Chapter 20: Chapter 20

WHEN AVAN MAKES A UP

Annoyed because I was hungry and tired again, I sat on the chest under our window with my arms crossed.

Arin buttoned a fresh shirt and gleefully eyed me. "Are you finally going to stop sulking?"

"Never..."

He grabbed my chin and lifted it up. "Instantly."

"No..."

Then he let go of me and shrugged. "Then make a fool of yourself in front of Avan."

Growling, I turned my head to the window. That damn guy! An hour ago, a servant, a young nephew of Arin's, came with an invitation from Avan. Well, rather a damn order! He was throwing a party and would be happy to see us there. Let's face it, no one was allowed to ignore this invitation.

"Arin..." in my most painful tone, I looked up at Arin. His eyes narrowed in skepticism. "My tummy hurts. I shouldn't overexert myself not to hurt the baby. If there's a baby."

Grinning maliciously, just like his dimwitted big brother, he leaned forward and nodded. He stopped very close to my face.

"Move your lying ass to the great hall."

So I followed the black knights down the stairs to the celebration. There were only the Campbell brothers with their wives and children. Everyone seemed cheerful, yet the mood was subdued. Arin suddenly looked nervous.

"Is something wrong?"

"Samuel... Joe... dammit, Michel." He scratched the back of his head. "All nine of us are here... where's Kora and Taran. It's not my fault this time." I felt bad, but I still had to laugh at how disturbed he looked. "Hey, those are legitimate concerns!"

Suddenly Taran appeared next to Arin. "What did you do?"

"What did you do?"

Then Kora joined us. "What did you do?"

"I haven't done anything, hell. Just now that I'm finally in peace." The brothers exchanged a look. Suddenly all three slowly turned to face me.

"Forgiveness?"

"Well, who's messing with Avan all the time?" Taran huffed and ran a hand through his hair in relief. "Then I'm off the hook and can relax."

"Is it that bad that you all get together? I thought the really bad part is the first three?"

"But when the big ones all come together, it always ended awkwardly for one of us." Kora grinned maliciously. "But you will see that soon."

During the evening I learned that Michel is responsible for the hunt and the food, which is why he was rarely seen in the castle. Samuel loved to read and research, so he often worked with Avan. And Joe was responsible for the expenses of the castle.

Actually, I didn't realize that Avan was up to something. Until I noticed that he had cherry pie served. Then I knew this evening was going to be interesting.

"You managed to get something started." Florence grabbed my elbow and dug her nails into my skin. I got hot cold. I still missed her. "And then just cherry pie?"

"Just leave me alone tonight."

Arin was greeting his brothers, I hoped he would take his time. It would be terrible if I also had to experience drama because of Florence.

"Do you think the party will get you rid of me? I'll stay as long as I'm comfortable."

"Don't surprise me. You're not the kind of person who knows when you're unwanted."

Florence's face flushed and she gasped. "You dare!"

I felt an authoritarian aura next to us. avan. "Would you two like to come with me?"

Florence ignored his seething voice as if a kitten had purred.

He led us both to a quiet corner. Then he stared at me for a long time. I tried to stare back, but at some point I noticed Arin and Taran sitting in one place, scowling at us.

"Today your clothes arrived, I got the bill." Could that be the whole reason for the celebration? Avan was really a step up for me.

Florence beamed. "Oh no, how nice! Then I can wear it to the party right away!"

Then Avan smiled in a way that sent chills down my spine. It was piercing and calculating. I had never seen him look at anyone like that before. And for the first time I understood Benita. That's how Avan scared me too. Uncanny fear.

"Elain. I don't have a receipt for your dress."

I was taken aback by his inquiring gaze and nodded. He didn't look at me so mercilessly. And that confused me.

"Arin will have them."

"Why not Florence's too? What is it to me?"

For the first time in my life, I felt like Avan was on my side. That was good! He was an important part of my plan and he just seemed to get it.

"Well, she told me I owed her a party and a dress on behalf of the Campbells. So I guess that's why she thought you had to pay for it." Avan's eyes narrowed, so I hurried on. "You made me responsible for your gesture. I thought I should do whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable. Did I do something wrong?"

