“We would have you name her. It shall become custom that as long as it pleases you, you will name your descendants, Lady,” Maia said.
“Call her Seren, for her eyes are like stars,” the Lady said. Then she placed a kiss upon the infant’s forehead, and handed her back to her parents.
“And I have passed your challenge, Lady?” Maia asked, her eyes twinkling.
The Lady of the Lake laughed. “Aye, Daughter,” she told Maia, “you have, indeed. If I had chosen for my son, I could not have done better.”
“And we will be friends?” Maia persisted.
The Lady nodded, and then with a loving smile at them she sank once more beneath the lake, which was her home.
“I never thought to know such happiness,” Emrys Llyn told his wife.
“Nor I, my lord,” Maia responded. She lifted her head up to him for a kiss, and the infant in her arms protested as she was squeezed between her two parents.
They laughed, breaking away.
“She is already exhibiting my mother’s disposition,” Emrys said with a grin.
And Maia laughed again. She was indeed happy. Averil was happy. Now it but remained for Junia to find the same happiness, she thought. And together the Lord of the Lake and his wife walked back into their castle, their child in Maia’s arms now sleeping.
Part Three
Junia
Chapter 13
Gorawen watched as Junia slipped silently from the hall. The last of the Dragon Lord’s daughters was now fourteen. She was a tall, slender girl with wonderfully thick hair the color of ebony with faint gold and red highlights in it; and like her two elder sisters, Junia had green eyes. But unlike Averil whose eyes were a pale green, and Maia who had eyes the color of an emerald, Junia’s eyes were a deep leaf green. She had already outgrown her coltishness, and was now a bit taller than her eldest sister, Averil. Her face was a perfect oval, her eyes more round than almond in shape. Her elegant little nose turned up just slightly, and her mouth was long. She had become in a few short years a very beautiful young woman.
They saw little of her, however, for Junia was always out of doors on her horse. She had missed her elder siblings greatly, and when they had first gone she had spent much time with their brother, Brynn; but Brynn was still a boy, and Junia had outgrown him and his games. So she chose to study with the keep’s best sword master, and its finest archer. She rode daily, and for hours, often returning home with plants for Gorawen, asking what they were and whether they were of use in making medicines. Gorawen gladly explained the origin and nature of the plants, and taught Junia how to use them, making salves, ointments, pills, and teas.
Junia absorbed all this knowledge but when it came to the lessons of housewifery she was not in the least interested. Cooking bored her. Embroidery was a chore to be avoided. She had not her mother’s talent with the needle, and could barely darn her stockings. She learned to make candles, soap and preserves grudgingly. She was happy to hunt for her family, but the dressing of her kill needed to be done by others, for Junia would not do it. With her sisters’ departures Junia Pendragon had developed an entirely new personality. She was not longer the littlest sister. She became a very independent girl, and was beginning to exhibit a strong will.
Ysbail came into the hall, looking about. “Have you seen Junia?” she asked Gorawen. “She is to have another embroidery lesson with me though frankly I despair. I have never known anyone so clumsy with a needle.”
“I suspect she has gone out,” Gorawen answered. “The day is fair.”
“If she were older I would swear she was meeting someone,” Ysbail said irritably. “I think it is time for Merin to start seeking a husband for her. She is too wild a girl by far, and before she gets out of control she should have a husband.”
Gorawen nodded. “I agree,” she said, surprising Ysbail. “Junia has grown into a beautiful young woman. I believe our lord will be able to make a good match for her.”
“But I would still wish she was more skilled in the womanly arts,” Ysbail said.
“She need only be skilled in one,” Gorawen said with a small smile. “Have you taught her the things she needs to know to please a husband?”
“Nay,” Ysbail replied. “Each time I try to broach the subject Junia tells me she does not want to hear such things. That she is not ready.” Then Ysbail looked at Gorwen, and said, “Would you try with her? You are far more skilled in the arts of love than either Argel or me. And Junia likes you.”
