Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 3 Meeting Destiny

Four years earlier
Brinklow Castle, Warwikshire , West Midlands, Britain 1114 ad

It was a busy time in the castle as Elenis ran down the stairs as if chased by demons almost colliding with Hawise the maid who was carrying a mountain of linens . The servant stood back just in the nick of time to avoid the inevitable mishap that would have made her drop her burden.
"Apologies Hawise" Elenis called back before continuing on her journey , her auburn hair flying about as she dashed into the courtyard.
"Be careful you don't slip my lady" the woman called back clucking her tongue as she resumed her task.
Elenis barely heard the warning for she was determined to find Caedmon and continue her lessons in archery when she bumped into a wall of pure solid steel. Crying out from the impact she fell backward to the ground landing on her elbows.
"What the......" She looked up at the intruding barrier only to stare in astonishment at the sight she beheld. It was not a wall of steel but a man dressed in full armor. She watched him remove his helmet and bend toward her, a pair of slate grey eyes scrutinized her from head to foot suspending all manner of speech from her lips.
"Are you alright?" The man carried a deep voice that sent shivers raising down her spine. 
It was the first time she was caught spell bound by a man. Her attention was riveted to his arresting face which possesed a strong sharp nose  and a cleft to his chin. She noticed his hair was a rich golden chestnut, the back of it shorn like most Norman Knights. His eyes however were fringed with thick lashes and deeply set making his brow protrude somewhat delicately.
"I...I think so" she replied haltingly feeling numb all over except for her heart which beat against her chest rapidly.
He held out his hand for her to take, holding his gaze, she took the hand and was hoisted up with one swift tug. She could feel the strength in his arms as he yanked her from the dusty ground. She could feel her elbows start to sting when she actually finally felt something.  She must have scraped it when she fell but she was too distracted by the man before her to check.
A broad smile appeared on his face as he perused her "My apologies, I did not see you coming" he said.
Of course he wouldn't see her coming he was a giant of a man compared to her duminitve size. Her head barely reached his shoulder, she thought dumbly as she continued to stare.
"Is the lord of the castle in residence?"he asked
"I...perhaps he is in his solar. Who is asking?" She found her voice finally and narrowed her gaze at the man.
"My name is Wulfric Fitzwilliam. And you are?"
Standing straight she looked into his face " No concern of yours for the moment. Follow me" she replied tartly turning around to walk ahead of him. She heard him chuckle slightly but did not press him further.
As soon as they reached her father's solar she knocked before opening the door motioning for the knight to wait until she returned.
She found her father sitting behind his desk shuffling through papers "Father you have a visitor"
Her father looked up from his current occupation and frowned " Who is it?"
"Wulfric Fitzwilliam"
"Don't just stand there Elenis, let the knight in" her father dropped his papers and stood coming around his desk as she ushered the guest in. She did not leave, instead she stood back and watched as her father and the stranger clasped hands.
"How Hail's your uncle Wulfric?"her father asked.
"The same as every day he would have preferred to make the journey but his chest congestion would not allow it." The man replied.
"Elenis, you may leave us" her father ordered leaving her no reason to stay.  Although she would have wanted to but it was clear her place was not in that room.
She left the room not realizing she had hovered. She never normally hovered over her father's guests but something about the knight compelled her to stay. She chided herself silently for being remiss forging forward on her quest to search for Caedmon. Finally she found him in the outer Bailey sitting patiently by a rock cleaning his arrow heads. He was hard to miss for his red hair stood out like flame against the Rays of the morning sun.
"Where have you been?" He raised a brow at her.
"Father had a guest who was looking for him" she replied quickly picking up a cross bow from the ground. It was only the two of them in a private part of the outer Bailey. Most of her father's soldiers were busy clearing out a field for the tourney.
"Who was it?" Caedmon asked his blue eyes lit with curiousity.
She shrugged checking her weapon "Some Knight who has probably come for the joust"
"Another one" he snickered "Well that should make three in a couple of days. " he mused.
"And your point" she asked aiming her bow at the round target.
"Tis no ordinary tourney your father is hosting. He has sent missives across half the country to invite anyone who would partake of the feat and we all know your father does not just host a joust for any reason."
She shot her arrow but it missed the target. "I do not understand what all this fuss is about."
"Tis simple really" Caedmon stood tall like a giant. He was taller than the knight she just met and strong to boot. Aiming his bow he hit the target dead center making Elenis wince at her failure.
"You see the prize is what drives them here. Haven't you heard anything said from the lips of your mother?" He goaded
"If I spent any time with her, she would have me hemming gowns. I would rather be scarce then noticed. Why?" She turned her her bright brown eyes toward him"what do you know?"
"I hear he has offered Gertrudis' hand in Marraige as the prize" he stated aiming once more at the target and hitting it .
Elenis giggled "What rot! If she were the prize then she would have probably run away."
"Hardly likely Elenis. Your sister is of age to marry and so are you , being just a year a part. I wouldn't be surprised if your own hand was thrown into the wager pot."
Elenis threw down her bow and jumped on Caedmon's back but he was too tall and too strong for her. Instead she dangled against him loosely. "Take that back you fiend!"
Grabbing her as if she weighed no more than a sack he dropped her onto the ground chuckling as she started to spew expletives at him.
"If your mother heard you she would have your mouth washed with lye soap for the filth that comes from your tongue."
"How dare you make up such stories!" She stood from the ground dusting her gown irritably.
"I'm sure about Gertrudis though. The kitchen maids have been speaking about it for weeks. You on the other hand need to learn some manners. You have the mouth of a tavern wench and an attitude to boot."
"Well at least now I know where you spend most of your time!" She bit out sarcastically
He continued to laugh approariuosly "At least we know what I am about however you my dear young lady need to learn refinement otherwise no knight of any realm would have you and you would become a spinster., "
Stomping her foot she crossed her arms against her chest "That's not so bad seeing as I do not want to marry at all."she declared.
"Be careful what you wish for lass. Now pick up your bow and shoot like a warrior instead of a farting goat." He commanded.

