Chapter 80 Witness

  Shortly before sunset Thames arrived home from his daily wanderings.  A swishing of skirts and eager feet came to greet him.

Chapter 79 Forgetting

  "You wanted to see me Mother Teresa?"

  Honey thought the old nun had simply wanted company.  She thought wrong.

Chapter 78 Never Ever

  On his way home Reeve Kenneth was so absorbed in the memory of his granddaughter's eyes, he did not realize right away that he was not alone.

Chapter 77 Willow May

  Reeve Kenneth stood in the road near the brothel.  He was not here for the....typical reason.  How does one approach a brothel when one does not intend to....

  "Hello!"

  A little girl jumped out from behind the low stone wall.

Chapter 76 Dewdrops

  Time passed quickly for the Morse family.  Laird Allan still dwelled at the Fool's Tower.  Worry and age stole Lady Margaret's vibrant red hair.

Chapter 75 Seeking One Brother

  "Father Patrick?"

  The old monk turned toward Sister Shannon.  He looked uneasy.

  He must feel as uncomfortable around women as I do around men.  I suppose it comes from living without the other.

  "Father Patrick, I have a question for you."

  The good father seemed to pale.

  "A number of years ago a young monk came to the convent.  I've come to inquire of him."

Chapter 74 Awaiting a Princess

  Francis was spending what should have been a lovely day at the castle.  He supposed he couldn't expect Princess Jean to be here every time he came.  He continued hitting balls with his cue stick.  It was less practice and more fidgeting.  Perhaps he should go.

  From across the room came the gentle swish of a lady's dress.

Chapter 73 Thames' View of the Honeymoon PG13

  Thames thought back over his honeymoon.  It had been far better than he ever could have imagined.  He could hardly believe his luck.

Chapter 72 Lady Margaret's Baby

  "Sir Samuel, so good to see you."

Chapter 71 Worthy

Chapter 70 The Trouble with Besieging a Castle

Chapter 69 Sultry

  "That's me last apple!"

  "Come back here with me apple!"

Chapter 68 Moving On Alone

  Oh.  That isn't right.  No one left now, just me.  This was easier when Winifred did it.  Let's see...rent for one merchant woman...no husband...no children.  Even paying rent is a sad affair.  Oh, and Lord Lionheart lets me take off some for being a widow.

Chapter 67 Learning

  Frella let down her hair.  Carefully she took out the precious scarf Queen Yolanda gave her.  With great care she tied it around her golden locks.
  Imagine me, looking like a queen!  I hope Thames likes it.
  She stepped out from behind the screen.

  "Well look at ye."
  Frella smiled.
  "Thames, what is that stick for?"

Chapter 66 First Wagon Ride

  "Ye see Frella?  Jest like the caravan back home."

  "It's so fancy."

  "I'm jest glad ye like it.  That one there is fer us.  I jest need to sign some papers."

  "All set Frella."

  They walked inside.

  "Well....do ye need to rest..."

  "No, I rested all the way here."

  She sat down on the comfy carpet.

  "Well, if ye be ready..." he said, turning toward the wall.

Chapter 65 All a Father Can Do

  "Reeve Kenneth."

  "Father McGreggor."
  "How are ye fairing?"

Chapter 64 Let Them Eat Cake

  After Thames kissed her, everyone applauded.

  Or perhaps they had begun to applaud before that.  Frella was never quite sure.

Chapter 63 Frella's Father

  He stepped out from between the trees.  He watched the gypsy man from a distance.  The gypsy didn't see him, and he did not call out to him.  He did not want to be seen.  It would be best if his family knew not of his daughter, or his daughter of himself or his family.  And yet here he was, watching the gypsy prepare to marry his daughter.

Chapter 62 Cold Feet

  It was time for Thames to dress for the wedding.

  Thames dragged his feet all the way there.

Chapter 61 Frella

  Frella Longfellow finished putting on the gypsy clothes her husband to be sent to her.  She was ready to leave, to go and wed him.  Or at least she was as ready as she was going to be.

Chapter 60 What Ails You?

  Francis had worked hard all week.  He barely spent time with his frat brothers anymore, unless they studied or ate together.  In fact he had felt a little guilty about it.  To make up for it he asked if any of them would like to join him in his trip to Rosewood.  The replies had been scattered.

  "Busy," from Lord Alexander.

  "Again?" from his brother Henry.

  "I am not eager to go back to Rosewood anytime soon," had been Lord Henry's reply.  Then he had walked away muttering "the last thing I need is to visit the castle."

