Previously in The Exile
Cookware held before her like a sword, Gwen demanded answers. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
The stranger lifted his hands and took a step backwards. Like her, he was dripping water.
"I'm a friend of Ms. Alfonsa's. She should be meeting me here soon. It was raining and the door was unlocked. I let myself in." The young man's eyes dropped briefly to her chest and loosened stays.
"Likely story." Gwen brought her free arm across her chest to cover her semi-nude state and studied the red-head. He was tall and slim and young looking. Damp red hair was pushed back from a rather pretty face. Delicately curved brows arched over wide brown eyes, a regal nose, full rosy lips and chin that drew to a surprisingly narrow point for a man.
"I truly am a friend of Ms. Alfonsa's and no threat to you. I am unarmed."
"I apologize miss," the young man bowed as elegantly as she had ever seen. "My name is Adras."...Chapter VIII The Stranger
Given her attitude now, Gwen didn't even think she could be something as simple as a maid. She took a deep breath to settle her nerves and started down the hall. This was the job she had dreamt of and she had ruined it. Worse still, if Physician Pradeep were a gossip, her words in this interview might come back to haunt her. What if he shared her thoughts on nobles and the wealthy with others? Who would employ her even as a seamstress? The gold Arthur had given her would not last forever. Then what work would she do?...Chapter XXV Unseemly Women
The Exile
-Part II, Guinevere Called Jenafere-
Chapter XXVI: A Perfect Fit
Late morning sun gleamed on the copper brocade. The formal length tunic was the last of the items Adras had ordered from her. Gwen held the tunic up against her, savoring the feel of silk under her fingers. The coppery shade was not at all right for her warm brown complexion, but it would be ideal for Adras' pale skin and rich red hair. Gwen gave the silk one last caress, wishing not for the first time that she might make such luxurious garments for herself, before folding it with gentle hands taking care not to crease the garment. It had taken hours to get every wrinkle out the tunic.
Adras would be arriving shortly for her final fitting. Gwen did not expect to make any changes to the tunic at this point; she had fitted Adras enough to feel confident in that. Still the other woman would try the tunic just to be on the safe side.
"Jen," Ylsa poked her head in the bedroom door. "Caradoc is here, in the parlor, he's come to pick up Adras' tunic."
"Her driver?"
"Yes."
"She was supposed to come herself for the final fitting," Gwen complained, feeling no little sense of disappointment. Luisa had made them tea and pastries and they always sat and talked after. She had news. Her letter to Gwaine was at last off to Camelot and she and Ms. Alfonsa had decided that Ambry should come and stay at the townhouse for a few days, to give mother and daughter a break from one and other fort short while.
"Never-the-less, Caradoc is here," Ylsa said.
Gwen sighed. "Very well, thank you, Ylsa."
"You're welcome." The midwife smiled. "I've got some work to do in the still room with Kerenza. Come join us after Caradoc leaves."
"I will," Gwen said, turning back to the basket. Guinevere picked up the basket with a sigh and started downstairs. It had been nearly a week since the interview with Pradeep, and just as long since she'd seen her friend. She'd been looking forward to the visit. Adras was a busy woman, though, so it was no real surprise that she wouldn't have time for day time visits.
Gwen found Caradoc in the parlor as Ylsa had said.
"Driver Caradoc."
"Ms. Jenafere." The man rose the moment she stepped into the parlor. "Ms. Adras sends her apologies for not coming. She is feeling ill."
"Oh," Gwen said. "It's not meazlis is it?"
"No, nothing so serious, just a headache," The older man said with a reassuring smile.
"Oh, of course."
"Is that it?" He pointed toward the basket.
"Yes, would you like to see it?"
"No, that won't be necessary. I'm sure everything is in order." He took the basket from her and set it gently on the parlor bench.
"Here is the remainder of your fee." He handed her a small linen pouch. "And this." He handed her a scroll with a wax seal. "This is for the entire household. Good day Ms. Jenafere."
Caradoc left and Guinevere studied the scroll a moment before breaking the seal. A smile spread over her face as she read. They were invited to a birthday party for Esobal.
"Ylsa! Kerenza!" Feeling some excitement, she hurried to the still to share news of the invitation. She knocked as always and waited before entering. The still sometimes had the most noxious smells.
"Come in," Kerenza's voice floated through the door, and Gwen opened it announcing the invitation as she entered.
"Oh, yes, we have a standing invitation to both Esobal and Ambry's birthday parties," Kerenza said. Both women sat at the work table, Ylsa stripping leaves from a branch and Kerenza tending a small boiling pot.
"We do?" Gwen let her sight adjust to the dim light of the still.
"Yes," Kerenza said without looking up from whatever she was concocting.
"Adras' fetes are the most fun and Esobal's birthday is special of course." Ylsa finished stripping the leaves and began breaking them up. A strong,musky scent filled the air.
"Of course," Gwen said wondering a moment why Esobal's birthday was special before it dawned on her, Isobelle's death.
Ylsa looked up from her work now, expression contemplative. "I'm sure they are a good distraction."
"This year especially, since Elaine left." Kerenza stirred her little pot.
"Elaine?" Gwen frowned a moment. "Was this the friend who didn't come to Lysistrata?"
Ylsa nodded.
"Ylsa, have you seen Adras recently?"
"Yes."
"Is she—does she seem unwell?"
The mid-wife thought it over.
"She seems well enough I suppose. Just very tired, but—" Ylsa paused mid-sentence.
"But what?" Gwen asked feeling a little concerned.
"Nothing I suppose. Just thinking how I might feel if a beaux had dumped me just before the anniversary of a death."
"I was thinking the same thing," Gwen murmured an idea dawning.
It was that conversation that had her standing on Adras' doorstep inhaling the sweet fragrance of gooseberry pie.
"Ms. Jenafere," the butler smiled and Gwen smiled back. "Let me take you to the parlor and then I shall fetch Ms. Adras. Shall I take that to the kitchen for you?"
"No, I'd like to present it to her myself," Gwen said feeling a bit protective of her work.
"As you like. I'll get you settled in the parlor and fetch Ms. Adras." Gwen followed the butler down a hall of gleaming oak panels and grey stone to the parlor in which she had first met Ambry and Esobal and learnt of Isobelle. A long cushioned bench had been added to the furnishings in the parlor since her previous visit. The bench joined two stools, two chairs with thick plush padding, two tables and two floor to ceiling bookcases. One circular table between the two chairs and the other older worn table pushed up against the far wall where the family played games like parcheesi.
Gwen set the pie on the table and went first to the bookcases. She had of course seen them on her previous visit, but she'd never gotten a chance to study them, or better still touch them. Some of the books were leather and bounded, others were little more than a sheaf of papers threaded together with wool or leather cord. The spines had titles in neat handprinted latin or calligraphy. When her eyes landed on a leatherbound book with 'A Collection of Sophocles' printed on the spine, she reached out one hand to pull it from the shelf, but stopped.
