WORRLGENHALL (10 page)

Now men
’s eyes on her, none spoke as they stared at the young beauty, curious who her steps lead her to, then when they noticed her steps taking her to Laad, who had not seen her enter, amused, they all laughed.

“
Laad, a tempting fawn is drawing near to you,” one man said quickly to give him notice, but as he turned, Nona kissed him; then sat in his lap.

“
What are you doing here?” Laad asked.

Although, overjoyed to see her beautiful face as the smell
of ginger roused him, she had entered the men’s hall, and though women were there who served the men, by its name, should make one reason, it only for men.

“
You are all that fills my head, and I can do nothing else,” she whispered, “And I reasoned a kiss would bring joy to your day, as well as mine.”

“
You are out of your place,” he scolded her quickly and removed her from his lap, “Leave and I will come when I am done here.”

“
Laad,” Nona said humbly, as at once her lip stuck out slightly wounded “I, I only.”

“
Eeilnona do as I command,” Laad interrupted, and again scolded.

Hurt, she looked at him; then around the room at the half-naked women carrying cups of drink or food, as the room silenced awaiting her response, which immediately was her running away tear
y eyed, and although he longed to follow her, he did not.

Her heartbroken race back to the meal house swift, about to pass Anla, she slowed.

“Venomous is your tongue and full of lies,” Nona then said, and fell upon her bed, making Anla laugh loudly amused.

His heart crushed as he watched her tearfully flee, as her smell still lingered in his nostrils, it took all his will within him not to follow.

“She is pleasant to the eyes,” one man said, as he laughed, “If you have not, I can see me pressing her well beneath me.”

In an instant, Laad was up from his chair as his fist pounded loudly upon the wooden table, and he did it so hard, plates and cups of ale and wine slightly jostled or spilled.

“I will tear your tongue out of your throat if you speak of her in such away again!” Laad flared, as he looked at him ready to carry out his threat, and the room again suddenly quiet, wisely the man turned back to the table and said nothing more.

After he yelled, quickly Laad made his way to find Nona, right away going to
the room; then when he didn’t find her there, he went to the meal house.

“
I seek Nona,” he said when he entered.

“
Like a swift wind.” Anla smirked, “She flew by me and I have not seen her again.”

As Laad began to walk away, he stopped and spoke to Anla ag
ain.

“
I reason you had a hand in sending her to the men’s hall as only one seasoned with men would know it forbidden. Twice you have set yourself to come between us, I will not abide a third,” and with that, Laad walked away.

When the sun
had set, still Laad had not seen Nona, and now such was his worry, he could think of nothing else.

As he waited for her, he paced in the room; then when she still hadn
’t come back, he went to the waterfall and back to the meal house. Her whereabouts still a mystery, he then searched the grounds on foot, yet still he could not find her.

“
Such stubbornness!” he seethed, as now back in the room, he again paced. “I will not stand for it.”

Now the hour late, his mind worried and his heart heavy, for a third time he
searched for her, but this time on his horse.

“
I am in misery!” he cried out to himself as he rode.

Vowing not to rest his head until he found her, he rode the lower lands and upper lands of WorrlgenHall searching here and there; then believing she possi
bly went to sulk at the waterfall, he returned and this time waited there, but she didn’t come.

His thoughts so vexed with worry, he didn
’t know right from left, frantically he hurried back to the room vowing this time if she was not there, to get men to aid his search.

Anguished, he burst inside. The room dark, he called out to her; but got no reply; then about to turn around, a gut feeling made him stop and turn back.

Now noticing the small shadow that sat on the side of the bed, he knew that it was Nona and rushed in front of her.

“
Such childish ways,” he admonished, sternly putting his hand under her chin before tilting her head to look at him, “I am not one for such.”

“
You are just one who would shame the one you vowed to love,” Nona retorted, as she quickly pulled her chin away, looking away from him.

“
You were where you did not belong,” he again scolded her.

“
I would reason so, since women with their breast freely flaunted about,” she said, as again tears formed in her eyes, “You made sure to send me away.”

“
A men’s hall, Eeilnona!” he shouted, “Is a place for men!”

“
And women who flaunt their full breasts at them,” she added sarcastically.

“
As my wife, you will not behave in such a way with me,” his voice stern, as he ignored her words, “When I speak words that may sadden you, be saddened, but do not hide yourself from me.”

“
Is it your will to be cruel to me? If so I will bear it, and still love you?” she asked, as she looked up. Her innocent soft brown eyes filled with tears, Laad’s anger quelled at once.

His heart now pierced,
he sighed, and his anger all gone; he fell to his knees in front of her. “Do you know what misery you brought me?”

“
I do not.”

Gently, his strong hand against her face, he wiped her tears.

“I could barely breathe I fretted so.”

