Apologies for the length of time it has taken for me to complete this next installment of my story. I hope that part five will not take as long. Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoy the continuation of Aenerin and Caroline's tale.
LTS xxx
A few days had passed since the return of Lord Aenerin and his troops- this brave army of men and women having set out to vanquish the well known vampire hunter Lairne, refusing to return home until the job was done. I had found out from some of the other women who acted as my maidservants that Lairne had been a plague on the Winterthorn Estate for many years and after the incident on the estate's border, Aenerin decided that the time had finally come to make a stand. No one cared much for the man who would happily kill innocents, just because they consorted with a vampire, who was probably more humane in his treatment of mortals than the hunter himself.
Although we had all been expecting the repercussions to be severe- so far no one had come seeking vengeance for Lairne's death and all had been peaceful in and around the estate. Maybe the other hunters were scared now, as Lairne had been somewhat of a legend in these parts, believed to be invincible, but clearly that was not true. Even my dearest Aenerin wasn't as invulnerable as I had at first believed- coming home barely in one piece, all covered in scars, which had taken some time to heal.
Being a powerful vampire, like he was, Aenerin's strength soon came back and he felt well enough to resume duties as Winterthorn's Lord and master, issuing his orders and making his commands in the same way he had been doing for years. But every time I looked at him I saw in my mind's eye that injured, blood-drenched body, and knew how lucky I was to have him back safely, the memory of that horrific day still staining my memory and making me cherish every moment I could spend with the one I loved. Goodness, for a vampire, I really do sound soppy, don't I?
Anyway, Aenerin, I found, hardly seemed to complain at my constant presence, always wanting to be within his company, and included me in all the duties he had to perform, teaching me patiently about life as a noble, and the responsibilities that we both had in running the estate. He was very interested in all aspects of life at Winterthorn, from the men working the fields, to the rotation of the crops in the fields for a better harvest, right down to the farrier who shoed the horses, and the visiting healers who would come and treat our sick if we had any. Every little aspect of life was Aenerin's concern, which amused me slightly, seeing as he had not been a living, breathing, man for many, many years.
However, now that I was part of the estate as well, I found myself taking on a number of tasks that Aenerin seemed only too glad to be rid of. I was far better at dealing with disputes than he was- I had always been a patient girl who could listen well, and seemed to settle most arguments with ease. I was also approached by the women on more personal matters, and in the case of my maidservant Risha- lots of girl-talk and advice. I think she had already forgotten that I was only a few years older than her, and despite being a vampire myself, had only the wisdom I had picked up from my short time as a mortal human being to guide me in all my decision making.
Luckily Risha's problems were ones I could just about deal with, mainly because they tended to involve a certain young man, and men, well, they were one thing I knew quite a lot about. I did not complain, for her company always amused me and kept my feet quite firmly on the ground. Still, it was nice to be alone with Aenerin when time allowed, even if he was working and I was just sitting in the room with him, reading or practising my embroidery, two skills I had not been able to indulge in when I had been a humble tavern wench.
So it was quite accurate to say that I was content, well, as content as I could be, for I always feared my past would catch up with me one day, and all this would be taken away. I had never had any luck until now, and everything seemed far too good to be true. If I thought about it too long, it scared me even though I knew that if my darling Aenerin could deal with a vampire hunter, he could most certainly deal with the tavern owner who had once treated me as his property. But still... it made me uneasy.
"What are you thinking about?"
I glanced over at Aenerin, who had been sitting writing at his desk by the window, his quill pen poised in mid air as he looked at me, a concerned frown on his ever handsome face.
"Nothing much," I smiled, rising and walking over to him, encircling his torso with my arms.
He laid his pen down and swung me into his lap, which caused me to whoop in surprise as I landed perfectly in his arms, my head brought towards his in a tender kiss.
"I will not have my lady worry so," he replied, looking up into my eyes and holding my gaze. "Yours is meant to be a trouble free existence from now on."
"I will always worry about you," I replied with a tiny smile, tracing the scar that still remained above his left eye. "But I like doing that."
He laughed and set me back on my feet, saying that he had better get his work finished. After that he would gladly take a walk with me around the estate grounds, as it always looked so pretty at night. I nodded, agreeing to meet him in the square in about an hour's time. The sun had only just set and I was very much looking forward to our evening together.
Since the fighting, Aenerin hadn't really spoken to me much about what happened during the battle with Lairne, but I had learnt enough from the estate's best gossip-monger- namely Risha- that he fought like a demon and had taken down almost double that of anyone else. His bravery had really spurred his outnumbered men on, and when Lairne had been cut down by Aenerin's own sword, they had managed to drive back the remaining fighters and return home victorious.
