Elenis (The Witch of Laverlock)

Chapter 11 Fathers and daughters

Walking into the solar Elenis not was surprised to find Wulfric Fitzwilliam  standing  in front of her father's massive mohogany table. Behind him was he father seated on an arm chair and her mother was perched behind him.
She curtsied to both men before turning to her father as excitement built within her heart. She waited patiently , a trait which was not among her virtues but there was time enough for Wulfric to discover it. In fact it was supposed to be the rest of their lives.
With that sobering though she bit her cheek and kept a somber expression as was instructed by her mother whenever she was in the presence her father who was still pleasing to the eye in some respect. His eyes were the same green and bright. He had a strong square jaw and his body was built like a warrior with his broad chest and thick arms. Deep lines furrowed his brow as he looked at her, there was no trace of humor in his serious face.
"Elenis you have been summoned for an important reason."
Her heart sung in her breast as she flicked a glance at Wulfric smiling widely before turning back to her father but upon looking at her mother's expression, she dropped the smile and returned back to her somber expression.
"Sir Wulfric Fitzwilliam of Cockroad Wood castle has asked for your hand in Marraige." Her father raised his brow.
There was silence in the room as her father spoke the words. Elenis wanted to steal another glance at Wulfric but she remembered not to say a word until her father cleared his throat.
"What are your thoughts on this daughter?"
It was her queue to speak but not knowing what to say exactly in case she said the wrong thing , which was highly likely because that was what she normally did , she looked at her mother who nodded.
"Yes father." She replied quietly
Her parents looked at each other briefly "I asked you thoughts daughter, speak up" her father continued but his voice was laced with irritation.
"Sir Wulfric has asked for my hand father" she turned to look at Wulfric who was biting his lip to control his mirth. "And I have accepted his proposal." She finished turning back to her father as she held her hands in front of her.
"I see." Lord Fitzriley emitted a sigh but he still did not smile. "Have you thought on this carefully daughter?"
"Yes father I have."she replied confused by the expression on her father's face.
"And you Sir Wulfric, are you absolutely sure about this decision?"
"My lord, I have absolute clarity of mind when I asked for your daughter's hand and consider myself blessed by her affirmation."
Elenis turned to Wulfric and they both smiled at each other, relief flooding her senses as Elenis basked in her happiness. Hearing Wulfric speak thus made her doubly sure she was making the right decision.
"Then I give you my blessings" her father finally said. Elenis was about to walk to Wulfric but her movements were halted by the voice of her father "I cannot announce your betrothal while Gertrudis prepares for her own nuptials. I shall make the announcement at her wedding with Blackthorne. In the meantime, we can make preparations for your own wedding Elenis after your sister has said her vows. I hope you find my decision agreeable Fitzwilliam?" Her father turned to Wulfric.
"Aye my lord I am in agreement." Wulfric replied amicably.
"Now Wulfric if I may have a word with my daughter, I trust you can see yourself out."
Wulfric bowed to the lord and his wife before approaching Elenis, taking her gloved hand and planting a kiss on her palm, he bowed, his eyes twinkling with promise before he left the room.
Elenis watched him leave, the smile never leaving her face until her parents bade her to sit on one of the chairs. As soon as she was settled she looked at her father sensing his discord.
"Did I do something wrong father?" She asked politely turning to her mother who walked to the window, her back was to them.
"I hope you understand Elenis that you are to marry a knight with no lands to call his own. He is only an heir to his uncle and not the rightful lord.....yet." Her father was clearly serious as he spoke.
"It is rather far from Bricklow castle daughter" her mother spoke finally turning to face Elenis but her expression was gentle and concerned. "You will not be able to come and see us quite so often."
"I understand mother" Elenis said but in truth she did not. She had no idea where she would live or how far it was.
"Do you child?" Her father asked suddenly "The castle is in shambles, it needs extensive repair which is why Wulfric joins the jousts. The land is not as fertile as it used to be, let's just hope he collects enough rents from his vassals. However, your dowry would certainly bring them the much needed coin to rebuild the keep. I only hope his motives have nothing to do with his need for your dowry."
"What is my dowry?" Elenis turned to her mother.
"You know about the land Elenis but there is also coin" her mother said.