“If you are certain you want me to speak with her, I will,” Gorawen replied. And the sooner the better. She had believed for some time that Junia was indeed meeting someone even if her mother did not. She did not think these meetings had led to anything yet, but Junia was growing up very quickly. She had also, like her sisters, become very willful in her character, and determined to have her own way when she wanted it. Argel entered the hall to join them, and Gorawen after a few minutes departed to find Brynn. Brynn would know something about where his sister went, and if she was meeting anyone.
Brynn was in the courtyard of the keep practicing hand-to-hand sword combat with the keep’s captain-at-arms, Walter. Gorawen watched with interest. The boy was only eleven, but he had a natural skill that promised to turn him into a great warrior one day. Gorawen hoped he should never have to go to war. Merin had gone off now and again in the service of his prince, Llywelyn ap Iowerth. The prince of the Welsh was forever having to protect his rights against the young English king, Henry III, and his nobles. Gorawen was glad for the isolation which kept Dragon’s Lair safe.
The lesson done, Brynn walked over to his father’s concubine, a woman he loved every bit as much as his mother. “What think you, lady? Am I improving?”
“Greatly,” she told him. “Now come walk with me to cool off, for I would not have you get a chill, son of Merin.”
The boy grinned. He liked Gorawen. She was clever, and she never treated him like a child as did his own mother, and Ysbail. “I have my father’s good health, I am happy to say,” he told her as they walked from the courtyard into the small walled garden. It was late summer.
“Tell me where Junia goes each day when she rides out,” Gorawen said without any preamble.
The boy did not flinch. “She rides all over the district, but her favorite spot is the old ruins near Mryddin Water,” he said.
“Who does she meet there?” Gorawen asked.
“Sometimes a Marcher lad. I don’t know his family name.”
“You have spied on them?” Gorawen said.
“Nay, I used to go with Junia. The ruins are a grand place to play, Gorawen,” he explained. “Then one day this older boy came riding up. We became friends, the three of us. He has helped me with my swordplay and I have learned a great deal from him.”
“But you do not go with Junia anymore to Mryddin Water?” Gorawen asked.
“Nay, a couple of months ago Junia asked me not to come with her all the time. I think she likes Simon. For a while she giggled at everything he said,” Brynn finished disgustedly.
Gorawen laughed. “Girls do that when they like a boy,” she explained to him.
Brynn rolled his eyes. “I never saw Juni behave in so silly a fashion,” he said.
“Just what do you know of this boy?” she queried him.
“Simon,” he said. “He is Simon.”
“But Simon who?”
Brynn shook his dark head. “I don’t know,” he answered her. “He’s just Simon to us as we are Brynn and Junia to him.”
Gorawen nodded. It would be that way with young people. The boy rode. That would mean he was from a good family. Peasants did not have horses to ride, nor could they ride. But who was he? And how old was he? And what were he and Junia doing alone in the ruins by Myrddin Water? Yes, it was time for Junia to be matched and wed before she could not be. And I must learn more about this boy, Gorawen thought. She would not tell Ysbail, however. Ysbail would immediately jump to all the wrong conclusions
and forbid Junia to ride out. And then Junia would disobey her mother, and the war would be on between them. No, Gorawen considered silently. I will learn what this is all about first before I say anything to either Merin or Ysbail.
Unfortunately at the evening meal Ysbail began to complain to the Dragon Lord. “Junia is past fourteen now, my lord, yet you make no effort of which I am aware to find her a husband. Why is that? Do you not hold her in as great esteem as your two other daughters? I know I disappointed you when I did not bear you a son, my lord, but Junia is of your blood as are Averil and Maia.”
The Dragon Lord looked startled at Ysbail’s accusation, but it was Argel who quickly spoke up.
“Junia is as highly treasured as any of our good lord’s children, Ysbail. Why do you say such things to him? You know your words are not true. When the time is right for a marriage to be made for Junia it will be.” Argel had the strongest urge to slap Ysbail for her outburst.
“I am not ready to marry,” Junia said, surprising them all.
“Your sisters were fifteen when they wed,” Ysbail snapped at her daughter. “Do you think good matches are easily come by, and especially for the daughter of a concubine?”
