Aine of Diarmada

Chapter 20

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"Father I wanted to ask you something," I said. He was lying stiffly in bed, letting Eileen change his bloody dressing. The amount of blood was decreasing which meant that the wound was, at last, healing. It was still painful though as he grunted and winced every time Eileen tended to him. I saw him hold back a cry before he answered me, "Aine if this is about yesterday with Chulann, now is not the time to be asking." I pursed my lips; he knew that would be the question and I knew that would be the answer. Eileen was now placing a new bandage across his stomach with careful precision. I reminded myself to ask Eoin about it later.
"And Eoin knows not to tell you as well, so don't ask him," he said firmly. He seemed to be thriving in his particular skills of mind-reading today.
"What makes you think I would ask Eoin?" I huffed. Father narrowed his eyes at the question, making his small wrinkles more noticeable, "well I don't know, you seem to be getting more fond of each other," he said nonchalantly. My body tensed underneath my long heavy dress, "what's that supposed to mean?" I piped up. Father seemed taken aback and I could see Eileen biting her lip as she packed away her things, busying herself with medicine bottles and turning away from father. "I just meant that you seem to be together more often than you were before," he replied.
"Oh," I said, my steamed attitude melting away. Thinking of Eoin made a new thought pop into my head, "well then I need to ask something else father, a request."
"Yes," he asked, a little absent-mindedly as he was now covering up his bare torso with his shirt, frowning to himself as he fumbled with his sleeves. Eileen went to his side to help him.
"Father I want to learn how to fight," I said, balling my hands into tight fists of determination. Both Eileen and father looked up at me, surprised. He sighed, "now Aine we've talked-"
"No father listen," I interrupted stubbornly. He clenched his jaw slightly but he sat there waiting patiently. I rapidly tried to think of what to say, I didn't think he would actually listen to me this time. Looking around the room for inspiration I suddenly had it and I knew it would impress,
"well I think, not just I - but all the women in the clan should learn how to fight because it's self defence." He looked at me blankly, this was already an obvious point. I continued quickly- not wanting to lose his interest, "and all people of the clan, not just men, need self defence because it helps us be prepared if something may happen-"
"Like what Aine?" he asked dis-heartedly.
"Well, look what happened to mother," I said softly. I watched as a cloud conquered over his face, as if finding a permanent home there.
"And look what happened to Roise," I carried on, gulping at his sudden change of mood. His eyes widened and his whole body tensed when I mentioned my sister's capture. "If she had known how to fight she could have had a chance-"
"Yes!," he interrupted, standing up from his bed abruptly. Eileen seemed startled as father's shirt ripped from her fingers as he stood.
"What?" I asked.
"Yes!" he repeated, enthusiasm creeping it's way into his voice, "you're right Aine."
I am? I thought to myself, surprised. "Of course I am," I scoffed at him, smiling, "I've always told you father."
"Yes," he said yet again, as if the word was new to him. "We start today."

* * * * * *

"No attacking in this area," Eoin said sternly, motioning around his crotch area. I folded my arms in confrontation, "and why not?" He smirked, "because it's not fair."
"Well when you're in a fighting situation it's not about being fair, is it?" I protested.
"Alright, true. But for now in training no attacking there alright?" he compromised. I smiled, he had gotten off the hook. I had just kicked him there (not that hardly) and he was now forbidding it. "Fine," I said, un-crossing my arms.
"So, starting position again and blocking," Eoin instructed. I nodded, getting myself concentrated again and slightly bent my knees. Light on your feet and alert, I reminded myself. In a mili-second I saw his eyes divert to the left and I was ready for his left punch. I quickly brought my arm up in a solid L from my shoulder and blocked him. His eyes, just for a second, flicked down to my side and again with a swift block he was stopped. He stepped away from me smiling, "you watched my eyes."
"Well that's what you said isn't it?" I questioned.
"It is," he smiled, "very good now, this time you are going to do the offending and I'll do the defending." Excitedly I replied, "alright." Trying to keep my eyes level most of the time I gave a kick to his side but the kick wasn't high enough or strong enough since I couldn't move much in my clothing.
"Stupid dress," I scowled, "pass me your knife," I told Eoin. He gave it to me carefully with the hilt facing up. I took it in my hand and with my other I grabbed a fistful of fabric. With the knife I hacked away at the ends of the dress, sending it into strips of ribbons falling to the floor. When I finished I smiled to myself, satisfyingly the dress was now knee-length. I looked up at Eoin who was staring in surprise, "what," I teased, "you've never seen a woman strip away her clothing with a knife?" He grinned, "I'm not complaining." We got back into starting position and I gave two kicks to his side and a punch to his shoulder. "Ow," he cried out. I stopped, "are you alright? Was that your bad shoulder?" He suddenly pinned me down when I was leaning over him, "never pity weakness," he smirked at me, "it can easily be a trick." I smiled back and fought the urge to kiss him. Further off beside us we heard a clatter and we both turned our heads to see the commotion. On the floor was a shining and very sharp sword and Eileen stood beside it with a guilty expression. I sly smile spread across my face as I turned to face Eoin. "No swords," he laughed, "not today anyway." I didn't even get to ask.

* * * * * *

Eoin's P.O.V

"You called me Daragh?" I stepped into his chambers with my hands clasped behind my back. They were clammy from training in the open summer heat. It was surprising to see how strong Aine was, quick to learn too.
"Yes Eoin, I did," Daragh replied, turning around to face me. His face was serious and his poise was stiff. "It's about Chulann," he stated.
"Oh," I replied, with a hint of tension laced into my voice.
"I want your insight as to what his punishment should be. I do have some idea myself of course," he continued, not for a second losing his leadership of a chieftain, "but again- being my chief protector I want your opinion." I tried to hold back a sly smile; here I had a chance to do something, or make something happen to Chulann. He was in my power and I devoured it.
"Well," I cleared my throat and stepped forward casually, "I think we should mirror back what what he did," I started.
"Capture him?" Daragh didn't look impressed.
"No my Lord, take away something that's dear to him." He still looked a little puzzled. "The same way he took away Roise from you," I pressed on. His face lit up, enlightened, "that's good, that's good Eoin. Now what would that something be?" he queried. I glanced down at the floor, suddenly a little nervous, "perhaps.....Aine." He frowned. I continued on before he could comment, "of course his new wife is dear to him. And especially now that she's pregnant," I said the last part softly. His frown disappeared slowly but surely, "take away Aine," he murmured, bringing his hand to his chin. "Of course Aine will be disgusted when she finds out, probably more than that knowing Aine," he allowed himself a small chuckle, "but to take away her husband.......it can't be forever."
"No," I agreed disappointedly.
"But for a while, certainly yes. Don't you think it will hurt Aine? Even though Chulann did what he did?" he asked. In this moment now, he didn't know his daughter very well.
"Yes," I lied, "so it will be worse for Chulann, he will feel more guilty." He narrowed his eyes, a gesture he often did, "you know I think you're right. Yes, it's settled. Now the question of how long," he thought out loud, "perhaps until the baby is born, or a little bit before."
"Yes," I said enthusiastically. Nearly nine months or so with Chulann not around, not with Aine. I had that whole time to have Aine to myself. Maybe a lot more when she realised that her husband had captured her sister. Yes I thought happily to myself, things were looking very good indeed.

Hey guys hope you liked the chapter and stick with me coz the end is nearing..... DUN DUN DUUUN 😱😱😱
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-AvaBlue