Ross was making as good time as he could. But the fact remained if the queen had not insisted or ordered him to stay there, then he would probably be there by now. In fact he WOULD have! But she was vehement about him staying. And he could not disobey her orders. So he waited to hear from the king. Which took two weeks longer than anticipated. Which happened to be two whole months after they had been abducted.
They got a letter, not the army. Ross grimaced remembering the letter the queen read to him:
My dear Elizabeth,
I have received your letter. And my answer is thus, I can not be back in my beloved country until late spring, after the roads have hardened and the seas are travelable again. That is my answer, the army that is left there, I will leave it to your judgment. Which is by far better than some judgments of a lot of the men that I have met.
He knew there was more to it. But she stopped and smiled saying the rest is for her and her alone. Seeing that he was not going to get any help, he asked to be excused. The queen sighed and gave him permission. He then left and quickly prepared to leave and bought supplies. He did not wait but quickly left, just himself and a supply horse.
**********
It was now two and a half months since Monica and Rachel had been captured. And it was the start of winter and it was getting harder for him to travel. He could have been there three days ago, but now it looked much worse.
When he arrived at Gandolf's. His old friend tried to convince him not to go any further because of the weather, the highwaymen, and the wild animals that were around the forest. Like the wolves and the bears. Both of which would attack a man and kill him.
There used to be a road, cleared and much nicer between a pass of two mountains that had been destroyed because of a landslide. That would have been easier to get to the Tyler lands. But now he had to take the trail that Chandler and Joey took. With the weather, it was far more dangerous. So he, did not stay long at Gandolf's and he left. Taking the trail with much trouble.
**********
Soon after Rachel had been kissed like that, she still was making snide remarks, just not in front of Joey. She would wind up being tongue tied and quickly leave him alone. Making a fast exit. Leaving Monica, Chandler and Phoebe looking at Joey.
"What did you SAY to her?" Chandler asked. Wanting to know what was said so that he might use it.
"I just told her the truth." Joey replied.
"What?" Monica asked.
"She is a shrew." Joey explained and shrugged, leaving a very important fact out.
************
Chandler and Monica were much friendlier around each other. The others could tell as well. They would go around the castle laughing and joking. Talking or just starting to spend time with each other.
Three days after Chandler and Monica went for a ride, Joey caught them kissing in a darkened corner. They stopped what they were doing and Joey smiled at the both of them. But he promised them to keep it a secret, after Chandler talked him into not telling anyone.
Soon after it was Rachel, who found out about them, because she saw a hickey on Monica's neck and guessed who it was that gave it to her. After walking into a room just in time to see Monica and Chandler straighten their clothes and their hair.
A bit later it was Phoebe who caught them making out around the berry bushes, down by the river. She just smiled at the both of them and subtly walked away, neither one of them noticing that Phoebe had even been there.
Gary found them making out on the wall by the main tower, while he was on his rounds to check and make sure the guards were awake and doing their jobs. Monica and Chandler both separated quickly. Chandler looking flustered and Monica blushing hard.
"You both do know that everyone around here knows about you two now, right?" Gary asked with an amused expression on his face. To him, he felt like Chandler's older brother informing them that all was in the clear.
Soon after that, they were more open with their feelings.
*********
Ross's troubles were now getting worse. The weather was really starting to get to him and his horses. The rocks and boulders were hurting their hooves. His supply horse even lost his footing and now had sores all over it's legs.
At night, Ross, would start a huge fire and keep it going all night. So that he would not freeze to death and to keep the wolves and bears at bay. The only thing he had to worry about at night, was the thieves. SO he barely slept at all.
Two days away from Gandolf's Stronghold, his supply horse fell down a steep cliff and broke it's neck and instantly died. Since he did not buy a surefooted pony that was more apt to climb around on the rocks better than the horse. Ross tried to pack up everything he would need and put it on his horse. So his horse was heavily laden down with supplies.
Finally, he came to the top of a high mountain and looked down at the numerous valleys. He could see the Fortress in the distance because the leaves had fallen off the trees and there was just snow around.. But knew it would take a bit longer to get there. For it was still a great distance off.
While trying to get there, he got held up by some thieves. They took his horse, his supplies, and his armor and weapons. Then beat him up and left him for dead. And then the weather really started to get worse. The snow started to fall heavier and the temperature dropped. He tried to get as far as he could. When he couldn't walk anymore, he crawled. Until finally, his strength left him.
