Crowner's Dilemma - Part Four

[ismenin]

Hello there! Sunday, and posting time. My Eldest has just arrived for Christmas, and it's been all go here. But there's always time for the DomLijah, so here they are. Hope you enjoy! Hugses.




Thanks as always to for beta


Part - 4


When Elijah left the stables, Dom was still sitting against a tree and, looking more closely at him, he could see that his love looked pale and drawn. "What is it, Dom? Are you ill?"

Dom did not look up. "Yes, that is it. I am not feeling myself. I will go back, if I may. Do you stay here and finish your business. I can manage alone."

But Elijah insisted on accompanying Dom to the castle, and seeing him to his bed. "I will send for Wenna to come to you, Dom. She is very good with herbs and simples for sickness - although not as good as is Master Barebone."

Dom pulled the sheet up to his neck, and turned on his side. "There is no need. Rest is what I chiefly need. I feel a slight nausea, that is all. If I am left alone, I am sure it will go away."

He needed to think, and he needed to be alone to do it. An old woman, however well-meaning, fussing about him with possets was not what he desired.

"Very well, my love. I will leave you to rest." Elijah kissed Dom on the forehead and quietly closed the door behind him.

Dom turned onto his back, and put his hands behind his head. There was only one reason he could think of that the knife would be in this part of the country, and that knowledge gave him a knot in his belly that made him feel weak.

I must think... think! ... what must I do?

Elijah busied himself about his home, finding things to occupy his mind, and sending Astin into a fret because his orders were ones Elijah had already given his steward. Astin might have taken exception to this, had he not noticed that his master's mind was much distracted. Elijah stopped himself, with an effort, from going to see how Dom was faring, but sent Andrew to take some food up to him.


The man returned, saying that Dom was asleep, but that he had left the food near the bed so that Dom would see it when he woke. With that, Elijah had to be satisfied.

"Don't fret over him, my lambkin!" Dame Rowenna soothed her former charge, as they sat in the solar for an hour. "He looks as fine and healthy a specimen of a man as I've ever seen. No doubt his belly is disordered by the change of foods. I've known it happen. I remember when your sainted mother..."

Elijah sat quietly and let her words wash over him. It was not so much that Dom had said he was unwell that concerned Elijah, as the stricken look he had glimpsed in his lover's eyes as he said it. Elijah wondered what sort of physical pain could cause such a look. If he was any judge of the matter - and he was - it must be a very great pain, indeed.

Before Elijah had lost his determination not to go upstairs and see his love, Dom came down, looking pale but more at ease, and apologised for his weakness.

"Nonsense!" Elijah said, grasping his lover's hand in an affectionate gesture. "I know how it is to feel so, Dom. You must take the greatest care of yourself. I wish we had John Barebone by us to advise you. How do you feel, now?"

Dom saw the anxious look in Elijah's eyes, and strove to speak lightly, and to dismiss his supposed illness. He hoped he had succeeded, for Elijah began to look happier as Dom accepted a mazer of small beer, and a slice of mutton pie.

But Dom felt no better - in fact, the more he thought upon it, the worse it became. He had wondered, in the quiet of his room, if he should take Elijah into his confidence, then decided against it. No good would come of telling his love the whole story - in fact, it might cause much harm. Dom had to keep matters to himself, and see if they could be resolved in secret. But how this might be accomplished, he had not the remotest clue.

******

At dinner that evening Dom made a real effort to behave as was usual to him, and no-one noticed anything amiss, except for Elijah, who thought there was strain about Dom’s eyes.

They went to bed and Dom closed his eyes as soon as he climbed in, and Elijah understood by this gesture that Dom was weary. He had put his head on Elijah's shoulder and kissed his lover's neck, before feigning sleep.

Elijah was himself tired, and soon slept, but Dom lay awake long into the night, thinking of what he should do.

Before he eventually fell asleep, Dom had decided upon a plan. For it to work, he had to leave the castle, and avoid company whilst he did so.

Thus it was, when Elijah woke the next morning, it was to find himself alone in bed. Dom was not in the next room, either, so Elijah called for Andrew, and the servant went off to find where Dom had gone.