Books were expensive. Her only access to them had been through Morgana and later Gaius. Once during Morgana's first absence she had been assigned as one of the maids to clean the archives. She'd taken the assignment with joy, grateful just to be around books, read their titles, and try to imagine their contents. During the course of work, she'd been so taken with one of the titles she'd picked up the book intended only to glance at one or two pages. Reading it, she'd become absorbed in The Letters of Heliose and Ableard and the fate of the pair.
Lord Geoffrey had found her in the stacks reading instead of working and flown into a rage. Calling her lazy, and a social climber, he'd driven her from the archives and she'd never gotten the opportunity to work in them again. When she'd started to believe that she might truly become queen she had dreamt of having a library of her own and perhaps even finding a way to make books available to everyone, rather than the wealthy few who could afford to employ a scribe.
Now she studied Adras' shelves, reaching out a hand to stroke a spine with a provocative title, but never did she touch a one. Books were expensive and years in the writing. If she smeared, ruined or wrinkled one she could not replace it. Before her curiosity could get the better of her Gwen gave up her perusal of Adras' library and crossed to the room to study the new bench. She would have to wait a while yet before learning the fate of the forbidden lovers.
It had been positioned in front of the open windows which allowed whoever sat upon it to appreciate a late afternoon breeze fragranced by Adras' pleasure garden. The bench was strange—both its seat and back covered with soft looking quilted cushion, in rich coppery brown,it looked less like a bench and more like a giant cushion with cast another glance at the bookcases and then sat down on the bench. She sunk into its softness and had to bite back a little sigh as muscles in her neck began to unknot in response. It was the most comfortable thing she'd ever sat upon.
It also faced the fireplace and Isobelle's portrait.
She studied the late woman's portrait. Dead six years now—seven Gwen corrected herself, Esobal would be seven in a very short time. Adras had been in love with her, wife to her. Had somehow accepted her lying with Gwaine for the production of a child, and then she had died. Gwen poked out her lip considering that. The afternoon breeze stirred the curtains and the spicy sweet fragrance of lilies wafted through the parlor. She took a deep breath, and let her eyes shut as she savored their warm sweet scent.
When the scent of lilies filled her nose Gwen leant back against the couch and let herself relax further. Then she remembered the bookcase.
"Ms. Jen." The parlor door opened and Ambry came in.
"Hi, Ambry."
The child wore only her plain white kirtle and bodice; her round face was serious with a slight creasing between the brows and a twist of the lips. This was not the Ambry Gwen was used to.
"I never did see your calligraphy."
"No," her face brightened with a smile. "I'm really glad you're here." The girl strode across the room to stand in front of her and held out both hands. "Come on."
Gwen hesitated a moment before taking Ambry's hands and getting to her feet. For just a moment they stood shoulder to shoulder, Ambry being near equal height with Gwen.
"Mom is not feeling so well." The girl tugged her toward the door.
"I know. That's why I brought her the pie."
"That's really nice." The girl paused and looked at the pie sitting on the little parlor table and started forward again. "I'll make sure she gets it."
Guinevere halted in her tracks.
"What?"
"Mom's not really up to visitors just now, you should probably go home." The words came out in a rush. "You can take the cart if you want to!" She added the latter with a smile as if to make up for the sting.
Taken aback, Gwen felt her eyebrows go up and pulled her hand from Ambry's.
"The butler didn't mention it," Gwen challenged.
"Well," the girl frowned with impatience. "It's not the type of thing the butler would mention."
"Having friends sit with you when you're not well always raises the spirit."
"Well, yes, but…" the girl's bright blue eyes darted around "you should just go. I'll make sure she knows that you called."
Ambry tugged on her arm, but Gwen frowned and refused to move.
"Ambry what's going on?" Guinevere asked.
"Yes, Ambry, what is going on?"
Gwen looked up and felt her mouth drop open a bit even as Ambry did the same.
Adras' always perfect red curls were in a tangled disarray, her pale complexion was waxy and colorless and a faint smudging of darkness had settled under her eyes. She wore a bright lilac dressing gown embroidered in threads of blue, green and gold; the cheerful colors seemed at odd with her dull appearance.
"Ambry?"
Guinevere heard the insistence in Adras' tone. The girl's shoulders slumped.
"I was just telling Ms. Jen how tired you were and that perhaps now wasn't the best time."
Adras sighed and smiled a wan smile before laying a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Thank you honey, but please go and check on your brother while I enjoy my company."
"But—" The girl stopped and let out a mighty sigh. Then to Gwen's surprise, she threw her arms around her mother. "I'm just worried about you."
"I know. Thank you, sweetheart." Adras ruffled the girl's hair, and mother and daughter held each other for a moment.
"I'll go, mom, but I am not going far." Ambry left, but not without throwing a warning glare over her shoulder as if Gwen were somehow at fault for her mother's unhappiness.
Adras sighed when Ambry left and crossed the space to go and lie on her very comfortable sofa. Feeling a bit of disappointment at losing her spot on the comfy couch, Gwen settled into one of the padded chairs beside the little round wooden table.
"I apologize for Ambry. These days she seems to think she is the mother and I am the daughter."
Gwen felt herself smile.
"It is the daughter's duty to look after her mother."
"Are you such a daughter, Jen?"
"To my father whilst he yet lived. My mother died some years ago, I was still quite young so…" she stopped. "I brought you a pie." Guinevere said, her voice soft.
For a moment, Adras looked at her and Gwen wondered if she was going to ask about her mother, or if in raising her own unhappiness she would make Adras feel comforted or unhappier still.
"I have heard." She glanced at the pie. "I shall ring for the maid."
An awkward silence fell between them then. Adras was most often warm, clever, engaging, and full of ideas and thoughts. Gwen had never seen the other inward, morose. She cast about for a topic of conversation as the silence between them lengthened heavy and oppressive, smothering all thought or creativity on what might be discussed just then. Adras let out a loud yawn and Gwen looked up to see the other woman stretch, lengthening her neck and spine, extending her feet to reveal slender ankles.
It occurred to her that she'd never seen the other without a cravat or tunic with a collar that laced up around the neck. Now, though, seeing Adras' neck, it seemed graceful and swanlike.
"Do you know how many books are in your library?"
Adras brow creased as she considered for a moment and she looked at the bookcases.
"Perhaps two hundred."
Gwen felt her eyes go wide. Two hundred books, truly a treasure.
"Books are an indulgence of mine," Adras said smiling. "My teacher used to say-"
There was a knock on the door just then and Adras bid the knocker enter. It was the summoned maid with a tray for utensils and saucers.
"I thought you might want the pie now, ma'am."
"Good thinking." Adras gave the maid a slight smile.
