Lunamae (18 page)

When a little time had passed, Barri took his
position in front of the coffin to officiate the burial ceremony.
We all backed up a little so the monk had more room. He told us bit
about Talfrin’s life. His mother immigrated here from Aelisonia and
his father got married to her after she traveled here once with her
family to do trading. Barri told us that Talfrin married Nia after
he healed her from an ailment she had. While he was helping her get
better, they ended up falling in love. Unfortunately she died in
childbirth. He wasn’t able to save her from that. He was one of the
first people to attend Chieftain Leofric when he was injured in the
Battle of Wortha Hill.

Suddenly I heard a shout. Logan was yelling
for help. Brynna had collapsed on the ground. She was breathing, I
could tell that much from where I was. Theron had one of the men
carry her to the apothecary shop as Logan wasn’t able to with his
one arm.

“I think this would be a good time to
conclude services,” Barri said nervously, his eyes wandering to
Brynna. The lid of the coffin was put on and hammered shut. My
father and a few other men transported Talfrin’s body into the
crypt.

I asked the chief dame for dismissal so I
could see what had happened to my sister-in-marriage. She adamantly
told me to take as much time as needed and let her know what had
happened. She told me to come to the feast of memory if I was
able.

“What is wrong?” I asked Theron, knowing he
could tell by a touch, only he hadn’t touched her yet. He didn’t
want her to know his secret if there were others about. If Brynna
was to find out, it would have to be in private, not with the whole
village around.

“I’m not sure. She is obviously not the
skinniest woman. Extra weight can cause many problems with the
heart, blood, and other organs,” he explained to me. He then hushed
his voice into a whisper. “You know I can’t do anything with your
brother around. You will have to get him out of the shop when we
get there.” I nodded in understanding. It would be hard for Logan
to leave his wife but he would have to do it for the sake of her
health. Some men helped lift up Brynna and carry her.

We crossed the bridge, Logan reciting the
different tools in his shop to keep his head level and keep the
bridge intact. Once we entered the shop, I tried to get Logan out,
but he wouldn’t budge.

“I’m not leaving my wife here with a
stranger,” he said defiantly.

“He’s not a stranger. He’s been here for
months. Also, I will be there with her,” I told him gently. He
calmed down and stood by the door.

“I’m not moving from here. I suppose you
could keep the door shut if you must, but I’m not leaving the
premises,” Logan blurted. Both Theron and I nodded and went in to
the back room. The man carrying Brynna placed her on the bed where
Talfrin was only yesterday. The man left and Theron closed the
door.

“Finally I can find what is wrong and fix
her,” he said with relief. I watched him put his hand on her head,
her chest, her stomach and he stopped suddenly. Brynna was
conscious now and was asking where she was.

“What is it? Is she going to die too?” I
wondered anxiously, not realizing Brynna could hear me. I saw shock
flash across her face mixed with worry.

“No. Not at all. There is nothing to fix,” he
said with a large grin stretched across his face. “Brynna calm
down.”

“What do you mean?” Brynna begged. He didn’t
answer her right away. Instead, he opened the door and called for
Logan. Logan rushed in and went to Brynna’s side. He held her hand
and looked back at Theron.

“Congratulations,” Theron told Logan and
Brynna. We all looked at Theron, thoroughly confused. “You are with
child.” The two looked at each other, a wash of happiness and joy
splashed over their faces.

“But how did you know?” Brynna asked.
“Typically there are more warning signs, more obvious warning signs
than just a fainting spell, and that was the first one I had ever
had. I don’t even show.”

I interceded on Theron’s behalf, knowing good
well he’d have problems explaining himself. “There were other signs
that he recognized while you were unconscious. Fainting can be a
result of many issues and he ruled the others out. Besides, you’ve
been married long enough that it would be expected, right?”

“I suppose,” Brynna said slowly. “May I get
up now?”