Before Ross passed out, he deliriously saw what he though was a tall man leading a horse coming toward him. And then darkness set in.
Gary saw a limp figure of a man lying in the snow. He walked quickly over to him to see if he was alive or not. Once seeing that he was. He lifted him up and began the three day journey to Phoebe's cottage. Pausing to blow on his horn that signaled the rest of the soldiers to meet him at a designated spot.
*********
Three weeks earlier, during one of the feasts…
Chandler and Monica were talking with one another, Chandler made jokes at which Monica would laugh at. The two of them would sometimes share a sweet innocent kiss. They both sat beside one another and ate, drank and listened to the mistrals as they sang about love, the hunt, an epic poem, a story of adventure with legends like Beowulf or King Arthur or songs about the fairies or the little people.
And the traveling fair that had stayed over the winter on the Tyler lands, or had gotten stuck. The traveling fair had a juggler, a flame eater and the acrobats. Chandler agreed to put them up for the time they were there as long as they entertained them at the fortress during the nights. And they also got to eat from the foods the castle servants ate.
And then during the night, Chandler offered his hand to Monica as an invite to dance. Unlike last time, Monica shyly took it and let Chandler lead her out to the floor and they danced. Joey offered his hand to Rachel who refused him. Joey then shrugged and then offered his hand to Phoebe who gladly accepted. After a bit of wine and ale later, Rachel did join Joey on the dance floor.
Soon, they were having so much fun, that Rachel did not notice her surroundings or think about the differences in rank. With Joey she found someone who was really a lot of fun to be around. When they finished dancing, Joey and Rachel sat besides each other and talked, laughed, joked and continued to drink the rest of the feast.
Later on that night, when they were tipsy, Joey took Rachel to a storeroom where they made out at and then later on had sex. While doing so, Joey was careful to make sure that Rachel would not get pregnant. Since he did not want Rachel to get pregnant.
To Rachel, everything happened fast, but since she was no rookie at that, and she was tipsy, she just shrugged it off as being tipsy and horny. Since it was Joey and he could make the feelings go away, she thought nothing of them. So she talked Joey into not discussing it with anyone.
**************
The next day,
Rachel was furious at Joey. He was not drunk, she was and he took advantage of her. How DARE he!!!!!!!!
"YOU!!!!!!!!!! YOU WAITED UNTIL I WAS DRUNK THEN……….." Rachel was cut off.
"You were more than willing. You threw yourself at me and were the one who initiated everything we did in the storage room. But I was pretty tipsy as well. Or I would never have bothered with you."
"What do you think everyone around here is going to say? My reputation is soiled. I mean with a commoner." Rachel snorted.
"Trust me, I have NO wish to tell ANYONE about that huge disaster. I mean a serving wench is a better kisser than you are." Joey walked out leaving a fuming Rachel behind.
While they were arguing, the whole castle could not help but hearing what was being said. And Monica had enough of a headache to go for a ride. She went and got on the palfrey that Chandler had given her.
The day was very warm for that time of year and since he was hot, Chandler went for a swim by the waterfalls or skinny dipping, even though there was still a bit of a breeze blowing.
Even though the water was freezing, it still felt good to Chandler's skin. Since he was practicing with Gary, Joey, some soldiers and some young squires with the sword and other weaponry. And he was hot and sweaty and he then decided to quickly take a swim to get off the sweat and to make him smell better. He took it early enough so that he could get dried off and that the water would be a bit warmer with the mid day sun.
During that time, Monica decided to go for a ride. She ended up going to the waterfall, hoping to see the doe and her fawns. That was Chandler's private domain. NO ONE was permitted to go there, unless Chandler gave his approval, himself. And the guards protected that spot well. So no one attempted to go there.
But, Chandler gave his permission to Monica, Rachel and Joey. Rachel did not want to go down there. Joey would rather go to the tavern, stick around the kitchen to try and get an early meal, spend his time at the guard house or go and see Phoebe. So, Monica had ridden down there before hoping to see them. At times she had caught sight of them or they had not been there. It looked as though they were not there.
