Crowner's Dilemma - Part Twenty One

[ismenin]

Shortly thereafter - LSR delivers the goods! How great is she? Best beta in the multiverse (see Terry Pratchett)

Anyway, here it is, my darlings.



Thanks to ladysunrope for beta. :D


Part 21



That night Dom and Elijah slept in each others arms, in perfect comfort and peace. They had not spoken much to each other, for Elijah was still weak, and talking tired him. Nevertheless, he had been happy to see Bishop Anselm and Orlando at his bedside for a few minutes, but did not ask them why they were there. It was enough for him to see friendly faces about him, and, moreover, that there was someone for Dom to confide in, as Anselm was their father confessor, as well as their bishop.

It was during the evening meal that evening that Dom asked the question that Elijah had neglected to pose. It was Anselm who answered him.

"Talk began in the city of the pestis in this area, my son. Then came the news that people were dying. Bean, Will and Andrew came to me in despair, for they had heard nothing of your welfare, despite having written several times to you both, asking for news."

"We have had no letters, father, I promise you." Dom was disturbed by this information. "Not one! We would have answered them if we had."

The abbess sighed. "I would think that any messenger sent into an area rife with plague would contrive to lose the document - tear it up - and say they had delivered it. Many would do so, I believe."

"You are very right, Venerable Lady," Orlando's quiet voice said from across the table. "I can understand that if a man has a family, he would want to protect them above all other considerations."

Umar's voice was soft, too. "Would you do this, Father, if you had been charged with bringing the message?"

Orlando smiled in the direction of the questioner's voice. "No, messire. But I might think it, before I came. I am a man, after all, and I have friends whom I value, and to whom I might carry the plague - however it travels from person to person, for that is still a mystery. But I have no family left to me, alas, so the point does not arise."

Umar stroked his chin, and, his face solemn, nodded gravely, even though Orlando could not see it.

"We came because of the concern of all in his lordship's city household," continued Anselm. "We did not wish them to come into the sickness - Andy's wife, too, being with child - but as men of God, we felt it our duty. As well as a pleasant break for me from the concerns of the See, and, besides that, we too, were anxious. We are very fond of you, and of your little duke, Dominic, you should know that."

"Thank you, my friends," Dom managed, in a voice choked with emotion. "Your care is a great comfort to me - to us."

He stood and excused himself, saying shakily that he had to see how Elijah fared. He spent a few minutes composing himself outside the chamber door before he went in. It would do no good for Elijah to see him in such a state, even though it had been caused by being beloved of good friends. Fixing a smile upon his face, he opened the door.


***

Vincent waited for three days before he revealed to Richard that Elijah was improving. He was slightly mollified to discover that Richard had sent a messenger twice a day to see how his cousin fared. The archbishop was still very angry with the king, and said nothing to Richard that would make the king feel better concerning his treatment of Elijah, Dom and St Aubin.

In the end, when Richard was threatening to go himself to see how Elijah fared, Vincent revealed that he had received a message telling him that Elijah had woken. He did not say when he had received it, but Richard assumed it was that day, and Vincent was not about to disabuse him on that point.

"But Father Barebone and Umar have both said that he needs a few more days to recover his strength. He is still very weak. Do not forget he has been very sick, as well as greatly disturbed, Dick. I think we should give him some time. He was much angered with you, as you must know. It will not do if you...excite... him to fall once again into the stupor your violence engendered."

Richard, ever impatient, was distempered, but forced to agree. It was his fault. If he hoped to draw Elijah back to him, he had to be very careful of his behaviour.

Vincent could only be grateful when the king said he would wait another two days, but no longer. Any period of respite from Richard's importunities that he managed to gain for his brother was better than none.

***

Dom was taking a short rest in the solar, where the sun streamed through the mullioned windows, and gave everything in there a warm sheen of gold. The tapestries shone with golden threads and wooden chests gleamed, and the table which Astin had set for the mid-day meal was inviting. He only wished that Elijah could taste the duck.

He said as much to Umar, happily sharing his meal. "Do not fear, Sir Dominic - Dom -" he said, biting into a succulent duck leg with gusto. "He will soon be able to enjoy a duck with you. Elijah may seem delicate, but he has some strength in him. At Acre I saw it, and marvelled."

