1313 - The Spring Wedding
Author's note: This chapter is a hefty one with some big (and positive!) events in store! I will be putting a divider in between each large event so you can digest it better. So get yourself a cup of tea, or some popcorn, and enjoy the read :)
The winter of 1313 was a rainy one. The dirt surrounding the Chapman farmhouse turned to runny mud and doing the daily upkeep of the farm animals and various outdoor chores often resulted in a muddy mess. It wasn't all bad as it gave the Chapmans more opportunity to seek out a hot bath at the end of the day.
After one of these warm baths Byrhtnoth lay down in bed with his loving wife and had a discussion with her before getting ready to sleep,
"Have we decided what we shall do with Pipa?" he questioned Olyff.
"I think it's best if I have a heart to heart with her, woman to woman," she shared. "She may be more inclined to open up fully to me, perhaps after a visit to our family plot at the graveyard?"
"That sounds wonderful my dear. And when should we contact Frank's parents?"
"We could briefly visit their home right after the graveyard? Or perhaps Father Bruceus will be available at the church and we can talk to him there."
"Seems like you've got this all handled!" Byrhtnoth leaned in to kiss his wife on the cheek before beginning to change into his sleepwear. "I'll just appear as the head of the house when the meeting takes place then." Olyff smiled and got ready for bed also.
The next morning Olyff approached Pipa after breakfast, just after instructing Eddida to clean the dishes. It had still been raining outside but it was a mere drizzle, perfect January weather for a trip to the Lughaven church. She kept it secret that she was to confront Pipa about her and Frank and went with the idea of a simple visit to their fallen relatives.
Everything seemed to be in order at the gravesite. They fixed a few gravestones up, removing any moss or weeds that seemed to be covering up the text etched into the grey rock, and stood in silence while looking down at the graves. Olyff asked how Pipa felt about Teffan's loss now that a few years have gone by and she responded,
"It still sometimes feels like it was all my fault for her passing," she revealed to her mother, head hanging low. "If only I didn't suggest to have her sit on Beauty during that storm..."
"You were only a child," comforted Olyff, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You never intended any harm to her, none of us did. You have never been at fault for her death, I promise you that." Something struck a chord with what her mother said to her and Pipa felt a tear roll down her cheek. Her mother hadn't finished yet,
"And it wasn't your fault for not being ready to tell us about you and Frank." Pipa's heart sank for a moment. She didn't expect her mother to suddenly change the topic to something that she still didn't feel quite ready to discuss. She tried to stop her lip from quivering with emotion.
"Young love is beautiful, no matter how serious or innocent it is, my love," continued Olyff as she rubbed her daughter's shoulder. "Your father and I approve of your choice to be courted by him, even if you are very young. Let's discuss it further with Frank's parents and see what we can do."
Pipa fell into her mothers arms and nuzzled her face into Olyff's bushy hair. Her hair smelled of woody smoke and chamomile, a comforting scent to Pipa as she felt more tears produce out of her eyes. She quietly whispered thank you to her mother and Olyff rubbed her back in response. It was funny to comfort her eldest daughter in the same way she did when Pipa was only a babe yet now she stood at the same height as her. She was still her child and she only wanted the best for her.
Once Pipa dried her eyes off the pair decided to meet with Father Bruceus and Catherine and invite them for dinner this week to discuss the courtship, and possible future marriage, between Pipa and Frank. The parents weren't at the church so they went next door to their newly rebuilt home and knocked on the door.
They were met by the Father and exchanged religious greetings, mentioning The Watcher. Olyff shared that they were just passing by but wanted to extend an invitation for his family to come for dinner to their farmhouse across the river to which they agreed to.
"Would I be right in saying that you have implied that you would be accepting of the potential of our children to be wedded one day?" questioned Olyff. Father Bruceus nodded,
"I have implied exactly that to dear Pipa before, and my wife is in favour also. Is this a topic that would be discussed over said dinner?"
"Yes indeed," answered Olyff with a soft smile, wrinkles appearing around her eyes. "We would love to all meet together over a warm meal and see what comes of this situation." They all shook hands and agreed to meet at the end of the week for dinner on the Chapman farm.
