Hey all…sorry took me so long to post. I am also working on some other fics of mine, YEAH!!!!! Hopefully they will be done before the weekend is up.
Anyway, to do some quick explaining. I tried to combine a mixture of dialogue and descriptions of how and what life was like back then. I also tried to explain some things that really went on.
OF course this is a what if kind of story. IE what if they were in the middle ages, or late middle ages. Because the Renaissance is right around the corner. Which means new machines and ideas and improvements in life as well as art. Anyway, on with the story. Please read and review….
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The Trip To the Fortress
Where I left off, the king ordered the queen and her ladies in waiting to come to the Geller hall and he made a plan to marry Chandler, Pete Becker and Sir Richard Burke to a few different ladies. Now to find out which ones, please read….
A few days later, after the queen had arrived, King James decided to announce his plans at dinner. Well part of them. "I have made my decision about Mistress Monica Geller. She is to go back to Bing Stronghold with my wife, the Queen Elizabeth and to be one of her ladies in waiting. That is my order and no one is to defy it." He then raised his glass. "And, the merchant Pete Becker has asked me to bestow the Lady Emily as his wife, which I gladly will do. So here is to the couple. They will be married at daybreak, tomorrow." A cheer went up. Everyone was astonished at this bit of information, but they knew her father would support the decision. He after all married a merchant's daughter to get her dowry and for love. So he did not think too much about the question of rank.
"And Queen Elizabeth and her ladies in waiting will start their trip back to the stronghold in two days time. And the Marquise Chandler Bing and his friend Joseph Tribbianni will accompany them and her guards to the castle and then go to Tyler Fortress to do as I command. Sir Richard Burke, you and my guards will travel to France to help my cousin, Prince Phillip out with a contender to his throne." He then sat down and started eating.
That night, Monica quickly packed and got ready to leave her childhood home. She wanted to pack and get it done quickly so that she would not have to bother with it. She had never been outside of her home, or her father's holdings. But in two days time she would. She was going to take her clothes with her and her horse that her father gave her and trained himself.
The next night they had a marriage feast for both Pete Becker and his new wife, Emily Becker. There was no lady attached to her name since she did not marry within rank. But that did not bother her. Everyone could see the future held promise for merchants and the rank and upper class was on it's way out. It would still be around, but it would not be as great as it once was. A new day was dawning. Everyone who was not too stubborn could see it.
Pete and Emily were both perfect for one another in every way. While she liked to shop and get nice clothes, she was more frugal then a lot of the ladies in waiting around her. She also liked to save money and find the best deals. And she and Pete seemed to be very happy around each other. But Pete Becker had promised her that he was going to make sure that she got everything she wanted and they both felt they had a connection.
The next morning, the king said a quick good bye to his wife and whispered something in her ear and handed her a piece of paper. She quickly looked at it and then at Monica and Chandler. She then smiled and shook her head yes. Soon they were on their way to Bing Stronghold.
Within a week, they arrived at Bing Stronghold. It was just as grand as the royal castle, but it was still very comfortable and very luxurious. In short, it was like a summer palace to the royal court. And the royal court not only felt like they wanted for nothing, but it still was as comfortable and spacious as the royal castle.
Soon after arriving, Chandler and his mother both met up with each other and talked. They met in the study which was right next to the library. The library was one of the biggest ones of that time, in short they had two hundred and fifty eight books. A person could be determined how rich one was by how many books they owned, since they had to be handwritten by monks and clergy and where so expensive to make. Although the new invention of the printing press was sure to change that.
"Mother, it is good to see you." Chandler stated after kissing her check.
"It is good to see you too. It is also a good thing that neither you nor me were around your father a lot. AND had good supporters like the elder queen or Prince, I mean King Jamie." Nora stated.
"You are right about that." Chandler replied.
"Well, it is good to see you if only for a little bit. I have duties to attend to the queen." Nora then got up to leave.
"Ok, maybe next time when we see each other again, you will be able to get passed three sentences." Chandler then got up angrily and left.
Queen Elizabeth met him outside, "Here is the name of your bride. Take off tonight around two hours after midnight. I will make sure that you get through with no problem and wait to the very last to send a summons to her father of what has happened. And do NOT forget to destroy that paper!" She then smiled and left.
Chandler opened the paper and smiled when he saw Monica's name on it. He then took the paper to the fireplace and burned it.
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About ten minutes to the appointed time that night, Chandler had Joey to saddle up two horses so they could get out of there. They were the fastest ones with the most endurance. They would have to make very good time to time it just right, with plenty of time for them to get to the fortress before the hard weather set in and made it almost impossible to travel. As well as getting up there as fast as they could so her brother and father would not be able to take her away from him, yet. And maybe he could convince her to marry him. Chandler knew that this was a dangerous plan, but he also knew that it was the only way he would have a chance with her.
The king was ingenious to plan this out. Where he married off Pete Becker to a lady in waiting. Having Sir Richard Burke to accompany him to France. And arranging it where he could take Monica with him to Tyler Fortress. He knew that it would be a good idea to do it that way so that Monica would willingly marry the man of her choice and not be forced into doing something that he also knew she would not want to do.
Finally, Chandler arrived where the queen had instructed him where Monica would be at. She was there getting some water for the queen. He went up to her and put his hand over her mouth with a gag and tied her wrists together and threw her over his shoulder. This was going off without a hitch.
"What are you doing?" An elegant young lady asked. She had light hair and wore expensive and stylish clothes. Well, maybe he thought that too soon.
Just then Joey walked up behind her and put a gag over her mouth and tied her wrists together as well. "What are we going to do? If someone finds her like this then everything will be ruined. And there are so many guards here that she will be found in no time flat. And we have no time to lock her away in a place so that we can get away." Joey whispered out his concern.
"Take her with you. Just get away as fast as you can." Queen Elizabeth stood there in her royal robe. "I saw her coming down the stairs. Besides I have enough ladies in waiting to see me through for quit a while. Besides, even two is too much for me. And I have eight, without Monica and Rachel. Now go."
Joey quickly threw Rachel Green over his shoulder and he and Chandler both left. Five hours later, Joey had a hold of Rachel in front of him on horseback and Chandler had a hold of Monica. And they were making good time. They should make it to the fortress before seven days of hard riding are up. Just in time to get there before the bad weather starts.
