nun that would eventually end up cleaning for the others in the convent. Since she had no real dowry to speak of. And there was no way a woman who would marry Ross would want her to remain at the castle. She would want to run it herself.
And the young man he just talked to was willing to over look the question of the dowry. And he genuinely wanted her as his wife. He knew that he would take care of her. He heard how rich the lands were. While his father's lands were a lot of trading for clothes, wine, bread, special items such as plates, and silversmiths and goldsmiths and weavers and other good traders. The northern lands or his mother's lands that he came from were rich in the iron and stone trade, dairy, beef, had ale houses, and made weapons for the king also raised some magnificent horses as well. And had a huge forest were there was a lot of lumber, fur trading and hunting that took place there. And Tyler Fortress also was one of the most important defensive strongholds that was situated up north to protect the borders. So the king had immense faith in that family. It wasn't the young man's fault that his parents were estranged from each other. He could tell that the young man was a good man at heart and was fiercely loyal to his parents and their names as well as to the king himself. He would be a good husband for Monica. That much was certain.
Chandler went looking for Monica and found her at the kitchen. He smiled when he watched her give some last minute instructions to the cook and to the maid of what to serve. She turned around and smiled.
"And what can I do for you?" Monica asked her guest.
"A walk?" Chandler asked. The maid and the cook both smiled at each other, they knew what was up. They had hoped that Monica would eventually find someone to have call on her that would treat her good. That was everyone's wish.
Monica tilted her head to the side and smiled. "Ok." She then led him on a walk after grabbing her shawl. They walked around the village and the fields. Monica shouting greetings and calling the people by their first names and asking questions about how everyone was doing along the way.
That amazed Chandler and made him smile. She evidently cared for all of the common folk and was truly interested in what they thought and how they were. And they respected her. The kids loved her and she loved the kids and picked up the younger ones and swung them around. Her laughter made Chandler smile more than ever and gave him a warm feeling.
The rest of the week went fast and Monica and Chandler could be seen talking together and walking around together. And one time he even bent his head down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek under some mistletoe.
When he found out, Ross was surprised at first, but eventually handled it well, after he found out from his father that Chandler was calling on her and that he approved of the decision after Chandler came and asked him. His mother was a different story. She made it clear that she did not like that boy, because of his mother winning the queen's approval. But Jack Geller put his foot down.
Finally, after being there for two weeks, Chandler had to leave but promised to write Monica every chance he got. He left her with a present of a dark blue silk scarf.
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Alright, I promise there is more to this. Like Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe. I just need your input. Thanks…
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Squire Ross Geller looked over at his best friend, Squire Chandler Bing. While he had a nice horse, it was the best that his family could afford (they even took one forth of the money out of Monica's, his little sister, dowry to buy it) it was still far from the best. But the steed that Chandler was riding could only be described as one that the king would have in his stables to ride. Since he had no other siblings and his family was well off, his family could afford almost anything.
Although it did come with a price, his mother was a lady in waiting for the queen and his father was the king's own champion. And after his mother gave birth to him and the family line was secure, both of his parents started to have affairs. And Chandler was raised by servants and other knights. So that he hardly knew his parents. He only saw his father, Sir Charles Bing, only three times in his life. Or times that he actually remembered seeing his father. And it was all at court.
He only saw his mother no more than close to forty times in all his life. Two times for each year of his life. His mother was always busy with the queen and the busy and very demanding life as a lady in waiting, as the chief lady in waiting. Plus she had other functions to perform and thankfully, she never saw her husband, she mainly had one affair after another. That was good enough for her, the marriage was one of convenience for the families to untie two powerful names and fortunes, Bing and Tyler. They both despised one another. Sir Charles Bing was always gone on business for the king. While Chandler was raised on the family lands and by nurses at first, servants, then by knights. So he was by far more comfortable with servants than his own peers.
