Yes, I'm sorry for the long time between chapters. Life was at its busiest Ç_Ç Forgive me? ;_;
Friends of Fire 6
by: Tia
Hours went on and Neva was still working on Kate. Christopher and Chaucer went outside to bring the horses food and water, while Elena prepared dinner. Jocelyn happily sat next to William with her hand in his. How long had she been waiting for this, to be this close to him again.
"How long does this usually take?" William asked, looking over his shoulder at Elena.
The woman shrugged her shoulders and gently put down plates on the table. "It depends on the work that needs to be done. If your friend is as ill as we think, it might take her all day."
William groaned. "The waiting is worse than the beginning of a tournament."
Elena looked up with a smile. "We have heard of you before, from travellers needing a warm place to stay for the night. When you fought Adhemar, the news immediately travelled across the mountains."
William returned the smile but Jocelyn cut in, taking over the conversation.
"He was amazing!" she squealed. "He was so determined to win this fight that nothing could stand in his way, not even I."
As Jocelyn went on, describing everything in details, Elena continued setting the table. William drifted away and eventually decided to leave the house and join the men outside.
"Is she done?" Chaucer questioned as Will closed the door behind him.
"Not yet."
"Why do you care?" Wat retorted, leaning against the side of the house.
"Do not start this now," Chaucer warned him.
"He is right, quiet!" Christopher ordered.
"Please, do not fight," William waved them off and sat down on the front stairs. He dropped his head in his hands and let out a long, exhausted sigh.
"She will be alright, Will."
"Jocelyn says she is pregnant," he blurted out.
Caught off guard, the men stood silent, too shocked to say a word. Will nodded to himself and let out a fake laugh.
"I cannot believe it myself."
"Nor can we," the others breathed.
Christopher frowned. "I cannot see the problem, young men. Children are special."
"That is not it," William argued. "I simply did not consider marriage yet, and certainly not a family. I don't think I am ready for all this."
"Ahh," Christopher laughed and patted the young man on the shoulder. "You will get used to it with time, son. Trust me."
William chuckled and nodded.
"Of course. With time I should so. The only problem, I don't think my feelings for Jocelyn are as strong as they used to be."
"Now there you have a big problem, my friend," Roland sat down next to him. "When did you first realize this?"
"I do not know, it just happened. One morning I woke and it was as if I was seeing another side of her. She and I are far too opposite to settle down and start a family. We barely have anything in common. It seems so crazy to get married and start a family."
"If you say she is with child, it'd be wrong to abandon her."
"I know, that is why I cannot speak of anything to her. I mustn't let her know about these changes of feelings or she will hate me forever. Not only this, but she might also keep me from ever seeing my child."
"You cannot live with a woman you do not love, mate," Chaucer argued.
"I have no other choice."
"And who is the sick woman? Is she someone's wife?" Christopher asked.
"She's a dear friend of ours."
Roland looked back at William. "Is this it? Is she the problem, William?"
William looked away. "I do not see why she should be a problem, Roland."
"Oh, I can," Wat grinned.
"You have feelings for Kate, mate. It's obvious to all of us, and to Jocelyn," Chaucer added.
William frowned. "I do not have feelings for Kate. Where do you find these insane ideas?"
"Come on, Will. You mustn't lie to yourself. She has been on your mind for quite some time now."
"There is no shame to say so," Wat agreed. "You are not a married man yet. It is not a sin to speak of your feelings for another woman."
Will grimaced uncomfortably. "I know, you are right. It is just I have been with Jocelyn for so long I feel we've already married each other. It feels awkward to talk of another woman than the one carrying my child."
"Better do it before it is too late," Christopher reminded him. "I may live in a house far from a village but I can certainly recognize a man in love when I see one."
"Liking Kate and loving her are two very different things," William protested.
Christopher smiled. "I know."
"Sorry to interrupt you, gentlemen, but dinner is served." Elena peeked her head outside.
"Wonderful!" Christopher grinned, his hands resting on the sides on his stomach. "Come, travellers, and eat before you starve."
"Thank you for your hospitality, sir."
"Yes, we do not know what we would have done without your help."
Christopher's face fell serious. "As I said before, I warn you, your hope mustn't be high. Neva is by far a woman who knows medical needs."