"Did Wulfric.....does Wulfric know?" Elenis asked.
"Nay he does not know exactly what it will be"her father replied
A sigh of relief escaped her lips.
"But you still have a couple of days to change your mind before it becomes official" her father continued.
"What makes you think I would change my mind?" Elenis asked incredulous that her parents would think such things.
"There is Laverlock, he does have his eye on you" her father suggested cocking his head to one side as he eyed his daughter.
"Laverlock!" Oranya spewed disdainfully "I cannot believe you would suggest him William!"
"I do not see what's wrong with him, he has eyes for Elenis and he has enough coin and a thriving land." Lord William turned to his wife.
"But father I do not want him, I want Wulfric!" Elenis cried as she stood. from her chair.
"There William your daughter has declared her choice, might I remind you of our pact?"Oranya chided her husband.
" I am only thinking of her welfare. Fitzwilliam is not a stable man, God only knows what lies in her future if she marries him."sir William declared adamantly.
"I have made my choice father, besides I believe lord Fitzhugh's attention are engaged elsewhere." Elenis lifted her chin defiantly. She could not comprehend her father's objections.
"Listen carefully daughter" he leaned forward on his table and looked Elenis in the eye "I know men and from what I have seen so far lord Fitzhugh's attentions are not engaged elsewhere. He has his eye on you which means you can still change your mind mind."
"Father I have chosen Wulfric and my decision stands." Elenis replied with determination. She stood up and curtsied to her parents before leaving the room. However, as she left she heard her parents argue within the solar. It was clear her father was not in favor of her choice but she did not care. She wanted to wed Wulfric and now that he had declared himself it lifted her heart for finally she had her heart's desire.
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That night, Gertrudis visited Elenis's room as she was getting ready for the evening festivities. She wore a gown of cream with a russet surcoat that brought out the color of her hair. The maid concluded arranging her n long tresses allowing it to cascade down her freely before she left the sisters alone.
"I just came from mother's chambers, she told me the good news sister. I am so happy for you" Gertrudis gushed as she took Elenis's hands into her own.
"As I am for you Gertrudis. Father told me that Twould be best until you have wed before Wulfric and I announce our betrothal."Elenis added, smiling brightly.
"You don't mind do you Elenis?"
"Nay, Twould be best to wait, we should prepare for your Marraige first, there's time enough for Wulfric and I to plan our own nuptials. He does not mind."
Gertrudis laughed sweetly "You are an amazing sister Elenis and I shall miss you most when I am gone." Gertrudis hugged Elenis tightly.
Elenis felt her heart start to sink as her sister held her. They had always been close, rarely squabbled and been each other's comfort in times of trouble which was mostly covering up to avoid their fathers wrath. Now they were grown and soon they would be apart.
Elenis had known Gertrudis all her life and soon the one link to her youth would be leaving for a new life just as she would be. They both would be wives to complete strangers who had come on their hearth not so long ago. But from the first moment it had happened things just seemed to have moved incredibly fast.
It seemed the right thing at the time to be persuaded with powerful mind blowing kisses and promises of love, however, quite suddenly in a space of a few minutes, as she looked into her sisters eyes, she saw life as she knew it slip away. They were going to be living apart.
She wouldn't wake up to the laughter of her sisters, they would no longer be taking their horses to the waterfall, there would no longer be adventures into the market place as they escaped their guards. They would no longer be sleeping in the same room during a stormy night or listen to their mother's stories of gypsy folklore. They would no longer hear their father's angry bellow as they ran to escape his wrath. No longer would she be seated near the hearth in her father's solar enjoying her family's comfort as she wrapped herself in a warm fur pelt on a long wintry afternoon. As she thought of the moments she took for granted, tears gathered on Elenis eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
"Oh Elenis don't cry, for if you do you shall make me wail."Gertrudis eyes misted as she looked at Elenis."this was supposed to happen luv, sooner or later."
Elenis nodded in agreement, wiping the tears from her cheeks as she tried desperately to smile willing her thoughts to dismiss that which she would miss. Closing her eyes briefly she conjured an image of Wulfric seeing in her thoughts his great massive body as he stood at the base of the river. That was to be her future now.
Grabbing her sister's hand, they left the room.