he could think of something that slipped past her own mind. “Sadly, my lady, Richard must have everything he needs to force the wedding…” Gareth cut Ian off, “You are saying that animal gets his way, just like that!?” Gareth hollered then started to turn his horse. Ian however, grabbed the reins of Sojourn. “Let me go Ian, I will end it! I will kill both of them!” Gareth commanded. “No my lord, we must bide our time! If I thought killing the Timlons would solve the problem, I would do so in your stead! They would hang me, but your two families would be safe,” Ian said sensibly. Gareth stopped struggling. “Yes, I know you are right. Can we petition Lord Thomas again?” Gareth asked, getting off his horse. Katryn and Ian dismounted.
“No my son, in hindsight, it was Martin who should have filed the original petition. Why did he not want the land? Ian, when I asked you to check on Martin, did you learn anything?” Katryn asked. “No my lady, even though there was talk of some doings, that may not have been proper, I shook it off as innuendo.” “You were checking on Martin!?” Gareth asked, in disbelief. “My son, something has been wrong over the last five years. It started when your father died. I just have not been able to put my finger on it. Ian, when we get back to Cashell, perhaps you can try to dig deeper,” Katryn suggested. “And I will assemble the knights and archers,” Gareth asserted, “If trouble is brewing, we will be prepared.”
Ian and Katryn stood behind Gareth atop the battlement. Gareth’s men stood quietly in the courtyard below. “We have lived in peace, uneasy perhaps, but peace none the less!” Gareth shouted, “With this peace, has come complacency, but we will be lax no longer! You must all hone your skills to a fine edge! We must not drop our guard!” As Gareth finished, the courtyard erupted as all of Gareth’s men raised their fists into the air and roared their approval. Gareth then turned to Ian and Katryn, when Ian responded.
“As always my lord, I am here to serve you,” Ian asserted. “Ian, our men must train everyday. The squires must be pressed also. You and I must go over the defenses and fortify where necessary.” “Yes my lord, you can depend on me. Your family has treated the people of Cashell justly and with respect. We will not allow the animals any quarter, should they be foolish enough to attack…” Gareth interrupted Ian, “They are not all animals! It was not that long ago that they all attended the celebration. The Timlons and Chapmans...” Katryn now cut Gareth off, “My son, your hurt runs deep, but the facts cannot be dismissed. I am afraid that Martin will promise Melanie to Robert to avert a battle, all we can do now is be ready.” “Your mother is right, the time to prepare is at hand,” Ian affirmed. Gareth, though it was hard to accept, knew that they were right, “Ian, have Sir Douglas take over the training of the archers.” “Yes my lord, I will also insure the batteries are taken care of.” As Ian finished, Gareth walked away thinking of his beloved Melanie.
Devon and Loanna came into the clearing at Echo Forest. “So how is married life treating you two?” Igus asked, noticing that they both seemed to glow. “It has been wonderful, but I do not think that is why you summoned us,” Loanna said, sensing there was trouble. “I am sure you both know that Melanie Landon has been promised to Robert Timlon,” Igus said. “Yes, Gareth came to me shortly after it happened. He asked me to pray with him, to ask God to give him strength,” Devon replied. “He is such a nice young man, I feel so sorry for him,” Loanna added. “It goes much farther than that. Now, let us discuss why I have asked you here.” As they sat down, Igus smiled, “How do you two feel about children?”
Gareth was no longer welcomed at Landon. It had been a month since Timlon had demanded the marriage of Robert and Melanie. However, Gareth still had friends in Landon and arranged a meeting with Melanie near the Serenity.
“What is your father thinking Melanie!? He has known for a long time that you and I would one day wed!” Gareth exclaimed, almost pleading. Melanie took his hands in hers, her heart was breaking too. She looked at his face deeply, not wanting to forget a single feature. It was Gareth who broke the moment.
“We could go away my love, go…” He was quieted as Melanie put her fingers to his lips, “Dearest Gareth, we both know that is not the answer,” She said softly and sensibly, “Our love has grown righteous and strong over the years, but this is as nothing compared to the safety of our families.” “Is there nothing I could do to change your father’s mind,” He said, his voice now cracking. “My father loves me very much and practically considers you a son. He would cut off an arm, if he thought that would help.” “The people should have banded together when those animals first attacked the Harrisons!” Gareth exclaimed, with a hatred that Melanie had never heard in his voice before. She buried her face in his chest, looking for words to soothe him, she could not find them. Gareth took her face in his hands and kissed her ever so quickly.