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Three hours later, they arrived at a town and exchanged the horses for fresh new ones and picked up some freshly made morning bread and cheese and water. Before going into the town, they untied the girls and took the gags off. Both of the girls were only wearing their nightclothes and robes. Chandler gave them both a traveling cloak so that no one could know what they wore.
After leaving the town, Monica jumped down from the horse and started to run off. Chandler had to chase her down and drag her back.
"Since you have to be so difficult, you will have to have your wrists tied again. I really do not want to do this, but you give me no choice." Chandler stated sadly as he noticed how badly her wrists were chafing since she had been moving them and trying to get free for some time. He then retied her wrists. He then took her over to the fresh horse and jumped up to it holding her the whole while.
When squires would learn how to ride, they also had to learn how to mount a horse like that so when they are in their armor, they would not be slowed down. But with how light Monica happened to be, it was really easy.
Rachel did not try and get away like Monica was doing. She did not want to make either of the men mad and also did not want to hurt her wrists and have them get chafed. Although after what Monica tried and how the men reacted, she was not afraid off them and actually was starting to like them. Actually it got to the point of where she was talking with her traveling companion.
She found Joey Tribbianni to be slow but very nice and kind and patient. He also has a good sense of humor. Not as good as the other man or Chandler Bing. But his was not as sarcastic. It was more sweet and when he talked to her, it seemed that he was very interested in what she had to say.
"So what country are you from? I can tell by your accent that you are from not around here." Rachel asked.
" Southwestern Italy." Joey responded.
"Oh, I just bet that you have a grand castle waiting back home for you." Rachel responded.
"Well, my father's home consists of a huge main room, a huge kitchen that is attached to the main room, eight bedrooms and a huge stable in back of the house." Joey replied.
"Sounds like a pretty big estate." Rachel committed.
"It is not. My father is a tavern keeper." Joey responded.
"Oh, he must make plenty to buy you your armor and your father must have someone powerful who is a friend to sponsor you through your training." Rachel surmised.
"Nope, I am not a knight." Joey explained.
"You're NOT a knight? Then a squire." Rachel assumed almost grasping at straws.
"I am no squire." Joey responded. "All I am is an infantry soldier. At least I was until I met Chandler who agreed to let me join his guards. You see I owe him my life and a Tribbianni ALWAYS is loyal and repays his debt!"
"A regular solider!?!" Rachel exclaimed horrified.
"Anymore rank means nothing. I have met some high ranking nobles who did not act very noble. And some lowly pheasants who were far more noble than the upper class. Besides the times are changing, and the so called nobles will have to change with it or risk revolution, banishment or even death. There will come a time when the lower classes will not put up with the upper classes and their dealings." Chandler confided.
Rachel kept quiet after that. No one had ever said that to her when she was at court. It was almost treason. But while she was shallow and fashion oriented, she could see what Chandler meant. She had even heard the prince or now king talking about keeping the people in line by the nobility and royalty serving them. HE had said that to his father and brother two and a half years ago. And they had dismissed his ideas as too progressive and that it would never work. But now the king would see to it himself that his orders were carried out.
And after that, the group rode in silence for a bit. Then a bit later, Chandler and Joey started to talk and tell each other jokes, but Rachel was ignoring what they were saying and being very indifferent. Monica still could not say anything, she was still bound and gagged.
Two hours later, they came upon a small village. Chandler then untied Monica's wrists and then he took off her gag. While uniting her wrists he saw where they were chaffing at.
But before he took off her gag, "I am taking off your gag now. Please do not attempt to escape and yell out. We are many miles away from where we started off at. And by the time your father and brother finds out, we should be at the fortress. Now promise me not to fight in any way or to scream." Chandler reasoned with Monica.
Monica shook her head yes. Chandler took off the gag and they all rode into the town.
They came upon an inn and got off their horses and walked on in. They then ate and relaxed. Joey went outside and sold the horses and bought four new ones. Since Joey knew a lot about horse flesh and how to get the most for his money and how to bargain, then Chandler left it up to him to do business. About an hour later, they got on their own horses and left.
For Monica, she had no trouble riding, but Rachel who was not used to riding horseback for more time than for hunting, was beginning to tire quickly. But after a while, Monica was also starting to tire as well, even though she was really used to riding the horses but not for a very long period of time.
Finally, after Chandler looked at how tired they both were stopped his horse and they relaxed. While he and Joey kept a watch for thieves and bandits, the girls slept. About an hour later, Chandler and Joey decided that they should get going again. Chandler picked up the sleeping Monica and Joey picked up Rachel and they both got on the horses and galloped off. They decided to switch off with the horses when the ones they were riding became tired.
When they where switching horses, Monica moaned and woke up. And soon after her, Rachel also did as well. By that time, the day was coming to an end. And Chandler and Joey were getting really desperate to find a town. When night fell, bandits and thieves and other thugs were more common and preyed upon travelers. Finally, they spotted one and soon arrived.
Once arriving at the inn, Joey went and sold the horses again. They then ate dinner and went to bed. There was only one room left and the girls had to share a bed while the guys slept on the floor. Chandler slept by the window and Joey by the door. They got up early the next day, bought four more fresh horses and went on their way.
Three days later, they arrived at a village that Chandler called the gateway to the mountains. At the town, Chandler picked out two sturdy, surefooted highland ponies that knew those passes and trails over the mountains that they traveled upon. They then sold the four horses and had the girls pick out some warm clothes and leather shoes. And they bought some more food. They then continued on their journey. Chandler wanted to get to a small town as quick as they could before it got too dark. Not only for bandits but also for wolves and other wild creatures that would cause them harm.
While riding, Monica, Rachel and Joey saw how hard and rough the ground was becoming and how the elevation was changing. At first it wasn't so much. But then, as time went on, the heights were really getting to Monica and Rachel, who were not used to the heights, but the flatland. Joey who was from Italy was used to the mountainous region so he was not worried. He actually felt more at home.
But when the cliffs got too steep, Rachel, who was riding with Joey, hid her face on his chest and held on with all her might and whimpered at every step the pony took. Monica would audibly gulp and hold on tighter to Chandler. Finally, at twilight, they arrived at the village just in time to enter it before they closed the gates.
