Chronicles of an Elven Bed-warmer

Chapter the Eighteenth

More Filler!

Same old, same old,

Lady Cousland returned to her room fairly distraught. It was exactly as she feared, that horrible little elven tart had turned her sweet baby boy against her with her slatternly ways. However, upon returning to the room she shared with her husband she encountered a more immediate problem.

"Bryce, what are you doing?"

The Tyrn of Highever was standing in his bedroom having a staring contest with an exceptionally large gray tabby cat.

"I think it's fairly obvious what I'm doing, Dear," he answered without turning away from the fixated feline.

The Lady Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Fine, then why are you starring at that cat?"

"He won't move."

"Oh for..." She moved to swat the cat off the bed. It hissed and took a swing at her with its claws. The Lady jumped back in surprise, finally realizing exactly how large this particular cat was.

"Tried that," commented the Tyrn. "He doesn't like it."

"Shall I get Elissa?" asked Lady Eleanor.

"Not just yet, I think I can bring him around."

"Well I want to talk to her anyway," she turned to leave. "You two have fun."

"Hmm," grunted the lord, eyes never wavering from the cat's gaze.

0-0

Eleanor arrived at Elissa's room in a huff, barging right in without knocking.

"Elissa," she demanded. "What do you know about this elven girl?"

The younger Lady Cousland raised an eyebrow and put down the sword she'd been sharpening. "Hello Mother, I was expecting you earlier. Should I assume you mean Aedan's little bed-warmer?"

"Of course I mean her!" She had a disturbing thought. "How many elven girls does he have?"

"Just the one that I'm aware of, but one doesn't like to assume. You weren't very specific."

Eleanor didn't remember raising such pedantic children. "Well?" she asked impatiently.

Elissa debated with herself over how much of the truth she should tell. She hadn't wanted to spill the beans this early on but then she hadn't expected Mother to be this agitated either. She probably should have though. Aedan had always been her favorite and she had a tendency to be a little overprotective as a result. She concluded that now was as good a time as any. In any case Elissa didn't really care for keeping secrets, honesty was generally the best approach.

"Well, her name's Kallian Tabris, but we've been calling her Kallian Inri for reasons I will reveal shortly. She's the daughter of that elven craftsman that you like, Cyrion Tabris."

Eleanor perked up a bit; that was a point in the girl's favor. Good honest worker, that man. She also made a mental note to order some more furniture from him, the estate was looking a little run down.

"I quite like her," Elissa continued. "She's very forthright and a hard worker. Mrs. Russel and myself have taken it upon ourselves to improve the girl's...social graces, as well as her skill in arms. I even got her to call me'Master'," she said with a cheeky grin. "Which none of my former students would do." The useless layabouts, she added mentally.

Elissa could tell she had her mother's full attention. It was time to seal the deal. "Has anyone told you how they met?"

"No, I haven't really had the chance to ask, why?"

Elissa's eyes shone in anticipation. She had her now. "It really is terribly romantic..."

0-0

It was quite dark when Eleanor made her way back to the room she shared with her husband.

Upon entering the room, she was surprised to find a lingering fishy smell and Bryce sleeping with the cat snuggled up against his armpit. It meowed at her in greeting. That was typical of Bryce, making potential enemies into friends.

She set her lantern down on the nightstand and got ready for bed. Elissa had given her a lot to think about. Things were never simple were they? With a sigh she blew out the lantern and went to sleep.

0-0

Aedan awoke slowly the next morning, gently easing into consciousness. He felt unusually content. And why shouldn't he? The bed was warm and comfortable, he was a young man in his prime, and he was sharing the aforementioned warm and comfortable bed with an amazing, beautiful, slightly kinky young woman whom he loved and, wonder of wonders, he was fairly sure loved him back. Neither had come right out and said it yet, butthe feeling was obvious for all to see.

He came to a decision.

Carefully disentangling himself from his elven lover, he left the bed and, pausing only briefly to find his pants, quietly made his way through his front study to the hallway door.

"Elle?" he called.

As if by magic the maid promptly appeared. "Yes, milord?"

"Could you cancel all my appointments and bring some breakfast up in about fifteen min-" he thought a little more. Waking Kallian was always difficult. "No, better make it a half hour. I've decided to have a day off."

The maid sent him a knowing grin. "I see. Good for you, I always say you work too hard. And I'm sure your...bodyguard will appreciate it."

Aedan blushed lightly at having his motives so easily discerned. "Ahem, yes, well, see to it, will you?" Without awaiting a reply he closed the door and Elle heard the lock click into place. And after a moment, a sound like a rather substantial piece of furniture being dragged along the floor.

With a saucy grin and a spring in her step, Elle went about her assigned tasks.

Super short this time, I apologize for that, but I've been more inspired on my other story, you know how that is, something new and shiny to play with. Next chapter looks to have a bunch of plot that I've been avoiding because the cute fluff is so much more fun (and easier) but I'm looking to wrap this up in the next five or so chapters. (Fingers crossed)

just as soon as I figure out how to do that :p

and as always leave a review