William raised himself from the stairs and dusted the dirt off his clothes.
"Still, I have faith in her to help Kate in any way she can."
Nodding, the landlord led them inside. They gathered around the table while Elena put food in the dishes.
"This is amazing," Roland said while chewing dinner.
Elena giggled and blushed. "Why thank you, Roland. I am happy you enjoy it."
"He enjoys every kind of food," Wat grinned.
"Everything but the pancakes you once tried to cook. And I do certainly mean try," William teased.
Wat glared at him. "While we are at this, why not mention your awful soup?"
Chaucer laughed out loud. "Lord, that soup tasted awful!"
William rolled his eyes. "Dear Jocelyn gave me the recipe."
"Perhaps you should have let her do it."
"Why do you think she gave me the recipe? She could not do it either!" He laughed.
"I'm serious, this is wonderful," Roland repeated himself after his third bite.
Jocelyn watched as everyone laughed, teased and exchanged stories throughout the dinner. She had kept quiet and ate what she would call the worse food she had ever eaten. William had not even glanced her way during the whole meal, as if she didn't even exist. She was thankful to see Elena standing up and gathering the plates.
"Honey, would you be a doll and help me out?" She asked her.
Jocelyn stared at her in shock. "I beg your pardon?"
"The dishes, it would go a lot faster with two people."
Jocelyn quickly looked back at William but he had already started a new conversation with his friends and Christopher. Probably too busy to realize what Elena had just asked her.
"I shall clean, you can dry," Elena said before the young woman could say another word.
Unhappy, Jocelyn pushed herself to her feet and slowly marched to the kitchen. She joined Elena and forced a smile as she handed her a cloth to dry the dishes.
"You have very pretty hair," the older woman started, putting the dishes in the water.
"Thank you. It takes a lot of time to make them look this way. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to take a normal bath in days."
"Oh really? You are free to use ours."
Jocelyn beamed. "Thank you, Elena! It is one of the best news I've heard since our arrival here!"
"Yes, and hopefully your friend will get better."
"Oh, yes."
"You do not seem fond of her. I thought she was your friend?"
Jocelyn chuckled. "No, not really. She is more their friends. She and I do not get along together well."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"Needn't to be, madam, it is not a big loss. She is far from being a... how should I say this, a clean lady."
Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"
"She has taken over her deceased husband's work, a blacksmith. It is not a woman's work!"
"I cannot see why this is a problem? I think it is very courageous of her to do so. Many women have the ability to do a man's work, only problem they are never given the chance to prove themselves."
Jocelyn shook her head. "A man has his work and the woman her own, which is a wife and a mother."
"Then you live a very sad life, my dear. I suggest you try something different for one day, you might enjoy it."
"Never," she gasped. "I was not born to live such life! Now if you'll excuse me, I have other things to do."
"But we are not finished--" Elena objected. Jocelyn ignored her and gave back the cloth from the tip of her fingers, and walked off. Sighing, the woman shook her head and went back to her dishes.
"William, I ought to speak to you," Jocelyn ordered and grabbed his arm abruptly, pulling him outside.
"What is the matter with you, Jocelyn? Cut me while I speak!? Have you ever heard of respect?"
"I have, but I see you haven't!"
"Why so?"
"Did you not notice where I was? I was cleaning the dishes with this... this... woman!" She cried out. "It is outrageous. I have never laid a hand on dirty dishes and I most certainly never will again."
William chuckled. "They are just dishes, Jocelyn. They will not kill you."
"Funny, William, very funny. From where I come from, there are people who does these things for me."
"But why? They are simple tasks."
"Why bother when others can do it for you?"
"I cannot imagine you with a child to take care of" he laughed softly.
She tilted her head to her side and smiled. "Thankfully neither of us will have to do the dirty work."
William's face fell serious. "What? Do not tell me you will have one of your servants to raise *our* child!"
"Why not?" She frowned, unable to understand why her lover was glaring at her. Her family had worked this way for generations, why should they do any different? Anyone had turned out perfectly fine, and so would their child.
"As long as I live, Jocelyn, no servants will raise my child. We are the parents, it is our responsibility to raise this baby!" he hissed.
"But it is better this way, William. Can't you see? They will be raised with freedom, with the perfect education with our private professors, and will not have to work at a young age to earn money; everything they wish to have, they will receive."