“
Then, I beg forgiveness.” Nona’s words like that of a whisper, “But am I not enough for you that you need be around such women. I know they will desire my handsome husband and offer themselves to you. So much jealousy is within me for you. Those women would know a man’s desire more than me and could please you more.”

“
Oh, my wife,” Laad said flattered, as his heart dropped, “You are all to me and please me well. If such women know my desires, they would know it is for only one. Hearty talk with men is all that I do in the men’s hall and shall. Hearty thrusts inside any other, only will I do with my beloved wife.”

“
Oh, Laad,” Nona sighed from his words.

“
Now, do not hide from me again,” he again said sternly, as he made her look at him by putting his hand under her chin and lovingly raising it.”

“
Never again,” she meekly said.

“
We are still as strangers to the other and must come to know each other,” his soft words, before he kissed her tenderly, “But I will give you all the days of my life to do so.”

“
And I will take it,” Nona said, and sighed as she leaned herself back onto the bed with a sniffle.

Still on his knees, Laad pulled her to him on the bed
’s edge; then raised her dress, and as his kissed her knees, he spread her legs and looked at her, before his mouth journeyed the path to more pleasure.

His lips warm against her thighs, he kissed his way to what belonged to him, and now her breaths short and panting, she arched her back when his fingers parted her tender folds.

“Only I will know the taste of such a sweet flower,” he whispered, the warmth of his tongue twirling around its bud, “And only I will drink its nectar.”

“
Never would I have imagined such great pleasure in this way,” his tongue now deep within her, “Oh my husband, from the first I knew you as my only.”

His manhood engorged, Laad quickly undressed; then rushed to the bed.

“Please …please,” Nona moaned her pleas, as she hurried to remove her dress, “Such is my want to feel you deep inside, I could scream.”

“
My beloved sunrise,” Laad moaned, as he kept her close to the bed’s edge and lifted her hips so she could wrap her legs around him to make his thrusts go deeper, “Never have I known such pleasure with anyone.”

As he looked down at her
, when he moved and rested his weight on his arms, she pulled him back close to her.

“
Keep your flesh upon mine close,” she moaned, “And let me feel your heart beat.”

“
You make it thump like the sound of my horse’s hooves as I race across the lands.” He moaned, “And for only one cause.”

“
Is it that you love me?”

“
It is.”

Their bodies
melded. Each able to feel the other’s heartbeat, both cried out; then lay limp.

As both breathed heavy, until they regained enough breath to speak, tenderly he held her.

“Your life without me as before,” she whispered, when he finally moved off her and to the side; then pulled her close, before he wrapped one of his legs around both her legs, “What was it?”

“
It was a time without cares or one to love.”

“
And now?”

“
I cannot put to words the joy in my heart to know as I fight battles someone worries for me and that as I race home, someone is waiting.”

“
My prayers were deep for God to watch over you,” Nona said, as she made herself comfortable, “And return you to me to know what is yours.”

“
When I stand before the king,” Laad spoke, “I will ask to be made one of the inner guards so I can remain near you.”

“
I fear such a plea will bore you.” Nona knew, raising her eyes to meet his, “Battle is within you. I believe you will lead all one day.”

“
Then what is your wish?” he asked, his heart willing to grant all that he could.

“
Do what is within you well and from it I know one day you will be great.”

Laad
’s heart filled with pride. “Such faith you have in me, but I have no desire to take another’s place or remove them by force.”

“
Nor, would I want you to. Yet, fate is fate and you will lead. It is within you, I know it.”

Laad said nothing more of Nona
’s words, yet they stayed deep within him. Never had he dared even think such thoughts, but her words filled with such belief as all her words were, he believed them.

Tenderly yet again, Nona looked up at Laad noticing he was lost in thought.

“I am sad,” she said.

“
Why, my love?” His now loving name he decided to call her.

“
When my body grows, for a long while I will not be able to feel your heartbeat to mine when you move inside me,” she whispered her hinting words.

“
A tiny one you are,” he replied and kissed her head tenderly, “You will not grow large. There is such scamper within you.”

“
That is true, my husband.” She smiled, “But I know my body will grow. Within me so does your seed.”

Laad raised himself and smiled.
“Never have I heard such wonderful words.”

A
fter the king had Orem burned with grand ceremony along with the other warriors, he returned with his united men, and as the people lined the roads into WorrlgenHall, the outer walls, and battlements walls to shout cheers of victory, King Rone’s eyes keenly searched among them for only one face.

“
My king,” one of the servants said, as he approached King Rone to take his horse, “A great feast has been prepared to rejoice in your victory and return.”

As he entered the grand door, the men still reveling from the cheers, King Rone nodded.

“Let the men enjoy a hearty feast and drink until none can stand,” he said, barely pausing as he headed to his chamber, “I will join them later.”

