Sir Ross Geller made the trip to Bing Stronghold within three and a half days time of hard riding. When he arrived, he found out that not only Monica had been kidnapped, but the Lady Rachel Green had as well. He then went to see the new queen, or Queen Elizabeth. It was not until the following week that he was allowed in her chamber.
He waited outside her receiving room, pacing the ground. He would talk to her and get her to agree to give him some troops to rescue the both of them. The queen would be furious that two members of her ladies in waiting were taken against their wills.
The king just might have Sir Chandler stripped of his title and have him imprisoned or executed or even both, in that order. Either way, he would see that Chandler would pay for what he had done. And he knew that he was not the only one to feel the same way. The Green family would be furious at Chandler, they would use their troops to get their daughter back, and most importantly, Sir Richard Burke would also be more than furious. Ross knew that if Richard were here, then he would have help with Sir Richard Burke and all of his troops.
But the king had the armies of the Green family and Sir Richard Burke were with him in France. And it would be at the least a month to get word to them down in southern France. Not to mention that it would take nearly that long or longer for the armies to get back over here. Then at least two weeks and a half or more of hard riding to get up north, with an army and everything that included with it. From the cavalry, infantry, engineers, tunnelers and the other people of the army.
That would just be to get up north. That would still not count the times to actually get to the Tyler/Bing lands. Plus there would be wagons that would have siege equipment in them, food clothes and other goods. So it would take much longer. Since it wouldn't be just one rider. With only him, he could be there in a week and a half at the least. Unless he ran into some bad weather, or if something else happened.
He would go up there, himself and get his sister back and the Lady Rachel Green. Even if he had to spirit both ladies away in the middle of the night. And if he had to, maybe even kill that scheming man for what he did and anyone else who helped him.
Ross knew that he could not have done that alone. Of taking two healthy young women against their wills. Particularly his sister would fight. So there was no way he acted on his own. He had to have help from at least one person.
Ross would probably even be thought of as a hero. By not only his sister, but also by the queen and the king. Not to mention the Green Family and Lady Rachel Green, herself. Ross smiled to himself and thought that he could even convince Rachel and her family that marriage would be the best course.
Ross arrived at the stronghold eight days ago and the queen was just now seeing him. He was told that the queen was very busy with important matters of state, since the king was in France. He had left this remarkable young woman in charge of the whole country to rule while he was gone. To Ross's thinking it was a waste of his time when he could have been riding. She should have seen him sooner. Didn't she care at all that Monica and Rachel were kidnapped?
Who knows what that man was doing to his baby sister?
"Sir Ross Geller, the queen will see you now." A member of the queen's court then escorted him into the chamber. The chamber was huge. Almost three quarters the size of the great hall at Geller Keep.
Ross went in and bowed low to the young queen. "Your highness, I am here…" Before he could continue, Ross was cut off by the queen.
"Silence." With a wave of her hand. "I know what you want. Your sister back. And you have come to me to ask for some troops. Am I right?" Not waiting for him to answer. "I will give you the same answer that I am sure that your father gave you. No." She then petted her albino kitten which was purring on her lap. "That is the answer that your father gave you. Am I right?" Before Ross could reply. "Your father is a wise man. This time of year is especially hazardous for an army let alone a lone man to undertake. And I am not going to send my men there. There is bandits roaming that area, the roads are bad if there are any roads at all so there will be a lot of accidents, and sickness hits hardest this time of year. So the answer is 'NO'. I know that you are worried about your sister, but don't be. Sir Chandler Bing will allow no harm to befall her. HE is unlike his father and a VERY honorable man."
"Fine, if I can get no help then I will go alone. I will not allow my sister to be used as a slut…." Ross was then cut off again.
"You know very well that he will not do that to her. He is not like his father in that respect." The queen tried to reason with the young man in front of her. "I know that you are concerned about your sister, but Chandler will not allow any harm to happen to her or to Rachel."
She may have been younger than Ross Geller, but she was not letting her emotions cloud her judgment nor her common sense. She was taught from birth to be cautious and to rely on good judgment and not to allow different emotions nor chaos to muddle her thinking. She was wise beyond her years and very dependable. In short she made a good wife for the king and was a very good ruler for the country.
"I am going to get my sister, with or without anyone's help." Ross stated vehemently.
"Ross, take my advice and return home. According to the different people, from the common man to the monks, this winter will probably be one of the hardest ones in a very long time." The queen calmly tried to talk Ross out of going to the fortress. She smiled and hoped that calmed Ross down.