Dom drank deeply from the goblet of small beer he was grasping. "Lij told me a little of what happened there," he said, gazing sombrely into Umar's fine brown eyes. "He was very disturbed by it, as any man would be."

Umar shrugged his shoulders. "It was war. Men do things in war that they would not think of doing in peace. Richard did not want the expense of feeding three thousand souls, so he killed them all. I doubt me if Saladin would have done anything different."

Dom stared at the man opposite him, pulling the flesh of the duck off the bone with his teeth. Umar, sensing the astonishment behind his companion's look, smiled.

"However, it is not to say that I would have not set myself to find another solution to the problem - but I am not Richard."

"Thanks be to God," said a low voice from the doorway. It was Orlando, accompanied by a servant to show him the way.

The servant brought him to the table, where Umar held a seat for him. "The bishop sits with Elijah, and St Aubin is resting as ordered - with two roast ducks taken to him on a tray, so Astin tells me. I thought I would join you, if you do not mind the company. The only men eating in the Hall are Richard's men, and their talk...displeases...me. Barebone told me that you were here. He is in the chapel, with the abbess, praying for Lij, bless their kind souls."

Umar told Orlando, quietly what foods were before him, and placed his choice on the plate. "The duck is very good, is it not, Dom?"

"St Aubin thinks so, too, if he has asked for two!" Dom laughed.

Umar smiled as Orlando picked up another leg of duck and bit into it. "He is a brave man, St Aubin. He took a hard kicking from the king, as did you, my new friend. But he still has several ribs healing, and an arm broken in two places. It will be a few weeks yet before he is in top condition, but it does not stop him from wanting to be pursuing his inquiries, as he puts it."

Dom breathed easily, for that morning he had visited Matt and his men in the fields and found that they had taken so well to the life of the shepherd, no-one would question their presence there.
St Aubin’s decision to send his men back to Canterbury lessened the danger yet again.

"Useless bunch of idiots," he had said over a bowl of fresh strawberries and cream, as he and Dom sat near the bridge in the morning sun. "I can do better alone without having to worry over their ineptitudes."

Dom, who had a few like men under his command, could only agree.

His mind came back to the present as Orlando was speaking. "Father Barebone has been telling me of your life in Outremer, Messire Umar. He said you spent some years of your youth studying together."

Umar had tensed slightly as Orlando began to talk, but visibly relaxed as Orlando continued to reveal what John had said to him.

Dom wondered why he should be so wary, but, after all, he was a Saracen. Perhaps he held secrets. Many men did.

A servant came in, and bowed to Dom. "His lordship is awake and has asked for you, Sir Dominic."

Dom wiped his mouth and rose immediately. "You will excuse me, I know, but I must go to him. I leave you both in good company!"

"Do not wear him out!" Umar ordered, but he was smiling. As Dom closed the door, Umar rested his elbows on the table and said, in a quiet voice, "tell me something of your life, Father Orlando. It must be crammed with incident, working much, as you do, I understand, with the poor."

As Orlando described his life, Umar, untroubled by observance, fixed his eyes on the handsome man beside him, and devoured his every word and look.

***

John, after repeating Umar's caution about tiring Elijah, wisely left the lovers alone.

Dom climbed upon the bed and lay in his accustomed place against Elijah's left side, nearest to his heart of hearts.

They did not speak for some minutes, both men rejoicing in the fact that now, in this minute, they were together, but each fearing what Richard would do to part them again. They were not fools. The knowledge that Richard was, even now, thinking of what his next move might be rested heavily on their minds.

"It is such a comfort to me to have you near me," Elijah whispered. "I am never quite...comfortable...when you are not by."

He ran his fingers over the scars on Dom's head and face. John had taken the stitches out early that morning, and Elijah's touch tickled the healing skin.

Dom leaned towards his lover. He had missed Elijah’s hands upon him as much as the uniting of their bodies in the act of love. Dom needed Elijah in other ways, too. Those small touches on his skin were enough to set his body on fire; but he lay there, silent, under Elijah's questing fingers, rejoicing in the fact that they were together.

They talked a little, until Elijah tired, and Dom alert for the slightest change in Elijah's demeanour, slipped out of bed to use the garderobe, and waited there until he saw he was asleep.

But he did not leave. He got quietly back into the bed, and rested beside his mate, content.