Avan's face didn't move for a long time. Then a corner of his mouth hesitantly lifted. He only stopped when I saw the typical Campbell dimple. He looked at Florence, which resembled a boiling pillar of salt.

"You blackmailed her?"

"Excuse me!? No!"

"You blackmailed her!" He now stated and raised his voice loud enough that everyone became quiet and looked on.

"She's just imagining it..." Florence hissed, trying not to dismember me on the spot.

"You blackmailed one of my sisters-in-law, wanted to get money from me, continue to live with me and take advantage of my hospitality."

A murmur went through the room. Florence growled vibratingly. It actually worked! Thank goodness Avan was confident enough to get my game going. And this game Florence would lose. She'd tripped herself with the Expensive Price and messed with Avan. Now all I had to do was watch and wait.

I looked for Arin in the crowd. He stood by Eric with Taran. He understood what was going on here just like everyone else. Everyone in the room just waited to see what happened next.

Eberhart stepped towards us between the people. Then Michel grabbed him and pressed him meaningfully onto a chair. His son giggled and stuck his tongue out at Eberhart.

"Avan..." Florence tried to save what could be saved. But Avan had probably only just begun.

"You both took advantage of the fact that I didn't just throw you out the door. I had no reason to!"

At the last word, Avan obviously grinned at me. Florence spun around, grabbed my throat and threw me against the wall. I couldn't react fast enough as Ben pulled Florence away and Arin pushed me behind him.

"And now, you attacked my little brother's wife." Florence spat and screamed as she understood. She lost that battle. "I hereby banish you both from my property. Don't you dare come back."

It got quiet. Eberhart was grabbed and dragged to the door, Ben did the same to the woman who had rejected me when I was a baby.

"Good Trip." Avan added, nonchalantly raising his wine goblet.

Florence scolded and threatened me until she was out of earshot. However, I was convinced that she continued to swear at me far beyond that.

I felt fantastic! A huge burden fell from my shoulders. Arin led me to his seat and handed me a cake. Cherrycake.

I noticed that Bea was sitting in front of us with Helena and I tried not to look at her at all. All sorts of people flocked to the table. Then the cake was replaced with a feast. A wild boar with potatoes and gravy. So many veggies and fresh bread that I gained weight just by looking at them.

"Have more." Avan was now sitting across from me. "Two birds with one stone. Very clever."

Arin smiled proudly. "She can probably take on you."

Taran fell onto the bench next to Avan. "Now you must be impressed."

Already the big brother was annoyed again. "You both annoy me. Let grown-ups talk in peace."

Helena giggled. "Bad Uncle Taran!"

"You naughty little brat." hissed this one.

Avan looked menacingly at both of them. "I'll beat you both up if this goes on all night."

Bea took her daughter on her lap and rubbed her back soothingly. As if she had taken Avan seriously. Whoever believes it will be blessed. Taran pretended to pout.

In the other part of the room, they were drinking against each other and making dirty jokes. Suddenly a chair flew across the great hall. It smashed and everyone burst out laughing. After a while I heard Syman scream out loud and then I saw him flee. Two larger tall cousins of his were chasing him.

This family was a mess. And today, for the first time, I felt like I belonged in this mess. And I was surprised how good that felt. Where they seemed like monsters to me at first. In fact, I felt they were all family now. And I owed it all to Arin. He had married me. He had given me a home.

"Arin! Help me!" Syman was still fleeing from the two boys.

Arin laughed. "So you did it again!"

"Help me!"

The crowd at the table roared with laughter as the boy crawled under the table on all fours and the other two tried to reach him.

Joe got up. "Enough boys."

"I won't let the rascal show me, father!"

Joe looked at Arin who shrugged indifferently. So Joe sat down again and the hunt continued. Until they caught him and dragged him into the yard. Two thirteen-year-old field boys...

"Arin..." I mumbled, but he shook his head.

"It's his own fault, Elain." He noticed that I still didn't like it. "They won't catch him, believe me. Look at this horde. Don't you think he's had enough practice?"

It got louder and louder, the wine flowed faster and faster and Syman found two musicians whom he dragged into the hall. He didn't want to tell us exactly where he found her.

Arin's eyes were red from all the alcohol. Avan soon sent for the whiskey. And then the celebration of the white knights really began. They laughed, argued and fought. And always to the same tune, all the brothers sang a funny song that didn't go with the tune.