The days leading up to their meeting Olyff made sure to make their home look spick and span, sweeping the floors multiple times a day and making sure nothing was misplaced around the kitchen.
Linyeve was progressively trying hard to reestablish her relationship with her eldest sister, still feeling a weight of guilt for what she had said or done last year, but they still found time to share a few laughs and positive moments between eachother. The day of the meeting Linyeve teased,
"Oooooh, Pipa's husband is coming to visit today~"
"He's not my husband!" defended Pipa lightly, "... not yet, anyway." She got a little shove from Linyeve as she wore a shocked yet silly expression and the sisters giggled before getting dressed for the occasion.
Around 2 o' clock Frank and his parents came knocking on the Chapman door. Byrhtnoth emerged from the home and shook hands with everyone, greeting them all and inviting them inside. Father Bruceus complimented their home and Olyff invited them to sit at their table near the roaring hearth. She served everyone some fish stew, made with the best quality fish they had preserved over the winter, and the family and guests got eating.
Although this was a meeting to be had with Pipa, Frank and their parents, Linyeve and Eddida joined in for the meal also. They planned to disappear to their rooms once the serious discussion was to be had but for now they all traded some stories and got to know one another better.
"So tell me, Frank," began Byrhtnoth as he finished his last spoonful of stew, "what are your ambitions in this life?" Frank chewed thoroughly before responding.
"That's quite a loaded question," he started with a chuckle, "but I'd like to continue helping my father with the church and once I'm older I wouldn't be opposed to being a scribe of some sort."
Byrhtnoth gasped at his response, "So you can read and write?"
"Of course he can," chimed in Father Bruceus. "I have been teaching him how to through having him learn verses of the Scripture of The Watcher since he was around five years old!" He stated this fact with pride as he looked at his son. Olyff began clearing the table of their empty bowls and the two youngest Chapman daughters excused themselves from the table.
"Would you be passing on this skill to your children, then?" asked Byrhtnoth.
"I'd love to," smiled Frank, "I know it's a great skill to have and it might benefit them in any future endeavours, such as becoming a squire or apprentice of any skill." Olyff and Byrhtnoth looked at each other with impressed expressions.
"And I could ask the same about Pipa," rebutted Father Bruceus, "What would make you a good wife to our son?" She looked at him with a face which expressed that she was put on the spot but she defended herself anyway,
"I-I know how to cook and bake, and I have also been very attentive to cultivating crops and handling farm animals." Father Bruceus seemed pleased with this response but looked like he expected more so Pipa continued,
"I also took great care of my siblings when they were very young so I'm confident with my ability to raise my future children!" She looked at her mother as she finished and she gave Pipa a sly wink. Father Bruceus' mouth curled into a bigger smile as he glanced at his wife who nodded in agreement.
"I think it's time to see how much our young lovebirds love each other." The group was hanging on his every word as they all wanted to know what he meant. "Frank, my boy, if you truly love Pipa then stand up and profess to her mother why you want to take her daughter's hand in marriage."
He gulped but stood up with confidence, Pipa's jaw open from surprise and anticipation. Frank stood before Olyff and began his somewhat unprepared speech,
"Olyff... your daughter is like a cool breeze on the hottest summer day. She makes my heart skip a beat every time she graces me with her presence. Just her name makes me smile each time I hear it uttered and it pains me to live apart from her. We are both very young, I know, but I feel my heart fall deeper for Pipa everyday that I awake... May I take your daughter's hand in marriage?"
Every member in the Chapman family's eyes widened. What they just heard was words eloquent enough to be spoken by the most richest and royal dukes and queens across England and it was being said by a young boy who has feelings for their eldest peasant daughter. She puts her hand on her chest from astonishment and Frank continues his plea,
"If I marry her I promise to love her every day like it is our last, to care for her as if she were of my flesh and blood, to provide for her and our children until I work my hands to the bone, as long as she stays by my side. I make a promise to you, and to your husband Byrhtnoth, that your daughter would be perfect with me as her husband."
