Crowner's Justice 19

[ismenin]

Hello! Yes, it is me, again. I had to have a snooze before I posted this, and it took longer than I thought. But it was nice! :D

It's under the cut!!

I hope you will like it - only one more part after this until Book Two - and that you will remember that it IS an AR, and that I have written into it those things I best like.

I hope you are all feeling well, and enjoying the beginning of winter (or summer, in the Antipodes!) with hot chocolate and ginger nut biscuits to dip into it.




However, here is Part 19. Enjoy!!!!


Thank you, ladysunrope for beta, as always!



Part - 19


As Dom rushed about, picking up articles of clothing, and excitedly described their magnificence to his love, Elijah hid a smile. If anyone had asked him, before today, if he thought Dom was even remotely interested in his apparel, Elijah would have said, unequivocally, no.

But as Dom almost drooled over the softness of the cambric underwear, and the fine quality of the leather goods, Elijah realised with sudden clarity and insight, it was because Dom had not had, before this, any clothing worthy of interest, and his smile faded.

He was telling Elijah how he had lately had to sell his spare clothing to buy food, blushing as he spoke, for he knew his Elijah would not observe it. How, in his youth - as if he were now an old man - he had owned as many as four tunics, but that of late, he had had to manage with one. Elijah's heart, always soft for his Amis, became softer, and he wished, with all his heart, that he could see the joy in Dom's face as he examined his new belongings, just as he had wished to see his face, the first time they had made love, when Dom had come, panting his name...

And then he stopped himself before the joy became heartbreak. He could not let Dom know how deeply he mourned the loss of his sight not because he could not cope with the affliction since he knew he could, but because each day he lived with the love he bore, he was reminded of the things he would never have and that knowledge was a burden all of its own.

"I know Ben is behind this! It must be him, but if you did not do it - and I believe you, my love, when you say you know nothing of it - then it must be Vincent."

He opened the door, and cried out, heedless of Ben sleeping in the next room, "Vincent, you rogue! A word with you, if your Grace pleases!"

Vincent, grinning, bounded in, and stared at Dom's shining face, and then looked at his brother, sitting happily upon the bed. "So, it pleases you, Sheriff? I happened to have some money by me, and thought I would put it to good use. Really, there was nothing to be done with your other garments, so I replaced them."

Dom was holding up the scarlet embroidered tunic, fearfully and wonderfully made in best Lincoln greyne. "For festival days," Vincent explained, as Dom described its magnificence to a giggling Elijah. "And the purple velvet, for the Sabbath."

Dom put down the tunic and went to kiss Vincent's hand, and then drew him into a bruising embrace. "Thank you. I always thought I was letting Elijah down, by appearing about the city in his spare clothing, but now I feel he need no longer be ashamed of accompanying me..."

Hearing that, Elijah leapt to his feet, and put his hands out, feeling for Dom, who instantly clasped them.

"Never," Elijah insisted, hoarse with emotion, "dare to say such a thing, again! I could never be ashamed of you, never; if you were dressed in a flour-sack, with string for a girdle, you would be perfect to me, my beautiful Amis..."

Vincent, unheeded, closed the door quietly behind him, as the two men kissed, and moved towards the bed.

Andrew did not come to help Elijah undress - Vincent had forewarned him - so Dom unlaced and stripped him, and quickly removed his own clothing, so eager was he to make love that night.

It made no difference to Elijah if the candles were lit or not, but Dom revelled in the light, to see the creamy skin, to touch those nipples, to watch them come eagerly to fullness under his lips and tongue. To see his love's cock engorge and thicken, the pearls of liquid gather at its tip - so beautiful was he.

Dom felt it a night for secrets, so he whispered to his Amiloun, as the small eager fingers played with the hairs at his groin, and grasped his growing hardness.

"Is there more to loving between two men than we have known, my love? I have had much joy of your mouth on me, and mine on you, as you must surely know, but something in here..." he touched his breast, then remembered, Elijah could not see his gesture... ..."something in my heart desires more, but what it is I cannot tell. Some closer union between us - but I know full well that it is not possible to lie with a man, as it is with a woman..."