They were actually closing the gates when they arrived, but they put them back down and let them in. So they spent the night in safety, the girls could not get to sleep though, with all the wolves howling. Joey thought nothing of it and fell asleep, him being used to sleeping outdoors and the noise of battle and Chandler who grew up in those very mountains and forests, felt more at home and actually had a very peaceful night's sleep.
It was a good thing that they were able to get to the town in time. The next morning, a whole family was found butchered to death by bandits and the bodies, or what was left of them thanks to the wolves, was everywhere. The person who was in charge of security in the town hated having to shut the gate and not to open it until the next morning, but after one very bad experience with bandits coming into the town after dark, they had no choice.
Before the town cleaned up the bodies, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Rachel were on their way. The guys were used to seeing such carnage on the battlefield. But the girls were not. Rachel fainted away and Monica turned very pale and hid her face into Chandler's chest. But for nights afterwards, both of the girls had nightmares.
Three hours later, "Well, here we are." Chandler proclaimed.
"Where?" Monica looked around. "I do not see a fortress."
"I meant that we are now entering the cavernous region." Chandler explained.
"But I thought we were already in the mountainous regions." Monica got out.
"That was just the hilly region." Chandler confided. "After the cavernous region then comes the high plateaus and then the cliffs and then the mountains. It is all going to get steeper and higher from here on out. But do not worry, these ponies are very surefooted and have been making climbs like these all of their lives. Nothing to worry about. I am very skilled at riding as is Joey."
Joey looked over to Chandler and gulped, "Uh, yeah right." The girls did not see him gulp but Chandler did. He knew right then that Joey who he taught to ride on the plains was worried about riding on the cliffs, caverns and mountainous trails.
They then got underway. The road wasn't so much a road anymore as it was a trail. And it was getting steeper and the ponies had a tougher climb. But Chandler was right, they were more than up for the job. Since they were smaller than horses and more sturdy and surefooted, they ponies made it look very easy. And since they were not going at a fast gallop, the girls could relax better on them. After a bit, the trials turned into a road and the ground started to level off. Chandler was happy to be there in that particular area because he knew that his friend in the next town patrolled those regions of his well.
"How much longer?" Rachel whined.
"To the nearest village or to the fortress?" Chandler asked.
"Both." Monica stated also wanted to know.
"About another three hours to the nearest village. And then four days to the fortress. After this town there is no other between there and the Fortress. But the good news is that I have about twenty five men there in that town and we can all ride together. So when we spend the night along the road, we will be safe. I will make sure to pick up sleeping gear and food. And other important items. You may want to pick up some as well. Just pick up what you need. No stuff that you can live without. Understand. AND remember, the town at the fortress has better goods than the town up ahead." Chandler explained. He felt he owed them at least an answer.
Chandler then held Monica tighter, as did Joey who held Rachel tighter, as the last steep part of a steep part of the ridge was coming up. After getting to the top of it and seeing how high and narrow the trial was, Monica hid her face once again on Chandler's chest as did Rachel with Joey and the ponies thought nothing of it and rode quietly on down. To them it was a walk in the park.
Soon enough, they arrived at the town which was on a high plateau. It had a high wall around it and a heavy gate. And still higher up stood an even more impressive wall with a forbidden fortress. It was still a good two hours until nightfall, but Chandler was very adimit about them staying. Besides, a good friend of his was the knight who looked after the town and ran helped keep the law and ran things.
His friend ran up to him and shook his hand. "Chandler, good friend, long time no see. And how was the trip?"
"Long, hard and I still have to get to the fortress before the really bad weather sets in. Speaking of which how is the weather?" Chandler asked.
"Well, the pass is still open. But it won't be for long." He stated as he walked them into the hall. The ponies were led away by stable boys. "You have arrived just in time. Your soldiers were about ready to leave. Actually, they were planning on doing that tomorrow."
"Thank you, Gandolf. You are really a good friend." Chandler smiled.
"Well, so are you for not only being a good friend but also being a good neighbor. Now why are you up here? And who are your friends?" Gandolf inquired.
"This is a new soldier of mine, Joseph Tribbianni. This is the Lady Rachel Green and the Lady Monica Geller." Chandler then explained. "King James wanted me to drive out the bandits around the area around my lands. Oh, and congratulations on how well, you are keeping the bandits down. I haven't seen them or noticed any traces of them since I arrived on your lands."
"Prince Jamie is now king…What happened?" Gandolf was shocked.
"Prince Edwin and the king both caught the pox and passed away. Jamie was crowned soon afterwards." Chandler answered.
Later that night, there was a feast prepared for the guests. There was plenty of food and the minstrels and the acrobats and the juggles gave very good performances. The food consisted of mainly meats, and cheeses and then it was rounded out with bread, some fruits, bread, desserts and mainly ale to drink and with a few wines. In short it was not very noteworthy, but it was the best that the castle had.
The table was in a U shape. Which helped for two reasons. One to help the servers bring the food to the tables easier they did not have to walk behind the tables and try to put the heaping platters of food over the eaters and have them tip over on the table and the eaters and two, to make it harder for the people to fight each other, they would have to go over their table and another one as well to reach the opponent. And it was also perfect for the acrobats and minstrels to perform in front of everyone in the middle where all the people could easily watch.
Gandolf sat at the head table, with Chandler to his right and then Monica to his right and then Rachel to her right and much to Rachel's dismay Joey. After she found out about his lowly status, she was as indifferent to him as she could be. Joey just shrugged it off. Chandler on the other hand was protective of his friend and was getting annoyed at Rachel. And now wished that they did just tie her up and lock her in the pantry. The cook would have found her early the next morning.
To Rachel the feast was nothing compared with the royal court, so she was very bored. The royal court, which always had the best wine and different types of foods and entertainment was always the best, but not this to her at least. To Joey, he was amazed, he was used to only a few types of foods and the entertainment that he saw at his father's inn was traveling minstrels who did not entertain as well as these since they were not getting paid. He ate like there was going to be no food left for quite a long time and watched amazed at the entertainment which included juggles and acrobats and listened to music of the traveling minstrels.
