Into Another Time

Town Visit

A 3D representation of what Windsor Castle would have looked like in the 12th century.^

" We're going to be late, hurry up!"

"Yeah, yeah. I am done anyway", I said, plaiting the last of my strands with the ribbons. Over the time, I had become efficient at plaiting my hair, since I had to do it everyday, you know?.

"Bye, Mrs Roth"

"Bye, girls. And be back before dusk!. Don't have Mr Roth and I worrying"

" We won't, Mother. Bye", Amelia waved to her mum as Eloise, me and her set out on our journey.

We stopped by Barrett's house to pick him, and then continued afoot. The town wasn't that far, only 30 minutes from Amelia's house. Yes 30 minutes seems a lot of distance to travel by foot here, but you couldn't get a carriage from the village. You had to get it from the town, that's why we had to make a day out of this visit. And I as slowly getting used to walking a lot anyway.

" Is Mille upset that she can't come?", I asked Eloise.

" Yes.. but she knows it is what it is", she shrugged.

" And what about you two? Have you thought about your marriage?", I turned to Amelia and Barrett while we walked. Their faces dropped at my question. Amelia clutched Barrett's hand discreetly before releasing it. As you can imagine, PDA was frowned upon in this time.

" Emma, I..I don't even know what to do. I am in a fix here", Barrett replied," I am just going to inherit my father's land. I am happy being just a farmer, but Amelia's mom wouldn't want that"', he dejectedly looked at Amelia.

It was just a sad situation, for these two. They were basically star crossed lovers. An idea came into my head, but I wasn't sure how they would take it. I gulped and said it anyway,

" Have you two thought about...eloping?"

Both of them whipped their faces around to me, staring. I fiddled with my hair and looked away," I mean, it's just a thought..."

Amelia sighed.

" I don't think it's an option, Emma. Where would we go?", she answered," My parents would never see my face again if I eloped, and I am sure Barrett's family wouldn't be a fan either..."

"That's true", he replied," They are fond of Amelia, but eloping is really..wayward, and like disrespectful and disobedient to your family,innit. My house is two farms away from Amelia's, so we wouldn't be running very far, would we?"

I nodded. Eloise piped in," But do you two really have any other option? ", she stated,"The only way you would impress Mrs Roth as a potential son-in-law is if you came into a lot of money and moved into the town as a trader, or better, a merchant"

Barrett rolled his eyes," Yeah, like that's happening. And Amelia and I both love our village and only want to stay here."

" What if..you talked with your family", I turned to Barrett," and told them about your situation and that you want to marry Amelia, and they were on board and then you got married? Surely her family wouldn't be happy but they would come around, you're their daughter, afterall", I looked at Amelia.

Amelia and Barrett looked at each other, worry and reluctance in their gaze. " Maybe...", Barrett broke the silence,his voice full of reluctant hope.  Amelia did not look convinced ," Why would your parents agree to us marrying without my family's consent? Wouldn't they take it as an insult once they know the reason?", she reasoned," and who would give me away at my wedding?"

" Calm down, both of you, Emma gave you a way out", Eloise interrupted", It's your job to figure out the details now. However it is, it is a start, can we focus on our happy trip now? Cheer up!"