"There is a limit to spoil a child, Jocelyn. There is also a time to let this child learn about the world alone."
"When they become adults-"
"No! My God, Jocelyn, how can you call yourself a mother when you have no interests at raising your own child?"
"I will love him, of course. That is all a child needs!" She argued.
William shook his head in disbelief. "I was not raised this way," he breathed.
"No, you were not. You were lucky, my love, being born on dirt in a farm is by far the best experience for anyone. But you became almost a legend, people adore you everywhere. Isn't it wonderful for you to experience a world where poverty does not exist? Not many, if not none at all, have this opportunity."
Hurt by her words, he turned his back to her. "Why insult me and my past?"
Jocelyn frowned. "Insult? My love, I am not insulting you, I am stating the hard years you--"
William closed his eyes and sighed. "Not now. We will discuss this tomorrow, but for the moment let me rest. It has been a long day for all of us and we need our rest. Come inside and finish helping Elena, she and her husband has done so much for us."
"I will not," she shot back, crossing her arms against her chest.
"Fine, stay here," he muttered and walked back inside.
"William! Come back!" When he did not, she angrily kicked a rock at her reach and groaned loudly in displeasure.
As William entered the house, silence filled the air. He could feel everyone's eyes on him, yet he continued his way to his seat and lowered himself down.
"Is everything alright, William?" Wat frowned.
"Everything is fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Can we please move on to another subject?"
"Sure, mate."
The door to Kate's room finally opened and Neva appeared in the doorway, looking exhausted.
"How is she?" William breathed, fearing her answer.
She held up one of her hands and Elena hurried herself to her side. "Are you thirsty, mother?"
Neva nodded and was led to the chair Jocelyn had previously been sitting on, next to William. Slightly annoyed by her silence, William stood and stepped closer to the door of the room where Kate had been staying all day. He needed to see her, if only for a second, to make sure with his very own eyes that she was going to be ok... or not. He stopped immediately, closing his eyes tightly, pushing away any unwanted thoughts.
"Do not open this door!"
William jumped and turned around at the sound of Neva yelling.
"Why can't I?" He answered with the same tone of voice. "We have been waiting all day, waiting for news or a sign that would assure us everything would be alright. But it never happened, it never came. Give me a good reason why I shouldn't open this--"
"Quiet!" Neva cut him off, and thanked her daughter for the glass of water. The room fell silent. Once she was done with her glass, she waved at her daughter to come closer. "I am exhausted, child. Bring me to my quarters so I can rest."
"Yes, mother, of course. Come." She helped her to her feet and glanced at William.
"Can we go in now?" He asked in utter annoyance.
"My answer did not change, young man," she muttered. "You will not penetrate this room until moonrise. Do you hear?"
"She is crazy," he whispered, shaking his head as he watched her go. He turned to the others and arched his eyebrows. "Is she serious? We cannot open this room until moonrise?"
"It is what she said," Roland nodded.
"This is crazy!" he shouted, throwing his hands in the air. "No no no no, I am opening this door right now!"
"You mustn't, mate," Chaucer quickly stopped him.
"He's right, Will. We have trusted Neva all day to this very moment. Let's believe in her until moonrise."
"She could have murdered her for all we know!"
Christopher chuckled. "She may be a witch but she is no murderer."
William turned to face the door and sighed. He lifted his hand slowly towards the handle, then stopped. After a moment of hesitation, he raised his hand higher and knocked softly. There were no noises coming from the other side. It made him nothing but worry more.
"I do not like this," he admitted.
"Nor do we," Wat reassured him. "Let's wait just for a little while. Moonrise will arrive shortly."
"Alright."
"I have beer in the barn. We shall hope over a good mug," Christopher patted on Roland's shoulder before leaving the house.
"And why not," William sadly made his way back to his chair. "There is nothing else to do."
"So, have you thought of your problem yet?" Wat grinned, continuing their previous conversation.
"What problem?" Will asked without raising his eyes from the floor beneath his feet.
"Your feelings for Kate. Have you come to terms with them?"
William leaned back in his chair and glanced at his friend. He smiled and nodded. "I have been thinking about it over supper."
"And?"
"I came to realize that Kate means more to me than I care to admit."
The men whistled and clapped their hands loudly.