She got down from her palfrey and led it around a bush when she saw Chandler swimming naked in the pool. He kept on swimming making no haste to get out of the water. He evidently did not see her.
But of course she saw him. She then quickly turned her head, blushing as she did. He had nothing on and it scared her a bit. She was taught that it was wrong for a lady to look at a naked man. She was taught that the naked body was not to be seen. But feeling a little curious, she looked back into the pool.
She just stood there at the same spot seeing his naked form splashing around in the water. she could not take her eyes off of him, since she had never seen a man naked before, his body intrigued her, because it was forbidden and it was different than hers. There was nothing delicate about it.
His arms and chest had muscles on them and he had a few scars which merely indicated where he had gotten a few wounds at during practice and battle. And his skin happened to be a bit darker because of him being out in the sun. It looked rough and rugged and had an air of strength about it. His shoulders were wide and he was tall. Her heart started beating when he started to swim on his back and she got even a better view of how they were different and her breath caught. She was astonished at herself not moving or even breathing.
Finally she tore herself away from the sight of him and found his clothes hanging on the bush behind her, went and picked them up. Then turned her attention back to Chandler who had gotten up out of the water to get his clothes, after seeing her.
She then started to hand them to him, he then took hold of the clothes. But, Monica wouldn't let them go. Instead, she then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Chandler also kissed her back and then took hold of Monica and brought her toward him, gently. After a bit he stopped and looked in her eyes. She smiled and shook her head yes. Chandler then started to loosen the stays on her clothes and slowly pealed off her clothes.
Finally, Chandler stepped back and surveyed her. Her body was perfection as far as he was concerned. Her waist was so small that both of his hands could easily span around it. Her skin color was the same everywhere, except her shoulders where some freckles were at. Her young breasts…were perfect. Finally, he then led her into the water where they made love at.
************
After that, Monica and Chandler would sneak around and made love whenever they got the chance. It would be in his study, Monica's room, Chandler's room and they continued to kiss each other whenever they could.
One day, Phoebe confronted Monica. "Monica, I have a question to ask you."
Monica looked up from a book she was reading and smiled, "Yes Phoebe, what is it?"
"Did you know that everyone around the castle knows that you are Chandler's mistress?" Phoebe asked her.
"Who is saying that?" Monica asked nervously.
"The maids, the guards, the villagers, the foresters, the laundress and even the cooks." Phoebe then smiled down at her. "In short everybody knows. But Rachel started talking about it to her personal maid."
"So that is how. Rachel could never keep a secret. But I never told her."
"According to her she saw you and Chandler together in your room when one of you forgot to bolt the door."
Monica frowned, "And let me guess, they are talking about me and the affair behind our backs, am I right?"
"Yes, but in a good way." Phoebe tried to convince her.
"How is everyone talking about me behind my back and calling a mistress and layman good?"
"They are saying that you are good for him." Phoebe tried to explain. "Let me explain. Before you came, he was not as responsible and very carefree about his duties. They see you as a good stabling factor."
"By what being his bed partner?" Monica asked fiddling with her fingers.
"As a potential wife for him and mother for his future children." Phoebe replied. Monica did not know what to say to that.
Joey was talking to Chandler. "So what are you goi8ng to do about Monica?"
"What about Monica?" Chandler asked looking up from his practice sword.
"Are you going to make her your layman, mistress, or are you going to marry her?" Joey asked. Him and Phoebe decided something needed to be done. "Or are you just going to use her?"
Chandler pushed Joey down to the ground, angrily. "How dare you! You have no right to talk about her that way!"
"You are right, Chandler. But what is her official title? I have heard some less than flattering and lewd things some people are saying about her."
Chandler opened his mouth and closed it again. "Monica and I will talk about this." He then turned to leave. "Joey thanks for bringing this to my attention." Chandler quickly then put up the sword and went in search of Monica.
He found her in her day room. "Monica I need to speak to you on a matter of grave importance."
"And I need to speak to you." Monica then smiled at Chandler as he sat down.
"Monica, I want you to marry me. But the priest will not be back for another two to three weeks." Chandler then took her hand. " So I was wondering if you will move into my room with me."
"Yes, I think that would be best."
"You moving to my room or to become my wife?"
"Yes to becoming your wife and to moving in."