They sat in silence listening to the gentle clatter of saucers and serving utensils as the breeze from the pleasure garden, perfumed with the sweet and spicy scents of jasmine, lilies and roses swirled through the room. The maid served two slices of pie each topped with whipped cream and left.
Cream took so long to whip and it had to be chilled to keep its shape. It was only available in the winter and almost never found on a commoner's table. Seeing it now atop flaking pie crust and sweet-tart berry filling, Gwen found herself more than a little eager for dessert, but she looked again at Adras' pale and miserable face and felt her appetite fade.
"It really is good," Gwen said at last.
"You haven't eaten any," Adras challenged.
"Well, it is," she said feeling some mild offense. "Gooseberry is my specialty and I would have had to cut it to taste it, and it's for you not for me. Otherwise I'd be stuffed with pie right now."
Guinevere picked up a saucer and fork from the little round table and ate one succulent bite. A smile bloomed over her face as she chewed, the berries filling her mouth with a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.
"See? It's good," she said to Adras a moment later as she dabbed away crumbs with a napkin. The other woman only chewed the nail of one slim finger.
"I'm not hungry."
Gwen looked at Adras' pale face, took in her listlessness.
"Have you eaten anything today?"
"I had some strawberry wine earlier."
"Wine," Guinevere said, tone firm, "is not a food group."
It was Adras' turn to frown.
"You need to eat." Guinevere picked up the second saucer and fork and strode across the room. She sat down beside Adras on the sofa, brushing the red head's long legs with her own and rested one elbow on the back of the sofa. She cut a forkful of pie and leaned forward into Adras' space.
"Ahhhh," Gwen said mimicking the expression she wanted from the other woman.
Adras smiled, arched one red eyebrow ever so slightly, and acquiesced.
Smiling with triumph, Gwen fed her the first forkful of pie.
In spite of her earlier boasts Guinevere felt some concern that Adras mightn't like it. Perhaps the other woman didn't like gooseberry or would find the crust too buttery. Again she found her herself casting about for some topic, for something else to focus on, as the room seemed to grow a bit warm.
Adras cleared her throat and Gwen looked up expectantly to meet her friend's dark eyes. She was closer than Gwen remembered and the orange-like scent of bergamoot and strawberries wafted from the other woman's skin, fragrances that invited one to lean in closer.
"It is good."
"I'm glad," Gwen said voice low and soft. She cut another piece; Adras needed to eat. "Now have some more."
Adras snapped her mouth shut and raised her chin with haughty defiance, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. Feeling determination and something else stir at the challenge her friend presented, Gwen sat up straight.
"Adras," she made the word a command. "I walked all the way over here with this pie and you're going to eat at least on slice. Now say, 'ahhh.'"
"Aaah," Adras complied, and Gwen smiled as she fed her the second mouthful.
"Good," she said with the same imperious tone as before, but leaning back just a bit.
She did not have the resources to do for Adras the types of things that Adras did for her, but this was surely something, small though it was. The light and lively look had returned to her friend's face and she was eating, something. No matter how unhappy she was, it was never a good practice to skip meals.
Gwen returned her attention to Adras and saw that the other woman had finished her second piece and had turned her face away, hands resting atop her head, gaze fixed on some point on the wall. It seemed she was still playing defiant. Enjoying their little game, Gwen cut a third piece.
"Adras," she said her tone chiding.
Adras turned her head and fixed her dark eyes on Guinevere's, a small smile playing about her lips.
"You need to—"
Adras' eyes narrowed and a spark that hadn't been there a moment before seemed to leap across the space between their two bodies, flooding the air, filling the room with heat, warming her skin. Guinevere froze, fork poised in mid-air and licked suddenly dry lips as a warm and pleasant tingle, a feeling absent these long months, went through her, to settle hot in her belly. For a moment she stared, caught by the other woman's gaze, caught by warm brown eyes almost as dark as her own. Adras shifted uncrossing her legs. Gwen felt the caressing stroke of one long limb sliding against her leg through the fabric of her skirt. The movement sent a heated, flush creeping over her skin.
"You—you need to finish eating." Gwen licked her lips and extended the third piece of pie.
Adras' smile broadened. "Thank you," she said as Guinevere fed her the third morsel.
Gwen sat back then and let her gaze travel to the plate in her lap, the half-eaten slice of pie, thick red syrup that oozed from it and the swirl of white cream running through it. Adras was an adult woman, she could feed herself of course.
"Jen?"
Gwen felt the softness of gentle fingers on the bare skin of her arm where her sleeve had fallen back, along with the unexpected roughness of sword calluses. She looked up and found her gaze unexpectedly drawn to Adras' pink lips, and felt another of those pleasant flutters. She fed Adras the fourth forkful and trying to look anywhere but Adras' eyes, she looked down and away, and her eyes landed on fair, freckled, collarbones.
Did Adras' freckles continue downward into a dusting of red flecks over pink skin? Hers did. How far down did they go? What were these thoughts? She needed to think of something else.
"I had my interview with Pradeep," Gwen blurted. Interview, nice, safe topic. A better topic than this unexpected collection of thoughts and feeling emerging at her close proximity to Adras.
"Thank you for the loan of the cart."
Adras finished her mouthful.
"You're welcome. 'Ahh.'"
Gwen fed her another piece, almost done.
"Ylsa said he would try to intimidate me, and I was intimidated that is, but I've faced more dangerous men." She was rambling.
"I do not think it went well. In fact I am certain it went terribly."
She looked at her friend's face to gauge to her reaction and watched slender fingers brush away a few errant crumbs. She'd noticed the slenderness of Adras' fingers before, but not the other woman's wrists. They were smaller than Gwen would have expected. She could probably have closed her thumb and forefinger around one with ease. For all Adras' height and mannish ways, her build was quite delicate and her arms were full, rounded and...soft?
"I became surly with him, snapped at him even." Gwen scooped up the last of the pie and whipped cream.
"I'm sure you did well."
Adras leaned forward, patting her arm in a friendly and reassuring fashion, and Gwen felt the brief, gentle, cloud-like, softness of the other woman's breast brush hers.
"Here!" She nearly jammed the last forkful into the other woman's mouth, smearing cream on her chin as she did so. Before she'd given it a thought Gwen was reaching out a thumb to wipe away the smear of cream from Adras' chin, brushing the corner of the red-head's mouth as she did so.
The warmth that had been flushing through her bloomed into a familiar heat and Gwen froze paralyzed by confusion, Adras did not share that confusion. Her long delicate fingers caught Guinevere's wrist and closed around it.
"Uh…" Gwen's mouth worked, but no sound escaped. She thought perhaps she should pull her hand away, but didn't. Instead Gwen bit down on her bottom lip and stared as Adras took the digit between her two lips, puckering her mouth around it as she took the sweet whipped cream from tip of Gwen's thumb before letting it slid gently from the velvety warmth of her mouth. Gwen gasped and a long absent tingle pulsed through her as Adras released her wrist. She started to breathe again, inhaling the perfumed scent of lilies on the breeze, and she brought her hand to her breast, stroking the now sensitive tip of her thumb across her palm.