Ross studied his friend's face sadly. While Chandler joked around a lot. Hell, the court jester had nothing on him. Ross could tell that he was very sad and lonely. Here it was close to the twelve days of Christmas, and Chandler had really no place to go, so he insisted on him coming to his home with him.
While Chandler had been to what could only be described as a huge castle or stronghold, the Geller family lived in a hall. The main room was the great hall or the eating room and the bedrooms and kitchen surrounded the great hall. The walls were not as high as the castle, they were still good for defense. Although not as thick. But his family was still there for him and loved him and his family showered all kinds of attention on him.
Sir Jack Geller, was a decorated, respected and honored knight that once rode with the king during the civil wars between him and his scheming uncle. The king awarded his father with a barony and a lot of land and the broken down hall, it was to the south of the capital and meant to be not only fixed up but also to keep an eye on the southern borders. And married him off to a Lady Judy Carmichael, who the queen herself once had as a maid in waiting. She was the king's ward, because of being orphaned at an early age. Sir Jack and the lady Judy soon fell in love with each other. Even though it was an arranged marriage by the king.
Ross's father went to work on the lands and the ruined hall. And made it livable again. And the king even fostered his son as a way of saying thanks though he only did that with wealthy lords and higher ranking ones. That was another way for him to say thanks for being loyal and doing a good job for him.
Within being married a year, his mom gave birth to him. And that made everyone happy. For one thing, they would not have to put up with a dowry for a daughter. Or to put it bluntly, pay a man to marry her. And a son was always wanted. But then tragedy struck, for five years, Lady Judy Geller either had miscarriages or could not conceive. Finally, when Ross was five years old a daughter was born. But it came at a price, that almost killed her and she could not have children again.
Lady Judy Geller was not pleased about the girl. She wanted to give her husband another son and not to be bothered with a girl to have her following her around day after day. So in that sense she was like Lady Nora Tyler Bing. The only thing was she didn't have nurses around to pass her daughter, or Monica, to. So she had to look after her. And while she thought of her as a nuisance, Monica adored her and tried to do whatever she could to win her affections. But it was a losing battle. It was plain and simple, her mother did not want her.
Monica tried to learn everything that she could as in way of cooking and cleaning, managing a keep, sewing, and everything that a lady would learn. Including child birthing and with the herb garden. She also learned how to read, speak three different languages besides the one she grew up with, and write and conduct business. As well as how to manage sheep, horses, cows and crops so that her father could spend his time with the troops. She also learned how to shoot a bow and arrow and a crossbow as well as weld a dagger. Which she carried with her at all times. It was useful and richly decorated but more of a badge of her rank and it was a gift from her father on her tenth birthday.
She may not have been the lady of the keep, but she carried the keys to all of the rooms which included the store rooms. While her mother mainly sat around and sewed and did what a lady did. Monica learned the hard way at an early age to make her mother happy was to be the unofficial lady of the keep and to keep out of her mother's way. The peasants all loved her because she would go out in all weather and help then with their problems.
And that almost killed her one time. She caught the flu that was going around while trying to help a peasant family out. And the only reason that she survived was that she had a strong will and the peasants all went out and looked for certain herbs to help save her life, because of she helping them out. During the time that she was sick, her mother never went to see her. And that left her lonely and sad. Or so Ross heard.
She used to have a very good friend named Lady Rachel Green who was now a Maid in waiting for the queen herself directly under Chandler's mom. So in a way she was like Chandler and very lonely. Although their dad did try and spend some time with her when he could. And he would always invite her along when he went hunting and riding and to business meetings. But that was few and far in between.
So in short his sister would make some man a very lucky husband, someday. If they could marry her off before their mother went in and took more if not all the money out of her dowry box like she was always doing. She would whenever she needed money for something. Like the traders for jewelry or money to buy clothing or cloth. When her father would say something, she would say that Monica would probably never get married.