...he broke off, abruptly, the merest civility obliging him to return Elijah's passionate kisses, which left him breathless and trembling. He hardly could believe his ears when his love murmured, "ah! But Amis, my brave, innocent Amis - it is possible. Would you...?" He whispered some instructions and Dom scrambled out of bed, and found the bottle of oil where Elijah had said it would be, in a chest by the bed-head.


"Do you trust me, my love?"

Dom, kissing Elijah again, said he would trust him in any thing, and so Elijah's oiled fingers began to work upon Dom's body.

Dom was trusting, but puzzled. However, the sensations that were building up within him needed no explanations. He grunted a little as the slim fingers breached him, but soon he was groaning with pleasure, as his love touched something at his core that made his body tremble wildly, and his heart beat faster.

Elijah slid his hardened length carefully inside him, and Dom knew, of a certainty, that this was the missing thing - that this uniting of their bodies would join them in closer bonds than had any other act they had shared, in love.

"Am...i...loun!" Dom gasped, there not being air enough in the room, or within his body, to speak.

Elijah's damp fingers, then his lips, quivering with emotion, touched his, and everything in the world was made perfect in that moment, for Dom knew, with a blinding clarity, that this is what he was meant to be from the beginning of time - one half of a perfect whole.

His body was no longer his to command, but a seething mass of roiling threads, as he screamed into the night, careless of Vincent, or Ben, or of any other who might be listening; and Elijah, reaching the same uncharted heights, tears streaming unchecked from his sightless eyes, collapsed onto his lover's chest at completion, hardly able to breathe for the feelings of joy that encompassed every particle of his being.

Amis and Amiloun; complete, and one, at last.

*****

The next day, Ben declared that he was willing - indeed anxious - to return to the keep. "For with Red and Mother Matty next door with Molly, too, I shall have both company and safety," the lad declared, smiling widely at Dom and Elijah over breakfast the next morning.

"And Red had as much comfort, now, as do I - for someone left two whole marks on Mother Matty's table for new furniture," Ben continued, looking innocently around the table, as Vincent frowned, and applied his attention with a grunt, to a plate of beef.

"Neither of us can think for a moment who could have done such a thing, can we Red?"

"Well, whomever it was," said Elijah, grinning, "they are not going to own to it, so I suggest you enjoy it all, for that, I am sure, was why it was provided."

Ben had said that Red was going to remove his new bed into Ben's bedchamber, so that Molly and Matty could have more space.

"Besides," Red confided, over a plate of ham, "Molly snores - very loudly. I trust you don't snore, Ben?" he asked.

As soon as the meal was over, and the boys had gone upstairs to pack Ben's few belongings, horses were heard outside, and in a moment, Bean was kissing Vincent's hand, and handing a long, bulky parcel, wrapped in linen, to Elijah.

He waved it off. "It is his Grace's property, Bean, give it to him, if you please, then go to bed. You sound worn to a thread."

"Aye, I am, my lord," replied the man, handing the package to Vincent. "If you will excuse me, I will go now. I ate on the way, so I am ready for sleep."

Both brothers thanked the man again, and he took himself off to the servants quarters, weary, but smiling.

Vincent unwrapped the crucifix, and, standing it on the table, stared at it, curiously. So did Dom. It was a truly beautiful object, intricately carved and moulded, and studded with precious gems.

It was thick - almost four inches wide and deep, and two and a half feet tall. It was very heavy; gold, edged all about it with pearls, the size of peas, and the ivory figure of the Saviour upon the cross was most wonderfully depicted. The rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds in the cross, caught the morning light, shining in at them, through the casement. It was a true work of art, and Dom could not even begin to calculate its worth.

"What are you going to do with it?" Dom asked as Vincent prepared to rise from the table.

"I am going to take it to Mass, and then I shall announce my gift to the cathedral to the whole congregation. Let them all have a look at its splendour, before Boniface detects "a slight imperfection that needs fixing" as he did with the Flagsheet gift. But, this time, his deception will come undone. I have men watching him, now - he will not escape my scrutiny again."

