WORRLGENHALL

by Luke, Monica

  “Ovfren.” He nodded; then looked around the room again, “And where is Belon hiding? I do not see his red hair anywhere?”

  Ogorec let out a labored inhale. “Brother, Belon commands at Ivodgald.”

  Surprised, he frowned puzzled.

  “Dare you let him command so far away?” he asked, “When I left, you could not be parted from him.”

  When he mentioned Belon, Ovfren sat back down and began eating again, but when he did, Ogorec put his hand under his arm to get him to stand.

  “Ovfren is ... he is ...” Ogorec began to speak, but stumbled over his words.

  “Ovfren is what?” his brother asked, as he looked at him.

  “I am a high guild under Ogorec,” Ovfren answered; and after giving Ogorec a disappointed look, stepped away from the table and began walking towards the door.

  As he walked, Ogorec walked behind him; then grabbed him by his arm gently.

  “Wait, Ovfren,” he tenderly said.

  “I understand well,” Ovfren said, knowing it troubled Ogorec seeing his brother after so long and knew why.

  “No,” Ogorec said, as he took his arm.

  Looking over at his brother, Ogorec signaled to him with his head to join them by the door; then when he came, Ogorec tenderly touched Ovfren’s face.

  “The handsome face I touch,” he said, as he looked at Ovfren then back to his brother, “Is the face I am in love with and have been for some time.”

  Surprised, he looked at Ovfren up and down.

  “A handsome strong looking warrior you look to be,” he said playfully, “If I was one to live in such a way, you would indeed be one hard to turn from.”

  At first fretting his brother’s judgment of him again, Ogorec’s brows shot up bewildered.

  “You left angered when you learned of Belon and me.”

  “Such is true,” he agreed, “But long have I been away and without my brother, and I am back to know my brother again.”

  “And I welcome my brother back,” Ogorec said, and exhaled relieved, as well as pleased.

  As all stood by the door, unsure what to say next, Ogorec’s brother finally spoke.

  “It is late,” he said, and grabbed his pouch, “I must find a place to sleep. I gather I will go to the guard houses.”

  “You will not,” Ogorec said at once, and took his pouch from him, “I have a chamber that you shall make you own while you are here.”

  “And where will you sleep?”

  “We have a cottage that we share together,” he answered, “Just beyond the walls into WorrlgenHall.”

  “Ah,” he said and nodded; then looked at Ovfren.

  Again, all stood silent, only for his brother to break it again,

  “I am ashamed of you brother,” he said and looked at him sternly.

  Unsure what he was about to say he was ashamed of, Ogorec and Ovfren looked at each other, then him.

  “You have not told your Ovfren my name,” he said, as he shook his head.

  Ovfren smiled, and as he did, Ogorec broke into an even wider smile of his own.

  “My brother’s name is Rulgesic.”

  Rulgesic nodded proudly and put his hand on Ogorec’s shoulder.

  “His older brother I shall add.”

  After a loud and long yawn, Rulgesic shook his body hard to get rid of his sluggishness, only to yawn suddenly again, and even louder.

  “I am more tired than I reasoned from my journey back to WorrlgenHall. After I have rested, we shall talk freely. Take me to your chamber.”

  After Ogorec showed his brother to his chamber, he and Ovfren went to their cottage and undressed for bed; then as they lay, Ovfren looked at Ogorec wanting to ask him about his brother, but decided it best to let Ogorec bring it up first.

  Instead, as he put his leg over his, he rested his head on his hand and stared at Ogorec, and when he turned his head to look back at him, Ovfren roguishly smiled.

  “Umm.” Ogorec hummed deeply, as he pulled the furs off them both knowing what Ovfren was thinking.

  Leaning over to him, Ovfren kissed his neck; then ran his hand down the center of his stomach and caressed him, and when he did, Ogorec used his other arm to stroke Ovfren’s back before urging him to get on top of him.

  Once on top of him, both kissed passionately breathing heavy into the other’s mouth; then Ovfren moved onto his knees and grabbed Ogorec’s thighs, but just as he was about the thrust into him, the door opened.