Chandler then kissed her cheek. Later on, they would announce that they would marry and Monica is now the official lady of the keep. That day, Monica and her maid moved her items into Chandler's room. And from then on they shared the bed.
Two weeks after Ross was found…..
Five weeks after Monica and Chandler first loved each other…….
Ross groggily woke up and looked around. He was in an apothecary cottage. He could tell by the different tables, with all of the herbs and bowls about. But the thing that earned his attention was a tall young blond haired woman standing over a kettle.
She turned around and smiled at him. "Well, I am glad you are awake. I had no idea if you were going to make it. It was touch and go for a bit. You were half dead when Gary brought you in."
"Who…?" Ross gasped.
"Gary? He is the captain of the guard at Tyler Fortress. I am Phoebe Buffay." She then filled up a bowl with some soup from the kettle placed the bowl on a towel and picked up a spoon and sat down on a chair by the bed.
"Tyler Fortress? I made it!" Ross cried out hoarsely.
"Well…you are not moving from this bed for at least two weeks. You are still too ill. And I warn you, if you do try to move, I will latch you down to the bed. And I have you know that I have had experiences with a certain nobleman before who is too stubborn for his own good." Phoebe then smiled. "Now…eat so you can start to get your strength back." She then handed him some warm broth. Ross dug right in.
*************
Little by little, Ross started to get his strength back. The first day, Phoebe had him eating some warm broth and drinking some warm milk that was not strained so that all of the nutrients were still there. Then soon after that, she gave him some soft bread, some vegetable stew and some more of the heavy cream. And soon after that, she gave him meat, cheese and then more of the cream. With in a week and half, she judged him well enough to let him walk around the cottage. Then four days later he could leave the cottage.
During that time, Phoebe was starting to develop feelings for him. So when he was well enough to be up, she made excuses for him not to be. And when it was really time for him to leave the cottage, she still made excuses of him having to get all of his strength back up to par. Finally, when she came back one morning from collecting plants and herbs, he was gone.
**************
One week later,
It was judgment day. Everyone who had grievances arrived at the fortress so that Chandler could judge and to settle disputes. Not to mention giving his approval on marriages and to co-sign the death and marriage certificate and to give his approval for a job change or to induct a young man or woman as an apprentice.
Monica sat beside Chandler in the great hall and listened. She had to admit that he was very fair in his judgments. He was very merciful as well, there were only a very few times that he had to issue death, and it was for very serious crimes. But, he made sure that the punishment was carried out swiftly and without any un necessary suffering. With that, he reminded her of her father.
Joey would sit and listen to him as an excuse to see how different English justice was from Italian. But the real reason, Joey got to relax and eat some of the foods that were being prepared. He had never witnessed a better and more fair nobleman issuing judgments. And the fact that he did not issue the death penalty hardly at all, even though some of them deserved it. He would give a punishment that would match the crime.
If a man beat his wife or children badly, then Chandler would have the man taken out and beat as well with a whip. Or would let a mace man beat him up. That usually stopped it. If a person stole something a few days to a couple of weeks in prison and the person having something taken from him or her and given to the person that he or she stole from. And of course that usually did the trick.
Unless a person killed in self defense, then a person would get the death penalty. And since that hardly happened at all, no one was put to death except one time. What happened was that a man killed his father. The man was put to death with only the priest, Gary and the executioner looking on. There was to be no fan far about that.
About the middle of the after noon, a tall man entered wearing a heavy cloak with the hood on. "State your business." Joey called out.
A week earlier, Gary was given a job to do of erecting a new castle on some lands that were right between the fortress and a cliff castle a day's ride between them both. HE would then take over as lord of that area and be Chandler's newest knight with a castle and lands.
The castle was going to be built there to protect the travelers and guard the road for the merchants. That would also help to deter the thieves and highwaymen, which in turn looked to be getting out of the area or stopping their raids after Chandler had arrived to stomp out the highwaymen in that area.
"The question is what if a man were to kidnap a young girl from her family and rape her repeatedly? What does the law say about that?"
Chandler looked up sharply as did Monica. They knew that voice. "If that ALL happened then the person would have to be judged by a fair trial."
Ross quickly pulled off his hood, "Then I accuse you, Marquise Chandler Bing of kidnapping and raping my sister. So until your trial you are to be put under arrest." Ross then smiled. He had him and he knew it. Chandler never put himself above the law and now it would back fire on him.
