Chapter 31 - Woodbury
The day of the exchange arrived. Emma woke while it was still very dark outside, much too early to get up and start getting ready for the journey into town. Instead, she remained in bed beside Daryl, who was still sound asleep. Emma turned over on her side to face him. He was asleep on his back, one arm tucked up underneath his head while the other was thrown out in her direction. Emma scooted closer to Daryl in the space he had unconsciously provided for her. She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
The past week had flown by. Nothing changed between Daryl and Emma. If anything, they were happier, but they remained true to themselves. Emma still got up before Daryl, made meals for everyone, split chores with Carol, and worked around the farm when she had time. Daryl maintained his routine, too, by keeping watch when it was his turn, doing work on the farm, and hunting when he wanted to. They made time for each other, but they also spent time independently of one another, which was important to both of them. The day they married, Daryl may have become Emma's husband, and she may have become his wife, but they were not each other's property. As a woman, it was especially important to Emma that that be clear to Daryl and everyone else. Luckily for her, he understood.
Daryl shifted. Emma remained still, even when his arm snaked up her back.
"What are you doing up already?" Daryl asked groggily.
Emma lifted her head to see that Daryl's eyes were still closed, as though he was asleep.
"I couldn't sleep." Emma whispered, laying her head back down.
"Why're you whispering?" Daryl asked, also whispering.
"It's so peaceful and quiet...or it was." Emma murmured back.
Daryl chuckled softly.
"Sorry." Daryl whispered amusedly.
Emma cast her eyes down to see that the sheets were positioned oddly. Curious, she swept her hand under the sheets and pressed her hand to Daryl's stomach. She slid her hand down, but before she could discover the source, Daryl caught her hand.
"You better not unless you want it." Daryl muttered before slowly releasing her hand.
Emma understood what the shape was. Again, she slipped her hand under the sheets and felt her way down to where Daryl's erection was propping the sheets up. Emma wrapped her fingers around it, eliciting a groan from Daryl. She worked her hand up and down his hard penis, enjoying the sounds coming out of his mouth. Emma could feel the tip of his penis was sticky. She knew he wanted her badly, so she decided not to keep him waiting any longer.
In an adventurous move, Emma sat up so that she could climb on top of Daryl while he looked up at her in surprise.
"What's gotten into you?" Daryl asked, his hands sliding up her thighs to her waist.
Emma held Daryl's erection in one hand while she maneuvered herself at such an angle that she was able to guide his penis inside of her while lowering her body onto it. Daryl groaned louder than before when Emma had only been touching him with her hand.
"You." Emma murmured in the shadows.
Emma rolled her hips and watched Daryl's expression subtly change depending on how slow or fast, or how hard or soft she moved. His eyes were watching her move back and forth, but then they would close tightly as he released a grunt or groan. Emma was enjoying the different perspective, but then suddenly, Daryl's hold on her waist tightened. Before she knew what he was doing, he used one leg to flip her over onto her back so that she was beneath him. Emma moaned. Daryl used hard thrusts as he felt close to release. Emma's bold move had pushed him close to the edge quickly. She could sense his impending arrival as his pace continued to quicken. Before long, Daryl came deep inside of Emma as they wrapped their arms around each other.
"Where did that come from?" Daryl asked after they were finished.
"Does it matter?" Emma asked as she laid her head on Daryl's chest.
"I guess not." Daryl replied as he wrapped his arm around Emma.
They were quiet for a while. Emma only knew Daryl hadn't fallen back asleep because his hand would occasionally travel up and down her arm. They laid together as the sky outside grew lighter. Emma started to move to get out of bed, but Daryl held her fast.
"Emma," Daryl used his other hand to tip Emma's chin up to look him in the eye, "be careful in town today."
"I will." Emma replied automatically.
"I mean it."
Emma was struck by the severity in Daryl's tone.
"What is it?" Emma asked. "Did something happen when you went into town last week?"
Daryl's frowned deepened.
"I don't know what's going on, but...it's something I don't like." Daryl answered vaguely.
"Daryl, what is it?" Emma asked slowly, pulling her face away from his hand.
