I am sorry I took so long in writing, but I have had unavoidable delays.
Like I had a female version of Mr. Heckles living below me at my apartment. Only she was worse. And the landlord even went and tried to get her some help through the city, which they did diddly squat too. And during said time I had to move out. So I could not get to my computer. Anyway after 8 f*ing months, it took the social security administration to do something about her. Or rather just a few weeks after they heard how bad she was mentally. (HOOORAY for the SS administration) Now I can gladly say that I really am back for good this time.
To pick up where I left off: Ross made it to the fortress just barely alive and Phoebe who is the healer nursed him back to health and then Ross confronted Chandler, for some reason Monica passed out after hearing what Ross said. And Rachel and Joey are lovers.
Now on with the story.
*******************
Chandler jumped up from his chair. The accusations quickly forgotten when he saw that the woman he loved collapsed. He was able to get her in time before she fell to the floor.
"Joey, get Phoebe. I will get her to our room. Mandy get some cool water and some towels." Chandler ordered a startled maid. With that Chandler carried Monica up to their room and laid her on the bed. He was scared. What if she had the pox or the black death? If anything happened to Monica, he knew that he would be a walking zombie. Because to him, she was everything.
Ross followed along and did not miss the word 'our'. But said nothing at the moment, thinking that there would-be plenty of time to do so when Monica came around. One way or another.
*************
When Monica woke up, she heard mummers of voices that sounded distorted and far off. It sounded like two men and a woman. One of the men seemed angry. Before she opened her eyes, she recognized a voice.
"chandler?" She croaked out. With her voice so dry it would be a wonder if anyone heard her. When she did try to open her eyes, the light was too strong so she shut them again.
She then felt strong fingers gently grip hers. Chandler's voice came through softly and evenly. "Monica." He then kissed her fingers.
Monica opened her eyes and smiled at Chandler, "Thirsty." Monica muttered.
"Hold her up, carefully." Phoebe instructed Chandler and then she gave her some water.
"What happened to me. I never faint." Monica wondered aloud.
"You have just heard your brother give some disturbing news. But, while that may not have had any consequences on you before, women do many different things they would never do when they are expecting." Phoebe smiled as she told Monica and the others the news. All which had different impacts on everyone.
"What?" Chandler then grinned. A child. And this early?. So much the better.
"WHAT?" Ross was furious. Chandler had either raped or tricked his sister into bed. He knew it!!! Monica was so innocent, that there was no way that she would have agreed. So Chandler must have seduced her or just took her to his bed and started in on her.
Monica lay against Chandler's arms with a contented smile on her face, with her hand on her stomach. She had wanted a baby for so long that now that she had one as well as being married to a very powerful lord that the king himself trusted with the protection of one of the northern holdings. It finally looked as though that all of her childhood dreams were coming true. A soon to be husband that adored her, a castle that she was mistress or lady of and now a child. Everything was falling into place.
Phoebe then went on to explain. "I suspected it for a while now." Then toward Monica. "You did not show any of the normal signs, or if you did, they did not make themselves really known until today. You had a slight increase in your food intake and looked a bit more tired as of late. That is all. But, I checked and you are pregnant with the next marquise." Phoebe then smiled after that little speech. She loved it when she was able to give good news.
"You raped my sister!" Ross's face was a mass color of red and almost purple rage. And the veins on his forehead were sticking out.
"Ross he did no such thing." Monica tried to sooth her brother's temper.
"Monica stay out of this! And this son of a whore tricked you into believing that he loves you!" Ross yelled at Monica.
"He is my betrothed and the father of my future child. So don't you dare say another word. And besides I suggested what happened at the falls…."
"No I don't want to hear another word." Ross covered his ears to block out what his sister was about to say..
"Fine then. But know this, we are going to be married later on this week. Whether you want it or not. So you can stay away and sulk in private or come to the wedding and support us. Take your pick." Monica tried to sit up and decided that she should lay back down.
"Monica, take it easy. If not for you then for our child's sake." Chandler soothed her. The tactic seemed to work. Monica laid down into Chandler's arms and relaxed.