Olyff looks to her husband to see his thoughts. His mouth had gone dry from keeping it open from surprise for so long and so he swallowed before making a pursed lip smile, eyes gentle. She turned back to look at Frank, small and youthful Frank, and then turned to look at Pipa. Her cheeks had become flushed and she fidgeted with the apron on her lap, worried of the outcome but flattered by his never ending stream of descriptions. The air was heavy from the silence in the farmhouse before Olyff finally broke it,
"How could we say no?" Frank breathed a deep sigh of relief and took Olyff's hands and thanked her. He turned to Pipa who stood up and met him at his height. He took her hands in his and the two pairs of parents looked at them happily. "Our courtship has been approved, Pipa."
They couldn't hold back and enveloped each other into a passionate embrace. They wouldn't dare to kiss in front of their parents but a small, loving gesture such as a hug wouldn't be too risque. As they pulled away Byrhtnoth joked,
"So, when's the wedding?"
"As soon as possible," breathed Pipa as she looked into Frank's eyes.
"Once they marry they would be living under the same roof as Catherine and I, is that alright with you?" stated Father Bruceus to Pipa's parents. "We only live across the river so it wouldn't be too large of a trek to visit your daughter!" The reality began to set in for Olyff and she felt like she couldn't let her child go and live with someone else yet she knew she'd have to start her own life soon... it's just far too early, or at least it feels that way.
"Alright," sighed Olyff eventually, "We'd be honoured for Pipa to live on your homestead." Byrhtnoth squeezed his wife's hand and they glanced at one another as the wedding plans were becoming set.
"What day shall we say for the ceremony to commence?" asked Catherine.
"How about the last day of March?" suggested Byrhtnoth. "It gives them some time to feel out how it's like to be officially courted!"
The group chuckled and the date was set. They all began to stand up and congratulate the new couple, exchanging hugs and praises with Frank and Pipa. Eddida and Linyeve had overheard the room get chatty and came in to congratulate the pair on their successful meet.
The months leading up to the wedding were rainy as ever but the skies began to give way for sunnier days as March began. All of the daughters began to help out on the farm and the crops were looking more alive than ever before!
Yet even with all of this help that Olyff was receiving from her girls she found herself suddenly becoming tired quicker than she has ever been in the last few years. She was aware of her sudden aging from stress but she grew worried that her time on earth was becoming short... that was until her aversion to fish reappeared. Could it be... she was pregnant again?
This was all far to early to determine, there wasn't a bump in sight! She concealed this information until any further signs of pregnancy presented themselves and so she put all of her remaining energy in planning the wedding alongside Father Bruceus.
They were lucky to have the father of the groom be a priest who could officiate the wedding. He had filed the information of the couple to the Praaven keep and got answer that their marriage was approved by the King, making them ready for the ceremony any day now!
The young couple decided that although they had easy access to the Lughaven church they wanted to get married in an outdoor space, away from any religious iconography. Olyff found that the nearby village of Mahlsberg hosted a variety of outdoor weddings on their festival grounds for people of all social classes. They collected bundles of flowers as decorations and what's a celebration without cake? Pipa and Eddida spent time baking a two tiered honey cake with cream and lemonbalm frosting two days before the ceremony and the night before they prepared her wedding attire, dyeing a brand new linen dress with carrot juice to make it a vibrant orange.
And now the day had finally arrived. Both families arrived to the festival grounds early to set up their decorations with any seating needed for guests during the ceremony. The wooden wedding arch was a permanent monument at the park and featured some creeping ivy decorating its banisters. The families mingled for a short while before committing to the wedding.
The Chapmans, and Catherine, all took their seats close to the arch and Father Bruceus stood near the soon-to-be-weds as they stood under the ivy.
"Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, the people and The Watcher. Welcome to the wedding of Pipa Chapman and Frank Bruceus..."
He began reciting an excerpt from the Scripture of The Watcher that had to do with love, how The Watcher may be a matchmaker but They are not always the one that leads the relationship to its destination. The Watcher is only a guide but the two lovers are what makes the relationship true. And after this psalm he begins to aid the young couple in their vows.