***

However, all was not well with Richard. His belly was disordered, he moaned, and had Umar sent for. "For he knows my needs like no other physician, Vince," Richard said, sweating slightly as he came out of the privies. "You do not think I have caught the plague, cousin?" Richard, afraid, was not a sight men would often see, but the plague was something to fear.

Umar reassured the king immediately he had examined him. "It is definitely not the pestis, Beau Sire, I can assure you. Merely a disorder of the bowels often afflicting men in the hot season."

"I never suffered from it much, not even in Outremer, and it was far hotter there than here," Richard grumbled, as he rose hastily to use the garderobe for the fifth time in an hour.

"Well, your Grace, it is different here. Perhaps you have eaten something which disagreed with you," Umar said, trying to keep the smile out of his voice, and not daring to look at Vincent, who was sitting nearby with a look of angelic innocence on his handsome features.

"Can you give me some physic for it?" Richard's voice echoed hollowly from the depths of the alcove. "I was looking forward to the goose tonight."

Umar went into the garderobe, stared at the king sitting there, uncomfortable and sweating, and shook his head. "No food today, your Grace, but plenty of water or small beer, if there is not a clear well nearby.

"The well water at Rivenhalt is particularly clear, messire," Vincent remarked. "It is fed by the same mountain stream that is used at Beauvallet. I am certain his Grace will benefit much from it."

Richard humphed from the echoing depths. Umar returned, and bowed to the archbishop. "I will go to the pantries and decoct a potion for the king to take every three hours. However, it may be some few days before it takes effect. This is a sad condition, but well-known to me."

It was fortunate that Richard, occupied within, could not see the expression on his cousin's face. Vincent went with Umar to the door, and both men listened to Richard, once more in the throes, across the room.

"Your Grace," Umar murmured, as he stood outside the door. "Not too much, or his system will truly become disordered. "Take care! You may have another three days before I miraculously cure him."

Vincent sniffed. "I do not know what you mean," he said, dryly.

Umar smiled, and went downstairs to concoct his medicine, whilst Vincent patted the pouch at his waist which contained the magic herb that had engineered this outcome. Senna was indeed a potent - and expensive - medicine, and to be used with care. Indeed, John Barebone had been very careful to inform the archbishop exactly how much to take, when Vincent had earlier that week complained to the priest-physician of a supposed costive condition.

Vincent wondered if Umar knew where he had obtained the herb. It did not matter, however. The physician could hardly wrest it from him. He would use it to gain his brother a few more days respite, for the time allotted by the king was up tomorrow, and Richard had been determined to ride to Beauvallet in the morning. Vincent was equally determined that he would not.

Vincent took a deep breath of fresh air, composed his features, and returned to the foetid room to aid his cousin in his discomfort.

***

Elijah frowned mightily at Father Barebone, and folded his arms across his chest in defiance. "I can see no danger in sitting within the Hall with my feet upon a stool, and being waited upon hand, foot and finger by my concerned household, John. Why do you say you will not permit it?"

John sighed. His patient was still weak of body, but his mind was now as sharp as ever. He was restless, and no wonder.

"Because, your Grace," John said, smiling - unable to resist what seemed to him to be the aspect of a thwarted schoolboy presented to him by the little duke - "you are still weak. One more day in bed will not hurt."

The frown increased. "No, it will not. But neither will it make me feel any better. I know Astin has run my household like a well-oiled machine, but I would see the daily happenings - be part of daily life. It is lonely here, in this room, except for Dom. And I am more than certain he, too, would wish to be elsewhere..."

Here, Dom interrupted. "No, Lij, I am sorry, but you are wrong. I would be wherever you are. That is when I am happiest."

This declaration brought such a flush of pleasure to Elijah's face, that John relented. "Very well. To sit quietly within the Hall, with your feet upon a stool, resting. I will allow that. But no documents, issuing complex orders or things of that sort. Do you agree?"

Within minutes John was carrying Elijah down the stairs, rejecting Dom's insistence that he did so, and deposited his burden in the most comfortable of the chairs, which had been made even more suitable for a recovering patient by the addition of pillows and blankets.

His aunt, who had been to oversee a few things at the abbey returned just as Dom was placing a blanket over Elijah's lap.

