Quietly Making Noise

Disclaimer: I own nothing, nor am I ever likely to. I am making no money from this fic.

A wedding fic for the lovely and kind JenBachand. With love and hopes for all good things.

A good beta is better than gold to spend, but a good friend is better than air to breathe. I’m blessed to have both in one person…thanks to Kristen Elizabeth for the beta and so much more.

******

The Great Hall was mostly empty save for a few men still at their cups when Grissom passed through on the way back to his tower. One look at his thunderous face kept any of them from hailing him. His cloak billowed behind him, causing him to appear larger and darker than any mere human.

Anger threatened to overtake him as he strode out of the Hall, through the screens passage and out into the main corridor. His heart felt a heavy, black thing, writhing in his breast, boiling in his stomach. He knew his ire was a many faceted thing…there was anger at the King for using the girl in such a way, anger at the Lady Sara for her insistence on being in his life, anger at himself that he cared more for her than he had remembered, more than he should, more than he wanted. And now, he was under orders from his king to assist in finding her a husband, a master.

“M’lord?” He nearly missed the quiet inquiry from the other end of the darkened corridor. His cloak swirled around him like a raging storm cloud as he turned on his heel when the voice registered.

“Yes? What is the matter?” Though his words were helpful, his voice was a snarl.

“Your pardon, m’lord mage.” There was a hasty curtsy, then a whisper of fabric as the speaker moved into the yellow torch light of the closest sconce. “I meant no harm. I am sorry to have disturbed you.” The Lady Sara’s brow furrowed in confused trepidation.

His shoulders slumped beneath his cloak and the anger left his body, leaving nothing but regret and an unnamed ache. “Lady Sara.” He gave a perfunctory bow. “It is I who must ask your pardon. I was distracted and did not mean to sound so rude.”

“Is all well with you?” She still looked somewhat befuddled and slightly wary.

“All is well, my lady. I fear my temper has been shortened by weariness. Again, I offer my pardon.” He tried to smile but he felt it nothing more than a pained grimace; he only hoped the dim light did not make it more gruesome than it felt, lest he frighten her. “And with you? It is quite late for you to be abroad in the castle.”

She chuckled lightly. “My young cousin had made off with one of the pups from the litter by the King’s hound. The poor thing was in the prince’s chamber crying piteously for its dinner.” She made an airy gesture over her shoulder. “I returned the pup to its mother. Since she is the King’s favorite, the Cook has allowed the bitch and her pups a basket just inside the kitchens door.”

The corner of his mouth just lifted and he shook his head. “Your tender heart causes you trouble yet again, m’lady.”

She smiled. “My ears more like. I could not bear the crying; the litter has not been weaned yet and the creature needed its mother.”

He was not sure what caused him to ask, perhaps it was the way she said the word “mother,” but ask he did. “And you Lady Sara? Do you ever find yourself a creature in need of its mother?”

She blinked at him, then swallowed. “My mother? I…” Her brow furrowed, then cleared and she stood straighter. “I was sent to be fostered by the Queen after my father’s death. I have not seen my mother since, though I do occasionally receive letters from her.” She tilted her head. “The King and Queen have been most kind to me…I sometimes forget this is not my home.”

“Do you ever plan to return to your family home?” He knew not what caused him to continue to make inquiries she was uncomfortable with…perhaps if she wished to be wed, if he knew she wanted a husband and home of her own perhaps he would find it easier to stomach his obligation to the King.

“My brother has sworn I will always have a home and such independence as can be accorded a woman of my limited standing.” Her voice was soft and her eyes dropped as she continued, “These last two years, the King has urged him to arrange a marriage for me, but my brother has been true to his word.”

”You have no wish to marry? To have a home of your own?”

“I have no desire to enter into a marriage where I become the chattel of a man chosen for me by another man. Should I ever marry, I will that it be because I choose to.” Her look was bright and bold as she raised her eyes. “I would marry for love or I will not marry at all.”

He assumed his look must have turned to one of dismay for despite the seriousness of he words, the lady laughed. “I know you to be a man of reason and science, m’lord. I am sure love figures not into your world.” Her mouth tilted wryly. “On this topic alone I must cease to be your avid pupil.” She dipped into an ironic curtsy, the hem of her red over-gown sweeping the floor.

“Love ne’er served to elevate a man’s status.” His tone was that of the teacher, pointing out the logic of the lesson.

“And an arranged marriage never served a woman but to elevate her status.” She shrugged. “If I care not for status, then I have no need for an arranged marriage.”