  What was that about?

Chapter 59 Where is My baby?

  After Lady Margaret birthed her baby some of the women helped her get clean.  Her first inclination was to protest, but she was too weak to cleanse herself.  Then they helped her into a clean shift and helped her get up on the bed to rest.  They had brought her a nourishing soup to keep up her strength.  After this she wanted to be up.  So then they helped her into her dress.  She was told how well she looked and was generally fussed over.

  Lady Margaret had been worn out up until this point.  Now she wanted to know one thing.

  Where is my baby?

Chapter 58 Come Out Child!

  Lord Allan and Lady Margaret Morse had been delighted to finally have a child on the way.  But once his wife was showing Lord Allan began to worry that their secret would be revealed.

  "I cannot attend your birth, I am a man."

  "I did not ask you to husband."

  "Surely you can not birth alone?" Lord Allan had a hint of hope in his voice.

  "No Allan, I cannot."

  "Are you quite certain?"

  "I cannot catch the babe."

  "But they will know!  We will surely be killed."

Chapter 57 Princess Jean Finds Out

  Princess Jean met Francis for sweets before he went back to college.  He had come to making frequent trips to Rosewood.  She liked to think he came for her, but it was just as likely to see his parents.

Chapter 56 One Sunday at the Castle

  Early Sunday morning King Leon ventured out and greeted Brother Michael Goodman, who conducts services in the royal chapel.  King Leon does not particularly favor Brother Goodman.  He does not particularly favor any of the monks.  Brother Michael used to care for a cat the queen used to have.  At her request Brother Goodman was granted the honor.  Thinking about it King Leon realized he really didn't care.  Well if it was Brother Gargamel he would.  Leon couldn't stand that Gargamel.

  I swear if that fool Gargamel dares to come to the castle I'll throw him in the dungeon.

  Thus the king was already vexed before his knight appeared before him.

Chapter 55 New Nun

  "Thank ye jest doesn't seem like enough.  That food will last me a spell.  I be a bard by trade, a poor one, but a bard nonetheless.  Shall I entertain thee?"

  Entertain me?  As if looking into your eyes is not enough.  Your eyes behind those curly locks...

  "Sister?"

  That is right, sister.  I was so certain, so certain about becoming a nun...then I looked into those eyes.

Chapter 54 Lord Henry Divulges

  "Francis, I'm going to see what are other 'brothers' are up to, care to join me?"

  "No thank you Henry, I'm busy."

Chapter 53 In Her Dreams

  Deep in the night Winifred Sanders visited his wife in her dreams.

Chapter 52 Unexpected Opportunities

  When Henry and Francis Frell had walked to the fraternity, Henry told Francis it meant good lodging and good food.  Francis had hoped for more.  He hoped it would be an opportunity.  Opportunity for what he did not know.  But as second born, he needed opportunities.  Working in the castle had been one, and look where it took him?  All the way to college.

  The pledging had been easy.  They had needed to do little more than get to know the Lionhearts better, entertain them a little.  Francis had wanted to befriend them ever since that party he and his papa had gone to.

  Francis did do most of the work around the frat house.  He did not mind this.  He would learn what he could here as well as in his studies.  He is a merchant man.  He was learning how best to serve noblemen - and how to get along with them.  Surely there is opportunity in that.  Francis had no idea.

Chapter 51 Wishes or Prayers?

  "Shannon?"

  "Yes Mother?"

Chapter 50 Nobleman in a Peasant's Shoes

  Lord Richard Lionheart had worked long and hard to coax crops from the ground.

  Now he knows how it is for the peasants.

Chapter 49 Fraternity

  When Lord Alexander Lionheart first arrived at college he sought out a fraternity to join.  There wasn't one.  When the plague was at it's worst the colleges had closed down.  The fraternities had never been reestablished.  What is a nobleman to do?  Alexander made a bold move.  He petitioned to begin one.

Chapter 48 Esmerelda's Visitor

  Geoffrey was beat.  He walked good and slow to the shack he called home.  He sighed.  He had thought by the end of his duty as reeve he would have been better off.  At least his heir was in college that was something.

  Geoffrey could hear his wife inside.  Was she talking to herself in her old age?  A few steps closer and he could hear a response - a male response.  Geoffrey felt anger surge in his chest.  He walked more quickly.

  "I am jest so glad ye came to see me!"

  Geoffrey stopped in his tracks.  Esmerelda....she's been having a man visit her?  By her own choice?

  A male voice he didn't recognize murmured something.