Finally, the hall came into view. It was a welcomed sight. The dark red and white flag waving off the bailey and smoke coming out of the chimney. And the small village that Monica and their father ran together. Although looking at it now, it was not quite so small. It was a big village that encompassed a small village which had walls around it that was right next to the hall's walls. They then started to slow down and send the horses at an easy pace.
Before they arrived at the town, Ross saw a lot more apple farms, a sheep farm, dairy farms, cattle farms, three hops farms where the grain of alcohol is made at and grain farms before they arrived at the town
While going through the town they passed a blacksmith shop, a harness maker, a chapel, a tin smith, at least twenty hovels. Each containing at least five peasants or at the most, eight peasants. An abbey, a distillery, five bakeries, a tailors, a shoe maker, a pewter and a coppersmith. That was in the inner part of town. And in the center was a garden, a well, an extra chapel and the market place. In short Monica and Sir Jack Geller were doing very well for the town's commerce.
At the gate the horses clopped over the stones that led to the great hall. And they both alighted. Just then a young black haired girl that was petite in height ran down some stairs.
"Ross!" She ran over and hugged him tightly.
"Monica!?!" Ross couldn't believe it. The last time that he left her, she was chunky and now she was light as a feather. It must have been when she was sick that she had gotten thinner. He couldn't believe it. She was really very pretty. He picked her up and spun her around.
Her laughter was genuine and lighthearted. He then sat her back on her feet and looked at her closely. She no longer had a double chin and face was thin and her bright blue eyes danced. Her raven black hair fell unencumbered to her waist, as was the custom of unmarried women. And her skin was a pale color that set off her hair and eyes very nicely. And she even had a very nice figure that her simple dress and shawl couldn't hide. She had changed.
"Brother dear. It looks like you have seen a ghost!" Monica laughed aloud.
"No, it is that you have changed." Ross tried to be nice.
"Ha ha. I am not the same fat little girl I was two years ago." Monica laughed aloud.
"Has it really been that long?" Ross asked aloud. "You were just twelve years old at the time."
"And you were home on holiday from the king who was sponsoring you to be a squire." Monica grinned. Then she noticed another person standing politely off to the side. "And who is your friend? Or shall I make up a name for him?"
Chandler smiled. "You would probably pick a better name than my parents gave me."
Monica's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh really?"
"Oh yes, my manners. Chandler Bing, I would like for you to meet my sister, Monica Geller." Ross introduced his best friend with his sister. "He is going through his duties as a squire with me." Ross then went on to explain. "Since his home is so far away from the king's castle, I told him that he could come home and stay the twelve days of Christmas with us."
"Oh did you now? Without even asking us?" She pretended to pout by placing her hands on her hips but then Monica then grinned. "You know that your friends are more than welcomed here no matter what." Monica then led them inside, while a stable boy took there horses to the stable to look after it and they took their bags inside with them. "Now let's see about getting him settled into a room." She then led them into the main hall and toward a tall clean shaven man that stood in the middle of the hall. "DAD! Look who is home!"
Jack Geller turned around and smiled a welcoming smile. "Ross….it is good to see you." He then gave his son a manly hug.
"You too dad!" Ross pulled back and smiled at his dad. "Dad, I would like you to meet a good friend of mine. Chandler Bing."
"Is your father the Marquise Charles Bing?" Jack asked looking at Chandler with raised eyebrows.
"Uh, yes. And my mother is the Marquise ness Nora Tyler Bing." Chandler stated aloud.
"Oh, then your mother knows my friend the Maid Rachel Green." Monica stated knowingly.
"Uh, yes. She does. I have met her once. And mom says that she is the best maid that the queen has ever had." Chandler smiled weakly. He hoped that the tales of what his mother and father did had not made it out here.
"Oh, yes I met your mother a long time ago when we were younger. She won the queen's favor over me and the king gave me in marriage to my husband." Chandler turned around to see a very noble looking woman standing there in the room. "And word has traveled of what your mother does with her spare time the same as what your father does." As of reading his thoughts. The woman chuckled aloud.
