"Jillian, where are you off to so early in the morning?"
Jillian turned to see his brother approaching. All his brothers had married and left home long ago.
"Christopher, to what do we owe this pleasant surprise?" Jillian asked, tying the horse to a post.
Christopher Foreman, the fifth son of Greg and Susan, now twenty-one and married to a beautiful foreign woman, stroked the horse's mane. "I come bearing good news for Mother and Father. Magnificent creature, must have cost you a pretty penny."
"I got it for Guinevere, I was on my way to see her" Jillian said, worry flickering in his eyes. "I think I may have upset her a few days ago.
"Ah, the beautiful and mysterious blue-eyed, red-headed daughter of Mr. Strongbow. She's one of a kind," Christopher said. "They say only a witch or a goddess is born with red hair… I'm hoping my sister-in-law is the latter."
Jillian chuckled. "She's definitely a goddess."
Christopher smirked. "Or a little sorceress who cast a spell of love on you. So… when is the wedding?"
Jillian scratched the back of his head. "I haven't proposed yet."
"What?! You bought her a bloody white horse and haven't proposed? What are you waiting for?"
"For the perfect moment," Jillian replied. "Guinevere isn't like other girls. I need to be strategic. She has to feel it, feel her own feelings for me before I ask her."
Christopher raised an eyebrow. "Better be quick. I heard Lord William's son has been eyeing her. He could buy her a whole stable of white horses."
Jillian laughed. "I piss on his stable of white horses."
"Good," Christopher said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now, the good news, I'm thrilled. Tonight we feast! Anastasia is with child. Twins, they say."
"What?!" Jillian hugged his brother, grinning.
Christopher and his wife had struggled to conceive during their first year, but love had won out in the end. Jillian understood completely, he too longed for the day he could call Guinevere his wife and she would bless him with children.
"Congratulations, brother!" he said.
"Indeed. I'll go tell Mother and Father. You go see your little sorceress," Christopher said with a smile.
Jillian mounted Star and galloped toward Guinevere's house, imagining the day she would bear their first child.
Inside, Guinevere had dozed off on the kitchen table after baking all night.
"Honey, Jillian is here," Gezelle said, tapping her shoulder.
Guinevere jolted awake. "He's here? Right now?!"
"Yes, he's waiting outside."
For days, she'd been living in the kitchen, perfecting recipes. Her father tasted and approved so many cakes and scones that he could barely buckle his belt.
"Umm, okay… I—let me just…" She grabbed a small cake, wrapping it in a basket alongside honey, biscuits, and tea.
Gezelle gently stopped her. "Go clean up, I'll finish here."
Guinevere nodded and rushed upstairs, changing out of her flour-stained clothes.
Outside, Richard leaned against the fence, a sly smile on his face. "Jillian, fancy seeing you here after all this time."
"Good morning, Mr. Strongbow. I'm here for Guinevere," Jillian said.
"Ah yes, here to see my daughter after frolicking with other girls in town?"
"Other girls?" Jillian blinked.
"Don't play dumb. I hear girls baking you cakes and such. Is that why you haven't proposed yet? Because of your little cake bakers?"
Jillian's face flushed. So that's what it was. Guinevere had been jealous. A smile tugged at his lips.
"Is something funny, boy?" Richard asked.
"Oh, no… of course not, Sir. I assure you, there's no woman for me other than Guinevere. I…"
Jillian's words faltered. He'd never said it aloud before.
"I love her," he admitted.
Richard's eyes softened. He remembered himself at that age, hopelessly in love. "Make her happy, son. She's grown very fond of you."
Moments later, Guinevere emerged, holding a basket. Instead of her usual clothes, she wore a soft pink dress. Her hair was tied up, revealing her delicate features and deep blue eyes.
"Father, I hope you weren't threatening Jillian again!"
Richard laughed. "Of course not. Just a little heart-to-heart."
She approached Jillian, smiling nervously. "Hello, Jillian."
He was at a loss for words.
[Aren't you going to say something? I spent thirty minutes on this hair, and this dress cost me a weeks' allowance!]
"Guinevere… you look… wow," he stammered.
[Good enough.]
"It's just a dress, don't make such a fuss," she said, grabbing his hand and leading him to Star.
"Wait." Jillian turned to Richard. "My family is having a feast tonight. Christopher's wife is pregnant. Please join us."
"We'll be there," Richard said, waving.
They rode to a meadow near the stables and spread a blanket.
"So, what do we have here?" Jillian asked, reaching for the basket.
Guinevere slapped his hand away. "Calm down. The food isn't going anywhere."
She arranged two plates and cups, slicing the cake she'd baked. "The tea's a little cold, but I hope you like it."
He took a bite of cake, sipped tea, and his eyes widened.
"Well?!" she thought.
"Guinevere… did you make this?"
She pouted. "You hate it, don't you? I knew it."
Jillian laughed. "It's delicious! The best cake I've ever had."
"Don't lie!"
"I'm not. I was just surprised. I didn't know you could bake."
"I learned so that… that little tram—er, so you wouldn't have to accept cakes from girls like Helen," she muttered.
He grinned. "And the dress?"
"Don't you like poised girls in pretty dresses?"
Jillian sat behind her, untying her ribbon and letting her hair fall over her shoulders. "I like YOU, not poised girls in dresses."
[You sly bastard.]
"I love that you can wield a sword, a bow, and dress however you like. I would never want you to change."
He pulled her closer. "Let's finish this cake."
*
Evening fell, and they walked to Jillian's house. A feast was underway.
"Let's find somewhere to sit," he whispered.
"Jillian!"
Helen approached excitedly. "Good evening, Jillian. Congratulations to your brother! Marrying a beautiful woman and having a family is every man's dream is it not?"
She ignored Guinevere entirely.
[This little tramp!]
"How did you like the cake I made you, Jillian? Mother says I'm the best baker in town."
"I beg to differ," Jillian said, producing a piece of Guinevere's cake. "My lady Guinevere made this. Quite delicious. Ask her for the recipe."
He took Guinevere's hand and led her to their table, leaving Hellen pouting. [His lady?]
She blushed. Everything felt so right with him. Maybe it was time to let her guard down.
*
The feast wore on. Men grew drunk, women gossiped or tended to their drunk husbands.
"Would you like to dance?" Jillian asked.
Guinevere looked up at Jillian embarrassed. "I don't know how," she admitted.
"Neither do I." He chuckled as he led her to the dance floor.
They laughed, swaying to the music. Guinevere felt pure bliss in his arms.
"I love you!" Jillian shouted over the music.
"What?!"
"I love you Guinevere Strongbow, and I want to spend my life with you!"
Her eyes widened as he leaned in for a kiss. She closed hers, leaning toward him.
Suddenly, a man barged in.
"Bandits! They're attacking the town!"
Before he could finish, a blade sliced his neck clean off.
Chaos erupted. People screamed, ran, and were cut down by six armed men looting the hall.
"Guinevere, come on!"
Jillian grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the back exit.
"Jillian! My parents!"
"I'll come back for them. Right now, I need to keep you safe!"
[No… please not now. I was just starting to be happy.]