“You would only marry for love? What if you came to love…” he searched his thoughts for a moment, “…a member of the King’s guard? Or a simple farmer? You would wish to marry that man instead of one of your own station in life?”

“I would be marrying the man, not his social station. Were I to be fortunate enough to wed my love, this would matter not.” Her eyes seemed especially intense, catching the dancing flames of the torch light. For a moment he thought he saw a glimmer of something he could not put name to in her gaze, but then she dropped her eyes and the thought fled along with the fleeting glimpse.

The mage was unsure if he felt apprehension that he might be the one charged with crushing the girl’s dreams or if he felt admiration that such a young woman could feel so completely independent and care naught for the opinions of others.

Seemingly unaware of the inner sway of the mage’s thoughts, Sara continued. “Of course, I know I am most fortunate that my brother has sworn that, should I marry, it will be as I will it. For that I am most grateful.”

He cleared his throat, hoping fervently that young Lord Sidle was indeed alive and well, having simply been waylaid on his journey South. “Your brother must be extraordinarily fond of you.”

The smile she turned on him had a touch of sadness to it. “My brother knows me well and why I feel as I do. We have always been close and that has extended through our father’s death and our separation.”

Though he knew the answer, he ventured the question anyway. “Where is your brother now?”

“He rode from our lands into the South sometime ago.” Her brow furrowed. “He has never been good about sending letters, especially as he travels. I hope to have news of him soon. I would…”

Her words were interrupted by a heavy footstep in the corridor and the jangle of mail moving in concert with the step. “My lady Sara.” The captain of the guard swept into a low bow.

“Captain James.” The lady smiled warmly at the older man.

He made a disapproving noise. “You should know better than to waste such time with this fellow. Rumor has it he will turn anyone into a toad who dares look him in the eye.”

The mage snorted, but Sara chuckled in delight. “Really, Captain? I had last heard one who was so brave as to gaze fully on his countenance would find themselves part of the morning mist, doomed to float in the air for all time.”

The Captain raised a craggy eyebrow. “I would much rather be a toad than to have to arise before the sun to become morning mist.”

Grissom gave a long suffering sigh. “If either enchantment were within my power, you would find yourselves amphibian and ether before this night is through.”

The captain rolled his eyes dramatically at Sara, causing her to laugh again. “I see your travels have robbed you of your wit, mage. No matter though, as I do not require your wit, only the cask you spoke of.”

“Yet, you make me regret the promise.” His words were austere but both of his companions could see the laughter in his eyes.

“But promise you did.” He turned to the young woman. “May I escort you to your chambers, lady?”

“Oh, no, Captain. There is no need.” She curtsied to first the mage, then the captain. “I will wish you both a good evening. I will see you on the morrow.”

The mage watched her as she moved through the pools of light provided by the torches until she turned into the screens passage, to go back through the Great Hall to the royal family’s chambers.

He turned to find the captain staring at him with a knowing smile upon his weathered face. He narrowed his eyes at his friend, only to see the smile grow wider before the older man indicated they should proceed to the mage’s tower.

******

The Captain of the Guard pronounced the contents of the cask from the North finer by far than the village tavern’s fare and proceeded to inform the mage of all the happenings in his many months absence.

The news of the village and the castle were, as James had predicted, no more than Grissom had learned listening to the vendors in the market and the servants outside the Hall. But James was oft able to tell him the stories behind the gossip; some made him shake his head, others made him laugh aloud.

As Grissom filled his tankard again, James told him what he already knew. “The King has commanded four riders from the garrison to ride South in search of the Lady Sara’s brother.”

Solemnly, the mage placed the tankard on the table in front of his friend. “Aye.”

“I hope we find the boy alive; though with each passing day it looks less likely.” He took a large drink of ale, looking at his friend over the top of his cup. “The lady was sore disappointed to find you yet gone when she arrived home.”

Carefully masking his expression, the mage took a draught from his own flask before answering. “She is still an eager pupil.”

A smirk came over the captain’s face. “Indeed, m’lord mage. Indeed.” Eyeing the rich amber ale, the captain’s expression sobered. “I fear for the girl’s future happiness if her brother has come to harm.”

Sighing, the mage agreed and they clinked their cups in silent toast to the health of the lord of the Sidle lands.

Madrigal-Chapter 1
Madrigal-Chapter 2
Madrigal-Chapter 3
Madrigal-Chapter 4
Madrigal-Chapter 5
Madrigal-Chapter 6
Madrigal-Chapter 7
Madrigal-Chapter 8
Madrigal-Chapter 9
Madrigal-Chapter 10
Madrigal-Chapter 11
Madrigal-Chapter 12

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