"NORA! He is a guest!" Jack Geller was shocked.
Chandler smiled weakly. "That is ok. Baron Geller. I am used to having people whisper and talk. Maybe I should go to my room now. If you do not mind."
"This way." Monica then led him to the best room that was used as a spare.
Jack Geller looked down hard at his wife. "I am going to tell you this one time and one time only. I have heard a lot of what that poor boy has gone through, and I do not want you to give him any trouble. Is that clear?"
"I see, be good to the poor little rich boy." Baroness Judy Geller sniffed.
"Mother, dear. That poor little rich boy has barely seen his father three times during his whole life. His mother left him to be raised by servants and then later on knights. He has no real family to speak of except for the people that he grew up around. And they are now either dead or have families of their own. So he has no one. Maybe it was not that good of an idea to bring him here. But he is my friend and I do not want him to be alone during this time of the year. But don't worry, he probably will stay at the castle with the knights or with the army next year. I just wanted to show him that there was some people who cared for him." Ross explained to his mother. "Now please do not say anything else that would hurt him anymore."
During which time, Monica showed Chandler to the best room in the house. She then bent down and with her keys and unlocked the door and went and opened the window. "I will see about getting a fire started and will leave the windows opened for some fresh air to get rid of the musty smell in the room. The last person to use the room was the king himself five years ago when Ross went with him to the royal castle to begin to train as a squire."
Chandler smiled. " I guess I should feel honored, then."
"It is the best we have. I will bring in some fresh sheets and clean blankets as well as have some wood brought in. My family may not be rich but we will make sure that you stay comfortable." Monica looked over at Chandler and smiled.
"It is a nice room." Chandler mused looking over at every thing. "Really."
Monica smiled shyly, "Thank you. I will make sure that the room is cleaned out before the sheets and blankets arrive and that you are given some warm water to wash with."
"Thank you." Chandler looked directly into her eyes. She had beautiful deep blue eyes that he could get lost in forever. Her smile was mesmerizing. And her naturally red lips, pale skin and half way down her back, ebony hair made his heart run faster.
"You're welcome." Monica looked directly in his eyes as well. They were a bright baby blue and had a bit of sadness in them that for some reason she could connect with. His sandy brown hair fell haphazardly over the side of his right forehead and he was tall. She felt her cheeks redden and she quickly looked away, hoping that he didn't see her face turn red. No other man made her feel this way. "Uh, I will get the blankets and the sheets, water to wash with and then to the dinner." She then turned to leave. With the different emotions going around her heart she had to get out of there. "Oh, about my mother. Pay her no mind. When she says something like that to me, I just smile shake my head yes and agree with her and then I ignore her. Maybe that is why we never get along." Monica then left the room with a very confused guest looking after her.
Soon after she closed the door, she leaned against it and sighed. She had just fallen in love. But would he want her. She knew that she no longer had much of a dowry and was not that good of a catch. But she was educated and knew how to manage the land to the best of her ability. Maybe he would want her for that. No, probably not. She sighed sadly and went to get a maid to help her out and to inform the cook of what they wanted to have for dinner and there would be an extra mouth to feed.
Chandler sighed heavily and sat down. She was unlike the other girls at the court. She was fresh and had a spirit and a smile that would go on for days. The other girls like her old friend that he met, that his mother tried to play matchmaker between them both, all were silly young girls who only liked fashion, gossip and court intrigue. What he wanted was a woman who was smart and who actually cared for people. His friend's sister seemed to be just that. She was the one who really seemed to be in charge of the keep or managed the hall. And form the way everything looked to be running, it was quiet well.
Now the question was, why wasn't she married or promised to another man? She was fourteen. And by that time most girls had plenty of callers or were already betrothed. Or even married and some were either expecting their first kid or already had a baby.
Hmmm…maybe, he could talk to her father and ask to call on her. He knew that he was not a knight. But still, he would be by next year. And he had plenty of lands and a huge castle. So they would not have to worry about how much money he made. He would make enough by way of his income.