........................................................
Elenis sank gratefully into her bath and scrubbed the morning dirt from her body. After her archery practice with Caedmon, she had gone to pick berries for the cook and wandered into the stables where she helped the stable boy brush down her mare. Anything to remove herself from the mundane task of sewing gowns.
She thought about what Caedmon said, disturbed by his information. She had known him since she was ten, when he first came to their demense as a young squire ready to train under her father's command. He was a lanky lad, already tall, with a feirce expression but he had been friendly and harmless, scampering after Elenis and her sisters whenever they would leave the keep for a ride or a simple visit by the hidden waterfall. They had become fast friends, as as he grew in strength and body so did their friendship. He offered the sisters protection and became their personal guard for the lord had seen a loyalty from the boy toward his family and immediately recognized it's worth.
The door of her room opened and her mother walked in carrying a tray of berries and cream. Setting on a nearby table she looked at her daughter submerged in her tub.
"You can come out before you drown yourself Elenis, I am not leaving" Oranya called to her wayward daughter who lifted her face from the tub. "Now we can have a civilized conversation like two ladies." Picking up a drying cloth she held it out for her daughter of ten and six, sitting at the foot of the bed while her daughter dried herself.
"I see you've been busy this morning" Oranya turned to the berries.
Elenis did not look at her mother, instead she went to pick her dry clothes and started to dress herself. "Did you need me lady mother?" She asked innocently as she dried her hair.
"I always have need of you my dear but you seem hard to catch of late. Where do you run to?" Oranya looked at her daughter questioningly
Elenis turned to her mother guiltily, she admired her mother's beauty and grace. They had the same hair and brown eyes but there the resemblance stopped. Oranya had sharper features and a squarish face that sported high cheeks bones. Elenis on the other hand had a roundish face with a generous mouth and a sharp nose. Their actions were quite the opposite, where Oranya walked with delicate grace, Elenis walked as if the hounds of hell were upon her heels.
"I picked berries"
"You did more then pick berries luv. You were with Caedmon again trying your hand at archery." Oranya paused "I do not see the problem in this however , it is time you behave like a lady. We have important guests arriving daughter I need you to look your best" her mother smiled indulgently.
Elenis looked at her mother closely sensing there was more to her being on her best behavior "Mother, I understand this tourney is important to father but...." She bit her lips seeing her mother's puzzled expression "Is it true what the kitchen maids are saying about Gertrudis being the prize?"
Oranya lifted her hand to her breast aghast "Prize? Gertrudis?  Whatever are you saying daughter?"
"There's talk that father had planned the feastivities so he can offer Gertrudis as a Marraige prize in the joust. Is this true mother?" Elenis was not fooled by her mother's suprise
"Well I don't know who has told you this but that is far from the truth.  Admittedly Gertrudis is of age to marry but she is not being offered as a prize. We hoped to find a suitable match from the many Knights and barons that would come."
"What of me mother? Am I to be paraded as you plan for Gertrudis?"there was accusation in Elenis' voice that could not be ignored by her mother.
"Sit beside me daughter and bring your hair brush" Oranya bade her daughter gently.
As soon as Elenis sat by her mother and felt the gentle stroke of the brush on her scalp she started to relax.
"It's been awhile since we have talked child of mine. I know you may have heard something, for nothing remains hidden from these walls.  But what you have not heard was the reason for our decision to expose you to suitable men."
Elenis waited patiently soothed by her mother's voice.
"Your father and I are aging my love, we need an heir for these lands.  It is the duty of your father to provide protection for his people.  The only way he can do this is to make sure his children are suitably wed that we may have allies who will protect this demense. If we do not then it will be the king who chooses your husband. Now which would you prefer?"
Elenis saw the point " Then I get to choose." She stated.
"Yes you do. Fortunately I have had time to prepare Gertrudis but you Elenis have to prepare too in case you find someone to your liking. "
There was silence as her mother stopped speaking, Elenis was too shocked to react. Listening was not one of her strong suits but at that moment she had to for her future was dependent upon her understanding. From what she gathered she had a chance to choose her husband and this tourney would allow her the opportunity otherwise it would be up to the king to decide her fate.
Before her mother left her, she had added that the lands were divided equally among the three siblings as dowry. Elenis would own the lands to the east where the forest grew thick and the secret waterfall existed. She wondered why it was given to her? What ally would marry her for forest lands? All sorts of thoughts plagued her mind for the rest of the day for suddenly she had to come to terms with her life. After the tourney she knew her life would no longer be as she knew it.