"You tricked her. I know it." There was no way that his innocent little sister would willingly share a bed with any man.
"Ross…" Chandler tried.
"We will see how keen the king and the church is on you kidnapping my sister and this marriage that you both insist on happening.. But I can tell you this, Sir Richard Burke, father and I will take steps to destroy you for this, Marquise Bing. Whether it be on the field of battle, in the king's court or when it comes to your business ventures. And since you can not legitimately marry, without a family members consent, this child will wear the label of a bastard." Monica gasped out and held tighter to Chandler and Chandler grimaced. Ross then continued. "And your illegitimate child will never become a noble or a knight. When the priest asks for a relative present, I will make myself known and deny the family consent. Since father is not here, it will be me that gives the family blessing and you will not have it." Ross then got up and stalked out. It was true that if they did not get married before the baby was born, the child would never inherit the lands and could not become a knight because of a law.
"He will eventually settle down. And give the blessing." Monica predicted.
Chandler kissed her on the forehead. He wasn't so sure. Ross had a tendency never to forget something trivial and to hold on to a grudge longer than any man Chandler had ever seen. And with Ross's temper….there was no telling what might happen. Richard Burke would come after Monica just to try and gain what he considered 'his'. But Baron Geller would probably be the voice of reason and try to moderate. Just to be on the safe side, Chandler decided to beef up the defenses. Maybe it might be nothing, but his gut instinct told him to do just that. And in battle, his instinct was never wrong. He just hoped it was now.
**********
Later that day:
Chandler met with Gary, Joey and his knights. He then informed them of the situation and that they might be under a siege. So they were told to make preparations for one.
Which was to strengthen the castle walls and the defenses as best as they could during the winter months. And also to have the weapon makers to fill the armory with shafts and bows and maces and other weapons. Chandler even ordered another armory built. They even decided to have some pitch brought up and stored to be used for pouring over the walls. Killing pits were to be dug at certain places to help in defense of the castle.
After the meeting with the guards, Chandler then saw to the store rooms. He wanted enough food and plenty of water for a siege. Two more store houses were built. And he decided to fill them full of fish, game and vegetables that he would try and purchase from a traveling merchant.
He then had a new well dug in the inner bailey as well as one more in the outer bailey. The one in the courtyard that was dry, would be deepened and hopefully some water would be found. So there would be no trouble with water.
Two days later:
Chandler then held a meeting with the town peers and told them what had happened and what they may expect next year. In short an army would be on it's way next spring. And an army lives off the land, so there would be no crops and their homes would either be used by the army or burnt to the ground, which is saying the least.
Chandler gave them a choice, of either staying and seeking shelter in the castle or going to a different village that
was two days away. Chandler left them to decide their fates and then continued on with the fortifications of the castle.
During that time: Monica was able now to get up and walk around. But Phoebe stayed around her and watched over as did Rachel.
While walking around, Monica saw the preparations for war and was worried. The preparations would be used against her father and brother. They could get hurt very badly or killed.
She spoke to Chandler that night as she lay in his arms while they rested from their lovemaking. "Chandler?"
"Yes, Mon." Chandler mumbled, his eyes closed as the effects of the lovemaking were starting to ebb away.
"Will you promise me something?" Monica ran her hand back and forth on his arm.
"Within reason." Chandler kissed her forehead.
"Promise me that you will not fight my father or my brother." Monica looked up at Chandler.
Chandler opened his eyes and looked down into hers. "But…."
"They are my family and you could seriously hurt them in battle." Monica moved closer to Chandler and held him tight. "Please…"
The first thought that Chandler had was if they fought against each other, in battle it was either him or them. And someone would always get hurt or killed. At the very least hurt if he fought, but if he did not, then killed.
"But…" Chandler started. And then the second thought hit him and that was that Monica knew that and she wanted nothing to happen to the ones she loved. Which he knew not to be him.