The monks at their abbey could tell that the winter was going to be hard because of the different signs from them studying the weather around them and nature itself. The common people could tell because of the different signs. The extra heavy coating of fur on the animals among many others.
"Is that an order?" Ross asked. Now it was his turn for a test of loyalty. If he disobeyed the queen after she gave him a direct order, it might as well be the king. And the king's word was law. Particularly when it came to orders. IF anyone disobeyed any orders, then that person would be jailed in the tower or in a prison, preferably that one, or executed on the spot. And sometimes even both.
"I should make it an order, but the answer is 'no'. Just take my advice and return home. Or you can stay at Bing Stronghold with me. I always need another good knight. And who knows, the king might require your service over in France." The queen hoped that he would not go. Maybe with incentive like that, his loyalty to her and her husband and patriotic duty to the country will keep him close by and out of trouble. "Or you could wait for a return message from the king, I already informed him of the matter. At least stay until he sends his word. Actually, that is my order to you. Stay until he sends word. Which I should get in about six to eight more weeks."
"Very well, your highness." Ross gave a slight bow.
"You may go and are more than welcomed to stay here at the castle. Joan will show you to your room." The queen indicated a young woman who then escorted him out of the chamber.
The queen sighed and shook her head. After the letter would come, which would state that he would do nothing, this rash young man would be lucky to make it to Sir Gandolf's land with all the thieves about. And then there was the weather and the steep climbs. It would greatly surprise her if he made it at all.
If he did not then Chandler would not only inherit the Tyler and the Bing lands and the castles on them but also the Geller lands and keep as well. Since It would all go to Monica at her parent's deaths'.
So Monica might be a well propertied young heiress yet. And Chandler would do well to marry her. Although her lands did not equal up to half of the Tyler lands on a very bad year.
But the bad side would be that the country would lose a good and promising young knight, namely Sir Ross Geller. The king and the queen hated to lose anyone that was a good vassal, particularly someone coming from The Geller's line. For all of the years the family has shown it's devotion.
Although the odds were against him, maybe he would get there all right. And after he arrived, he could see himself what almost everyone around him saw. That Sir Chandler Bing and the Lady Monica Geller make a good match.
*************
Two and a half months later…
While he was healing, Chandler talked to Monica about different things from weather to literature. She hardly talked to him and gave him abrupt short answers that were to the point. Bit by bit, he wore her down.
They ended up having conversations or 'discussions' that were amusing to see. Joey, Phoebe and even Rachel all could not help but grinning every time they did. About five days after he had gotten wounded, Monica allowed him to come out of his room and three days after that, even walk outside for a bit, if it was not too cold.
Within, one week of him feeling better, Chandler and Monica went for a ride. By that time, it had warmed up considerably. And Monica even agreed that some fresh air could do him some good. He was starting to get on her nerves because he was getting restless and pacing around the room. And sometimes, because of his extra energy, accidentally tripping over things, including his own feet.
They rode from the castle to the village on market day. The people had a number of stalls open. Fresh produce, bread, cheeses, a carpenter had his wares out, a basket weaver, stoneware and other pottery, wines and ales, fabrics and clothes. While the stores had their windows open and the doors and the merchants set their wares out front so that people could get a better look at them.
On the outskirts of the village, they even had markets for animals like horses, cows, pigs, and sheep. Even a puppet show and then a play that was held in the center of the village by the church on a stage.
After a bit, Chandler decided to show her one of his favorite places. The windows in Monica's room had a great view of the place.
The place where they arrived at was a beautiful canyon that had cliffs. A small waterfall ran down the cliffs and went into a crystal clear pool, which also had a small stream that flowed into the valley. The water was so blue, that it matched Chandler's eyes. Around the canyon there was a forest and it had a number of trees growing. From a few pines to plenty of birch, oaks, and weeping willows. There were also plenty of flowers around. Like the heather flowers.
Once arriving there, Monica was amazed. She had never seen anything so beautiful in all of her life. Standing at the pool before the water trickled down into the valley, stood a doe with two young fawns. It looked as though they were born not too long ago, because they were still unsure on their feet. As well as having spots on their coats.
At Monica's gasp, they ran off. The mother taking her time and the two fawn on unsteady legs. "Oh, they were beautiful!"
Chandler smiled. "They are a regular sight around here."
While Monica walked over to the pool where the deer were standing, Chandler picked a flower. He then brought it over to Monica and presented it to her.
