The light of a new day begins to peek over the horizon, morning birds began to sing their songs. A small window allows the gentle morning light to leak into the bed chamber separated from the rest of the living area by an orange curtain. That gave a soft warm glow around us as we slept.
On this morning I was sandwiched between my brother's warm stomach and my husband in the nest of pillows and blankets that made up a large bed. Aurther's hand resting protectively over my belly while our son was asleep in the curl of his uncle's tail. I was slowly waking to the morning birds songs till they were drowned out by the loud tongs of the monastery's bells, announcing the start of the day. I let out a groan at their sound, hiding my face in the crook of Aurther's neck.
"It's morning," Aurther moaned into my hair.
"Apparently," I replied, feeling my little one kick awake, continuing his ongoing battles against my other organs, "And your youngest is awake."
Aurther let out a long groan as he rolled away from me so I could get up and relieve myself in the smaller chamber to the side of the main living area. Which were separated by a wall of curtains. There was a larger room with a desk and a small library behind it. In the room next to it acted as a kitchen with a fire pit, cabinets, table, and water pump. Small but homey.
Drake let out a yawn as he began to wake up as well, "Morning, Aurther."
"Wish it wasn't," Aurther moaned rolling off the bed, "Means the day has to begin."
"Damn monks have to announce the dawn as well," I yawned as I waddled back to them. Dinadan was slowly waking up as Drake uncurled his tail so he could stretch out, rubbing his little fists to his eyes.
"How much longer till Father and Abiageal arrive," Drake asked
"Abiageal should be arriving at lunchtime," Aurther said picking up our son.
"And father should be arriving tonight," I yawned going over Aurther, kissing his cheek.
"Will Brother Gilbert be with them," Drake asked as Kara and my ladies in waiting came in. One began to prepare us breakfast while Kara and the others began to help me get ready for the day.
"Most likely," I replied.
"Knowing him he's going to be enjoying being on the ground again," Kara chuckled, brushing my hair, making the other ladies giggle. Aurther tiredly chuckled too as his own valets and Bowen came into the chambers followed by Frair Peter and a novice monk we had recently met, Mansell.
"Good morning, Friar Peter and to you Brother Mansell," Aurther smiled, passing a half-asleep Din to his governess, "Thank you, Helen."
Helen gave a nod in return as Din fell asleep on her shoulder.
"Good morning, your majesties," Brother Mansell said nervously bowing us. Kara and I smirked at the shyness of the young monk whenever he spoke to us. Or any of the ladies, unsure of our presence really.
Bowen held back a laugh as he took a folded parchment from his pocket, "We'll be going through the main road to avoid leading back here when we leave so I apologize in advance Ava for the light breakfast."
"I'll be fine," I replied as a dress was slipped over my head, "I'm sure the celebration with have food afterwards."
Bowen began reading off the day's planned schedules as well as recent reports from our spies while Aurther and I were made ready for the court and festivities afterwards. While Drake just watched us from the corner of the room till he noticed Reagan and Sir Galahout entered the room and went over to greet them.
Once dressed we had a quick breakfast of porridge before rejoining our camp. Our per session for the castle was finishing preparations as we arrived. My litters hard wooden side panels were removed and replaced with the thin satin veils. This allowed a better line of sight for my company and I while still offering some concealment.
Aurther helped me climb the steps into the litter, giving a kiss to my knuckles as I sat down on the pillowed bench, "Are you well, my wife-queen?"
"Yes, my husband-king," I smiled back at him. He gave me another kiss before stepping aside for Kara. Bowen gave her a kiss before helping her up the steps as well. Helen and Din were last in, my son was still peacefully asleep on her shoulder as she sat beside Kara.
With all of us ready Sir Galahout and Bowen rode in front on either side of Aurther while two pages carried our kingdoms banner. A few minutes after we embarked we came to the main road where Sir Galahout announced our company giving anyone aheads of our party that we would be coming throw, "Make way for the King and Queen of the Celts! Make way!"
Through the monastery we passed by the stables, out of the corner of my eye I saw the stable boy sparing with a dummy he must have made before he rushed out of the stable to watch us pass. I watched him fallow us till we came to the edge of the monastery. The boy seemed to stare longingly at my husband and the other knights. Especially to young Reagan riding beside his father.
"I have a feeling that lad fancies you your majesty," Helen snickered as we lost sight of the boy.
"I believe he fancies the men ahead of us more than us, Helen," I chuckled, "A young lad hoping to change his stars I would wager."
"He seemed passionate enough your majesty," Bowen chuckled back to me, "Footing was off, but passionate."
We rode up to the castle arriving alongside a few other parties. When our litter halted and servants set out the steps for us. Helen was the first to step out with Din still asleep. Then Kara aided me onto the steps as the castle steward greeted us.