"Chandler, please!" She then kissed the nape of his neck up to his ear. "Please…"
Chandler felt hurt, betrayed and heartbroken. The woman he was in love with was sacrificing him for the ones she really loved and cared about. She did not care for him. His breath caught and his body felt limp. And his heart sank.
He knew that if he did fight against them and they got hurt, Monica would never forgive him and it would be worse if one were killed. But the catch was that if he did not fight, he would be killed. It was a lose/ lose situation. Either way he would lose Monica and he knew it.
"Monica, you do know if I am not to fight back then I could be gravely wounded or killed." Chandler asked her looking down at her carefully to gage her reaction.
"Please, Chandler! They are my family. You will not kill my family or loved ones. Would you?" Monica, with tears in her eyes, looked up hopefully at Chandler. Chandler had his answer, she did not really love him.
"please…" Monica whispered seductively at his ear as she started to nip and tease it.
Chandler lay in bed ridged with his eyes upon the ceiling. He knew either way that he would lose. The least he could do was to have what he could get from Monica, marry her, and hope that the child she was carrying was a boy.
The boy might become a ward of king James, but it would still be entitled to the lands and the king would not let anything happen to either so that the lands would not got whomever Monica were to marry after him.
If the child were a girl, then the girl would still be a ward but when she married, the king would force her into a marriage of his choosing, the lands would go to her husband. Either way, the child would never know him and he would not have long to see the child, himself.
Monica was now laying on top of him and moving herself around and seducing him. Finally, he relented. "Very well, Monica." Instead of saying thanks, Monica drove her tongue deeper into his mouth. He then rolled her over and took what he could get from his love.
Two days later…
In the small chapel in the castle.
Monica and Chandler were on their knees in front of the priest as he blessed them and their marriage. Monica was dressed in a beautiful velvet dark blue under dress and a white creamy over dress. Her hair went down her back and over her shoulders. And she had dark blue flowers and carried the heather flower. Chandler dressed in a light blue tunic and had dark blue pants.
Monica's smile was pure happiness she had gotten everything she wanted in life, while Chandler looked ahead, his jaw set and his facial features blank. While Monica's thoughts dealt with a happy future, Chandler's thoughts were more gloomy. He was convinced that he had a very little time left on this earth.
Everyone else around them were extremely happy for the couple. While Ross did not like Chandler, and still had his doubts, he decided to be there for his little sister. During the ceremony, no one noticed the thoughtful expression that Chandler wore. No one but Ross.
Ross studied his new brother in law carefully. He did not seem happy as a man should on his wedding day. He looked like a man who had just received or was about to receive a death sentence.
And then it hit Ross. He actually believes that he was not going to live much longer. Ross then thought about what was going through Chandler's head. Monica would probably remarry, his unborn child would not know him and everything that was his would be given to another. Right then and there Ross made a decision about Chandler and Monica.
At the wedding feast, where the entire village was invited to the wedding feast and the hall was overflowing with people talking, eat, drinking and cavorting.
Monica chatted happily with Rachel and with Phoebe. About the future, the jester and the acrobats. Joey and Gary talked as well as Ross who finally relented and came to the feast. Everybody was happy except for Chandler who was sitting back in his chair with a blank expression on his face. No one seemed to notice. And that was just fine for Chandler.
After the wedding feast, when Ross lifted his glass for the toast, the whole room was quiet. Everyone was straining to hear what the young knight was about to say.
"To my sweet sister : The only troubles that you have is when you give birth. And may it be an easy pregnancy." Ross then toasted his sister. "And to my brother in law: Watch my sister and your back." Ross then quickly sat down at the table. Leaving everyone to digest his words and what he meant.
Later on that night, Monica laid in Chandler's arms dreaming of her new life and being very happy. Chandler on the other hand stared up at the ceiling and pondered what could happen.
****************
I am now winding down this story. OK, the questions: What do you think Ross means by that toast? What will end up happening to Chandler and Monica and their unborn child? What will end up happening between Rachel and Joey? And what will happen to Phoebe?
I need your reviews so I can determine what you guys think. And maybe decide where I need to go with my story. Anyway, please review!!!!!!!!!! I will be working on the others as fast and as soon as I can.
