1320 - Sweet, Sweet Love
As Praaven celebrated another prosperous year and settled into 1320 the Chapmans began to grow closer to August Dodson. Byrhtnoth was delighted to find the time to talk to the young chap himself and saw that he only had good intentions, especially with Linyeve. She was about to celebrate her eighteenth birthday and she cordially invited August to share some cake on her special day in their humble abode.
Other than that they would often meet at the local markets as August also made his coin through farming. And eventually Byrhtnoth found enough trust towards August to let him spend some time alone with his oldest daughter. He could see from a mile away that they had some sort of spark between them but he left it up to Linyeve to decided when, and if, she would want to be courted and married off.
Linyeve still felt like she had so much work to do at home before she could fathom the thought of leaving her family home. Her siblings were still so young and she felt a pang of guilt imagining abandoning her father with Osuald and Lavina. And speaking of these two they were beginning to get along extremely well as they both learned how to communicate well with one another.
The day had come and Linyeve was officially eighteen years old, a fine age to be considered a woman now. They extended invitations to their extended relatives and friends and they had a full house of people who wanted to celebrate Linyeve's life.
Frank arrived alongside his mother Catherine; his one and only child Shavonne was left to be babysat with his father and excused his absence as he was battling a rigid illness what they thought to be arthritis. Byrhtnoth felt a warmth come over him when he saw Frank again as he was shaping to be a handsome and strong young man. Frank had just celebrated his own eighteenth birthday just a few months back and was looking spiffy. He shared with Byrhtnoth that he was to start his journey in becoming a priest just like his father and hopefully take over the Lughaven church's duties in the next few years.
To everyone's delight King Sidgurd also found time to make an appearance at Linyeve's birthday celebration. He looked tired in the eyes of Byrhtnoth and Linyeve but they shrugged it off as just royal duties doing him in. He was accompanied by his now wife Magda, who Linyeve had just met last year. King Sidgurd shared that he wouldn't miss Linyeve's birthday for the world after everything she had done for his family.
And last to arrive was August who stumbled in his tracks once he came in contact with the King of Praaven, bowing profusely in his presence. The King tried his best to make August feel calm and comfortable and shared his relationship with Linyeve to which August was fascinated by.
Just before Catherine revealed the homemade honey cake she baked just for the occasion August shared a friendly hug in peace with Linyeve,
"Happy birthday," he said to her quietly as he embraced her. He held her for a few seconds before pulling away, butterflies dancing in his belly which Linyeve shared also. "You're looking splendid this fine day."
"You're not too bad yourself," chuckled Linyeve. She felt like she hasn't changed much in appearance since she hit her teens but she loved any compliment she received from her crush. She had finally accepted only a few weeks back and several months into knowing August that he was a definite crush to her... and she hoped that someday she would find out she was a crush to him too!
They finally gathered around the burning candles on the moist cake and all cheered Linyeve on as she made her wish, blowing out the flames. She wished for prosperity, for health, and most importantly to meet someone who will love her through her adult years. As Catherine took the duty of cutting the cake for everyone to eat Linyeve received gifts from many of her friends and family.
Byrhtnoth gifted his daughter a new fishing rod that he fashioned up himself during the winter months. Osuald and Lavina used any leftover paint that Eddida used to use and painted her a somewhat crude yet special painting of their farmhouse. And King Sidgurd gave Linyeve the most expensive gift of all, a light blue gown adorned with golden yellow trimming. She gasped at the sight of it but the King explained that she'd to wear it on her wedding day, when the time was right.
The party gathered at the table, with some extra stools placed nearby, for everyone to sit merry and indulge in the delicious birthday delicacy. They all shared some laughs and Byrhtnoth wasn't shy to tell some mildly embarassing stories from Linyeve's childhood to which she loudly scolded her father for announcing them.
"She really has mellowed out in the last few years, hasn't she?" observed King Sidgurd.
"Linyeve has just reached maturity," shared Byrhtnoth honestly. "The small things don't bother her as much anymore and she clearly inherited the Chapman morals; she would do absolutely anything to help her family." She smiled at her father and leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek. Although she wasn't as rash as she used to be she kept her delight of being the center of attention once in a while.
Conversations were being led off into the living area as the men settled near the fire and Catherine and Linyeve cleaned up after their meal. August peered in and asked if Linyeve could chat, telling her that he had somewhat of a gift for her. She placed the dirty dishes down and at one point they were alone in the kitchen.
"I don't exactly have a physical gift, such as the one that King Sidgurd gave you-" explained August before being cut off by Linyeve.