The afternoon breeze blew stronger, stirring the curtains and the room darkened for just a moment as a cloud passed before the sun, obscuring its light.
"I-I uh—you're looking better." Gwen stood without thinking. "I should go." She turned away from the other woman wringing her hands and stroking the aforementioned thumb across her palm again, struck by a sudden fear at her unexpected reaction to Adras.
"Go?" She heard movement and there was something unnerving in Adras' tone. "Why did you come here?"
Gwen frowned, to cheer up her friend of course.
"Well, look at me and tell me why before you go." There was no mistaking the demand in Adras' tone.
Gwen turned to face the other woman and was surprised to see anger in her face.
"I wanted to bring you the pie."
"Is that it?" Adras took a step forward, eyes glinting.
Gwen stepped backwards without thinking.
"A lot of people want things from me. Perhaps you want something. Assurances that you'll have that hospice job you want so much. Or a good word to my friends just to be on the safe side."
"No. Adras—What—?"
Her back met the wall and Gwen started realizing that Adras had backed her into a corner.
"Or perhaps you're looking to be taken care of. I wouldn't have figured you for the type," Adras looked her up and down, "but you're pretty and you know it, with your low-cut dresses and lips that you're always biting and twisting."
Guinevere shrank back from the other woman and she brought a hand to her chest, as she tried to think. Why was she saying these things?
"I'm trying to be a good friend."
"Friend?" Adras made a question of the word, twisting it in such a way as to suggest meaning that Gwen had not considered, and took a step backwards. "Perchance you thought it would be easy and nice."
The last two words came out slow and soft as Adras parted her dressing gown to reveal a simple lilac chemise. She settled those slim hands on her hips, pulling the chemise taut as she did so.
"A woman's softness is so much easier than a man's hardness." Adras let her eyes travel long and leisurely over Gwen's form, her expression contemplative rather than leering now. "Or perhaps you're just curious; a lot of women are."
"Adras, why—?" Embarrassing heat flushed through her, revealed by a subtle darkening across her cheeks.
"But of course Gwaine sent you, so perhaps that's just it." Adras turned and walked away from her, stopping near the table and chairs where their two saucers sat. "God knows he messes over just as many things as he fixes."
Adras dipped one long finger into Gwen's uneaten slice, scooping up just a bit of pie and cream before turning her attention back to Guinevere.
"Did he mess you over too?" She looked over her shoulder as she said the last.
"No! Gwaine's been nothing but a friend to me!"
"A friend? Well I suppose it couldn't have been Gwaine that disgraced you. A woman is only forced from her home with nothing more than she can carry for one thing, and Gwaine is not important enough to make you leave all of Camelot. Who did you disgrace yourself with, Jen?" Adras started back towards her now. "It must have been serious. Perhaps Gwaine and someone else, someone more important, that's why he felt sorry for you." Adras tapped Gwen's nose as she said the last word smearing a bit of cream on her face.
Gwen's confusion crystallized into rage as she wiped the cream from her nose and slapped Adras' smug face. She'd had enough of people calling her a whore.
The other woman took a step backwards, shock evident in her wide-eyed expression.
"To the nine hells with you, Adras!" Gwen snarled and jabbed a finger in Adras direction. "I came here because someone I thought of as a friend was in need! I came because I know how it hurts to lose someone that is dear to you." Tears sprang to her eyes and she dashed them away without stopping. "I came because someone I thought of as a friend had been helpful and supportive to me in everything I'd tried to do since arriving here in Wyeledon was in need." Her words were coming faster now and she jabbed her finger into her palm to emphasize each point. "Because that person was so generously helping me rebuild my life—"
"Jen—"
Maybe, maybe there was some regret in Adras's face, maybe, but Gwen didn't care.
"Nooo!" Gwen held up a hand to forestall anything Adras might say. "Because you had been helping me, I thought maybe, just maybe I'd do some small thing to bring some cheer into an unhappy time. I have no extra motive. No extra demands, nothing! But be assured," Gwen's small hands clenched into fist."I can leave just as easily as I came."
Gwen started forward, intent on barreling through Adras if she had to.
"Jenafere, wait!" Adras grabbed her arm as she passed, slender fingers, exerting enough strength to halt Gwen in her tracks.
"Mooommmmmmm!" Esobal's voice came down the hall. Adras' face tightened with annoyance.
"Let go of me." Gwen glared up at Adras.
Adras held her gaze and Gwen could see some regret there now. A slew of conflicting feelings pulsed through Guinevere.
"Jenafere, wait just a moment, please."
Her anger leapt up fiercely at the word "please." She was tired of people thinking that her forgiveness would come with ease.
"No!" Guinevere glared and tried to wrench away only to have Adras pull her into a fierce hug that held her firmly in place
"Esobal, go play with your sister!"
Gwen squirmed to wriggle away from Adras, but the other woman held firm.
"I'm sorry," Adras said, voice soft, a whisper for her ears only.
"Mommmm, Ms. Jen—"
"GO! Don't make me repeat myself!" the words came out in an irritated rush.
"Fine!" The boy's shout reached them along with the sound of his steps moving away.
"Jenafere, I'm sorry."
Adras' arms tightened around her and the smell of bergamot and orris grew stronger along with the pungent scent of strawberry wine. Adras was softer than she'd expected, and Gwen almost relaxed in her arms, but the sting of the other woman's words was strong.
"Let go of me." Gwen ground her teeth in frustration as she said it.
"I will, but please let me apologize. I am your friend so please, please hear my apology."
Adras opened her arms. Gwen took a step backwards and looked up at her.
There was a blend of regret and such profound sadness in Adras' dark eyes that Gwen felt some of her anger dissipate.
"I am sorry, Jenafere."
She thought about all the easy forgiveness she'd given in the past, the under-appreciated care she'd given, and felt a hardening of resolve.
"Why should I listen?" Guinevere glared now.
"Because, perhaps, having been a good friend to you in the past, in combination with being in the most horrid and foul mood in the present, warrants that you at least listen to my apology, please."
Guinevere crossed her arms and waited.
"I'm listening."
"I am sorry." Adras paused a moment and Gwen could see the other woman carefully selecting her next words. "Elaine was not the person I thought she was and you're here and Elaine is not, but you're as sweet and charming as Elaine pretended to be. And I knew Elaine was a brief affair of course, and I'm always melancholy and moody at this time regardless, but I was thinking perhaps this year would be different. I had not felt any of my usual unhappiness." Adras seemed to think for a moment and the barest hint of a smile flickered across her face. "My daughter knows me better than I know myself it seems, for she assessed rightly that I should not have any callers at this time, but still…" her attention refocused on the moment. "I should not have said those things. I hope that you will, if not forgive me in this moment, allow that I should make it up to you at some future time."
