Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 6

Brinklow castle evening feast.

That evening the Baron Fitzriley hosted a massive evening feast for his guests at the castle.
Elenis joined her family at the high table, this time she wore a green velvet gown trimmed with silk ribbons. She gave up her slippers for boots which were well hidden underneath her long gown. She had decided her feet needed respite from those nasty slippers, at least it allowed her to walk with dignity without much help.
Skimming through the crowd she spotted Wulfric who nodded her way raising his tankard. She nodded back turning away awkwardly hoping no one noticed but she was not so fortunate , for her mother gave her a knowing smile. It wasn't as if she purposely sought him out, it just happened.
She turned absently to the dancing and saw her sister Gertrudis dancing with a knight. It seemed her father's plan was working for Gertrudis was clearly attracting the attention required. She turned back to her lamb stew stifling a yawn when she felt it, the strange tingling feeling on her fingers
"My lord might I be granted to speak with the lady Elenis"
Elenis looked up from her meal and almost choked on her stew as she encountered the amused gaze of  Justin Fitzhugh. She turned to her father who nodded his agreement, having no chance to deny his request she turned her gaze to the knight.
"My lady" he bowed graciously.
Swollowing her food she nodded in acknowledgement "My lord"
"Permit me to steal a moment of your time and request for you to join me for a dance" he said.
"I do not dance my lord" she replied, which was a complete lie.
"Perhaps it is time you learned dear daughter." Her father spoke for her making her glance briefly at him.  In seeing his thunderous expression she had no choice but to stand and be led by the knight.
As she took his hand  which was free from his gauntlet, the tingling in her arms suddenly went into overdrive and the surge of energy was like a low heat that spread throughout her entire body. It was not an unpleasant feeling, instead it made her feel giddy and somehow her exhaustion vanished. They joined the existing dancers who were laughing gaily as they hopped to the beat.
"Relax fair maiden, I won't bite if you don't" his teasing voice sent shivers down her spine.
"I don't dance very well" she said moving stiffly.
"You did well at the games, perhaps my advise helped?"he continued amicably.
She looked at him noting his easeful manner "I have to admit it has. I should thank you, your intrusion this morning proved to be fruitful."
He chuckled "Intrusion was it? I thought the field was open."
"Not to everyone" they twirled around each other "I've never heard of you before"
"There was no reason to , until now"
He gifted her with an intense look that made her squirm inside. It was as if he was trying to tell her something through his mind. Turning away abruptly she allowed the beat of the music to carry her noticing that they had seemed to attract attention.
"Laverloch" she mused "I've never heard of the place."
"There isn't much about it to speak of, your demense is vast compared to my lands.  Once it wasn't even fit to be lived in however with the passage of time it has improved. Would you like to see it?"
The question was unprovoked but it carried a deeper meaning that did not escape Elenis "Do you plan on hosting a tourney?" She asked innocently.
He chuckled "Not the kind your thinking"
"And how do you know what I am thinking?"
"Your not so hard to read" he replied enigmatically.
She was staring at his eyes and found herself entranced within the deep limpid pools. The room started to shift until the people around them seemed to disappear leaving only the two of them. A gentle breeze caressed her cheeks, she was no longer confined indoors but seemed in a place that was illuminated by sunlight. The smell of freshly washed earth assailed her nostril and when she looked about they were in the middle of a forest. The distant sound of birds chirping sang in her ears, when she looked to the sky, she saw a shaft of light streaming through the canopy of trees.
"Do you like what you see?"
The voice whispered in her head like the echo of a gale making her jump with a start. Blinking wildly, she was back in the hall, in the middle of the dance floor and people once again surrounded them. The smell of bodies permeated through the air and laughter replaced the sweet sound of woodland music. Stunned at her experience she pushed away from Justin and looked at him wildly covering her mouth with her hand she ran from the hall, her gown swinging as she made her flight.