Like I had a female version of Mr. Heckles living below me at my apartment. Only she was worse. And the landlord even went and tried to get her some help through the city, which they did diddly squat too. And during said time I had to move out. So I could not get to my computer. Anyway after 8 f*ing months, it took the social security administration to do something about her. Or rather just a few weeks after they heard how bad she was mentally. (HOOORAY for the SS administration) Now I can gladly say that I really am back for good this time.
To pick up where I left off: Ross made it to the fortress just barely alive and Phoebe who is the healer nursed him back to health and then Ross confronted Chandler, for some reason Monica passed out after hearing what Ross said. And Rachel and Joey are lovers.
Now on with the story.
*******************
Chandler jumped up from his chair. The accusations quickly forgotten when he saw that the woman he loved collapsed. He was able to get her in time before she fell to the floor.
"Joey, get Phoebe. I will get her to our room. Mandy get some cool water and some towels." Chandler ordered a startled maid. With that Chandler carried Monica up to their room and laid her on the bed. He was scared. What if she had the pox or the black death? If anything happened to Monica, he knew that he would be a walking zombie. Because to him, she was everything.
Ross followed along and did not miss the word 'our'. But said nothing at the moment, thinking that there would-be plenty of time to do so when Monica came around. One way or another.
*************
When Monica woke up, she heard mummers of voices that sounded distorted and far off. It sounded like two men and a woman. One of the men seemed angry. Before she opened her eyes, she recognized a voice.
"chandler?" She croaked out. With her voice so dry it would be a wonder if anyone heard her. When she did try to open her eyes, the light was too strong so she shut them again.
She then felt strong fingers gently grip hers. Chandler's voice came through softly and evenly. "Monica." He then kissed her fingers.
Monica opened her eyes and smiled at Chandler, "Thirsty." Monica muttered.
"Hold her up, carefully." Phoebe instructed Chandler and then she gave her some water.
"What happened to me. I never faint." Monica wondered aloud.
"You have just heard your brother give some disturbing news. But, while that may not have had any consequences on you before, women do many different things they would never do when they are expecting." Phoebe smiled as she told Monica and the others the news. All which had different impacts on everyone.
"What?" Chandler then grinned. A child. And this early?. So much the better.
"WHAT?" Ross was furious. Chandler had either raped or tricked his sister into bed. He knew it!!! Monica was so innocent, that there was no way that she would have agreed. So Chandler must have seduced her or just took her to his bed and started in on her.
Monica lay against Chandler's arms with a contented smile on her face, with her hand on her stomach. She had wanted a baby for so long that now that she had one as well as being married to a very powerful lord that the king himself trusted with the protection of one of the northern holdings. It finally looked as though that all of her childhood dreams were coming true. A soon to be husband that adored her, a castle that she was mistress or lady of and now a child. Everything was falling into place.
Phoebe then went on to explain. "I suspected it for a while now." Then toward Monica. "You did not show any of the normal signs, or if you did, they did not make themselves really known until today. You had a slight increase in your food intake and looked a bit more tired as of late. That is all. But, I checked and you are pregnant with the next marquise." Phoebe then smiled after that little speech. She loved it when she was able to give good news.
"You raped my sister!" Ross's face was a mass color of red and almost purple rage. And the veins on his forehead were sticking out.
"Ross he did no such thing." Monica tried to sooth her brother's temper.
"Monica stay out of this! And this son of a whore tricked you into believing that he loves you!" Ross yelled at Monica.
"He is my betrothed and the father of my future child. So don't you dare say another word. And besides I suggested what happened at the falls…."
"No I don't want to hear another word." Ross covered his ears to block out what his sister was about to say..
"Fine then. But know this, we are going to be married later on this week. Whether you want it or not. So you can stay away and sulk in private or come to the wedding and support us. Take your pick." Monica tried to sit up and decided that she should lay back down.
"Monica, take it easy. If not for you then for our child's sake." Chandler soothed her. The tactic seemed to work. Monica laid down into Chandler's arms and relaxed.