She Arthur told her she was inappropriate and felt torn, but she had come knowing Adras was upset about Elaine and Isobelle.
"I truly am sorry, Jenafere. Your friendship is important to me. And the fact that you came simply to be a friend means a great deal to me." Adras gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "Don't forgive me just yet if you insist, but please sit down here and let me give you a little hospitality before you leave. Please. I implore you." Even as she said it Adras tugged her toward the couch.
"Please sit down, Jenafere." Adras' tone was both gentle and sincere. Guinevere studied her friend's face a moment and then with a sigh, let herself be guided to the couch.
"I had it made to give every comfort. No hard back, or light padding over an unforgiving bench. One can simply sit themselves down and sink into softness." Adras smiled down at her. before turning toward her shelves. "Now, where is it?"
Gwen felt all of her misgivings fade as Adras pulled a slim leather bound book from the shelves. Book in hand the other woman at not on the couch, but on the floor in front of it. She sat beside Guinevere, at her feet, back resting against the couch. Adras gave her knee a friendly pat before settling an arm across Guinevere's knees, stirring her nerve afresh. Then Adras opened the leather cover.
A garden warm and bright with lively flowers of red, blue, pink, yellow and orange caught the eye, trees and shrubs full and lush and heavy with blossoms and tempting fruit, and an overgrown path thick with lush green grass disappeared into the woods.
"This is beautiful," Gwen remarked and was surprised to see Adras' face redden ever so slightly.
"Thank you. It is the story of Rapunzel. I made it for Ambry."
"You?" Guinevere asked. She'd never really known a true scribe, someone that had written down an entire book.
"I wrote the tale down and did the paintings myself."
"You did?" Gwen said admiration coloring the tone of her voice as she considered the detail of the garden that had tempted poor pregnant Rapunzel's mother. "It must have taken you years."
"Oh not so very long." Adras tossed a smile over her shoulder ."Once upon a time..."
Adras had a clear strong reading voice and somehow she made the story sad, sweet, and exciting and her drawings were so bright and vivid that they seemed to leap from the page. Gwen found her mind ensnared, the argument receding to the back of her mind.
Gwen reached out one hand to absently stroke Adras' hair as she listened. The other woman's words combined with the bright bursting beauty of the pictures drew her into this sad little world and Gwen felt the last of her anger dissolve. Rapunzel's tower, her flowing swath of red hair, the unhappy wasteland where she wandered alone for seven years with her twins, and finally her reunion with the now blind prince, all came to life as Adras' creation."...And they all lived happily ever after, the end." Adras shut the book and looked up at her with a smile. "Are you hungry for supper? I am sure something has been prepared. You're staying, I hope."
She could see the hesitation in Adras' eyes. Gwen considered it. She'd yet to have a meal here that she didn't like and it was the least the other could do.
"I am a bit," she admitted.
"Good, then you'll stay. Let me summon Ambry and Esobal."
Adras rang for a servant to collect the children and lay the table for supper; they had a guest for the evening.
Again Gwen thought about asking Adras precisely what had happened with Elaine, but Ambry and Esobal entered the parlor full of chatter and vigor. Adras excused herself to wash up and the opportunity was lost.
"Sorry I was short with you earlier, Ms. Jen." Ambry said as soon as her mother had gone.
"Thank you for apologizing." Perhaps I should have listened. "I know that you were trying to be helpful Ambry, thank you. I never did see your prize winning calligraphy."
The girl's eyes lit up.
"I'll go get it." Ambry left.
Esobal sat down beside her with a deep sigh.
"What's wrong?" Gwen asked taking the hint.
"Everyone is unhappy." He looked up at her. "Mom and Ambry, and even some of the servants. Everyone, but me."
"I see."
"I think some people are mad at me for not being sad," The boy said.
"Well why aren't you sad?"
"I have mom."
"Yes you do."
"I'm not happy that my other mother died. I wish she didn't die and my birthday is fun mom always throws me a party. And I could pretend to be all mopey and sad like mom or Ambry, but that would be a lie and mom says not to lie."
"Well, no, you shouldn't lie.
He sighed again.
"There will always be someone who will be mad at you for something," Gwen said. "No matter how many things you do right, there will always be someone to tell you it is wrong and you should do something different."
He looked up at her with a very troubled expression.
"So what should I do?"
"Please the people you care about, and please yourself, and make sure to care about the right people."
"Oh." He was silent for a while. "How do I know if I am caring for the right people?"
Gwen thought about it for a while.
"The right people will care about you and take care of you, help you and try to make you happy."
He thought about it for a while and Gwen savored the warm fragrance of lilies on the breeze.
"Like mom."
Gwen smiled. "Exactly. Like your mom."
Esobal smiled back at her.
Ambry entered with her scroll of calligraphy, a broad smile on her face.
"I'll read it to you first."
Esobal snuggled into her side just then and Gwen put an arm around him.
"You're a good boy, Esobal," Gwen whispered and then turned her attention to Ambry. "Go ahead Ambry." She gave the girl a nod and sat back to listen.
The cart started forward with a lurch and Gwen sat back thinking mind full of the paintings that filled Rapunzel.
Adras had made that book. She had painted the pictures and written the story. She'd even changed some bits so that it made more sense. She'd never known a bookmaker before. She'd known scribes of course, but scribes were near always in the employ of nobles. Here was Adras making and writing down books. Could she perhaps pay Adras to make her a book? She still had five pieces of gold. Was a gold coin enough? Rent would come due again, soon. Perhaps if she got the job she might ask Adras then or maybe, just maybe Adras might make her one as a favor. No she she couldn't ask such a was of course, if she went back to visit Adras again.
Adras had managed to distract her from the rude things she'd said, but Gwen was uncertain about forgiving her. She'd been warm, friendly and kind to Adras just as she'd planned and Adras had accused her of some attempt at seduction, but the other woman had been flirting with her. She stroked her thumb across her fingers and bit her lower lip. Adras had most assuredly been flirting with her.
The horses' hooves and the rattle of the chains that suspended the box of Adras' cart fell into a rhythm. It was late enough into the evening that there were very few people in the streets to stop or slow the cart now. As the motion of the cart settled, Gwen felt her mind drift over the events of the day. Once Ambry and Esobal had come to entertain her she hadn't gotten another moment alone with Adras.
She hadn't extended Adras Ms. Alfonsa's offer to let Ambry visit for a few days, nor had she told Adras that she had at long last written to Gwaine. Guinevere stroked her thumb across her palm.
She was not naive enough in the world to be confused about what she had felt during those few brief moments in the parlor. In fact her skin flushed at the thought of it. When she was much, much younger, there had been a girl she'd felt something stronger than friendship for, and there were girls and young women in Camelot that had their special friends. But Merlin, Lancelot, and Arthur had come into her life in such rapid succession, she'd not given much thought to having such friends.
