Milady

The forest glen

Days slipped into weeks as Collin kept an eye on things, he had Dame Agnes and Kurlew scrambling to account for the missing funds in the ledgers. Harriett was given the keys to the extra storage rooms, where all the spices, good wines and other stores were kept, the meals improved over night. Dame Agnes ran the girls ragged, cleaning all the rooms, the old rushes were taken outside and burnt, new rushes were put down, the fireplaces were scoured and things began to look much better. In the bailey, Collin oversaw the daily training of the men, he worked them until they dropped, but at least they would know one end of a sword from the other. Jack, Drapper and Mathew hid in the stables, trying to avoid being caught up in all the activities. Drapper had never allowed the stables to become run down and dirty, so he didn't need to worry about Collins censoring eye.

During all this time, MiLady hurried here and there, overseeing everything, she hummed to herself as she helped bake bread in the kitchen, smiled as she sprinkled fresh rose petals in the linen closets. Each morning she tended to the gardens, watching as they came to life with the spring sun and rain. More and More she sought out Collin, skipping along beside him as he walked about the Keep, she loved to talk with him, listening to his advice and laughing at the stories he told, but she also just loved to hear the soothing sound of his deep voice. Often she would be seen reaching out and touching his hand or his arm, showing him something, or to get his attention. Everyone watched, wondering how it would all end, whispered words of an engagement were heard, people sat with their heads close together discussing what they thought would happen. Most of all Drapper and Jack watched and listened and worried. "He isn't leaving I tell you, he keeps saying, in a few days, in a few days, but he makes no move to go, he has Agnes firmly cowering in her place, Kurlew is afraid to fart without permission and Bruce has just up and disappeared" fussed Jack. Drapper nodded at his friend "You know he loves her, he always has, if he leaves now once again he can only watch her from the forest, here he can touch her and protect her." Jack groaned loudly "what if he decides to stay, can he become human for good? which to my way of thinking would be a terrible thing." Drapper sighed again "your the elf, you tell me, can he become human for good? would he want to? could he give up all that he has known as Virlane?" Jack shrugged his scrawny shoulders "I gotta talk to that boy, knock some sense into him. Make him see reason." Drapper laughed "that will be the day, you knocking sense into Virlane, I also seem to have noticed you've been spending a fair amount of time in the kitchen these days, you sly elf." With a wink Jack grinned "that sure do be's fine figure of a purty, Drapper, I do like them buxom and with a sense of humor, an elf could die happy smothered in those tits."

Collin stood in the study and without realizing it paced the floor, he looked out the tall windows, his hands clasped behind his back. He was finding it more and more difficult, the limitations of this body, he wanted to spread his wings into the night air and soar. He wanted to roar with the pleasure of feeling the air on his wings. The constant turmoil and bustle of the keep sometimes drove him to distraction and all he could think of was escaping to his warm quiet lair. He had seen the looks on Jacks and Drapper's faces and knew he had to make a decision soon, the spell would only last for 2 moon risings, then either he spoke the words to cancel the spell or remain as he was to live out his life as a human, with all their frailties and short comings. In his heart he was a dragon that loved a human woman, he had to make a decision, the door to the study burst open, "My Lord, My Lord, you have to hurry, MiLady has gone out to wander the forest and Kurlew followed her, the cur has been to quiet of late, he will hurt her My Lord!" Mary wept "Mathew has gone to try and stop him but he is no match for Kurlew." Buckling on his sword Collin ran out of the door, he ran to the courtyard, calling for his stallion Collin met Drapper half way across the bailey and swung up onto the huge horse, the guard seeing Collin riding almost at a full gallop, quickly swung open the gate. Jack came running out of the kitchen demanding to know what was going on, as Mary appeared, babbling about MiLady, Kurlew and Mathew, Drapper patted Mary on the back and looked around wildly for a woman to come and calm her, this was no work for an old confirmed bachelor like himself. Harriett drawn outside by all the noise, clucked at Mary and wrapping her arms around her took her back into the kitchen. Drapper started to walk back to the stables then turned and walked back to Jack, he leaned down and whispered in his ear "Your breeches are done up crooked."