Monica knew what would happen if Chandler was found guilty, in short the tower or death, she ran forward and screamed fainting in the process.
They got a letter, not the army. Ross grimaced remembering the letter the queen read to him:
My dear Elizabeth,
I have received your letter. And my answer is thus, I can not be back in my beloved country until late spring, after the roads have hardened and the seas are travelable again. That is my answer, the army that is left there, I will leave it to your judgment. Which is by far better than some judgments of a lot of the men that I have met.
He knew there was more to it. But she stopped and smiled saying the rest is for her and her alone. Seeing that he was not going to get any help, he asked to be excused. The queen sighed and gave him permission. He then left and quickly prepared to leave and bought supplies. He did not wait but quickly left, just himself and a supply horse.
**********
It was now two and a half months since Monica and Rachel had been captured. And it was the start of winter and it was getting harder for him to travel. He could have been there three days ago, but now it looked much worse.
When he arrived at Gandolf's. His old friend tried to convince him not to go any further because of the weather, the highwaymen, and the wild animals that were around the forest. Like the wolves and the bears. Both of which would attack a man and kill him.
There used to be a road, cleared and much nicer between a pass of two mountains that had been destroyed because of a landslide. That would have been easier to get to the Tyler lands. But now he had to take the trail that Chandler and Joey took. With the weather, it was far more dangerous. So he, did not stay long at Gandolf's and he left. Taking the trail with much trouble.
**********
Soon after Rachel had been kissed like that, she still was making snide remarks, just not in front of Joey. She would wind up being tongue tied and quickly leave him alone. Making a fast exit. Leaving Monica, Chandler and Phoebe looking at Joey.
"What did you SAY to her?" Chandler asked. Wanting to know what was said so that he might use it.
"I just told her the truth." Joey replied.
"What?" Monica asked.
"She is a shrew." Joey explained and shrugged, leaving a very important fact out.
************
Chandler and Monica were much friendlier around each other. The others could tell as well. They would go around the castle laughing and joking. Talking or just starting to spend time with each other.
Three days after Chandler and Monica went for a ride, Joey caught them kissing in a darkened corner. They stopped what they were doing and Joey smiled at the both of them. But he promised them to keep it a secret, after Chandler talked him into not telling anyone.
Soon after it was Rachel, who found out about them, because she saw a hickey on Monica's neck and guessed who it was that gave it to her. After walking into a room just in time to see Monica and Chandler straighten their clothes and their hair.
A bit later it was Phoebe who caught them making out around the berry bushes, down by the river. She just smiled at the both of them and subtly walked away, neither one of them noticing that Phoebe had even been there.
Gary found them making out on the wall by the main tower, while he was on his rounds to check and make sure the guards were awake and doing their jobs. Monica and Chandler both separated quickly. Chandler looking flustered and Monica blushing hard.
"You both do know that everyone around here knows about you two now, right?" Gary asked with an amused expression on his face. To him, he felt like Chandler's older brother informing them that all was in the clear.
Soon after that, they were more open with their feelings.
*********
Ross's troubles were now getting worse. The weather was really starting to get to him and his horses. The rocks and boulders were hurting their hooves. His supply horse even lost his footing and now had sores all over it's legs.
At night, Ross, would start a huge fire and keep it going all night. So that he would not freeze to death and to keep the wolves and bears at bay. The only thing he had to worry about at night, was the thieves. SO he barely slept at all.
Two days away from Gandolf's Stronghold, his supply horse fell down a steep cliff and broke it's neck and instantly died. Since he did not buy a surefooted pony that was more apt to climb around on the rocks better than the horse. Ross tried to pack up everything he would need and put it on his horse. So his horse was heavily laden down with supplies.
Finally, he came to the top of a high mountain and looked down at the numerous valleys. He could see the Fortress in the distance because the leaves had fallen off the trees and there was just snow around.. But knew it would take a bit longer to get there. For it was still a great distance off.
While trying to get there, he got held up by some thieves. They took his horse, his supplies, and his armor and weapons. Then beat him up and left him for dead. And then the weather really started to get worse. The snow started to fall heavier and the temperature dropped. He tried to get as far as he could. When he couldn't walk anymore, he crawled. Until finally, his strength left him.