They both promise to one another to love, care and honour each other no matter how poor, sick or old they may be, how they will now be bound together until death do them part. They exchanged simple copper rings as a symbol of their love and the last thing for them to do at the end of the ceremony was to seal their vows with a kiss.
The families stood up and began clapping and cheering for the newly wedded couple. After everyone said their congratulations and shared their greatest wishes for Pipa and Frank the couple invited everyone to gather around the homemade cake.
Pipa said a small thank you for everyone coming to the wedding and took a knife to divide the cake into even slices. It was customary for the first slice of cake at weddings to go to the groom's mother and Pipa did exactly that. They all sat around the benches, away from the arch, and enjoyed their sweet treat. There everyone got conversing about all sorts of topics.
Linyeve couldn't help herself and began messing with Frank,
"Y'know, Pipa has said before that she would love to have at least ten children in her lifetime."
Frank began to choke on his cake as she said that, coughing profusely. Eddida put on a unamused expression and snapped back,
"Don't scare Frank like that! I've never heard Pipa say that."
"Oh, she just never told you, Eddida... she told me in secret." Frank had finally swallowed his uncomfortable mouthful of cake and pretended that what Linyeve was said was far from the truth.
The festivities continued with some ale, face painting, and dancing as a local musician came around to the festival grounds in search of a party. He played his lute for without cost, citing his performance was his wedding gift to the young couple.
The sun was setting in the sky as a bright orange hue, just as orange as Pipa's wedding dress! It painted Praaven a lovely, warm colour and made the party far more romantic. It was at this time that Prince Sidgurd, the son of the King of Praaven, graced the Chapmans with his presence. They all bowed as low as they could and thanked him for his visit.
Linyeve was the only one to have the audacity and courage to have a simple conversation with him, which he enjoyed,
"I was sent here on behalf of my father," he explained to her. "He has been most grateful for your father's contribution to the kingdom and wanted to hear of his eldest daughter's wedding. He has grown quite old now and the trek here would have been too perilous for him..." He looked around and leaned in close before saying his next statement,
"And to be completely honest, he's not one to mingle with peasants."
"And you are?" teased Linyeve, getting a disapproving glance from her father from how rude her manner of speaking is. Prince Sidgurd laughed,
"Well, I'm still standing here, aren't I?" He did not overstay his welcome though and congratulated Pipa and Frank once more before riding off back to the keep on his royal horse.
The sun was setting fast and the Chapmans invited everyone back to their farmhouse. Once home they all knew what entailed next... the consummation of marriage.
Some families across England would sit and watch how the newly wedded couple would perform in bed but the Chapmans were against such heinous acts. Before the wedding Olyff had a brief conversation with Pipa about the birds and the bees and it was to her knowledge that Pipa already experienced her first bleed, so the result of this consummation could go either way. The parents promised to stay downstairs, enjoying one more bottle of ale, while Pipa and Frank would share her parent's bed as their first night as a married couple.
Even though they weren't present in the same room it was difficult to not hear the bed creak right above them and so the parents giggled at the knowledge of their children's acts. Father Bruceus tried to keep a serious expression through this as he was silently reciting a prayer to aid the couple in the conception of a child during their first night together.
It was in this moment that Olyff asked if her husband noticed that she had not been drinking any ale all night to which he said he was embarrassed that he didn't. His half drunken mind couldn't figure out why she wasn't so she had to say it bluntly to him,
"I'm pregnant once again!"
His jaw dropped and he covered his face in joyful shock. He placed his hand on her belly and felt it bulge out, just a little, and couldn't believe it one bit.
"It's a miracle, Father," he said as he looked towards Father Bruceus. "The Watcher has finally blessed us with another offspring when we thought it was not meant to be!" He picked his wife up and kissed her passionately before setting her down and continued to touch her pregnant belly.
With the celebrations lasting until the moon was high in the night sky it was decided that it was best for everyone to sleep over at the Chapman's home before venturing back to their homes and so they did just that. They all shared breakfast the next morning and bid Pipa farewell as she was to move in with Frank starting that day.
