Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 10 Engagements

The high table was full that evening for the lord had invited the Knights that had championed the joust earlier to join them. Elenis had found herself seated beside Sir Wulfric while Justin who had also won sat beside her parents. His voice dominated the conversation on the crowded table making her wince with every loud laughter.
"Is something amiss my lady?"
Turning to Wulfric, Elenis could feel the familiar tingling at the pit of her stomach as she stared into his face. He no longer wore his helmet exposing his fine featured and cleanly shaven jaw. His eyes sparkled with warmth as he smiled.
"Nay" she shook her head turning away from his gaze.
"Your not eating, is the food not to your liking?"he continued.
"Perhaps the table has grown crowded" she smiled picking her glass and taking a sip of her wine.
"Then we should seek pleasant company" he suggested, his eyes dancing with mirth "I spy my old friend lord Montague perhaps we could dine in his company instead."
"However will you manage that?" She asked.
Winking he replied "Leave that to me"
Wulfric stood and made excuses for them. Her parents did not seem to mind for they seemed wrapped in the enchantment of Justin who raised a brow as they left.
Elenis was relieved to have left the table, thanking her savior silently in her mind as she was led to the table of the Montagues who extended their hospitality. She was placed beside the young Lady Montague who smiled shyly at her before turning back to her meal. She discovered her name was Sarah and she was terribly shy, barely speaking much as she sipped her soup slowly.
"Lady Elenis, I believe you are meeting my sister for the first time. " Lord Montague said conversationally "you are of the same age and it would be an honor if you would be companions during our visit."
"Of course Lord Montague she may join my family at the Barfois on the morrow that she may meet my sisters and cousins."Elenis replied amicably turning to Sarah Montague who looked at her with innocent blue eyes that seemed to radiate with fear.
"But brother I should not leave Margaret" she turned to her sister by Marraige.
"Lady Montague can join us as well" Elenis volunteered smiling at Margaret Montague who did not seem as shy as her sister by Marraige but barely spoke as well.
"Splendid!" Lord Montague raised his cup and drank from it.  He was a handsome man not more than a score and eight. His dark blue shirt clung to his massive shoulders like a second skin.  Clearly he was a warrior made of muscle and strength. His face was not a fine as his sister but they had the same blue eyes and whestish hair.
"That was a good game Wulfric,you had beaten the brash young Edward Mandeville swiftly. All his bragging about defeating you will be for naught. I haven't seen him at all this eve, perhaps, he has turned high tail and run" lord Montague slapped the table hard making the plates and cups rattle as he laughed.
Elenis jumped as did the other at the sudden force from the lord. Wulfric on the other hand regarded his friend before turning to Sarah.
"I trust the lady Sarah is not upset that her champion has been defeated." He stated.
Sarah turned briefly to Wulfric "I know him not, he just came by and requested for a token for which I obliged" she said graciously.
"And that is why my sister is such a prize" Lord Montague raised his cup to Sarah who blushed and turned away.
"That is very gracious of you lady Sarah" Elenis turned to the girl who was clearly uncomfortable. She could not help but wonder if all was well between the siblings.  There was more fear in Sarah for her brother that bothered Elenis for she sensed this fear.
"Perhaps the lady should choose a more seasoned champion to bestow her tokens" Justin Fitzhugh was upon them. Bowing formally he turned to lord Montague "If the Lord permits, I should like to dance with the fair lady."
Nodding his consent, Justin winked briefly at Elenis before bowing toward Sarah who went willingly.
It all happened so fast it took her by surprise. One minute he was on the main table and in the next he was where she was. Turning to Wulfric, she saw his worried frown.
"My lady Elenis how about a turn about the dance floor?"
Elenis nodded, taking Wulfric's arm she allowed herself to be led in a slow dance. As she looked into his face she was captivated by his smile.
"Am I forgiven for my actions the other night when I lost my memory?"she saw him watching her with a hopeful expression"Truly I was not....it was not my intention to dishonor you in any way. I do however will make amends."
She was listening quietly as they moved to the music but she could see he struggled with what he wanted to say.
"I am not a bard, armed with words that would express the depth of ........"
"Please sir, just speak your mind and it should lift the turmoil of your thoughts. Sometime the simplest of words is enough." Elenis said breathlessly.  She could feel him, his heat and breath were consuming her making her giddy.
"Then let me say that every moment spent with you has been wonderous. The moment I laid eyes on you when you crashed into me the first day and led me into your father's solar all I have thought about was you. I could not control myself by the waterfall when I claimed your lips. After that I was lost, please forgive me if I have done anything that has gone beyond the boundaries of propriety. Although I have no memory of what transpired by the alcove I do have a fleeting remembrance of a feeling so strong and powerful that I may have acted on them." She could see his soul in his eyes and the sincerity of his words.