Before Ross passed out, he deliriously saw what he though was a tall man leading a horse coming toward him. And then darkness set in.
Gary saw a limp figure of a man lying in the snow. He walked quickly over to him to see if he was alive or not. Once seeing that he was. He lifted him up and began the three day journey to Phoebe's cottage. Pausing to blow on his horn that signaled the rest of the soldiers to meet him at a designated spot.
*********
Three weeks earlier, during one of the feasts…
Chandler and Monica were talking with one another, Chandler made jokes at which Monica would laugh at. The two of them would sometimes share a sweet innocent kiss. They both sat beside one another and ate, drank and listened to the mistrals as they sang about love, the hunt, an epic poem, a story of adventure with legends like Beowulf or King Arthur or songs about the fairies or the little people.
And the traveling fair that had stayed over the winter on the Tyler lands, or had gotten stuck. The traveling fair had a juggler, a flame eater and the acrobats. Chandler agreed to put them up for the time they were there as long as they entertained them at the fortress during the nights. And they also got to eat from the foods the castle servants ate.
And then during the night, Chandler offered his hand to Monica as an invite to dance. Unlike last time, Monica shyly took it and let Chandler lead her out to the floor and they danced. Joey offered his hand to Rachel who refused him. Joey then shrugged and then offered his hand to Phoebe who gladly accepted. After a bit of wine and ale later, Rachel did join Joey on the dance floor.
Soon, they were having so much fun, that Rachel did not notice her surroundings or think about the differences in rank. With Joey she found someone who was really a lot of fun to be around. When they finished dancing, Joey and Rachel sat besides each other and talked, laughed, joked and continued to drink the rest of the feast.
Later on that night, when they were tipsy, Joey took Rachel to a storeroom where they made out at and then later on had sex. While doing so, Joey was careful to make sure that Rachel would not get pregnant. Since he did not want Rachel to get pregnant.
To Rachel, everything happened fast, but since she was no rookie at that, and she was tipsy, she just shrugged it off as being tipsy and horny. Since it was Joey and he could make the feelings go away, she thought nothing of them. So she talked Joey into not discussing it with anyone.
**************
The next day,
Rachel was furious at Joey. He was not drunk, she was and he took advantage of her. How DARE he!!!!!!!!
"YOU!!!!!!!!!! YOU WAITED UNTIL I WAS DRUNK THEN……….." Rachel was cut off.
"You were more than willing. You threw yourself at me and were the one who initiated everything we did in the storage room. But I was pretty tipsy as well. Or I would never have bothered with you."
"What do you think everyone around here is going to say? My reputation is soiled. I mean with a commoner." Rachel snorted.
"Trust me, I have NO wish to tell ANYONE about that huge disaster. I mean a serving wench is a better kisser than you are." Joey walked out leaving a fuming Rachel behind.
While they were arguing, the whole castle could not help but hearing what was being said. And Monica had enough of a headache to go for a ride. She went and got on the palfrey that Chandler had given her.
The day was very warm for that time of year and since he was hot, Chandler went for a swim by the waterfalls or skinny dipping, even though there was still a bit of a breeze blowing.
Even though the water was freezing, it still felt good to Chandler's skin. Since he was practicing with Gary, Joey, some soldiers and some young squires with the sword and other weaponry. And he was hot and sweaty and he then decided to quickly take a swim to get off the sweat and to make him smell better. He took it early enough so that he could get dried off and that the water would be a bit warmer with the mid day sun.
During that time, Monica decided to go for a ride. She ended up going to the waterfall, hoping to see the doe and her fawns. That was Chandler's private domain. NO ONE was permitted to go there, unless Chandler gave his approval, himself. And the guards protected that spot well. So no one attempted to go there.
But, Chandler gave his permission to Monica, Rachel and Joey. Rachel did not want to go down there. Joey would rather go to the tavern, stick around the kitchen to try and get an early meal, spend his time at the guard house or go and see Phoebe. So, Monica had ridden down there before hoping to see them. At times she had caught sight of them or they had not been there. It looked as though they were not there.
She got down from her palfrey and led it around a bush when she saw Chandler swimming naked in the pool. He kept on swimming making no haste to get out of the water. He evidently did not see her.