Elijah would not have asked him to do so had not Dom complained of feeing unwell, for he believed that people had a right to go where they pleased, when they pleased, and he knew, from bitter personal experience, that love could quickly turn to obsession if this freedom was denied.

Andrew returned to tell his master that the Sheriff had gone out riding shortly after dawn, saying he would return to break his fast with Elijah.

"He seemed in good spirits, Harald said, my lord. He took the new big bay, not his own horse. He said he had a fancy to him, for he looked as if he were a strong mount."

Elijah knew that Harald was a sensible man, who had been in charge of the castle horses since before Elijah was born. Although the bay was freshly broken in, and a handful, Elijah knew that Dom was an excellent rider, and perfectly capable of controlling the temperamental stallion.

Elijah was somewhat puzzled why Dom would need such a powerful horse to take him on a ride about the lanes of the nearby countryside, but said nothing to Andrew about it. Dom was entitled to do as he wished.

Elijah decided that a hot bath would be beneficial to him, and to that end went into the bath-house he had had built in the courtyard, and kept several servants busy carrying pails of hot water there. As he slid into the water, and Andrew asked if he should scrub his master's back, Elijah shook his head.

"Not quite yet, Andy. I wish to soak here a little longer; it is a very pleasant thing to do when the morning is cooler, as this one."

He sighed as the heat soaked into his bones. He had forgotten how pleasant a hot bath could be. He would take one more often, he decided. Washing was all very good, but a hot bath loosened his muscles as a wash could not.

He knew that many would think him mad. Rowenna proudly claimed that she had had never had a bath in her entire life, but Elijah knew how particular his old nurse was concerning personal cleanliness, so he was not afraid that any speck of dirt was allowed to fasten itself upon her plump person.

However, he was known to be a master who demanded that his servants wash all over, every week. This was unusual, but as he was an excellent master, generous and undemanding in other areas, they allowed him this vagary. It was not much to ask for a good home and excellent food.

Elijah was standing in the bath, and Andrew was pouring the last pail of warm water over him to remove the soap, when the clatter of hooves was heard on the stones. Dom had returned.

"Go and ask him if he would care for a bath, Andy," Elijah ordered, as he rubbed himself dry with a soft piece of linen. He did not much care if Dom wished to bathe, or not, but he wanted to see if he was recovered from yesterday's weakness.

Dom entered the small room, damp with sweat, his hair sticking to his face. Elijah had to force himself not to ask if Dom was well. He looked far from well, besides being hot and dishevelled.

What has he been doing? Elijah thought, anxiously.

"A bath sounds like just the thing! Andy said you had just finished, and he is sending for more water. I am stinking with sweat!"

Dom began to undress, and Elijah started pulling on a clean undershirt and drawers before sitting on the bench and looking at his lover. Dom would in no wise allow Andrew to throw out the water, as it was still warm, but climbed into it, sighing with relief.

"Where have you been, Dom?" Elijah tried to inject a light-hearted tone into his question that he was far from feeling. He did not want Dom to think that he was prying.

"Oh, just round and about," Dom said, airily, as Andrew came and poured more hot water into the huge wooden tub. "I was acquainting myself with the countryside. I met the miller and one of your keepers - Modig, I think he said was his name..."

Andrew helped Elijah don the rest of his clothing, as they both listened to Dom's doings, and then Andrew said he would go indoors and bring the Sheriff down some clean raiment.

Elijah looked at Dom, lying content, with his eyes closed, and kissed him, once, before saying he had orders for Astin, and would meet his love at the table so that they could break their fast together.

Dom smiled. "I will be with you shortly. Do not wait on my account. I know you are always as hungry as a horse in the morning."

Elijah had no orders for his steward. He was anxious not to appear inquisitive, that was all. If Dom had met the miller and Modig, the keeper, he must have gone a fair distance north past the abbey. Now, why had he gone in that direction, when there was more pleasant scenery to be found on the wider road?

Dom came in to breakfast just as Vincent was cutting himself quite half of a delicious stuffed capon, but before they could even exchange greetings, one of the archbishop's men came hurrying in.

"It is bad news, I see," Vincent remarked, as he saw the man's face. "What is it, because I am sure you were sent onto York to await my return?"