"Welcome Queen Ava," he said bowing to me, "I hope the journey here was well for you."
"Thank you, steward," I gave a nod in reply as Aurther came to my side, "As well as a journey can be when expecting."
"Well we are pleased you could join us for the festivities," he smiled, bowing to Aurther, "Right this way, your majesties."
He led us into the open air throne room, where the ceremony was being held. Galahout stayed close to my side with Aurther through the ceremony and Sir Osric oath. I held back a sneer as he used the Old Code as his oath to the king. I never did like the man. He had an air around him that seemed like he was trying to hide a more devious side.
"Not the most passionate ceremony," Sir Galahout whispered as Osric spoke his oath, "Very dull actually."
"I would have to agree but we have to keep up appearances my dear knight," I whispered back.
"It's a nice day though," Aurther whispered as Lord Osric finished his oath, "Nice day for picnic. Wouldn't you agree my flame?"
"Hold that thought," I whispered back to him, giving Lord Osric my full attention as he addressed the crowd.
"As chief advisor my goal is nothing less than that of the Old Code lives on in the hearts and minds of our people. Everyone should share in our kingdoms bounty. Tomorrow I shall pesto a personal gift to all men, women, and children of the land."
"I'm not the only one getting an off feeling from this guy right," Bowen whispered to us as he leaned closer to Aurther
"No, I feel it too. We will have to keep our eyes on him."
"Everyone shall receive two new tunics in the style and color that suited to their inherited station," Osric continued, "From now on no one will wear anything else."
"Called it," Kara whispered as we all began clapping to Lord Osric. From the corner of my eye I could almost see Kara and Helen trade Din as the clapping woke him up with an annoyed frown. I reached over to him, rubbing his hair in a small gesture of comfort.
"Too loud," he grumbled trying to hide his face in my palm. The nobles around us began to clap quieter or stopped all together seeing Din's discomfort.
"Apologize, little Prince," a lady cooed to my son.
"Poor thing," an older lady smiled at him sympathetically, "I agree it's a bit early isn't it."
Dinadan looked to the ladies cooing at him then to his father, "Down now Aunty peez."
"Stay close to us," Kara said as she set him down. To which Din immediately went to Aurther's side holding onto his cape as he looked around the throne room as the other nobles began mingling amongst themselves. Some congratulated Lord Osric, while others went about their day. I still had little trust in this man and his 'gift' only fueled that mistrust even more, which didn't help my slowly souring mood as my feet began to ache.
Aurther noticed my discomfort, whispering something to Galahout before he stepped to the side finding a servant who after a minute came to me with a stool. I let out a groan as I sat down, thanking them as I rested my hand on my belly, the baby gave a kick to my side as if not approving of the sudden change. Bowen moved to stand behind me to support my back.
"Are you alright, Ava," he asked resting a hand on my shoulder.
"I am," I nodded back, "Just a little rest and I'll be up. If this one doesn't keep kicking my lungs."
"We'll give our congratulations to Osric then find you a lounge to relax in," Aurther said, kneeling to kiss my cheek. I gave a small sigh relaxing some before noticing Lord Osric making his way over to us. Aurther immediately stood to meet him.
"Congratulation on your promotion Lord Osric," he said with his best veiled smile, shaking the man's hand and patting his shoulder, "We look forward to working with you to continue peace and good trade between our two kingdoms, which I'm sure your added wisdom will come in great use."
"Thank you, your majesty," Osric smiled back, though his eyes held a slight edge of disgust, "I look forward to the continued prosperity between our two kingdoms as well. Which I have been hoping to discuss with you."
"Wonderful, what is it you hope to discuss with us and may we do it in a more comfortable environment," Aurther asked gesturing to me as Kara and Helen helped me stand back up.
"Of course, your majesty," Osric nodded, "There is a comfortable lounge set on the balcony that is quite lovely this time of day."
Aurther took my hand as he gave a nod in return to Osric who then guided us to the balcony. Din held onto his father's cape in one hand and his in the other, trying to keep up with his strides.
"Daddy slow down," he tugged on his cape, "Mommy an me can't keep up."
"Oh sorry, my treasures," Aurther apologized smiling to me, making me chuckle at our son.
"Will King Stephen be joining this discussion," I asked as we sat down on the balcony couches. Bowen and Kara sat beside us while Helen lead Dinadan to see the flowers decorating the balcony.
"Afraid he can't your majesty," Osric replied as he sat across from us in front of Aurther, "He has been unwell in recent days so it shall just be us. I hope that will be alright."
I gave a small nod as did Aurther, "Very well. What is it you wished to discuss with us?"
"An opportunity to strengthen our kingdoms bonds," Osric smiled, "A chance to merge them together perhaps through a marriage bond of your family and this court."