However, as always, there are some who do not return home, and for one young girl especially, it had hit her terribly hard. Bother her parents had been killed in the fighting- a tragic loss as she had been left alone, with no other brothers or sisters or relatives of any kind. She and her parents had moved to Winterthorn to escape persecution in a neighbouring kingdom and had been allowed to stay, thanks to Aenerin's kindness. A child of only ten years, the estate's latest orphan was old enough to understand loss, but not quite of an age to know how to deal with it, and despite a kindly family having taken her in for the moment, there was little comfort that could be given, and everyone was concerned about her.
As for me, I had never been especially good with children, nor ever wanted one, mainly because of who I had been at the tavern, and back then all I had seen a child as being was simply an extra mouth to feed. I would have hated to have been put in the position where the landlord, my master, would have either forced me to bring up the child, only to watch him or her suffer the same life as myself, or give the poor thing away. At worst he may even have had it killed, for a whore with a child was not something that he wanted to promote to his clients- the more gullible ones being told that some of us were virgins, making them pay three times the price for the honour of deflowering a poor woman who had, in reality, not been a maiden for many a year. Someone who did seem to be the more maternal type was Risha, and when she had been washing my hair the other evening, had told me of the poor girl's situation, and how her own mother was keen to adopt the child full time.
"It would be nice to have a sister," Risha had smiled, running a long toothed comb through my hair as I splashed warm fragrant water over my body. "In a family full of brothers, I have always wanted to have someone to tell secrets to and braid their hair, and share my dresses with."
I tried to imagine one of Risha's tough looking brothers in a frilled dress and the thought almost made me burst out laughing.
"And your mother is quite prepared to take another child on? I would have thought having you was already enough hard work!"
"Hey!" Risha had exclaimed, yanking my hair in a playful fashion. "Be nice. I'm no worry to my mother at all, and she loves children. Six isn't really that much different to five, and I think she has an idea about me possibly finding a dwelling of my own soon enough. I am of the marrying age, and I think she knows that I'm seeing someone."
"Just not that it's Caith..."
"Well no," Risha replied, "I haven't got the courage to tell her, as she's rather strict about the men I'm allowed to associate with. But to be fair I don't think even Lord Aenerin would be good enough for me in her eyes."
"Good, 'coz he's taken," I had grinned back.
"I know, I know," my maid servant had tutted, making me stand before wrapping me in a warm fire-toasted towel.
She had left me to dry myself, going to the other room to lay out my dress for that evening and find whatever jewels she thought would look suitable. Aenerin, it seemed, had a vast selection of jewellery, gifts, he had said, from rich friends which he had turned into pretty necklaces, earings and bracelets in anticipation of his love, so that he may adorn her with stunning, expensive presents. I'd already given Risha a diamond hair slide, and had thought to give a few other items away as presents to other loyal staff, as being unused to such finery, having this much made me feel a little uncomfortable.
When I had brought the matter up with Aenerin he had not been angry as I had first expected, but said they were mine to do as I pleased with- so I saw no harm in distributing the items to those I cared for. I knew they would be treasured rather than melted down and sold, and that made me happy.
Anyway, stories of orphans aside, and allowing my dear Aenerin to continue with his important work, I went to make my way outside, slipping on one of his coats on as I descended the stone staircase out into the courtyard. I loved wearing Aenerin's clothes, even if they were a little big on me, and snuggled my face into the collar, holding the rest tight to my body.
The candles had been lit and a warm amber glow warmed the night. From across the yard, the sound of cheerful voices could be heard, drinking and carousing, the victory celebrations still going on even some days later. I smiled to myself as I swept past the open windows like a wraith and out to the other end of the estate where I fancied a walk in the gardens and grounds. Every now and again it was nice to just be alone, and right then I wished to be accompanied only by my thoughts and contentment.
The fine silk of my dress brushed against my bare legs as I took hold of the large wrought iron gate and swung it easily open, slipping through it and out onto the soft grassy path that led either to the fountain and gardens or the forest. I decided that I actually fancied the forest, for the smell and the way the moonlight dappled through the branches of the trees above always pleased me, and made all memories of my suffering go away. I guess it made me feel free.
I skipped down the path, as if I were a child again, my feet sinking deep into the loamy forest floor, enjoying every moment. I walked for some time, looking up at the brilliant night sky and the fluffy clouds that rolled happily on past. I was hardly paying attention to anything in particular- I believe the correct term is 'away with the fairies', and I felt at one with the night, my vampire senses allowing me to see amazingly well, and I took in all the wondrous delights that only nature could provide.
However, something stopped me dead in my tracks, as from up ahead my sensitive ears heard a sound. It was a rustle of leaves, and not one made by the wind, but a quite definite movement, as if a body was pushing its way through the low shrubs and plants and fallen leaves on the forest floor.
"Who's there?" I called, my voice wavering slightly.
There was no reply.
"Show yourself!" I tried again, this time a little fiercer, as I felt my fangs lengthen slightly, my body tense and on edge. My mind flashed me images of vengeful vampire hunters, and other horrible possibilities. I bit my tongue, trying to be rational and force my fears into the background.