As Vincent rode up the street, Dom sighed and stood, ready to go to the keep. "I know Father Orlando will be here, soon, my love," he said, taking the opportunity of the servants' absence, and kissing Elijah. "I expect there will be much in the way of reports to be looked over, for Ben will be there today, scribing away.”

The two boys had left as soon as they had wolfed down breakfast, and Elijah had let Red go, even though he wished to go into the town. They could do it tomorrow, after all. Let Red help Ben to settle back in.


After Orlando had returned to the cathedral abbey, Elijah made his way upstairs for Andrew to massage his leg with the salve, as John had suggested he do, each mid-day. He lay there, afterwards, pleasantly comfortable but not in the least drowsy, when he bethought himself of searching his chests to see if he could recognise items by their feel, as Orlando had earlier taught him was possible.

He was thinking of Dom, labouring away at his reports, and busy with the doings of the city, and Vincent - who, despite his acerbic manner, was a devout priest - entrancing the greedy Boniface with the treasure, as he felt about amongst his clothing and shoes.

He recognised several things by their distinctive features; a pair of dark blue shoes with ornate tooling on the top - a tunic, of the same colour, edged with silver braid. He felt a little happier - he would get used to knowing things by touch. He would overcome the hindrance of his blindness. Perhaps, after a time, when he thought deeply about his affliction, it would hurt less…

Then he felt the three parcels, wrapped in linen, lying at the bottom of the chest, where once the book he had given Ben had rested, and drew them out. One book had a double buckle and strap - the works of the priest, the Venerable Bede. Another was bound with leather strings, a treatise by the great Alcuin of York, who, under Charlemagne's aegis, started recording and gathering the greatest library in Europe. The last, smallest of the three, was a book of verse, copied out from copies of Caedmon's manuscripts, forty years previously, by Elijah's father.

In this book lay the tale of Amis and Amiloun. The book had only recently come into Elijah's possession, and he had only read half of the story before he was summoned to the Levant by Richard. He had had little time, or inclination, since then, for reading. He lovingly touched the cover. Perhaps he would have Dom read the rest to him, then decided against asking him. Perhaps, one day, he would be able to read it for himself, God willing.

He thought of a few half-remembered lines, spoken by Amiloun to Amis, at a parting:


Brother, as we er trewthe plight
Bothe with word and dede...
...To help him at his nede,
Brother, be now true to me,
And y schal ben as trewe to the,
Also god me spede !

...be now true to me, and I shall be as true to thee, also God me speed! My Amis! Elijah thought, as he replaced the books at the bottom of the chest, sat for a few moments, on the bed, thinking of Dom, and how he would never again see his beautiful smile. The thought of that and all the books he would never read by himself was too much and in the quietness of his room he let the tears fall.

This was how it would be, times for joy and times for sorrow and there was nothing he could do except to experience both in their turn. He sighed so deeply it hurt and then he wiped his face with a cloth, and made his way downstairs, to eat, summoning a soft smile for those who served him.

******

Boniface's reaction to Vincent's gift was everything the archbishop could have wished. He arrived back in time to share the mid-day meal with Dom and Elijah, and laughed as he told them the story.
"You should have seen the look upon his fat, greasy face!" he roared, realising, as he said it, that his brother could not have done so, but knowing also, that to guard one's tongue over every word, made for uncomfortable companionship.

"Go on!" encouraged Elijah, eager to hear the rest of the story.
"As I thought, greed is already warring with pride. He kept running his fat fingers over it, as if the price of it was already weighing heavy in his purse. I left him mooning over it, like a green girl over her first love. Fool as he is!"

"Of course, you did not tell him?" Elijah continued, sipping the last of his wine.

"Tell him what?" Dom wanted to know. He remembered, now, that there was a secret concerning the item.

"Ah," Vincent grinned at him, tapping the side of his nose. "I think I shall wait to tell you, until the fat man comes apart under our hands. It is always good to have a surprise up one's sleeve, after all, and I think you will enjoy it all the more, Dom. Do you not agree, my brother?"