Monica smiled. "It is beautiful. And it smells so good."
"It is called the heather flower. A lot of people have named their daughters after this lovely plant."
"No wonder! That would not be a bad idea to name my daughter after. After I get married and have a little girl." Monica daydreamed.
"That would be a very good name for a daughter of yours." Chandler replied softly. "But there is a legend associated with this flower that runs in my family."
"Really? What is It?" Monica's eyes were shining.
"Well…….before a knight went on the crusade, he had married his childhood sweetheart. When they had been married for four months. He took her out to this very waterfall and gave her a flower."
"The heather flower, right?" Monica asked. Chandler shook his head yes.
"That was a day before he was suppose to leave. He told her that he would be back and give her a flower himself to her. But, if a flower somehow came to her by no ones help, and it just somehow just dropped down in front of her then she would know that he would never come back alive. And for her never to forget him."
"That is beautiful." Monica exclaimed.
"The sad part of the tale is that soon after he left, she found out that she was pregnant, the knight never knew. And she had the baby, which turned out to be a boy. And heir to all of this place. About three years later, the lady was standing on the balcony and holding the baby, when a strong gust of wind blew a flower up to her. And she knew that he was dead."
"That was some legend." Monica said
"That is not all." Chandler smiled, looking at Monica fondly.
"There is more?" Monica asked. Chandler had told the story because he knew that she loved a good tale.
"They found out six months later that he had died in the worst fighting six months earlier." Chandler skipped a stone across the pool.
"So right when the flower was blown to her…he died!" Monica thought that was a very good story. And it left her misty eyed.
"Well…the interesting thing is that there was no wind blowing that day the flower was blown to her feet….."
"That is still a very good legend. Did you make it up yourself?" Monica asked.
"No…." Chandler smiled. "Do you want to know something?" Chandler asked and Monica shook her head. And he moved closer. "That baby that she had was my grandfather. So I guess you could say it really happened and was not a legend, but actual historical facts."
Monica was almost at a loss for words. "That really happened……? That is SOOOOO beautiful and sad."
A tear ran down her cheek. Chandler brushed it aside and bent down and tenderly kissed her lips. Monica closed her eyes and kissed him back. Nothing was hurried and everything was slow and with the sounds of nature behind them, it all seemed so natural. And so perfect. For a moment in time, all was as it should be.
************
But for poor Joey….all was not that good. Rachel was bugging him with her constant whining. And he was getting a headache. The worst part of it all was that it seemed like there was no way that she would let up. 'How does Lady Monica put up with her?' Joey thought. And 'Where is she?' He was hoping that she would soon be back so that Rachel would bother Monica and leave him alone.
"……And another thing, there are no luxuries like there are at the royal palace! The cushions here are not as soft as they are there! The food is horrible and the beds! The feathers are so old in them that they are not as soft as I would like! And there is nothing to do here! I wish that you both had never taken me up to this 'PLACE'!" Rachel then pouted.
"You and me both." Joey sighed. Rolling his eyes.
"I am so MISERABLE here!" Rachel dramatically cried.
"YOU are not happy here? Let me tell you something. Everybody here at this place is miserable AROUND you!" Finally he exploded.
"And another thing, a good servant should keep their opinions to themselves, instead of discussing it with people." Rachel sniffed.
Before she could say anything else, he continued. "Lady Monica is a noble woman. Gentle, kind and warm hearted. She is finally happy here. While you are a spoiled snob. With a tongue sharper than most swords and a stone for a heart. The only question I have for you is why can't you be more like her?"
Rachel opened her mouth to try and defend her self, but was stopped by Joey. "Before you say anything else, everybody here has tried to make your stay just as comfortable as they can. And you have put them down and what they do for you. They will not say it, but I will! You are hurting their feelings with all of your put downs. I will also say something else. The only reason men are after you to marry them is because you are a rich heiress. It has nothing to do with bloodlines anymore. Or it will not soon enough in the future. So I can NOT stand anymore of your tongue. So why don't you stop it for a while." Joey turned to walk away.
"At least I am NOT some tavern owner's son."
Joey ran over and grabbed her and kissed her hard on the mouth. At first Rachel tried to push him away, but she started to kiss him back, finally Joey started to let up when Rachel started to kiss him back. He then pushed her aside and walked off. Leaving behind a very confused Rachel. And she had one thought on her mind, that he was the best kisser that she had ever had.
************
By that time, the king had sent word that none of his soldiers were to start a campaign without him. So Ross decided to leave, since he was not among them. But an independent lord himself.