  “I tapped on the door at length,” said Rulgesic, as he walked inside with his pouch in his hand and his furs from off his horse, “Yet, I gather with all the heavy breathing no one heard me so I came inside.”

  Ovfren scrambled off Ogorec.

  “What are you doing here?” Ogorec asked annoyed he had interrupted them, “I gave you my chamber to sleep as long as you were here.”

  “And I thank you,” he said, and put his pouch down, “But long have I been away from you brother, and as I lay, I asked myself is it good for me to sleep in WorrlgenHall and you elsewhere? Well, you have my answer.”

  Ogorec exhaled hard to make his annoyance obvious, but Rulgesic ignored it.

  “Do not mind me,” he said, as he tossed his furs down on the floor by the hearth and plopped down on them, “I sleep like a rock and will not wake. You can go back to, uuuh, whatever you were about to do.”

  Ovfren looked at Ogorec shocked, and all Ogorec could do was shake his head and shrug his shoulders. He knew his brother well, and knew he wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Let us sleep,” he whispered to Ovfren and pulled the furs over them.

  Both getting into the position they normally slept, Ovfren whispered to Ogorec, “Sleep well,” and turned for him to hold him.

  “I shall with you beside me,” Ogorec whispered back.

  “Sleep well both of you,” Rulgesic interrupted, as he turned onto side, and when Ogorec and Ovfren raised their heads to look over to him, they heard him already snoring, but instead of trying to embrace again both went to sleep as well.

  That morning when Rulgesic woke, Ovfren already long gone, he noticed Ogorec watching him while waiting for him to wake.

  “Late you sleep brother,” Ogorec teased.

  Rulgesic groaned, then stood and stretched, and when he looked around the cottage and noticed Ovfren not there, stretched once more and sat at the table.

  “Forgive me brother,” his first words.

  “Why do you ask for such?”

  “I knew of Belon’s ways with men and woman and did not judge him, yet when I learned you and he had come together, I judged you and left WorrlgenHall in anger after our harsh words,” Rulgesic said regretfully, “I had no right to be so harsh and only did from selfishness.”

  “There is nothing to forgive,” Ogorec said, at once.

  Rulgesic nodded pleased.

  “This Ovfren,” he said, as he nodded approvingly, “I could see even as I walked to you, that he was well in love.”

  Ogorec inhaled. “And it just as that for me with him as well.”

  Rulgesic slightly laughed.

  “Of all within this kingdom,” he admitted, “I never would have reasoned you brother, would love a man and one well younger.”

  “I would not as well,” Ogorec’s truth, “Until he besieged me like an invading force, and I must admit I have been conquered by him.”

  Rulgesic again nodded.

  “I will speak of it no more,” he said and threw open his arms to hug his brother, “All is as it is, and I am glad to have my brother again.”

  “As I,” Ogorec said, and hugged him back.

  **

  With winter approaching, Laad and Loth rode the pastures looking at the horses to make sure they appeared healthy, and as Laad rode on one side of the pasture and Loth on the other side, both stopped when they saw a messenger riding hard towards their direction.

  Curious why he was riding hard, instead of waiting for him to get closer to find out, Laad rode to him and
looked at him intently waiting to hear the message.

  “Your wife sends for you,” he said quickly, “And asks that you come at once.”

  Worriedly, Laad spurred his horse away, and when Loth saw the messenger, then Laad hurry away, followed suit.

  Once back at WorrlgenHall, his mind filled with fearful thoughts of what could have befallen his family, Laad jumped off horse and ran down hallways in full sprints, and up the stairs in leaps.

  “I am behind you!” Loth yelled, his actions mirroring Laad’s completely.

  Quickly, Laad burst through the door, breathing hard as his eyes searched the room.

  “Nona!” he yelled out, “What is wrong?”

  Panting as he yelled, when he looked over to the fireplace, he saw Nona standing by it completely naked, making his eyes widen.

  “I do want you breathing hard and panting,” Nona said, as she put her hands on her hips, “But not in such a way as that.”