"If it is what you wish, Vincent, I shall keep the secret, even from Dom. He will not have too long to wait, after all."

Elijah was right. The spies Vincent had set on Boniface reported that the bishop had ridden out the next morning, with only the rat-haired priest who had come to complain of the soup-kitchen, as company.

"It is said he will be gone above a week, your Grace," said the man, down on one knee beside Vincent's chair. "Bertrand said, when last he saw him, he was making for the Bristol road. Then Robert and Mico took over, so we will hear more when the men return."

The spy departed to spend his reward, and Vincent sat back in his chair, and smiled as he thought how interesting the telling of the end of the mystery might prove.

*****

It was nine days later when Robert and Mico returned. To Dom and Elijah's surprise, these were both Benedictine monks - tonsured, robed and, far from seeming wearied, looked rested and happy. Elijah commented upon their physical stamina, to his brother.

"You will remember them, Lij. They were with us at Acre, only Brother Robert was then a soldier, and Brother Mico, in charge of the weaponry. They have changed their profession, but not their devotion to me, or to the church. They are still valiant fighters in a tight spot, good to have at your side in times of trouble. They are not likely to become tired after such a brief sortie. Boniface had to wait in Bristol, and to sleep, after all."

The two monks smiled at Elijah and Dom, accepted a cup of ale, and told their story.

"We saw all that he did, everyone he met, and even managed to catch a glimpse of what it was he collected, yesterday, at the workshops of Abraham of Bristol, your Grace," the elder one beamed, his plump, friendly face wreathed in smiles. "There is always someone willing to be bribed, and your Grace is always generous with coin in such circumstances."

"It was as you had predicted. We took your letter to the Sheriff, there, after Boniface had left the city, and he was most obliging and helpful to us, especially after he had had your orders read to him, and heard the word "reward" mentioned. We left the items in the Abbey, in the chests, as you decreed, your Grace."

Dom sniffed. He had no truck with law-men who could be bought, but realised that sometimes it was necessary to grease a palm, here and there.

The two monks went off to the abbey, where they were staying, and Dom asked the question uppermost in his mind. "When do we challenge him?"

Vincent ran his hand over his chin, thinking. "We will give him time to think that his ruse has succeeded, then we will pounce."
Dom, looking at the feral gaze in Vincent's blue eyes, was glad he was not the one to be pounced upon.

*****

Elijah hadn’t slept well. For some reason, he had been listless through the night and there had been a pain behind his eyes that prevented true rest. Finally, simply exhausted, he had fallen asleep till this moment.

He wished to visit the garderobe, and swung his legs out of bed, still more than half asleep, and determined to do whatever he had to do and then crawl back under the covers before he even opened his eyes. After all, he didn’t need help at all, so used was he to his independence.

Ah, it’s nearly dawn, he said to himself, looking towards the window - then it struck him. He gaped at the window. Nearly dawn.

He could see.

He rushed to the window, and glanced east, seeing the red clouds in the sky tinting the heavens. He turned, and gazed at Dom, lying asleep on his side, lit by the one large candle still burning, his face cradled in his palm, his expression peaceful and serene. He looked about the room as the sun slowly rose, not moving from the spot on which he was standing, hardly daring to breathe, for long, uncounted minutes. Then the golden rays of the sun burst through the window, and he fell on his knees, and wept, silently - then he gave thanks to God for the blessing of sight restored.

As he returned from the garderobe, he saw Dom open his eyes, and turn to watch him. Dom did not know that Elijah could see him - how could he? Elijah thought - watching Dom's face, seeing his love's eyes, caring, and full of concern.

Then Elijah went to him, and took his hand, and spoke. "You are as beautiful as always, my Amis, for I see your love for me lighting your eyes. Dom, God is good - I can see, again!"

Dom sobbed, and leapt out of bed, and kissed him, and kissed him again, and shouted with joy, and danced about the room, until Vincent and Andrew came racing in to see what had happened.

"Vincent, Andy - I can see!" And Vincent fell to his knees, tearing his night-shift, and uttered a prayer of thanks to God in nine brief words, and then embraced his brother, and Dom, and then, for good measure, Andrew and Will, as well.