Soon the children left us and then the women. Bea, Joe and Samuel's wives and I were the only ones who stayed with their husbands.

Mine was already swaying on its bench, kissing a spot under my ear or sniffing my hair more and more often. Unfortunately, I was already too tired to go into it.

"Let's go..." Arin murmured after leaning towards me for the thousandth time and stood up. Then we staggered toward the stairs.

Taran chuckled. "If it keeps shaking like this, Elain will sadly fall asleep."

Far too exhausted to reply, I pushed Arin upstairs and into our room. There I threw him on the bed and helped him out of his boots.

"Ah... the bed feels good..." grinning dirty, he just lifted his head. "Come and try it too."

He stretched his arms outstretched and stared up at me as I tried to unbutton his shirt. Suddenly his hands were on my hips. I was immediately beneath him. And just a few seconds after he kissed my shoulder, he grew heavier and snored softly. So I fell asleep sadly...

When I woke up the next morning, Arin was standing by the fireplace, holding a dress. "That will be too tight for you, I think." I mumbled mischievously.

He stared at me witheringly. "That's your new dress? It's cheaper than the hooves in my forge!"

"Is it bad?" I rubbed my eyes wearily as I walked towards him.

"However." He eyed my bird's nest of hair. "Why only something so cheap? I told you, find something that looks good." He handed me the dress. Actually I thought it was nice. It had a pleasant fabric, a nice skirt and solid seams.

"Do not you like it?"

"It's nice... for field work."

"It's dark blue and elegant." I hated myself for being heard in my offended tone.

"Now don't pout." He lifted my chin. "I don't want you to think, but buy the best thing you want first."

"I have that."

Arin cocked his head. I really didn't intend to buy a cheap dress. But, I like something like that better than the other things.

"You certainly didn't want it for the money?"

"Definitely not."

"Then it's quite nice..."

"It is wonderful!" He laughed! He had fun teasing me!

I sat with my new nieces and nephews in the great hall and ate breakfast with them. Syman was cheeky as ever. He tried to be like Arin at all costs. And Helena made fun of him for it.

"You're acting like Arin! Ridiculous."

"Arin and I are cousins too! Maybe we're just alike."

Helena laughed mockingly. "Naturally."

"Stop it." growled an uncomfortably familiar voice. Bea suddenly stood behind me and sat down with us.

"He started it, mother!"

Bea turned to me. "Elain, we haven't even talked yet."

"It wasn't so easy to exchange phrases between sword slashes."

She sighed in surrender. "How long are you all going to keep accusing me of this?"

I stuffed a piece of bread in my mouth. I felt like throwing up.

"Anyway, I've already apologized. And now we'll talk."

"In order." I growled annoyed. What good would it do if I refused? Just because it was Arin's family, I had to show good will...

"Was that woman your mother yesterday?" She calmed down and actually seemed interested.

"In some respects."

She frowned. "I don't understand that. There's a lot I don't understand... Especially not the way she looked at you."

What did she mean? Was she trying to be spiteful or compassionate?

"Helena is difficult sometimes too. Especially since Avan likes to spoil her and is afraid to be tough. But I could never look at her like that..."

She grabbed my hand. When I looked up, she actually felt sorry. And that wasn't much better. She could be a little spiteful...

"Are you comfortable here?" I nodded hesitantly. Her eyes grew warm. "Very good." Her smile was contagious. "I understand that you are expecting a child? Nothing is kept secret in this castle, you know?"

Of course... Certainly binge eating was also an obvious clue. "To be honest, I'm not sure yet."

"Do you want to see a midwife?"

Before I could defend myself, Bea got up and pulled me outside with her. She was taller than me, narrower than me, and wore pants and boots like a pirate. Besides that, she always had a sword at her teetering hip.

In the yard she slowed her pace. Avan just got off his horse and burst out laughing at something Joe had said. Bea swallowed and looked down, she didn't have the typical Campbell face. She couldn't cover up that something was going on inside her.

"Everything OK?"

"Of course..." She didn't get it, but Avan looked over at her. His mood dropped and he came right up to us.

"Bea." She tried to ignore him and pull me past Avan with her. "Stop." He stood in front of her and caught her eye. I had never seen Avan look so worried. I hadn't even noticed that with Helena. "What's happening?"