"Well, nephew," she smiled, stooping to kiss his cheek. "I am glad to see you returned to us at last. Very glad, indeed!"

"Thank you, Aunt Truda," Elijah said, in a soft voice, happy in his heart at the new relationship blossoming between himself and his father's sister, and calling her by the name he had used in his childhood.

She sat in the chair put for her beside Elijah's, and patted her nephew's hand. "I have seen that St Aubin is settled in the abbey," she said, unable to avoid the issue. "We thought it best he left before..."

"...before Richard returned. I understand, aunt. The Sheriff will be better there. I wish...I wish that I could think of some way to protect Dom without his leaving here. If only I were fit enough to travel, I would take him to..."

Dom's arm was laid about Elijah's shoulder. "We will stay here until you are well, Lij. After all, he will not harm you here, and you have the Venerable Abbess and the Archbishop to protect you."

Elijah laid his hand on top of Dom's. "It is not myself I fear for - nor you, now I have given Richard my ultimatum. But I fear he still may contrive a way to part us. I trust Vincent is keeping an eye upon him. I would have a few more days to enjoy this peace."

John came up behind Elijah's chair and felt his brow. Satisfied, he stood beside him, and said, quietly, so that none other would hear but the four - "you need not fear, Lij. You have a few more days before the king returns, I promise you. Now I must go and set a broken leg. One of the ostlers," he informed them, with a shake of the head. "Madcap boys!"

"But...but how do you know that he will not come?" Dom asked, not thinking of the injured ostler at all, his mind fully occupied with Elijah and the king's delay.

John permitted himself a grin, and leaving, uttered a mysterious word. "Senna!"

Neither Dom nor Elijah had any notion what John had meant, but were happy that the apothecary seemed so certain that a few more days would be granted them before Richard came, once more, to spoil their peace.


However, their peace was interrupted in a way neither man could have expected, a few hours later, by a sudden tucket of horns and a shout from the battlements. Astin came rushing in, breathless.

"My lord, Venerable Lady - the Queen approaches. Thirty or so of her train accompany her. Do you come, quickly, Lady, Sir Dominic..."

Gertruda rose and smoothed down her robes. "I am certain you do not mean that the hapless Berengaria has found her way to England, Astin. I will come to meet my sister in the bailey. Elijah - you remain here."

Elijah sighed. He had no desire to welcome his aunt's half-sister to Beauvallet, even if he had possessed the strength to do so. Eleanor of Aquitaine was a force to be reckoned with; but even if he had wished to go, he knew it was impossible for him to do so.

Bishop Anselm was quickly summoned from his prayers, and Orlando, also, and they accompanied the abbess and Dom out into the warm sun.

The queen rode in on a handsome white palfrey, and Gertruda noticed, with some alarm, that the horse bore the cypher, not of Aquitaine - a single golden lion upon a red background - but her son's two lions rampant, facing each other. It seems Nell was set for war.

By the time the horse had been led into the bailey by two lords of the queen's household, her sister and the others were kneeling upon the flagstones.

Dom, glancing up, saw a tall, slim, handsome woman, past middle age, not unlike the abbess in style and features, but with flaming red hair, and, if it were possible, an even more regal aspect. She was dressed like a man, in breeches and a split tunic, but seemed comfortable in the attire. She did, however, as a concession to womanhood, wear a short veil, held on her head by a golden coronet.

She dismounted, nimbly, ignoring the several hands held out to assist her and moved to the abbess, pulling her up and embracing her warmly.

"It is many years, Truda, since I had the felicity of seeing you." She looked about her. "Where is my son, sister? Report had him here. Is he not present?"

Gertruda brushed the dust off the front of her robes and cast a grim smile at her questioner. "Vincent has taken him to Rivenhalt, your Grace. It was deemed...appropriate."

Eleanor sniffed. "Been making a prize fool of himself over Elijah again, has he? The noddy," she commented softly, in a wry tone, as there was no-one standing near enough to overhear. "Where is Lij? Why is he not here to greet me?"

The queen nodded to all present, and, whilst Gertruda explained the sickness that had lately befallen the inhabitants of Beauvallet, indicated that they rise, and walked beside her sister into the Hall, where she went first to greet her nephew, before accepting refreshment.