But of course she saw him. She then quickly turned her head, blushing as she did. He had nothing on and it scared her a bit. She was taught that it was wrong for a lady to look at a naked man. She was taught that the naked body was not to be seen. But feeling a little curious, she looked back into the pool.
She just stood there at the same spot seeing his naked form splashing around in the water. she could not take her eyes off of him, since she had never seen a man naked before, his body intrigued her, because it was forbidden and it was different than hers. There was nothing delicate about it.
His arms and chest had muscles on them and he had a few scars which merely indicated where he had gotten a few wounds at during practice and battle. And his skin happened to be a bit darker because of him being out in the sun. It looked rough and rugged and had an air of strength about it. His shoulders were wide and he was tall. Her heart started beating when he started to swim on his back and she got even a better view of how they were different and her breath caught. She was astonished at herself not moving or even breathing.
Finally she tore herself away from the sight of him and found his clothes hanging on the bush behind her, went and picked them up. Then turned her attention back to Chandler who had gotten up out of the water to get his clothes, after seeing her.
She then started to hand them to him, he then took hold of the clothes. But, Monica wouldn't let them go. Instead, she then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Chandler also kissed her back and then took hold of Monica and brought her toward him, gently. After a bit he stopped and looked in her eyes. She smiled and shook her head yes. Chandler then started to loosen the stays on her clothes and slowly pealed off her clothes.
Finally, Chandler stepped back and surveyed her. Her body was perfection as far as he was concerned. Her waist was so small that both of his hands could easily span around it. Her skin color was the same everywhere, except her shoulders where some freckles were at. Her young breasts…were perfect. Finally, he then led her into the water where they made love at.
************
After that, Monica and Chandler would sneak around and made love whenever they got the chance. It would be in his study, Monica's room, Chandler's room and they continued to kiss each other whenever they could.
One day, Phoebe confronted Monica. "Monica, I have a question to ask you."
Monica looked up from a book she was reading and smiled, "Yes Phoebe, what is it?"
"Did you know that everyone around the castle knows that you are Chandler's mistress?" Phoebe asked her.
"Who is saying that?" Monica asked nervously.
"The maids, the guards, the villagers, the foresters, the laundress and even the cooks." Phoebe then smiled down at her. "In short everybody knows. But Rachel started talking about it to her personal maid."
"So that is how. Rachel could never keep a secret. But I never told her."
"According to her she saw you and Chandler together in your room when one of you forgot to bolt the door."
Monica frowned, "And let me guess, they are talking about me and the affair behind our backs, am I right?"
"Yes, but in a good way." Phoebe tried to convince her.
"How is everyone talking about me behind my back and calling a mistress and layman good?"
"They are saying that you are good for him." Phoebe tried to explain. "Let me explain. Before you came, he was not as responsible and very carefree about his duties. They see you as a good stabling factor."
"By what being his bed partner?" Monica asked fiddling with her fingers.
"As a potential wife for him and mother for his future children." Phoebe replied. Monica did not know what to say to that.
Joey was talking to Chandler. "So what are you goi8ng to do about Monica?"
"What about Monica?" Chandler asked looking up from his practice sword.
"Are you going to make her your layman, mistress, or are you going to marry her?" Joey asked. Him and Phoebe decided something needed to be done. "Or are you just going to use her?"
Chandler pushed Joey down to the ground, angrily. "How dare you! You have no right to talk about her that way!"
"You are right, Chandler. But what is her official title? I have heard some less than flattering and lewd things some people are saying about her."
Chandler opened his mouth and closed it again. "Monica and I will talk about this." He then turned to leave. "Joey thanks for bringing this to my attention." Chandler quickly then put up the sword and went in search of Monica.
He found her in her day room. "Monica I need to speak to you on a matter of grave importance."
"And I need to speak to you." Monica then smiled at Chandler as he sat down.
"Monica, I want you to marry me. But the priest will not be back for another two to three weeks." Chandler then took her hand. " So I was wondering if you will move into my room with me."
"Yes, I think that would be best."
"You moving to my room or to become my wife?"
"Yes to becoming your wife and to moving in."
Chandler then kissed her cheek. Later on, they would announce that they would marry and Monica is now the official lady of the keep. That day, Monica and her maid moved her items into Chandler's room. And from then on they shared the bed.
Two weeks after Ross was found…..