"Don't worry for a second, August. I don't expect anything at all from anyone but I greatly appreciate the effort."
"So what I wanted to share with you is that... you're genuinely the most gorgeous, pleasant and brilliant girl I have ever met and I don't believe The Watcher will ever send me a better girl my way... you are absolutely magnificent Linyeve."
She blushed but tried to hide the fact as she looked down briefly before saying a quiet, "thank you."
"But what I am trying to ask and say here is... would you be interested in courting me?" She looked back at him with a pleasantly shocked expression, their blue eyes locking together. "I was certain you were my partner for life from the first week I met you but I wanted to wait until you reached maturity before I asked anything of the sort."
The noise of chattering conversations in the other room felt non existent to Linyeve after he popped the question and she gazed into his love-filled eyes, those soft baby blue eyes, and she finally responded, "I would love to."
August let out an exhale of the air he trapped in his lungs in anticipation. "Oh, thank The Watcher you feel the same."
"I really do... there's something special about you, August."
"And with you too, Linyeve."
They stood there, alone still, in the kitchen. Not a single person in the other room seemed to want to interrupt their moment and in the heat of it all Linyeve applied her daring and fiery nature into something she had fantasised of doing weeks ago. She took half a step closer to August and his face shifted into light lust. She looked at his shiny lips and hesitated a little before finally leaning in to share their first romantic gesture.
It took everything in August not to wrap his arms around his courted love and kiss her more and more and so he stood still until Linyeve pulled away on her own. Once she did they both opened their eyes and big smiles were plastered on both of their faces. Linyeve felt her cheeks burn and giggled as she tried to hide her fluster.
"We must tell your father the news, my love," August finally spoke after their moment.
Linyeve sighed, "indeed we should... my love." August took Linyeve's hand and they walked over to the doorway to the living space where Byrhtnoth was deep in conversation with Catherine. Linyeve beckoned her father over and he excused himself before meeting the lovebirds in the kitchen.
They pulled away but Byrhtnoth had already seen their small gesture of love and waited for one of them to say something. It was August that spoke up first,
"Byrhtnoth, I want to officially share with you that I am interested in courting your daughter. She is an absolutely gorgeous girl and I have you to thank for raising her to be the strong, talented and unique woman that she is today. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Byrhtnoth."
"She is my pride and joy," began Byrhtnoth as he smiled, "and I am delighted to hear your thoughts and feelings for her."
"I really do say it with all honestly, let The Watcher be present when I say, that there are feelings I have for Linyeve that I never thought I would feel for a girl in Praaven. I am blessed to have had her come into my life the day she needed a guide home just a few months back. I fear that I love her already, in our short time knowing one another, and I would be ever grateful to have your blessing to court her before marriage."
Byrhtnoth bowed to the couple, "I give you my blessing August. Treat her like the princess she was meant to be." The family laughed and August shared one more hug with Linyeve in front of her father. He looked upon them with glee and stood in silent prayer to The Watcher to let their relationship flourish.
The festivities soon ended as the sun began to roll behind the horizon. Everyone bid one another farewell and August gave Linyeve a sweet kiss on the cheek before he wandered home. Osuald and Lavina were put to bed by the adults and as Byrhtnoth added one last log into the fire for the night he asked his daughter,
"Do you really feel like you love him already?"
"Y-yes... I think I do." This was the most coy her father had ever heard her be, this clearly was something special for her.
"He would make a mighty fine husband for you my dear."
After their celebrations Byrhtnoth began experiencing a string of nightmares that he would have occasionally. That night he saw their farm from a strange angle, as if he was a toad in the bushes observing their home, and before him the ghost of Pipa floated on by. Even in his dream he felt his heart race from shock and fear and Pipa echoed something unintelligible. He shook himself out of the nightmare and wondered what she tried to say to him but before falling back to sleep he prayed for her soul to be resting peacefully.
As spring made its way into Praaven the farm became alive once again. The seeds had been sowed, the chickens fed and horses taken care of as the weather grew warmer, yet rainier.
Now that Osuald was old enough to be trusted to watch Lavina while the oldest members worked on the farm Linyeve got acquainted with the soggy soil and helped her father with the watering and weeding of their crops. Although she didn't seem to quite enjoy it as much as her previous siblings did the knowledge that all this work would lead to a delicious meal kept her going.
And not long after their return to farming it was Lavina's day to become five years old! They made sure to make it a true celebration and give her as much attention as she deserves as they invited the usual suspects to the birthday party; Frank, Catherine, Shavonne and, of course, August.
