Dusk was falling as we approached the hive of activity that was the French encampment. Claire had apparently been very busy during our absence. Tables were set up in the center of the camp in a U shape. Wonderful smells of food in the final stages of cooking were wafting from the fires. I suddenly realized that I hadn't eaten since morning as my stomach growled. Arnaut chuckled at my body's audible display of hunger.
Claire looked up from where she was arranging a bouquet of flowers on the head table at the center of the arrangement. She had cleaned up and changed into a gown and looked absolutely stunning. She smiled as she approached us.
"Welcome back. Arnaut, I will see to Philippa. She will wish to freshen up and change before we dine." She led me to a tent that had been set up near the edge of the camp, slightly set apart from the others.
"This will be yours and Arnaut's. If there is anything that you need, please tell me and I will have it provided for you."
The large tent was divided into two rooms. One had a couple of chairs and a table in it. The other contained a standard medieval rope bed and several trunks and a long, low table. I judged the bed to be about the size of a modern day queen size. I touched the bed covers and discovered that they were silk. On the table sat a pitcher of steaming water, a bowl and a linen cloth. It wouldn't be a bath, but at least I'd be able to wash up.
Claire pointed out a trunk at the head of the near side of the bed. "That one is for you."
"Claire, that's very sweet, but I have nothing to put in it. I escaped with only the clothes I am wearing."
"It's already full, Philippa. The few women in camp and I made some clothes for you. It's not much, only 3 days worth of clothes, but you'll have something clean and pretty to put on for dinner."
I opened the chest to view the miracle that Claire and the other women had wrought. There were two plain lined under gowns, one of dark green and the other a pale rose. Two sleeveless over gowns, one of a pale leaf green and another of deep burgundy matched these. The third outfit, though, took my breath away. The under gown was a pale sky blue of silk. The over gown was of a French blue silk with white embroidered fleur de lis around the neck. It was an ensemble fit for a fairy tale princess. Besides these garments, there were also five thin chemises to wear next to my body. (This made the more expensive clothing last longer.) The last item was a beautiful night-rail of silk in the same sky blue as the under gown. It was billowy and trimmed in finely crafted lace. It wasn't sexy by twenty-first century standards, but I imagined that the medieval man might find it so.
My eyes welled with tears at the thoughtfulness that Claire and the other women had shown in seeing to it that I would feel extra pretty on my wedding night. I hugged Claire in gratitude and whispered "Thank you," in her ear while I desperately tried to keep from embarrassing myself with an even more emotional display.
"No, Philippa, thank you. I was beginning to despair of Arnaut. He needed a woman who could stand on her own two feet. I knew when I saw you that you would be perfect. You won't be ruled by him, nor will you try to rule him. And, I think, that you already begin to love him, yes?"
Did it show so much, already? "Yes, Claire. I love him already. He is the piece of my soul that I hadn't realized was missing until I found him. I am his, as I hope that he will be mine."
"Oh, he will. He loves you already, too, though he may not admit it as readily as you." Claire laughed. "Now, I leave you to wash and dress. If you need help with your laces, I'll be nearby. You need only call for me. Once you're ready, I'll escort you to your wedding supper."
Claire left the tent and I poured some of the hot water into the large bowl. I found some soft, fragrant soap on the table near the pitcher and washed. Once I was rinsed and dry, I dressed in the lovely silk dress. It was as near to a wedding dress as I would get. The cut of it was perfect for my figure. It was fitted through the bodice and sleeves with a very full skirt. The over gown was also fitted, though not quite as tightly and had a slight train. I wished desperately for a full-length mirror, but as glass was rare in this time, there was no hope of finding one.
I released my hair from its customary braid and ran my fingers through it to comb it out. I had no other means of restraining my long auburn tresses, so I decided to leave it loose and flowing to my waist. The braid had caused my hair to hang in soft waves and I imagined that the effect would be flattering.