Ross took his leave and ran to get the necessary supplies. Once loaded up, he started on the mission.
He waited outside her receiving room, pacing the ground. He would talk to her and get her to agree to give him some troops to rescue the both of them. The queen would be furious that two members of her ladies in waiting were taken against their wills.
The king just might have Sir Chandler stripped of his title and have him imprisoned or executed or even both, in that order. Either way, he would see that Chandler would pay for what he had done. And he knew that he was not the only one to feel the same way. The Green family would be furious at Chandler, they would use their troops to get their daughter back, and most importantly, Sir Richard Burke would also be more than furious. Ross knew that if Richard were here, then he would have help with Sir Richard Burke and all of his troops.
But the king had the armies of the Green family and Sir Richard Burke were with him in France. And it would be at the least a month to get word to them down in southern France. Not to mention that it would take nearly that long or longer for the armies to get back over here. Then at least two weeks and a half or more of hard riding to get up north, with an army and everything that included with it. From the cavalry, infantry, engineers, tunnelers and the other people of the army.
That would just be to get up north. That would still not count the times to actually get to the Tyler/Bing lands. Plus there would be wagons that would have siege equipment in them, food clothes and other goods. So it would take much longer. Since it wouldn't be just one rider. With only him, he could be there in a week and a half at the least. Unless he ran into some bad weather, or if something else happened.
He would go up there, himself and get his sister back and the Lady Rachel Green. Even if he had to spirit both ladies away in the middle of the night. And if he had to, maybe even kill that scheming man for what he did and anyone else who helped him.
Ross knew that he could not have done that alone. Of taking two healthy young women against their wills. Particularly his sister would fight. So there was no way he acted on his own. He had to have help from at least one person.
Ross would probably even be thought of as a hero. By not only his sister, but also by the queen and the king. Not to mention the Green Family and Lady Rachel Green, herself. Ross smiled to himself and thought that he could even convince Rachel and her family that marriage would be the best course.
Ross arrived at the stronghold eight days ago and the queen was just now seeing him. He was told that the queen was very busy with important matters of state, since the king was in France. He had left this remarkable young woman in charge of the whole country to rule while he was gone. To Ross's thinking it was a waste of his time when he could have been riding. She should have seen him sooner. Didn't she care at all that Monica and Rachel were kidnapped?
Who knows what that man was doing to his baby sister?
"Sir Ross Geller, the queen will see you now." A member of the queen's court then escorted him into the chamber. The chamber was huge. Almost three quarters the size of the great hall at Geller Keep.
Ross went in and bowed low to the young queen. "Your highness, I am here…" Before he could continue, Ross was cut off by the queen.
"Silence." With a wave of her hand. "I know what you want. Your sister back. And you have come to me to ask for some troops. Am I right?" Not waiting for him to answer. "I will give you the same answer that I am sure that your father gave you. No." She then petted her albino kitten which was purring on her lap. "That is the answer that your father gave you. Am I right?" Before Ross could reply. "Your father is a wise man. This time of year is especially hazardous for an army let alone a lone man to undertake. And I am not going to send my men there. There is bandits roaming that area, the roads are bad if there are any roads at all so there will be a lot of accidents, and sickness hits hardest this time of year. So the answer is 'NO'. I know that you are worried about your sister, but don't be. Sir Chandler Bing will allow no harm to befall her. HE is unlike his father and a VERY honorable man."
"Fine, if I can get no help then I will go alone. I will not allow my sister to be used as a slut…." Ross was then cut off again.
"You know very well that he will not do that to her. He is not like his father in that respect." The queen tried to reason with the young man in front of her. "I know that you are concerned about your sister, but Chandler will not allow any harm to happen to her or to Rachel."
She may have been younger than Ross Geller, but she was not letting her emotions cloud her judgment nor her common sense. She was taught from birth to be cautious and to rely on good judgment and not to allow different emotions nor chaos to muddle her thinking. She was wise beyond her years and very dependable. In short she made a good wife for the king and was a very good ruler for the country.
"I am going to get my sister, with or without anyone's help." Ross stated vehemently.
"Ross, take my advice and return home. According to the different people, from the common man to the monks, this winter will probably be one of the hardest ones in a very long time." The queen calmly tried to talk Ross out of going to the fortress. She smiled and hoped that calmed Ross down.
The monks at their abbey could tell that the winter was going to be hard because of the different signs from them studying the weather around them and nature itself. The common people could tell because of the different signs. The extra heavy coating of fur on the animals among many others.