"It is not something to cheer about," he mumbled.
Roland laughed. "No, but at least you are true with yourself. Jocelyn is a beautiful woman, Will, but she is not meant for you."
"It is too late for me to change hearts," William stated firmly so his friends could understand. "I love Jocelyn, she is a wonderful woman, and she is the mother of my unborn child. There is no way in the Heavens I will let her down for a woman who might not..."
"Feel the same towards you?" Roland finished.
"Yes."
"Lord knows Kate had set her eyes on you since the day we first met. It was understandable for her not to act upon her feelings. She was still not over her husband's death and you," Roland laughed. "You were so much into Jocelyn, you forgot all about her."
"Sometimes," William whispered. "I wish things could have gone differently."
"Regrets are a waste of time, Will."
Suddenly the door busted open and Elena ran in, breathless and horrified. "William! It is Jocelyn. She has taken a horse and is leaving!"
"What!?" he gasped and ran after her outside. Before his eyes could adjust to the crimson light of the sunset, Jocelyn sitting on her horse ran by him and towards the hills.
"Jocelyn!" He shouted.
"William!" Christopher had a horse ready to follow her.
Without a second thought, he jumped on its back and went after her. His friends stepped out of the house, in time to see him vanish behind the hill. Roland turned to Elena and her husband.
"What has happened?"
"She was upset," Elena breathed, reaching for her husband's hand. "She would not answer our questions. My husband told me to fetch you when he realized she was getting her horse ready."
"But it is almost night!" Wat cried. "No doubt he will get lost in these mountains! Why did he not wait for us to follow him?"
"Kate is still here," Roland shook his head. "He would not have us leave her bedside for anything."
"There is no more we can do," Christopher said. "Come inside and we shall wait for their return."
"If they return," Chaucer whispered softly, his eyes staring at the field separating the house and the hills.
: : :
"Jocelyn, where are you?" William shouted as he entered the woods. "Answer me!"
He had slowed down since he reached the forest. It was so dark he could not even see before him, running would be too dangerous for both him and his horse. He went further in, hoping to see a sign of Jocelyn. Why had she left like this? Did she happened to overhear his conversation about Kate with the others? He grew worrier with each passing second.
"Jocelyn, love, please talk to me."
He stopped quickly when he saw between the trees a patch of land lit by the sunset. There stood Jocelyn's horse chewing on some grass. He slid down his horse and tied him to the nearest branch, before cautiously wandering towards the lit area.
"Jocelyn?" he whispered, not wanting to startle her.
Nothing.
"Joce--"
Before he could finish his sentence, someone jumped on him from behind. She started hitting him with all her strength until he grabbed her and held her against the ground.
"What in the Heavens is the matter with you?"
"Let me go!"
"I will certainly not!" he held on tighter when she tried to struggle her way out of his grasp. "I fear you will attack me again."
"A man scared of a woman?" she challenged him.
"Jocelyn, what has gotten into you?" he frowned in worry.
Like a child, Jocelyn turned her head away and stayed silent. She had stopped struggling and would no longer look at him. Tired, he finally let go of her and pushed himself to his feet. She stood silently before him, arms crossed against her chest.
"Explain," he broke the silence.
"Why should I?" She snorted.
"You left without saying a word. You attack me for no reason. You have an explanation to make."
"Oh do I? Alright, I will give you your explanation, sir William Thatcher. I will not stay with a man who has eyes for another woman. You disgust me! I have come all this way with you only to be with you because I love ... I loved you. This is how you repay all the trouble I have put myself in?"
"I do not have eyes for any other woman but you, Jocelyn," he said, taking a step towards her but she backed away.
"I am not stupid, William. I have heard of your conversation with the others about Kate. She means more to you than you care to admit. What about me, William? I am the mother of your unborn child!"
"And I am sure you have fled before hearing my last words," he said quickly, doing his best to control his growing panic. "I said I loved you more than anyone else I know--"
"Stop it," she waved him off and made her way towards the horse.
"You do not love me anymore?" he asked.
"No, I don't think so."
"You are carrying my child, Jocelyn! How can you say that? You have to believe me, I love you with all my heart and I love this unborn child just as much."
"No, you don't, William."
"Why not?" he cried out in frustration.
"Because this child does not exist," she muttered, her back to him.
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