Well, actually he had three castles, or his family had three. One in the city not too far from the royal castle. OR it actually was really a comfortable palace that his mother mainly used for her residence when she was not attending the queen. A huge castle in the country that belonged to his father's side of the family, which had a lot of grains that were grown, at least five windmills, and many bakeries and a lot of hops farms and distilleries that produced a lot of drink, vineyards and wineries and some dairy farms that produced much cheese, they even had fifteen apple farms. The Fortress that belonged to his mother's side was on the country's borders that was used for mainly defense. But they still had a lot of hills and mined lead and had four quarries, had a few sheep farms, but mainly cattle farms which included both beef and cheese which included twenty each of, a few hops farms and one distillery, a hand full of grain farms and three bakeries or just enough to see to the food needs for the year, and two windmills, ten apple farms, and they also had ten farms that raised magnificent horses. About twenty each on each farm. And they both towns had chapels, abbeys, tailors, tanners, jewelers, weavers, shoe makers, tinsmiths, silversmith, goldsmith, blacksmith, ironsmith, plenty of stores and each town both had a cathedral. And both towns had markets, apacotharies, plenty of wells and gardens and ponds. He would make sure that she was well taken care of.
He still might be young and did not want a marriage like the one his father and mother were forced into, but his mind was already on the future. A small knock shook him out of his musings. "Come in."
Monica entered with a young pretty girl. "Mandy, sweep out the room, air it out and clean it up a bit and then make the bed. Would you like to go on the way of a tour?"
Chandler smiled, "Sure."
Since there wasn't much to show, they ended up in the great hall not more than ten minutes later. Chandler was really impressed with how the store rooms were kept up and how the cleaning was also kept up. During the time they were walking and talking, he found a kindred soul with the young girl. They might have been six years apart, but that wasn't that bad. He had heard of fathers marrying their daughters off to men who were old enough to be their father or even grandfather.
A few hours later, Chandler was in his room getting washed up for dinner and he dressed nicely and went downstairs. Stopping on his way to talk to Mandy. He found out from her that Monica was the one who really ran the manor house and hall. And even could read and write. Her father also taught her the game of chess and she even read from Greek and Latin books. Spoke Latin, French, and even German not to mention her own home tongue. Just like him. And that she could write. She also looked after the villagers and their families. And they loved her as their own daughter. The only sad spot in her universe was how her mother treated her. So they were just alike in that way. Except she really lucked out when it came to her father.
At dinner that night, the trenchers or bread plates were piled high with melted cheese, meat and sauce. They even had honey covered apples for dessert. And had honey wine or mead and ale. Judy was dressed the lady of the land in a dark red dress and red and white wimple. Jack and Ross both had on red and white clothes. But his attention was distracted by Monica who was wearing a simple red gown that laced up on both of her sides and she wore a red ribbon in her hair. She was beautiful and would probably get more beautiful as time went on. Right then and there he knew that he had to talk to her father about him calling on her.
Two days later, Ross was talking with his mother in the solarium, Monica was down in the kitchen and that left her father in the stables. He walked silently up to him. "Uh, Baron Geller. I would like to talk with you about your daughter. Please." Chandler held his breath.
"Go on." Jack Geller looked at Chandler with knowing eyes. He had seen the way he was looking at his daughter.
"Well, Baron Geller. I mean, uh. It is about your daughter. I mean, is she betrothed or does she have any callers? I mean I would like to be one." Chandler managed weakly.
Baron Jack Geller smiled a bit. "No, she is not promised and she has no callers. But there is a reason for it. She does not have much in her dowry."
"I do not care about that. I mean I have met a lot of girls who would only be there for an arm ornament, and who have a whole lot of a dowry. But that is all. Monica is different. She actually knows how to think. And she is my friend's sister. And I can take care of her. I mean my income is enough for just one estate. And since I am the only heir to two estates, you know that she would have enough of everything." Chandler explained.