  Loth right behind him about to burst through the door, Laad quickly put his arm out to stop him.

  “Nona is well,” he said.

  “Are the children well?” Loth questioned again trying to come inside.

  “They are well,” Laad answered and grinned, stopping him again.

  Making a face to frown, Loth didn’t understand why such a smile after being summoned with an urgent message, but when Laad held his arm out again to keep him from walking through the door, figured it out.

  “I gather the children are with mine?” he questioned, as he stood and shook his head to Laad playfully.

  Laad gave an ever-widening grin. “Yes.”

  Loth took in a deep breath to relax from running, and turned.

  “Worry not for them until morning,” he said and chuckled, “… and enjoy.”

  Laad closed the door; then latched it tightly, but when he began to walk towards Nona, she stopped him.

  “With each step,” she whispered, “Remove your clothes until you are bare just as I am.”

  Obeying, Laad removed his clothes as he walked; then once in front of her, his breath quickened from how the young girl he married had become an alluring woman that he loved and desired madly.

  “Such a woman you have become,” he said, as he stared at her body from head to toe, “Such a beautiful woman, and one well desired by her husband.”

  “Then show me how well,” Nona said, as he pressed her body to him and began to touch him.

  Laad put his hand under her flowing blond hair and touched her neck before he kissed her passionately; then like a feather in his arms, he whisked her to the edge of their bed.

  Tenderly, he laid her down; then spread her thighs and put his body between them.

  “Umm.” Laad hummed pleased as he looked at her breasts before he coupled them and kissed on them.

  Nona breathed heavy from Laad’s touch.

  “Ah, husband,” she inhaled and exhaled deeply, as his mouth now traveled pass her navel.

  “I thirst for the nectar of your fruit,” he said, as he tasted her, “And so sweet it is.”

  “Taste of it.” Nona now panted, “Then fill me with yours.”

  “Careful my love,” Laad warned, his tongue now relishing her sweetness, “I have much to give and it will find its place well and I am sure make you with child.”

  Nona laughed, as she put her fingers into his hair to pull him to her. “It cannot make me what I am.”

  Happy about her news, Laad hurried his mouth to hers.

  “Ah, Laad,” Nona whispered into his mouth, “Such a handsome man you are and well desired by me.”

  Laad stopped and rolled onto his back; then pulled Nona on top of him.

  “Then show me how well,” he said, as he again put his fingers into her hair, and as she straddled him, she did just that until he called out her name feverishly and fell limp.

  **

  Back at Ivodgald, Aderac called for Belon to come to the king’s private council so he could speak with him, his ten men of council sitting at the table beside him along with his treasurers, when he walked into the council room, although none stood, as always Aderac did.

  “Belon,” Aderac said when he sat back down, “The treasurers revealed that the Jeboric villages have brought no tolls to Ivodgald for at least three harvests. Will you go to them and find out why or what toil has caused such?”

  “I shall ride out at once,” he answered obediently.

  Caught off guard, Aderac looked surprised searching for words.

  “Belon uh, uh …” he caught himself before he spoke lovingly to him in front of his council and treasurers, “Must you leave so soon? Would dawn be more fitting so you can be rested and ride out with a clear head?”

  “It would great king,” Belon agreed, as he looked into his love’s eyes knowing the real reason for requesting a delayed departure.

  After going over plans with Enek, as well as, Ven, the other in command over the horse guard, but under Enek, and drinking with them for a short while, he came early to bed to wait for Aderac, but when he walked into their chamber, he found Aderac already readily waiting for him just inside the foyer.

  Although, pleased he was naked. Belon said nothing as he walked farther inside, then after he stretched out his arms; Aderac took off his belt and began to undress him.

  Both quiet while he did, Belon kept his arms stretched wide, then once done as they stood in the foyer, Aderac looked up and let out a heavy sad sigh and that and the look in his eyes, let Belon know Aderac would long for him the very second he rode off.

  As they stood, Belon tenderly put his hand behind Aderac’s head, and as Aderac put his arms around his waist, Belon kissed on his neck before he moved to his mouth.