Daryl propped himself up on his elbow as Emma laid back down next to him.
"When I went into town to trade for your dress, Blake and his group obviously weren't expecting me." Daryl started to explain. "They acted real weird when they saw me, wouldn't even let me inside the walls-"
"They made you wait outside?" Emma interrupted.
"Mhmm." Daryl nodded. "Blake sent somebody out with the dress, but...it was just odd."
"That does sound a bit odd, but we still need to exchange goods with them."
"I know." Daryl agreed. "The only reason I'm even letting you go today..."
Daryl's voice trailed off when he caught the look on Emma's face. Her eyes were beginning to narrow and a frown of her own was pulling down the corners of her mouth.
"What I mean is...the only reason I don't feel like I should go with you...is because I trust Rick...to look out for you...while you're there..." Daryl rephrased his statement delicately and carefully.
Emma wasn't completely satisfied with Daryl's new statement, but she decided to drop it for the time being. She was getting ready to leave for the day and didn't want bad blood between them while she was away. It wouldn't be good for either of them.
"Well, I'll be careful." Emma said as she got up out of bed. "I always am."
Emma washed up and then went to the bureau so that Daryl could wash himself up. She chose to wear her only pair of trousers and suspenders over a white button up shirt. Emma rolled the sleeves to the elbow as she headed to the door where her boots were waiting. By the time she had stepped into them and laced them up, Daryl was also dressed.
Together, they went out to the barn to ready the carriage. Emma took care of hitching up Barrow and Jim while Daryl loaded up the carriage with everything they were trading at the exchange. By the time they were halfway through, Rick and the reverend had joined them. The four of them got everything done in no time.
"We'll be back tonight." Rick told Daryl as the reverend climbed into the back of the carriage.
"Reverend, why don't you sit up with Rick?" Emma suggested.
"Nonsense." The reverend waved his hand. "I'm fine back here."
"Are you sure?" Emma asked, scrutinizing the small space the reverend had to sit in.
"Of course." The reverend replied.
Emma looked away from the reverend to see that Daryl had pulled Rick outside of the barn. She watched them as they spoke in hushed tones. Rick offered his hand to Daryl, who gave him a firm handshake. As they ended their handshake, Rick clapped Daryl once on the back. Emma figured she knew what they were talking about, but she didn't let it bother her. She remembered that Daryl loved her. The reverend's words echoed in her head.
"When times are hard, and tempers flare, which knowing this couple, they will help them to look into their hearts and remember the love they shared on this special day."
Daryl motioned for Emma, who came to his side as Rick entered the barn.
"Help Carol with the kids today." Emma told Daryl right off the bat.
Daryl nodded as he reached into his pocket.
"What do you have there?" Emma asked.
Daryl produced a single dogwood flower from his pocket.
"I saved this from the circle of flowers Sophia made for you." Daryl replied.
Emma watched as Daryl lifted the flower. His hand disappeared behind her head. She felt her knot of curls being adjusted, then Daryl's hand reappeared empty. Emma touched the back of her head. Daryl had tucked the flower into the knot. As Emma pulled her hand away from her hair, Daryl caught it.
"I'll see you later." Daryl murmured, holding Emma's hand in his.
"Yeah, you will."
Emma leaned up and pressed a single kiss to Daryl's lips. When she pulled away, she went to pull her hand away as well. Daryl wouldn't let Emma have her hand back. Emma gave Daryl a smile and a wink. Only then would Daryl release Emma's hand.
Daryl stood aside so that Rick could lead the horses out of the barn with Emma at his side. Then, they were off. Emma turned to look back. Daryl was still standing in the middle of the path watching them go.
0o0o0
Rick explained to Emma the way things worked at the exchange as they got close to town. Rick would enter town ahead of the carriage and make his way to the wall. There, he would give a password to one of the men standing guard, which was 'penny'. Rick would return for the carriage while the guards offered cover should any of the undead try to attack. Then, they would be allowed access to the place Philip and his people referred to affectionately as Woodbury.
When they got to the gate, Rick halted the horses and jumped down from his seat.