Caught in a maelstrom of emotions she quickly made a dash for the stairs that would lead her to her room. As soon as she reached her haven she slammed her door shut and turned the key bolting it from whatever demon would chase her. Backing away from the door she bumped into her bed and fell across it looking up at the familiar stone ceiling.
What just happened?
It seemed as if she was briefly transported from her home into some place that seemed familiar and yet try as she might, she could not remember where she had seen that place. She knew she had imagined it! But why did it happen when she was with Justin? Why did everything seem to go awry whenever he was about?
Closing her eyes she covered them with her arm trying to blot his image away.
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Vespers Tourney
On the day of the joust Elenis stood beside Caedmon behind the barricade where the townsfolk milled about excitedly. Two Knights were ready both of them having received favors form Eliza and Gertrudis, their ribbons dangling by the javelin's pointed edge.
"You shouldn't be here you know. You should be up there with the rest of your family" Caedmon gestured to the stand "Who are you hiding from?"
She returned his curious expression with a stormy one of her own "I Am not hiding from anyone. I prefer to join with you and the people. If it makes you uncomfortable then you can move along"
"Ouch! Your mouth is rather tart this morning. It wouldn't have anything to do with the knight last night?" He chuckled goodnaturedly."you ran off rather quickly"
"I was tired." She said dismissively trying to avoid the topic. "Where is Yuri?"
"He's helping your uncle Horace" Caedmon grimaced. "The old goat thinks he's as robust as he was twenty years ago, he added his name on the list"
"Oh dear!" Elenis grinned as she thought of her uncle  who was two score and six. He was the brother of her mother and father to Susan and Liza he was known to be fierce in battle, a seasoned warrior who was unbeatable at the joust during his day. Despite his age he was still fiercer looking but gentle as a cat. His daughters and nieces adored him for his interesting tales and warm personality. It would certainly be a match to watch.
"Why are you not helping Yuri then ?" She arched her brow.
"He told me to leave him" was Caedmon's surly reply.
"I've never known you to pay him heed" she goaded.
"Right then, I should be on my way" Caedmon said abruptly turning red as he left.
Turning back to the field she was watching the spectacle of the two Knights as they charged against each other.
"I thought you would be with your family?"
Turning abruptly at the familiar voice Elenis looked surprised to find Wulfric just beside her. The tingling in her belly no longer present as she gazed at him.
"I prefer to stay here" she managed to say feeling bashful as the knight positioned himself beside her. He was dressed in chain mail against dark braies and hose.
He smiled casually turning back to the field "I was hoping to steal a dance with you last eve, but I saw you leave. Had Fitzhugh done or said something to offend you?"he chanced a glance her way his slate grey eyes studying her.
"Nay." she cleared her throat turning away from his gaze "I was tired is all. The day had kept me busy."
"Your game was excellent.  I would have wanted to congratulate you but you seem rather difficult to reach." There was a strange meaning to his statement.
"Am I?" She looked back to him just when the cheers went up. Turning back to the field both Knights were on the ground ready with their swords . They were both engaged in sword fight, their powerful strokes making the swords ring as they clashed.
"You see yonder knight" he pointed to the one with Susan's ribbon.
Elenis nodded trying to keep her glance fixed on the fighting knight but the temptation to steal another glance at Wulfric consumed her.
"He stands to loose" he pointed out and soon enough the knight was outmatched.
"How do you know?" She looked at him in wonder.
"His moves are contrived, he did not focus on the fight, instead he worked on his movements, that is what caused him the match." Wulfric replied.
"I see" but truly she did not for the skill expressed by both Knights seemed equal.
"May I take a moment of your time, perhaps you could show me the grounds around the castle.i've heard of its enchantment yet I have not found the time to explore its beauty."
She looked about her uncertain, spying her parents who were clearly fixed on the match. She shouldn't go but his pearly white smile and the glint on those slate grey eyes was irresistible
"Do you have a horse?" She asked, throwing caution to the wind.
His smile was breathtaking, it heralded the beginning of her undoing.