  “Such misery is within me when I leave you,” Belon said, between his kisses.

  A chair in the foyer, instead of moving to their bed, Aderac moved Belon backwards onto it while he kissed him, then when he sat; straddled him and put his arms around him to hold him.

  “Return unharmed my love and with haste,” he whispered in his ear and hissed painfully pleased when he felt Belon suddenly thrust hard upward, instead of inching himself inside him slowly.

  The chair their place of passion until both could take no more, they held each other closely as their bodies finally went into convulsing fits; then once both had calmed, after whispers of love and soft kisses, moved to the bed to sleep.

  That morning, as Belon’s men lined in front of Ivodgald, Aderac rode in front of them giving them his words of encouragement before they rode off, and already knowing to ride ahead so Belon could speak to Aderac alone, the men did just that.

  Unable to kiss tenderly, which they normally did when Belon rode to WorrlgenHall, as the men rode away, Aderac, instead jumped from his horse as Belon jumped from his, and stood in front of him.

  As they looked at each other, Aderac’s stare into his eyes speaking for him, he tried to speak but couldn’t.

  “I shall be bold,” Belon finally broke their silence; his voice deep and resolved not caring who saw them, “And feel the soft full lips of who I love upon mine before I ride away.”

  Aderac smiled, as his breath quickened always weakened when Belon spoke to him in a deep tone.

  “Kiss me,” his soft words, before he put his arm around Belon’s strong wide back; then closed his eyes as Belon kissed his lips long and hard, and after he pulled his lips away, he gave him another tender kiss upon his forehead.

  After he mounted his horse and rode away, Aderac stood and watched until Belon had joined the men waiting for him; then after he mounted his horse too, he let out a few deep sighs, and rode through the gate into Ivodgald.

  That same night, at first unable to fall asleep, he finally did, but in the darkest hours, when sleep becomes deepest he began to dream.

  In his dream, he saw Belon soaked in blood from head to foot trying to wake him, but when he woke and tried to hold him, he suddenly vanished, and it vexed him so deeply he woke sweating profusely wh
ile heavily breathing; then leaned over the side of the bed vomiting.

  Wasting no time, right after he vomited; he leaped out of bed; hurried to the door and ordered his guard to get a messenger.

  “Ride hard to Belon,” he ordered deeply troubled, “Get word to him the king needs him to come back.”

  “Shall I give a reason why my king?” The messenger asked puzzled.

  “The king needs him…” Aderac lied, not wanting to reveal it was because he had a bad dream, “The king needs him back at Ivodgald now. Get word to him it is dire, dire, and ride such that your life is at stake!”

  As ordered, he rode hard and caught up with Belon and his men just before outskirts of the Jeboric villages and while they camped, when his men saw a messenger with the crest of Ivodgald draped across his horse’s neck riding hard towards them, got word to Belon, who quickly rode to meet him.

  “What is it? What is it?” Belon asked worried when he reached him, “Has something happened to the king? Has it?”

  “He sends word that you must return, and it is dire,” the messenger answered.

  “What has happened to the king?” Belon asked and grabbed him hard, worried about his love.

  “He did not speak it,” he answered, as he tried to pull away from Belon when he grabbed him, but couldn’t.

  Although, not pleased with his vague answer, Belon released him; then hurried back to camp to speak with Enek and Ven.

  “King Aderac has sent for me,” his anxious words, “I must go back. Stay the course and speak to the Jeboric leader and if there is treachery deal with it.”

  “If you grant it, I will go with a few,” Enek said confident, “Ven and the others can go back with you.”

  “Do not be haughty,” Belon warned, “I know how the people of these tribes are. They band together when they feel they have a cause.”

  “Let me go with a few instead,” Ven offered eagerly, “And be peaceful with them. Let me show my skill with words as one high under your command just as Enek has done.”

  Only after Enek nodded, did Belon agree.

  “So be it,” Belon said, but warned, “Be wary Ven. This will be your first command alone. Do not be eager to agree with a willing agreement to soon and trust an uneasy feeling you have no matter how small.”