"You two stay here." Rick instructed Emma and the reverend as he went to the back of the carriage to retrieve a rifle to accompany the pistol at his waist. "I'll be back soon."
Emma watched Rick go. After he had closed the gate behind him, Emma got down.
"What are you doing, Emma?" The reverend asked warily as Emma pulled a rifle from the back.
"I'm just going to stand by the gate so that I can let Rick through when he comes back." Emma reassured the reverend.
Emma went to the gate and peered through it. Town looked mostly the same as the last time she had seen it. It was hard to tell how much damage had been done from where Emma stood. There didn't appear to be any biters, but she knew there had to be if Philip and his people built walls around their home. She kept an eye out for anything suspicious.
"I'm eager to see what this Woodbury place is like." The reverend said as he approached Emma.
"Yeah." Emma replied simply, her focus on the area in front of her.
"I wonder how Andrea, Kate, and the others are doing." The reverend continued.
"Mhmm."
Finally, Emma saw Rick returning. She quickly opened the gate and swung it open.
"Is everything okay?" Emma asked as Rick walked past the open gate.
"Everything is fine." Rick answered. "Let's get going."
Emma led the horses past the gate as Rick remained on the ground to close the gate behind them. Then, Emma scooted over to allow Rick to take the reigns. Emma kept her head on a swivel as Rick led the carriage to the east towards the walled off part of town. It wasn't long before Emma could see the walls with her own eyes. They were made of red brick that looked familiar.
"They took it from the courthouse." Rick explained when he caught Emma studying the walls.
There were areas of the walls that were boarded up with lumber, but for the most part, they were constructed of the red brick from the courthouse. Three men stood in front of a ten foot tall, twenty foot wide square of wood. As the carriage approached, the three men heaved the wood away from where it stood. It revealed a crudely fashioned gate, which was then opened by one of the three men. Emma kept her eyes on the men and her defenses up as Rick led the horses into Woodbury.
They didn't go far into Woodbury. Rick pulled the carriage up to one of the first houses they came to. Emma studied her surroundings before climbing down. She was puzzled to see nobody in the streets. There didn't appear to be a soul within the walls of Woodbury. Emma wondered where everyone was as she slowly got down, rifle still in hand.
"We have to surrender our guns before meeting with Blake." Rick told Emma.
"You're kidding." Emma replied, her mouth hanging open.
"Emma, please." Rick pleaded in a low voice as the sound of the gate closing reached their ears. "We won't be here long. Just leave your gun outside."
Rick laid his rifle and pistol in the back of the carriage, then waited for Emma to do the same. With a disapproving sigh, Emma returned her rifle to the carriage.
"Thank you." Rick murmured as someone approached.
"The Governor is ready to see you." The man announced as he joined Rick, Emma, and the reverend outside of the house they were standing in front of.
"The Governor?" Emma asked with a snort.
"Good." Rick replied quickly.
The man escorted Rick, Emma, and the reverend inside after looking them over once. Rick gave Emma a warning look for her behavior upon hearing Philip Blake's title for the first time.
The house was mostly empty, save for a table in the middle of the front room. There was a bureau in the corner and a smaller table against one of the walls, but other than that, the house was vacant. There was one man standing in a corner of the room, his back to the wall. He wore an impressively huge hat and a thick mustache upon his upper lip. Two men were seated at the table in the middle of the room. When Rick, Emma, the reverend, and the Woodbury man entered, the two men stood.
One of the men that had been seated grinned at Rick as he extended his hand to him.
"Rick," the man greeted Rick warmly, "it's good to see you again."
Rick shook the man's hand.
"It's good to see you, too." Rick replied politely.
Rick stepped aside and swept one arm in Emma's and the reverend's direction.
"You haven't met my friends." Rick said as he started introductions. "This here is Reverend Horvath. He was...is our preacher. His daughter is-"
"Andrea." The man interrupted Rick as he moved across the room to shake the reverend's hand. "Reverend, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"The feeling is mutual." The reverend replied as he shook the man's hand.