“I could be content at Dragon’s Lair for the rest of my life,” Junia replied calmly. “Perhaps I never want to marry, Mother.”
Ysbail gave a screech, and her hand flew to her heart. “Never want to wed? What foolishness is this, girl? Of course you will marry! What else is there for a girl?” Then a terrified look came into her eye. “You do not have a passion for the church, do you?” What a catastrophe that would be, Ysbail thought. She had anticipated spending the rest of her life in comfort with her daughter’s family. If Junia preferred a convent she would be forced to remain at Dragon’s Lair.
“I have no tendre for the cloistered life, Mother,” Junia said. “I am simply not ready to marry yet. Why do you wish to hurry me along that path?”
“If you wait much longer you will be considered too old,” Ysbail said, trying to calm herself. “You are just nervous, but once your father presents several suitors to you, Junia, you will no longer be afraid.”
“I am neither nervous or afraid,” Junia responded. “I am just not ready.”
“The discussion is ended,” Merin Pendragon said firmly. “In the spring I will seek among the young men for a husband for this youngest of my daughters, but not now, Ysbail. And do not nag me about it again.”
Ysbail clamped her lips shut, but they could all tell she was not satisfied with her lord’s answer. Yet she would get no aid from either Argel or Gorawen she knew, for they were in agreement with the Dragon Lord. Still, if she did not stand up for her child, who would? Gorawen could be content with her son-in-law, the lord of Everleigh. Argel was happy that her Maia was married to the Lord of the Lake. But what of poor Junia? She was not the first child born to Merin Pendragon. Nor was she the heiress of Merin Pendragon. Nay, she was the baby born who was not the son they had wanted. Brynn Pendragon held that honor. No, poor Junia was just the youngest daughter. But she had her mother, and Ysbail knew she would stand up for the best match they could obtain for Junia. She had to, else her own old age would not be the contented one she had always envisioned.
Junia grit her teeth and tried not to let her mother annoy her. Why was Ysbail so intent on marrying her off? She was tempted to go up to her room, but she was not yet ready for solitude.
“Come play chess with me, Junia,” Gorawen invited.
“I’ll get the board,” Junia replied enthusiastically.
Gorawen brought a small flat table from its place next to the wall, setting it before the hearth between two chairs. Junia brought the board and the chess pieces. Sitting down she set it all up. The board was made of ebony and holly wood. The matching pieces had been carved from ebony and holly, as well. Gorawen took the dark colored pieces as she always did, and they began to play. The early moves were swift and easy, but then they became more difficult.
“Brynn tells me you and he have made a friend of a boy named Simon,” Gorawen said as she moved her knight. “Who is he? From where does he come?”
“You haven’t told my mother, have you?” Junia answered the question with a question. “Is that why she has begun nattering at Da to find me a husband?”
“Why would I tell anyone? Yet,” Gorawen responded low.
“He is from the Englishry,” Junia said. “Brynn and I met him several years ago when we began to explore the ruins by Mryddin Water.” She blocked Gorawen’s knight.
Gorawen pondered her next move. “How old is he?” she asked.
“When we first met he was sixteen,” Junia said. “Now he is eighteen.”
“I think it not wise you meet him alone now,” Gorawen gently suggested. “Take Brynn with you the next time you go to Mryddin Water.”
“Why? Because I am of an age to wed?” Junia said. “I do not need a nursemaid when Simon and I meet, Gorawen. We do nothing wrong.”
“I did not say you did, my child, and keep your voice down lest you alert your mother who I know would have you confined to the keep should she learn you are riding out to meet with a young man, Junia,” Gorawen warned the girl. “If you like this young man, your father can approach his father about a match. Provided, of course, that he is not already betrothed.” Unable to decide what to do, Gorawen moved another of her pawns. Junia was really a very good player, and always offered her a challenge.
“He is not yet betrothed,” Junia said. “Do you really think Da would try to arrange a match for me with Simon?”
“Do you think Simon would like such a match?” Gorawen said.