“You may, although I’d have your husband take
you back home for some rest. Make sure you keep an eye on the foods
you eat. That means no sweets or alcohol. You may have water if it
is boiled, and milk. I don’t want you damaging yourself or the
baby,” Theron answered. Logan helped her up and they walked
together out of the shop. I stood with Theron in the back room.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have children?” He
turned to me.

“I think so. I’ve practically already raised
one so I would have no problems handling more,” I replied. I looked
at his eyes which were glazed over. “What are you implying?”

“I would like to marry you, of course,” he
stated.

“But you can’t,” I said, in shock. I had
never even considered marriage to Theron a serious proposition so
whenever the thought entered my mind, I quickly dismissed it. It
wasn’t a repugnant thought, but an impossible one.

“But I
can
,” he demanded. “I have to
carry out my plan. Just wait until the feast of memory. Now that I
think of it, we’d better head towards. They would be starting soon.
Would you mind an escort?” I shook my head and took his arm he’d
offered me.

He led me slowly out of the shop and to the
keep. It looked as though he loved every minute of it. When we
entered the keep I could tell the feast had started. Joyful shouts
and merriment could be heard from the feasting hall. We wandered in
together and I took my place at the chief dame’s side after scoping
the room. The hall was set up differently, with two rows of tables
and one at the very end, perpendicular to the rest, where the chief
dame sat. I noticed she wasn’t surprised when we had come in
together with arms entwined. My mother, on the other hand, was
scowling. I caught her eye and she shook her head menacingly. My
father didn’t seem to take much note. He seemed to be always that
way, however.

People from the village came forth while we
all ate to give account of their memories of Talfrin as was
customary during this time of remembrance. I was a bit hesitant to
come forward but I felt drawn to, as if I had to say something. I
didn’t want to regret sitting in my chair and being silent. When
the time was right I stood and walked to the center of the room so
everyone could see me. Of course, that meant walking around the
entire length of the room.

“Talfrin was a good friend and teacher,” I
started. “He taught both Lunamae and I all about herb lore as we
grew up. If I ever got a spare moment I would go to his shop and
learned all I could about the interesting properties of plants.
Talfrin was always kind and patient, willing to hear my questions
and carefully planning his answers. He always had referred to me as
the apprentice he wished he had. I will miss his gentle spirit but
I know he’s in a better place with the Creator now.”

I returned to my seat and the memories
continued. I felt relief having put that off my chest. I didn’t
think anyone else knew about my desire to be an herbalist. I of
course didn’t want to mention it, but it was as if I had.

The chief dame turned to me, expressing
appreciation for my comments. She then asked about the state of
Brynna since Logan hadn’t arrived yet.

“She’s pregnant,” I said.

“Pregnant?
Truly
?” Surprise and
happiness fell over the face of Angharad. “I was so worried it was
something worse. It is such good news to my ears. In the wake of
death, new life is present. It is a marvelous mystery how the
Creator plans it so.”

“Indeed,” I agreed. I noticed Theron come up
to address the crowd. He was on the other side of the room, far
away from me. He came quite close and addressed the audience.

“Talfrin was a good man, a kind man, and an
intelligent man. In the past few months I was with him he saw
something developing that most of you may not be aware of. I had
talked to him about a certain proposition when his health was
getting worse, a proposition I wanted to ask in front of everyone
in the village as well as an announcement. I know this may not be
the most opportune time, but Talfrin was aware of what I wanted to
do. I have fallen in love with a woman here.”

My heart dropped. Surely he was talking about
me. Who else was there? This was absolutely not appropriate in the
slightest, but the chief dame didn’t seem at all surprised. She
just sat there, listening intently. I looked at her, gawking with
astonishment.

“Muirenn, I would like your hand in
marriage,” Theron said. My mother stood up and started to wail but
my aunt quickly swatted her down. “I have discussed this with the
chief dame and the joining would be timely as well as approved by
her. Madam Adelle, I think even you would approve of this
marriage.”

“I would never!” she said, outraged at the
thought. She crossed her arms in contempt.