Although Lavina was the center of attention on her big day the family made sure to catch up with one another also. Catherine checked in on Byrhtnoth and shared how proud she was to see him staying so strong after all his losses, Frank observed Lavina and Shavonne be friendly and share some toys as they played, and Linyeve and August sneaked a kiss or two from prying eyes as their love grew for one another.
The cake was ready and the candles were lit, it was time for Lavina to make a wish. Byrhtnoth raised his little girl into his arms and helped her puff out her cheeks and enthusiastically blow out her candles to which everyone cheered for. And before they went for a slice of cake they showered her with gifts!
Byrhtnoth brought some hand-me-down clothes that Pipa used to wear accompanied with some fresh undershirts for her to wear while August surprised them all with a hand carved set of little people for her to play in the dollhouse with. Linyeve couldn't help but think, by The Watcher, what can't he do?
Byrhtnoth thanked Catherine for volunteering to bake them a honey cake once again for another Chapman birthday and she waved it off like it was nothing. It was curious for the older Chapmans to taste the difference between her recipe and Olyff's and they couldn't decide which one they preferred. Once the plates were empty Byrhtnoth volunteered to clean up and everyone else went into the living room to chat once again.
August approached his courted love's father and asked for his attention. Once he placed the gathered plates down he was all ears. August hesitated for a moment but finally spit it out,
"I want to ask Linyeve's hand in marriage and I seek your approval." Byrhtnoth was shocked to hear this but he wasn't appalled, in fact he was delighted that a talented and hardworking young man like himself was ready to care and provide for his daughter so soon and so it was time for him to answer.
"Of course you may, August," he smiled, "It would be an absolute honour for you to take my daughter as your wife, she will be so happy!"
"Who will be happy?" snooped Linyeve as she walked into the kitchen. The men turned to face her before August glanced back at her father,
"Should we tell her?"
"Be my guest," approved Byrhtnoth. August stepped forward to be closer to Linyeve when he proposed to her and Byrhtnoth listened to them with a grin as he cleaned the plates nearby.
"Linyeve, my sweet, my delight," he began as Linyeve's face grew with anticipation. "Courting you for these last several months has been a dream come true but I'm ready to take it to the next step. With the approval from you father I want to ask you if you would marry me?"
Linyeve gasped and covered her mouth with her hands before exclaiming, "Yes! Yes, August!" and flinging her arms around her now fiance. They shared a tight embrace and got the attention of the guests in the other room. Some began to stand up but Linyeve stopped them in their tracks as she ran in announcing that there were to be a wedding soon. Everyone congratulated the young couple and were promised an invitation to the ceremony when the date was planned.
And the planning began instantaneously. Once it was just August left out of all of the guests that arrived earlier they began speaking of a suitable date. The children had been put to bed and it was only the adults left chatting.
"As you are aware the church and King of Praaven must approve of your betrothal before you are to marry, but it shouldn't take long to receive word of this," explained Byrhtnoth to the pair over the dinner table. "I will travel to the keep tomorrow morning and ask for King Sidgurd's attendance to discuss your union. Regardless, what day would you two prefer?"
"A summer wedding would be fetching," shared Linyeve to her father, "The sun high in the sky and plenty of time to have a party before worrying about sunset." August squeezed Linyeve's hand in agreement.
"And would it be possible to host it at our Tovar festival ground? I have seen a few weddings held there in my lifetime," asked August.
"I have heard of people eloping there also, it's a fine place to marry," nodded Byrhtnoth. And so the wedding plans were thrown into action and the wedding jitters spawned in Linyeve's and August's stomachs.
Some days after this event Byrhtnoth had another nightmare, this time of his late wife. His home in the distance and the river nearby it, all still and motionless but one thing: Olyff's ghost. It was a piercing red colour as she floated metres over the reflective water, her face an uncomfortable grimace and her eyes rolled back.
Before he knew it she approached the stable near their home where another character stood alive and awake, his trusty steed, Beauty. She munched on the hay below her, blissfully unaware of the spirit that lingered near her only getting closer and closer. A weight felt like it was pressing down on Byrhtnoth's chest as he began to hear his wife whispering, he didn't understand her either as if it was all in a different language.
Just as she reached out to touch Beauty he jolted awake from his slumber and shot up to be sitting in bed. He panted from fear and glanced around his room and across the railing where Linyeve slept unbothered. He felt droplets of sweat saturate his brow before rustling his damp hair. He steadied his breathing and decided that tomorrow night he wouldn't light the fire before bed anymore; the summer heat was finally present.