"It is the Archbishop of York, your Grace," the man said, kneeling and kissing Vincent's hand. "I return to bring you sad news. His Grace has died of a quotidian ague. The Lord Hubert Walter needs you. Here is his letter."

The man was sent off to the kitchens to refresh himself, whilst Vincent read the letter, his face grim.

"Poor Ranulf! He will prove difficult to replace, for he was a rare man, kindly, and above corruption. I must go, Elijah. All is at a stand there until I arrive, and choosing a new archbishop is never a simple task. Walter will be in sore need of my guidance."

Vincent ate a hurried meal, and rushed upstairs to change into his riding gear, whilst Elijah instructed Astin to pack food for his brother. "And some of his favourite wine, man. He will doubtless need it."

A bare half an hour later, the brothers took leave of each other. "Write and inform me of the abbey findings, if there are any. I am anxious to be kept abreast of the news. Give the Abbess my sincere apologies and kind regards, although she will know I do not mean them any more than she will mean the platitudes she will utter in reply.
God be with you, brother - and with you, Dom. Boys - God bless you, both - be of help to his lordship, and the Sheriff, as I am sure you will be."

He sketched a cross in the air over them all, and his party rode off at a gallop over the bridge.

Elijah turned to Dom with a smile. "I must go to the abbey, Dom. Vincent will expect me to take my aunt his apologies, and I must further my inquiries into the two deaths. If there is anything to be found, I will find it."

He looked puzzled for a moment. "Do you have the knife? If I remember correctly, I gave it to you yesterday, just before you became ill. I may wish to show it to someone, to see if they recognise it."

Dom hurried into speech. In no wise did he wish Elijah to connect the knife with Dom's supposed sickness. "Yes, I believe you did, Elijah. I had forgotten about it. It must be in my room. I will fetch it."

Dom ran up the stairs, returning a few minutes later, the knife stuck in his belt. "Yes, I must have placed it on the table without noticing. I was not myself.”

Elijah smiled. "I am glad to see that you are feeling better, today, although you are still a trifle pale. Do not feel obliged to accompany me; I will take the boys and Andy, if you wish to stay behind."

Dom thought he'd rather cross the River Styx without a penny to pay the ferryman, than leave Elijah to prosecute his inquiries alone. If there was anything to be discovered, Dom wished to be there.

*****

All was quiet at the abbey. Vincent had left the two priests he had brought with him to conduct the funeral for the latest victim. The Abbess Gertruda, far from being annoyed that the archbishop had had to leave so abruptly, seemed relieved, and accepted the two substitutes with more politeness that Elijah had ever seen from his aunt.

But she frowned at Red and Ben. "If you think, Elijah, that I am going to permit these two lads to run amok amongst my novices, you may disabuse yourself of this notion immediately."

Elijah stared at his aunt, his nose in the air. "I do not know what sort of persons you think I keep about me, aunt, but neither Ben nor Osred has ever been known to "run amok". Besides, they will not be coming into contact with any maidens, and are not in any wise intent on ravishment, if by chance they do.”

As soon as he said this, he bit his tongue, for Ben was looking pale.

To Elijah's astonishment, it was Ben who spoke next. "You may be sure, Venerable Lady, that I will not be ravishing any maidens, here or anywhere else. Neither will Osred. You have my solemn oath on that."

The abbess had the grace to look abashed. "Very well. I will allow them to remain. Do you go about your duties as you see fit, nephew. I am sorry to hear about his Grace of York - he was a good man. Vincent will sorely miss his wise counsel."

The abbess looked up at Dom, who was standing behind Elijah's chair. "Your face seems familiar to me, Sir Dominic. I have been mulling this over since I first met you. It is odd when one gets the feeling that one knows a person one is sure one has never before seen. My late brother - Elijah's father - was used to say that it was like meeting angels unawares."

She shook her head, slightly, as if getting rid of an unwanted thought. "You must all excuse me, now. If you do not wish to examine Claudia's body any further, we must bury her. She was an orphan, alas, so there will only be us, her sisters, to bid her farewell."