"Is that an order?" Ross asked. Now it was his turn for a test of loyalty. If he disobeyed the queen after she gave him a direct order, it might as well be the king. And the king's word was law. Particularly when it came to orders. IF anyone disobeyed any orders, then that person would be jailed in the tower or in a prison, preferably that one, or executed on the spot. And sometimes even both.
"I should make it an order, but the answer is 'no'. Just take my advice and return home. Or you can stay at Bing Stronghold with me. I always need another good knight. And who knows, the king might require your service over in France." The queen hoped that he would not go. Maybe with incentive like that, his loyalty to her and her husband and patriotic duty to the country will keep him close by and out of trouble. "Or you could wait for a return message from the king, I already informed him of the matter. At least stay until he sends his word. Actually, that is my order to you. Stay until he sends word. Which I should get in about six to eight more weeks."
"Very well, your highness." Ross gave a slight bow.
"You may go and are more than welcomed to stay here at the castle. Joan will show you to your room." The queen indicated a young woman who then escorted him out of the chamber.
The queen sighed and shook her head. After the letter would come, which would state that he would do nothing, this rash young man would be lucky to make it to Sir Gandolf's land with all the thieves about. And then there was the weather and the steep climbs. It would greatly surprise her if he made it at all.
If he did not then Chandler would not only inherit the Tyler and the Bing lands and the castles on them but also the Geller lands and keep as well. Since It would all go to Monica at her parent's deaths'.
So Monica might be a well propertied young heiress yet. And Chandler would do well to marry her. Although her lands did not equal up to half of the Tyler lands on a very bad year.
But the bad side would be that the country would lose a good and promising young knight, namely Sir Ross Geller. The king and the queen hated to lose anyone that was a good vassal, particularly someone coming from The Geller's line. For all of the years the family has shown it's devotion.
Although the odds were against him, maybe he would get there all right. And after he arrived, he could see himself what almost everyone around him saw. That Sir Chandler Bing and the Lady Monica Geller make a good match.
*************
Two and a half months later…
While he was healing, Chandler talked to Monica about different things from weather to literature. She hardly talked to him and gave him abrupt short answers that were to the point. Bit by bit, he wore her down.
They ended up having conversations or 'discussions' that were amusing to see. Joey, Phoebe and even Rachel all could not help but grinning every time they did. About five days after he had gotten wounded, Monica allowed him to come out of his room and three days after that, even walk outside for a bit, if it was not too cold.
Within, one week of him feeling better, Chandler and Monica went for a ride. By that time, it had warmed up considerably. And Monica even agreed that some fresh air could do him some good. He was starting to get on her nerves because he was getting restless and pacing around the room. And sometimes, because of his extra energy, accidentally tripping over things, including his own feet.
They rode from the castle to the village on market day. The people had a number of stalls open. Fresh produce, bread, cheeses, a carpenter had his wares out, a basket weaver, stoneware and other pottery, wines and ales, fabrics and clothes. While the stores had their windows open and the doors and the merchants set their wares out front so that people could get a better look at them.
On the outskirts of the village, they even had markets for animals like horses, cows, pigs, and sheep. Even a puppet show and then a play that was held in the center of the village by the church on a stage.
After a bit, Chandler decided to show her one of his favorite places. The windows in Monica's room had a great view of the place.
The place where they arrived at was a beautiful canyon that had cliffs. A small waterfall ran down the cliffs and went into a crystal clear pool, which also had a small stream that flowed into the valley. The water was so blue, that it matched Chandler's eyes. Around the canyon there was a forest and it had a number of trees growing. From a few pines to plenty of birch, oaks, and weeping willows. There were also plenty of flowers around. Like the heather flowers.
Once arriving there, Monica was amazed. She had never seen anything so beautiful in all of her life. Standing at the pool before the water trickled down into the valley, stood a doe with two young fawns. It looked as though they were born not too long ago, because they were still unsure on their feet. As well as having spots on their coats.
At Monica's gasp, they ran off. The mother taking her time and the two fawn on unsteady legs. "Oh, they were beautiful!"
Chandler smiled. "They are a regular sight around here."
While Monica walked over to the pool where the deer were standing, Chandler picked a flower. He then brought it over to Monica and presented it to her.
Monica smiled. "It is beautiful. And it smells so good."
"It is called the heather flower. A lot of people have named their daughters after this lovely plant."