Chandler was busy talking with Gandolf and informing him on everything new that was happening at the capital, France and at Italy. He even told of the new ideas that were going around. Including the idea for a printing machine that could print books and make them less expensive and the idea that even the lowliest pheasants had rights. Gandolf smiled a bit at that. He felt that everyone should keep the law, king or pheasant. But he felt that it would be a while before those ideas would come around. He knew eventually they would come into being, but felt that it was not right away. He felt the ones that would have to do something first would have to be the nobles if they ever got a king that would try to take away their rights and would break the law for his own personal wants. But he knew this king wouldn't. Jamie was too smart for that. It would probably be one of his descendants or if his line was cut short, then someone else.
Gandolf informed Chandler of everything that was going on around the area. From getting rid of the bandits on his land to what started to look like trouble that the man Chandler's father had left in charge of the Tyler lands was starting to cause. He went as far as saying that he believed that he was even forcing extra taxes on the people not to mention being very cruel to them and also accepting bribes to side with certain people. Gandolf also said that he believed that he was close to if not one of the leaders of the bandits of that area. And was making some extra money to turn a blind eye to all that was going on. Chandler then thanked his friend and informed him that a lot was going to start changing after he arrived.
Monica was also starting to talk to Rachel, who had nothing else better to do, so she also started to talk to Monica as well. And before too long, they both caught up on what had happened to the both of them. Everything from Monica's first kiss with Chandler and then to the night that he drug her away from the castle. Rachel told about all the different lovers she had at court. Her first being Sir Barry Farber. But she went from one lover to another. She made Monica look and sound unsophisticated about having no real man after her and also being that she never really went anywhere. Chandler and Joey heard that. Chandler had to hold down his laughter and Joey almost chocked on a piece of meat.
Soon after Joey had finally finished eating, he asked a pretty serving wench who had blond hair and green eyes to dance. They got up and danced to the easy fun music that the drummer, reed player, tambourine player and mandolin player were playing. People were cheering and singing as well as dancing. And the men and women were both flirting with one another.
Soon after Joey got up, Rachel looked out there at them and held up her nose at the common dancing that everyone was doing and song that that the musicians were playing. Monica looked at Rachel whose gaze she followed to Joey. Even though she had not seen Rachel for a long while, she knew what was going on in Rachel's mind. She had the same look in her eyes that held something that she wanted but was putting on a mask of being indifferent to.
Chandler, who was done talking to Gandolf, then asked her to dance. Monica said no that she was too tired. And so Chandler sat back and thought for a bit. Then decided that maybe they should all get some sleep. They may be bitter about going to bed early, but he made a decision. And as their lord he had every right to insist on them following this rule.
Finally, even though it was still relatively early, Chandler insisted on them all going to bed. All including him, Monica, Rachel, Joey and the twenty five men or guards of his. So that they could leave two hours before sunup. The quicker they would get started, the better.
During the ride, Chandler had some of his archers to climb the trees and to keep a watch every time they stopped. Or made camp which was usually on high ground that could easily be defended with trees overlooking the camp, that the arches were stationed in. He also had guards to stand watch every minute they were not moving. As well as everyone was on the alert to any sound the forest made. Whether it was animal sounds or even the sound of branches hitting each other in the wind.
The guards, who grew up around Chandler and were friends with him or helped to raise him, and Chandler all knew that a lot of those sounds were not being produced by animals or tress or the wind, they were being made by humans. Or bandits informing each other oh how many people there were and where they were at. It was a code by hitting sticks together for numbers and certain animal sounds for how far they are from each other.
Joey knew that something was up, Chandler had just informed him to be ready for battle and to keep his wits about him. But the girls had no idea. Chandler on the other hand hardly slept each night and kept a close watch on everything.
The bandits, would have attacked a small contingency of guards or travelers. But this many, they didn't dare. Besides, the Tyler/Bing coat of arms, or the silver eagle which represented the Bings on the top left corner and the black wolf which represented the Tylers on the bottom right hand corner of the midnight blue background could clearly be made out. And the bandits were in no mood to have that kind of fight on their hands.
Monica and Rachel rode in the middle of the party. Chandler rode beside Monica and Rachel who was beside her rode beside Joey. And they had guards and archers all around as well as a couple of crossbowmen. Twenty five was enough to make the bandits worry. But they were smart enough not to bother them.
After they had been riding for four days, and on the early morning of the fourth, at the top of a mountain, they overlooked a valley and saw a fortress on a distant plateau, on the far side of a huge valley. It didn't look that far, but everyone knew that it was at least half a day away.
As soon as Chandler saw it he smiled. Now he was home. When he was younger, he knew these woods well and would go and play and hunt and explore in them. He knew the best hiding places and best swimming holes and the best fishing holes. The hills, mountains, caves, trees, forests, rivers, streams, and the waterfalls were his playground when he was growing up. Well, him and his childhood friends. He really did not have that many childhood friends when he was growing up, so he spent a lot of time by himself. Gandolf was one of a few when he came to see him from a journey from his fortress, as was Phoebe Buffay. Phoebe was now the village healer and mid wife. Chandler still couldn't wait to see her.
Around afternoon, they reached a river and prepared to cross it at the forge. Right before they did, some guards from the castle as well as what looked like a tax collector appeared.
"There is a tax to be paid for crossing this river and then another for entering the village and then another if you are entering the castle. Except the guards. Which work for the lord of this shire." The tax man called out.
All the guards around Chandler almost laughed. This young man had not evidently met the lord yet. Chandler yawned. "So tell me, who do YOU get your orders from?"
"The lord himself." The man replied.
"I know for a fact that you have not met the lord nor has he met or even heard of you. I will ask you again, who told you to collect taxes to cross this river.?" Chandler asked.
"You had better tell him the truth." The oldest of the guards advised him.
"The lord's man directed me to collect the taxes. He has told everyone in the village that he gets the orders directly from the lord. Now who are you?" The young man asked.
Chandler who was wearing a traveling cloak pulled back the hood to reveal his face. "The Marquise Chandler Bing."
"My lord I am sorry. I did not know…." The young man was terrified.
"This is not your fault. You were only following orders. But I did not order any type of traveling or moving around tax. We are all going back to the fortress and he will answer these charges." Chandler and the other waited until the other guards and the tax collector got their stuff and horses and everyone rode to the fortress.