Elijah bowed his aunt out of the room, and turned to Dom to say something, but the speech withered on his tongue. Dom was as pale as he had been the day before, and his hands trembled sightly.

"Dom?" Elijah whispered. "Are you feeling unwell again?"

Dom overcame the nausea that had risen in his throat. "I must admit to a slight giddiness, but I am sure a breath of air will cure it. I will take Ben outside with me. Do you, Andy and Red go about your queries. We will not be far away."

Elijah pressed his lips together, and nodded as Dom and Ben left the room. Something had to be done concerning Dom, and he knew what it was.

The three of them went about the abbey, visiting all the places they had not before seen, and Elijah saw that Dom and Ben sat under an elm tree talking quietly together. Best leave them alone, he thought.

Red, Andrew and Elijah crossed the stream, and Red showed his master where they had found the cloth and the bottle. The cloth had been taken from the abbey kitchens, Elijah had discovered, but the bottle was not one of theirs. It was true that the abbey had wine, but not in such bottles. Andrew returned the cloth, but put the bottle in his scrip, in case they should see another like it.

"Here is the place, my lord. Under this tree. You can see the grass is still flattened," Red said, pointing underneath the tree.

Elijah subjected the area to some scrutiny. "What do you think, Andy? Two persons sat here - or three?"

Andrew shrugged. "It is hard to say, my lord. It could be either. But it seems to me that they did more than sit here. The grass is much flattened."

Elijah walked up to the tree. It was another fine elm, and he touched its bark. He was fond of trees. It was a thing he missed in the city. He walked around it and stopped dead. There was something carved into its bark.

MM + O, surrounded by a circle.

Elijah called Red. "Was this here when you examined the area, Red?"

The lad stared at it, and shook his head. "I am certain it was not, my lord. We were most careful to look at everything in this place, Ben and I. And although it is not on the stream side of the tree, it is not a small mark. We would not have missed that."

Andrew touched the cuts in the bark. "It seems freshly done, my lord, do you not think? During the night, perhaps."

"I do; Copy it down, Andy. It may prove useful."

They wandered about for a little longer, but found nothing else. They returned to the abbey in time for the funeral, and stayed to offer their respects, as the second young girl was put into a grave, next to Odilla.

Elijah was leaning against the wall, outside, thinking hard, when he heard a sound at his left. Peeping around the corner of the building was the red-haired girl who had spoken to them previously concerning Odilla and Claudia. She seemed nervous.

"Do not turn, my lord, or show that I am speaking to you," the girl whispered in a frightened tone.

Elijah gazed benignly at a small bush in front of him, as the girl continued to speak.

"I heard the abbess talking to Sister Aefre last night. I should not have been listening, but I could not help it - they were in the chapel....The abbess said, "no-one must ever know of this, Aefre. The whole reputation of the abbey is at stake. Holy Virgin! If it ever should be discovered..."

She broke off as Dom was walking towards him, and Elijah heard the sound of scuttling as the girl hurried away. Elijah was relieved, for Dom looked better for the fresh air, although he was still paler than was usual in him.

"I am sorry to have worried you, my love. It seems my belly is somewhat disordered. Ben said that he felt it, too, on our first day here. A change of food, perhaps. We are not used to such fresh meats as are available here in the country. That must be it."

Dom was smiling, and Elijah smiled back, much relieved. He felt like holding Dom close, but could not, in this public place. He hoped Dom felt well enough for love that night. Elijah wished to show how much he cared for his man.

It was not until they were sitting in the Hall that Elijah remembered the mark on the tree. He thought Dom might be diverted with news of his find.

"We did find another clue to the mystery, Dom, on a tree on the other side of the stream." Elijah called to Andrew to bring the drawing he had made.

"Look, Dom. I wonder what it means? I think O must be Odilla, but who is MM?"

Dom sat staring at the parchment, not saying a word. He dredged up the last shreds of his self-command, and shook his head. "It is a mystery, and no mistake, Elijah," he managed, at last. "What do you make of it?"

Elijah was busy examining the drawing, and had not noticed how very pale his love had become - but Andrew had. "Are you quite well, sir?" came a quiet voice at Dom's shoulder. "May I bring you some wine?"