Before she left she also revealed to Pipa, and the rest of her daughters, that she was with child again. They were all delighted for her and Pipa was somewhat saddened that she wasn't going to be there for her new sibling's first moments.
"Don't worry, you can visit as much as you'd like," reassured Olyff. "And soon enough you will start experiencing the joys of having a baby for yourself!"
Pipa settled into her new life with Frank as spring came and went. With summer's days passing by Olyff's pregnant belly grew bigger, passing on some responsibilities to her two remaining children at home the harder it was for her to move around. Pipa still visited at least once a month and it was always a treat to have her back inside the house. She visited with Frank most of the time and it was clear that right after their wedding she wasn't pregnant, which was probably for the best considering their age.
Life carried on and the harvest rolled around. Linyeve still stuck to fishing more than farming so Eddida replaced Pipa's place as Olyff's help on their farm. They had an abundance of carrots and cabbage this year and made sure to deliver a large batch to Pipa and her new family. Inspired by her mother she also started a small garden next to their home across the river but was grateful for the extra produce her family shared with her.
Gloria was still a young little horse but was getting taller every month. Eddida loved to brush her youthful mane and grew quite close to her and the other horses they owned.
And before they knew it winter had arrived with a downpour of rain. Snow failed to fall from the sky as it had been warmer this year but the Chapmans quite liked hearing the droplets fall across their straw thatched roof as they slept. Olyff was in her last month of pregnancy and often took naps to the sound of the storms going on outside.
One evening after dinner Byrhtnoth insisted that he would clean up the dishes after himself and his daughters. With no more chores left for the day Linyeve conjured up a silly yet exciting activity that she and her sister could take part in: a pillow fight!
They grabbed the chicken feather pillows from their beds and chased each other throughout the rooms downstairs, smacking the soft linen cushions across their bodies. Olyff awoke to her cheerful play and decided to get up out of bed and look over the railing in her room to see the girls mess around downstairs. But as soon as she stood up she felt her dress become damp and it was clear that her water had broken.
She reached over the railing and called out to her family that her labor had begun! Byrhtnoth gathered the clean linens and warm water once again and felt out of practice, it had almost been a full ten years since his wife had been in labor and he silently worried he wouldn't be able to perform correctly during these important moments.
Olyff was happy to have her daughters be grown up and be a witness to the birth of their next sibling. Although the act is at times gruesome it was good for Linyeve and Eddida to get some sort of experience with labor as one day they would be enduring the same pains.
At midnight Olyff did one last push and out came her newborn child. Her husband scooped the baby into his clean hands and breathed out a sigh of relief when the baby began to cry. Linyeve stood in awe at the miracle of childbirth and Eddida held onto her sister for support.
"It's a baby boy," announced Byrhtnoth as he cleaned the wriggling baby. The two daughters took action and helped to clean their mother up also and get her dressed in a fresh nightgown. They all sat down on the parent's bed when the bustle was over and cooed at the new addition to the family, he was splendidly gorgeous.
"What will you call him?" asked Eddida as her new baby brother held onto her slender finger. The parents looked at one another and Olyff spoke up,
"Osuald. Osuald Chapman."
"A fine name for a handsome little man," agreed Byrhtnoth. He stroked his son's small, light hairs on his head and still couldn't believe how their family experienced a miracle. He was ready to accept his life with only three daughters but it was an honour to pass on everything he has built up on this land to his one and only son, his heir to the Chapman name.
They placed the newborn boy into the small crib that Byrhtnoth fished out of their storage, the very same one that rocked all of his three other daughters to sleep many years ago, and so he rocked Osuald too. Their first night was a success as everyone slept calmly and Olyff was delighted to hear her baby's loud cries for attention leading into the new year.
Post Chapter Author's Note: I was far too excited of the prospect of my sim's eldest daughter marrying soon and I definitely married her off a few years too young <.< I played this year MONTHS ago so we will roll with it! Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed the longest chapter I've had so far <3
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