Her heart started to hammer in her breast as she looked into his eyes. A smile began to blossom on her face and he answered it with his own.
,"I see you speak words of truth, undoubltly Lord Fitzhugh........"
"Lord Fitzhugh?" His smile disappeared as he frowned, lips tightening into a thin line.
"He had discovered us in the alcove and told you to leave me be"she said "You do not remember seeing him?"
"I do not" he turned briefly to Lord Fitzhugh who was dancing with lady Sarah, she was smiling as he spoke. "Listen to me very carefully lady Elenis you must avoid Lord Fitzhugh at all cost.  Please promise me you must avoid him,"
She knew that already but she was curious as to why Wulfric had spoken her own thoughts "Why should I avoid him?" She asked instead.
"Because, he is not what he seems, " Wulfric stated.
"You know him then?"
"Aye I do. " he said woodenly turning to Sarah "He is not what he seems" he stated flatly.
"What do you mean by that?" Elenis asked curiously wondering what could have transpired between the two to make Wulfric worry of Justin.m
Turning back to Elenis he smiled "Just take care Elenis, I worry for you when he is about."
Elenis nodded "of course Wulfric, I shall take heed. Now can we return back to your apology and the lack of words you have in expressing your true intentions" she smiled teasingly making him laugh.
...................................................
They went for a ride the next morning before the joust and this time when Wulfric took her in his arms and kissed her he remembered every single moment from the time their lips met, to the smell of the soft earth beneath their bodies, the way their bodies moulded against each other until the sun finally rose and they had to leave their haven.
It was there he had asked for her hand in Marraige and it was also the place she agreed to take him as her husband. Upon returning back to the castle, Elenis had recalled inviting the Montague ladies to join them at the Barfois. They were introduced to the family and sat among the Fitzriley's.
Lady Sarah had her eyes on the field as if waiting for someone, Elenis would have ignored it being distracted by her own thoughts of Wulfric but something compelled in lady Sarah's actions.
"Lady Sarah you seem to be searching for someone?" Elenis asked curiously.
Turning her gaze to Elenis she smiled as if a veil had been lifted from her face and she was radiating with brilliance. Gone was the shy demeanor and in its stead was a bolder lady " Lady Elenis, we are always looking forward to seeing our campions" she replied.
"Who is this knight that I might cheer for him too" Elenis volunteer .
"Here he comes now" lady Sarah whispered and to Elenis' utter surprise she saw Justin approach the fair maid and bow. Standing from her seat, lady Sarah approached the barrier, taking a ribbon of emerald color from her hair she wrapped it around Justin's weapon.
Elenis was astounded at lady Sarah's bold gesture something clearly happened last eve to have changed her demeanor. But something else happened to distract all of them before the start of the tourney for lord Fitzriley announced the betrothal of Gertrudis to Sir Richard Backthorne.
"When did this happen?" Elenis asked Gertrudis.
"Last eve" they stood hugging each other "You had your own distractions Elenis I did not want to spoil your fun" her sister beamed.
"How long will this engagement be?" Elenis asked not wanting to spoil her sister's moment with her own news.
"We will marry at the end of the games."
"Oh my that's tomorrow!" Elenis was so surprised she completely forgot about the match that was happening.
"Two days from now actually. Mother has to get my gown sorted first" both sisters exchanged excited glances until they heard the uproar from the crowd and saw that Lord Fitzhugh had won. He came back to the Barfois and bestowed a kiss on Lady Sarah's hand before disappearing in between pavilions.
" It seems lady Sarah Montague has found her own champion too" Gertrudis smiled slyly "Look at how she watches his departure. I am surprised Lady Margaret has been sitting quietly and where is Lord Montague? Is he not over protective of his sister?"
Elenis wondered at the same thing but she did not dwell on it further for the morning spent with Wulfric had remained in her thoughts.
Walking behind her sister's and the Montgues for the nooning meal she was waylaid by Caedmon who held her arm and looked into her face.
"Where have you been disappearing to?" He looked concerned
"I should ask the same of you?" She said pointedly.
"I'm easy to spot, just look in the garrison or the garderlobe where I have to shovel muck" he mocked "One of the stable boys saw you leave this morning with a certain knight. Be careful Elenis, gossip can be worst than a field fire."
"I can take care of myself Caedmon" she told him. "Besides isn't it time I found a champion" she smiled.
He did not return her smile "Just watch your back my lady, you are still under my protection and I have to warn you to be careful. You are innocent yet Elenis, don't allow flowery words to disarm you."
"Did you hear about Gertrudis?" She asked.
"Aye"
"I am not so far behind" on watching his jaw drop she started to laugh "What did you expect Caedmon? Twas bound to happen sooner or later."
She turned to leave.
"I hope you know what your doing."
Waving to him she turned back to the castle but there was a sinking feeling in her gut and she knew it had something to do with everything that was happening.