“My heart has been ripped out,” He said hopelessly, “My life is gone and over. But for you, my love, I pray you are safe and somehow find solace.” As he turned and walked away, he could hear her crying, “Goodbye my beloved Gareth. My heart goes with you and shall never again be open.”
The moon sat low in the night sky. Devon and Loanna sat drinking tea knowing that they would have a visitor. There was a light knock at the door. Devon looked at Loanna.
“This is it, are you sure about everything?” Devon asked, giving her hand a squeeze. “Yes my love, there is too much at stake to back down,” As Loanna finished, Devon went and opened the door.
“Melanie, come in and sit down,” Devon said as he pulled out a chair. “Devon, Loanna, I have sinned and now the price of that sin could be much destruction. I am with child, with Gareth’s child,” Melanie confessed, lowering her head. “We know Melanie,” Devon said. Melanie lifted her head, her mouth opened in surprise. “You know!? But I have not told any one, does anybody else know?” She asked, now scared more than ever. Loanna went to her and kneeled beside her, “Do not worry, we are friends and are only here to help.” “But what can be done! They have set the date. In two months I am to wed!” Melanie exclaimed, then began crying, her world crashing down around her, “Gareth was right, he said we should run away!” “No Melanie, as you told Gareth that last meeting, that would not have worked,” Devon said, wishing it were an option. Melanie was now in awe of how much they knew, “I do not know how you are aware of so many things, but this problem is not going away.” Loanna took her hand, “Melanie, there is somebody we want you to meet. Will you come with us?”
As they led Melanie through the forest, they tried to prepare her. Igus had told them what could be done, but nobody could be sure of the outcome. When they came into the clearing, Melanie became aware of the being sitting upon the Great Rock. Igus’ eyes were the first things she noticed. Almost instantly, her fear was alleviated. Something told her she could trust him. It was not long before the clearing was bathed in a blinding light and then it was over.
Melanie awoke in her bed. She thought something was missing, but could not figure it out. As she went about getting dressed, she noticed a small red circle near her belly. She was moving as if in a dream. It was then that a knock came at her door.
“Who is it?” Melanie asked, still in a fog. Lisa walked in with some tea, “How are you this fine morning. Did you sleep well?” “I had a strange dream mother, disturbing.” “What do you mean Melanie?” “I think I must have been walking in the forest. Suddenly there was a flash of light and I was floating! Out of nowhere, a voice was telling me to relax, that all would be well,” Melanie said, visibly shaken. Lisa came to her and felt her forehead, “You do not have a fever, is your stomach upset?” “No, not any more than it has been since father promised me to Robert. Oh mother! How can he do this to me!?” “Melanie, I realize it has not been easy for you. Your father's decision was not made lightly. There are many things you do not understand.” “Mother, if this marriage saves one life, I will accept my fate. However, I will never accept Robert as anything more than the pig he is.” Lisa went to Melanie and held her, “My dear daughter,
you are still young. These things, that are evident now, are not necessarily written in stone,” Lisa asserted, knowing there were always options.
Katryn, Gareth and Ian sat in the study. “Have you compiled a mapping of the defenses Gareth?” Katryn asked. “Yes mother, it is all completed. As you well know, the area to the east is inaccessible to any intruder because of Lost Man’s Ravine,” He said, pointing to a map. Ian now joined in, “And as you can see my lady, the only other two areas where an attack could occur are here and here.” Katryn could see what Ian was saying,
“Yes, the north of Cashell is bordered by the High Lord’s land. Any attack there would need Lord Thomas’ permission, and that is not very likely. So, the only real threat would be to the southeast, between the Serenity and the Lost Man’s Ravine.” “Yes mother, but Martin would never allow that, would he?” Katryn looked to Ian, “Ian have you been able to find anything out?” “While there is nothing positive at the moment, I am still checking out a rumor,” Ian said, looking dismayed. “This is the first you have spoke of a rumor Ian, you are supposed