Certain Baric was well, because no one told him otherwise and he heard people cheering as they entered the walls, instead of mourning w
ails, hastily the king made his way to his chamber followed by two in his quorum who were trying to speak with him.

“
I do not wish to speak of battles or land this night. Enjoy the feast with the others,” he ordered, just as he reached the top of the stairs, “I have a pressing matter.”

“
Yes, my king.” both nodded and turned.

Quickly, King Rone walked down the hall pass his guard, “
Shall I bring her to you my king?” the guard asked.

“
No,” King Rone said, slightly saddened she did not stand with the others as they marched back into WorrlgenHall, “I will go to her.”

As he passed his chamber, he made his way to hers; then quietly as he opened the door, he felt his heart race from want, “
I remember this feeling,” he said to himself. It was how he felt on his returns from journeys to Queen Nohla.

Very quietly, he closed the door and as his eyes prepared to search the room, he saw her at once.

“My king,” Seda whispered. Her heart knowing he would come to her. She wanted to greet him in her own manner.

“
Such a wondrous sight,” King Rone marveled when he saw Seda standing naked by the fire.

“
I could not greet you in this way with the others,” she whispered, and lowered her head, “I beg forgiveness if what I am wearing does not please you.”

The king smiled from her w
ords.

“
Such would be my fury if you had greeted me in front of others in such a way,” he said, as he drew close to her, “Some greetings should only be for the eyes of the king.”

Now in front her, he put his hand under her chin.

“Look upon my face,” he whispered.

“
If that is the king’s wish?”

“
Rone,” he quickly corrected, “It stirs me to hear my own name, and yes it is his wish.”

“
Rone,” she whispered, and such was her whisper, he lifted her into his arms passionately.

“
For such a time this has been my want,” he said, as his clothes seem to disappear off him once he got her to her bed, “To seize you again and again.”

“
And mine.” She moaned, as she felt his body upon hers.

The king fulfilling his words did seize Seda, and Seda believing he wou
ld be tired and only enter her once, she gasped with utter delight as all through the night his desire for her seemed endless.

“
I swear this time I shall faint!” she finally cried out.

“
It is near, so near.”

“
I beg you. Let it be near,” she pleaded, “I cannot bear another thrust.”

King Rone body suddenly shivered.

“Bear no more,” his words with one last thrust, “All my strength has finally left me.”

Tenderly, he pulled her close, and although he longed to fall immediately into a deep sleep, he did not.

“I feel such regret,” he said truthfully.

“
Regret of what?”

“
That I did not leave you with words or a kiss,” he confessed, “Laad spoke of Uded’s deed and had Laad not slain him it would have been his fate when I returned.”

“
Such evil,” she recalled, “He set out to mar me.”

“
To mar such beauty as yours,” the king again confessed, “Would indeed have brought me sorrow. The sight of your face gladdens my heart, and as for the rest of you, my deed this night should be enough in place of words.”

“
Then, speak no words,” she whispered, “This night you have spoken much.”

King Rone pulled Seda closer, his heart pounding from such pleasure; he could not leave her to go back to his chamber.

“What did you do while I was away?” he asked, as he kissed her.

“
In this chamber I have stayed and waited, wanting for nothing, but you.”

“
For so long the sun has not shined on you,” he whispered concerned as he closed his eyes to go to sleep, “In the morning go out. Walk freely and enjoy the sun.”

“
Yes my…”

“
Rone.”

“
Rone,” she whispered.

**

While Belon rode alongside Bayl, as both talked back and forth to the other, he looked at the long line of those marching to WorrlgenHall behind them.

“
They are moving to slow,” Belon impatiently voiced to Bayl. He wanted to quicken their pace before the rains came slowing their journey even more, but more so, because he longed to get back to Ogorec, “Why are we even marching them at all?”

“
I reason father has found love,” Bayl answered shrewdly, “Such things soften one’s heart, so I am told.”

“
So no one has touched your heart?” Belon curiously asked, “Even I have known love.”

“
None,” Bayl answered truthfully, then rode ahead.

As Belon watched Bayl ride off, Ogorec came to his mind. Now over a full moon since he had seen him, he missed him madly.

Just a time over two full summers since their very first embrace, as he thought of him, he began to think of the years ahead.

Such was his love for Ogorec, he could not imagine him not in it, but their love was not the kind of love that made young girls en
vious if they heard romantic tales of it.

Their love was one frowned upon, but as his heart longed for Ogorec, their passionate secret, frowned upon or whatever other eyes saw it as, he set in his mind that he never wanted it to end.

As they marched those from the lowland, the days long, the nights welcomed, the men did as the king ordered and did not touch any of the young women who did not want it, yet many were fair to the eyes.

One such young woman was Liha. She had auburn hair, deep blue eyes, and skin
as smooth as cream, and was the talk of the men because she was very pretty.  

