An Irish Flower (Medieval Romance/Adventure Story)

Chapter 15: Shelter

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Chapter 15

It was getting colder.

The frigid February winds chilled right to the bone. The snow had started about an hour ago, slowly at first but now it was coming down hard and fast. They had been riding most of the night and well into the day, and they were exhausted, sore and very cold. Weylin knew that Maeve couldn't last much longer in these conditions; he had to find shelter. Already her head was drooping and her eyes kept flickering as she huddled on her horse trying to keep moving and stay warm. Weylin pulled his tired horse next to hers and in one fluid motion pulled her in front of him on his horse. Since the wind was coming from behind at the moment, this would offer her some protection, and his warmth would help her.

His eyes strained through the white veil, looking for a place to hide and rest. They had taken a little known trail that led down to the coast, staying off the main roads to avoid his father's men. They were less likely to be discovered, but there was also little protection from the elements. If he was right about their location, there was a small cave nearby where he had stopped on once while hunting a stag. He had been alone, and the weather had been similar to what they were facing now.

Weylin stepped off the horse, making sure Maeve wouldn't fall. A small moan escaped her blue lips. He had to find shelter- and fast. “Don't worry my love, you'll be warm soon!”

He pulled his cloak tighter around him, wincing as the snow beat his toughened skin even harder. It was quickly becoming a blizzard, and as hardened as he was to the elements he knew even he could not survive for long in these conditions. Suddenly he saw a familiar landmark; a tree that had been twisted by lightning. He had noticed it when he used the cave before. He grabbed the horse's reigns and pulled them towards shelter.

When Maeve awoke, she was warm. There was a fire crackling nearby, and she was covered by two warm blankets. She shifted her position and realized that Weylin's arms were around her, holding her close from behind to keep her warm. Their cloaks were spread under them, covering a layer of pine tree branches that separated them from the cold ground. She smiled; Weylin had done well.

She turned her head so she could see her surroundings. They were in a large cave, about the size of the castle's great hall. It was decorated by nature, full of strange rock formations that rose up from the floor and hung from the ceiling in cone shapes and what looked like stone icicles. She couldn't see outside, but she saw a small tunnel leading off towards daylight. Looking in the other direction, she saw that part of the cave went farther back than she could see, narrowing into a tunnel that went somewhere she could not see from her current position. Although the air was still cold, there was no wind and snow, and she was quite warm in the bed Weylin ha prepared for them. The horses were nearby, sleeping soundly, their reins looped over one of the strange rock formations.

At her slight movement Weylin moved in his sleep, pulling her tighter. Slowly awakening, he groaned as he stretched his aching muscles. Maeve smiled, although her body ached too. She rolled over in his arms to face him. “How did you find this place? How did we get here?” Weylin pulled her even closer in his arms, his lips brushing her forehead. “I found this place once when I was hunting a few winters ago. I was following a stag onto a trail that most people don't know about- even my father.” At her surprised expression, he smiled. “He may be ruthless and very smart, but he doesn't know everything about his lands. I only found it by accident, I suspect it's used by hunters who would rather not be caught shooting his lord's deer.”

He sat up and Maeve followed suit. He wrapped the blankets around her for warmth and tossed some nearby logs onto the fire. “Do you want to see the cave? It's quite beautiful,” He smiled. She nodded and he helped her up and then stood beside her. They both winced as they stretched their worn out muscles. Maeve couldn't help but peek at her husband's solid form as he moved his muscles. She giggled as he saw her staring. “And what might you be looking at, my lady?” He growled and she squealed as he grabber her in a bear hug. Their laughter ceased as they looked into each other's eyes, her still firmly caught in his grasp. “We made it,” she whispered, the reality of what they had done finally sinking in. “We're free!” Tears started sliding down her face. Weylin wiped them away with his finger, bringing his face close to her. “Yes, we are free. And soon you'll be home.”

His hand dropped and he looked away. Maeve cupped his chin in her hand and turned him back to look at her. “What's wrong?” Weylin sighed. “Your family will have every reason to hate me. I'm Camlin's son, and you were forced to marry m-” Maeve surprised him with a long kiss that cut off any more words. Pulling back slightly, she told him firmly, “You had no choice in the matter, Weylin. Your father gave you no choice. You know he would have taken me himself if you had not married me. And besides, I my family will love anyone that I love.” Her warm smile filled his very soul, and he embraced her again. Stepping back, he grabbed her hand and led her around the cave, showing her the beauties that mother nature had left for them.

Pointing to the back of the cave where the tunnel led, he said “That tunnel is our way out, Maeve. I explored it when I was here before, and it leads right to the coast, cutting right through this corner of the mountain. It's a bit bumpy, but we'll make it ok. We can't bring the horses, though.” He smiled. “But that will work in our favour, since we can release them outside the cave. They'll create tracks running down the wrong trail. If they do find out tracks, they'll be misled.” Maeve looked at the tunnel, a little nervous about walking down it, but her need to get home and warn her sister gave her the courage she needed. “When do we leave?” Weylin grinned. “Right after we eat!”

An hour later they were packing up their meagre supplies into the pack. The storm had died down and it was now morning; they had arrived sometime late the previous day and had slept all through the night. Weylin led the horses outside and slapped them on the rears, sending them flying down the trail, leaving perfect tracks in the snow. Their tracks from last night had been completely washed out by the snow, so it would be very hard for anyone to get this far tracking them. And if they did, they would follow the horse's tracks.

Going back inside the cave, Weylin found Maeve pulling on her cloak. He pulled his on as well, then took her hand. “Are you ready?” She nodded. They started walking towards the tunnel entrance.

Little did they know what they would find on the other end.