It was the suddenness of the desire that bothered her. The fact that her leave taking of Adras this evening had been reluctant, the fact that she'd kept shooting glances at the other woman hoping to catch her eye, and the pleasure stirred by Adras calling her pretty, describing her as seductive, had come seemingly from nowhere. Guinevere swallowed.
The last time she'd been stirred like this, she'd lost everything dear to her.
The look on Arthur's face when she'd thrown herself in front of Lancelot. The shock, the anguish, the knowledge that she'd caused those things to be there had stuck like a dagger in the heart. She felt the familiar stirring of grief that she always felt when she thought of Arthur and took a deep breath. She'd told herself no more tears. There was nothing she could do for him or Camelot now, best not to think of them and best not to think of Adras either.
Elaine had hurt Adras. After Lancelot one thing that was very clear to Guinevere, she was not to be trusted with the affections of another.
Gwen stared at the empty dining room table and felt her spirits deflate. She loved living with her housemates and Ms. Alfonsa. As much as she enjoyed her little home to herself, it could be hard living alone. Back home she had often volunteered to take other girl's shifts or found extra work to do rather than head to her empty little cottage. Too much time alone led to too many undesired thoughts. Waking with her housemates, bathing with them, dressing with them, eating with them filled up all the empty spaces and moments in her life. She'd listen to their storytelling, joking, gossip, and a banter and didn't have to think about anything, but then they'd finished their breakfasts, pulled on their summer capes and left. Walking to their jobs and leaving her with proclamations of envy that she got to lounge about all day while they toiled. Guinevere had snorted and told them they should have been grateful to have something to occupy their time and their minds.
A clatter came from the kitchen and Gwen started. She had forgotten about Luisa! Gwen got to her feet and began stacking the breakfast plates.
"Hi, Luisa," Gwen went into the kitchen arms full. "Do you need any help?"
Luisa stared at her as if she'd grown a second head.
"Of course you want some company. I was a maid not that long ago. It's always more fun with company." Gwen walked over to the water bucket she knew Luisa used for the dishes and got to work. The housekeeper watched her with a wary expression, but as it became obvious that Gwen knew her way around the kitchen, the older woman's doubt faded.
"I have nothing to do today, hopefully you don't mind. Perhaps you can get home to your kids early tonight."
That was when Luisa started to smile.
For the next few days Gwen helped Luisa with the housekeeping. The two women went to the market together, and when everyone left for the day Gwen helped with the cleaning. Late one night she even baked a cake and made up a delicate sugar frosting. When she didn't have to do it, cooking and cleaning could actually be a bit fun. That it kept her mind from other things didn't hurt either.
A week after the unusual evening at Adras' Ms. Alfonsa made an unexpected announcement. They were gathered round the dining table; Father Flaejer was their only guest that evening. Ms. Alfonsa said prayers and had Luisa bring up several bottles of wine from the cellar.
"Ms. Jen, Father Flaejer wanted to tell you himself, but I asked for the honor. You, Jenafere, are Wyeledon Hostel's newest physician assistant." Ms. Alfonsa passed her a letter bearing the hostel's seal even as Luisa poured them goblets of wine and her friends broke out into applause.
Gwen broke the red waxen seal and started reading aloud.
"I start in 12 days time, in that time I should get two white canvass smocks and a linen cap to match and—I got the job!" Gwen exclaimed, jumping to her feet.
She looked up from the letter and saw everyone smiling at her.
"Congratulations." Ylsa gave her a hug and Gwen let out a shriek of joy. She had worked so hard to get this job. She wouldn't have to be a maid anymore.
Kerenza pressed a goblet of wine into her hand.
"A toast to Jenafere!" Ms. Alfonsa declared.
"If I may…?" Father Flaejer looked to Ms. Alfonsa, who nodded her consent. The priest got to his feet.
"May the Lord bless you in this endeavor and may his grace bring you the knowledge and wisdom to bring comfort to the sick, heal their woes as well as success your chosen course." Father Flaejer declared.
"Here, here."
"Amen."
They clinked their goblets and drank their wine.
After dinner everyone retired to the parlor. Ms. Alfonsa had three more bottles of wine brought up from the cellar and they drank and played games. Synove played her lute for them and at one point Kerenza joined in with her on a wooden flute. Father Flaejer eventually left and not long after that Ms. Alfonsa retired.
Guinevere watched her friends through heavy lidded eyes. The moment Father Flaejer left, the four of them had stripped to their chemises, once again grateful to be in the Feminine Fortress. Synove sat in one of the room's chairs, a little apart from the others playing a series of simple melodies, her long dark hair falling loose and free to her waist. Kerenza and Ylsa were playing a game of cards that Guinevere had long lost, though she watched it cheering Kerenza since it was Ylsa's cleverness that had driven her out of the game. But they were going too long and the wooden chair was uncomfortable.
"This is boring," Guinevere complained and got to her wobbly feet. She felt strangely warm and flushed. There had been drinking involved in that card game. And Gwen was starting to suspect that she was drunk. She made her way to the parlor bench taking extra not to trip on the hem of her chemise. The bench however looked decidedly uncomfortable, the padding wasn't very plush at all and back was hard wooden frame. She grabbed a floor cushion and gently laid herself down the rug. After a moment she hiccoughed and sighed.
"Friends, friends," she called out to them. "I think I'm drunk."
Ylsa and Kerenza looked up from their game and Synove paused mid-chord.
"You think you're drunk?" Kerenza asked.
"I've never been drunk before. So I wouldn't know."
Their faces lit with smiles.
"Why do you think you drunk?" Ylsa asked and Gwen got the strangest suspicion that she was being teased.
"Well I feel warm and lightheaded and very relaxed and clumsy and my teeth feel weird. And you guys just seem so amazing…like my best friends really. I mean I never had good friends like this before. I had one good friend back home, and sometimes I thought my mistress was my friend, but she wasn't." Gwen pouted. "I feel really good though. I love you guys." Gwen smiled and she could tell it was a huge smile.
"Since you've never been drunk before, Gwen," Synove said with a slight slur, "I should warn you these ladies here," she pointed at Ylsa and Kerenza "are the type of ladies who like to play jokes and get up to mischief if you fall asleep first. So be on guard."
Synove waggled a finger at the two with a floppy wrist.
"I win!" Kerenza declared and scooped up the cards.
Ylsa stuck out her tongue.
Synove picked up her lute and let her fingers wander over the strings playing nothing so much as a random collection of notes, meandering along to a destination only she knew.
Kerenza got to her feet as Ylsa began shuffling the cards. The red-head snatched up a cushion and settled down beside her.
"I'm very happy for you, Jen," Kerenza leaned toward her and spoke as if to whisper some secret.