  Suddenly the door flew open and the man ran straight into him.

Chapter 47 King Lovejoy Pays a Visit to the Roberts

  Remembrance breathed deeply.

  Picking oranges tasted almost as good as eating them.

Funny Pics #2

  This time I have a scene that takes place before the story begins.  It's a little scene called "After Church" and goes something like this...

  "Chip, don't go up there.  Yer going to get us all in trouble!" Dale hissed at his brother.

  "Come on Dale.  Ma and Pa are yammering with all the rest of 'em."

  "Have you no fear of God?"

  "Fear of God?  I'm going to be preaching for him, right William?"

  "Preachin'!  I thought ye were goin' to-Chip's elbow found William's ribs as quick as can be.

  "Yer goin' to preach to all these people Chip?" Dale asked uncertainly.

  "Nah, jest to ye and William.  So listen up and listen up good."

Chapter 46 Brother Chip

  When Brother Chip has dim memories of living with his parents and his brother when he was very small.  They all lived in a tiny 1 room house.

  When Chip was but a small boy he was chosen to be Boy Bishop.  This is a special honor.  The clergymen would choose a boy in the kingdom to be the Boy Bishop for a time.  He would be the honorary Bishop and would be in charge, along with his closest friends.

  Chip didn't know why he was chosen over his brother Dale.  Chip was the naughty one.  Perhaps that is why...perhaps Father Abraham Wiseman had wanted to teach him a lesson.  He had.  At first he had found it funny, Father Abraham and the other monks humbling themselves before him!  The monks had worked like slaves.

  From sun up to sun down they cleaned, gardened, cooked.  And when they weren't doing that, they worked for the upper class.  They did all kinds of things for them!  Gardened, took care of their animals, cleaned, all kinds of stuff.  The monks worked harder than the peasants, Chip could hardly believe it.  And he set back like a king.  There was a part of this that confused young Chip.  He approached Father Abraham.

Chapter 45 The Lionhearts Move Again

  Lord Richard Lionheart received a sizable amount of money from the monastery.  Years ago in this position he would have purchased his familial home or a finer home, reestablishing himself as the nobleman he is.  A wife in the fool's tower and his sons little more than servants has humbled him greatly.

  It was just enough $ to pay off his debts and pay for both his sons to go to college.  But this left nothing leftover for taxes; to pay for them Lord Richard moved into the fisher village, the same village Reeve Geoffrey Frell moved into.

Chapter 44 Second Born

  It is not fair.

  I am the only member of the royal family not sitting in the front row.

Chapter 43 Threatening Tears

  "Our donation Father Patrick.  Ma wrapped up some of the best food from the harvest."

 

   "Francis Frell, it is too much.  Surely your family has a greater need."

Chapter 42 Geoffrey's Plan

  "Henry as my heir there are certain things ye should know."

  "Such as how to beat me old man at a game of darts?"

  "No.  A very valuable goal my son, but that is not what I was aiming at."

Chapter 41 Very Noble Indeed

  "Why hello Lord Henry.  A mighty fine name ye be having.  It's the name of me eldest.  What brings you by me place this fine day?"

Chapter 40 Wordless Prayer

  Could this be the scroll I've been waiting for?

  Lord Alexander unrolled the scroll with care.

  "Father!  Henry!"

Chapter 39 Bonds of Cheese

  'O God who has forgiven thine humble servant, please grant me peace,' Alexander prayed silently.  He took a slow deep breath as he moved his prayerful hands skyward and slid his foot up to his knee.

Chapter 38 What is a Harem?

  "Lord Abdul Scorpion, what is your home like?  Is it so different from Rosewood?"

Chapter 37 The Answer to His Question

  "Chip!  There ye be.  It has been a long while has it not?  I haven't seen ye since yer pa hadn't a gray hair upon his head!"

Chapter 36 Losing a Sister

"I am sorry for your loss Clover."

  "Thank ye Father Patrick," Clover replied thickly.  She felt like she should say something more but knew not what.  "Thank ye for giving my sister a funeral....and for bringing all the monks by today.  Surely it is a comfort to mama."

  Why did I say that?  I jest want them to all go away.  Now that I thanked him they will probably stay longer.

Chapter 35 The Wailing

  Despite her initial fright an urge to follow her husband seized Honey.

Chapter 34 Honor Me Ma

  There he is.  The young monk shifted uncomfortably.  The gypsy must be waiting for him too.  Perhaps if I tell her she will come back later?

Chapter 33 Congratulations

  "It couldn't happen to a better man."