“Yes you would, as I am the crowned son of
Fanarion. The king’s favorite son,” Theron stated. My jaw continued
to drop and I had to clamp it shut. W
hy had he lied to me? Why
couldn’t he have told me?
It wasn’t fair to keep me in the dark
like this. “I know it was a bit deceitful, but I always like to
take on the roles of individuals in the community to see how they
really feel about my family and the governing of Fanarion as a
whole. It is easier to get one’s opinion as an equal. I actually
did not know you were coming until shortly before and since I was
already in a servant’s attire, I figured I might as well play the
part.”

The room was silent for a while. I didn’t
know what to say. Of course, his reasoning for doing what he did
made sense, but I couldn’t believe he had kept it all from me this
long.
Why did he even bother being an apothecary? Logan didn’t
think it even suitable for him. If he truly loved me, he would have
been truthful. Why would I want to marry a liar?
I crossed my
arms like my mother had done. I looked over at my mother who had a
scornful expression across her face. I didn’t blame her in the
slightest.

Theron continued, “I wanted the village to
get to know me, to understand me. I didn’t think that coming in
here as the son of the rulers of Fanarion and taking away Muirenn
with me in marriage would be a very good way to make myself known.
I wanted you to like me for who I am. I was not lying by being an
apothecary. You all know by now of my knowledge of herbs. I wanted
to know Muirenn’s people on a personal level. If I was here as the
son of Fanarion, I didn’t think I could.”

My anger waned a little in understanding of
his situation, but I still wanted to talk to him in private, not in
front of the whole village. I knew I didn’t have much of a choice
in the matter. If he had discussed the marriage with the chief dame
and she’d approved it, then I was as good as given away.

“Thank you Theron. We will have more to
discuss later. You may be seated,” the chief dame said, dismissing
him. “I have heard we have other news to celebrate as well. It has
come to my attention that my nephew Logan and his wife, the former
maiden Brynna, are expecting their first child. Let us all
rejoice.”

The whole of the room started to clap their
hands, although Logan hadn’t come back yet. He was probably making
sure Brynna was actually in bed. She liked to be busy and keep
occupied and being pregnant would keep her from being as
active.

“Chief dame, may I be dismissed so I might
talk to Theron?” I asked my aunt who turned back to me and nodded.
I got up and marched to where Theron was sitting. I pulled on his
arm and he followed me out of the room like Eclipse when he gets in
trouble, head hung low. We entered the foyer of the keep and before
I had a chance to say anything, Theron started to apologize.

“I truly wanted to tell you earlier but I
didn’t think you’d believe me,” he professed.

“It doesn’t matter whether I believe you or
not, you shouldn’t have lied to me. I of all people would have
understood at least,” I declared.

“I can’t help I was attracted to you the
moment we met, and even interested before. The tradesmen that come
here from Midonia have always talked about you. As I said, I was
already dressed as a servant. How would you have believed me? Is it
usual for the chief dame to be about the village acting like a
maiden? I don’t think so,” he blurted.

I threw up my hands in frustration. “No, but
it doesn’t give you the right to assume! What does your father
think of this?” I wondered.

“He didn’t like it at first—my disguising
myself, but when he started to gather beneficial information from
the city’s population, he became at peace with it,” he explained.
“That’s why he didn’t exactly punish me when your mother had a fit.
My brother Alexo is a spoiled brat, even though I am my father’s
favorite. He is his mother’s. I thought perhaps marrying you would
relieve Lunamae from her obligation to Alexo if a marriage was
proposed. I had thought of it before you had even arrived, before I
even had met you. I didn’t realize you would be coming so soon.
Then as soon as I saw you, I wanted to get to know you. I didn’t
know of any way how. I knew your aunt would want Lunamae married
off first. I suppose I didn’t think it all out. Of course, my
father would have suggested me if I had asked.”

“Calm down,” I said, realizing Theron was
getting flustered and was stumbling over words. “Your heart is in
the right place, I guess.”

“Not yet, but if you would only let it be,”
he said, taking my hand. I felt like resisting but the moment he
touched it, those sparks flew again. I melted and didn’t feel like
fighting with him any longer.