Anyway, to do some quick explaining. I tried to combine a mixture of dialogue and descriptions of how and what life was like back then. I also tried to explain some things that really went on.
OF course this is a what if kind of story. IE what if they were in the middle ages, or late middle ages. Because the Renaissance is right around the corner. Which means new machines and ideas and improvements in life as well as art. Anyway, on with the story. Please read and review….
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The Trip To the Fortress
Where I left off, the king ordered the queen and her ladies in waiting to come to the Geller hall and he made a plan to marry Chandler, Pete Becker and Sir Richard Burke to a few different ladies. Now to find out which ones, please read….
A few days later, after the queen had arrived, King James decided to announce his plans at dinner. Well part of them. "I have made my decision about Mistress Monica Geller. She is to go back to Bing Stronghold with my wife, the Queen Elizabeth and to be one of her ladies in waiting. That is my order and no one is to defy it." He then raised his glass. "And, the merchant Pete Becker has asked me to bestow the Lady Emily as his wife, which I gladly will do. So here is to the couple. They will be married at daybreak, tomorrow." A cheer went up. Everyone was astonished at this bit of information, but they knew her father would support the decision. He after all married a merchant's daughter to get her dowry and for love. So he did not think too much about the question of rank.
"And Queen Elizabeth and her ladies in waiting will start their trip back to the stronghold in two days time. And the Marquise Chandler Bing and his friend Joseph Tribbianni will accompany them and her guards to the castle and then go to Tyler Fortress to do as I command. Sir Richard Burke, you and my guards will travel to France to help my cousin, Prince Phillip out with a contender to his throne." He then sat down and started eating.
That night, Monica quickly packed and got ready to leave her childhood home. She wanted to pack and get it done quickly so that she would not have to bother with it. She had never been outside of her home, or her father's holdings. But in two days time she would. She was going to take her clothes with her and her horse that her father gave her and trained himself.
The next night they had a marriage feast for both Pete Becker and his new wife, Emily Becker. There was no lady attached to her name since she did not marry within rank. But that did not bother her. Everyone could see the future held promise for merchants and the rank and upper class was on it's way out. It would still be around, but it would not be as great as it once was. A new day was dawning. Everyone who was not too stubborn could see it.
Pete and Emily were both perfect for one another in every way. While she liked to shop and get nice clothes, she was more frugal then a lot of the ladies in waiting around her. She also liked to save money and find the best deals. And she and Pete seemed to be very happy around each other. But Pete Becker had promised her that he was going to make sure that she got everything she wanted and they both felt they had a connection.
The next morning, the king said a quick good bye to his wife and whispered something in her ear and handed her a piece of paper. She quickly looked at it and then at Monica and Chandler. She then smiled and shook her head yes. Soon they were on their way to Bing Stronghold.
Within a week, they arrived at Bing Stronghold. It was just as grand as the royal castle, but it was still very comfortable and very luxurious. In short, it was like a summer palace to the royal court. And the royal court not only felt like they wanted for nothing, but it still was as comfortable and spacious as the royal castle.
Soon after arriving, Chandler and his mother both met up with each other and talked. They met in the study which was right next to the library. The library was one of the biggest ones of that time, in short they had two hundred and fifty eight books. A person could be determined how rich one was by how many books they owned, since they had to be handwritten by monks and clergy and where so expensive to make. Although the new invention of the printing press was sure to change that.
"Mother, it is good to see you." Chandler stated after kissing her check.
"It is good to see you too. It is also a good thing that neither you nor me were around your father a lot. AND had good supporters like the elder queen or Prince, I mean King Jamie." Nora stated.
"You are right about that." Chandler replied.
"Well, it is good to see you if only for a little bit. I have duties to attend to the queen." Nora then got up to leave.
"Ok, maybe next time when we see each other again, you will be able to get passed three sentences." Chandler then got up angrily and left.
Queen Elizabeth met him outside, "Here is the name of your bride. Take off tonight around two hours after midnight. I will make sure that you get through with no problem and wait to the very last to send a summons to her father of what has happened. And do NOT forget to destroy that paper!" She then smiled and left.
Chandler opened the paper and smiled when he saw Monica's name on it. He then took the paper to the fireplace and burned it.
***********
About ten minutes to the appointed time that night, Chandler had Joey to saddle up two horses so they could get out of there. They were the fastest ones with the most endurance. They would have to make very good time to time it just right, with plenty of time for them to get to the fortress before the hard weather set in and made it almost impossible to travel. As well as getting up there as fast as they could so her brother and father would not be able to take her away from him, yet. And maybe he could convince her to marry him. Chandler knew that this was a dangerous plan, but he also knew that it was the only way he would have a chance with her.
The king was ingenious to plan this out. Where he married off Pete Becker to a lady in waiting. Having Sir Richard Burke to accompany him to France. And arranging it where he could take Monica with him to Tyler Fortress. He knew that it would be a good idea to do it that way so that Monica would willingly marry the man of her choice and not be forced into doing something that he also knew she would not want to do.
Finally, Chandler arrived where the queen had instructed him where Monica would be at. She was there getting some water for the queen. He went up to her and put his hand over her mouth with a gag and tied her wrists together and threw her over his shoulder. This was going off without a hitch.
"What are you doing?" An elegant young lady asked. She had light hair and wore expensive and stylish clothes. Well, maybe he thought that too soon.
Just then Joey walked up behind her and put a gag over her mouth and tied her wrists together as well. "What are we going to do? If someone finds her like this then everything will be ruined. And there are so many guards here that she will be found in no time flat. And we have no time to lock her away in a place so that we can get away." Joey whispered out his concern.
"Take her with you. Just get away as fast as you can." Queen Elizabeth stood there in her royal robe. "I saw her coming down the stairs. Besides I have enough ladies in waiting to see me through for quit a while. Besides, even two is too much for me. And I have eight, without Monica and Rachel. Now go."
Joey quickly threw Rachel Green over his shoulder and he and Chandler both left. Five hours later, Joey had a hold of Rachel in front of him on horseback and Chandler had a hold of Monica. And they were making good time. They should make it to the fortress before seven days of hard riding are up. Just in time to get there before the bad weather starts.
