“And Simon’s family is?” the Dragon Lord’s favorite probed gently.
“He is Simon de Bohun! It is an honorable name, Gorawen, is it not?”
Gorawen grew deathly pale. “Oh, my dearest child,” she said, “you cannot wed with a de Bohun. Your father will never allow it. I am so, so sorry!” She reached out to embrace Junia, but the girl drew back as if she had been scalded.
“What are you saying?” she gasped.
“We must speak with your father now,” Gorawen said, her eyes filled with tears.
Junia sat as if she had been carved out of stone. “You must say nothing until his father comes to ask for me,” she responded woodenly.
“His father will not come, Junia. Merin! Please hear this,” Gorawen called to the Dragon Lord. “Junia, tell your father of your meetings at Mryddin Water with Simon.”
“What is this?” Ysbail was immediately on her feet. She ran to stand before Gorawen and Junia. “Have you been meeting with a man, you slut?” She slapped her daughter’s face. “Will you ruin yourself, you little fool? Who will have you if it is known you are a road already well traveled?”
Gorawen jumped to her feet. “Do not dare to hit Junia,” she said angrily. “You know naught, but you have already assumed the worst. Are the daughters of this house raised to behave like common whores?”
“Do not tell me how to discipline my daughter,” Ysbail screeched. “I did not raise her to behave like some trull!”
“And she has not!” Gorawen said sharply. “If you will shut your mouth and keep your evil thoughts to yourself you will learn the tragedy that is befalling your child. Her sweet and innocent heart is about to be broken.”
Ysbail sat down heavily. “What has happened, Junia?” she queried her daughter in calmer tones. “Tell me.”
“No,” Merin Pendragon said. “Tell me, daughter,” and he came and sat on the other side of her from Gorawen, pushing Ysbail away as he did so, curious that Brynn came and sat down on the floor before his sister.
“His name is Simon de Bohun,” Junia began, hearing both her mother and Argel gasp. “Brynn and I met him two years ago in the ruins at Mryddin Water.” Two large tears slipped down her pale face. “We are in love, Father. He wants to marry me. Why is that so wrong?”
“It is not wrong to be in love, Juni,” her father began. “And it is not wrong to want to wed. But there is bad blood between the Pendragons and the de Bohuns, my daughter. No marriage between you and this Simon can ever be celebrated. I am sorry.”
“Why is there bad blood between our families, Da?” Junia asked, her voice shaking with her shock.
“One hundred and twenty-two years ago Bronwyn Pendragon was to marry Robert de Bohun. The betrothal papers had been signed, and then in a quirk of fate Robert de Bohun died before the marriage could be celebrated. His family refused to return Bronwyn’s dower portion. They claimed the very agreement signed by both families entitled them to it. That it was not their fault their son had died. It was a dastardly and greedy act. You know that the Pendragons have never been a wealthy family, Juni. Without the return of her dower Bronwyn could not be rematched. Not even the richest religious house would take her without a portion of some kind, and there was simply nothing left. Because of the de Bohun name we had scraped together everything we could. But Bronwyn had loved Robert de Bohun. Heartbroken by his death, and by the fact his family’s refusal to return her dower had caused a breach between the Pendragons and the de Bohun’s, Bronwyn threw herself from the top of the north tower.”
“Oh, Da!” Junia said softly.
“That was not the end of it, daughter,” the Dragon Lord continued. “Bronwyn’s father sought out the de Bohun heir, the family’s other son. He castrated him, causing his eventual death. He had hoped by this brutal act to wipe out the family thus restoring his daughter’s honor. However, the de Bohun heir’s wife was enceinte. She gave birth to twin sons seven months later, and raised her children to hate the Pendragons as has every generation of de Bohuns since. And that, Juni, is why you cannot wed with a de Bohun.”