"Lij, you look pale indeed. Even paler than you were after you returned wounded from Outremer. How do you feel?" she said, stooping to kiss his cheek.

Elijah smiled up at her. "I am better than I was, your Grace. I have been well tended by my own apothecary, Father Barebone, here" - John bowed low, and received a regal nod - "and by Umar, the physician, whom you will know. He is presently with his Grace the king, and Vincent at Rivenhalt."

Her keen eyes noticed some little sadness about Elijah's features, but did not comment upon it. She gestured for a chair to be placed opposite Elijah's, and accepted wine and marchpane with a gracious nod.

Dom was not standing nearby, but Elijah looked about the room and held out his hand for him to approach them. "May I introduce to your Grace my dear friend, Sir Dominic of Mortain?"

A slight shadow flickered over the queen's elegant features, but it soon passed. She held out her hand as Dom knelt before her, and he was permitted to kiss it before he rose.

She missed very little. Eleanor was by no means stupid. Ruler of the Duchy of Aquitaine by the time she was fifteen, then married to two kings - Louis of France and then Henry of England - she had not remained alive through much tribulation by not being able to keep her counsel when it was needed.

"I remember your mother well, Sir Dominic. Does she yet live?"

Whilst Dom spoke, one of the queen's men came with some message for her, and she ripped open the scrap of parchment. Obviously the messenger birds had been employed.

She crumpled it up, and threw it in the fireplace. "Richard has a flux," she stated baldly. "However, the physician thinks he will be cleared of it by tomorrow, and then he will return to us."

She watched, with interest, as both Dom and Elijah grew visibly paler. She stood. "If Astin will show me to my room, I will change me out of this riding gear. I will have you mother's chamber, Lij. It has always pleased me."

Astin bowed low. "I will remove his Grace, the king's trappings from it immediately, your Grace," the steward said.

Eleanor pursed her lips, and sat down again. "Please do so. He can lie elsewhere when he returns."

Astin rushed off, taking several servants with him, as well as the queen's ladies. The queen gesturing for her retinue to remove themselves to attend to the various tasks that ensured her comfort, returned her attention to Elijah. In a low voice she continued, "tell me, nephew, what my impetuous son has been up to, here, for I see he has left his mark on you all, as is his wont."

Dom hid his strapped fingers behind his back, but could do nothing about his scarred face. The queen seemed to divine that it was Richard who had caused his injuries. How could this be? Dom wondered.

Eleanor smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. "In some things," she said, as if to the room in general, "my son is as transparent as glass. Come, Elijah, I am waiting to be enlightened."

Elijah was saved from having to answer by the timely intervention of John Barebone, and Bishop Anselm, who both answered to God, and not to any earthly king. They had seen the desperation in Elijah's face, and carried him off to bed before her very eyes.

The Abbess Gertruda, at a sign from the queen, took Elijah's seat. Dom stood at her side, not having moved despite wishing to go with Elijah, for the queen had indicated that he stay.

"Well, sister?" The queen was not to be put off. "Do you tell me, then, for I will know it all, in the end. You must be aware of that."

Gertruda nodded, and glanced about to see if any of the few remaining courtiers were in earshot. Seeing all was clear, she spoke in a quiet voice, eliminating from her report the exact nature of Dom and Elijah's relationship, and informed her sister what Eleanor's favourite son had done since he had arrived at Beauvallet.

Comments

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, boy, an unexpected arrival. I wonder if Eleanor will be able handle Richard and make him behave himself. I have the feeling she can do it if she wants to, and he certainly needs somebody to rein him in.

Vincent's solution to keeping Richard away from Elijah tickled me. Serves him right.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

She can handle him - mostly. Except when it involves Elijah. ;D

Senna is a most useful medicament. Srves him right, indeed. Baaaad man. xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

She's the bestest beta in the *multiverse*, indeedy-doody! ;0)

Have printed off to enjoy later...