Dom coughed and Elijah looked up, immediately, concern upon his face. "Dom?"

"It is nothing, Elijah. A cramp only, in my belly. I think I will lie down for a while, that is sure to relieve it."

Elijah was reluctant to offer his own help, remembering how Dom had behaved upon the previous day. "Of course. Let Andy assist you..."

Dom rose from the chair. "There is no need. I am...there is no need. Forgive me." His voice seemed hoarse, as if it came from far away.

Elijah watched Dom mount the stairs before he spoke. "Bring me ink and parchment, Andy. If he will not discuss his sickness with me, I know one man who will worm the details out of him."

Fifteen minutes later, two of the castle's best riders were heading for the cathedral city, with a spare horse, and directions on exactly where to find the shop of the apothecary, John Barebone.

Comments

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

“Rowenna proudly claimed that she had had never had a bath in her entire life,”

lol! I wonder how many in those days could make that claim? Many, I'll bet. I love that Elijah’s servants *endured* having to wash all over every week!

I know that Dom must know who "MM" is! Poor man, I wonder why he's so reluctant to share what he knows with Elijah?

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

MM....Matthew Monaghan? Or, I suppose, in the story it would be Matthew Mortain?

My guess.

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Oh! That's a good guess.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Are you correct? We shall see! Giggles. ;D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I do feel for Dom - we do like to make the poor lad suffer.
As for the bathing, I know my dear own Nana (grandmother) didn't bathe for the last twenty years of her life, but no-one I know was cleaner than was she. For her it was the porcelain bowl and jug in the bedroom and a strip-wash every day. A tin bath in front of the fire is not the most comfortable of ablutionary techniques for an old dear! ;D

[verangel.livejournal.com]

No secrets Dominic. I don't want him to keep secrets from his Elijah. MM must be his brother. I cannot imagine what is in dom's past that he is so dark about and withholding of. I guess no loving is in store for Elijah tonight.
You challenge my mind with the rich descriptive words you use. It makes the old world come to life. I loved the image of Elijah enjoying his bath. *sighs*
Hugs you close and gives lotsa love. xooxxoxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Aha! Who is MM? Dom is disturbed by it. I want to see Elijah in his bath - it is one of the things I'd pay real money for. Hugs you tight, too. ;D xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Oh, what on earth is Dom hiding? Could tristanpaulus' guess above be correct? Hmmm... I'm troubled that Dom is keeping secrets from Elijah. Our Lij will get to the bottom of it, whether Dom tells him or not.

An intriguing chapter, Issi! Plus, I love the description of bathing back then. They used to think all manner of illness could be traced to it. Heee!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, we shall see whether TP is right. Time will tell. ;D I am old, Gandalf! I remember bathing like that, myself - a tin bath before the coal fire in the kitchen. Sigh. Such fun it was, then.Now - thank goodness for mod cons! :D xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

The mystery deepens, I wonder if the other guesses are correct?
Poor Dom sounds very worried, especially as he can`t let Elijah help him out.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Are the guesses rght? Only I know for sure, and I can wait!!! ;D xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Well, this is an enigma wrapped in a mystery for certain. I wonder what Dom suspects. I fear Elijah will not be pleased with him if he learns Dom's hiding something from him.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Elijah will certainly not be pleased; neither would I. Poor Dom...again! Hope you are feeling better, my love. Hugs. xxx

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

Gosh - a teaser and no mistake! I don't want to wait a whole week to find out Dom's secret!!!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Sorry, my love, to make you wait. Some things just can't be rushed. Giggles. ;D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

The intrigue deepens... It's unusual for Dom to be involved in the plot so this makes things even more interesting! MM does suggest Dom's brother which would explain his anxiety and distress. It must be so difficult for Dom to keep things hidden from his beloved.

Looking forward to the next episode if/when you are able to post.

How are you all at present? Thinking of you and hoping you are feeling better.

Love and huggles
XXXXXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Poor Dom. Always in trouble. ;D

We are all battling along, thank you, my love, which is good! Thinking of you, too. Hope you are all resisting the cold bug. Poor LSR has succumbed, and been sent home coughing. Sigh. Bless! xxxx

[random-fandom.livejournal.com]