Junia was silent for a long moment, and then she said, “That is ridiculous, Da! Are you telling me that because of a feud that was begun one hundred and twenty-two years ago, Simon and I cannot wed? Have neither the Pendragons or the de Bohuns ever considered healing this terrible breach? Is not now a good time to do it? Until this day neither Simon or I was aware of the other’s surname, and certainly we did not know of this feud. We have fallen in love. We want to marry. Can the love we have for each other not cure the ancient bitterness between our families? Is not love stronger than hate? I think it is, and I would have Simon de Bohun to wed. No other.”
“Junia,” her father said, “I would give you this if I could, but I cannot. Your Simon’s father is a man with a particularly cruel reputation. For a time he ceased his wickedness, for his wife was known to be a very good woman. But after her death he once again took up his old ways. He will not consider a match between our families. I am sorry.”
“If no one will try to make peace then there will never be peace,” Junia replied.
Merin Pendragon nodded. “That is true, daughter, but it is the way of the world.”
“I will have no other to husband me,” Junia said stubbornly.
“Aye, you will, one day, Juni,” the Dragon Lord told his youngest daughter, “but for now your heart needs time to heal itself. I will not force you into marriage with any man until you tell me you are ready to consider it,” he promised her.
Junia stood up. The look she gave them was so tragic that Argel, Ysbail and Gorawen all began to weep. Then the young girl ran from the hall sobbing bitterly.
“Is there no hope?” Gorawen finally said.
The Dragon Lord shook his head. “If Hugo de Bohun did not have so foul a reputation I might attempt to end the bad blood between us for Juni’s sake, but I want no daughter of mine in that man’s house. And who is to say this Simon did not know Junia was my child? Who is to say he is not like his father, and was attempting to seduce her?”
“Simon is a good man, Da!” Brynn spoke up. “He has always treated my sister with the utmost respect.”
“But you have not been with them always,” Gorawen reminded the boy. Like his sister he was yet trusting of the world.
“You left them alone?” The Dragon Lord sounded displeased.
“My sister asked me not to trail after her,” Brynn said, the very memory of it offending him. “It was only a few times, but I spied on them twice. All they were doing was sitting and talking. And they weren’t even close to each other.”
“We raised her to have pride in her honor,” Argel said quietly.
Gorawen concurred, saying, “I trust Junia, and she has told me nothing happened between them. I believe her, Merin.”
“I will beat her senseless if I learn she has been loose in her behavior,” Ysbail muttered. “What a pity there is bad blood between the de Bohuns and us. What a fine match that would have been for my daughter! A de Bohun for a husband would certainly have been a better catch than a FitzHugh, and perhaps even Emrys Llyn.”
“Put it from your mind, woman,” Merin Pendragon said harshly. “Hugo de Bohun’s serfs are said to scar their own daughters to keep them from his roving eye and that of his men. I should not like our daughter in such a house.”
“To think that Junia could attract such a fine name,” Ysbail said, half ignoring him. “You will have to go some, my lord, to find an equally good husband for Junia now. I shall not be satisfied with just anyone.”
Argel and Gorawen looked at each other, both tempted to laugh. They managed to restrain themselves. As always, Ysbail was being selfish. They knew she hoped to leave Dragon’s Lair to live in her daughter’s house when Junia was finally wed one day. Both knew she would be doomed to disappointment in that matter. Still, both women wished that Ysbail understood the heartbreak that Junia would suffer from this incident. They could but hope to console the young g
irl’s disappointment in her stead.
Junia did not appear in the hall the following day. She kept to her tower chamber.
Argel sent a servant up twice with a tray for the girl. Both trays were returned untouched. Junia would allow no one into her chamber. Listening at the door Gorawen heard her weeping piteously, and hurried away lest she weep herself. They left her to herself, for they knew that Junia needed time to come to terms with the unfortunate situation. And then on the evening of the second day the young girl appeared in the hall, and took her place at the high board. She was pale, and very quiet, and she did not speak a great deal but to answer when spoken to, but this was in keeping with her past behavior.
The following morning Junia came into the hall, and broke her fast. She seemed a bit more cheerful, and Brynn noted it aloud. They were alone.