Thanks to you both!
XXXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Hope you did enjoy, cutie-pie! ;D xxx

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

Hmm, Eleanor is already figuring things out very quickly...but will she be friend or foe?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Ha! Next chapter proves which it will be. She is very protective of her son, but is fully aware of his weaknessses, too. I expect that was how it was in RL. :D xxx

[poplij.livejournal.com]

Printing this out to enjoy later in bed. *snuggles*
Thank you and LSR for the beta, enjoy the rest of the Easter Weekend :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Hope you did enjoy, my love. ;D xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed this very much (as usual) I loved that Richard was reduced to squatting on his commode for many hours, serves him right! Lovely Vincent :D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Vincent is a star! Huggles him tight. :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

"It would do no good for Elijah to see him in such a state, even though it had been caused by being beloved of good friends" There was something about this line that touched my heart. Right before I read it I felt it in the care and love from Dom's and his "little" duke's friends. I would have felt just as Dom did.
"As Orlando described his life, Umar, untroubled by observance, fixed his eyes on the handsome man beside him, and devoured his every word and look."
DADDY!! Umar is family of some kind. His question about Orlando's family was intrigueing. I adore the softness and strength Father Orlando has. Such purity of heart. He is such a blessed representative of God.
"Dom leaned towards his lover. He had missed Elijah’s hands upon him as much as the uniting of their bodies in the act of love." The image of them quietly lying together as they do mentioned later, with Dom on Elijah's left closest to his heart, and Elijah tenderly touching Dom's scars and soothing them with his delicate fingers steals my breath. Then saying "resting beside his mate." made me think that you hear terms such as Partner, lover, etc, but the term "mate" speaks of the soul and being bound. It was a perfect term for these two men.
"the foetid room" nuff said...eeeeewwwwwwwww and Yeah Vincent. I adore you and John Barebone and Umar and all who love Dom and Elijah so much they will do anything to keep the lover's safe and give them time together to heal.
I loved the spunk returning to Elijah in the next part. He may be weak but he knows what is best for him. Its funny how he gets what he wants. They lift him and take him, pillows and blankets and all to the other room. Elijah is correct in his worry for what Richard may contrive to get rid of Dom in his thinking he could get Elijah back. But I am so glad to feel that he has every intention of keeping Dom close to his side. "Aunt Truda" that warmed my heart and filled the sorrowful voide created by Wenna's loss. I am glad she is finding this joy late in her life.
MOMMY!! Oh my I loved the Queen's arrival. "Eleanor sniffed. "Been making a prize fool of himself over Elijah again, has he? The noddy" I was cracking up with this comment. At least she knows what her son is about and how he can be. You slipped the most delicious moment with her knowledge of Dom's mother! That made me crazy. I couldn't help but wonder if she bounced Richard from being by Elijah's room on purpose. She is very keen. You can feel her strength. I love her already.
I was kind of surprised Truda felt she needed to eliminate the exact nature of Dom and Elijah's relationship. It seems like Eleanor already can see what it is. But since Richard is Eleanor';s favourite son, maybe there is a wonder at whose interest she would protect?
THIS WAS a FANTASTIC chapter!!! After 13 hours on the road yesterday, unloading the car, I snuck my laptop to my nice poofy bed with a glass of chardonnay and read this like the addict I am. It was like desert. You give so many little twists and wonderful turns and then so much love. I love it so much. Hugs you sweet Ru and hope your Easter was lovely. I loved my ecard. It was strange driving home instead of being home on Easter.
I can't wait for more!!! xoxoxoxoxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Teaser, aren't I? What IS it that Orlando has that Umar recognises? Not telling, nonono - thee will have to wait.

Very soon - Part 23, I think it might be, or 24 - there will be hot rampant sex. Between whom? Giggles. Not telling.

I'm happy you got so much pleasure from it, my love. We exist to please! ;D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Eleanor's arrival was something of a surprise...

Hope she can sort her annoying son out re Elijah and his relationship with Dom and Richard's insane jealousy. She seems a strong enough personality and under no illusions about her son...?

Clever way of keeping Richard out of the way - *senna* ;0)

An interesting development in a fascinating tale, thank you very much, both of you, for delivering :-)
*huggles*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Senna is most useful! :O

Glad you liked it, as always, honey bunch. Huggles back xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Hehe. I like that Richard had a 'flux' brought on by the herbs!

It's great to see the Queen come, and now Gertruda has told her what happened. I wonder how this will effect Richard.

I like how Lij called Gertruda 'Aunt Truda'. : )

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Richard deserved all those senna pods, I tells ya! Naughty man as he is, disturbing our boy.

Aunt Truda is nice - Aunt Ella is, too. ;D xxx