"You tricked her. I know it." There was no way that his innocent little sister would willingly share a bed with any man.
"Ross…" Chandler tried.
"We will see how keen the king and the church is on you kidnapping my sister and this marriage that you both insist on happening.. But I can tell you this, Sir Richard Burke, father and I will take steps to destroy you for this, Marquise Bing. Whether it be on the field of battle, in the king's court or when it comes to your business ventures. And since you can not legitimately marry, without a family members consent, this child will wear the label of a bastard." Monica gasped out and held tighter to Chandler and Chandler grimaced. Ross then continued. "And your illegitimate child will never become a noble or a knight. When the priest asks for a relative present, I will make myself known and deny the family consent. Since father is not here, it will be me that gives the family blessing and you will not have it." Ross then got up and stalked out. It was true that if they did not get married before the baby was born, the child would never inherit the lands and could not become a knight because of a law.
"He will eventually settle down. And give the blessing." Monica predicted.
Chandler kissed her on the forehead. He wasn't so sure. Ross had a tendency never to forget something trivial and to hold on to a grudge longer than any man Chandler had ever seen. And with Ross's temper….there was no telling what might happen. Richard Burke would come after Monica just to try and gain what he considered 'his'. But Baron Geller would probably be the voice of reason and try to moderate. Just to be on the safe side, Chandler decided to beef up the defenses. Maybe it might be nothing, but his gut instinct told him to do just that. And in battle, his instinct was never wrong. He just hoped it was now.
**********
Later that day:
Chandler met with Gary, Joey and his knights. He then informed them of the situation and that they might be under a siege. So they were told to make preparations for one.
Which was to strengthen the castle walls and the defenses as best as they could during the winter months. And also to have the weapon makers to fill the armory with shafts and bows and maces and other weapons. Chandler even ordered another armory built. They even decided to have some pitch brought up and stored to be used for pouring over the walls. Killing pits were to be dug at certain places to help in defense of the castle.
After the meeting with the guards, Chandler then saw to the store rooms. He wanted enough food and plenty of water for a siege. Two more store houses were built. And he decided to fill them full of fish, game and vegetables that he would try and purchase from a traveling merchant.
He then had a new well dug in the inner bailey as well as one more in the outer bailey. The one in the courtyard that was dry, would be deepened and hopefully some water would be found. So there would be no trouble with water.
Two days later:
Chandler then held a meeting with the town peers and told them what had happened and what they may expect next year. In short an army would be on it's way next spring. And an army lives off the land, so there would be no crops and their homes would either be used by the army or burnt to the ground, which is saying the least.
Chandler gave them a choice, of either staying and seeking shelter in the castle or going to a different village that
was two days away. Chandler left them to decide their fates and then continued on with the fortifications of the castle.
During that time: Monica was able now to get up and walk around. But Phoebe stayed around her and watched over as did Rachel.
While walking around, Monica saw the preparations for war and was worried. The preparations would be used against her father and brother. They could get hurt very badly or killed.
She spoke to Chandler that night as she lay in his arms while they rested from their lovemaking. "Chandler?"
"Yes, Mon." Chandler mumbled, his eyes closed as the effects of the lovemaking were starting to ebb away.
"Will you promise me something?" Monica ran her hand back and forth on his arm.
"Within reason." Chandler kissed her forehead.
"Promise me that you will not fight my father or my brother." Monica looked up at Chandler.
Chandler opened his eyes and looked down into hers. "But…."
"They are my family and you could seriously hurt them in battle." Monica moved closer to Chandler and held him tight. "Please…"
The first thought that Chandler had was if they fought against each other, in battle it was either him or them. And someone would always get hurt or killed. At the very least hurt if he fought, but if he did not, then killed.
"But…" Chandler started. And then the second thought hit him and that was that Monica knew that and she wanted nothing to happen to the ones she loved. Which he knew not to be him.
"Chandler, please!" She then kissed the nape of his neck up to his ear. "Please…"
Chandler felt hurt, betrayed and heartbroken. The woman he was in love with was sacrificing him for the ones she really loved and cared about. She did not care for him. His breath caught and his body felt limp. And his heart sank.