*******
Three hours later, they arrived at a town and exchanged the horses for fresh new ones and picked up some freshly made morning bread and cheese and water. Before going into the town, they untied the girls and took the gags off. Both of the girls were only wearing their nightclothes and robes. Chandler gave them both a traveling cloak so that no one could know what they wore.
After leaving the town, Monica jumped down from the horse and started to run off. Chandler had to chase her down and drag her back.
"Since you have to be so difficult, you will have to have your wrists tied again. I really do not want to do this, but you give me no choice." Chandler stated sadly as he noticed how badly her wrists were chafing since she had been moving them and trying to get free for some time. He then retied her wrists. He then took her over to the fresh horse and jumped up to it holding her the whole while.
When squires would learn how to ride, they also had to learn how to mount a horse like that so when they are in their armor, they would not be slowed down. But with how light Monica happened to be, it was really easy.
Rachel did not try and get away like Monica was doing. She did not want to make either of the men mad and also did not want to hurt her wrists and have them get chafed. Although after what Monica tried and how the men reacted, she was not afraid off them and actually was starting to like them. Actually it got to the point of where she was talking with her traveling companion.
She found Joey Tribbianni to be slow but very nice and kind and patient. He also has a good sense of humor. Not as good as the other man or Chandler Bing. But his was not as sarcastic. It was more sweet and when he talked to her, it seemed that he was very interested in what she had to say.
"So what country are you from? I can tell by your accent that you are from not around here." Rachel asked.
" Southwestern Italy." Joey responded.
"Oh, I just bet that you have a grand castle waiting back home for you." Rachel responded.
"Well, my father's home consists of a huge main room, a huge kitchen that is attached to the main room, eight bedrooms and a huge stable in back of the house." Joey replied.
"Sounds like a pretty big estate." Rachel committed.
"It is not. My father is a tavern keeper." Joey responded.
"Oh, he must make plenty to buy you your armor and your father must have someone powerful who is a friend to sponsor you through your training." Rachel surmised.
"Nope, I am not a knight." Joey explained.
"You're NOT a knight? Then a squire." Rachel assumed almost grasping at straws.
"I am no squire." Joey responded. "All I am is an infantry soldier. At least I was until I met Chandler who agreed to let me join his guards. You see I owe him my life and a Tribbianni ALWAYS is loyal and repays his debt!"
"A regular solider!?!" Rachel exclaimed horrified.
"Anymore rank means nothing. I have met some high ranking nobles who did not act very noble. And some lowly pheasants who were far more noble than the upper class. Besides the times are changing, and the so called nobles will have to change with it or risk revolution, banishment or even death. There will come a time when the lower classes will not put up with the upper classes and their dealings." Chandler confided.
Rachel kept quiet after that. No one had ever said that to her when she was at court. It was almost treason. But while she was shallow and fashion oriented, she could see what Chandler meant. She had even heard the prince or now king talking about keeping the people in line by the nobility and royalty serving them. HE had said that to his father and brother two and a half years ago. And they had dismissed his ideas as too progressive and that it would never work. But now the king would see to it himself that his orders were carried out.
And after that, the group rode in silence for a bit. Then a bit later, Chandler and Joey started to talk and tell each other jokes, but Rachel was ignoring what they were saying and being very indifferent. Monica still could not say anything, she was still bound and gagged.
Two hours later, they came upon a small village. Chandler then untied Monica's wrists and then he took off her gag. While uniting her wrists he saw where they were chaffing at.
But before he took off her gag, "I am taking off your gag now. Please do not attempt to escape and yell out. We are many miles away from where we started off at. And by the time your father and brother finds out, we should be at the fortress. Now promise me not to fight in any way or to scream." Chandler reasoned with Monica.
Monica shook her head yes. Chandler took off the gag and they all rode into the town.
They came upon an inn and got off their horses and walked on in. They then ate and relaxed. Joey went outside and sold the horses and bought four new ones. Since Joey knew a lot about horse flesh and how to get the most for his money and how to bargain, then Chandler left it up to him to do business. About an hour later, they got on their own horses and left.
For Monica, she had no trouble riding, but Rachel who was not used to riding horseback for more time than for hunting, was beginning to tire quickly. But after a while, Monica was also starting to tire as well, even though she was really used to riding the horses but not for a very long period of time.
Finally, after Chandler looked at how tired they both were stopped his horse and they relaxed. While he and Joey kept a watch for thieves and bandits, the girls slept. About an hour later, Chandler and Joey decided that they should get going again. Chandler picked up the sleeping Monica and Joey picked up Rachel and they both got on the horses and galloped off. They decided to switch off with the horses when the ones they were riding became tired.
When they where switching horses, Monica moaned and woke up. And soon after her, Rachel also did as well. By that time, the day was coming to an end. And Chandler and Joey were getting really desperate to find a town. When night fell, bandits and thieves and other thugs were more common and preyed upon travelers. Finally, they spotted one and soon arrived.
Once arriving at the inn, Joey went and sold the horses again. They then ate dinner and went to bed. There was only one room left and the girls had to share a bed while the guys slept on the floor. Chandler slept by the window and Joey by the door. They got up early the next day, bought four more fresh horses and went on their way.
Three days later, they arrived at a village that Chandler called the gateway to the mountains. At the town, Chandler picked out two sturdy, surefooted highland ponies that knew those passes and trails over the mountains that they traveled upon. They then sold the four horses and had the girls pick out some warm clothes and leather shoes. And they bought some more food. They then continued on their journey. Chandler wanted to get to a small town as quick as they could before it got too dark. Not only for bandits but also for wolves and other wild creatures that would cause them harm.
While riding, Monica, Rachel and Joey saw how hard and rough the ground was becoming and how the elevation was changing. At first it wasn't so much. But then, as time went on, the heights were really getting to Monica and Rachel, who were not used to the heights, but the flatland. Joey who was from Italy was used to the mountainous region so he was not worried. He actually felt more at home.
But when the cliffs got too steep, Rachel, who was riding with Joey, hid her face on his chest and held on with all her might and whimpered at every step the pony took. Monica would audibly gulp and hold on tighter to Chandler. Finally, at twilight, they arrived at the village just in time to enter it before they closed the gates.