Then, the man spun around towards Emma. He was tall, much taller than Rick and Daryl. He was a brunette with prominent sideburns and light brown eyes. Emma could tell from the moment he smiled that dazzling, charming smile at Rick that he was trouble. It was the same smile he wore as he stared at Emma, waiting to be introduced to her.
"This is Emma Thorne...or rather, Dixon." Rick said. "This is Philip Blake."
Emma guessed as much. Instead of offering his hand to her as he had with the men, Blake reached delicately for her hand. Emma knew as he started to lean down that he was trying to kiss her hand. Before he could, Emma manipulated his hand so that they were holding hands like the men had. Emma sensed movement behind her as she gave Blake a firm handshake.
"Pleasure." Emma greeted Blake halfheartedly before letting go of his hand.
Blake laughed as he raised one hand.
"It's okay, Porter." Blake spoke over Emma's head.
Emma turned her head to see that the mustached man in the corner had moved as though he though Emma was trying to in some way harm Blake.
"Shall we take a seat?" Blake asked, motioning to the table. "I'd like to get to know your new members...if that's all right with you, Rick."
Emma could tell by the look on Rick's face that he wasn't happy, but she wasn't sure if he was unhappy with her for how she had behaved, or if he didn't want to sit and chat with Blake. Either way, Rick plastered a smile to his face before turning towards the table.
"Sure."
Blake sat down in his chair, while Rick took the seat across from him.
"Milton, why don't you give up your seat for Miss Thorne, here?" Blake suggested, speaking to the man sitting next to him.
"Oh-"
"That won't be necessary." Emma interrupted Milton briskly.
"You can have my chair." The reverend offered the empty chair next to Rick.
"I'm fine." Emma replied, maintaining her chilly disposition. "I'd like to stand."
"It was a long trip." Rick suddenly spoke up, offering some warmth to the conversation.
"Of course it was. How rude of me." Blake shook his head before looking over at the unnamed man that had escorted Rick, Emma, and the reverend in. "Jerry, get our guests something to drink."
"Thank you."
"Reverend Horvath, Miss Thorne," Blake set his hand on Milton's shoulder, "this is Milton Mamet. He was a doctor a few towns over before...well, you know."
"It's nice to meet more people from your group, Sheriff Grimes." Milton spoke with a meek tone.
"Well, I hope there are more opportunities for you to meet more of our people." Rick replied with a smile.
"Fortunately for us, we have already met some of your former members." Blake said, turning towards the reverend as Jerry returned with water for everyone. "Your daughter, Andrea, is a wonderful woman."
"Yes, she is." The reverend agreed as Jerry poured him a glass of water. "Speaking of which, I was hoping to see my daughter today."
A quick glance between Blake and Porter captured Emma's interest. She watched them both closely as Blake spread that charismatic smile across his face.
"Of course." Blake replied, looking up at Jerry. "Would you fetch Andrea?"
Jerry gave Blake a nod before disappearing just as quickly as he had reappeared.
"So," Rick crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair, "you were saying?"
"Oh...I was just speaking highly of the people we've recently accepted into our fold." Blake answered Rick as his mimicked his posture. "They've been great additions to Woodbury."
Emma stifled a snort upon hearing the new town name.
"Well, you're lucky to have them." Rick replied simply.
Blake suddenly sat forward.
"You aren't upset about it, are you?" Blake asked.
"What?" Rick asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"You don't bear any hard feelings towards me, or the townspeople that left the farm, do you?" Blake asked, leaning back in his chair once again. "After all, only four of your members, not counting the little ones, joined us here in Woodbury."
Blake's eyes drifted over to where the reverend sat, then up to Emma, who was still keeping an eye on him after the look he had exchanged with Porter.
"I mean, four people must have been a minimal loss since you have half the town up there."
Emma sensed Blake's skepticism. He was fishing for information. He wanted to know if Rick and Shane had been lying about how many people were actually on the farm. As Blake's gaze flickered between the reverend and Emma, she knew he was trying to read them for any clues.
"Well," the reverend spoke up when it was silent, "I wouldn't put it that way. It sounds very callous, as if those people meant nothing to us-"
"Of course they did." Blake interrupted, shaking his head.