The wedding planning went by easier than any of them thought. Byrhtnoth got approval from King Sidgurd then and there on his visit and visited Father Bruceus on his way home to finalise the details. The summer wedding they dreamed of was ready to come to life as the date was picked, arch arranged and, last but certainly not least, outfits were ready.
On the morning of the holy matrimony the sky was a glistening reddish pink and Byrhtnoth got flashes back to his nightmare of Olyff. He shook those memories away when he saw Linyeve's smile beaming from across the room.
She had a stride that could only be described as an "I'm getting married!" type. They shared a quick breakfast together and as Byrhtnoth helped his daughter get into her wedding outfit Lavina played by the dollhouse with August's handcrafted dolls and Osuald made sure all of the farm animals were fed before their departure.
The light blue dress was truly spectacular and the craftsmanship was beyond anything they thought they could ever own. Linyeve knew that this was the first and last time she would wear this gown and made sure to keep it in a safe place after the wedding. She brushed her hair back and kept it long and loose as she prepared to conceal it with a covering once she was officially married. She even took a few of their strawberries from the farm to smear on her lips and cheeks to appear as a beautifully blushing bride.
Once they were set and ready to go they saddled Greyson, Linyeve's preferred horse, and she hopped onto his back. She reached the Tovar festival ground riding sidesaddle and was delighted to see that all of her guests were already present. Her extended family were there alongside King Sidgurd, his wife and the Queen Dowager. And of course, the most important guest of all, August.
To their dismay a light rain started falling from the sky but nothing was going to stop the pair from eloping today. They met halfway and held hands, glancing towards the wedding arch as they prepared themselves for the ceremony. They calmed one another down with short affirmations and smiled with excitement.
Byrhtnoth and his only son lit the fire not far from the wedding arch and warmed their hands by it. With the rain came a nip of cold in the breeze and as they were to stay outside all day it was a pleasant thing to heat their fingertips as they were licked by the flames.
Lavina was a darling and brought a few baked goods that she made the night before, a little snack for anyone feeling peckish before the hearty dinner that they all planned to have after the ceremony.
Father Bruceus was finally in attendance and the wedding was a go. He ushered all of the guests to make their way to the seating in front of the arch and to patiently wait for the bride and groom. It wasn't long before everyone was in place and Father Bruceus took to his speech.
He reminded the guests and the soon-to-be-wedded couple of the meaning of love. He mentioned a few points that he spoke of at Pipa's wedding several years back, where The Watcher can bring people together but it is ultimately the couple's decision to work on the relationship, but he also brought up some new pieces of scripture. He preached about hardships as he mentioned the names of their fallen members, both from the Chapman and Dodson family, and spoke of how important it is to love one another unconditionally through good times and bad.
And after a few more psalms from the writings of The Watcher the lovebirds said their vows. They promised to one another to love each other through good times and bad, for richer or poorer, now and forever, until death do them part. Byrhtnoth clenched his jaw as he held back happy tears, watching his daughter marry a fine young man, and soon Linyeve Chapman became Linyeve Dodson.
The pair shared a kiss to seal their vows and the crowd cheered and whooped with joy. It was surreal for Linyeve to face all of her loved ones and declare her love for her new romance but she could only see her life get better from this day onward. She looked back at August as he smiled and waved to everyone with a toothed grin and hugged him tightly by her side.
Just as the ceremony was complete the rain began to pick up and everyone attempted to squeeze under the shelter that usually housed various tables during the Tovar markets. Under this wooden awning stood a small table with a wedding cake decorated with rose buttercream and fresh flowers. Linyeve called for everyone's attention and cut the cake. As August's mother wasn't alive to see her son marry Linyeve didn't need to carry out the Praaven tradition of giving the first slice of cake to her mother in law and so everyone began to eat.
The rest of the day was a merriment of storytelling, singing and indulging in food and wine. The rain eased as the sun slowly set beyond the horizon and once the torches had to be lit around them they knew they must all part ways. But before that could happen Byrhtnoth wanted to give Linyeve a gift before she moved in with August tonight.
He handed her the neatly wrapped parcel and she gasped with surprise. She unwrapped the present hastily and found a hand carved mounted fish, a trout in particular and Linyeve felt her tears well up in her eyes lightly. The trout was one of the most common fish her and her father would catch together when she was a child and she studied the brilliant detailing that her father carved out just for her, adorned with light coat of paint that he must have nabbed from Eddida's storage.