He knew that if he did fight against them and they got hurt, Monica would never forgive him and it would be worse if one were killed. But the catch was that if he did not fight, he would be killed. It was a lose/ lose situation. Either way he would lose Monica and he knew it.
"Monica, you do know if I am not to fight back then I could be gravely wounded or killed." Chandler asked her looking down at her carefully to gage her reaction.
"Please, Chandler! They are my family. You will not kill my family or loved ones. Would you?" Monica, with tears in her eyes, looked up hopefully at Chandler. Chandler had his answer, she did not really love him.
"please…" Monica whispered seductively at his ear as she started to nip and tease it.
Chandler lay in bed ridged with his eyes upon the ceiling. He knew either way that he would lose. The least he could do was to have what he could get from Monica, marry her, and hope that the child she was carrying was a boy.
The boy might become a ward of king James, but it would still be entitled to the lands and the king would not let anything happen to either so that the lands would not got whomever Monica were to marry after him.
If the child were a girl, then the girl would still be a ward but when she married, the king would force her into a marriage of his choosing, the lands would go to her husband. Either way, the child would never know him and he would not have long to see the child, himself.
Monica was now laying on top of him and moving herself around and seducing him. Finally, he relented. "Very well, Monica." Instead of saying thanks, Monica drove her tongue deeper into his mouth. He then rolled her over and took what he could get from his love.
Two days later…
In the small chapel in the castle.
Monica and Chandler were on their knees in front of the priest as he blessed them and their marriage. Monica was dressed in a beautiful velvet dark blue under dress and a white creamy over dress. Her hair went down her back and over her shoulders. And she had dark blue flowers and carried the heather flower. Chandler dressed in a light blue tunic and had dark blue pants.
Monica's smile was pure happiness she had gotten everything she wanted in life, while Chandler looked ahead, his jaw set and his facial features blank. While Monica's thoughts dealt with a happy future, Chandler's thoughts were more gloomy. He was convinced that he had a very little time left on this earth.
Everyone else around them were extremely happy for the couple. While Ross did not like Chandler, and still had his doubts, he decided to be there for his little sister. During the ceremony, no one noticed the thoughtful expression that Chandler wore. No one but Ross.
Ross studied his new brother in law carefully. He did not seem happy as a man should on his wedding day. He looked like a man who had just received or was about to receive a death sentence.
And then it hit Ross. He actually believes that he was not going to live much longer. Ross then thought about what was going through Chandler's head. Monica would probably remarry, his unborn child would not know him and everything that was his would be given to another. Right then and there Ross made a decision about Chandler and Monica.
At the wedding feast, where the entire village was invited to the wedding feast and the hall was overflowing with people talking, eat, drinking and cavorting.
Monica chatted happily with Rachel and with Phoebe. About the future, the jester and the acrobats. Joey and Gary talked as well as Ross who finally relented and came to the feast. Everybody was happy except for Chandler who was sitting back in his chair with a blank expression on his face. No one seemed to notice. And that was just fine for Chandler.
After the wedding feast, when Ross lifted his glass for the toast, the whole room was quiet. Everyone was straining to hear what the young knight was about to say.
"To my sweet sister : The only troubles that you have is when you give birth. And may it be an easy pregnancy." Ross then toasted his sister. "And to my brother in law: Watch my sister and your back." Ross then quickly sat down at the table. Leaving everyone to digest his words and what he meant.
Later on that night, Monica laid in Chandler's arms dreaming of her new life and being very happy. Chandler on the other hand stared up at the ceiling and pondered what could happen.
****************
I am now winding down this story. OK, the questions: What do you think Ross means by that toast? What will end up happening to Chandler and Monica and their unborn child? What will end up happening between Rachel and Joey? And what will happen to Phoebe?
I need your reviews so I can determine what you guys think. And maybe decide where I need to go with my story. Anyway, please review!!!!!!!!!! I will be working on the others as fast and as soon as I can.