The Early Chronicles Book Four: The Queen and the General

Chapter 11

"I feel as if you just arrived and things have been too eventful for me to appreciate your presence properly."  Swanwhite said sadly as they had all gathered for Sir Kauffman's departure.  Thasian and Laurel had returned from their holiday and their return along with Sir Kauffman's departure had been celebrated with a grand feast.  

"I shall return soon, my dear."  The old knight patted her hand kindly.  "It does my old heart good to see you blossoming into the queen you are."

Swanwhite felt her eyes moisten at his words.  "You've been so good to me, Sir Kauffman.  More than I can say."  She embraced her old friend and tried not to show her sadness.  Goran shook Sir Kauffman's hand as did Thasian and Laurel.  With wistful sadness they watched from the courtyard as Sir Kauffman mounted his horse and waved as he rode through the gate.  Swanwhite sighed as soon as he was out of sight.  "What a dear friend."

"Oh Swanwhite!  It must have been so terrifying!  To think of you having a spy in your own court!"  Laurel took Swanwhite's hand and shuddered at the idea.  "You were so brave!"

"I certainly hope I don't have to do it again."  Swanwhite chuckled.  "But I didn't have to go through it alone."  She resisted the urge to turn and look at Goran whom she knew stood right behind her.  

"I've missed you so!  I wish I didn't have to live so far away from you!"  Laurel said sadly.  "But I am so thankful of your general gift of land to us!  I'll be able to visit my parents often.  You've been so good to us."  Swanwhite's heart ached at Laurel's words as she knew Laurel would be moving in to her new estate at Emberwood within a few days.

"It's the least I could do for a good friend."  Swanwhite said.  She and Laurel walked back to the castle together while Goran and Thasian talked behind them.  

"Do you think Goran will ask you to marry him?"  Laurel whispered shyly.  Swanwhite glanced behind them and then back to Laurel.

"Perhaps."

"Would you say yes?"

"Laurel!  Honestly you are worse than Genevieve!"  She gasped.

"Well would you?"  Laurel smiled.  Swanwhite looked straight ahead and thought for a few moments.

"I believe I would.  But if you tell anyone, then I will say no."  She joked with a raise of her eyebrow.

"Oh Swanwhite, you two love each other dearly.  I can see it between  you."

"Yes, yes I believe we do."

"Who do you suppose Mekau was working for?"  Swanwhite asked in a sobering tone.  She and Goran were sitting peacefully in Swanwhite's favorite meadow while Valeon and Kismir grazed side-by-side nearby.  Goran looked straight ahead and his jaw twitched.

"He hinted that it was someone with great power."

"Monarchy, you mean?"

"Perhaps."

Swanwhite sighed.  "Let us hope they don't continue with whatever plan they once had."

"Indeed."  Goran tossed an apple core towards the horses, then reached an arm around Swanwhite's shoulders.  She relaxed into his embrace.

"What should we do about it?"  She asked.

"Nothing to do now except wait.  Let's not worry about it now."  He kissed her forehead.  She smiled and closed her eyes at the pleasant feeling of the wind tousling her hair gently and Goran's hair brushing her cheek every so-often.  The only sounds were the wind, the birds, and the horses softly tearing up mouthfuls of grass.  Hathornia was right.  She had to enjoy these moments of rest between the times of war.  She rested her head on Goran's shoulder and he caressed her arm with his thumb lightly.  

"We'd best get back soon.  I feel I will fall asleep soon if we don't."  She chuckled after a long yawn.

"Hmm.  Yes I suppose.  Although I don't mind if you just want to sleep on my shoulder."

She laughed.  "Your shoulder is not completely healed.  I don't wish to jeopardize it."  She regretfully raise her head up and he loosened his grip.  When everything had been put back on the horses, Goran stopped Swanwhite before she put her foot in the stirrup.

"Are you certain the girth strap is tightened this time?"  He joked.  She rolled her eyes and yanked on it to show him.  "Very good."  He leaned in and kissed her cheek which gave her a pleasant buzzing feeling.  They mounted their steeds and Swanwhite breathed in contented happiness around her.

"I'll race you back."  Goran challenged before Valeon charged off.  Swanwhite dug her heels into Kismir who happily gave chase, and they two horses and two riders thundered off towards home.

The End

Thank you so much for reading "The Queen and the General"!  To see the rest of Swanwhite and Goran's story and find out exactly what Calormen has in mind for them, look for book five in The Early Chronicles: "By Desert Divided"!