"Let me through." Again she wanted to push past but he grabbed her arm close.

"What happened to your sister? What's going on?"

Offended, she tore herself free and wanted to pull me again. Avan snorted, grabbed Bea's hips and slung her over his shoulder. Her long black hair fell in her face and a sharp scream came out of her throat.

"That will be settled now."

"Avan! I want to take Elain to the midwife!"

Avan grinned at me. "I'm sure she understands."

With big strides, Avan disappeared into the stables with the hysterical Bea. In the next minute, Arin and Taran stumbled through the door with sheepish looks before resoundingly too much.

I laughed so loud that they both heard me. They both came up to me with really stupid faces. They both looked at me like I had gone mad, yet I couldn't stop laughing.

"Now they've all gone mad..." Taran nodded in agreement with Arin.

Avan let Bea slip off his shoulder again. Immediately she distanced herself. She would have liked to rip his head off. It was humiliating to be taken in front of Elain like that!

Avan stood in front of the stable door, hands on hips. "Don't you dare run away or I'll wring your neck."

"What do you want from me?"

Avan stalked towards her. He looked like a bull. "Answer, dammit! What's the matter with you? You lash out, you're argumentative and you get angry at everything I do! And earlier you looked like you were going to cry."

She punched Avan in the chest, causing him to step back. One hit turned into two, three... She had to use her anger somewhere. And Avan's hard chest was really good at that. She pounded on him until she gasped.

"Devil!" She yelled at him and wanted to run away again.

"You can forget that..." Avan growled and threw her onto a fresh haystack. All the scent enveloped her as she landed.

She immediately tried to escape again. She must not become soft! But Avan was far too determined... He knelt over her and kissed her angrily. Well, maybe that would help her relax, too.

"Are you sure?"

I was sitting on a bench in a warm smelly little shack. The young woman must be Florence's age. Four screaming children ran around us, constantly nudging me. Strange bottles stood at the window, with strange contents...

"Absolutely."

My blood pounded in my ears. I could not believe it. I grabbed my stomach in a daze and stood up. I left her some coins and left the hut. And I was very happy. Because as soon as the door was closed behind me, something rattled and the midwife started screaming hysterically.

I automatically went to the smithy where loud laughter could be heard. When I entered, Samuel and Michel were standing with Arin and Taran. They laughed and enjoyed themselves. Should I actually tell you now?

"Is my horse ready then?" Michel threw a bag of coins onto a table.

"Since yesterday." Arin wiped his hands and gave me a quick wave.

"Then I'll be gone again. Tell Avan I'll bring him the two boars on Sunday."

"Get your money from me then." Samuel punched Michel's shoulder. Meanwhile, Arin came up to me.

"Have you been to the midwife?" Arin leaned on the table next to me. "Are we expecting a child?"

I didn't need to say anything. My sudden smile spoke volumes. Arin seemed thunderstruck at first. Then he roared a cheer and pulled me into his arms. He kissed me and beamed all over his face.

"Pregnant?" Taran marveled and stopped her against the wall.

Samuel jokingly shoved Arin and motioned for Taran and Michel to leave with him. So now we were alone.

"I didn't want to scare them away. All of a sudden I was standing in front of the forge."

Arin lifted his head from my shoulder, still holding me tight. "I also want to advise you to come to me immediately."

His big smile was contagious. He looked so proud and happy. He kissed me so many times that I had to laugh. In that moment it felt like it was just the two of us. And our baby. And a castle full of knights.

It had now been six months since Avan fired Florence and I realized I was expecting a child. Since then, the castle seemed to finally be able to breathe again. Everyone was relieved to have gotten rid of Duke Eberhart and his wife.

I walked along the edge of the forest, heard my nephews and nieces by marriage playing between the trees and dreamily stroked my stomach. It had become very difficult to hide him. Not least because he was so big. I myself was surprised by its size. The Campbells and his farm community agreed - a real Campbell baby.

The sun hadn't set yet, but it was getting dark when thick clouds came up and it started to snow.

"Lady Elaine!" The children tried to catch the flakes. "Participate!"

"Better not." I mumbled apologetically.

My huge stomach had been aching and cramping for three days. The child could come at any moment.

