Gareth spent hours sitting in a dark corner of the tavern, waiting on the girl to arrive and pay her father's debt. He blended into the darkness. His mind made mental notes as he listened to the common folk complain about the lack or food and resources. He had much information to report to James upon his return to the castle. If the girl's father lied about her ability, James would have to marry King Robert's daughter. His people were ready to rebel, and the land would fall into lawlessness.
Gareth placed his metal goblet on a wobbly table; he leaned back in his chair as he watched the girl entered the dingy tavern. He noticed that her stride was regal for her level of birth. She was amazingly beautiful. His eyes narrowed as he watched the townspeople interact with her. He had expected as least one miscreant would slap her bottom or offer her a quick tumble. He was mystified by their almost adulation for the girl. She was beautiful in her worn dress that displayed very curve of her body. Gareth realized that girl had a calming effect on these people.
He watched her standing in front of the tavern owner, a bundle on her back. Her laughter floated around, brightening the space. Gareth leaned forward, observing the girl with keen eyes. He saw her deposit the package into the tavern owner's arms. She reached up and pressed a quick kiss to his fat cheek. She turned, and moved towards the door. Unexpectedly, she stopped, and swirled on her feet. She blew one last kiss to the tavern owner. A roar of laughter filled the tavern. Gareth watched the girl leave the establishment. He flicked his hands to signal the knights to arrest the girl, and bring her to the castle. He finished his drink as his knights carried out his bidding.
Eleanor trembled as tears streamed from her confused eyes. She clutched the bars of the cart as the King's knight wheeled her towards the castle. The townsfolk covered their mouths in horror as their beloved Eleanor was trapped like an animal, and hauled away to an unknown fate. Carl, a young boy of nine, dashed towards the Miller's home, in search of Eleanor's father. He hoped that he could help her as she faced an uncertain fate.
Eleanor bounced around in the cart as it moved rapidly towards the castle. She pondered over what crime that she could have committed. The knights refused to answer her question about her transgression against the King. She had done nothing, ever, in all of her life. She paid her taxes with her meager earnings. She struggled to understand. She wiped delicate hands across her tear-stained face. Her heart thumped as she arrived at the castle. Her breath caught in her throat, the large stone building was intimidating. She shuddered to think of her crime, and her punishment deep in the castle walls.
James sat on his throne watching the young woman trembling before him. Stray prices of hay sticking in her long blonde hair, he wondered if it was as soft as it appeared. His fingers wanted to tug the golden silk as he claimed her as his. James pushed those thoughts of his head. It was hard for him to think as she sat quivering on his Council room floor, her breasts pushed to the top of her bodice, he wondered if her nipples would harden under his touch. James acknowledged that he was mesmerized by her beauty, but he didn't have time to take a mistress. He walked calmly down a few steps that elevated his Throne platform; he stopped in front of Eleanor. He dropped to his knees, and cupped his large hand under her chin. He smiled in pleasure when he realize that her skin was silky soft. His thumb caressed her jawbone. He enjoyed watching her body trembled and shake under his touch.
"Raise your eyes to your king."
Eleanor swallowed nervously as the warmth from the king's hand invaded her senses. Timidly, Eleanor looked into the King's rich emerald eyes. She decided to ignore the feeling that his thumb created as he stroked her face ever so gently.
"Is your father the miller?"
"Yes, milord," Eleanor whispered.
James liked that she demurred to him, instead of presenting like a hellcat. He wondered what it would take to enflame her passions. Too see Eleanor in her full glory.