Soon the whole household was aware of the miracle, and John Barebone, fetched immediately by Bean - for the others were too overjoyed to think - pronounced the eyes as healthy as they could be, apart from a slight blurring, which he was sure would clear when the eyes had settled, again.

The lovers ate little breakfast, for since before they had first lain together, Elijah had not seen his love, and, now, could not look enough upon the sweet face beaming at him with dampened eyes.
Red and Ben celebrated by making themselves sick on lemon suckets, and sugar plums, and when Orlando came, and wept for joy at Elijah's gift from God, both Dom and Elijah wept, too, at such generosity of spirit, that did not begrudge to another the blessing denied to him.

They all went to the cathedral to give thanks to God, and Elijah, seeing Vincent's wondrous gift gracing the altar, winked at his brother before he lowered his head again.

They did not see Boniface, for which they were all grateful. Father Anselm was overjoyed to hear of Elijah's recovery, and after he had said all that was appropriate, he and the archbishop drew aside for a few minutes private talk, after which the father disappeared into the presbytery. Then, as there were few worshippers there at that hour, Vincent was able to approach the altar, and examine the crucifix more closely.

Only Vincent went forward to touch it, and his body obscured what he was doing. Elijah smiled at Dom. "It is well, my love - you shall see."

Vincent returned to them, his face grim. "Greed has won out, Lij, and it will be his downfall. We did not know how to prove it was he who was at the root of it all, and now we do. All the threads have come together, thank the good Lord!"

"In three days time, I shall send Boniface, dressed only in his shift, out of this holy house, to his death, like the bloody murderer he is!"

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, Ru, this is a wonderful chapter, so full of good things. I'm pleased that they've found a way to expose Boniface for the treacherous thief and murderer he is, but that's only one part of the pleasure this chapter gives. The lovemaking was beautiful, and it was good to read of Ben's being recovered enough to move back to the Keep. Dom's excitement about his new clothes was so charming too. And of course, Elijah recovering his sight was pure delight. I enjoyed this so much.

Oops, almost forgot to say I'm glad you felt up to posting this today. Hope you're feeling much better.

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Holy smokes! I cried for half of this chapter, at least. First, because Elijah was blind, then because of the beauty of their love, and last because Elijah regained his sight. *sniff* Such beautiful writing, my dear Issi. What a blessing you are to us.

I can hardly wait to see what it is that will send Boniface to his death.

[verangel.livejournal.com]

This was one of those chapters that overwhelms in its beauty and tenderness. There was so much about them and their love in this. Elijah wishing he could see the joy on Dom's face but then not wanting to spoil the moment with his sadness over that. The moment Dom mentioned to Vincent he could walk with Elijah without shame because of his clothing I could feel Elijah's horror and passion over this. I was tearing up. The lovemaking...oh my. "To see his love's cock engorge and thicken, the pearls of liquid gather at its tip-so beautiful was he." The image in my head made me sigh outloud. But their completion left me breathless. It was erotic and descriptive in their passion. "His body was no longer his to command..." Elijah's tears form his sightless eyes... "Amis and Amiloun, complete and one at last." I was crying.
"The next day Ben declared that he was willing - indeed anxious- to return to the keep." Well yeah if he had to listen to that lustful and joyous screaming every night I guess so!!!
His father's book...more tears at his blindness, in quiet.. I cried again! You know the servants and his companions had to detect it too when he came downstairs, his heard had been so heavy, as they know him so well. I love the trap being laid for Boniface. Vincent has the most wonderful way of describing the fat greasy pig.
Of course, my joy came in Elijah getting up and "Ah, its nearly dawn." My breath caught and I melted into his sight returning. "Then the golden rays of the sun burst through the window, and he fell on his knees, and wept, silently" I was crying for him too. Getting to see Dom observing him with so much love and care (not knowing elijah could see his face). Vincent falling to his knees to thank God. The laughter and celebration. Orlando's selfless joy and more tears from them just because of that.
It was simply gorgeous. I couldn't help but think of the joy Elijah will have in seeing his Dom in throws of passion and love and Dom's joy in having Elijah's passion filled gaze not slighted but seeing him.
*SIGHS HEAVILY* *wipes tears*
I just simply adore it. I am glad you had a good day too with wonderful friends, you rested then and are taking care of yourself.
hugs you close I will be reading this again it was wonderful. xooxox v

[elisamaria.livejournal.com]

Ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh! Sooooo happy he can see again! Can't wait to see what you do to Boniface. So glad you are back and feeling better!