"Thank you, Kerenza."
"You're welcome. I didn't think it was very fair of Ms. Alfonsa to try and pressure you into being a maid, even under your circumstances."
"She had her reasons," Guinevere shrugged.
"Sometimes I think she is overly concerned with money." Kerenza pulled a swig from the wine bottle and handed it to Gwen. "People think women are only good for drudge work, so they try and force us to be maids, making certain we are only fit for drudge work."
Gwen considered that. What did make a person's fate, a woman's destiny? Everyone said that people were born into the positions that they were destined to be. She had tried to defy fate and lost everything.
"Your enemy's victory shall be her bane, the would-be Queen's part remains. What the wise man cannot see is that Albion's destiny requires not two but three less all be over born by fear, history turns on the choice of Guinevere."
Matilde seemed to think her destiny still lay with Camelot.
"I cannot look upon you everyday, Guinevere."
Her hurt surged. She was quit of Camelot regardless of what Matilde or anyone else thought. That road was closed.
"It's too hot!" Ylsa's complaint seemed to come from nowhere disrupting her thought process and recalling her to the moment.
Synove's strumming stopped.
"Let's go down to the sea and swim," Synove said.
Everyone started to smile.
"That's a great idea!" Ylsa said.
"But then we have to get dressed again," Kerenza said pointing out the obvious flaw in an otherwise perfect plan.
The four young women groaned.
"We could just wrap ourselves in our capes." Gwen surprised herself with those words. Just now the sea seemed far more interesting than sitting in the parlor listening to Synove play and thinking melancholy thoughts.
All heads turned in her direction.
"Jen?" Ylsa's tone was astonished. "Are you suggesting we leave the townhouse immodestly dressed in nothing, but our chemises, and capes?"
"Well," Gwen considered, it was terribly inappropriate, but for some reason that didn't bother her. "It's hot and, my friends, I have not yet seen the ocean."
Synove gasped, Kerenza's eyes went wide, and Ylsa started to grin.
"This is a crime that must be remedied immediately!" Ylsa declared with a hiccough. "Let us put on our capes and go."
"Right away!" Kerenza declared.
"There is not a moment to lose. Truly it is a crime that you have lived here all these months and not seen it. Shame on us all for not taking you." Synove said.
"Indeed."
They gathered the remaining bottles of wine and Synove grabbed her lute before heading into the foyer. The four woman draped their cloaks about their shoulders and belted them in place while doing their best to keep quiet. When they were sufficiently covered they headed out to the sea.
In Wyeledon one could not, but be aware of the ocean at all times. The air was always moist, salt flavored and damp. In the long hours of the night or the wee hours of the morn when the city slept you could hear the surf crashing upon the shore. The food was different too. Fresh fish, clams, crabs, oysters, mussels and so many other things brought in from the sea, and all the salt one might desire. Fill a few jars with sea water and set them in the sun. The water evaporated as water did and the salt was left behind for the table. In Wyeledon the sea shaped everything and hearing about all of this was as nothing to seeing it for yourself.
The pounding surfed filled your ears and seemed to match your heart; looking upon it seemed endless, a rollicking blanket dark as coal, yet coated in the silver molten light of the moon. The wind stirred spray dampened their skin and clothes and the scent of earth freshened by rain filled the air. Synove gave a little cheer, dropped her cloak on the grass and waded into the water. Kerenza followed her and then Ylsa and finally Gwen. She took a moment to braid her hair first, though; she did not want to work through a mess of tangles tomorrow.
The water was cool and pleasant and gave her a feeling of such lightness that Gwen lay back onto its surface and let it carry her.
The night sky was awash with blue-tinged silver and white. The moon high and round though not quite full stared down at them, and the stars glittered in the sky winking and blinking and showering them with light.
"Gwen, when you're out here at night you can easily get much further from land than you realize. Make sure to keep an eye on the bonfire on the wall." Ylsa explained. She looked back toward the shore and saw a fire flickering on the wall big and bright.
"There aren't many night swimmers, but it always burns."
A little shiver passed through her.
"Has it ever gone out?"
"No never. Not even during the war."
"Oh."
They kept close to one another, talking, playing and swimming always with one eye toward the bonfire on the wall. When the bottle of wine was finished they told stories about the stars and their first kisses. As the night stars began to fade and the sky took on the pearl gray of dawn they headed back to the grass and lay down letting the cool ocean breeze wash over their skin. Ylsa began braiding her hair into thick plaits and Gwen helped her. Synove begged Ylsa for a magic trick and she obliged by coaxing the shape of a satyr out of the waves.
"Jen, did Adras like the pie?" Kerenza asked.
"Yeah she did," she smiled faintly.
"Good it smelled wonderful I was a bit jealous that we didn't get any."
"So was I," Synove complained.
"Sorry," Gwen said, "I did make us a cake."
"It was delicious," Ylsa rubbed her belly with a smile. "How did the rest of the visit go?"
Gwen took a deep breath.
"It was fine, she was assuredly in better spirits when I left than when I arrived."
"Oh good," Kerenza said. "Adras and I aren't close, but I like her and there are moments when she looks so very sad."
"If my wife died like that..." Gwen sighed.
"Is that why you looked so sad when you got back?" Synove asked as she wrung water from her long dark hair.
"I-I was tired," Gwen said automatically.
"Oh, but you were up-"
"Synove," Kerenza laid a hand on the other woman's arm. "Play _ for us." Kerenza said disposing of the topic.
After a moment Synove picked her lute back up and started the song.
Gwen watched the two women in the light of the bonfire and stroked her thumb across her palm remembering the scent of lilies and four o' clocks.
Ylsa got up then and Gwen watched her walk to the water's edge. Gwen laid back on the grass and stared up at the night sky searching for constellations.
"Jennn!" Ylsa called her tone high and plaintive. "Come here."
"Whaaat ?" she asked. A pleasant lassitude has settled into her limbs and she had no desire to move.
Ylsa marched back to where she lay in the grass and stood over her hands resting on her hips. After a moment she smiled.
"I want to show you something, come on." Ylsa extended a hand to her.
"Oh." Gwen let Ylsa help her up and arm-in-arm they walked to the spot Ylsa had been standing in.
"Well what is it?" she asked.
"Were you thinking about what Matilde said?"
Gwen stared at her friend a moment.
"No."
"Oh well we hadn't talked about it in a while so I thought it might be troubling you again."
Gwen frowned.
"Gwen I know you've been challenged in your thoughts on magic since coming here, but I do think you should at least give some more consideration to having a visit with Matilde."
Guinevere glared.
"I've been thinking about it Ylsa."
"Oh."
"And I think I don't want to know anything about the future."
"Oh."
Gwen heard the disappointment in that one sound and did not care. She had been enjoying the evening, the last thing she wanted to talk about was Matilde and her fortunes.