Five weeks after Monica and Chandler first loved each other…….
Ross groggily woke up and looked around. He was in an apothecary cottage. He could tell by the different tables, with all of the herbs and bowls about. But the thing that earned his attention was a tall young blond haired woman standing over a kettle.
She turned around and smiled at him. "Well, I am glad you are awake. I had no idea if you were going to make it. It was touch and go for a bit. You were half dead when Gary brought you in."
"Who…?" Ross gasped.
"Gary? He is the captain of the guard at Tyler Fortress. I am Phoebe Buffay." She then filled up a bowl with some soup from the kettle placed the bowl on a towel and picked up a spoon and sat down on a chair by the bed.
"Tyler Fortress? I made it!" Ross cried out hoarsely.
"Well…you are not moving from this bed for at least two weeks. You are still too ill. And I warn you, if you do try to move, I will latch you down to the bed. And I have you know that I have had experiences with a certain nobleman before who is too stubborn for his own good." Phoebe then smiled. "Now…eat so you can start to get your strength back." She then handed him some warm broth. Ross dug right in.
*************
Little by little, Ross started to get his strength back. The first day, Phoebe had him eating some warm broth and drinking some warm milk that was not strained so that all of the nutrients were still there. Then soon after that, she gave him some soft bread, some vegetable stew and some more of the heavy cream. And soon after that, she gave him meat, cheese and then more of the cream. With in a week and half, she judged him well enough to let him walk around the cottage. Then four days later he could leave the cottage.
During that time, Phoebe was starting to develop feelings for him. So when he was well enough to be up, she made excuses for him not to be. And when it was really time for him to leave the cottage, she still made excuses of him having to get all of his strength back up to par. Finally, when she came back one morning from collecting plants and herbs, he was gone.
**************
One week later,
It was judgment day. Everyone who had grievances arrived at the fortress so that Chandler could judge and to settle disputes. Not to mention giving his approval on marriages and to co-sign the death and marriage certificate and to give his approval for a job change or to induct a young man or woman as an apprentice.
Monica sat beside Chandler in the great hall and listened. She had to admit that he was very fair in his judgments. He was very merciful as well, there were only a very few times that he had to issue death, and it was for very serious crimes. But, he made sure that the punishment was carried out swiftly and without any un necessary suffering. With that, he reminded her of her father.
Joey would sit and listen to him as an excuse to see how different English justice was from Italian. But the real reason, Joey got to relax and eat some of the foods that were being prepared. He had never witnessed a better and more fair nobleman issuing judgments. And the fact that he did not issue the death penalty hardly at all, even though some of them deserved it. He would give a punishment that would match the crime.
If a man beat his wife or children badly, then Chandler would have the man taken out and beat as well with a whip. Or would let a mace man beat him up. That usually stopped it. If a person stole something a few days to a couple of weeks in prison and the person having something taken from him or her and given to the person that he or she stole from. And of course that usually did the trick.
Unless a person killed in self defense, then a person would get the death penalty. And since that hardly happened at all, no one was put to death except one time. What happened was that a man killed his father. The man was put to death with only the priest, Gary and the executioner looking on. There was to be no fan far about that.
About the middle of the after noon, a tall man entered wearing a heavy cloak with the hood on. "State your business." Joey called out.
A week earlier, Gary was given a job to do of erecting a new castle on some lands that were right between the fortress and a cliff castle a day's ride between them both. HE would then take over as lord of that area and be Chandler's newest knight with a castle and lands.
The castle was going to be built there to protect the travelers and guard the road for the merchants. That would also help to deter the thieves and highwaymen, which in turn looked to be getting out of the area or stopping their raids after Chandler had arrived to stomp out the highwaymen in that area.
"The question is what if a man were to kidnap a young girl from her family and rape her repeatedly? What does the law say about that?"
Chandler looked up sharply as did Monica. They knew that voice. "If that ALL happened then the person would have to be judged by a fair trial."
Ross quickly pulled off his hood, "Then I accuse you, Marquise Chandler Bing of kidnapping and raping my sister. So until your trial you are to be put under arrest." Ross then smiled. He had him and he knew it. Chandler never put himself above the law and now it would back fire on him.
Monica knew what would happen if Chandler was found guilty, in short the tower or death, she ran forward and screamed fainting in the process.