Page 61 of Knight of Chaos
Theobald smiled down upon her. Still sitting on his horse, he towered over her. She came to Buttercup and patted his muzzle before she gave him a bright red apple.
“You will spoil him,” Theobald said before he, too, tethered his horse to a nearby tree.
“Buttercup deserves it since you have saddled him with such an unbecoming name,” she teased. “Such a beautiful animal needs a name that befits him.”
The horse neighed as if commenting on their conversation. “He may be beautiful, but he is still an ornery beast with the soul of a devil. He is far too used to doing whatever he pleases when given the opportunity.”
“He still deserves better,” she laughed. She went to Valor and fed him an apple as well before she opened the satchel tied to the saddle and pulled out a blanket and a small repast for her and her husband to share. She placed the blanket down upon the mossy ground and beckoned for Theobald to join her. They ate in silence for several minutes watching the river flow by.
“’Tis not a bad life here, with you by my side,” Theobald finally said taking her hand and raising her fingertips to his lips.
“No regrets about no longer serving the Empress in battle?” she asked as she rolled over onto her side and leaned on one elbow. Theobald pushed their meal away and laid down next to her.
“Nay. I have always wanted to place to call my own. A fire next to my feet, good food, and a drink to fill my belly. That this miracle has included a wife whom I love is surely a bonus, do you not agree?” he teased her, leaning forward to capture her lips.
Her arm snaked around his neck, and she held onto him as their kiss deepened. A soft sigh left her. “I left my home for a cause and also gained a husband,” she said once their kiss ended. “I suppose the chaos that has surrounded us since we met is finally at an end.”
“I certainly hope so!” Theobald laughed. His face suddenly became serious. “Do you have regrets, dearest wife?”
Her hand reached up to caress his cheek. “None. Somewhere along the way of fighting for the Empress’s cause, we found one another. You have been a pleasant surprise, my love. I can only pray that nothing and no one will ever tear us apart again.”
Theobald took his hand and pulled her closer and she snuggled into his side. “I vow I shall keep you forever at my side.”
A small smile crept up at the corner of her mouth. “I could not ask more from you than that.”
Theobald kissed her again and they were soon lost in a moment that Ingrid would remember for the rest of her life. With the sound of the rushing river before them, Theobald made love to her as though ’twas their first time together. They were beginning their lives anew. The Lord and Lady of Calbridge. Perchance if they were blessed, children might one day follow.
Ingrid would have smiled if her lips were not busy. Aye… she had captured the heart of the Knight of Chaos and was loved. May peace and prosperity fill their lives from now on.
Epilogue
Calbridge Castle
The Year of Our Lord’s Grace 1146
Theobald paced hissolar like a caged animal. His wine had been left untouched for the past hour. Who could enjoy a drink when the screams of his wife could be heard down the passageway? He did not want to get his hopes up again… not when they had lost several babes since they wed five years ago.
“Take a seat, brother. This labor business could go on for several more hours if my own experience with Ceridwen is anything like what your wife is going through,” Wymar declared, taking a sip of his wine. “Come… drink! It will make you feel better.”
Another scream echoed down the corridor causing Theobald to peer at the open doorway, hoping a servant would appear to give him good news. “How can you possibly drink at a time like this?” Theobald growled out, continuing his pacing.
Wymar stood, refilled his chalice and his brother’s, and then held out the cup. “Your wife is about to bring your child into this world. I have never known a better time to drink.”
Theobald finally stopped and took the cup his brother offered. He was about to down the contents but thought better of it. He did not wish to have his mind fuzzy with drink in case Ingrid called for him.
He had been shooed from their bedchamber hours ago by the women who were attending to his wife. Ceridwen and Wymar had arrived just in time, and his sister-in-law had immediately stepped in to help see to Ingrid’s comfort. As the labor had progressed, Theobald had been told to leave as this was no place for a husband. Birthing a child was a messy business. That comment alone was enough for Theobald to quickly kiss his wife and find his brother to wait until she delivered their child. But the wait had felt endless. Had it been days since she had gone into labor? Theobald had no sense of time anymore.
Wymar ushered him to a chair near the hearth. He sat, numb to everything around him. He knew that many women did not survive childbirth. He could not lose his wife!
“You are having a hard time of it, are you not, brother?” Wymar said. “Tell me what you plan to name the child.”
“Rolf, if the child is a boy,” Theobald answered running his fingers through his hair.
“A good, strong name,” Wymar said. “And if the babe is a girl?”
“Coira.” A simple answer was all he could manage when his wife’s cries one more could be heard.
Wymar raised one brow. “Coira? Sounds Scottish. Why Coira?”