“I don’t know,” the girl replied, her smooth brow furrowing as she considered the possibility.
“I think the first thing we must know is who Simon’s family are,” Gorawen replied. “I assume that since he has a horse he is of good breeding.”
“He is well-spoken, and educated,” Junia volunteered. “We talk on all manner of things. His father knows King Henry.” Her green eyes were sparkling as she offered this bit of information. “And Simon is so handsome, Gorawen!”
“Is he?” Gorawen smiled. “Tell me, Junia.”
“He has dark hair like mine, and his eyes are the purest gray I have ever seen. I think he is every bit as handsome as my sister Maia’s husband; and he is certainly handsomer than Rhys FitzHugh,” Junia said.
“Indeed,” Gorawen noted. Her son-in-law was a fine-looking man, but he was nowhere near as handsome as Emrys Llyn. But Gorawen was concerned, for Junia already sounded as if she were falling in love with this Simon. “Learn his surname, my child, and then come tell me so I may speak to your father for you.”
“Oh, thank you, Gorawen!” Junia said, and then a look of regret passed over her face. She bit her lower lip. “Check and mate,” she said ruefully.
But Gorawen just laughed aloud and said, “You are really becoming a fine player, Junia. I am proud of you. Neither of your sisters play as well.”
Junia smiled happily. Suddenly life was just wonderful. She had Simon, and Gorawen had just complimented her. She asked Brynn to come with her the following day when she rode out to Mryddin Water to meet Simon.
“Gorawen says I should not meet Simon alone now that I am of a marriageable age,” she confided to her younger sibling.
“And you actually listened?” Brynn said unbelievingly. “There is more to this than you are telling me, Sister.”
Junia’s pale skin grew pink. “Gorawen says if his family is a respectable one Da might be willing to make a match beween Simon and me!”
“And what if his family is not suitable?” Brynn demanded to know. “What will you do then, Sister?”
“Do not even think such a thing!” Junia cried. “Of course Simon’s family will be suitable, Brynn. They must be!”
“But if they are not?” he persisted.
“I will not think about it,” Junia replied.
“You must think about it, Sister,” th
e boy pressed her. “Would you run away with him, that is, if he would do it? Would you refuse to marry at all?”
“I don’t know,” Junia admitted. “But Simon’s family will be acceptable to Da. I just know it will, Brynn! Why are you always so dour?”
“Always have a plan, Sister,” Brynn replied. “And another plan if the first one fails. ’Tis only prudent.”
Reaching Mryddin Water they dismounted and secured their horses. Brynn began to climb the stairs of the ruined castle to their very top, which offered him a fine view of the surrounding countryside. Junia picked a bunch of daisies, and began to weave crowns from the flowers. She was very nervous. She had met Simon when she was twelve. Knowing his surname had never been necessary until today. How was she to go about learning that surname? Could she ask him outright?
“He’s coming,” Brynn Pendragon called out from his aerie atop the stairs.
Junia’s heart began to beat rapidly. She pinched her cheeks to bring some color into them. Why was she so damned pale? She sat on her perch over the little river, watching as his big horse picked its way across the shallows to the other side. Seeing him entering the clearing she came forth to greet him along with Brynn, who dashed down from his watch post atop the stairs.
“Brynn! It is good to see you again,” Simon said as he saw the boy. “What brings you here today?”
“Juni shouldn’t be meeting you alone,” Brynn said. “You are both of an age to make a match. I can’t have my sister’s reputation tarnished, now, can I, Simon?”
“Brynn!” Junia was blushing. “Oh, Simon, I do apologize for my little brother’s quick tongue,” she said.
“He’s right, Junia, but the de Bohuns are honorable folk. I swear it,” Simon de Bohun said with a smile. She was so fair, his Junia.
“As are Pendragons,” Brynn replied. There! That answered the question they needed to know, and told him as well. Brynn was pleased with himself. “I’m going rabbitting,” he said. “I’ll be back.” And he trudged off, his traps in his hand, ready to set.
The Dragon Lord's Daughters Page 25