"She is a free spirit." Her father warned him.
"I know. And I will not try and put those fires out. She is very passionate. And it would be a crime to destroy them." Chandler surmised. "Besides I love it when we have our discussions."
"Very well. You have my permission to call on her. And my blessing to marry her after you become a knight for at least five years. And you have to be respected and have seen battle at least once and made yourself well known for how you behave in battle." Baron Geller smiled. He knew that Chandler would take good care of her. But he wanted to see how patient the young man before him was. And by that time, he should have plenty saved up and provide his little girl with a comfortable income and be well respected, he hoped.
"I will, sir. I give you my word." Chandler answered solemnly then grinned broadly and excused himself and ran out.
Baron Jack Geller smiled. He was getting older and he worried about what to do about his daughter, since her dowry was getting lower each year. It was his fault really, he should have stopped Judy at the very first from going into the coffers, but he didn't. He wanted to make her happy. And in doing so was unwittingly denying his daughter a future with a husband and kids and a keep of her own.
He was scared that Monica would have to end up becoming a ward of the king or would have to become a nun. Although the more he thought about it, he hoped that it would be neither. Now, she wouldn't have to worry about getting a husband that was thrown at her, where she could be beaten to an inch of her life if she said something back to her husband, he had heard of men doing hat before. But if he was any judge of character, he believed that this young man would not hurt her. Or being forced into a convent as a nun that would eventually end up cleaning for the others in the convent. Since she had no real dowry to speak of. And there was no way a woman who would marry Ross would want her to remain at the castle. She would want to run it herself.
And the young man he just talked to was willing to over look the question of the dowry. And he genuinely wanted her as his wife. He knew that he would take care of her. He heard how rich the lands were. While his father's lands were a lot of trading for clothes, wine, bread, special items such as plates, and silversmiths and goldsmiths and weavers and other good traders. The northern lands or his mother's lands that he came from were rich in the iron and stone trade, dairy, beef, had ale houses, and made weapons for the king also raised some magnificent horses as well. And had a huge forest were there was a lot of lumber, fur trading and hunting that took place there. And Tyler Fortress also was one of the most important defensive strongholds that was situated up north to protect the borders. So the king had immense faith in that family. It wasn't the young man's fault that his parents were estranged from each other. He could tell that the young man was a good man at heart and was fiercely loyal to his parents and their names as well as to the king himself. He would be a good husband for Monica. That much was certain.
Chandler went looking for Monica and found her at the kitchen. He smiled when he watched her give some last minute instructions to the cook and to the maid of what to serve. She turned around and smiled.
"And what can I do for you?" Monica asked her guest.
"A walk?" Chandler asked. The maid and the cook both smiled at each other, they knew what was up. They had hoped that Monica would eventually find someone to have call on her that would treat her good. That was everyone's wish.
Monica tilted her head to the side and smiled. "Ok." She then led him on a walk after grabbing her shawl. They walked around the village and the fields. Monica shouting greetings and calling the people by their first names and asking questions about how everyone was doing along the way.
That amazed Chandler and made him smile. She evidently cared for all of the common folk and was truly interested in what they thought and how they were. And they respected her. The kids loved her and she loved the kids and picked up the younger ones and swung them around. Her laughter made Chandler smile more than ever and gave him a warm feeling.
The rest of the week went fast and Monica and Chandler could be seen talking together and walking around together. And one time he even bent his head down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek under some mistletoe.
When he found out, Ross was surprised at first, but eventually handled it well, after he found out from his father that Chandler was calling on her and that he approved of the decision after Chandler came and asked him. His mother was a different story. She made it clear that she did not like that boy, because of his mother winning the queen's approval. But Jack Geller put his foot down.
Finally, after being there for two weeks, Chandler had to leave but promised to write Monica every chance he got. He left her with a present of a dark blue silk scarf.
*************
Alright, I promise there is more to this. Like Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe. I just need your input. Thanks…