[suzy-74.livejournal.com]

Oh, how wonderful to get such lovely visitors. I hope you're feeling much better dear Issi. (((you)))

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

It was so lovely to see you again, Ru. And Rich, too, of course. Looking forward to our next!

I'm looking forward to reading this story, too. I have some catching up to do!

xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Oh, how lovely! Elijah can see again, bless him. Just when he was feeling so low at not being able to see his love's face. It is indeed a miracle. Now he will be able to see Boniface get his just desserts as well! I can't wait for Vincent to show Boniface his doom.

Darn, I'm too rushed at the moment to say everything I want. ARG to real life! :D *hugs you tight*

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

This was lovely. I was really hoping you were going to give Elijah his sight back so he could see his Dom again, and I look forward to the final downfall of Boniface.

So, is Book Two going to be a continuation of this story, or something else?

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Glad that you felt well enough to post and I hope you feel better now...?

What a lovely chapter with the Boyz making sweet love and then Elijah regaining his sight - I've been hoping for that to happen and I knew you wouldn't disappoint us :-)

Thanks for this, I have really enjoyed this series and I look forward to Boniface geting his come-uppance next time.

Love and hugs
XXXX

[http://users.livejournal.com/tweedle_/]

That was a wonderful setup for Elijah regaining his sight. So poignant at the beginning and then so joyful at the end. Oh and *hugs* Orlando. Dom and Elijah's love making was an absolute treat. So very beautiful.

And Boniface's days are numbered! "Good," I say! :D XXOO

[poplij.livejournal.com]

Lovely chapter, my dear, thank you so much for posting. Aw, so erotic, beautiful and tender and how wonderful Elijah can see again !
Hope you are feeling much better.
Take care
XXX

[karin-woywod.livejournal.com]

This is such an intense and hot and touching chapter ! Thank you for this.
I 'd like to write paragraphs over paragraphs of praise here, and they would be heart-felt, alas I am much better at reading than I am at writing, so I am really at a loss for words here. But I kind of need these words of praise, to balance out a minor problem of understanding I have with one part of the story, and it may either be that I don't understand it at all, due to language barriers (English is not my first language) or else it may be that there's a slight inconsistency in your story (don't stone me, please).

When you write :

" As soon as the meal was over, and the boys had gone upstairs to pack Ben's few belongings, horses were heard outside, and in a moment, Bean was kissing Vincent's hand, and handing a long, bulky parcel, wrapped in linen, to Elijah.

He waved it off. "It is his Grace's property, Bean, give it to him, if you please, then go to bed. You look worn to a thread." ",

the "He" of "He waved it off" is Elijah, isn't he ? Is "You look worn to a thread" something you can say in a sense NOT meant literally ? Because, at this point in the story, Elijah wouldn't know that Bean looked worn to a thread, because he wasn't able to see yet !

Sorry about pointing out this part of the story. No-one else has (or they may have been more discreet than me), so I might be totally wrong here.

Anyway, I thought I'd better mention it, in case it is REALLY an inconsistency overlooked . . .

As I said above, I love this story !

And my apologies that I haven't yet found the impetus to further work on Manip 2 for this story - I have to "catch the Muse" whenever she strikes, I can't force her . . .

*hugs you*

Love,

- Karin.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Hi, K! Thanks for pointing that error out. I have amended it to "you sound..." etc. I know several blind people who use the terms, "you look..." and "I see...", for seeing is not always totally confined to the eyes - but in this case I thought it wise to change it. :D

Perhaps your muse might strike in time for Book Two. Same men, same period, same love - different location! Hugs! xxxxxxxxx