"You are right, though." Emma met Blake's eyes as he looked up at her. "Four people and two kids were a drop in the bucket."
Blake's smile grew as he opened his mouth to reply, but the door opened. Everyone turned their attention to the door, expecting to see Jerry returning with Andrea, but it wasn't either of them. Standing in the doorway, looking wide eyed and frantic, was Maggie. A small boy who couldn't have been more than two was balanced on one of her hips.
"Maggie...?"
As Emma spoke her name, Porter was coming away from the wall towards her. He was wearing a similar look to the one he wore before when he thought Emma was going after Blake. Emma couldn't imagine why Maggie would come off as threatening to anyone. In those moments when Porter was closing in on Maggie, Emma suddenly dashed across the room to step in front of her. Emma was just as stunned by her actions as everybody else appeared to be. Porter even appeared surprised as he stopped dead in his tracks. Blake, Milton, and Rick were all standing, while the reverend remained seated, although he had turned himself around so that he could see what was going on behind him.
"I want to go with you." Maggie whispered urgently to Emma.
"What's the meaning of this?" Rick asked.
"Boss?" Porter asked, turning his head to look at Blake.
Emma didn't fully comprehend what was happening, but she knew it wasn't good. She remained standing in front of Maggie and the child on her hip as a barrier between them and Porter, who was still waiting for some sort of command or signal from Blake. Emma kept looking back and forth between Porter and Blake, who didn't seem fazed by Maggie's sudden appearance.
"What brings you here, Maggie?" Blake asked calmly, still standing.
Emma heard Maggie swallow hard.
"I want-"
"Speak up." Blake interrupted Maggie as her voice came out weakly.
"I want...to go with them..." Maggie repeated herself as loudly as she could manage.
Blake crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm sorry, Maggie, but Rick and his people haven't offered to take any of us in-"
"Maggie can come with us." Emma interrupted Blake.
Blake's eyes fell on Emma, his expression frozen expertly in place to avoid giving anything away. The only thing that tore Emma's gaze from Blake's was the sound of heavy breathing behind her. Emma turned just as Maggie stepped away from the door to reveal that Jerry had finally returned, breathing heavily as though he had been running. His eyes darted quickly from face to face as he caught his breath.
"Governor...I'm sorry-"
"Take a minute." Blake interrupted Jerry as he held one hand up, signaling him to be quiet.
"What's going on here?" Rick asked, his hands on his hips.
Blake smiled and motioned towards the table.
"Why don't we have a seat while we figure it out?"
Milton was the first to take his seat, while Porter cautiously backed up against the wall he had been standing against before Maggie entered the house. Emma grabbed Maggie by the arm and guided her away from the door, but they remained standing. Jerry stood in the open doorway. Blake and Rick both stared silently at one another. Then, simultaneously, they both took their seats at the table.
"Now," Blake set his hands on the table, "first thing's first...Jerry?"
"Yes, Governor?" Jerry asked, taking a step into the house.
"Where is Andrea?" Blake asked.
"Andrea said she wasn't interested in coming here to see her father." Jerry replied simply.
"What?" The reverend asked, the creases forming in his skin revealing his confusion and pain.
"I'm sorry, Reverend Horvath." Blake said.
"Would you be willing to take the reverend to Andrea?" Rick asked.
"Rick, just as you are cautious of sharing details with me about the farm, I myself am cautious about sharing information with you regarding Woodbury." Blake answered. "More importantly, I would like to respect Andrea's wishes."
Neither the reverend nor Rick were satisfied, but before either could speak, Blake continued.
"Now, regarding Miss Maggie here," Blake seemed to be speaking only to Rick, "please don't feel obligated to take her with you just because she so rudely barged into our meeting and requested to be taken back with you."
Emma turned her head to gauge Maggie's reaction. It was easy to see that she was fighting tears. Maggie was desperate to leave Woodbury, confirming the worries and suspicions concerning Blake and his people. Emma wouldn't allow Maggie to be left behind.
"We don't feel obligated." Emma spoke up, capturing everyone's attention.