Although the men looked at her and talked of her among themselves, she showed no concern for any of them who spoke to her, other than one.

As she walked with her grandmother, one morning as Bayl passed her, he sternly told her to move from the edge of the path or his horse would trample her, but from just those simple words, he filled her thoughts.

Since Bayl marched with the men, he did not wear anything that set him apart fr
om the others other than his tent, which he slept in alone, and because of that Liha thought of him as only a warrior and nothing higher.

Bayl, his arms muscled as they held his horse
’s reins. His hair thick, brown, and smooth upon his face looked dashing and enthralled her, yet the more she tried to get him to glance at her, the more he seemed to ignore her, and such was her anguish, she felt herself sick.

As days passed, each time he passed her to go to the front of everyone, her heart raced and her brea
th quickened to the point she could barely breathe.

“
This fretting is more than I can stand,” Liha’s grandmother finally said, when she glanced at her again trying to catch her breath, “Seek him out.”

“
How?” she asked quickly, “I could lay dead and he would only ride over me. Such coldness is unknown to me. As long as I can remember, men have sought me.”

“
He is not one whose head easily turns,” Liha’s grandmother shrewdly observed, “And he is not like the others. He has a haughtiness about him that sets him apart.”

“
Speak what I should do.”

“
Unbound your long hair,” she suggested knowing, unlike the others or not, even the most arrogant recognize beauty, “Your red hair will stand out, and he will finally see you.”

The next day, Liha did just as her grandmother suggested and unbound her hair in the beginning of the day, and as they began to journey on, whe
n Bayl passed her to go to the head of the men; he noticed her red hair and turned his head to look at it longer.

Her thick long hair resting upon her back, its fiery hue just as that of the sun, Bayl turned twice to look at it and instead of riding to th
e front of the men, he slowed his horse and trotted along.

Slowing his pace even more, he turned his horse; then rode alongside her, but said nothing as he looked ahead, and as her heart raced and begged him to speak, finally he did.

“Your name?” he asked, as he looked ahead.

“
Liha,” she answered, but knew not to smile, more shrewd words from her grandmother, who thought it wise not to seem eager for his attention.

After he rode along side her longer, he turned his head to look at her, right away noticing
her deep blue eyes.

“
A name fitting for someone with such beauty,” he offered; then rode ahead.

Again, for days as Bayl passed in the morning he said nothing to her; then one morning a
gain Liha unbound her hair and got his attention.

“
It comes to mind that your name as Liha,” Bayl said, when he turned and rode back to her.

“
Yes.”

“
It is a good clear day. I am Bayl,” he said, letting his nostrils flare as he inhaled the fresh morning air.”

“
Yes, it is,” Liha shyly replied, but this time as she spoke, just as her grandmother had told her to do, she smiled before he rode off.

After Bayl spoke, quickly he rode away, but as trotted along, only a few paces ahead, he turned to look at her again.

“There is one behind us,” Bayl mentioned when he joined Belon up front, “Who is fair to the eyes, so much so that she caught my glance more than once.”

“
I know of whom you speak,” Belon, who had heard the men talking about her knew right away, voiced, “The men speak much of her.”

“
She smiled at me.”

“
Perhaps she knows you are the son of a king,” Belon suggested, “I gather that would bring a smile whether false or true to any woman’s face.”

“
Perhaps,” Bayl reasoned, and said nothing more of it, but as he rode, he thought of her.

As
the men hunted to feed those they marched, as Bayl hunted with them for the fun of it, he happened upon a bunch of wild flowers and gathered some in his hand, which made Belon look at him curiously.

“
Why the look?” asked Bayl, his annoyance obvious.

“
There was not look, my lord,” Belon denied, yet in his mind, he knew the auburn haired young woman had begun to sway his lord.

Once a few of the men returned, some with deer, others with rabbits, as the young women dressed them by the stream, Bayl searched amon
g them for Liha; then when he saw her, instead of riding his horse to her, he walked.

As he approached, when she saw him her heart raced and she turned her body to take deep breaths to calm herself, then when he was close turned again, as if she had been c
alm all along.

“
If you wish it,” she said before he could speak first, “I will bring you something to eat from the deer I am dressing.”

“
That would be kind,” Bayl said; then gave her the flowers, which she took gladly.

“
And for you,” she said; then gave him the flower out of her hair that she had picked earlier as she walked, “Though it is nothing to what was given me.”

“
It will do,” Bayl half smiled, as he smelled it.

Later that evening, as Bayl sat around a fire and talked with Belon and a few others, Lih
a approached him.

“
Bayl,” she said softly, as a hush came over the men because she used his name, and because she had spoken to no one, but him, “For you.”

Gratefully, Bayl took the roasted deer from her hands.

“Did you eat?” he asked before he bit into it.