“Today is the day I am to meet Simon,” Junia said softly, her eyes shining. “I know he will have overcome his father’s objections to a match, for he loves me. Together we will surmount my father’s objections. It is past time this feud was ended, Brynn.”
“Don’t tell me you are going to Mryddin Water, Juni,” the boy said.
“Simon said he would meet me in three days’ time. Today is the third day, Brother,” Junia replied calmly.
“If his da is as bad as our da says, he’ll not be there. It might even be dangerous for you to go, sister,” Brynn warned her.
“Simon will let nothing happen to me, Brynn,” Junia assured her brother.
“Then I will go with you,” he answered her.
“Nay, you must not,” Junia responded. “Given that both Simon and I now know the story of our families estrangement, it would appear that I did not trust him if you came. There is naught for me to fear.”
“Let me go,” Brynn pleaded with her. “If he is not there, you have your answer. If he is, then I will ascertain the lay of the land for you.”
“Nay,” Junia replied. “I trust Simon, and if you tell Da, I will follow the example of Bronwyn Pendragon, and jump from the north tower, Brynn.”
Brynn grew silent. There was no reasoning with Junia when she got this way. In that sense she and Maia were much alike. He would simply follow his sister to be certain she came to no harm. It was not likely that Simon de Bohun would show up anyhow. Like Junia he was bound to obey his father’s wishes, too. Junia would make the trip, see the truth of the matter, and cry, but that would be the end of it. And he already felt badly for his sister. A feud such as the one his father had described in the hall three nights ago seemed so foolish. Brynn arose from the high board, and bidding his sister be careful, left the hall.
Junia went back up to her tower chamber. She washed her face, and brushing out her long black hair replaited it in a single braid, which she tied with a small bit of ivory ribbon. Her gown was a deep green. It was her second best gown, but she wanted Simon to be proud when they met today. Going to the stables Junia called for her horse, and it was brought. She mounted the beast, and rode from her father’s keep, watching carefully to be certain that no one of note saw her go. The stable yard was quite empty, and the sentries posted at the entry to the keep merely nodded as she moved by them. They were used to Junia’s wanderings.
Brynn Pendragon watched his sister leave their father’s keep. As he knew where she was going, he also knew he need not hurry after her, and risk being seen. Simon never arrived at the ruins by Mryddin until after they did. Brynn suspected he waited to see them come before coming himself. There was more than enough time to reach the place of assignation. Brynn did not pray often, but he now prayed that Simon de Bohun would not come to meet his sister. No matter what he said, Junia would believe she could overcome the great odds of the ancient feud between their families. And knowing Simon de Bohun, another dreamer, Brynn thought, he would think so, too. It was a pity. They were very well matched. Perhaps one day when this Hugo de Bohun was gone to hell, Brynn considered, he could approach Simon, and together they would put a stop to this foolishness. Of course, by then it would be too late for Simon and Junia. Both would be wed to others.
Brynn now went to the stables to fetch his horse. As an afterthought he strapped on the sword his father had given him on his last birthday when he had turned eleven. His bow and quiver he affixed to his saddle before mounting the beast. Then he rode out of his father’s keep, following the barely visible track that would bring him to Mryddin Water. He was far enough behind his sister that she would not hear him to her rear. By the time he reached the water the sound of the little weir would muffle the sound of his animal’s hooves. Brynn was rather pleased with himself, and he thought his father would be, too. He was thinking like a warrior.
Ahead of him Junia’s heart was hammering with her excitement. Simon would come! Of course he would come. He loved her. She could barely wait to see him again. She heard the sound of the little weir tumbling over the rocks before she even reached Mryddin Water. She loved that little waterfall. There was something magical about it that had always called to her. And then her path ended as she entered the small clearing by the water. Dismounting, she tied her horse to a tree so it would not wander, and waited for her lover to arrive.
“Junia!” His voice called to her.
“Simon!”
He was here. She watched as his mount picked its way across the stream just above the weir. He dismounted, and they flew into each other’s arms.