Rick's eyes met Emma's. Without saying a word Emma tried to convey her reasoning for wanting to bring Maggie back to the farm through subtle changes in her expression. Their shared glanced lasted only a few seconds, but Emma felt that Rick understood her as he turned back to Blake.
"Maggie is more than welcome to return with us." Rick agreed.
Emma wanted to see a crack in Blake's exterior, but his smile remained intact.
"That's very generous of you, but will you have enough room for Maggie and little Thomas?" Blake asked.
"Well-"
"Yes, they will have enough room, because I'm staying here." The reverend interrupted Rick.
"What?" Rick and Emma both asked in sync.
"If Andrea won't come here to see me, and if Philip won't allow us access to Woodbury so that I may go to her, I'm going to stay behind so that I can repair my relationship with my daughter." The reverend explained.
"Well, that settles it." Blake clapped his hands together.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to speak with the reverend in private." Rick said.
"Of course." Blake nodded as he stood from the table. "I'll have my men start unloading your carriage."
Without having to be told, Milton, Porter, and Jerry all headed outside with Blake.
"Thank-"
"There's no time for explanations now." Emma interrupted Maggie harshly. "You stay here with Rick and the reverend and keep your mouth shut. Understood?"
Maggie closed her mouth and gave Emma a single nod.
"I'm going to make sure we get everything we're supposed to." Emma muttered aloud to anyone who cared to know where she was going as she headed outside.
Porter and Jerry were already unloading the carriage as Emma stepped outside. A man Emma didn't know was already halfway down the street with the pig that had been in the carriage. Emma spotted the three rifles they had brought with them in the seat of the carriage. She kept one eye on them and one eye on Porter and Jerry as she stood outside of the house.
"Is it Thorne or Dixon?"
Emma didn't look away from her targets as Blake suddenly appeared and spoke from beside her.
"Dixon." Emma answered.
"Rick didn't seem too sure before." Blake continued with an amused chuckle. "Why is that?"
"I guess I'm not important enough for him to keep straight." Emma replied dryly.
Blake's chuckles turned into laughter.
"I doubt that." Blake finally said when his laughter died down.
Emma thought their conversation was over, but then Blake suddenly snapped his fingers, which drew Emma's attention away from the carriage.
"Daryl Dixon came here about a week ago to trade for a dress for his bride to be." Blake said as he looked down at Emma. "You wouldn't happen to be his new bride, would you?"
Emma held Blake's curious gaze for several moments, but didn't answer his question. Instead, she looked away from him to watch Porter and Jerry as they started loading the carriage up with what Woodbury owed the farm in the exchange. As she stood silently watching, she felt as though the bun at the back of her head was beginning to loosen. She touched her hair, but it was still in place, save a few tendrils that always seemed to set themselves free.
Rick, the reverend, and Maggie finally emerged from the house as Porter and Jerry were finishing up. Rick immediately helped Maggie into the back of the carriage and helped arrange her amongst the goods they were taking back to the farm. Thomas lay asleep in her lap.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Emma asked the reverend in a low voice.
"I already discussed it with Rick." The reverend reassured Emma just as quietly.
Emma knew she wouldn't sway the reverend's decision. So, she wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you for marrying Daryl and I last week." Emma murmured as the reverend returned her embrace. "We'll never forget that day as long as we live."
"It was my pleasure." The reverend replied warmly.
Rick was speaking with Blake when Emma's embrace with the reverend ended. As Emma circled the carriage to climb up into the seat, she looked back at Rick and Blake. When their eyes met, Blake gave Emma a wink. If she would have blinked, she would have missed it. Emma ignored Blake as she climbed up into the seat. A few moments later, Rick joined her.
"Let's get the hell out of here." Rick mumbled for Emma's ears only as he took up the reigns.
"You said it." Emma agreed.
As Rick got the horses going, Emma suddenly realized something. She immediately touched her hair like she had before, and sure enough, she was right. The dogwood flower Daryl had tucked into her hair that morning was gone.
"Sinister Purpose" - Creedence Clearwater Revival [The meeting, Blake speaks with Emma]