I didn't want to go into the woods and certainly didn't want to dance.

Suddenly you snuggled up against my back.

"What are you still doing out here?" Arin's head appeared next to mine. His hands wrapped around my ball. "Isn't it too cold for you?"

I leaned against him. And how cold I was. But doing nothing drove me insane.

"I finally need a task, Arin."

His lips touched my icy cheek. "Bring my baby into the world."

"And then?"

"Pull it up."

"And meanwhile?"

He giggled slyly. "Make your husband happy."

I rolled my eyes indignantly. Of course I loved his suggestive ways, but not when he was trying to avoid the subject again.

"Why does that bother you?" He noticed my reaction.

"Arin, I'm not going to watch the child all day and take notes. If he's sleeping, if he's playing... should I wait for him to notice me again?"

He thought for a moment. His arms ran up and down my new curve. "What do you have in mind?"

"You tell me." When I turned my head to him, his gaze was sly.

"Discuss this with Avan." No... "Okay. Promise me that you'll have the child first and then choose something. Where you're really needed."

"Promised."

"Since that's settled..." He came around me and gave me a stern look. "Have you been to the midwife today?"

Oh damn... He sucked in an angry breath. He had threatened me last time that he would hit me for the first time if I didn't do it.

"I don't like the woman, Arin!"

"Elain! You're acting like a baby!"

"Her kids are screaming, she's running around with her stick and always pretending my baby is a nuisance!"

With one step he came dangerously close to me. "It doesn't matter, you have to go through this! Elain, it's your first child, a big Campbell baby! I don't want you or the child not to survive the birth!"

He was right. Still, this woman was scary...

"This midwife has delivered all of Campbell's babies from Avan to me and probably knows more about those births than my mother could." He cocked his head impatiently. "So you could visit her regularly?"

"Yes..." what was left for me?

Offended, he took my hand and walked silently back to the castle. At the gate to the hall, I stopped him again.

"Are you going to hit me?" I teased him with an innocent air.

"If I did, would you go to the midwife regularly and listen to her?"

I would go again this one time, but who knows if the other dates-

"You see. I can see it in your eyes." He went on.

"So no?"

He grinned slyly. "Are you scared?"

"Well, as a husband, you would have the right to do so." I wasn't afraid, Arin wasn't that kind of man. I knew that.

"Never." He held the wide door open for me, beaming.

The beguiling smell of food immediately hit us. "Did you hear what happened to Florence?"

"What then?"

"Since the word of how they let themselves go, their most loyal followers have turned away, they have no more traders on their farm and in their wounded pride have insulted the king and thus lost their title and their estate."

I caught my breath and suddenly stopped. That was my fault. I had arranged all of this. But I didn't want them to lose everything.

Arin cocked his head. "Are not you excited?"

How come!? "Do you?"

He grinned "To be honest yes." I stared at him in amazement. "Elain, they are monsters. They tortured and hurt you for years. You got back at them. It's only fair."

Was that it? Was it fair? "Are you sure?"

"You don't owe them anything, not even a guilty conscience." Arin kissed my forehead. "Are we going to eat now?"

"Oh god, yes!"

Later, at lunchtime, Arin sat with me in the paddock next to the smithy on a felled tree and plastered everything I had brought with me. Syman brought the new foals out of the stable and rubbed their coats with fresh straw. They were three cheeky stallions. Their ferocity while clumsy often caused them to fall. But it was hilarious to watch them.

The snow swirled around the skinny little legs and the wind carried it further over the white landscape of the paddock.

Arin once again put a hand on my arch. "One of them belongs to him."

"Won't there be a few other claims to that?"

"It doesn't matter to me. Syman and I brought these three into the world. One belongs to Syman and one to my child. The other belongs to Helena."

I had mixed feelings about my child riding one of these horses one day. On the one hand it was exciting, on the other hand it made me realize that this child would actually become an adult, would lead a life. It was already difficult for me to realize that I was even carrying a baby inside me. That's why it always surprised me when we talked about his or her future.

"You're just miles away." Arin stretched his arms and lower back. He was dead tired. In winter he had many carriages to repair.

"Closer than you think..."

Peace. Everything screamed for peace. How long was I allowed to enjoy this peace before something went wrong again?