“I love you!” she cried. “I don’t care that you are a de Bohun!”
“I love you too, sweeting,” he answered her, his arms enclosing her in an embrace. “I did not know of the feud until my father told me the other night.”
“Nor did I,” Junia answered. “Oh, Simon, what are we to do?”
“What can we do?” he responded. “Without my father’s approval, without your father’s approval, how can we marry, how will we live, Junia?”
“I do not care as long as we are together,” Junia declared passionately.
“Sweeting, you must have a home to lay your head. Food. And so much more,” he told her. “How can I provide this for you if I am disinherited?”
“You could sell your sword, Simon. There is talk of another Crusade. I would go with you. We would survive the better for being together,” Junia said.
“You have said your father would not permit your marriage until you are fifteen. Let me have until then to try to pursuade my father to end this feud, Junia. And you will speak with your sire,” he responded.
“What if your father decides to match you with another?” she cried.
“He has already made the suggestion, but I have told him I will have no other, and I will not, Junia. You know as well as I do that the church will not sanction any union that is coerced. There is no way on this earth that my father could force me to marry another, sweeting. I am yours. I swear it!”
“And my father has said he will not force me to any marriage unless I am content to be a bride,” Junia responded, smiling up into his handsome face.
“This whole thing is so foolish,” Simon said. “It goes back several generations, and until a few days ago I had not heard of it. How important can it now be to our families if we did not know?” He took her hands in his, and they sat facing one another on the stones about the clearing by the stream. “Junia, you must know that my father is not a good man. He was different while my mother lived, but after she died they say he reverted to his old ways. He is a cruel man. Frankly, I have done my best to stay out of his way these past few years. He does not care as long as I do his bidding. His lands and his passions are all that interest him.”
“I am told your serfs disfigure their daughters to keep them from him,” Junia said quietly. “Is it so, Simon?”
He nodded. “It is true, I am ashamed to admit.”
“I think if his reputation were not quite so bad,” Junia murmured, “I might cajole my father into making peace. Da is a good man, and loved by all who know him.”
“If only I had my own wealth,�
�� Simon said desperately, “but I am beholden to my father for everything. The clothes I wear, every bite I eat, even my horse.”
“But surely if your father loves you he would want you happy in your marriage,” Junia said innocently. “He did love your mother I have been told.”
“My father does not love me,” Simon replied. “I am little more to him than a possession, sweet Junia. Something to be made use of, nothing more.”
“Who is the girl your father would have you wed?” she asked, unable to help herself, or stifle her curiosity.
“Her lands border ours in one direction. She is an only child, and while richer than we are, her name is not as noble. So in exchange for our name we gain her riches. Or so my father hopes; but I will not marry this girl, Junia. I will not!”
“I am Da’s youngest daughter, Simon. My mother is nothing more than a concubine. My dower portion is very modest. Some sheep and cattle. Fifteen silver pennies when I reach the age of fifteen. Nothing more. I have no lands. Only my sister, Maia, who is the legitimate daughter, had a small portion of land in her dower.”
“But you have said your two elder sisters married well,” he said.
“They did,” Junia admitted.
“Then you have useful relations,” Simon told her with a smile. “That is something.” He raised her hands to his lips, and kissed them. “Fifteen silver pennies is a goodly sum, Junia.” His pure gray eyes smiled into her green ones.
She laughed softly. “You are making fun of me,” she said. Oh, how she loved this man!
“It is a respectable dower, sweeting, and let none tell you otherwise. Your da has been very wise in setting aside such a sum, for it makes you a desirable bride despite your lack of lands. The silver can buy available lands,” Simon told her.
“Well.” Junia chuckled. “I am not the poorest prospect, I suppose.” Then she grew serious. “We must play a waiting game, my love. As long as I know you love me I can do it, Simon. When will I see you again?”
“We need be careful, Junia,” he said. “I want no harm coming to you.”
The Dragon Lord's Daughters Page 27