"Just a reminder to not forget about us, especially myself," joked Byrhtnoth as he reached out to rub his daughter's shoulder. "Your life is about to drastically change now that you are married, but if you ever find the time, join me on a little day of fishing. I'm always here for you."
She swung her arms around her father and took in his love and scent. She wasn't to live far away from him but she remembered how often Pipa would visit and it wasn't often enough to make her father happy. His clothes smelled of smoke and salt and she thanked him quietly before pulling away.
The Chapmans led August and Linyeve home as they lived right next door to the Tovar festival ground and bid them farewell. It was just Byrhtnoth, Osuald and Lavina left at home, and their three horses of course, and they were excited for Linyeve's future.
As the year moved into autumn the work on the farm was slowing down. Byrhtnoth had taken it upon himself to start teaching Osuald and Lavina how to weed and water the crops well, even if they were a smidge too young to be worried about such responsibilities. He knew he needed the extra help alongside his fishing and they were curious yet pleasant kids to have around the farm.
Yet they were more than happy to help as it made their dad smile and shower them with praise. Lavina often washed the dishes after every meal and Osuald continued to clean the stables and feed the farm animals. He was getting incredibly close with Gloria but was still backed away from learning to ride her.
They still found adequate time to play and be children yet they still had their small arguments as all brothers and sisters do. It was nothing a good playful imagination session at the dollhouse couldn't fix!
Linyeve popped around to the Chapman farm a few times in the last half of the year and spoke about how busy she has been with their own harvest. They would meet the pair at the Tovar market also and they were getting on just fine. Linyeve had no signs of pregnancy after their marriage but they still had many years ahead of them to worry about children.
And just before the year was to end there was a pre-winter festival happening at the Mahlsberg festival grounds. Lavina and Osuald begged their father to visit it for even an hour or two as they heard of many great things that would be happening, such as the possibility of drinking mulled wine, playing some horseshoes and other festival games and even a pie eating competition!
Byrhtnoth couldn't object and they picked a brilliant day to visit Mahlsberg as the first nip of winter air was present yet it wasn't raining, nor had it started snowing yet! After doing a round of what was on offer at the festival, and a mug of mulled wine later, Byrhtnoth spotted King Sidgurd perusing each stall and went by to greet him.
He thanked him once again for staying supportive to their family and attending Linyeve's wedding a few months back and he insisted it was his pleasure. Before they knew it it was close to sundown but there was still one event left to do: the pie eating competition!
"Come now, Byrhtnoth, I challenge you to race me in eating a pie!" shouted the King gleefully as he slipped off his glove and playfully threw it to the ground.
"Oh, how can I go against my liege?" bowed Byrhtnoth with a smile, "This is a duel I fear I may win!"
"Let's get this over with," answered King Sidgurd as he flexed his hand, putting the glove back on it.
Lavina and Osuald heard their father attending the pie eating contest and joined in. Lavina was going to cheer her family on as she said she was too full of wine and festival treats to join in, while Osuald challenged his own father to the competition. They gathered at a table with a fancy tablecloth and looked down at the fresh blackberry pies that stood before them. The judge made a short speech declaring the competition and explained the rules before ringing the bell to start the munching.
The rules were simple, eat the pie as fast as you could without using your hands. The men stuffed their faces into the crust and through to the moist filling and gobbled it up with vicious speed. Osuald snorted a few times as he felt the blackberry jam go up his nostrils but wasn't ready to quit. Byrhtnoth's beard and moustache kept catching most of the falling food debris from his mouth but eventually he was the first to finish his pie!
The judge rang the bell and announced Byrhtnoth as the 1320 pie eating winner! He cheered with pumping fists and King Sidgurd stood next to him huffing and puffing before clutching to his stomach. He excused himself and told Byrhtnoth that he will forever be intimated to go against a Chapman in such competition.
Osuald laughed at his father's pie soaked face before Byrhtnoth rebutted,
"If you think I look funny you should see yourself!" Lavina laughed at the both of them from the side until her laugh turned to squeals as Osuald chased her around the festival grounds.
They were offered a complimentary bucket of water to wash off most of the sticky jam on their faces but they all knew they deserved a warm and soapy bath once they were home. Byrhtnoth also won a fresh mint and cream pie to take home and take it home he did.
He placed it on their kitchen counter before looking back at his children and asking them,
"Right... who's the first to get a bath?"
Osuald begged for a bath first and was assisted by his father. While Lavina waited she realised how hungry she was after all the laughter and travel back home so she cut herself a slice of the winning pie on the table. It was bursting with flavour and nothing like she ever had before.
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