They were actually closing the gates when they arrived, but they put them back down and let them in. So they spent the night in safety, the girls could not get to sleep though, with all the wolves howling. Joey thought nothing of it and fell asleep, him being used to sleeping outdoors and the noise of battle and Chandler who grew up in those very mountains and forests, felt more at home and actually had a very peaceful night's sleep.
It was a good thing that they were able to get to the town in time. The next morning, a whole family was found butchered to death by bandits and the bodies, or what was left of them thanks to the wolves, was everywhere. The person who was in charge of security in the town hated having to shut the gate and not to open it until the next morning, but after one very bad experience with bandits coming into the town after dark, they had no choice.
Before the town cleaned up the bodies, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Rachel were on their way. The guys were used to seeing such carnage on the battlefield. But the girls were not. Rachel fainted away and Monica turned very pale and hid her face into Chandler's chest. But for nights afterwards, both of the girls had nightmares.
Three hours later, "Well, here we are." Chandler proclaimed.
"Where?" Monica looked around. "I do not see a fortress."
"I meant that we are now entering the cavernous region." Chandler explained.
"But I thought we were already in the mountainous regions." Monica got out.
"That was just the hilly region." Chandler confided. "After the cavernous region then comes the high plateaus and then the cliffs and then the mountains. It is all going to get steeper and higher from here on out. But do not worry, these ponies are very surefooted and have been making climbs like these all of their lives. Nothing to worry about. I am very skilled at riding as is Joey."
Joey looked over to Chandler and gulped, "Uh, yeah right." The girls did not see him gulp but Chandler did. He knew right then that Joey who he taught to ride on the plains was worried about riding on the cliffs, caverns and mountainous trails.
They then got underway. The road wasn't so much a road anymore as it was a trail. And it was getting steeper and the ponies had a tougher climb. But Chandler was right, they were more than up for the job. Since they were smaller than horses and more sturdy and surefooted, they ponies made it look very easy. And since they were not going at a fast gallop, the girls could relax better on them. After a bit, the trials turned into a road and the ground started to level off. Chandler was happy to be there in that particular area because he knew that his friend in the next town patrolled those regions of his well.
"How much longer?" Rachel whined.
"To the nearest village or to the fortress?" Chandler asked.
"Both." Monica stated also wanted to know.
"About another three hours to the nearest village. And then four days to the fortress. After this town there is no other between there and the Fortress. But the good news is that I have about twenty five men there in that town and we can all ride together. So when we spend the night along the road, we will be safe. I will make sure to pick up sleeping gear and food. And other important items. You may want to pick up some as well. Just pick up what you need. No stuff that you can live without. Understand. AND remember, the town at the fortress has better goods than the town up ahead." Chandler explained. He felt he owed them at least an answer.
Chandler then held Monica tighter, as did Joey who held Rachel tighter, as the last steep part of a steep part of the ridge was coming up. After getting to the top of it and seeing how high and narrow the trial was, Monica hid her face once again on Chandler's chest as did Rachel with Joey and the ponies thought nothing of it and rode quietly on down. To them it was a walk in the park.
Soon enough, they arrived at the town which was on a high plateau. It had a high wall around it and a heavy gate. And still higher up stood an even more impressive wall with a forbidden fortress. It was still a good two hours until nightfall, but Chandler was very adimit about them staying. Besides, a good friend of his was the knight who looked after the town and ran helped keep the law and ran things.
His friend ran up to him and shook his hand. "Chandler, good friend, long time no see. And how was the trip?"
"Long, hard and I still have to get to the fortress before the really bad weather sets in. Speaking of which how is the weather?" Chandler asked.
"Well, the pass is still open. But it won't be for long." He stated as he walked them into the hall. The ponies were led away by stable boys. "You have arrived just in time. Your soldiers were about ready to leave. Actually, they were planning on doing that tomorrow."
"Thank you, Gandolf. You are really a good friend." Chandler smiled.
"Well, so are you for not only being a good friend but also being a good neighbor. Now why are you up here? And who are your friends?" Gandolf inquired.
"This is a new soldier of mine, Joseph Tribbianni. This is the Lady Rachel Green and the Lady Monica Geller." Chandler then explained. "King James wanted me to drive out the bandits around the area around my lands. Oh, and congratulations on how well, you are keeping the bandits down. I haven't seen them or noticed any traces of them since I arrived on your lands."
"Prince Jamie is now king…What happened?" Gandolf was shocked.
"Prince Edwin and the king both caught the pox and passed away. Jamie was crowned soon afterwards." Chandler answered.
Later that night, there was a feast prepared for the guests. There was plenty of food and the minstrels and the acrobats and the juggles gave very good performances. The food consisted of mainly meats, and cheeses and then it was rounded out with bread, some fruits, bread, desserts and mainly ale to drink and with a few wines. In short it was not very noteworthy, but it was the best that the castle had.
The table was in a U shape. Which helped for two reasons. One to help the servers bring the food to the tables easier they did not have to walk behind the tables and try to put the heaping platters of food over the eaters and have them tip over on the table and the eaters and two, to make it harder for the people to fight each other, they would have to go over their table and another one as well to reach the opponent. And it was also perfect for the acrobats and minstrels to perform in front of everyone in the middle where all the people could easily watch.
Gandolf sat at the head table, with Chandler to his right and then Monica to his right and then Rachel to her right and much to Rachel's dismay Joey. After she found out about his lowly status, she was as indifferent to him as she could be. Joey just shrugged it off. Chandler on the other hand was protective of his friend and was getting annoyed at Rachel. And now wished that they did just tie her up and lock her in the pantry. The cook would have found her early the next morning.
To Rachel the feast was nothing compared with the royal court, so she was very bored. The royal court, which always had the best wine and different types of foods and entertainment was always the best, but not this to her at least. To Joey, he was amazed, he was used to only a few types of foods and the entertainment that he saw at his father's inn was traveling minstrels who did not entertain as well as these since they were not getting paid. He ate like there was going to be no food left for quite a long time and watched amazed at the entertainment which included juggles and acrobats and listened to music of the traveling minstrels.