I was about to leave the tent, when Claire barged back in. "I almost forgot these. The cobbler just finished them." She held up a pair of exquisite, dainty slippers made of the same French blue as my over gown. They had the same embroidered fleur de lis on them and thin leather soles.
She handed them to me and I clasped them to my chest. "They're beautiful." I told her. "I'll feel just like Cinderella."
"Who's that?" she asked.
Oh, yeah, the Brothers Grimm wouldn't be born for another four hundred years. "She was a princess in a bedtime tale I once heard. She had special shoes."
I sat down on the edge of the bed and removed my sturdy leather shoes. I slipped the dainty blue slippers onto my feet. I stood up and lifted my skirts slightly to see how they looked on me. I was quite pleased by the effect.
Claire and I stepped outside. Arnaut had been busy in my absence. He had washed and shaved. His beard was neatly trimmed and his hair had been carefully brushed. He had changed out of his armor and now wore hose and a doublet a dark forest green. The color was perfect for his complexion and made his eyes all the more striking.
I smiled at him and walked to where he stood behind the seats of honor at the center of the head table. I curtsied to him and he bowed to me. The populace of the camp was already gathered and standing behind their chairs at the tables. Arnaut pulled my chair out for me and I sat in the high backed wooden chair. He then sat next to me on my left and gestured for everyone else to take their seats. Claire was seated to my right, and Father Louis was to Arnaut's left.
The stewards began filling wine glasses and the first course of bread, butter, cheese and a pottage of pea soup were served. The talk around the table was lively and I soon noticed that the war with the British wasn't being mentioned. I turned to Claire and asked about this.
She smiled as she told me that she had warned the man that this was a celebration and that it would curse Arnaut and myself for them to speak of anything other than happy things. I thanked her for her thoughtfulness. It wasn't that I believed in curses and such. I was just heartily sick and tired of everything revolving around this stupid war. I felt sorry for the others whose entire lives had known nothing but war with the English.
Arnaut gently touched my arm to bring me out of my dark reverie. I turned to him and smiled H smiled back and then bent to whisper in my ear. "Eat, my love. You will need your strength."
My heart pounded in my chest and my cheeks blushed red as the memory of the afternoon flooded my mind. The pit of my stomach felt as if an entire flock of butterflies had taken up residence in it. I wished that the tedious meal were over.
Arnaut chuckled at my blush. He reached over and squeezed my hand reassuringly. I smiled back at him and he leaned over and gently kissed me.
Oh, how I wanted to fan the flames, but the raucous cheers of our fellow campmates sharply curtailed any encouraging response from me.
The second course was set in front of us and I pretended to immerse myself in the dining experience. The roast fowl was seasoned to perfection and served on a bed of herbed rice. This was followed by a sort of stew of beef and gravy served in bread trenchers. Dessert was a custard that reminded me very much of crème brulee.
Once the dishes were cleared away, some men brought out small instruments. The impromptu band began playing lively music. Other men claimed the few other women in camp and began a complicated dance. It was beautiful to watch.
I looked over at Arnaut to see him watching me intently. "Do you wish to join the dance?" he asked me.
"Oh, no. I don't know the steps. I'd rather watch."
We watched for some time before Claire left the circle of dancers and came to me. "It's time to prepare you for bed." She told me.
I followed her to the tent that I would share with Arnaut. There, the others had been busy. At some point in time, they had strewn dried flower petals on the floor and lit several candles. A small hipbath had been set up and was filled with steaming petal-strewn water. A cake of floral scented soap was on a table nearby along with a washcloth and towel.
I climbed in the water and sighed at the pleasure of the simple bath. It was only my second bath since arriving in this time and it felt like heaven. I took my time as I washed my body. Claire and another woman washed and rinsed my russet colored hair and then helped me to dry as I stood and exited the bath. I couldn't help being a bit sorry that it was over.
They dressed me in the pale blue night-rail. The silk made me tingle as it slid across my skin. I couldn't help wishing that it were Arnaut's hands. My hair was brushed until it was dry and the coppery strands glowed in the candlelight. They turned down the sheets and tucked me into the bed.