"No wonder! That would not be a bad idea to name my daughter after. After I get married and have a little girl." Monica daydreamed.
"That would be a very good name for a daughter of yours." Chandler replied softly. "But there is a legend associated with this flower that runs in my family."
"Really? What is It?" Monica's eyes were shining.
"Well…….before a knight went on the crusade, he had married his childhood sweetheart. When they had been married for four months. He took her out to this very waterfall and gave her a flower."
"The heather flower, right?" Monica asked. Chandler shook his head yes.
"That was a day before he was suppose to leave. He told her that he would be back and give her a flower himself to her. But, if a flower somehow came to her by no ones help, and it just somehow just dropped down in front of her then she would know that he would never come back alive. And for her never to forget him."
"That is beautiful." Monica exclaimed.
"The sad part of the tale is that soon after he left, she found out that she was pregnant, the knight never knew. And she had the baby, which turned out to be a boy. And heir to all of this place. About three years later, the lady was standing on the balcony and holding the baby, when a strong gust of wind blew a flower up to her. And she knew that he was dead."
"That was some legend." Monica said
"That is not all." Chandler smiled, looking at Monica fondly.
"There is more?" Monica asked. Chandler had told the story because he knew that she loved a good tale.
"They found out six months later that he had died in the worst fighting six months earlier." Chandler skipped a stone across the pool.
"So right when the flower was blown to her…he died!" Monica thought that was a very good story. And it left her misty eyed.
"Well…the interesting thing is that there was no wind blowing that day the flower was blown to her feet….."
"That is still a very good legend. Did you make it up yourself?" Monica asked.
"No…." Chandler smiled. "Do you want to know something?" Chandler asked and Monica shook her head. And he moved closer. "That baby that she had was my grandfather. So I guess you could say it really happened and was not a legend, but actual historical facts."
Monica was almost at a loss for words. "That really happened……? That is SOOOOO beautiful and sad."
A tear ran down her cheek. Chandler brushed it aside and bent down and tenderly kissed her lips. Monica closed her eyes and kissed him back. Nothing was hurried and everything was slow and with the sounds of nature behind them, it all seemed so natural. And so perfect. For a moment in time, all was as it should be.
************
But for poor Joey….all was not that good. Rachel was bugging him with her constant whining. And he was getting a headache. The worst part of it all was that it seemed like there was no way that she would let up. 'How does Lady Monica put up with her?' Joey thought. And 'Where is she?' He was hoping that she would soon be back so that Rachel would bother Monica and leave him alone.
"……And another thing, there are no luxuries like there are at the royal palace! The cushions here are not as soft as they are there! The food is horrible and the beds! The feathers are so old in them that they are not as soft as I would like! And there is nothing to do here! I wish that you both had never taken me up to this 'PLACE'!" Rachel then pouted.
"You and me both." Joey sighed. Rolling his eyes.
"I am so MISERABLE here!" Rachel dramatically cried.
"YOU are not happy here? Let me tell you something. Everybody here at this place is miserable AROUND you!" Finally he exploded.
"And another thing, a good servant should keep their opinions to themselves, instead of discussing it with people." Rachel sniffed.
Before she could say anything else, he continued. "Lady Monica is a noble woman. Gentle, kind and warm hearted. She is finally happy here. While you are a spoiled snob. With a tongue sharper than most swords and a stone for a heart. The only question I have for you is why can't you be more like her?"
Rachel opened her mouth to try and defend her self, but was stopped by Joey. "Before you say anything else, everybody here has tried to make your stay just as comfortable as they can. And you have put them down and what they do for you. They will not say it, but I will! You are hurting their feelings with all of your put downs. I will also say something else. The only reason men are after you to marry them is because you are a rich heiress. It has nothing to do with bloodlines anymore. Or it will not soon enough in the future. So I can NOT stand anymore of your tongue. So why don't you stop it for a while." Joey turned to walk away.
"At least I am NOT some tavern owner's son."
Joey ran over and grabbed her and kissed her hard on the mouth. At first Rachel tried to push him away, but she started to kiss him back, finally Joey started to let up when Rachel started to kiss him back. He then pushed her aside and walked off. Leaving behind a very confused Rachel. And she had one thought on her mind, that he was the best kisser that she had ever had.
************
By that time, the king had sent word that none of his soldiers were to start a campaign without him. So Ross decided to leave, since he was not among them. But an independent lord himself.
Ross took his leave and ran to get the necessary supplies. Once loaded up, he started on the mission.