"Did you know Adras made books?" Gwen asked changing the topic.
She could see Ylsa thinking in the moonlight before acceptance settled on her features.
"No."
Gwen smiled and sat down on the grass, tucking the skirt of her dress carefully around her legs.
"Yes she wrote it all down in a perfect, neat script, painted some beautiful pictures and I think she even did the leather binding. I wonder how long it took?"
"I've traveled a lot. I don't think I've ever meet a woman as talented as Adras, and I've met many educated women."
"I've not, but I've not traveled very much at all."
"Adras knows all the womanly arts," Ylsa began, "she also swordfights, runs a spa and salon, has a successful shipping business, is raising two children, and still has time to smuggle illegally enslaved women out of the city. She's pretty special." Ylsa's tone was thoughtful.
Gwen started to smile.
"She is. I hadn't thought about it."
Both women fell silent and Gwen watched the waves.
"I fed Adras a slice of pie actually."
"Fed?"
"Yes it was nice," Gwen paused. "But then she got mad and called me a whore."
"What?"
"Yeah she called me names."
"That's not doesn't sound like Adras. Wait why were you even feeding her?"Ylsa's tone was accusatorial. "Why did she do that? Why were feeding her? Were you flirting with her?"
"No! I wasn't trying to. She looked really bad and she hadn't eaten and she wouldn't eat and I knew she needed to eat so I took matter in my own hands. I wasn't trying to flirt I was trying to be nice and helpful, but perhaps she did think I was flirting. It did become a bit heated, because I had to sit close to her and- she has these freckles on her collarbone. Did you know she has freckles on her collarbone?" Gwen asked her thoughts running in every direction. "She could think it was flirting and she was really upset, I knew she was upset when I came to call. Sometimes people say things they don't mean when they are upset and she did apologize and I did smack her." Gwen paused to take a breath.
"You smacked her?" Surprise was evident in Ylsa's tone.
"Still she shouldn't have said that. I suppose I can forgive her as long as she doesn't do it again. She has been a good friend. What do you think Ylsa?"
Ylsa stared at her.
"You smacked her?" Ylsa asked and Gwen sighed.
"Don't look at me like that! She-she implied that I slept with her brother Gwaine and someone else at the same time. It just made me so angry."
'Wait? What? Did you?" Ylsa asked in a loud whisper.
"No!"Gwen shouted.
Synove and Kerenza looked up at them and both women fell silent. Ylsa smiled Kerenza and Synove went back to their own conversation.
"Look she was just trying to figure out why I had to leave and that is beside the point."
"Oh well what is the point?"
Gwen thought for a moment.
"The point was that she apologized for saying that-"
"Well yeah because I might have smacked her too, but is her brother some kind of villain?"
"Sir Gwaine? No!" Guinevere's tone was scandalized. "I've only known him for a few years, but in all of that time he has been completely honorable."
"Oh."
"So she forgave me for smacking her and I- I didn't forgive her, but I stayed and she showed me this book-"
"You already told me about the book remember?"
"I did?" Gwen thought it over. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, because that is how this entire conversation started."
"Oh."
"Here have some more wine." Ylsa shoved the wine bottle toward.
"No you have more wine." Gwen pushed the wine bottle back toward her friend. "You're not drunk enough.".
Ylsa giggled.
"It will be light soon." Kerenza shouted over the waves. "We should probably head back to the townhouse."
Gwen looked to the eastern along the lake the night blue was starting lightening, soon pink and orange would be spilling across the sky. None of them wanted to be out in their under things under the full light of the morning sun.
The ladies gathered their cloaks and empty wine bottles. Drunk and sleepy, leaning on one and other they made their way back home, trying to keep quiet pink and orange light streaming over them and flooding the empty streets. They were about a block from the townhouse when they ran into Father Flaejer of all people.
The priest's pale eyes went wide. Guinevere felt her face grow warm and tried to speak, but all she could think about was the fact that she was only wearing her underwear. She tightened the belt of her cloak even as Father Flaejer tugged at his frock. Finally the priest gave them a nod and they nodded back before starting on their way again.
"Was he coming from the townhouse?" Synove asked when he was out of earshot, her face red.
"It might be better to ask if he ever actually left the townhouse." Kerenza leered and swayed on her feet.
"Father Flaejer and Ms. Alfonsa!" Ylsa declared.
"Shush, ladies, shush," Gwen waggled a disciplining finger at them on a floppy wrist. "Ms. Alfonsa is clearly keeping it a secret and we should respect that."
"Spoilsport," Synove replied and stuck out her tongue.
They approached the townhouse with exaggerated postures of quiet caution. Synove and Kerenza fumbled at the door, supporting one and other as they tried to get it open.
"Hey, Jen," Ylsa said in a loud whisper. "This was a really good idea. I'd never gone swimming at night. I never imagined you could be so bold or shameless as to suggest that we walk to the sea in our under things," Ylsa giggled.
Guinevere forced a smile and Ylsa turned her attention to Synove and Kerenza.
"Hurry up, you two! I need the pot. Otherwise I'm going to squat here—"
Bold and shameless...accurate words. Perhaps Arthur had seen aright when he'd called her inappropriate. Just neither of them had realized it then. The door opened at last and they stumbled into the foyer, giggling. Unwilling to try the stairs, Gwen followed Synove and Kerenza to the parlor.
Guinevere laid herself down on the cushion she'd abandoned earlier that evening. She heard Synove and Kerenza settling around her.
Bold, shameless, inappropriate...She stared up at the white plaster ceiling. Dawn's light was staining it pink and gold.
"Jen, are you unwell?" Synove knelt beside her. "You look sad."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
"It's nothing."
"Is it? I've seen that look before when you think no one is watching."
For a moment Gwen stared at the other woman, she really didn't give Synove enough credit.
"It is something, but there is nothing to do about it, so I'd rather not talk about it…not right now. I'm very tired."
"Very well." Synove smiled at her and then yawned. "You know I wasn't sure, not at first, but I'm glad you came to Wyeledon Jen.
Gwen felt herself start to smile and Synove laid down on the cushion beside her.
"Thank you Synove."
"You fit with us perfectly."
Synove put a friendly arm around her.
Gwen lay starting at the ceiling. Synove started to snore. Was she a perfect fit here? She had a job she always wanted and even though Ylsa may have called her suggestion bold and shameless the three of them had gone along with her making them all equally bold and shameless. Perhaps this then had always been her fate, not Arthur, not Camelot, and not queenship. Physician Jenafere of Ms. Alfonsa's townhouse. Gwen started to smile, yes if that was her fate she could live with it.
A/N- How many of you caught the Scandal reference? :) Hi everyone. Thank you all so much for reading this update, I hope you liked it. And as always please leave a comment. I love reading all your comments and reviews. Thank you so much. Also I know that this chapter has some unexpected things in it so just trust me to tell you this story for a little while longer.