Chapter 32 The Peasant and the Royal

  Ah...there she be.  Is there anything so fine in this world as a woman?

  "Queen Yolanda?"

  See how she turns slowly at my call?  Of all the women I've dated since my late wife Elle, Queen Yolanda Patel is by far my favorite.

  "Kenneth!"

  "Hello."

Chapter 31 Kissing Boys

  Goldilocks went straight from the Frell's house to home.  She fled up the stairs hoping she went unnoticed.

Chapter 30 I Must Hesitate No More

  She is here as she often is.  But today is different.  Today I am going to kiss her.  I will walk right up to her and place my lips upon hers.

  Francis stood frozen to the spot.

  Why did I think this was a good idea again?

Chapter 29 Put Your Heart at Ease

  She seems happy enough.  But is she?  Is she really?  Is she just making the best of things?  Will it be like this for me?  We are both merchant women...but I will not remain that way.  Promised to a fisherman...mama says if papa arranged it he thought it best.  I wish he could tell me why marrying a peasant boy I've never met is best for me.  What am I supposed to make of it?  Will we be impoverished all our lives?  Will we love each other?  If there is one thing I remember of my papa it is how he loved my mama.  I have great doubt I will ever meet a man who loves any woman as much as papa loved mama.  Even as he lay dying he called her to his side, begging her often to lean close that he might kiss her.  Will I ever be loved like that?  Is Esmerelda sorry she married this Reeve?

  Unconsciously Clover Sanders edged closer.

Chapter 28 We Are All Children of God

  Shannon works in the Morse home with Mother Teresa.  'Working for others is good for the soul,' the nun had said.  To Shannon it was all play.  Being the groom for a spoiled cat and dog is only the best job ever.  She would take this over toiling at the convent any day.

  "You are such a pretty kitty."  Shannon listened closely.  She looked over her shoulder.  "I met my brother not so long ago.  I didn't know he was my brother, or that I even had one.  Have you ever met any kittens from your litter?"

  The noble cat stood prim and proper, listening intently.

Chapter 27 May as Well Be Peasants

  "I have arranged for us to live in the cottage on the left.  It is the closest to the pond.  Father Patrick will be our fish monger, so we'll have his best fish each day he fishes here.  We can still live among the peasants, but we shall have more shared land."

  Esmerelda didn't find the move quite so rosy.

Chapter 26 Frell Brothers Leave Childhood Behind

  She approaches!  Goldilocks Sanders, young, available, good birthing hips, and she approaches me.

Chapter 25 A Nobleman's Prayer

  In Rosewood everyone pays rent to their lord save the king himself.  Even future princes would pay to the king if they move out of the castle.  The nobles pay rent to the king, the merchants pay rent to their nobles, and the peasants pay rent to their merchants.

  Each person pays for their home upon moving in, owning it as well as one who serves the king can own land.  The king will often give a one time allowance according to class when one moves out on their own for the first time.  After that if one cannot pay, one sells their place and finds a smaller one.  For those who cannot pay even this amount, there is double rent housing.

  In double rent housing one does not pay a one time fee when moving in.  Instead they pay a much smaller fee, but it is a rent that is collected.  This does not wave the fee to ones lord, thus it is double rent.

  The peasant man Kenneth Woods lives in such housing, being a peasant who fell into hard times.  Reeve Frell and his family live there too "for as Reeve it is best to live among the peasants" or so the Reeve claimed when he moved in.  There is one noble who recently moved into this housing as well.  He has no such excuses, he is neither peasant nor Reeve.  He quietly studies his Bible while his sons are at school.

Chapter 24 The Eldest Princess in All the Land

  "But Ann, mother said to practice our music.  She did not say we could skip rope instead."

  "That's Princess Ann.  I will skip rope and you will play the piano.  That will be the music."

  "You have to practice music too Princess Ann."

  "Is that any way to talk to the eldest princess in all the land?"

Chapter 23 Sister Shannon

  Shannon quite forget herself, openly staring at the boy.  Shannon couldn't remember another child stopping by the convent in her short life.  The men that came to the convent were there to see Mother Teresa, not little Shannon.  But it wasn't because he was male or a child that she stared at the boy.
  She tilted her head to the side.

  Slowly she said, "You have eyes just like mine."

Chapter 22 All She Ever Wanted

  The Malones don't know how lucky they are.  What I wouldn't give...

Chapter 21 Geoffrey of Frell

  "It's my job to keep the kingdom safe, since I am the Reeve."

  Never mind that Reeve is a peasant's title.