Chandler was busy talking with Gandolf and informing him on everything new that was happening at the capital, France and at Italy. He even told of the new ideas that were going around. Including the idea for a printing machine that could print books and make them less expensive and the idea that even the lowliest pheasants had rights. Gandolf smiled a bit at that. He felt that everyone should keep the law, king or pheasant. But he felt that it would be a while before those ideas would come around. He knew eventually they would come into being, but felt that it was not right away. He felt the ones that would have to do something first would have to be the nobles if they ever got a king that would try to take away their rights and would break the law for his own personal wants. But he knew this king wouldn't. Jamie was too smart for that. It would probably be one of his descendants or if his line was cut short, then someone else.
Gandolf informed Chandler of everything that was going on around the area. From getting rid of the bandits on his land to what started to look like trouble that the man Chandler's father had left in charge of the Tyler lands was starting to cause. He went as far as saying that he believed that he was even forcing extra taxes on the people not to mention being very cruel to them and also accepting bribes to side with certain people. Gandolf also said that he believed that he was close to if not one of the leaders of the bandits of that area. And was making some extra money to turn a blind eye to all that was going on. Chandler then thanked his friend and informed him that a lot was going to start changing after he arrived.
Monica was also starting to talk to Rachel, who had nothing else better to do, so she also started to talk to Monica as well. And before too long, they both caught up on what had happened to the both of them. Everything from Monica's first kiss with Chandler and then to the night that he drug her away from the castle. Rachel told about all the different lovers she had at court. Her first being Sir Barry Farber. But she went from one lover to another. She made Monica look and sound unsophisticated about having no real man after her and also being that she never really went anywhere. Chandler and Joey heard that. Chandler had to hold down his laughter and Joey almost chocked on a piece of meat.
Soon after Joey had finally finished eating, he asked a pretty serving wench who had blond hair and green eyes to dance. They got up and danced to the easy fun music that the drummer, reed player, tambourine player and mandolin player were playing. People were cheering and singing as well as dancing. And the men and women were both flirting with one another.
Soon after Joey got up, Rachel looked out there at them and held up her nose at the common dancing that everyone was doing and song that that the musicians were playing. Monica looked at Rachel whose gaze she followed to Joey. Even though she had not seen Rachel for a long while, she knew what was going on in Rachel's mind. She had the same look in her eyes that held something that she wanted but was putting on a mask of being indifferent to.
Chandler, who was done talking to Gandolf, then asked her to dance. Monica said no that she was too tired. And so Chandler sat back and thought for a bit. Then decided that maybe they should all get some sleep. They may be bitter about going to bed early, but he made a decision. And as their lord he had every right to insist on them following this rule.
Finally, even though it was still relatively early, Chandler insisted on them all going to bed. All including him, Monica, Rachel, Joey and the twenty five men or guards of his. So that they could leave two hours before sunup. The quicker they would get started, the better.
During the ride, Chandler had some of his archers to climb the trees and to keep a watch every time they stopped. Or made camp which was usually on high ground that could easily be defended with trees overlooking the camp, that the arches were stationed in. He also had guards to stand watch every minute they were not moving. As well as everyone was on the alert to any sound the forest made. Whether it was animal sounds or even the sound of branches hitting each other in the wind.
The guards, who grew up around Chandler and were friends with him or helped to raise him, and Chandler all knew that a lot of those sounds were not being produced by animals or tress or the wind, they were being made by humans. Or bandits informing each other oh how many people there were and where they were at. It was a code by hitting sticks together for numbers and certain animal sounds for how far they are from each other.
Joey knew that something was up, Chandler had just informed him to be ready for battle and to keep his wits about him. But the girls had no idea. Chandler on the other hand hardly slept each night and kept a close watch on everything.
The bandits, would have attacked a small contingency of guards or travelers. But this many, they didn't dare. Besides, the Tyler/Bing coat of arms, or the silver eagle which represented the Bings on the top left corner and the black wolf which represented the Tylers on the bottom right hand corner of the midnight blue background could clearly be made out. And the bandits were in no mood to have that kind of fight on their hands.
Monica and Rachel rode in the middle of the party. Chandler rode beside Monica and Rachel who was beside her rode beside Joey. And they had guards and archers all around as well as a couple of crossbowmen. Twenty five was enough to make the bandits worry. But they were smart enough not to bother them.
After they had been riding for four days, and on the early morning of the fourth, at the top of a mountain, they overlooked a valley and saw a fortress on a distant plateau, on the far side of a huge valley. It didn't look that far, but everyone knew that it was at least half a day away.
As soon as Chandler saw it he smiled. Now he was home. When he was younger, he knew these woods well and would go and play and hunt and explore in them. He knew the best hiding places and best swimming holes and the best fishing holes. The hills, mountains, caves, trees, forests, rivers, streams, and the waterfalls were his playground when he was growing up. Well, him and his childhood friends. He really did not have that many childhood friends when he was growing up, so he spent a lot of time by himself. Gandolf was one of a few when he came to see him from a journey from his fortress, as was Phoebe Buffay. Phoebe was now the village healer and mid wife. Chandler still couldn't wait to see her.
Around afternoon, they reached a river and prepared to cross it at the forge. Right before they did, some guards from the castle as well as what looked like a tax collector appeared.
"There is a tax to be paid for crossing this river and then another for entering the village and then another if you are entering the castle. Except the guards. Which work for the lord of this shire." The tax man called out.
All the guards around Chandler almost laughed. This young man had not evidently met the lord yet. Chandler yawned. "So tell me, who do YOU get your orders from?"
"The lord himself." The man replied.
"I know for a fact that you have not met the lord nor has he met or even heard of you. I will ask you again, who told you to collect taxes to cross this river.?" Chandler asked.
"You had better tell him the truth." The oldest of the guards advised him.
"The lord's man directed me to collect the taxes. He has told everyone in the village that he gets the orders directly from the lord. Now who are you?" The young man asked.
Chandler who was wearing a traveling cloak pulled back the hood to reveal his face. "The Marquise Chandler Bing."
"My lord I am sorry. I did not know…." The young man was terrified.
"This is not your fault. You were only following orders. But I did not order any type of traveling or moving around tax. We are all going back to the fortress and he will answer these charges." Chandler and the other waited until the other guards and the tax collector got their stuff and horses and everyone rode to the fortress.