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Post by Ranger Nicholas on Sept 12, 2004 14:07:23 GMT -5
He and two other rangers had ridden back to Windstorm to have the healers look after his injured leg, to stay there a few days and have the other two bring back some herbs and medicine for their comrades in the forest and that new Frankish boy.
And in Windstorm, in the Great hall, he had seen her again. His flower, the Dove of Kent, whose handkerchief was a constant companion for him, soothing his nights and making many a night of endurances more bearable for him.
There she was, lady Sadhbh, in the Great hall, together with her mother. Nicholas had not recognized the older lady as her mother and the Queen of Kent immediately, his eyes had been on the young woman who smiled shyly towards him, a smile on her face that told the young man that she, too, had missed him. A flurry of emotions had battled within Nicholas then, all as good as remaining hidden because of the presence of Sadhbh’s queenly mother.
But later that day, he had been granted by the lord what he had prayed for all those days whe he was on campaign with his ranger comrades – to have but one moment with his Flower again. Alone. The Lord had been kind that day and Nicholas was permitted to escort the lady to vesper that evening. Always under the watchful gaze of Captain Tybald, the Kent guardsman who always accompanied the Kent royal family.
Thankfully, they were allowed privacy once inside the chapel. There, Nicholas’ feelings burst to the fore when he, in so many words, declared his devotion to the beautiful young maid. The moments was short, but it was all Nicholas had asked for … although it made his heart break when he again realised that even though the young woman may feel something for him, her station and duty to her country would prevent her from choosing her own mate one day.
But he still had the handkerchief and those sweet, if brief moments they had shared in the chapel that afternoon!
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Post by Sadhbh the Dove on Sept 12, 2004 15:05:55 GMT -5
*That night he had escorted her to Vespers. That night he had spoke of his thoughts of her and that night Sadhbh could not sleep for her own thoughts were filled by his words.
She had risen early as was her habit and spoken to Lady Dream, in her she found a friend; something Sadhbh considered precious. The good Lady brought comfort to Sadhbh and even bolstered her flagging hope...
Then Mothers was heard, it was angered and the poor Captain suffered the blunt of her rage. Soon the brunt of the fair Queens irk became apparent not alone to Sadhbh but to all....she should not have been escorted by Sir Nicholas, she should not be in his comapny..she was to be escorted by the Captain or those of Kent....none other.
All hopes were dashed, reason again took to reign and she recalled the last words she spoke to Sir Nicholas...that he find a wife, that he find happiness.
yet still now...his words rang about her ears. Sadhbh blushed at the mans solid devotion to her. She could not forget them...no matter what anyone said.....*
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Post by Ranger Nicholas on Sept 15, 2004 3:05:49 GMT -5
The past few weeks had been filled with watching, observing, hindering and openly fighting the Frank invaders. In between the rangers were able to catch a few short hours or rest or sleep, but those occasions were not many. However, in the little free time he managed to get, Nicholas had not wasted it on sleep. Rather, he had used it to fashion a token of his, dare he say it, love, for the dove of Kent. A small hard piece of wood slowly, but surely was thus transformed into a small sculpture – two hands opened up in prayer, a bird fitting in between the safety of the two palms opening.
Nicholas wore a similar pendant, one he had received from his mother a long time ago. Now he had carved a similar likeness out of the piece of wood, fitted it with a simple leather string and secured it into his shirt.
He had Sadhbh’s handkerchief, she, too, deserved to be given something from him. Maybe it was just idle thoughts which led Nicholas to fashion this token of caring … inwardly he knew the young woman would not be allow to chose her own mate and thus would remain unavailable to him, maybe for the rest of both their lives.
But he wanted her to have something to remember him by, just like he had her handkerchief.
One evening he sneaked up to the floor where he had found out Sadhbh’s room, when in Windstorm, to be. A small trick led the guard stationed in front of her door to abandon his post for about a minute, but that time was enough for Nicholas to slip an envelope underneath Sadhbh’s door. The envelope had the pendant and a short note from him in it.
The note read:
My dearest flower of Kent,
I was thankful for our last, if brief meeting in the gardens. I know it would be inappropriate to see you again alone, even though my heart more and more yearns to be within your presence. I may be a fool, so forgive me my folly. – You gave me a handkerchief to remember you by. Please now accept something from me as well, a pendant I made for you. May it protect you and maybe… if and when you’ll wer it, know this one is your dedicated servant!
Nicholas
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Post by Sadhbh the Dove on Sept 15, 2004 11:36:47 GMT -5
*Sadhbh had woken dead in the night with the feeling that someone had brushed her cheek in an almost loving fashion. Her brows furrowed as she looked about then cast her eyes to the door. Rising she made her way to the brown paper that lay on the floor. She picked it up the opened the door to look outside.
The guard turned and asked if everything was well. Sadhbh nodded before sweeping her eyes about*
all be well..dinnae fear...good night
*her voice was a whisper fearing to disturb others. Quietly Sadhbh made her way to the fire where some cooling embers provided her with light. Carefully she opened the envelope and wrapped her hands about an object. On closer examination she found a bird dancing on hands lovingly fashioned in prayer. A small smile appeared before she turned her eyes to those words on the page. She took in a breathe and held it. Tears fell, tears that came from a well she thought bereft. Sadhbh closed her eyes and held the pendant close now*
Oh Nicholas...why...
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Post by Ranger Nicholas on Sept 21, 2004 8:14:03 GMT -5
How could he live without her? How could he tolerate that she be suffering in the arms of an unloved man? She would go… back to Kent, away from Windstorm … and him.
With a great deal of frustration Nicholas went from stable to stable, feeding the horses carrots and a few pieces of apple he had brought with him from the kitchen. Horses soothed him, but as much as he tried this time… the thought of knowing Sadhbh would be with someone she didn’t love and who might even treat her as just a bearer for an heir made Nicholas sick to his stomach.
What could he do, if anything? The idea of sneaking into Sadhbh’s room and elope with her crossed his mind, but was immediately pushed back and found inappropriate. Nicholas was priding himself with performing his duties to the Rangers and this land with great care… his life as such a man would be over if he’d ever be so foolish as to seriously consider such an act.
But what could he do? Trying to find a way out of an, to him, impossible situation, Nicholas continued to feed the horses, hoping for some inspiration from his equine friends.
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Post by Sadhbh the Dove on Sept 21, 2004 8:38:00 GMT -5
*She had spoken with her brother and his words gave her hope that somehow this would all turn out well. Sadhbh had wrote to Righarde as Sighehelm had told her to and now she waited...
Time, too slow for her now made her uncertain as to how her brother would accept her words. Would he ignore her pleading?...or would the heart of the fox be moved and he would turn awhile from the notion of Sadhbh marrying. Sadhbh gave a soft sigh afore she patted Petite and turned to slip away. It was then that his came.. Nicholas, the man whom had whispered loving words to her, the man whom her heart now beat for. Sadhbh slipped back into the shadows at the back of Petites stable room. She pulled her shawl close and held her breath. For a long time she watched him as he hovered over the horses. She saw how he cared for each, his tenderness brought a smile to her lips. Sadhbh thought that his wife whomever she would be would be fortunate to have such a gentle soul. Sadhbh lowered her eyes a moment. She must not think this way, it was not right. She belonged to Kent and Kent would speak her will...not she. Sadhbh frowned to herself then looked up. For a moment she wanted to show him that she was here yet Sadhbh also knew that Sighehelms anger would be loosed by such an action.
Such a quandry this was...it made her uncertain of every step she made....*
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